This Can't Be Love

Now Or Never

Chapter 12: Now Or Never

Sam was doing her everything para matapos yung dalawang chapter pa ng libro niya, but she can't. She can't keep her mind off of that party. She wasn't really got invited to parties before where her main goal was to impress Dom, but now hindi niya alam ang gagawin or ang susuotin niya. I'm f****d.

But save me the bell - or a knock in this case - Ella entered the room at pagod na pagod from her 6 pm class.

"Besh! Oh my gosh! Thank you!" Sabi ni Sam and she was all over Ella, Ella looked at her terrified and worried.

"Besh... What's-"

"Let's go! Shopping!" Sabi ni Sam and Ella stared at her.

"Okay. Maganda yan. Wala akong gagawin bukas..." sabi ni Ella as she pushed Sam away from her and drop her bag on the floor and slumped her exhausted body on the bed.

"I was thinking tonight..." sabi ni Sam at nakita niyang nakapikit si Ella, nilapitan niya si Ella at pilit niyang binuksan yung mga mata. "Uy! Besh!"

"Ano?" Ella tirelessly asked.

"Let's go shopping tonight..." Sam repeated.

"Besh... Anong gusto mo? Shopping o buhay ng bestfriend mo?"

"Overdramatic naman to!" Sabi ni Sam and Ella looked at her.

"No. Im really tired." Sabi ni Ella and she sit down. "Ano bang gagawin mo sa mall? Na parang pwedeng hindi ipagpabukas?"

"I need to find something to wear, para sa party nila Topher." Sabi ni Sam.

"Madami ka namang damit diyan diba?"

"No! This is different Besh! I need something..."

"Something what?"

"Uhm..."

"Dont tell me pupunta si Toni?" Ella asked and Sam's eyes go wide as she shakes her head. "Oh? Eh bakit kailangan- oh wait... oh my gosh! BESH!"

"What???"

"For Dom?" Ella eyeing her best friend. Sam just looks guilty as she hides her face away from Ella. "Besh! You! Homewrecker!"

"Ay? Homewrecker agad?" Sam said and Ella raised her eyebrow "Besh she loves me! Crazy right? Dominique Valdez? That freaking tall dark and annoying person. Yes. I love her and she loves me."

"But-"

"They're breaking up tonight..."

"At nakaabang ka agad?" Ella asked and Sam pouts

"Besh... can you just be happy for me?" Sam asked.

"Oo naman! Of course!" Sabi ni Ella.

"Ha'ay thank you..." sabi ni Sam. "So... can we go shopping now?" Sam insisted.

"Samantha isa pa masasapak na kita!" Sabi ni Ella and Sam stood up at umupo sa sarili niyang kama. "Good. Now sleep para makapagmall tayo bukas." Sabi ni Ella and she change into her sleep clothes at humiga. Sam mimicked her and humiga na din. Ella closed her eyes as Sam look at their dorm room's ceiling.

"Besh?" Sam called Ella as the shorter girl turn her lampshade off.

"No." Ella replied closed her eyes and turn her back to Sam.

"Okay..."

___________________

Sam and Ella reached the venue on time kasama yung buong volleyball team - naininvite din pala ni Dom - they entered the house at mula sa labas rinig na nila yung music.

"Kanino nanamang bahay to? Ito talagang si Topher oh!" Sabi ni Ella habang naglalakad sila papasok sa loob.

"Ate Ells naman. Basta party! Push lang!" Sabi ni Gizzle and the team just run their way in. Sam stood frozen outside.

"Oh ano Besh? Diyan ka na lang magpaparty?" Tanong ni Ella.

"Bagay ba sakin?" Sam nervously asked as she stood stiffly.

"Besh buong araw nating hinanap yang dress na yan. Its beautiful, Okay na ba? Shall we?" Ella asked and Sam nods with a smile and pumasok na sila ni Ella. They joined the whole team and they all drink and partied that night. Sam stayed sober as she can and she looked around wala pa din si Dom.

"Besh? Besh!" Sigaw ni Sam habang kinukulbit niya si Ella.

"Ano?"

"Nasaan kaya si Dom?" Tanong ni Sam kay Ella.

"Besh kilala mo naman yun, pa-VIP yun lagi. And who knows? Maybe she's having a post-party s*x with her girlfriend.." sabi ni Ella and Sam nudged her in the stomach. "Ouch ha!" Sabi ni Ella and she rubbed her tummy. After five minutes Sam saw her, Dominique Valdez.

She's not the Phenom for nothing. It felt like the world stop spinning - or just Sam's world, it doesn't really matter - because Dom's wearing a crop top revealing her toned abs and a pair of jeans paired with her blue and white converse. Sam didnt notice that she was holding hands with Amy, napansin niya lang when Topher approach the duo.

"Dom!" Sigaw ni Topher habang papalapit siya kay Dom. "Looking good..." he gave Dom a tight hug, then he leaned to Amy to kiss her cheek. "You too Amy."

"Damn it Toph, I had never seen so many shades of pink in my entire life..." sabi ni Dom while scanning the room. "Girly much?"

"Nah, for a change. Red is just so freakin' overrated man!" Sabi ni Toph.

"Yeah? So you thought gawin na lang ganito? The only thing that was missing was Hello Kitty. Para na tong store sa Japan!"

"KJ much? C'mon! Sober are for losers! Drink up!" Sabi ni Topher as he snatches two shots of vodka sa dumaan na waiter. Amy and Dom drank it all the way. Nagcheer naman si Topher, then the three saw na papunta sakanila yung mga kasama ni Amy sa sorority.

"Hey-" magpapaalam pa sana si Amy but Dom stopped her.

"Its okay, go. I'll see you around." Sabi ni Dom and Amy gave her a quick peck on the lips.

As Dom look up she saw Sam staring at her. Dom gave her a smile and waved at her direction. She giggled nang makita niyang hinampas ni Ella si Sam sa kilig.

"Ay? Kinawayan lang grabe na ang kilig?" Ella murmured beside Sam.

"Shut up."

"Bakit ka nagbublush?" Ella asked.

"Make up lang to.." Sam replied as she rolled her eyes.

"Oh? Really? What brand? Im inlove?" Ella said and Sam nudged her and smooths her dress ng naglalakad na si Dom papunta sakanila.

"Hi Sam." Dom greeted Samantha.

"Hi Dominique Valdez!" Ella greeted Dom to announce her presence.

"Hi Ells. You look good." Sabi ni Dom.

"Oh wow thank you..." sabi ni Ella. "Eh si Besh?"

Sam watch Dom’s eyes as it roamed her body, she could feel Dom's stare. Then Sam almost lose it when Dom found her eyes.

"You look good Sam..." sabi ni Dom ends with a smile. Sam looking oh so awkward standing infront of Dominique.

"Nah. I look terrible, you look hot - really hot - you look good enough for both of us." Sabi ni Sam and Dom just giggled.

"Upo tayo?" Dom asked the group, they all took their seats and the stool was just a bit too high for Ella, she can’t jump because of her tight dress.

"Ugh f**k me. Im too short for this shit..." sabi ni Ella but Dom lift her by her waist and she shifts herself para makaupo ng maayos. "Thank you, Dom..."

"Wala yun!" Sabi ni Dom and Topher took the empty chair beside Dom.

"I don't know that you're so small. Your species will die out soon." Sabi ni Topher as he sips on his drink.

"Ay? Talaga? Small pala ha? Im going to stab your ankles to be f*****g honest." Sabi ni Ella at natawa si Dom. Topher look at her weirded by Ella so niyaya niya na lang si Dom. But Dom and Sam just exchange knowing looks.

"Aren't we supposed to be the popular kids? Come on Dom! Ibabalik din kita dito! Sandali lang!" Sabi ni Topher and Dom looked at Sam na parang nagpapaalam siya and Sam's heart soared high.

Damn it Dom!

"Samantha? Please? Can you stop eye humping my best friend? You hear me huh Lazaro?" Topher called out, and he's still the meanest person ever.

"Yes, I wear glasses, not hearing aids, Mr. Ravena" sabi ni Sam as she rolled her eyes and Dom just found everything that Sam did were cute af. The two got the heck out of the table and start partying but Dom came back to give a quick peck on Sam's cheek.

"For good luck..." sabi ni Dom with matching double wink para intense.

"Besh you're hyperventilating, should I call the medics?" Ella asked.

"Oh my gosh Besh! My cheeks are burning!" Sam dramatically palmed her cheeks with both hands and it’s actually hot at the moment "Just because Dom had given me a quick little peck on the cheek? Was I that starved for affection?"

"Yeah, I can see that. Pitiful" sabi ni Ella and Sam pouts.

"Panira ka talaga ng moment ano?" Sabi ni Sam as she shifts to her seat and looked at the brownies on the table.

Kukuha na sana siya but Ella swats her hands.

"Ouch! What the hell Besh?" Sam shouted.

"These are mine besh..." sabi ni Ella as she put her arms defensively around the bowl of brownies as if its her little baby brownies.

"Besh look. Serving size is for four persons" sabi ni Sam and Ella slowly looked at the label then looked at her bestfriend.

"Nababasa ko Besh..." sabi ni Ella and Sam nods. "That means four...all 'four' me." Ella ended and Sam just laugh dahil sa kadramahan ng bestfriend niya so she just called the waiter and asks for another bowl.

___________________

After hours of hours of loud, booming, earsplitting partying, Sam decided to quit drinking and just get a punch from the bar.

"Besh kuha mo pa ako!" Ella shouted and Sam shakes her head.

"You cant even help yourself to stand up Besh tapos gusto mo pa?"

"Ngayon lang naman. Thank you Besh, love you!" Ella shouted as she pushed Sam away. Habang kumukuha si Sam sa bowl ng punch niya and randomly thinks about the universe.

Sam was forced out of her thought when a pair of arms snaked around her waist from behind. She shivered at the contact and she felt goosebumps all over her. She could feel herself blush at the moment. Napangiti si Sam.

She knew who owned these hands, she knew them very well.

She tilted her head to confirm who it was, only to find out that indeed it was Dominique.

"Hey you..." Dominique said with her really drunk sultry voice. Sam stood frozen facing the bowl of punch, nanlamig na lang yung kamay niya sa contact ng katawan nila ni Dom.

Oh my gosh! Dom's arms were around my waist! Dom's hugging me from the back! I can feel her chin resting on my shoulder! I could smell her perfume! Oh my gosh! I can even smell the alcohol from her breath. So help me.

"Poo poo girl..." Dom called again when she haven't got any response kay Sam.

Suddenly breathing became the hardest thing to do for Sam.

Oh, If Dom wouldn't get off me soon, I might lose it. Sam thought and scan the room and found a pair of eyes watching them knowingly. Besh help me! Sam mouthed

Pero parang walang nakita si Ella and she just winked at her bestfrie-

Oh my gosh! Did she just... Kiss my f*****g neck?!

Then Sam felt Dom giggling. She manages to turn around and look at Dom.

"What's so funny?" Sam asked at hinampas niya pa yung braso ni Dominique.

"Wala naman. It's just you're so stiff, it’s funny." Sabi ni Dom as she tucked a piece of Sam's hair behind her ear.

"I hate you..."

"Uhuh. Hate me huh?" Dom said and she pulled Sam closer by her waist.

"Dominique Valdez! Have you been drinking since you got here?!" Sam shouted with authority.

"A... li-little" sabi ni Dom and she smiled. "Okay lang ako, Im not THAT drunk. See? Nakakapagsalita pa ako." Sabi ni Dom and she hugged Sam.

"Dom... makita ka nila. Have you talked to Amy? Not yet?" Tanong ni Sam and Dom broke the hug and focused her eyes to Sam.

"Not yet. You know what? I need to find her now. Okay? So see you!" Sabi ni Dom and she stormed away.

Sam nods and get back to her table. Binigay niya kay Ella yung kinuha niya and she's still all dreamy eyes on what just happened.

Kinuha ni Ella yung kamay ni Sam at itinaas ito.

"Besh! Anong ginagawa mo?!" Sam asked as she pulled her hands down.

"Sino daw in love Besh eh hahahhaa" sabi ni Ella as she laughs at her bestfriend. "Oh no-"

"What?"

"Besh I think Im going to throw up.." sabi ni Ella as she held her mouth shut.

"Ewww! Get out! Dun ka sa labas!" Sabi ni Sam and she pushed Ella away at tumakbo yung bestfriend niya palabas.

Then Ella let it all out and she's almost teary-eyed throwing up. She wipe her mouth and took a deep breath to calm her nerves bago pumasok ulit sa loob.

"Ella!" She heard and whipped her head to her side. "Nasaan si Sam? I really wanted to talk to her."

"Toni?! Anong ginagawa mo dito? Nasa loob si Besh. Nagusap na kayo diba? Mas mabuting umuwi ka na lang muna." Sabi ni Ella.

"No! Hindi ako uuwi hangga't di ko siya nakakausap! Please!" Toni pleaded.

__________________

Dom found Amy in the backyard and she brought a drink for her and the girl.

"Hey.." Dom called and Amy looked at her. "Drinks?"

"No thanks. Im good." Sabi ni Amy and she looked at Dom, teary-eyed. "I saw you... with her. "

"Amy..."

"No Dominique. At least have some decency to break up with me before you have intimate time with her. I just dont want you doing something behind my back... It’s-" but then Dom run and hugged Amy. The girl helped her during those really dark times.

"Amy thank you. You've been there with me when I needed someone... Thank you" sabi ni Dom and Amy start to walk away. "Amy?"

"I heard you. Okay." Sabi ni Amy and she continue to walk out.

"Can we at least talk this out?"

"Not tonight Dom... It hurts like hell" sabi ni Amy and tumalikod ulit siya and run away. Dom was ready to run after her but a group of girls blocked her way. It’s Amy's sisters from the sorority.

"Guys?" Dom asked confused.

"Kung ayaw ka niyang kausap... Tayo ang maguusap" the taller girl said that Dom think her name was Georgie or something masculine. "Girls?"

They grab Dom by the hand and drag her to the bathroom upstairs where no one really uses it because it’s far from the party.

"The f**k? What is wrong with you guys?!" Dom asked but the girls surrounded her so as they climb up the stairs no one can really see her because they're all busy partying.

The girls threw Dom on the bathroom floor and nang makatayo si Dom two girls came behind her and hold her arms. Habang yung iba nasa labas ng pinto pretending to wait in the line so no one could interrupt.

"Have you heard the saying dont break someone's heart because they have only one? But you did. So we’re going to break your bones because you have 206 of them anyway... and your volleyball career I might add." Sabi nung leader nila and they beat Dom up. Ayaw man ng iba sakanila gawin to but its part of their oath, to have each other back.

"P-please stop" Dom pleaded as she was curled on the floor protecting her head.

"No, take this. You had this coming" the girl said. "The phenom has fallen."

Dom's vision starts to get blurry and her lids start to get weaken, then with another strong kick on her head Dom closed her eyes and just hopes that It'll end soon.

The girls stop when they saw blood coming out of Dominique's head, the girl was almost lifeless. The group hurried downstairs and pretends as nothing happened. While Dom coughed blood and cant even open her eyes because it was swelling. She grabbed her phone and dialed Sam's number.

"Ugh. s**t!" Dom ended the call ng hindi sagutin ni Sam but when she was about to call Topher for help, she blacked out.

__________________

Sam felt a strange thump in her heart as the large sound boomed around the room.

"Nasaan ba yun? I really need to pee." Sabi ni Sam. She stood up and give her purse kay Jia. "Ji... Sabihin mo kay besh magCCR lang ako ah?" Sam said and left her purse.

Pag alis ni Sam, Jia heard Sam's phone ringing. The girl was tempted to answer the call but she knows her Ate Sam, so she leave it ringing. She decided to answer the call if it ringed again, but it did not.

"Jia! Si Besh?" Ella asked as Toni came tailing behind her.

"NagCR lang." Sabi ni Jia and tinuro niya si Sam na naglalakad pa din dahil di siya makasingit sa crowd.

"Yun!" Sabi ni Ella and Toni run with her.

Nakarating si Sam sa CR malapit sa hagdan but it still had four girls lined up outside, and the person using it, to hell what they're doing inside. Sam decided to use the bathroom upstairs so she climbed at the stairs-

"Samantha Michelle Lazaro!!!!" Sam heard a man's voice. She whipped her head on the sound's direction and saw her ex boyfriend.

"What?!" Sam said as she continue to walk but-

"I LOVE YOU! PLEASE, TAKE ME BACK!!!" Toni shouted and Sam dont want to get embarassed herself so bumaba siya and hinila niya si Toni palabas ng lugar. "I love you please talk to me!"

Sam felt she's doing something wrong but she needed to deal with this big problem first, her pathetic ex boyfriend.

Neither did she know she have a much bigger problem upstairs... in the bathroom. The love of her life was almost lifeless... and out of blood.