Every Autumn Fall (Youthful Series 1)

Chapter 7: Hiding in the Mask

November

We've been planning for the costume play program this coming week for a school event.

Even if it's like any normal fundraising event of Halloween-themed like we did before, I wanted to be extra this year with my friends, and of course, with Cael.

"Scarlet Witch?" Eli looks at me, without having no idea whom I was talking about. Hindi rin ako sigurado sa susuotin kong costume pero iyon lang ang naiisip kong pwedeng costume simula last week pa.

Hindi ko naman gusto na maulit ang nangyari last year dahil sa idea ni Zee. Me, Eli, Sol and Zee werethe ones who played as Mike, Dustin, Will and Lucas from Stranger Things with the 80's fashion wardrobe. Lexi is the one who also played the hot-sexy demogorgon. And I forgot, Lara won in our year because he played Eleven which required her to wear a wig that will make her look like she shaved her head.

This year, they all plan to wear a Harry Potter-inspired Hogwarts uniform costume. I'm still at the end of the precipice on whether or not to choose to become part of the group.

Nakakita ako ng costume mula sa online shop pero mukhang hindi makatotohanan para sa costume ni Wanda. Nag-order na lang ako ng crown at any dark shade red color para sa upper and lower costume kasama na rin ang gloves at lower cape. Cael wanted to play as Vision to pair with me. "Sure ka ba? Hindi ba masyado tayong obvious?" I made him second guess because of that, so he changed into playing as Loki. We are planning to place our orders tomorrow just in case there's a change in mind.

Since we started having our thing, Cael and I decided to hide this secret relationship of ours. One of the main reasons why is that he is not ready to come out yet. Naiintindihan ko naman sa kaniya at hindi naman din big deal sa aking ang itago ito. But soon enough when he is ready, I'll still wait for him. There's no need to rush. I am giving him time, space, and the comfort of figuring things out about his sexuality.

"Girl, tradition na natin na maging uniform ang mga costume," Lexi interrupts, "Bakit ba ayaw mo sumali sa amin? Mas madali nga 'to kaysa sa idea ni Zee last year," she rolls her eyes at her reminding her how ridiculed we are. This time, Lara chose the theme for our costume and it seems pretty neat too. All we have to do is choose a house.

"Sali ko na rin sa atin si Chin, tutal gusto niya rin tayong makilala," Sol added. Chin must be his new friend who is the volleyball player. Nakilala na raw ni Eli ito at mabait naman daw siya. Mukhang madagdagan na nga ang aming squad. Sumang-ayon naman kami dito dahil wala naman kaming rason para hindi kilalanin siya.

Then it came into my mind, "Pwede ko rin bang isali si Cael?" Without any hesitation, the group also agreed to it. They don't mind at all. They also knew how Cael and I became so close these past few months.

"Well, kung gusto mo lang naman, hindi naman kita pinipilit," pagpapaliwanag ko kay Cael. Nakahiga siya sa aking kama habang ako naman ay nakaupo sa aking desk habang hinihintay siyang pumayag.

"Gusto ba nila akong isali?" bakas sa kaniyang mukha ang pag-aalala, "baka hindi nila ako magustuhan," inilingon niya ang tingin sa akin.