Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 17

Tumakbo ako paalis sa kung saan ang mga boards. I also saw Z running towards me.

"My god, Z, stop." I said and walked past the gate.

I saw him still walking towards me and I figured na maglalakad ako pauwi ang I'm sure maabotan niya ako.

What the fck is wrong with you, Maris?

I need to get out of here.

"Ms. Maris?"

Napalingon kami pareho ni Z sa isang teacher and isang police officer.

"Po?" I responded.

Z looks alarmed with the police pero nagkatinginan kami.

"We need you to come with us." Sabi ng Police Officer.

I gulped.

Now what?

"What is this about?" I asked.

Napalingon sa paligid ang isang Teacher. As if she's checking kung may nakapalibot ba sa amin.

"It's about your brother." Sabi ni Teacher.

Nagsimula silang maglakad ang I followed them. Pero hindi lang ako, pati si Zadist ay sumunod. They've noticed Z's presence and stopped him.

"Can I go?" Sabi ni Z.

"Mr. Zadist, you aren't allowed to dwell with this matter. Especially when it is a serious one." Sabi ng Teacher.

But he could be a witness.

"He was there." Sabi ko.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Z.

Napakunot siya ng noo kasi nagulat siyang I am insisting to bring him too. When in fact, I have been avoiding him today.

"What do you mean?" The teacher asked.

"He has pictures."

The officer took a glance in each side of the street and commanded us to directly get inside the Police Car.

We were both seated at the back seat and this made us looks like we're being arrested.

"Was he your friend?" Sabi ni Z.

Out of nowhere, nagtatanong siya. Kahit ang tahimik namin sa biyahe.

"Who?"

"The guy in your classroom?"

"No. I don't even know his name." Sabi ko.

I saw Zadist smirked.

"Well, I do. And I want you to stay away from him." Sabi niya.

"You dont tell me what to do." I said.

"Now what— you're regarding me as if I'm a stalker and a creep while you let that filthy hands of your classmate hold you? He's the real stalker. I know him." Sabi niya.

Napatahimik ako.

"I'm sorry." Sabi ko.

I made him feel like he is a stalker when he is not.

The world is scary, you know.

Hindi mo alam kung saan ka maniniwala.

"Apology Accepted." Sabi niya. "Sorry din if you feel that way."

"No. It's just me overthinking." I said.

"Well, you do overthinks a lot." He commented.

A long silence.

"Do you think Maro is in danger?" I began the topic.

Z smiled at me as if he was amused na kinakausap at pinanpansin ko na ulit siya.

Nagtanong ako kay Zadist pero ang chief of Police and sumagot sa tanong ko. We're still on our way to the Police Station.

"He's fine, Miss. He was framed." Sabi niya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Z.

"By whom?"

"Peers." Sagot niya. "We asked him some questions. We held him to keep him safe. Afterall, it's the illegal drugs."

"I knew Maro won't be doing it." I commented. "Where is he?"

The reason I was asked to come with them was because Maro was at the station. My parents can't pick him up basically kasi alam niyo na— gamblers. Takot sa Police.

So I figured— ako ang mas malapit.

Nakatayo kaming tatlo ngayon sa labas ng station. Z, Maro, and Me.

"So— Maro welcome back ba ang gusto mo marinig or potangina mo?" Sabi ko.

Z laughed.

Suddenly, Maro hugged me.

I've never been hugged by this idiot. Ang cold niya sa aming lahat. We are not a close family, you see. Kaya nagulat ako nang niyakap niya ako.

I gasped for air and realized it's already 20 seconds and Maro didnt even bother letting go.

"Maro—"

I heard him sniffed.

Wow.

Nanlaki ang mata ko.

Z was watching us.

Umiiyak si Maro.

I pat his back.

And he cried even more.