Airdrop

O61

TROY'S POV
NARRATION OO2

I was supposed to come with Aurie to the school this morning but when I arrived at her apartment, Beau was already there. Buti nalang at hindi pa ako nakababa sa kotse ko. Umalis na ako nang makita ko na papalabas si Aurie sa apartment niya.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ako mag r-react kanina. Wala rin naman akong karapatan mag selos dahil hindi ko naman girlfriend si Aurie.

I admit...they looked good together. I felt a pang in my chest while imagining them being together. Simply going on a date, or cuddling with each other.

I didn't know it was going to hurt this much. I let out a heavy sigh to wash away the negative feelings. You shouldn't be like this, Troy.

As I drove to school, I hummed along to Clinton Kane's Forget About Us. That kept my mind occupied. I didn't want to remember what had happened beforehand.

I arrived at the school at 7:30 AM. When I arrived, there weren't many people. I hadn't seen any students yet. Was it that they were fixated with their preparations? or did they believe it was acceptable to arrive late because it was a school event?

"Brother!"

I got out of my car when I heard my sister's voice. Sa sobrang lakas ng pagkakatawag niya sa akin, lahat tuloy ng teacher na nandoon sa school gym napatingin sa direksyon ko.

They greeted me with a smile plastered on their face. May ibang pa na hindi inaalis ang tingin nila. Nakaka-conscious tuloy.

Sabi ko pa naman tahimik lang akong papasok dito. Umepal na naman 'tong si Ate Thalia.

"Keep your voice low," sabi ko nang makalapit siya sa akin. Tinawanan niya lang ako at inaya na ako doon sa office ni Mom.

May ilan na mga teachers ang nandoon sa office ni Mom. Namumukhaan ko yung iba dahil ito yung mga nag-uutos kay Aurie last time na pumunta ako. Binati ko pa rin sila kahit hindi ko trip ugali nila. After all, hindi naman ako pinalaki na maging masama sa taong masama sa akin o sa iba.

"Ang aga mo ngayon, son," Mom said. Hindi naman talaga ako dapat ganitong kaaga kung hindi ako naunahan ni Beau. Aayain ko pa sana si Aurie na mag-breakfast kaso nga, may kasama na siyang iba.

"And I thought..." Lumapit si Mom sa akin at bumulong. "You're going to come with Aurie?" She looked at me meaningfully. I simply grinned and shrugged my shoulders at her.

Sabi ko kasi sa kaniya kagabi na susunduin ko si Aurie sa umaga. Hindi naman nangyari. Hays.

Pumunta ako sa pantry ni Mom para tumingin ng pagkain. Nang makita ko na may swiss miss at garlic bread sa table, natakam agad ako. Kumuha ako ng mug para itimpla yung hot chocolate. Kumuha rin ako ng saucer para doon ilagay yung garlic bread.