Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Fifty-Four: For Some Friendships Don't Last

"Has reasons." depensa ko kay Renée.

June hummed and smiled at me. "Finn, sama ako sa dinner mo mamaya? You often eat at their houses because you live alone, right?"

"Sometimes." maingat kong sagot. "Tita's
home tonight."

"Aww. Gusto ko sanang makapunta sa bahay nina Ree."

I blinked at her casual use of Renée's nickname but didn't comment on it. Have they talked recently?

Umiling ako. "Usually eat at Gavin's."

Nakita kong natigilan si June at tumaas ang kilay niya. "Talaga? I thought palagi ka kila Ree nagi-eat kasi parehas kayong girls, but you eat with Gavin's family?"

Tumango ako. "Closer."

Magkapitbahay lang naman kasi talaga kami kaya mas madaling pumunta doon at bumalik sa bahay. There's a small gate that connects both of our backyards which we usually use to go to each other's houses.

I tilted my head when June only stared at me. Did I say something wrong for her to look at me strangely?

"Gano'n ba." rinig kong bulong niya sa sarili bago ibinalik ang tingin sa field.

Was that the start of her change? Back then, hindi ko masyadong pinansin ang tinatanong at ginagawa niya. I stayed with June because she's one of the people who I can freely play games with. Siya din ang nakakasabay sa'kin sa mga usapang gano'n.

When Kuya Gabriel died when I was eight, I was blessed with another friend. For four years, she was one of my friends. Ang tanging tao na nakakasama ko sa mga laro at alam ang bawat galaw ko dito.

I guess I noticed some signs when we were ten, pagkatapos no'ng usapan namin sa bleachers. June frequently asked me about Gavin and Renée and Baste. Panay ang tanong niya kung anong mga paborito nila at mga ayaw, at kahit madalas ay hindi siya nila pinapansin, parati niya pa rin itong nilalapitan.

"Finn! Hindi daw sumama si Ree kina Tasha kahapon? Pupunta sana sila doon sa bagong park."

Pauwi ako nang itanong niya 'yon. Umiling ako at sinabing hindi nakapunta si Renée dahil sinamahan niya akong manood ng bagong labas na movie. Again, June gave me a strange look and smile before bidding goodbye.

"Finn! 'Di ba si Baste 'yong nanalo sa quiz bee? Bakit daw hindi siya pumunta sa celebration nila after?"

Inaayos ko ang mga gamit nang itanong ni June 'yon. I told her that Sebastian couldn't go because he had a celebration with his family, with us, at nakapag-paalam na siya sa kanilang adviser. June only hummed and gave me another mysterious smile before talking about a game.

"Finn! Bakit hindi sumali si Gavin doon sa basketball match? Excited pa naman akong makita siya! I even wore my prettiest clothes."

Gumagawa ako ng assignment sa library ng itanong niya 'yon. Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi at humingi sa kaniya ng pasensya. Hindi ko din alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ni Gavin at nagpaiwan siya sa bahay namin kaysa pumunta sa match niya. When he found out that I got a high fever, he immediately went to the house and didn't leave until I got well.

"Heh. Importante ka talaga sa kanila, ano?"

I blinked. "They're important too."