That Girl Who Never Cries

Chapter 1

Charity’s POV

It is the second day of September and it is also my birthday. Papunta ako ngayon sa Centro, dito sa barangay namin.

May bago kasing bukas na Milktea shop doon and of course, I’m on my way there para bumili.

Huminto ako pansamantala sa Gym ng Centro para tawagin si Red, my best friend. Ang sabi ko kasi ay ililibre ko siya since birthday ko naman at pumayag din siya.

I was waiting patiently outside their house, nang mapansin kong nakatingin sa akin ang tatlong pamilyar na lalaki, na sa tingin ko ay kaedad ko lang.

They were looking directly at me at nakatingin din ako sa kanila. I can already tell kung sino-sino sila.

Calvin, Reider and James.

“Isn’t that Charity?” Rinig kong tanong ni James kahit na nasa malayo siya.

“Charity who? My cousin?” Taas kilay naman na tanong ni Calvin saka luminga-linga upang hanapin ang pinsan niya.

“Not Charity Mae but Charity Jade Delavin.” Pagtatama naman ni Reider habang tinapik siya sa braso. “Still remember our classmate back when we we’re still in our junior year?”

“Of course, she was the coldest and most gloomy student in the class.” Sagot naman ni Calvin.

Calvin Calyx de Silva, 18 years old. Back in junior high, I had feelings for him. He's a transfer student at the time. He was a bully, and he was one of the guys who liked Pauline Gabriel Santos, the typical pick me girl in our class.

I liked him not because he was attractive, but because of the way he looked at me. Every time we make eye contact, I am struck by his gentle gaze. And I like his smile.

Reider Cabella, 18 years old, and his best friend. He was also my junior high school classmate. He was a shy person. He's nice, but when he's with his friends, he's turning into a bully.

I mean, nag-iiba siya depende sa mga nakakasama niya. When he’s with me, he’s kind to be with. And when he’s with his friends, he becomes more stubborn and doesn’t listen well.

Lastly, there's James Ian Buenaventura. 16 years old and friends with those two. He's a distant cousin on my father's side.

I'm not particularly close to him, but I can see that he's a spoiled, arrogant brat. A childish one, to be precise. And I have no intention of getting close to him. He irritates me.

“Uy gagi, hindi mo sinabi na nandito kana at naghihintay. Pinapasok muna sana kita!”

Nagulat ako sa biglaang pagsigaw ni Red mula sa pintuan ng bahay nila. Kahit kaylan talaga ay hindi mawawala ang kaingayan niya.

“No, ayos lang. Um, let’s go?” Nakangiting tanong ko at hinintay siya na makalapit sa akin.

Nakasuot siya ng black shirt at shorts. Mukhang kagigising niya lang, dahil magulo ang buhok niya.

“Kagigising mo lang?” Tanong ko at inayos ang buhok niyang magulo.

“Yup, naghilamos lang ako and don’t worry naligo na ako kanina bago matulog!” Paliwanag niya agad dahilan para matawa ako.

Kumapit ako sa braso niya at saka kami naglakad patungo sa kabubukas lang na Milktea shop sa tabi ng basketball court sa Centro.

Khris Jared Del Fierro or Red, 18 years old and my bestfriend since elementary. He’s a clingy guy and a bisexual, kaya walang malisya sa amin ang mga physical contacts or whatever. He’s attracted to men and women, but he only date girls.