Winter Heat

Chapter 3 - Hello, Crush

Chapter 3 - Hello, Crush

We all thought that Precious was out of Camp Mitesco. Not that I care about her or her stupid pinky promise, but she was gone for several days since that river incident. We already went through countless activities without her. And so, I was also surprised when we saw her one morning.

"Preciou—" Sinampal ko si Heat. Daig niya pa nga ang kandidato sa dami ng binati niya mula nang makalabas kami ng cabin, magtatawag pa siya ng permanent kadaldalan niya. "Ang sakit no'n!"

Reklamo siya nang reklamo, kesyo lagitik na raw 'yong sampal ko sa kaniya, pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Sinundan ko ng tingin si Precious at 'yong tatlong babaeng kasama niya pero parang hindi niya rin kasama—if that makes sense. "Sino 'yong mga 'yon?"

"Roommates niya." Brian already knows that time that I get startled easily and he's been surprising me on purpose every now and then. Feeling close amputangina.

Dahil nga ginulat niya ako, awtomatikong umangat ang kamao ko para sapakin ko siya. Pero dahil din alam niya na ang gagawin ko, nahawakan niya kaagad ang kamay ko para pigilan. "Hey, we don't do violence here in Camp Mitesco," sabi niya pa.

"Kakasampal nga lang niyan sa 'ki—" Sinampal ko ulit si Heat.

"What did you say?" seryosong tanong ko kay Brian habang ngumangawa ang roommate ko sa tabi namin.

"We don't do violence—"

"No, the first one. They are what?"

"Precious's roommates."

"Roommates?" pag-uulit ko habang nakataas ang isang kilay. "Plural?!"

"Again, cabins were arranged to shelter four campers each before your registration," sabi kaagad ni Brian, alam na kung ano ang irereklamo ko. "Be thankful we still had a vacant cabin for you and Heat."

"Saka be thankful na nandito pa rin ako kahit sinasaktan mo 'ko!" Heat added. I just glared at him and looked at Precious again who was about to enter the Grand Cabin. I couldn't help but frown as I watched the three girls with her, laughing and joking around, while she just followed behind them like an idiot.

"Ba't parang iniiwan siya?" hindi ko napigilang itanong. Sa ilang araw na nailagi ko na sa Camp Mitesco, nasanay na akong hindi nahuhuli sa mga kaganapan kahit, madalas, hindi ko naman talaga gustong malaman ang mga nangyayari. Isang organizer at isang tsismoso ang palaging nakadikit sa 'kin, wala akong choice.

Pero napakunot din ang noo ni Heat. Mukhang noon niya lang din napansin ang tinutukoy ko. "Binu-bully ba nila si Precious?"

Brian sighed which made us both look at him. But he didn't say a word and just looked at Precious too. I don't need it anyway, that sigh was already enough confirmation.

"Ba't 'di niya pagsasampalin?" sabi ko.

Brian sighed again. "Uulitin ko, we don't do violence here."

I rolled my eyes. "You can't kick her out, she's the daughter of one of the sponsors."

"Anak din ng ibang sponsors ang mga roommate niya."

Ah, yeah. Everybody in Camp Mitesco screams money and those people with Precious looked even more affluent than the others. But to hell with their money. Yeah, they're daughters of some sponsors, but that doesn't mean they can do whatever they want.