The Burnt Out Gifted Kids (Under Revision)

06: CONFESSION AND TORMENT

APRIL 13, Thursday

"Thanks," I instinctively responded kahit 'di ko naman kilala ang taong bumati. His friends teased him the second I spoke, and I gently smiled at them in confusion. He looked nervous and embarrassed both at the same time.

Bumilis ang lakad ni Aiden kaya napilitan akong habulin ito.

Sobrang haba naman ng mga hita ng lalaking 'to. "Maghintay ka nga!" sigaw ko at napatakbo sa tabi niya.

"What's wrong with your face?" Aiden cupped my face, the distance between us almost an inch close and I could feel his breath on my skin. Naramdaman ko ang biglang malakas na pagtibok ng puso ko kaya napahawak ako sa hem ng damit ko. But as the second crept, his expression twisted into one of contempt, and I was confused by the sneer that now marred his features.

"It's makeup, Aiden," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Hindi mo ba gets? Makeup? Atsaka sobrang light nito, overreact ka naman."

"My face isn't like this because I didn't get it," he announced and eyed my forehead. "Is that drawing on your eyebrows?" Then his thumb ran on my lips. "Coral lipstick? Really? You look ridiculous and your lips are chapped. Confident ka lang sa exam sa soil, nag-make-up ka na agad?"

I poked his forehead furiously. "Hey, let me celebrate my little winnings, okay? And please, pwede bang lumipas ang araw na 'to na hindi mo ako inaasar? I feel pretty. The guy earlier thought I was pretty."

He laughed. "My hand is a lot prettier than your face." Itinaas niya ang isang kamay niya, adoring his long and smooth hand.

"Dahil lang hindi ako pasok sa standards mo ay wala na akong karapatan na maging confident." I cocked a brow and pretended to drop a microphone to the ground.

"You're being delusional."

I coerced a smile. "Then let me be delusional."

"Fine!" His eyes rolled defeatedly.

"Thank you!" Tinulak ko siya palayo sa'kin at inayos ang buhok ko.

Lumapit sa amin ang isa sa mga ka-blockmate namin at nag-compliment ito sa suot ko. "Thank you, Mike," nakangiting sabi ko bago kumaway sa kaniya nang naglihis kami ng daan.

Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Aiden. "Ano ka ngayon?" saad ko bago pinasada ang dalawang kamay sa suot kong all-black. Simple lang naman ang suot ko, ewan ko ba ba't naka-receive ako ng compliment. I was just in a hoodie, a miniskirt, and tights, paired with my favorite combat boots. Wala namang bago. Everyday go-to outfit ko nga 'to eh kung tutuusin.

"Ba't ka nagpapaganda, ha? Hindi sa sinasabi kong maganda ka. Hindi ka maganda."

Galit ko lang siyang tinitigan. "Normal na outfit ko lang 'to Aiden, kalma."

"Remove that makeup on your face." Utos pa nito.

"At bakit, aber?"

"Kasi..." His voice melted down.

"Kasi ano?" Napatigil ako sa harapan niya, propping my hands on my waist.

He groaned. "Kasi ampanget mo. So just- just remove it." Akmang hahawakan na naman niya ako kaya inilagan ko siya.

"No."

"Remove it!"

"No!" Tumakbo ako patungo sa hexagon at lumukso sa kabilang side.

"Reina, listen to me, right now."

Napatigil ako nang nakita kong dumaan si Chase.

Nakatayo si Chase sa hindi kalayuan at may kausap na babae. Nakaramdam ako ng pagkaselos nang tumawa silang dalawa and she even flirtatiously touched Chase in the arm. The nerve of this woman!