Always Have Been, Always Will Be

Prologue

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Prologue

Not Ready

"In fairness, kaonti na lang, masusunog na 'ko," ani Thaianara habang nakabilad kami sa ilalim ng araw.

The scorching heat of the sun pierced through our skin like a thousand needles as we waited for a car to pull over and pick us up. I put my palm over my eyes, shielding them from the rays of the sun, however some still managed to kiss my face.

Buti na lang nakapag-sunscreen ako.

"Hoy, Euclid. Chat mo nga si Grazen kung nabangga niya ba ang kotse niya sa bangin!" Si Thaianara na mukhang iritado na.

"Wala akong load," sagot ni Euclid na naka-crouch kasi walang maupuan at saka nagpapayong.

Thai scoffed. "Naka-iPhone nga, wala namang load!"

Euclid only raised his middle finger at her while his whole form was hidden behind his big blue umbrella.

"Bawal bumoses ang mukha nang tosino."

Thai glared at him.

I don't blame her, maaga pa siyang nagising para dito, skincare, makeup and all the such, tapos hindi pa nga kami nakarating sa venue, haggard na siya. Hindi ko mapigilang tumawa nang mahina sa gilid dahil excited na excited na siya simulang umaga pa. Nung kumatok siya sa pinto ng kuwarto ko, nakapagbihis na siya, at nagulat pa nga nang makitang makapaghilamos pa lang ako—as if it wasn't five in the morning!

"Baka sinundo pa si Phelomeno. Alam mo namang priority 'yon yung friend natin." Kaia snickered meaningfully.

"Ayon na!" Euclid suddenly exclaimed and we all shifted our head to a specific direction when we saw Grazen's familiar black SUV slowing down to pull over near us.

At hindi nga nagkamali si Kaia nang bumaba ang bintana ng front seat at dumungaw doon ang ulo ni Phelomeno tsaka kumaway sa amin. Grazen got out of the driver's seat and jogged towards us.

"What took you so long!?" Sigaw na naman ng isa nang palapit na si Grazen.

"Ah, sorry guys. Bigla kasing nag-crave ng ice cream si Phel." wika ni Grazen sabay haplos sa kaniyang batok. "Pero binilhan ko na lang din kayo."

Euclid stood up and giggled, swinging the umbrella that was covering him and putting it on his shoulder. The sunlight immediately graced his face—his face graced the sunlight rather, and it complemented his pale skin, making him glow even more.

Ganiyan kayo, e. Pero sige lang!" He looked back at Thaianara. "Guys, magpasalamat tayo na sinamahan tayo ni Thai maghintay kay Grazen. Ingat sa pag-uwi, Thai!" Asar ni Euclid at kumaway pa sa pikon na mukha ng pinsan ko.

Grazen chuckled while observing them and shyly turned to me. "Kanina pa kayo maghihintay, Elize?"

I shook my head. "Hindi naman. OA lang talaga 'yan." Sabi ko at binuhat na ang dala kong bag papunta sa kotse.

Phelomeno opened the car door and went over to help me carry one of two of my bags. We walked towards the back of the car together and he helped me arranged my things in the trunk.

I could see him glancing at me from time to time in my peripheral vision. I knew what he was thinking, and what he wanted to say. What I didn't know was what I would answer.

"Elize..." mahinang tawag niya.

"Hmm?" I hummed, even though I knew what he was gonna ask.

I lifted up my gaze to face him. He bit his lower lip reluctantly and scanned our surroundings to see if anyone else was there. When he saw that Euclid and Thaianara were still fighting not too far away, he withdrew his eyes and focused on me.