To follow his dream to become a great performer, Jairus Klyde Dela Cruz approached his Junior/ Idol in performing-Steve Zairen Valerio, to be his mentor. The only thing is, there are rumors going around their campus that Steve 'supposedly' enjoys ma...
It's not the kind that rests after a song ends-but the kind that follows after a humm.
Umupo ako sa tabi, ang mga mata ko ay nananatili pa ring nakapako sa nakapaskil sa bulletin board. Yes, this is the same bulletin where the fresh list of our post-audition rankings was posted.
As we all expected, Jean was ranked first. Alam naman naming walang makakatalo sa arrangement skills na taglay at hasa na. Idagdag pa ang vocals niya na malaki na ang inimprove last semester. Steve followed at second, and then kian-third.
Third.
I mean, It was not bad. Not bad at all. But not enough to stop the way my stomach twisted. That guy was quietly talented, after all-his harmonies were precise, his strumming consistent, even if his eyes rarely looked anyone in the eye. Deserve niya ang spot na yon. But his expression said otherwise.
"tsk"
Oh. Was he dissapointed? Why?
I heard June let out a soft exhale beside me. He was in fifth which surprised everyone, especially me. I thought he would be in fourth due to his fast improvement and I would be in fifth but I landed in fourth. The rest of the members stood around the list, muttering among themselves-some smiling, some sulking.
But me?
I was caught in the thick of emotion. Half proud and half burning.
Because I knew what was coming next: a performance battle between the chosen groups to reach the top 3. And after that, another individual evaluation.
Steve clapped me on the shoulder with a grin. "Congrats, bebe Jai. I see that you've been practicing behind my back huh? That's good for you but not for me."
I know that he was teasing me, but something about it felt more real this time. Like there was...pressure beneath the joke...or I might be imagining things.
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I teased him back by making some flirtatious moves. Lumapit ako sa kanya at malagkit na tinitigan siya kasabay ng paghimas ko ng kanyang likod.
"Awww, you know that I won't do that...but you need to be careful...for I might stab you in the back one day." I replied, showing a grin after he first avoided. I won!
"hoy po! hahahahaha!" June remarked. Nakataklob ang kanyang dalawang kamay sa kanyang mukha na nagmistulang kamatis sa pula. I didn't expect na despite his innocent face, he was a green minded person.
"I Hope you're ready for it." I added
"I was born ready, babe," he winked. He. Fucking. Winked at me. Agad na akong lumayo bago pa niya makita ang namumula kong mukha dala ng kilig at kahihiyan. Teka, Kilig? Sinong kinikilig?!
Pagharap ko sa aming likuran ay nakita ko ang reaksyon ni Kian.
Kian's jaw clenched. Barely-but I saw it. His hand, resting on the edge of the railings, was curled into a light fist. He didn't say anything. He just looked away like he didn't care.
But I knew better now. He has been watching. While Jean stands not that far beside him, looking at the four of us. Observing everything.
We were all a mess in different ways.
My thoughts were interrupted when June clapped. He must sense the building tension in the room. He was a timid guy so for him to initiate first was rare.
"Guys...T-tara munang mag breaktime! Hindi pa ako nakain ng breakfast eh."
"..."
We all looked at Jean who was startled. "O-Okay. Let's do that. Pero after non ay balik tayo sa practice room natin. We can't slack off since ang next performance evaluation ay gaganapin the next week lang."
(Breaktime)
"Huy," Steve said, sliding beside me on the bench. " Okay ka lang? Mukha ka nang multo sa pamumutla mo kanina ah."
"I'm fine," I lied. Medyo naguguluhan ako sa mga nangyari kanina. Oo medyo dense ako pero di ako ganon ka mangmang para hindi mapansin...Na si Kian ay...pero si Jean? Siya ang mas lalong nag papasakit sa ulo ko. Akala ko ba ay "on" silang dalawa?! Bakit hindi man lang nag react si Jean nung makita niya si Kian na nag seselos sa aming dalawa ni Steve?
He raised a brow. "Hey...you're doing great, you know. If you were somehow...pressured...Hayst basta don't let Jean's robot perfection scare you. Just be yourself and-"
He smacked me.
"ouch!"
"Ah. Gising ka pala? akala ko nakatulog ka nanaman ng nakaupo eh."
"Aba, siraulo to ah!"
"Eh mas siraulo ka. Ikaw na nga yung kino comfort tas yung utak mong yan, ang layo na ng napapadpad?!"
We laughed at ourselves.
"Nakikinig kaya ako! Sige na, ituloy mo na yung sasabihin mo."
"So ayon, basta be yourself and don't forget that your reason to perform, is not only to improve, but to enjoy. Don't forget that I'm always here to guide and support you too." he said simply, nudging my shoulder.
I didn't know what to say to that.
But then, we heard a soft hum behind us. It was June. He was sitting by the vending machine, scribbling again in his sketchpad. His earphones were on, and he was mouthing something-
Wait. Is that...Me? He was sketching me?!
It was me when I was practicing the group harmonies alone in the corner, near the stairwell earlier.
June was muttering something.
"Why are you so adorable?". His voice was low, barely audible, like he didn't want anyone to hear it.
But I did. Steve did. We both did.
Steve stilled beside me.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Yeah," he replied, then stood quickly. "Be right back."
And just like that, he walked away. Did I do something wrong?
(Author: Ganito din ka dense yung crush ko potekk! Binibigyan na nga ng mga hints kaso manhid🤦🏻 Pag talaga ako nainis...de joke hahaha wag na nating lagyan ng plot twist. Papahirapan ko lang sarili ko neto eh)
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