Hooked (ML, #2.5)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Frustrating

Admiring Leigh Alegre inside my head is making me giggle every darn time. I am trying so freaking hard not to open my mouth to speak or question her. Katatapos lang naming libutin ang MoMa, The Museum of Modern Art. We both choose the work from Vincent van Gogh. Leigh took down notes on a paper while me, I typed a note to my phone. Wala kasi akong dalang kahit ano. Halos hindi ko rin kasi alam ang kilos na ginawa ko upang hindi mahuli sa oras na sinabi ni Leigh, e. Nagulat ako nang mag-text siya sa aking ng alas-sais ng umaga at hindi ko pinansin, e, nasa kasarapan pa 'ko ng tulog ko. Aniya, magkita kami ng seven thirty sharp sa tapat ng MoMa. I woke up exactly six thirty. I just dragged my body out of my bed. It is so hard, really.

Tinatago ko na lang kay Leigh ang paghikab ko. She's not paying attention to me rin naman, e. She is so into art, she couldn't take her eyes off the art. Bawat likha'y binibigyan niya ng atensyon. Sa bawat nalalaman, sinusulat niya sa notebook. Dito niya binabaling ang lahat ng sa kanya. Maybe the way she wanted not to think drift her thoughts to her situation. I felt bad about her all the time that she has this invisible chain. I want her to taste liberation, too.

"So, The Met na tayo?" ani ko.

Leigh slowly turned her head to me, raising her brow. Inayos niya ang itim na crop top at pinagpagan bago ibaling sa ibang lugar ang tingin. "Yeah, last."

"Are you mad?" bigla kong tanong.

Tumingin ako sa paligid. The people continuously walking anywhere. The towers leaning over us.

"I am always mad," she breathed fire.

I almost curved my lip.

"Did your ex dump you?" I guess to annoy her.

"What?" biglang tingin siya sa akin. Her eyes glowered toward me. "I am mad because I am mad."

"Is it me?"

"Yes, Lana."

"You don't want to be friends with me then?" tanong ko.

"No," sabi niya sabay lakad. "Let's go to The Met so we could finish early. I'll email you my paper then email back yours. We could chat on gmail after all." Tuloy-tuloy na sinabi ni Leigh ang mga salitang nagpangiti sa akin all the way to The Met. I know why she reacted like this. She is pushing away people from her. Ayaw niyang may maging kaibigan sa nangyayari sa kanya. She doesn't want to trouble the people who cares for her. Hay, but I really want to be her friend, ha!

Ilang minutong lakaran ang gagawin namin upang makapunta sa The Met. Mabilis ang kilos ni Leigh na halos hindi ko na siya maabutan. But ha, thanks to my legs which keep up the good work. Tinangay na ang skater skirt ko sa laki ng aking mga hakbang upang siya'y maabutan. But I am loving my movement though!

"Leigh!" sigaw ko ngunit hindi niya pansin. Pinuwesto ko ang camcorder sa aking mukha. I am pointing the camera at her back. She never looked back. I curved my lips downward and continued to walk, reaching her. Nilapat ko sa taas ang punto ng camera upang pagmasdan ang langit. I smiled when I know I could reach by this medium.

Tumunog ang telepono ko sa bulsa ng aking shirt. Napatalon ako nang tumingin si Leigh over her shoulder sa akin. I grinned to her, but she looked at me from head to toe. Kinindatan ko siya ngunit tumaas na naman ang kilay nito. Maybe she likes what I am wearing because I fucking love it! Sheer blouse partner with bralette and my freaking cutie skater skirt. This is how cute my outfit today! She likes my boots din kaya?

Lumipad ang tingin niya sa camcorder na nakatutok sa kanya. Mabilis ang kilos ni Leigh hanggang sa takpan niya ito. "Stop videoing. Stop recording. It is really annoying, del Rey."