The Last Elysian Oracle (Published under PSICOM)

XXIV | Bloom

Kara's POV

I didn't sleep the whole trip.

I stared at the mirror the whole time, entertained by one of the funniest thing I have ever seen: Trev, not moving. Not even the tiniest bit. Para hindi niya magising si Cesia na nakasandal sa balikat niya.

He wouldn't admit it with his blank face but I can see it. Kinabahan siya. His eyes were the tell—they roamed around every once in a while. He was definitely flustered.

Napatango-tango ako.

So he does get shy...

I stopped myself from letting a smile slip while eating. Nakarating na kami sa Arcadia kanina, at sa kasalukuya'y kumakain sa dining hall nila.

Cesia.

What else can she make him do?

I lowered my head, trying to hide the smile that had already formed on my lips.

And why do I feel like she doesn't have to use her ability?

Huminga ako nang malalim, unti-unting tinatanggap ang mga pagbabagong siya lang ang may kakayahang magbigay sa amin.

It felt right. Her joining us. It just felt like it was meant to be, as if we needed to meet her—needed to have her with us.

"Enjoy na enjoy si Kara. Nakangiti, oh—aray!"

Mabilis na nanumbalik ang aking blankong ekspresyon nang marinig si Chase. Sa kabutihang palad, mabilis si Ria sa pagpapatahimik sa kanya. Sa pagkakataong ito, malakas niyang siniko si Chase.

"Daydreaming?" Dio asked. He sat beside me.

Matalim ko lang siyang sinulyapan.

I'm still mad about the argument we had the night we saved them from the Sirens.

"Why did you have to trick a witch to save us?" tanong niya nang makaahon kami mula sa dagat. "You could've done better—"

"Than make things worse?" Nangangalit akong humarap sa kanya. "I don't know, Dio, maybe because we didn't know she'd be able to follow us—"

"Bakit hindi mo naisip—"

"Can you just—" Nagpipigil kong sabi. "Please." Pilit kong huminahon. "Don't blame me—"

"I'm not blaming you," giit niya. "I just want to know why—"

Pagod akong napabuga ng hangin. "I feel like I'm being blamed right now—"

"Kara." Nagtangka siyang lumapit sa'kin pero lumayo ako sa kanya. "I'm sorry," sabi niya di kalaunan.

"I'm overwhelmed..." I replied after another while. "I think... I want to stop talking..."

Tumango-tango siya.

After a night of thinking it over, I realized there should've been better ways than tricking a witch, but we didn't have time to search for other options. All the roads just led to her, noong naghanap kami ng sunstones para kay Art. Siya ang pinakamalapit, pinakamadaling puntahan. At siya lang ang nag-iisang kilala naming may mga disposable sunstones.

And the reason I felt like I was being blamed was because he sounded disappointed in me, like I'd done something wrong. But I hadn't done anything wrong. I just could've done better.