Our Substantial Hopes (High School Teen Series #1) [COMPLETED]

11

"Are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik," I asked him.

Nasa labas na kami ng bahay dahil uuwi na siya. Kanina pa natapos ang hapunan at nakauwi na rin si Chloe.

My parents were so happy about the dinner, but for me it was a disaster. Sobra akong nabahala sa inasta ni Zack, kanina pa siya wala sa mood kahit magsalita man lang ayaw.

"Yeah, I'm okay." What a liar! "How about you? Was the dinner fine for you?"

"Well, okay naman. It was better!" I lied too.

"Uhm..." he hummed a sound and put his hand inside his pocket. "... I guess, uuwi na ako. Thank you for the dinner! I really enjoyed it a lot. Sabihin mo na rin sa parents mo, salamat," he added and I formed a dry smile because of his lies but I didn't bother to show it to him.

"Yeah, you should already go," I said and let my both hands hugged myself. "Pupunta na rin ako sa loob kasi malamig na rin," I added.

"Yeah... goodnight! Kita na lang tayo sa school." I just nodded and immediately turned my back at him.

Dali-dali akong pumasok at agad isinara ang gate. Hindi ko na siya hinintay na makapasok sa sasakyan niya.

I reclined myself at the gate and I was out of the blue, dazing. Zack never told me about her ex before, so I was so shocked when I figured out the missing puzzle, well I have the guts though.

My hand immediately hold my mouth in shock when I remembered the photo Dave showed me in the library. 

That was why the back of the girl was familiar. Si Chloe pala 'yong kasama niya. Heck! Ba't 'di ko 'yon naisip kanina? Ginulo ko ang buhok ko at ngayon para na akong bruhang baliw sa ginawa ko.

I looked up to the sky and instead of how dark it is, I saw the bright moon and plenty of stars, flickering. It made me calm down from my thoughts. If only the moon can grant my wish, I would wish to see and predict the future.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" My heart skipped a beat and I was lost in thoughts when I heard my brother.

"Para kang multo, sumusulpot kahit saan!" I said irritatedly.

"And you look crazy staying here, tignan mo nga sarili mo parang sinabugan ng dinamita," he mocked and burst out laughing, kaya hinampas ko ang braso niya.

"Do you have a death wish?" I asked while frowning.

"You don't even know what is a joke," he said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Jokes are half meant," I asserted.

"It will only be half meant if you take it seriously, silly!" 

"Alam mo, ang dami mong alam. Bahala ka na nga diyan!" Tinignan ko muna ang gate para masigurado na naisara ko iyon bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

I immediately went to my room upstairs. I took off my dress and I covered myself with a towel. I went straight into the bathroom and I uncovered myself. 

A minimal sound of the water was bursting from the shower when I started to turn it on. I shivered when I felt the cold touching my soft skin, starting from the head to the toe. 

Ibunuka ko ang mata ko at tulalang nakatingin sa pader. Why am I so bothered on what happened earlier? Ba't ganito ako umasta?

Sinampal ko ang sarili kong mukha para maalis na ako sa kahibangan ko. I made a sound when I felt my harsh slapped, ang sakit pala! Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagligo.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay natapos din ako at agad isinuot ang damit pantulog nang matuyo.

Agad akong nagtungo sa lamesa kung saan ako nag-aaral nang maalala ang 'di ko pa nabasa na mga notes kanina. I need to study the remaining topic for less hassle. Kinuha ko 'yong notes ko sa bag at agad binasa iyon.