PROLOGUE
I’m not sure if this day could get any worse.
I flunked my quarter exams.
Mr. Darwin, my literature teacher, eh nabundol daw ng truck, which means my entry in journalism won’t be checked. I’m on my senior year and di ako pwedeng magpatalo sa mga mayayabang na freshmen. It’s just embarrassing. And humiliating. And frustrating. I’ve worked so hard on my manuscript to pass it a week before deadline. Passing before the deadline is thumbs up to my teacher. But he had an accident. And he’ll need a month to recover. Oh my. Anong gagawin ko? Eh after two months na ang Press Conference.
The day shouldn’t end like this.
It’s stressing… Feeling ko sasabog na ang utak ko sa kakaisip.
Yes, I’m overthinking. Maybe praning na din ako. But who can blame me? Hindi ako ang tipong pwede niyo i-bully kung kailan niyo gusto!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, my bestfriend Toni called my attention.
“Hey Max, come with us.” she greets me with a warm smile.
“To where?” San na naman ba ako dadalhin ng babaeng ‘to?
She didn’t bother to answer. She just took my wrist and dragged me to the crowd. Who’s out there on stage?
“Who’s there?” I really can’t see through the crowd. Fine, maliit ako. Ladies in front of us are overreacting. Haynaku mga freshies to for sure! Maingay eh! Malalandi pa!
Sorry. Mainit talaga ang dugo ko sa mga freshmen. May pinaghuhugutan lang.
“Harley.” Harley? Sinong Harley? Isa na namang mayabang na freshmen? Oh please, enough of them.
“Sino ba kasi yang Harley na ‘yan?” I said with irritation. “I think I should get out of here. Not interested anyway.”
She tightened her grip on me. Owww! Masakit yun Toni ha, makakatikim ka sa’kin mamaya!
“Where do you think you’re going? Harley. Harley Levin, just arrived in town. I heard he’s a star.”
“Star star ka diyan. Wa-la-a-kong-pa-ki-a-lam!” Wala ako sa mood makipagbiruan. Nabubwiset na talaga ako. One problem after another. Fvck.
Hinatak niya ulit ang braso ko. “Max... please” Huminga siya nang malalim and looked at me intently.
“Pagbigyan mo naman ako, Max. Kahit ngayon lang. Alam mo naman ang sitwasyon ko diba?”
Oo nga pala, Toni’s boyfriend dumped her for some freshie beach. Gahd. Eh wala sa kalingkingan ni Toni ang babaeng ‘yun. The way she dress is slutty, never sexy. I believe being sexy still has some class and decency to it. Yung di mo sinasadya, sexy ka lang talaga. Pero kung slutty, may pinopormahan ka. You’re lowering yourself to them.
At least that’s my opinion.
When Mr. Superstar Harley Levin emerged from the backstage, his sea green eyes shine with pride. He walks with grace with his steps seems to follow a rhythm. When he reached the center, he brushed his hair with his fingers. I didn’t know such species still exists. Little did I know that my jaw dropped from the moment I laid eyes on him.
“See. I told you to stay. No regrets?” She whispered in my ears. Toni mirrors my emotions.
“Eh di hamak na mas gwapo ‘to sa malanding mong ex.” I would lie kung sinabi kong di siya gwapo. Heck, I was starstruck!
“No regrets.” I smiled to her reassuringly.
I looked at him again. Mr. Superstar seems too perfect. Masyadong perfect na napapaisip ako kung tao ba talaga tong nasa harap ko. He started singing some unfamiliar song. Unfamiliar but every lady in the crowd hums in harmony with him.
I don’t know where he’s from, his school, his parents, his likes, dislikes. All I know now is my heart is beating faster than before, faster than a normal person’s heart (forgive me I can’t recall the figures). Hindi ako NBSB. I also had crushes before. But this is the first time my heart was beating crazily.
And nanatili ako dun to hear more of his songs. Well, this could be a stress reliever. Mababaliw na kasi ako sa bundok ng mga problema ko.
