Beneath What it Seems

Kabanata 6

WTF

"How was it?" salubong ni Zoe.

Para pa rin akong nakalutang habang pabalik sa table namin.

Sunod-sunod ang tanong at pangungumusta maging ni Ava at Quinn.

Umiling-iling ako.

"Fail. I don't think I can make him befriend me." I said with finality.

Zoe made a face. "You're such a pessimist!"

"We're just getting started, Lia." ani Ava.

Si Quinn naman ay parang nag-iisip. "Hmm, don't worry. We'll find ways," she smiled.

Napadaing naman ako. Mukhang desidido talaga sila.

Hanggang makauwi sa bahay ay pakiramdam ko'y nakalutang pa rin ako at medyo wala sa wisyo dahil sa nangyari. First time kong maranasan ang mga ganung klaseng bagay.

Buti na lang ay sanay talaga kong natutulog nang maaga kaya't hindi ako masyado napuyat kakaisip sa nangyari.

Malakas na ring ng cellphone ang gumising sakin kinabuksan. Nakapikit pa ang isang mata nang sinilip ko kung sino ang tumatawag.

Quinn calling...

"What?" I asked in my bedroom voice.

"I knew it! You're still sleeping?!"

I mentally rolled my eyes.

"Of course, Quinn. It's a freaking Saturday." I grunted.

I heared her groan.

"You didn't check our gc last night?"

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Why? Anong meron?"

She heaved a sigh. "Just freakin' check it now and get your ass ready!"

Mabilis na siyang nagpaalam para daw mabasa ko na. Dali-dali ko namang binuksan ang group chat pagkababa ko ng tawag.

Tumambad sakin doon ang palitan nila ng mga messages bandang alas-dos kanina. Kung maka-last night naman si Quinn eh madaling araw naman na pala to! I was already asleep by this time.

Nagsend dun si Quinn ng mga nakalap niya raw na usual places na pinupuntahan ni Ridge pati na ang schedule nito. She's unbelievable!

It says there that he goes on a cafe every weekend morning to read stuff. I checked the name of the coffee shop and quite shocked that it's the one outside our subdivision. So I guess he lives nearby?

My thoughts are disturbed by another phone call. Si Quinn ulit.

"What now?"

"Don't tell me you're still on your bed?"

Mas sinalampak ko pa ang sarili sa kama. "Quinn, do I really need to do this now?" daing ko.

"Lia Kennedy you can't waste any chance you can get,"

"Tinatamad ako. Sa ibang araw na lang kaya,"

"Isa," pananakot niya.

I groaned. "How would I even approach him? I can't think of anything to talk about with him,"

I said honestly. Sa totoo lang talaga yun din ang pinproblema ko kaya wala akong lakas bumangon. This whole 'being friends with the Ridge guy' is stressing me out. I can't even think of a concrete reason why I have to do this. Is this even worth my time and effort?