Ms. Artista (Book 2)

Fifteen

"Aba? Paano mo naman nalaman na allergic si Zion sa peanut butter?" Pen confusingly asked me.

I gulped nervously. "Ah..."

Fuck. What should I say?

"I think I've told her before." Zion suddenly spoke, "Right, Francine?" he smiled at me.

I immediately smiled, "Y-Yes." I answered.

Oh, thank God! He saved me. I owe him this one.

"Ah." Pen nodded her head, "Ayiee, close na sila to the point na nagsh-share na sila ng allergy sa isa't-isa!" she suddenly teased us.

"Ikaw naman Pen, ikaw ang allergy ko." Kian suddenly said. God. Here we go again.

"Ano na naman, Kianno Salvania? Ina-ano na naman kita?" mataray na sagot sa kanya ni Pen.

Kianno Salvania, that's his real name, right?

"Wala, Penelope Rhianna Sanchez."

My God, that's a long name. No wonder her stage name is just 'Penelope'.

"That's long." Kleo laughed.

"Talaga ba, Kleo Hans Flores?" Pen answered him. Okay? What's with the full name calling?

Kleo just laughed at him.

"Grabe, alam talaga ang full name? Ini-stalk mo kami, 'no!" Kian uttered again.

"Syempre naman!" Pen admitted it, "Maikli nga lang ang name ni Lexi, eh. Lexi Tan lang talaga, pati si Francine. Francine Perez lang."

Oh, well. She's right.

"Si Zion, Zion Hester Lapaz, tama ba?"

Fuck.

My heart immediately reacts when I heard his full name. Especially, his second name.

"Yes." Zion smiled at him before looking at me. Why is he looking at me?

"Tama ka na nga, Penelope Rhianna, hindi na kami nakakain dahil sa'yo." Kian teased him again. Pen just rolled her eyes on him bago ipinag-patuloy ang pagkain niya.

After eating our dinner, it's finally time to sleep dahil maaga pa ang taping namin bukas. And actually, lilipat pa kami ng venue. In a bus station, I guess?

"Good night, girls." Lexi said before lying down on her folding bed.

"Good night, mga bebe ko." Pen also said while yawning.

"Good night." I said before lying down on my folding bed.

I thought I'm gonna fall asleep agad, but I'm wrong. Lexi and Pen are already sleeping and here I am, still awake.

I can't sleep, damn. And, it's 11 o'clock already. I need to sleep.

I tried to sleep again but my mind can't stop thinking that's why I decided to go outside na lang, to the river. Everyone is sleeping na that's why ako na lang ang tao sa labas.

"Ah, this feels good." I whispered when I felt the fresh air on my skin. It's cold, yes, but it's refreshing. And, the view in front is exquisite, it's so beautiful.

"It's cold." someone suddenly put a jacket on my shoulder. When I looked at him, it's Zion.

I don't know if I'll return it back or not since it's really cold.

"Just wear it." he said. I didn't wear it. I just let it stay on my shoulder.

"Can't sleep?" he spoke again.

I nodded my head. I want to ask him if he can't sleep too but—nevermind.

"I can't sleep, too." he said as if he just read my mind.