Truth Doesn't Change The Way You Lie

Strings

 Naglakad ako sa gilid papunta sa stage. I give Winwin an apologetic smile when I saw her looking at me. Halata ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang mga mata.

"Where have you been? Buti na lang late din ang kabilang panig kung hindi baka si Bryce na lang ang substitute mong president," pagbibiro ni Winwin na ngayo'y kalmado na. I also apologize to my younger party members.

My eyes widened when I saw my friends Bryce, Sean, and Ralph wearing a school uniform of a freaking girl. I saw Jelena and Mia, my friends, na nasa likod nilang tatlo na mukhang stress dahil sa pinaggagawa ng kanilang kaibigan. Napasapo ako sa aking noo dahil sa mga mukha nila.

"Go Daniel! Go Josiah! Go Daniel Josiah! Wohooo!" they even cheer me like my fangirls! Nakakahiya.

"What's happening to them?" I heard Winwin asking Mia while looking digusted at the three idiots.

"Suuporting their friends I guess?" Mia said then let out a laugh. She look at me. "Hey DJ! Good luck. Sayang hindi kumpleto ang squad," Sabi niya sabay pakita sa akin ang cellphone niyang may tumatawag. "Look! Roe is calling," mabilis niyang sinagot ito. Sumilip ako para makita ang isa pa naming kaibigan na ngayo'y nasa international competion.

"Hey guys! What's up? I miss you." Bungad nito sa amin habang nakahiga pa sa hotel na tinutuluyan niya.

"Presidential and Vice presidential debate ngayon! Sayang! Wala ka naman," malungkot na sabi ni Winwin.

Roe looks sad right now. "Kaya nga. Don't worry, I'll do my very best na ipanalo itong contest para sulit kahit wala ako diyan. Kayo rin, huh? Galingan niyo! 'Wag kayo papatalo," She said. Well, nothing's change. Roe is still Roe. The competitive Roe.

"Roe! Hanapan mo naman akong foreigner diyan!" Sigaw ni Jelena kaya tumawa si Winwin pero binatukan siya ni Mia.

"Siraulo. Mukha bang lalaki ang pinunta ni Roe sa Singapore?" Sabi nito.

"Parang hindi rin nagpapahanap ng lalaki kay Roe ah?" Sean said. The two other boys teased Mia about it. My friends really.

"Hello mga ate and kuya, uh... start na daw po ng program." Lyn said. Mukhang nahihiya pa sa amin. I look at my watch and it's already 1:30 pm in the afternoon. Nakita ko kung paano biglang nagbago ang mukha ni Winwin mula sa paagiging masaya na naging seryoso. The intimidating side of Winwin.

"Oh gosh! This is it. Good luck to the both of you!" Mia hug me and Winwin. Sumama na rin sila Bryce, Ralph, Jelena, and Sean. God, I'm grateful to have these crazy people around me.

I wave at them, especially to Bryce to wave my middle finger on him. Nasa back stage na kami. The people there are busy preparing for the debate. My classmates are also there, fixing for our props and costumes. I look at my teammates, some of them are nervous, some of them are not. I sit beside Winwin who's looking serious.

"Hey..." lumingon ito sa akin nang maramdaman niya akong tumabi sa kaniya. "Are you alright?"