SEBASTIAN
"I have to go." I said, With as little emotion possible.
I can feel her eyes on me as I zipped my pants up and grabbed my shirt on the floor.
"Can't you just stay for one more?" I rolled my eyes.
"What part of 'I have to go', Do you not understand?" She chuckled.
"Sige na, Bastian." I shook my head and headed out her bedroom door.
I quickly made my way down Mae's stairs and inside my car.
Pagsara ko ng pintuan, Tinignan ko ang cellphone ko. Nagsimula na siguro ang ball, Kung hindi ako magmamadali baka hindi ko maabutan ang speech na dapat ako ang gagawa.
"Hey, Kid." Nag-mano ako ng batiin ako ni dad.
"Make sure you deliver that speech well. The university opened it's gates to reporters." I nodded and swiftly ran up my room.
"Well, Shit."
"I wonder if I can just skip it." Sabi ko sa sarili habang inaayos ang suit and tie. I couldn't care less so I just put my hair up in a small but messy bun and ran back down.
"Anak!" I turned around to see my mom with a phone in her hand.
"Come here, Let's take a picture." Lumapit ako sa kaniya at inakbayan ito. Nang makuntento siya sa mga litratong kinuha, She kissed my cheek and bid goodbye.
I frantically walked to the gym when I heard the emcee introducing me.
"Right on time..." I whispered, Panting.
"Now, A speech from the Castel himself!" Ngumiti ako nang mag-flash ang mga camera sa paligid.
I can't believe all of this is happening inside a university's gym.
"Prince Sebastian Castel!" I ran up to the stage and took over the mic.
"Hi, Good evening everyone." I flashed a wide smile, Big enough to hide the fact that my eyes are lurking around the crowd, Trying to look for a familiar face.
I stopped when I saw Axe Cruz.
He's alone. I wonder why?
"I'd like to thank everyone for attending this ball. Honestly, This isn't for publicity or for the Castel campaign,
"It's just me, Begging my dad to let me experience a prom night in the Philippines." Tumawa ang madla. That's a good sign. A sign that my fake quirk is enough to charm them. I lost count of how many times my eyes roamed around, Pero wala talaga akong nakitang kahit anino ni Allison.
"I also want to say..." Tumingin ako sa papel na nasa mga kamay ko.
"That I am very grateful to spend the last year of my college here in Sounth Mountain University..." Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita si Allison na pumasok sa gym.
What the fuck is she wearing?
"This one's for the press," Mahina akong tumawa.
When Allison heard my voice, Our eyes locked.
"South Mountain has been nothing but purely welcoming despite me being culture shocked," She stared at me, Expressionless.
"If you were to ask me who to promote, SMU has my vote. I'm hoping the Castels also have your vote." Umiwas ako ng tingin kay Allison at binaling ang ulo sa madlang nasa harapan ko.
"That's all,"
"Have a great night!" The people shouted in excitement when the hyper energetic music blasted through the speakers.
My smile quickly faded when I was off the stage.
What am I even doing here? I don't have a date and I don't have friends.
"Prince Sebastian Castel..." I whispered to myself as I poured the alcohol induced punch.
"Legacy of the political power, Charming hottie. Blah, Blah, Blah." Sarkastiko kong bulong bago humigop ng alak.
My eyes fell on Allison and her boyfriend, Talking and laughing a few steps away from me.
I took another sip.
What's the point of being a hotter, smarter, and better versiin of Axe Cruz if I'm the one who's alone.
My left eyebrow rose while staring at Allison, Who's for some reason, Wearing a black shirt and a pair of jeans.
"Who the hell wears that in a ball?" Mahina kong sabi. Tumaas ang kilay ko nang makitang sinasamaan siya ng tingin ng ibang babae sa paligid niya.
"Hi Seb-"
"I'm not interested." Mabilis kong sagot nang lumapit sa akin si Rana. I took a big sip of my drink and gulped everything left in the cup.
She's one of those politician's daughters.
Ngumuso ito bago umalis.
My eyes trailed as Allison walked out the gym. I wonder where she's going.
Umiwas ako ng tingin nang magtama ang mga mata namin ni Axe.
Songs were played, People danced. But I stayed in the same spot I was in, Drinking. Of course, Hindi mawawala 'yong mga babaeng nagtatangka na makipag-sayaw sa akin. Pero sino ba sila?
I shook my head and poured myself another cup of the punch. I honestly lost count of how many times I refilled my red cup.
I looked over at Axe who's chatting with his friends. It's been a couple of minutes and Allison isn't back yet.
Maybe she went home. Siguro dumaan lang siya para sabihin sa boyfriend niya na she won't be attending the event.
After a few more shots of what ever was mixed into the punch, I decided to go out to the campus' garden to light a cigarette.
My eyebrows met when I saw a familiar figure sitting down the bench.
"What are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa kanya pag-upo sa tabi nito.
Tinignan niya ako at yumuko. Hindi manlang sumagot.
"You know," I breathed in the smoke.
"If you're still mad at me, That doesn't really matter," Binuga ko ang usok.
"Cause at the end of the day, It's still just us." Tumingin ako sa paligid. Mula rito, Naririnig namin ang ingay mula sa gym. Ngunit sumasabay din ang pagbagsak ng tubig mula sa fountain.
"Sinundan mo ba ako dito para inisin?" Mahina akong tumawa.
"Excuse me,"
"I didn't even know you were here."
"Why are you here anyway?" Bumuntong hininga ito.
"Hindi naman ako bagay doon sa loob." I rolled my eyes.
"What did you expect? You went to a ball wearing a shirt and a pair of jeans." Siya naman ang umirap.
"Tingin mo kung may masusuot ako, Eto ang susuotin ko?"
"At hindi naman iyong ang ibig kong sabihin." Pinanood ko ang mga damo na sumasayaw kasabay ng hangin.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked.
"Wala." Mahina ko itong siniko.
"Al, Look around you. Everyone's inside having fun, Including your goodie two-shoes of a boyfriend." She looked at me heaved a heavy sigh.
"We're alone, We don't have a place with them inside."
"So if you don't forgive me now, I'll never bother you again." My eyes were focused on her.
"And I know you know It was a mistake,"
"I know you know that I'm sorry,"
"So I'm gonna ask you, Al." Saka lamang siya humarap sa akin.
"Would you rather be alone or,"
"Alone together." She sighed and looked at me.
A few seconds pass and not a single word escaped her mouth. For some reason the silence tore my heart apart. It was like a sharp stabbing pain somewhere in my chest.
"Good choice." It was a good choice. That means I can tell my dad that she's not talking to me anymore. I finally have an excuse to leave her alone. I stood up without laying my eyes on her.
"I'll see you around, Monteverde."