Braylee
"B, it's not so bad! I swear you're still our cutie patootie!" Piper tried to console me with her sweet words and gentle voice but it's still not enough to get rid of the frown on my face.
"Yeah!" Riley agrees as he tries to hold in his laughter. "You're still our cutie patootie na kulang nalang ng green paint at pasok ka na bilang anak ni Shrek at Fiona!" Riley adds as he once again bursts into a fit of laughter. Riley's been laughing so hard that his pretty boy face is turning red and tears are beginning to come out from his eyes. Piper suddenly stomps on Riley's left foot prompting Riley to scream out of pain.
"Don't listen to him," Piper insists as if she doesn't find this funny. I know Piper wants to laugh but she's just trying hard not to for the sake of my feelings.
Don't get me wrong, I love making my friends laugh even if it means embarrassing myself but this situation is just different! My face is in pain and I'm scared of my own voice! What if this is permanent? What if people will laugh at me every time they see my face or hear my voice? My parents will surely feel so bad and sad for me! I don't want them to feel sad, they're in so much pain right now, I don't want to rub salt to their wounds.
"Humanda talaga ang Hawthorn na 'yon! Pati ba naman ikaw gagaguhin niya?! Okay fine may kasalanan ka sa kanya noon pero hindi naman yon sapat para suntukin ka niya!" bulalas ni Piper dahilan para agad na mapanting ang tenga ko dahil sa gulat. Teka, tama ba yung narinig ko?!
"Ano ngina—" natigil ako sa pagsasalita nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at nakita kong dumating sina Lucho at Warren. Hiyang-hiya ako dahil sa hitsura ko kaya naman dali-dali akong nagtalukbong ng kumot habang nakaharap sa dingding.
"Anong problema niya?" narinig kong tanong ni Lucho.
"Don't ask," narinig ko namang sambit ni Piper saka napabuntong-hininga.
"Feeling better, Bray?" Tanong naman ni Warren at narinig kong para bang may nilagay siyang mga plastic bag sa bedside table ko. "Got you some sweets from your favorite shop," dagdag pa niya.
Gusto kong magsalita kaso hindi ako komportableng mapahiya sa harapan nilang lahat sa pagkakataong 'to. Mabuti nalang talaga at nakita ko ang cellphone sa gilid ng kama ko kaya naman dali-dali ko itong binunot.
Ginamit ko ang cellphone ko para magpadala ng message sa group chat namin.
"I'm okay my friendses. I just need to rest," sabi ko sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng chat.
"Guys i-check niyo ang groupchat. May message si Braylee," sabi ni Piper.
"Ha? Ba't di nalang niya sabihin?" tanong ni Warren.
"Just check your Goddamn phone, Wawie" Riley complains.
"B, can't talk. Her voice got fucked up," Piper says kaya mabilis akong nag-type ng message para sa kanya.
"Language, P!" I sent them.
"Sorry, B!" Piper says, getting my message.
"Humanda ang Hawthorn na 'yon, di pa ako tapos sa kanya," biglang pagbabanta ni Warren kaya nataranta ako bigla. Dali-dali akong nag-type.
"Guyses chillax! It was an accident! He didn't mean it! Please stop fighting huhuhu. He already apologized so please peace na tayoooo huhuhu" I pleaded through chat. I even sent those cute stickers just to make a point.
"Talaga? Nag-sorry siya?" gulat na bulalas ni Riley.
"Paano kayo nag-usap? Di ko naman nakitang lumapit siya sayo after nun ah?" narinig ko namang tanong ni Piper. Napahampas ako sa noo ko. Napakarami kong gustong sabihin kaso ang hirap sa pamamagitan ng chat. Di ko rin naman pwedeng sabihin verbally kasi siguradong di parin kami magkakaintindihan at pagtatawanan lang nila ako.
"Hindi niya sinasadya huhuhu please ayoko na ng away. Wag na kayo gumanti huhuhu," sabi ko nalang. Andami nilang mga sinabi, kesyo sumusobra na daw si Hawthorn at kung ano-ano pa kaya nagpadala ulit ako ng mensahe sa kanila. "Just do this for me. Promise me peace lang tayong lahat from now on?"
"B, he punched you!" giit ni Piper.
"Me, In wan an anginen!" napasigaw ako at kasunod nito ang nakabibinging katahimikan. Well except kay Riley kasi narinig ko ang garagal niyang paghinga, para bang nagpigil siyang tumawa.
"It was an accident! He didn't see me! It was my fault! Trust me. Just trust me," I sent them instead. My heart is beating so fast, worried about the fight that would ensue if they refuse to believe me. Hawthorn didn't mean it. I know he didn't.
He's not as bad as they think he is... I think?
Maybe, just maybe, Maybe my friends are wrong... or maybe... Maybe Hawthorn used to be a horrible person? I mean, people change after all.
****
9 am and I have our room to myself. All of my friends are on their classes. Piper wanted to stay with me until I feel better but she had an important lab session to attend. Warren also wanted to stay and look after me but his coach called him for a closed-door meeting, I guess they're going to talk about the incident last night. I just hope none of them gets punished. After all, it's no one's fault... Except Hawthorn's friends. I guess it's their fault for stealing Lucho's wheels.
I laid in bed staring at the glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling. I still can't see it glow beautifully yet since its still broad daylight. I wish it's night time so I could see them glow. Or better yet, I could go outside and look at the stars.
Whatever tomorrow brings
I'll be there with open arms and open eyes
Agad akong napaupo mula sa pagkakahiga nang marinig ko ang ringtone ni Denver. Dali-dali akong napatingin sa cellphone niya at nakita kong tumatawag siya. Ayokong mapahiya at mapagtawanan din niya kaya naman imbes na sagutin ang tawag niya, dali-dali ko itong ni-reject. Makaraan ang ilang sandali ay muli siyang tumawag kaya muli ko itong ni-reject. Sorry lord!
Sa isang iglap bigla na lamang akong nakatanggap ng text mula sa kanya.
9:03 AM
Denver:
You're mad at me...
You:
Muli na namang tumawag si Denver kaya muli ko na naman din itong ni-reject. I just can't talk right now, hindi rin naman kami magkakaintindihan.
Denver:
You're mad at me, you don't have to deny.
I told you, I understand if you're mad.
Even if it was an accident, I still punched you.
I'm sorry.
You:
Hey I'm not mad! Promise hahaha
Denver:
Just look out your window for a second
Naguguluhan man, tumayo ako at naglakad patungo sa bintana. I looked around the lawn and my eyes grew wide when I saw someone in a teddy bear costume, holding huge sign with the words 'IM SORRY' written on it. Beside him is Moo, and there's a sign hanging on his neck too; written on it are the words 'HE'S REALLY SORRY'.
I found myself smiling wide like a total idiot. My heart feels light and warm, like all of my worries suddenly subsided and all I want to do is smile and admire how cute they are.
All of a sudden, Denver calls again. But instead of answering it, I rejected it again and instead
sends him another text.
You:
I'm not mad, I just can't talk to you right now.
Denver places the sign in his underarm as he reaches for his phone on the pocket of his costume. He takes off his brown gloves to type.
Denver:
You don't have to deny. Being mad doesn't make you a bad person, if that's what you're worried about.
You:
I'm not mad at you!
Why won't you guys believe me? Do I look like a liar? :(
Denver:
Even the nicest people lie
You:
Ironic how you once told me that I'm 'too pure to lie'
Denver:
I'm full of shit. #FactsAboutMe
You:
I'm not nice. I lie a lot. I'm kinda stupid and clumsy. #FactsAboutMe
Denver:
Why won't you talk to me?
You:
I can't talk to anyone.
Denver:
Why?
You:
Not feeling well :(
Denver:
I got you Chinese food and some medicine. I also brought Moo. He misses you.
You:
Tempting... especially Moo. Dog's a temptation in a brown fur.
Denver:
Can I come up?
You:
Visitors aren't allowed, sorry :)
Denver:
I saw Warren enter your dorm earlier. #ImNotAStalkerIjustSawHim #JustSaying #NotACreep
You:
Denver:
Are you giving me hints that you're still mad at me?
You:
Okay fine
omw :)
Denver:
If you're not feeling good you can just stay there. I'll just ask someone to take these to your room.
You:
Nah, I want to hug Moo
****
Dressed in my maroon university sweater and sweatpants, I went out of the dorm and into the lawn. To protect myself from embarrassment, I took a handkerchief and tied it around my face just to cover my swollen nose and upper lip. I also took my phone with me since it's the only way to avoid misunderstanding, literally.
I found Moo and Denver in a small kiosk. As soon as Moo saw me, he immediately ran towards me, his tail waggling happily. My heart felt so happy as caressed his face and ran my hands along his fur.
"Guess Moo really likes you," Denver says, walking towards us, still wearing his costume from head to toe. The only part of his body that isn't covered in thick brown fur are his hands where his phone is. "Why are you covering your face?" he adds, his voice sounded curious and worried.
As I was about to start typing on my phone, Denver starts walking towards me as if he's about to take a closer look at my face so I immediately ran towards the kiosk with Moo following close.
I sat on top of the table and began to type as Denver walks toward me.
You:
I literally can't talk. Let's just text
Denver walks up to me and sits on the other side of the table, giving me space. Denver and I are sitting next to each other but there's a great space between us. Denver starts typing on his phone without looking at me.
Denver:
Is that because I punched you?
You:
It's because I intervened between two pissed-off boys. I got hurt because I wasn't being careful.
Denver and I continued texting each other. We we're sitting in one table but none of us looked at each other. Moo on the other hand is sniffing around the lawn like the good boy that he is.
Denver:
I'm really sorry
You:
I know, you told me that like a hundred times already hahahaha
Denver:
I feel bad for punching you and I feel worse because you're still being nice despite of what i've done.
You:
If it makes you feel better, I'm kinda pissed at you.
For a second, Denver looks at me. He immediately returns to look at his phone and starts typing fast.
Denver:
You have every right to be pissed. I punched you.
You:
I'm not pissed at your for punching me. Why didn't you tell me you were Hawthorn? Why didn't you tell me that you were from Rosepike?
Denver:
I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you that i'm part of Rosepike's basketball team. I thought it didn't matter. Who cares if i'm the thorn of rosepike?
You:
I do. After all, you are the enemy of my friends....
Denver:
So I guess that's why your pissed at me....
You:
I heard that you've done some pretty shitty things to Warren. Tbh, I love my friends so much and i'd do whatever it takes to protect and make them happy.
I'm sorry to say this but my friends hage you.
*Hate
Denver:
So I guess you hate me now?
You:
But we're friends though? Is u forget? Is u loko-loko?
Denver looks at me again. This time for a little longer. I heard him chuckle and then he returns to look at his phone and begins typing.
Denver:
Sometimes I wonder what's inside that head of yours?
I chuckled as I thought of the perfect meme to send him. Sometimes i'm amazed at how funny and adorable I am. But most of the time i'm ashamed of myself for every stupid things I do. I have a love-hate relationship with myself.
You:
I heard Denver chuckle again. This time, louder. I guess it can be considered as a laughter. He looks at me again and then types.
Denver:
Really thought you'd end up hating me
You:
I'd end up hating you if you really are as horrible as they say you are.
Are you as horrible as they say you are?
A. No
B. No but because i'm humble i'd say yes
C. No way brayley
D. I'm just a misunderstood sleepless teddy bear
I waited for Denver to answer me but I was surprised that instead of answering my question, instead Denver puts his phone on the table and looks at me once again. He raises his hands as if he wants to reach the handkerchief I used to cover my face.
"Patingin nga ng mukha mo? Ako may kasalanan diyan kaya dapat malaman ko anong nangyari," aniya na para bang kung sinong siga.
"No may!" sigaw ko sabay takip mukha ko.
"Patingin lang naman eh! Di naman kita pagtatawanan!" sigaw niya pabalik.
"Wang na! Hini naman ngrame!" giit ko dahilan para matawa si Denver. Wala na, narinig na niya ang boses ko!
Sa isang iglap bigla na lamang pumasok sa isipan ko ang isang alaala noong elementary ako.
"Braylee?" tanong ni Denver kaya para akong nabalik sa kasalukuyan.
"Ha?" tanong ko.
"Anong problema?" tanong niya.
Muli nagsimula akong mag-type sa cellphone ko.
You:
Naalala ko yung classmate kong babae noong elementary. Ngongo siya at lagi siyang pinagtatawanan dahil sa pananalita niya. She once even cried when during an oral recitation because everyone laughed at her.
Denver:
Kawawa naman pala siya.
You:
I laughed at her too :(
It was wrong of me to laugh. Alam ko na ngayon ang pakiramdam niya :(
Denver once again placed his phone on the table and looked at me. I can't see the expression in his face since he's still wearing his teddy bear costume.
"Everyone has done shitty things in their lives," he says.
I continued answering him through text.
You:
You're just saying that to make me feel better
Denver:
That's because I've done some shitty things too
You:
To whom?
I looked at Denver. He pauses before typing once again, as if he's hesitating.
Denver:
My brother
You:
I thought you were an only child?
Denver:
I guess he never told you huh?
You:
Huh?
Denver:
I've done some shitty things to my Brother, Warren.
END OF CHAPTER 17!
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