Chapter 11

I woke up when someone's arm gripped comfortably on my chest and that's when I realized something was wrong. I hastily open up my eyes and found Bryce sleeping beside me—obviously, this is his bed and where he could be sleeping, right?

At paano ako napunta rito? What in world did I end up in Bryce's bed?

Mabilis akong napabalikwas sa pagkakahiga. Good thing, I'm still wearing my clothes, but found Bryce on his boxer only. I hope nothing happened. He hasn't woke up with my sudden freak out. I just find my way out of his room and then when I stepped outside, I bumped into someone else. Bryce's friend, Jaden.

Nanlaki pa ang mata ko nang magkaharap kaming dalawa. But he still look so sleepy and might not be able to recognize me so I just passed by him and quickly get down the stairs running my way out of the Frat House.

I just then realize it's five in the morning when I checked my phone. Hindi pa gaanong kaliwanag ang kalangitan, so I scurried my way back to my apartment before anyone could see me walked out of that house.

For the first time, I slept on that house and knowing na si Bryce pa talaga ang nakatabi kong matulog, magpapalamon na lang ako sa lupa. That would be the last time na pupunta ako sa Frat House. Hindi na 'yon mauulit. Hindi na ako babalik do'n. If ever he will suggest it again, hinding-hindi na ako sisipot kahit anong please at begging pa ang gawin niya sa akin.

Nang makabalik ako sa apartment ko, tumuloy ako sa kama ko at ibinagsak ang sarili ko sa kama. Hindi ko alam ba't parang pagod na pagod ang katawan ko.

I just know before all that happen, I was hiding under the bed in Bryce's room. I'm not sure what happened after that. But I hope Jaden wouldn't recognize me or say anything about what happened earlier.

I don't know if I'm going to stay inside my apartment for the whole day, but I have classes today and I cannot missed them. But it's too early to think about them... I guess, I just need some good rest for now.

***

I woke up by noon, fifteen minutes before my next class. Mabilis akong napabangon sa pagkakahiga ko at nakita ko ang phone ko na maraming missed calls from Ruth. Hindi ko na muna siya sinagot at inasikaso ko mun ang sarili ko.

I didn't mind taking a bath na, nagpalit lang ako ng suot na damit at kinuha ko na lang 'yong mga gamit ko saka ako umalis. Binilisan ko ang paglalakad ko hangga't sa makarating ako sa campus.

I only had five minutes left before my first class this day will start, mas nakita pa akong hindi dapat makita. It was Bryce and he's with his friends.

They were going in on the same way I will. Ayokong ma-late sa klase ko kaya naman hinayaan ko na lang. Hindi ko sila nilingon. I don't wanna get Bryce's attention o kaya naman so Jaden. I hurriedly walk to where my room is and when I finally got there inside, it was just a few second when my professor came in.

Ruth looked at me, narrowing her eyes upon giving a judging stares. 

"Ba't ka late, aber?" tanong nito.

"I just woke up," pagrarason ko.

"Talaga ba?"

"Nandiyan na si sir. Let's just focus on the discussion."

"Hmm..." She hummed. "Mag-uusap tayo mamya... at kailangan mo sabihin sa akin kung anong nangyari, ha?"

"Bahala ka riyan."

Our professor didn't take too long inside the room. Nagbigay siya lang ng update for the final exams at iyong mag final requirement niya kaya nang umalis siya, hindi na ako pinakawalan pa ni Ruth.

"So, what happened?" she asked.

"Wala nga. Na-late lang ako ng—"

"Don't start with me sa ganyan, girl. Don't lie to me. When I was was about to have my early jogging kaninang umaga, I saw you. Hindi ko alam kung saan ka galing, butn it seems like you spent a night somewhere else? Hm... you could be spending the night with Bryce, 'no?"

"No!" depensa ko. Tumaas pa ang tono ng boses ko. Masyadong guilty.

"Ay! Bakit gano'n ang pag-react, girl, ha? So, may nangyari nga?"

Pumikit ako saka ako humugot nang malalim na hininga. 

"Okay, fine. I went to the Frat House—but nothing what you thought happened there! I am helping Bryce now. That's the only reason I was there and I was trapped there because he wouldn't let the other boys see me being there. So, okay na? Masaya ka na?"

"Hm... sure ka, walang nangyari?"

Napahilamos ang kamay ko sa mukha ko. "Wala nga. At tinutulungan ko lang siya hangga't sa matapos 'yong research paper niya and we're over."

"Oooh! So, ang label niyo pala ngayon ay—"

"Walang label o kung ano man," pagpuputol ko sa sasabihin niya. "And don't ever speak this thing with anyone else, ha? Sa 'yo ko lang 'to sinabi."

She chuckled. "Kahit hindi mo naman agad sinabi sa akin, masyado ka nang halata, e. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. So, ano nang ganap mo ngayon with himn?"

I shrugged off. "Hindi ko pa alam. Bahala na kung anong mangyari. Saka we don't meet in person dahil ayoko rin na may makakita sa aming dalawa na magkasama. It is so odd for them to see us. Unlikely to hangout with each other."

"That's why you sneak into the frat house, ha? Kakabalib ka. I've never been into that place. Naunahan mo pa ako."

"Hindi na rin naman ako babalik do'n. Like, duh? Napilitan lang ako dahil alam ni Bryce na gay ako and I think he's going to tell anyone about it."

"Then let him be," she said. "I know who you are, Augy. Why would you  let this happen to you? Bryce shouldn't be blackmailing you for this issue. It's very personal."

"I know... and I can't get away with it. Papalipasin ko na lang hangga't sa matapos ang semester na 'to and I'll be free..."

"You can be free if you want to," Ruth said. "You can always be..."

Napabitaw ako nang malalim na hininga. She's right about it. The only reason that Bryce is trying to hold against me because of my sexuality. I am proud of it, but I'm not ready to announce it to public... yet. The time will come for that, I just don't know when I will be brave enough to do that.

For now, let's tolerate Bryce's attitude.