Chapter 17

After what I told to Leslie yesterday, it spreads like wildfire. Nagulat pa kami ni Rose na kung saan-saan na lang din namin iyon narinig. Though good thing, I haven't heard my name yet. Mukhang hindi ni-name drop ni Leslie ang pangalan ko so goods siya sa akin.

I know doing this will help him to realize what he did to me, and to all those members of the LGBTQ people who he had done wrong. I wish him well in life, but with this turn out of event, he can only hope.

Thought that was kind of revenge I was really waiting for this whole time. I've been so kind to him and thought that all his actions reciprocated to what I was showing, but it was different and the aftermath was worse.

Now, what he did was chasing him down and avoiding this issue could be good or bad for him. I didn't know Leslie would be so blatant about it and she would defend him, but I guess things have gone differently at this time.

This time, when I'm around the campus, I tried not to be seen by Bryce or any of his friends, but this is the last week, I confidently walked through the halls as if nothing comes on my way. 

People might have heard from others that I'm gay, I haven't really been out totally, as only a few knows about what happened. But I'm not going to hide myself anymore. I've been keeping it for a very long time and I guess it's time for me to prioritize myself.

While waiting for Ruth sa student lounge, I saw Leslie and she turned her head into where I am. I was about to ignore her and put my attention back to my notes when she enters the lounge and walk towards my direction.

"Hey," she calls my attention. "At this moment, I know you have heard about it."

I nodded, the only response I could give right now. It's not something I wanna deal right now when I have a major subject exam in an hour.

"I didn't mention your name to anyone," she said. 

"Thank you for that. I appreciate it."

"Okay... so, I'm the one who's he gonna blame for this stuff, but that's okay. I also don't wanna end up with someone like him. He's such a liar, untrustworthy. But if he ever gonna come to you, tell me. I got your back."

That put a smile on my face. "Oh... sure."

"That's all. And yeah, thanks for telling me the truth even though its shocked me so well," she laughed at it realization. "Uhm, I'm sorry for bothering you... gotta go now, bye."

As she left, that made me wonder. We're not that really close and the semester's about to end and we don't really have to be friends with each other, but I guess something pushed her to do the right thing. 

Seeing how things turned out, Bryce really had to put his face up because of this issue.

Just as Leslie left, si Ruth naman ang dumating. Agad nitong tinanong sa akin kung bakit naabutan niyang nag-uusap kami ni Leslie and I told her about it.

She was a little surprise about the gesture that Leslie did. Nakakagulat kasi. Bago 'yon. She's something that only gets to hangout with people she likes and obviously, we're not the type of people she'll choose to hang out with at the end of the day.

"Anyway, bukod diyan kay Leslie, may nasagap din akong balita," aniya. "Bago-bago lang. Narinig ko lang sa mga nag-uusap do'n sa labas at no'ng narinig ko pangalan ni Bryce, syempre hindi ko na pinalampas alamin kung ano 'yon."

"So, ano nga 'yon?"

"They said the football team will not let Bryce to play."

"Oooh," I swooned. "That's big."

"Truth," she agreed. "I'm not sure kung totoo 'yon, pero bali-balita lang. Some people get mad about it and some don't really care at all. Syempre doon tayo sa side ng may pake at natutuwa nang marinig 'yon. It feels like Bryce will lose everything kasi when they won't let him play."

"I agree rin naman. And he's not saying anything pa 'no?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Wala pa akong balita kung may sinabi na ba si Bryce o wala. I haven't seen him though. Nakita ko lang 'yong mga kaibigan niya. Hindi ko naman sila tatanungin kung nasaan iyong homophobic nilang kaibigan para lang chumismis. But I guess, he's trying to lay low while the issue's burning him to the ground."

"Bagay lang 'yon sa kanya. I know all the gays have been partying all night because of what happened. What he did to them have been out in the world and that was disgusting."

"But there are still people na baliw na baliw pa rin kanya."

"Kasalanan na nila 'yon if they would still like that person, but this should be his end game. He should learn from this lesson or else, may mas malala pang darating sa kanya."

"Bryce will find a way," she said. "Hearing those words as well, it's disgusting how they supported him... but let's see how far he can go. Or this would be the end of is game or the start of a new life."

I shrugged off. "For now, ayoko nang magsayang ng effort for him. All I care now is to pass my exams and get that Latin honor."

I've done my part, so I gotta look after myself now. This is how it should end, but maybe on a better way.