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"Oh my God! Is that the new Chanel Black Quilted Pumps, G?"

Napatingin bigla si George sa kanyang best friend na si Addison Bordejos—Addy for short. She was staring at her brand new shoes with sparkling eyes kaya napangiti siya.

"Yup!" she immediately confirmed. "Mom bought it for me nung pumunta sila this summer sa Europe. Isn't it so cute?"

"Totally!" agree naman agad nito bago sumalumbaba sa may table at bumusangot. "I've asked mom to buy me those pair din before but wala siyang nakuha sa Macau."

"Maybe I can ask mom if you can pasa-buy?" she offered. "She and daddy are going on another business trip to the US so maybe they can stop by a shop or two. Para twinning na rin tayo."

"Really?" Hindi niya napigilang mapangiti nang bigla ay lumiwanag ang kaninang gloomy aura nito. "Hindi naman kaya nakakahiya kina tita?"

"No kaya," she answered. "Mom loves shopping so you're actually doing her a favor."

"OMG you're the best!" Addy shot up from her seat and tackled her with a tight hug. She couldn't help but giggle na din because her bestie is such a sweetheart.

Addy and her were inseparable since freshmen year. They were like two peas in a fashionable pod kaya when they got seated together, they instantly clicked. Hindi kasi nagkakalayo ang taste nilang dalawa. The only difference that they have is mas gusto niya yung nasa bolder side of the fashion palette while she's more of a pastel girl.

Addison's choice for fashion really reflects how she is—delicate, feminine and cute. Kaya nga binansagan itong "class sweetheart" because she really is. Napaka-soft spoken din nito at mabait.

Her, on the other hand, was branded as the "bratinella". Some may be offended from that adjective pero siya, hindi. Because she really is. She's not really a fan of plain and simple. She likes excitement and that reflects on her choices in fashion and in life.

"Should I be concerned sa excessive public display of affection niyong dalawa?"

Sabay silang napatingin ni Addy sa bagong dating. Aaliyah Mariae Sy—who prefers to be just called Lia, threw her LV monogram backpack sa upuan nito. Addy and her gasped dahil hindi man lang nito iningatan ang designer bag na gamit.

"Lia!" Addy exclaimed. "Don't be rough sa bag mo. You're gonna scratch it."

"It's just a bag—"

Again, Addy and her gasped making Lia roll her eyes at them.

"Don't say that!" exsaherada niyang sambit sabay abot sa tinapon nitong bag sabay haplos dito animo inaamo. "Don't listen to that bad lady, LV. She doesn't know what she's saying. You're not just a bag."

Isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ng babae bago hinablot sa kanya ang pagaari at umupo na sa assigned seat nito sa likuran nila ni Addy.

Lia has different taste compared to her and Addy. If they like wearing fashionable pieces and heels, Aaliyah leans more on comfy clothes and flats. She's also a bit boyish pero hindi makakaila ang angking ganda nito.

"It's just a bag," giit nito. "Ang OA niyo."

"It's a designer bag, Lia," she corrected her clueless best friend. "It's a piece of art."

Though they have contrasting tastes, hindi pa rin 'non napigilan ang malakas na connection nila with each other. Lia's her oldest friend dahil elementary pa lang ay hindi na sila mapaghiwalay.

Lia rolled her eyes again before folding her arms over her chest.

"Where's your favorite bag ba kasi?" she asked. "You don't usually own anything designer maliban 'don sa wallet mo. What happened?"

Ang tinutukoy niyang bag ay ang paborito nitong navy blue Herschel backpack since they were in 4th grade. It looked really worn out pero Lia refused to let it go.

"Mom happened," inis na sambit nito. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Addy. "She threw my bag out kasi sira na yung zipper and gave me this one instead. I can repair my own bag naman so she didn't have to throw it away. Pero she said it would just be a waste saka high school na daw kasi so I should act more like a lady."

Nag-air quotes pa ito making her look more adorable.

"As if a bag can make you a lady," pahabol pa nito. "Ah ewan. Nag-breakfast na ba kayo? Hindi pa naman start ng first subject. Samahan niyo nga ako sa cafeteria."

Agad silang tumango ni Addy at tumayo. They both know that buying food—and eating, is Lia's way to relieve stress. Siya din naman ay medyo nagugutom na rin so why not.

Nahawi ang mga tao sa hallway as the three of them made their way to the cafeteria. Nasa gitna siya ng dalawang kaibigan at halos lahat ay sa kanya nakatingin. Pano ba naman, aside from the Chanel pumps she's wearing, Chanel din ang cardigan na kanyang gamit  sa ibabaw ng uniform and she had a Chanel headband to finish off her look.

She got used to the attention she's getting every time she walks the halls of UDSA's High School department. Bagaman private school ang paaralang iyon, hindi ordinaryo sa isang estudyante ang pumaparadang may ga'non kamamahal na gamit. Some say she's flaunting her wealth pero, she never did care about that. She's always aware of her clothes and accessories for her own satisfaction. Para sa kanya, you always have to look presentable and at the same time fashionable.

As always ay puno nanaman ng estudyante ang cafeteria simula pa lang ng araw. Ahe had ordered herself a tuna sandwich plus some apple juice, Addy bought herself a salad habang si Lia naman ay cup noodles. Naisipan nilang sa may bleachers sa field na lang kumain since wala nang bakanteng upuan 'don.

"Did you guys sign up na for any clubs this year?" tanong niya sa mga kaibigan. "I'm eyeing to get a spot in the Performing Arts Club kasi. Do you think they have an opening?"

"I think so," sagot naman agad ni Lia. "Madaming gumraduate last year from that club so I think they'll have a slot for you. Saka sa sobrang daming arts mo sa kayawan, I'm sure you'd be a shoe in."

"Har-har. Funny ka," she replied sarcastically.

"What? Lahat kaya ng nasa PA Club is ang daming arte sa buhay," Lia immediately defended herself. "I mean, have you seen them? Parang ginagawa na nilang teleserye yung daily life nila eh. Buti pa kami sa Sports Club, chill lang."

Lia's part of the varsity team for women's volleyball at ito ang pinakabatang miyembro. But she'd die first before joining the sports club. Takot siyang matamaan ng bola sa mukha. O hindi naman kaya ay masugatan. She's not the sporty type and she's not really that active when it comes to activities that requires a lot running.

"How about you, Addy? Saang club ka interested sumali this year?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh. Baka I'll magfocus na lang muna sa Journalism," nakangiting sagot nito.

"Why don't you join me na lang sa PA Club?" she offered. "I heard you sing and you sound amazing."

"You know I can't sing in front of crowds, G. Baka hindi ako makapasok sa auditions," Addy shyly replied.

"Don't worry, Addy. Andun naman ako. I'll help you. Sabay tayo mag-audition para you won't get stage fright," she assured her and gently squeezed her hand. "Please? For me?"

Addison heaved a sigh before nodding and smiling. Hindi niya napigilang mapatili at agad itong niyakap.

"Why do I feel like I'm third-wheeling right now?" ani bigla ni Lia.

"Aww. Don't get jealous, babe. You're still my boyfie," aniya making the former grimace.

Natatawang hinila niya naman ito at isinama sa kanilang group hug.

"I can't believe we're sophies now!" she exclaimed then stood up while stretching her arms. "It feels like it was just yesterday we entered high school. Ngayon, we're older na. Baka tomorrow we'll be in college already. Gosh! I don't know what course to pick pa."

Addy giggled as Lia rolled her eyes while smiling. She just sighed dreamingly as she watched the other students out on the field.

"Masyado ka nanamang advance mag-isip, madam," ani Lia—who was now busy slurping her noodles. "Chill your tits and just enjoy high school. Second year pa lang tayo. Excited ka masyado."

"I'm just proving a point, babe. Ikaw yung mag-chill," she said chuckling. "And yes, I will enjoy my high school years the best I can. Plus I have a feeling that this year's gonna be great—oops!"

Nasagi niya bigla ang inumin kaya't nahulog ito sa ilalim ng bleachers. Maging ang dalawang kaibigan niya ag nagulat. But what shocked her more was when someone cursed.

"Fuck! Who did that?!"

Nanlaki ang kayang mga mata at agad na tumakbo pababa ng bleachers to check on who she had just accidentally showered her apple juice on.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry—" She gasped as soon as she saw who it was.

Isang lalaking napaka-puti—one who could even rival Snow White's complexion, with chinky dark eyes and jet black hair towered over her. He had well defined eyebrows and a chiseled jawline—in short, he was so freakin' handsome! His tongue was poking the insides of his cheek as he directed his attention towards her.

His gaze pierced through her like he was looking straight at her soul. His eyes had this hint of danger that unconsciously made her bite her lip.

Oh my God! He's so handsome!

"Tss," the guy scoffed before he started to unbutton his shirt. Agad namang nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at nagtakip.

"W-What are you doing?!" she blurted out.

"Binasa mo yung uniform ko kaya tinatanggal ko lang," diretsong sagot nito. Oh my God even his voice is so dreamy! "If I had known that some brat would shower juice over me, hindi na sana ako naligo."

Napamaang siya. What a jerk! Pero it was her fault so she didn't react negatively and just apologized.

"I'm really sorry," she said. "Akaidenteng nasagi ko yung apple juice and I had no idea there was someone pala underneath the bleachers."

She watched as he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and try to dry himself off.

"Then mag-ingat ka sa susunod." The guy looked really irritated. She understood naman pero he's starting to sound really harsh na. Like she committed murder or something. "Ginamabala mo pa yung tulog ko."

She pouted. Grabe. He's really harsh!

I take it back na. He's not gwapo—okay he is pero he's not nice so he's pangit na. Like his ugali.

"Bakit naman kasi you're under the bleachers?" She couldn't help but blurt out. She's never the patient type when it comes to arguments. Then, bigla siyang may na-realize. "Oh my God, were you making boso?!"

The guy's forehead immediately creased.

Her hypothesis wasn't entirely baseless. Kasi naman, who in the right mind would sleep under the bleachers? May desk naman where he could take a quick snooze. So there's a big chance na he's there to spy on innocent girls and make boso.

So he's either a creepy pervert or a weirdo who likes hanging out under the bleachers.

"Kung may bobosohan man ako, it wouldn't be you," the guy answered plainly before staring straight at her and smirking.

She gasped. Not because of his answer but because that smirk—that smirk right there, made him look ten times hotter than he already is. Parang si Damon Salvatore sa Vampire Diaries. She felt her insides churn in both fear and admiration. Parang hindi nga siya nakahinga ng one second dahil sa naging pag-ngisi nito.

Then he grabbed what seems to be his bag and walked closer to her. He leaned at bit closer which of course, shocked her.

"Word of advice, kid," he whispered in his dangerously low baritone voice. "Kahit cute yang watermelon design, it wouldn't hurt if you start wearing cycling shorts. But I am curious what fruit you'll wear next. Strawberry, maybe?"

Her eyes grew wider and she felt her cheeks burn. Umikot siya paharap dito but he was already walking away.

"You... You... You pervert!" hiyaw niya dito. "Bastos!"

The guy turned towards her—while still walking away, smirking before giving her a salute.

Kahit pa he looked so handsome doing that, it doesn't change the fact na sinilipan nga siya nito. Of course she's furious.

How else would he know that her underwear had a watermelon pattern on it!?

"George. Are you okay? What was that?" nagaalalang tanong ni Lia when the two finally made their way towards her. "At bakit mo tinawag na pervert si Dos?"

"Dos?" Kunot-noong tanong niya. "Who the fudge is Dos?"

"Dos," ulit nito. "Dos Montecillo."

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