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Days flew by quickly. Weeks turned into months and months turned into years. George finally graduated from high school yet nothing has changed. Dos didn't come back to her and he distanced himself from her even more.

She often tried to visit Sadie with Audrey just to see a glimpse of him. They're both taking interior design kaya they spend most of the time together. Lia, on the other hand is an architecture student so they don't see each other often.

Sometimes she does see Dos but he would always ignore her. Ni nga tapunan siya ng tingin ay hindi nito magawa. It's as if she never existed in his eyes. She was invisible to him.

Last time nga during Box's birthday, ay sinama siya ni Kendall sa party nito. Dos avoided her like plague. Si River at Jarvis lang ang nakausap niya that time. Yvo was busy playing with Seven and si Kuya Inno naman was interning daw sa company nila kaya late na daw makakarating.

She heaved a sigh. Kung noong una ay may kakaunting confidence pa siya sa nararamdaman ni Dos, now, she wasn't so sure anymore. It's painful and frustrating to chase someone who's as confusing as he is. Nakakapagod.

Malapit na ang debut niya and her mom's adamant that they make it big. She wanted to have a party pero, she wanted it to be simple lang and only for her friends. Lia even suggested they just party at a club na lang with drinks and all.

"Ouch—"

Napatingin siya sa nabangga on her way to the main gate. Her eyes grew wide as she recognized Kazuhiko—the guy Ate Sadie introduced to her a year ago.

"Sorry—George?" gulat din nitong turan. "Sorry about that. Hindi kita nakita."

"Oh, hello," she greeted back and smiled. "Are you looking for Ate Sadie?"

"Uh, kinda. Have you seen her? Di sumasagot eh."

"Maybe she still has class pa," she told him. "Do you want me to accompany you to her room?"

"Pwede ba?" The guy smiled charmingly at her. If she was in an ordinary circumstance, she would undoubtedly fall for this guy's charms. But she can't. 'Coz she already head over heels in love with someone else.

"Of course," she said and smiled. "I do have something to give her din naman so it's fine."

Nagusap sila ni Kazuhiko as they walked towards the College of Law building. It was almost five in the afternoon kaya any minute now ay tapas na ang clase nito.

"It's been a while, 'no?" anito sabay ngiti as they sat by the bench in front of the main building entrance. "Last time I saw you was the pageant. I tried texting but I didn't get your number. Ayaw naman ibigay ni Sadie sa'kin."

"But you didn't ask," she countered pouting. This made Kazuhiko laugh at her. Siyempre, she got annoyed. "Stop laughing at me. You're making it sound like I'm bad."

"Sorry," natatawang sagot nito. "Ang cute mo kasi mainis. Para kang pusa."

"I don't kaya!"

"I don't kaya!" he mocked laughing even more. "See? Cute."

She playfully hit him on the shoulder kaya nagkunwari itong nasaktan. But she didn't even put force on it kaya she's sure he was just acting or something.

"Avila."

She almost jumped at the sudden intrusion of a familiar baritone voice. Napatingin siya dito and let out a gasp when she saw Dos looking at them grimly. Sa tabi nito ay nakatayo si Ate Sadie grinning very widely.

"O, Montecillo the second," Kazuhiko greeted him back. "Parang kelan lang nakita kita sa Elyu. Ini-istalk mo 'ko 'no?"

She almost burst out laughing when he even winked at Dos. But it seems like they already know each other kasi Dos just rolled his eyes before leaving. Her smile automatically faded.

He didn't even look at her!

"Asshole," she mumbled making both Ate Sadie and Kazuhiko turn towards her. Amused. "What?"

Hindi sumagot ang lalaki but grinned. Buti hindi pa napupunit yung bibig niya from all that smiling and grinning he's doing. Then he threw a knowing look at Ate Sadie who just shrugged.

"Ano nanaman ginagawa mo dito ha, Creed?" Ate Sadie asked when they sat on a table sa isang coffee shop malapit sa school.  Kazuhiko--who she found out had an English name which was "Creed", offered to buy them coffee. "Wala ka bang friends?"

He shrugged. "I got bored. So I thought of visiting my favorite ex."

"Ex?!" she blurted out almost spitting up her iced caramel macchiato. "You two dated before?"

"No!" she immediately answered before hitting the guy who was laughing out loudly. "Kadiri. Kung papatol ako sa lalaki, dun na sa maayos. Hindi sa malanding 'to. Kahit sino pinapatos."

Creed grinned and raised a hand. "Guilty."

They talked for a while then after a few minutes ay dumating na si Audrey at si Lia to join them. Galing daw ang mga ito sa volleyball practice. They talked some more hanggang sa mapunta sa debut niya ang usapan.

"So is your list, done?" tanong ni Ate Sadie. "18 candles, 18 roses and 18 treasures?"

"Not yet," she said shaking her head. "My 18 Roses is kulang pa."

"How many?" Audrey asked. "I know some guys sa varsity basketball team."

She bit her lower lip. Nahihiya kasi siya dahil by "kulang" she actually meant she's not sure if he'd attend or not. Naningkit agad ang mga mata ni Lia.

"It's Dos, isn't it?" The way her friend said that seemed like she' was so sure. "Tangina naman, Georgina. Gumising ka na. It's been years. Di ka na nga pinapansin eh."

"Hindi 'no!" she lied. "I just don't know pa kasi who I want na maging escort. He'll be my 18th rose na kasi dapat."

The truth is, she wanted Dos to be her escort. Gusto niyang ito rin ang 18th rose niya. Kahit pa sabihin na walang pag-asang mangyari 'yon, like her feelings for him ay umaasa pa din siya. He promised to wait for her before and she'll hold on to that promise for as long as she can.

"You haven't picked?" taas kilay na tanong ni Audrey. Napatingin siya kay Creed. He was looking intently at her as if he was studying her or something.  "I'll call a friend--"

"I'll do it," nakangising sambit ni Creed na itinaas pa ang kamay. He was grinning so they all thought he was joking. Mag-asawang hataw ang natanggap nito from Ate Sadie and Audrey. "Aray naman! Seryoso nga kasi. Close naman na tayo George, 'diba?"

"Wai--"

"That's settled then," ani agad ni Lia kaya't napatingin siya dito. Her best friend gave her a teasing grin. "What? Hindi naman si Dos, right? So problem solved. Si Creed na ang escort mo sa debut mo."

Agad siyang tumingin kina Sadie at Audrey na agad namang naglayo ng tingin. Then she turned back to Creed who she didn't notice na nakalapit na pala sa kanya. He leaned closer to her and his arm fell on the backrest of her chair.

"Relax, George," anito. "I'm a nice guy. Paniguradong ako ang may pinakamagandang regalo sa'yo sa birthday mo."

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"I think I'm gonna cry. My baby's all grown-up now."

George couldn't hide her smile as her mom cried. Inaayusan na kasi siya ngayon sa hotel room kung saan gaganapin ang kanyang debut. They rented the whole ballroom including ten rooms for their family and friends.

Her theme was fairytale. Cliché—yes, but it was like a reflection of her. She always believed in fairytales and happily ever afters. At kahit pa ganito sila ni Dos ngayon, she still believe that their happily ever after will come. They're still in a conflict but she's positive it's not the end yet. Their fairytale is still on-going.

"Mommy, stop crying na," she said smiling. "You'll ruin your make-up!"

"She's right, you know," her dad said while gently patting her mom's back. "And that make-up is quite expensive."

The night began smoothly and everyone was having a good time. Creed looked devilishly handsome as her escort for the night and almost all girls there fawned over him. Nakakatawa nga 'coz it looked like he's the artista and not the guest her parents invited.

Her entrance was magical as she sang a song from Tangled while walking towards the stage. There were lanterns around kaya it felt like she was really in the film. She was a bit nervous but Creed held her hand tightly and assured her it was fine.

Nagulat siya when she saw Jarvis, Box and Yvo in the venue. She knew Jarvis and Box will be attending pero nagulat siya dahil andoon si Yvo. She can't help but smile because kahit mukhang bored na bored ito ay hindi nito magawang umalis.

It was almost time for her 18 Candles and 18 Roses. She saw how Creed suddenly grimaced as if he was in pain or something.

"Hey Creed," she called. He immediately turned to her and she saw how pale he looked. "Are you okay? You're looking pale na o."

"Oks lang ako," he answered but he clearly wasn't.

"If you're not feeling well you can rest muna," she said and held his hand. Nanlalamig iyon. "May 18 candles pa naman. I'll request na lang to change muna the program and paunahin yung dinner para you have time to rest."

Hindi na nakapag-react si Creed since she called the event organizer na and told her about the supposed change. Creed went up to a vacant room to rest while the program was on-going.

After the candles, nag-dinner na. She visited one table after another to greet her guests. It was hard to walk with her gown.

"O, asan partner mo?" Audrey asked when she arrived at their table. They were seated with the Montecillos, Lia and Ate Sadie.

"He wasn't feeling well so he went upstairs muna to rest," she answered and smiled.

"I didn't know you were friends with Creed Avila," ani Jarvis in an amused tone. "Wow. I'm impressed, Rhi."

"It just happened," she send in defense. "We met through Ate Sadie tapos here na."

"Speed lang," Lia added. "Na ol may jowa."

"What—"

"Diba sabi mo Ate you can't have a boyfriend 'til you're 18?" singit naman ni Yvo with his eyebrows furrowed.

"He's not—"

"—yet," singit bigla uli ng best friend niya. "Sasagutin niya siyempre mamaya habang sumasayaw sila para romantic. 'Diba, G?"

"Huh?" she turned to a smirking Lia. She was about to defend herself but she was pulled away na by the planner. Time to switch tables na daw.

As she went towards a different table she felt like someone was looking at her. Tumingin tuloy siya uli sa mesa nina Lia and saw Yvo staring. She smiled at him but he immediately looked away.

Huh. Weird.

The night went on and dinner was finished. It was about time for her 18 roses and wala pa si Creed. She asked on of the planners to call for him sa room as the program started again.

Her first dance was of course her dad. He was crying while telling her how proud he was that she grew up to be a fine woman.

"I hope to live long enough to dance you like this on your wedding day, my baby," he said making her smile. Weirdly enough, si Dos agad ang pumasok sa isip niya.

"You will, daddy," she said smiling. "Tapos you'll sance pa your granddaughter sa 18th niya."

Tumawa lang ito before planting a kiss on her forehead. He was followed by Red who just said she was ugly and all—but she knows he was just joking.

Jarvis was her 14th rose. Hindi man sila gaanong nagkakasama but they stayed in contact with each other and would always text each other para mangamusta. She also kept tabs on Dos through him.

"Dalaga ka na, Rhi," he joked as they danced. "Hinay-hinay lang sa pagbo-boyfriend ha. Babaero si Creed."

"He's not my boyfriend kasi," she explained. "I would've told you kung may boyfriend na ako. Lia's just messing with you guys."

"Ga'non ba? Patay. Nagsumbong na yung bunso," he said chuckling.

Nagsumbong? That means...

It was already the 17th rose at wala pa din si Creed. He wasn't really feeling well kanina so if he did leave, she'd understand.

"And for the final rose, Kazuhiko Avila," the emcee announced.

Napatingin siya agad sa supposed place kung saan nagaabang ang susunod na kasayaw niya. But no one was there. She sighed before walking towards the emcee to tell him that Creed had an emergency. But as he was about to tell everyone, someone ran to the center of the ballroom.

Her eyes grew wide and she gasped. Even the emcee was surprised to see a stranger suddenly walk in.

"D-Dos..."

Holding a single red long-stemmed rose—the only red one at that, he walked towards her and handed it.

"Uh... Happy Birthday."

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