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George was blushing all day long. Hindi pa rin maalis saisip niya yung ginawa at sinabi ni Dos this morning.

Was he teasing her again? Well if he was, bakit ganito ang heart niya? It won't stop beating fast and even just the mere sight of Dos makes her feel butterflies in her stomach. Butterflies she really wanted to kill.

"May sundo ka today, G?" Lia suddenly asked. She was wearing her usual varsity volleyball uniform as she wiped off her sweat. Nanood kasi siya today ng practice nito because she had nothing much to do while waiting for their driver.

"Yup!" She immediately answered at inabot sa kaibigan ang water bottle nito. "I'm just waiting here na lang since Addy went home na rin. She watched for five minutes ata."

"Ah, okay," anito sabay upo sa tabi niya. "Busy din kasi si Addi for the audition. Ikaw, nagpapractice ka na din ba?"

"I haven't even picked a song yet," she answered pouting. She's been very busy with council stuff kaya hindi niya na naasikaso ang audition niya for the Performing Arts Club. She heaved a sigh. "I'd want to do a Disney song but 'yon na kasi gagawin ni Addi eh."

"G, there are     tons of Disney songs," Lia said while rolling her eyes. "Imposibleng siya lang ang magperform ng ga'nong kanta kaya I'm sure Addi would understand. Just don't pick the same song."

"I don't know..."

She's still having second thoughts about it since Addi's been a bit sensitive lately. Maybe it was just the stress since PA Club is a big deal not only to her but to the entire school since it opened doors for those who really wants to make Performing Arts their career in the future. 

"Come one, G. Stop thinking about Addi," Lia still tried to convince her. "Hindi pwedeng ipilit ni Addi na huwag kang kumanta ng pang-Disney when you eat, sleep and breathe Disney."

"Addi didn't say anything, Lia. I'm just... being cautious, that's all. Alam mong I don't like having bad blood with anyone and Addi's already stressed with her preparations. I just don't want to trigger her or anything," she explained making Lia—yet again, roll her eyes.

"Whatever," anito. "But just in case maisipan mo, you know that song Megaera from Hercules sang? The 'I Don't Say I'm In Love'?"

"'I Won't Say I'm In Love'," she corrected. "I'll think about it, Lia. I really don't want Addi to make tampo or something."

Actually, she was already considering that song since it was within her vocal range. But she's not really committing to the idea since nga, she's stirring clear of Disney songs. Kailangan niya na talagang mag-research ng mga Broadway Songs. Maybe Gravity from Wicked or any song from Miss Saigon.

After Lia's practice, the two of them made their way towards the sports field. Bigla nanaman niyang naramdaman ang pag-init ng kanyang mga pisngi when she saw the bleachers again. Why did she say yes na nga to Lia's suggestion of waiting for their sundo there.

"I think I have that song saved sa phone ko," Lia suddenly said when they settled on the bleachers. She eyed her best friend at her sudden statement. "Come on, G. Try mo lang. If hindi mo magustuhan or ma-feel, then don't use the song. We've got nothing to do while waiting so why not use the time to practice?"

"But Li—"

"Just sing it once," she insisted. "And wag mo irason sa'kin na hindi mo alam ang lyrics. I know you and your sister Ken knows all Disney songs by heart."

Lia's a really persistent person kaya wala siyang naging laban dito. Heaving a sigh, she agreed and took the phone from her friend's hand.

The intro of the song started to play causing an unconscious smile to form on her lips. Lia's choice for her was great fit, to be very honest. The song isn't that known yet so she's pretty sure it wouldn't be anyone's 'first pick'. Another thing is that, it would really showcase her vocal range as it had variations in pitch and tones. In other words, she really like this song but it sucks 'coz she might not use it in the end.

"If there's a price for rotten judgement, I guess I've already won that," she started off as the song started. "No man is worth the aggravation... That's ancient history, been there, done that!"

She still sang the backing vocals and continued. And just like how she predicted, she really enjoyed singing the entire song. She's already thinking of even playing the guitar para gawing mas unique ang performance niya. Pero hindi siya marunong. She'd have to ask for someone to play as her accompaniment.

"See?" ani agad ni Lia as soon as she finished singing the song. "That song is so you!"

Alanganin siyang napangiti. Lia's right. It was really perfect. Hindi niya tuloy napigilan kagatin ang pamibabang labi. She'd rather lose the spot in PA Club than lose a friend. Ayaw niyang magalit ito sa kanya.

"I know what you're thinking so stop," biglang sambit ng kaibigan. "I told you, didn't I? Maraming Disney Songs sa mundo kaya't malaki ang chance na may makakapareho si Addi. And if she does gets pissed, she should grow the 'ef' up and live with it. It's not like he can forbid anyone from singing a freakin' Disney song."

"Fine," she said making Lia grin widely. "But in one condition."

"I don't see the point of having a condition since this is for you but go. Tell me your ridiculous condition."

"I'll sing this if you agree to be my backing vocal along with Ken."

Lia has a great voice pero she's not that into singing on stages. Lagi nitong sinasabi na for karaoke lang ito or banyo. But she's actually really good. She just prioritizes sports over performing arts. And with her condition, she's sure she'd back down—

"Deal," Lia agreed smirking. Her mouth went agape at her best friend's unexpected answer. "What? Did you expect I'd say 'no'?"

Tumango siya while pouting. She didn't really expect she'd do it. If she had known, she wouldn't have—

"Wala ka nang kawala, G," anito. "You made the condition and I agreed. Kahit I don't get the point why you have to give the condition in the first place."

"Lia naman eh," she whined. "Addi might get mad."

"Si Addi nanaman. Alam mo, Georgina, konti na lang talaga dadagukan na kita," Lia threatened. "Will you please stop thinking about her just this once and admit that you agree with me. This song is perfect for you."

Hindi siya makasagot dito. Instead, she just rolled her eyes. Alam niyang talo na siya. A few minutes later ay halos magkasabay na dumating ang sundo nila ng kaibigan. On her way home ay pinakinggan niyang muli ang kantang ipinasa sa kanya ng kaibigan through bluetooth.

"It would be amazing if I do an acoustic version of this..." aniya sa sarili. "I just need to fina a good guitarist."

When she got home, she shot Lia with a few texts asking kung may kakilala itong marunong tumugtog ng gitara. Kulang na siya sa oras kaya she needed to move fast.

"I think I might know someone," Lia said the next day when they got to school. "My cousin who plays basketball. Si Luke. Marunong 'yon. I can contact him ASAP para makapagsimula ka na mag-prepare."

She answered with a nod and they settled for class. Naging mabilis ang oras at nakapag-meet rin sila ng pinsan ni Lia na si Luke.

He's a junior but he was taller than an average fifteen-year old. Kaya siguro he's in the basketball team.

"That's the guitar chords and sheet music for the song," aniya sa lalaki and handed him a few sheets of paper. Agad naman itong kinuha at tiningnan.

"Hercules?" Tumango siya agad bilang tugon at ngumiti. "That's quite unusual."

"I have to stand out," confident niyang sagot. "The Performing Arts Club is no joke so dapat I should be one of a kind. Someone out of the ordinary so they'd be able to pick me out of the bunch."

"Ah, I see."

They started to discuss how she wants her audition to go. Agad namang nakuha iyon ni Luke kaya't maaga silang natapos for the day. Nauna nang umalis si Lia at Luke and she was left inside the music room to practice some more.

"No chance, no way. I won't say it, no no," she sang. Hindi siya gaanong na-sasatisfy sa tono kaya't inulit-ulit niya iyon. Each one sounding a bit different for the other sa may bandang gitna. "I won't say it, no no—"

"Oh, it's you."

Nagulat siya nang bigla ay bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa 'non si Dos. Pumasok ito and he walked closer to her with his hands inside his pocket.

"Akala ko may sirang CD player na naiwanang bukas," he continued.

"Stop trying. You're not funny kaya," aniya sabay irap.

"I wasn't even trying to be," he stated shrugging. "Hindi ka pa ba uuwi? It's getting late."

"I'm waiting for dad's driver to pick me up," she answered. "He said he's stuck in traffic pa kaya I decided to continue practicing 'til he arrives."

"Aren't you afraid you'll strain your voice for practicing too much?" He leaned by the piano and rested his elbow on top of it. "Lahat ng sobra nakakasama."

"Kulang na ako sa time," she answered before heaving a sigh. I have to practice double-time if I want to pass my audition."

"Jusdging from what I've heard, I'm pretty sure they'll let you in," anito which surprised her.

Was that a compliment? Coming from the one and only Dos Montecillo? The devil's spawn?

"Just to make you stop."

The smile on her face instantly faded and her cheeks grew redder—in rage.

"You're so annoying talaga!"

Dos bursted out laughing making her want to throw her shoe at him. Or yung book na lang sa bag niya since her shoes were new and they were from Chanel.

"You're so annoying talaga..." he mimicked with an annoying high pitched voice. Was he mocking her?

"I don't sound like that!"

"I don't sound like that..." he repeated in the same tone. "It does. Wanna bet?"

Pinaningkitan niya ito ng mata as she folded her arms. She wanted to hit him so bad talaga but she was too tired. Also, he isn't really worth her time. She needed to perfect her audition piece as soon as possible with no distractions whatsoever.

"If wala kang magawa with your life, just please, stop bothering me muna," pananaray niya dito. "This audition is really important to me kaya I don't need someone knocking off my confidence."

"As if my words would stop you from doing what you want," he said smirking. "You're far too stubborn."

"I'm not stubborn kaya," nakabusangot niyang sambit. "I just don't let other people's opinion of me get to me. Hindi naman ksi important your opinions eh. I only need my friends and my family's. Detractors like you just makes want to do better and prove you wro—"

"The song's perfect for you," putol nito bigla sa sinasabi niya catching her by surprise. Her forehead creased at ininspect ang mukha nito checking if he's joking or teasing her again. She also waited if he had yet another unsolicited opinion about her voice.

But there was none. He looked serious as he crossed his leg and folded his arms. He was looking straight into her eyes that made her feel a bit self conscious again kaya napaiwas siya ng tingin. Yung heart niya is parang tumakbo uli ng marathon. It was beating so fast and she can't understand why!

"Aren't you practicing?" bigla ay tanong nito na sinagot ko naman ng tango. "Well then, go ahead. I'll just stay here and watch. I can give you a few opinions and whatnot to help."

It's like her brain short-circuited or something kaya't she instantly agreed and started to sing again. Dos paid her so much attention and did give out his honest opinions about her performance.

Days went by so fast at hindi niya namalayang araw na pala ng audition niya. She's still a bit bothered kasi ilang araw na rin siyang hindi gaanong pinapansin ni Addi. Inisip na lang niya that her friend's just busy with her audition so that she wouldn't get distracted masyado.

"Nervous?" Dos asked. She didn't expect he'd come and watch. Never din pumasok sa isip niya that he'd be into these kind of events.

On instinct, she hid her shaking hands behind and shook her head. "Why would I be?"

"Pfft." Tinanggal nito ang pagkakasilid ng mga kamay sa bulsa at inabot ang mga kamay niyang itinatago. "Liar."

Inirapan niya ito to hide her flush as he held her hand in his. He rubbed it a bit too—as if it would stop her hands from shaking. But it only worsen her heart's fast beats. Hindi tuloy ako makatingin sa kanya but for sure, he's smirking again.

"G!"

Her head immediately shot towards Lia who's running towards her. She had this panicked expression on her face kaya it started to affect her too. Minsan lang mag-panic si Lia. And she's a hundred percent sure it wasn't caused by nervousness.

"Lia, what's wrong?"

"I can't find Luke, G," she said—her voice shaking. "I looked everywhere. I even called his dad and mom pero they both said he already went to school."

"B-Baka he's just around the corner, Lia—"

"Sabi ni Tita he left his guitar daw sa bahay nila. Luke flaked on us!"

Natutop niya ang kanyang bibig and felt her knees buckle. Good thing Dos was there to catch her.

"Are you sure, Sy? Baka ibang gitara ang gagamitin niya?" seryosong tanong ni Dos. Tumango naman agad si Lia.

"This is too much of a coincidence, Dos," anito. "It's like he's deliberately sabotaging us."

Naghihina siya. She prepared so much for this tapos ganito ang mangyayari. She worked so hard to perfect this performance. Paano na? Her only chance of getting in the club is good as none. Paliramdam niya tuloy ay parang gumuho ang mundo niya. She felt her eyes sting a bit.

"Maybe we can sing acapella, G? Or yung minus-one na lang—"

"It wouldn't be the same..." her voice was kinda faltered. "I'll... I'll just withdraw—"

"No."

Sabay silang napatingin ni Lia kay Dos. The guy just gave her a smile—yes, a genuine smile, before it turned ito a smirk.

"Just wait here. Ako na ang bahala sa accompaniment mo."

It took her a few seconds to absorb what he just said. Nakaalis na ito when she felt Lia by her side.

"Wow. Knight in shining armor to the rescue. Sana all."

A smile crept its way to her lips as she watched Dos' retreating figure run outside the backstage of the auditorium.

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