"Laura Solace, mahal na mahal kita. Balikan mo na ako. Promise, hahalikan na kita nang maayos."

Ang mga estudyante ay napapatigil para maki usyoso. This bastard won't stop following me!

"Tangina," bulong ko at tumigil na sa paglalakad.

Hope bloomed in his eyes when I faced him. His desperation to bring me back on his arms is too obvious that I almost want to throw him out of this world.

"Balikan mo ako, Laura Solace."

I rolled my eyes. People are looking at us, yet he didn't even bother to lower his voice!

"No video! No video!" Reni went to a group of girls whose cameras are on us. Matagumpay naman na napatigil ng kaibigan ko ang balak nila.

My jaw clenched and I clicked my tongue. I hate public humiliation but he is testing my patience.

"I don't like you, I never like you. Kung bobo ka, hindi kita gusto at hindi kita nagustuhan. Heck! I didn't even know why I let you become my boyfriend."

Napasinghap ang mga nasa paligid namin. His eyes became moist.

"M-mahal kita," tanging nasabi n'ya habang ang luha ay patuloy na umaagos.

"I don't, so do yourself a favor. Stop messing up with me."

Tinarayan ko 'to at nilagpasan. I can hear people's words about me. Ano ba ang pakialam nila? If they want, they can apply as his girlfriend.

"I pity him but he's too much! Hinabol ka ba naman."

He can't accept a "no" from me at 'yon ang pinakaayaw ko sa lahat. Saying no doesn't need an explanation. It's not my responsibility to ease his pain just because I declined his offer. it's my decision. It's my freedom to whether accept him again or not.

I rolled my eyes, "As if I want that to happen. Nakakairita nga. Bwiset siya."

"Baka naman kasi naging masarap ang performance mo?"

I smirked and reminisce what happened to us last night before I decided to break up with him.

At least I gave him a mind-blowing gift before breaking his heart.

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan?"

"What did you do? Did you kneel in front of him? Or baka you stroke him using your hands?"

I smirked, "Well, I did both of the choices."

Reni shouted as it excites him, "Blessed be your soul."

We both laughed and entered the school's cafeteria. We saw our other friend who are eating alone at a table.

"Pahingi," sabi ko pagkatapos kagatan ang burger na kinakain n'ya.

"I know what you did," Shai gave me a sharp look.

"What?" I asked innocently and drank her pineapple juice without asking for her permission.

"You break someone's heart, again!"

"Oh? I did?" kunot noo kong tanong.

"Of course, your ex!"

I licked my lower lip, "I didn't. I just broke up with him."

"Oo nga, Shai. Hindi naman sadya 'yon," pagtatanggol ni Reni sa akin.

"Oh! Shut up, Renato!"

Natawa ako nang malakas nang banggitin n'ya ang totoong pangalan ni Reni.

"Its Reni, Shaira! Reni! You're disgusting!"

Shai only ignored her and faced me wearing a serious expression. Napaubo tuloy ako.

"Boys are not toys, Ace. You can't just throw them away after using them. They have feelings, too. They get hurt."

"I don't treat them like toys, Shaira. You know that."

"But you're hurting them!"

"And? Is it my responsibility to take away their pain? They know from the start the consequences of entering a relationship with me."

"Right?! They know what will happen if they develop feelings for our beloved Ace," nakisali na si Reni.

"Hindi lang ako sigurado kung pagmamahal ba ang nararamdaman nila o libog," I shrugged.

Shai covered her face and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Gosh, your mouth."

"What? Lahat tayo nililibog. Don't tell me you don't get turned on whenever you watched mature scenes?"

Her eyes widened. Hinampas n'ya ang bibig ko. Tinawan ko lang siya at mas lalong natawa nang nakitang namula ang kan'yang pisngi.

"If I know, you also want to taste a man's thing."

Shaira covered her ears. Mas lalo akong lumapit sa kan'ya and teased her more.

"Tumigil na nga kayo! Ang mahalaga ay important."

And just like that, the ambiance wasn't heavy anymore.

Reni and Shai are the people I considered as my real friends. Shaira and I were friends since grade school while Reni joined our friendship in the 8th grade. Pero kahit nahuli si Reni, hindi namin ipinaramdam na 'di siya belong sa amin. It's true that being friends with a gay is relieving because they're too pure and genuine. They're true to the people around them.

Reni and I got the same vibe. Pareho kaming maharot, mas maharot nga lang ako. We are liberated while Shaira is more reserved compared to us. She is the mother of the group because she is never afraid to scold us whenever we did something wrong.

"Who will drive you home now?" natatawang tanong ni Reni.

I pouted. Wala na ngang maghahatid sa akin dahil hiniwalayan ko ang dating naghahatid sundo sa akin.

"Ayoko pa naman mag-commute!" I demanded.

Shaira had her own driver kaya hindi na namin siya kasama ngayon. She's the richest among the three of us.

"Sumabay ka nalang sa amin," Reni offered.

"Sure ka?" I asked for confirmation.

My house is far from Reni's house. Baka magalit pa ang boyfriend n'ya sa akin. Gastos din sa gas 'yon!

"Oo nga! I'll call James."

Hinayaan ko lang siya sa gusto n'yang gawin. Wala pang limang minuto ay dumating na ang boyfriend n'ya. They kissed when James hugged him. I directed my eyes to the other side to give them privacy.

"Ihatid muna natin si Solace sa kanila, Babe. Nakipag-break na naman kasi."

James understood what Reni meant so he laughed, "Sure. No problem."

Habang nasa loob ng sasakyan ay pinagmasdan ko silang dalawa. Reni looked so happy with him, as well James.

There's no gender in a relationship. Babae ka man o lalaki, may karapatan kang mahalin ang taong mahal mo. Society is the only problem, always been the problem.

"'Wag na kayong maghiwalay, ah," I unconsciously uttered.

Reni looked surprised at what I said. Even me, I was a bit shocked. Hindi ko inaasahan na lalabas ang mga salitang 'yon sa bibig ko, words just escaped my mouth.

"Of course. I won't let your friend get away from me," ani James sabay hawak sa kamay ni Reni.

"I won't let you go either," Reni answered and kissed James' cheeks.

I smiled. Reni deserves true love after all the bad experiences in his past relationships. He got fooled, cheated, used, betrayed, and ruined by different guys. Si James lang ang nakita kong sinsero sa kan'ya.

"Dapat lang. Gigilitin ko kayong dalawa kapag naghiwalay pa kayo!" they laughed.

It's rare to find true love in this generation. I'm not even sure if true love really exist. Basta ang hiling ko lang ay magkaroon ng masayang relasyon ang dalawang kaibigan ko.

I thanked them when I reached our house. Our house is big for the five of us. Hindi kami mayaman pero hindi rin naman mahirap, sakto lang kaya ang bahay namin ay may kalakihan.

I went straight to my room and changed into house clothes. I got my phone and saw that I have more than fifty new messages coming from different men. Hindi na ako nagulat, this is always the scenario whenever news of me having no boyfriend spread.

Gerald: Hi, Ace!

I rolled my eyes. He already has a girlfriend and she's my classmate! Malandi ako but I'm not a relationship wrecker. I will never be like that person.

I blocked him. I rolled over on the bed and sat down to read another chat.

Stan: Hi

Ngumuso ako. This guy is also a basketball player. Hindi naman siguro sila mag-aaway ng ex ko kapag jinowa ko ang isang 'to? I hate chaos. I only want a peaceful relationship yet a wild one.

Ace: Hello:)

I chuckled when he immediately saw my reply.

Stan: Finally. You noticed me.

Ace: Ngayon ka lang naman nag-chat sa 'kin.

Stan: No. I mean when we're in school. I was trying to get your attention but I always failed :(

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko.

Ace: Well, I had a boyfriend that time.

Stan: Ngayon, wala na?

I know where this is going.

Ace: Wala na po :)

Stan: So, tayo na?

Stan: Kidding. I'll court you first.

I shook my head even if he can't see me.

Ace: You're my boyfriend now.

I don't let boys court me. Ginagawa ko agad silang boyfriend kapag umamin silang may gusto sila sa akin. I don't see the point of courting, to get to know each other? We can do that while in a relationship. It's just the same! And besides, why would you make it longer to answer the guy when you already like him? That's a waste of time. Kaya never ako nagpaligaw... Isang beses lang at hindi na mauulit pa.

"Laura Solace!"

Napaigtad ako sa sigaw ni Mama. She entered my room with rage on her face. Pulang pulang ang kan'yang mukha.

"Ano nanaman 'tong ginawa mo?!"

"Huh?"

"Anong huh?! You made a scene on your school, again!"

"I don't understand.'

"Ayan!" biglang n'yang hinagas ang cellphone sa akin. Good thing I catch it.

I closed my eyes when I watched the video of myself trying to argue with my ex. Who the fuck record this? What a brave soul! The audacity to send this to my mother.

"You are always the one who embarrasses the family."

Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa kan'ya.

"Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin para tumino ka!"

"Matino ako, Ma."

"Kailan naging matino ang babaeng hindi makontento sa iisang lalaki? Kailan naging matino na halos makita na ang kaluluwa sa mga sinusuot?!"

"This is where I'm comfortable."

"Hindi ka tumulad sa dalawa mong kapatid na pag-aaral lang ang inaatupag at hindi mga lalake!"

"That's boring," I honestly said.

Her mouth fell open. She closed her fist and sighed to calm herself from bursting.

"And besides, this is me. Why would I change myself just to impress you, right?" I smiled.

She gritted her teeth, "You're proud of what you're now? Walang magandang maidudulot ang ugali mong 'yan sa buhay mo. People will get tired of you."

I raised my brows.

"Wala akong pakialam."

"You don't care because you only think about yourself. You only consider your happiness even if it brings humiliation to our family," she sighed, "You can have your freedom without being like this, Ace."

Hindi ako nakasagot. My throat went dry.

"You're too young to act like that. Did you think about us every time you do things that can harm our family?"

"Well, I am selfish."

Mama looked at my eyes seriously, "You are more than selfish, Ace."

She was about to add another insult when my father interrupted her.

"Huminahon ka, Mahal. Ako na ang bahala rito."

Mama glanced at me before turning her back and whispered something, "Nakakahiya maging magulang ni Solace."

I chuckled upon hearing those words. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit hindi man lang ako nasaktan sa mga sinabi n'ya. I guess, I'm used to hearing those words. I received worse words than that. Manhid na ako sa mga salitang 'yon.

"Anak, ano ba ang nangyari?" Tatay asked me softly.

"The usual," I answered without feeling nervous.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka na mananakit ng puso ng nga lalaki?" natawa siya nang bahagya. I stared blankly at him.

"I didn't hurt him. Alam naman n'ya na malandi ako," I said naturally.

"Hindi ka malandi."

I laughed. He didn't need to pretend that he doesn't know my reputation. I'm always open to them that I have lots of boys. My lips taste a lot of lips. Maraming lalaki ang kinama ako.

"Eh, ano pala, Tay? Pokpok?"

I saw pain in my Tatay's eyes, "Hindi ka malandi, pokpok, o kung ano man ang tamang termino. Nagmamahal ka, Anak. Nagmamahal."

I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"Ang mapagmahal ko naman."

"Yes, anak. You have a big heart."

Umiling nalang ako. He's indeed a Pastor.

"Pero are you not disappointed in me? Hubadera ang anak ng isang Pastor. Nakakahiya 'yon, Tay."

Of all people, he should be the first one who is ashamed of having me. He's a Pastor. Malaman lang ng mga tao na ganito akong klaseng babae, dapat ay mahiya na siya. I'm ruining his good reputation with other people.

"Never ka naging disappointment ng family, Ace. Anak kita, bakit kita ikahihiya? At alam kong may rason at plano ang Diyos sa buhay mo."

I stayed quiet.

"Tatay is always here for you, Anak. Talikuran ka man ng mundo, ilalaban kita."