Naging kami ni Stan sa sumunod na araw at mabilis kumalat ang balitang 'yon. Everyone seems updated in my life, even if we didn't announce that we're together, still everybody knows. Their eyes are always focused on me. They are like CCTV waiting for me to do something bad so they could caught me off guard.

Ewan ko ba, malaking achievement para sa kanila kung sila mismo ang makakakita ng pagkakamali ko.

Everyone is watching me but I don't care about it. I do what I want to do. Their opinions won't matter to me. Nagsasayang lang sila ng oras kakabantay sa akin. Ang makikita lang naman nila ay ang kalandian ko.

"Babe, your skirt is too short."

I crease my forehead and glanced at my clothes.

"And?" I arched a brow at him.

"Boys will look at it. You'll attract them!" pagalit n'yang tugon.

I laughed without humor, "I wear what I want to wear, Stan. So anong pakialam ko kung maakit sila? It's beyond my control!"

I am wearing a striped skirt that ends two inches under my butt and a white tube top. My stomach was revealed.

I hate people who are very controlling, especially when they negatively talk about my clothes. For heaven's sake, they don't own my body. That shouldn't be a big deal anymore! If boys can wear anything, then, women can do the same. Dahil kahit tago ang katawan, may bastos pa rin na susubukang hubarin 'yon.

"Look at those men," he then roamed his eyes, "They're glancing at your legs!"

"Again, it's not my problem."

Tangina. I didn't ask them to watch my legs. Hindi ako nagsuot ng ganitong klaseng damit para iakit sila, I wore this because this is where I'm comfortable.

Kung tinitigasan sila, problema na nila 'yon. It's not my responsibility anymore.

"Ano? Okay lang na mabastos ka?"

Tuluyan na akong nairita sa kan'ya, "The heck? Sinong babae ang gugustuhing mabastos? You know what, let's end this! I didn't know you're a close-minded person."

I turned my back to him but he was fast to grab my shoulder. Napilitan akong harapin siya.

"I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't meddle with your clothes."

I didn't respond. I only gave him a cold stare.

"Natakot lang ako na baka mangyari sa 'yo ang nangyari sa kapatid ko," his voice cracked.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi n'ya. I almost forgot there's a rumor that his sister was raped by a random guy. So, it wasn't just a rumor. He confirmed it to me.

Tangina talaga ng mga lalaking hindi makapagpigil. They deserve to rot in hell. Sarap putulan ng bayag!

"Just don't do it again, okay? I know what I'm doing," bulong ko. Mas lumapit pa ako sa kan'ya. Our nose touched.

"I care for you a lot, Ace. I can't bear to watch another man touching you."

"You don't have to worry. Hindi ako gagawa ng ikakapahamak ko."

"I won't let you walk in danger either,"aniya.

I smiled and kissed his lips. Inalalayan n'ya ang batok ko para mas dumiin ang halik ko sa kanya.

"Uhm."

"Let's go inside my car," he smirked.

And just like that, I found myself removing his pants and moaning his name.

"Don't do that again!" I scolded him after our make-out session.

"Which part? My tongue licking your folds? My fingers playing on it? Or my thing fucking you harder and deeper?" bulgar n'yang tanong.

"Gago! Don't stop doing those, okay? Just use a condom whenever you fuck me!"

Humalakhak siya, "Oh. I forgot. I'm too turned on to think about that."

Good thing, I'm taking pills. Baka kapag hindi ay may sumisipa na sa aking tiyan sa mga sumunod na buwan.

Malalagot ako kay Pastor Chris at Ma'am Lian.

My relationship with Stan became better each day. Iba siya sa mga naging lalaki ko noon. There's no dull moment with him because if we don't make out, he makes jokes just to save the conversation. My friends also find him better than the boys I had before.

"I like him for you," Shaira uttered while Stan is ordering our food, "I hope he's the last."

I rolled my eyes to her, "Ang lola mo naman magsalita!"

"Don't expect that to happen, Shai! As much as I want Ace to settle down, we know her! She easily got turned off and if she did, you've been cut off."

Umiling nalang si Shaira sa sinabi ni Reni.

"Pero madali siyang ma turn on kapag sex ang usapan."

Natawa ako nang malakas, "Hoy! Foul."

"Isang haplos lang sa legs n'ya, makukuha mo na agad siya," he added.

"Parang ang pokpok ko naman, Reni!"

He raised both of his arms, "I didn't say that."

"Pokpok naman talaga ako. Kahit ikaw, papatulan ko," I smirked. He cringed.

"I will rather kill myself," we laughed.

Nadamay na rin si Shai sa tawa namin ni Reni. We laughed until I felt someone hugging me from behind.

"Why are you laughing?" Stan whispered. Tumabi siya sa akin na nakayakap pa rin sa katawan ko.

"Wala! Reni said something funny," I explained, natatawa pa rin.

"Care to share?" he said that while bitting my neck.

"'Wag na!"

"Hmm," his hand caressed my stomach.

Shaira cleared her throat, "Tama na ang landi. Let's start eating."

"Bitter," I stick my tongue out. Inismidan n'ya lang ako at nagumpisa ng kumain.

"May game kayo mamaya, 'di ba?" Reni asked Stan.

Stan nodded, "Yes. It's just a practice game."

"Practice game pero nagkakainitan sa court!" natatawang saad ni Reni.

Binalingan ako ni Stan, "You'll watch later, right?"

Sinubo ko muna ang ice cream bago sumagot sa kan'ya, "Yup! Isasama ko silang dalawa."

He looked at my lips and licked his. Nagulat ako nang bigla n'ya akong hinalikan. He licked my lips.

"You have ice cream on your lips," he said between our kisses. He is about to kiss me again when Shai threw fries on him.

"People are looking at you!" sita n'ya. She even widened her eyes.

"Ang lalandi n'yo," Reni said, acting like he's disappointed in us.

"I'm sorry. Hindi ako nakapagpigil," Stan answered for us.

"Gosh," Shai can't stop shaking her head.

"Anyway, I'll go ahead, babe."

"Pupunta ka ng gym?" he nodded, "Okay. See you later!"

"See you. I love you," dinampian n'ya ako ng halik bago umalis.

We also decided to go back to our classroom after he left us. Habang papunta sa room namin ay may bumangga sa akin.

"Oops, akala ko basura."

I clicked my tongue. Naging alerto si Shai at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Bitaw, Shaira," utos ko.

"Let's just go. Huwag mo na silang pansinin," pakiusap n'ya. Umiling lang ako at pinilit na makawala sa hawak n'ya. Nang makalapit ako sa tatlong babae ay tinaasan lang nila ako ng kilay.

I hate humiliating someone in public, but I won't let this one pass. Matagal na akong nagtitimpi sa trio na 'to.

"Sino ang basura?" maangas kong tanong.

"Who else? Edi, ikaw. You're the disgrace of your family and this school. Nakakahiya sa dalawa mong kapatid na matatalino kaya hindi ko rin masisisi si Ma'am Lian kung bakit hindi ka n'ya pinagmamalaki. Nakakahiya ka~"

She didn't finish what she was about to say when I slapped her. Sinugod ko siya at sinabunutan. My hair is short that's why she only has a little access to it.

"Let me go, Solace!"

Mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang pagkakasabunot sa kan'ya.

"Ace, let her go!" si Reni na at Shai ang pumipigil sa akin pero mas malakas ako sa kanilang dalawa. I am determined to physically hurt this bitch.

"Tangina mo! Mas nakakahiya ka!"

Mas dumami ang estudyanteng nanonood sa amin. Some students were cheering at me and some were recording our fight.

"H-help me! Stop her!"

Kinalmot ko ang braso n'ya. I felt blood on my fingers. Satisfaction filled my system when I saw blood on her shoulder.

"Matagal na akong nagtitimpi sa 'yo. Tangina mo!" I pushed her that caused her to lay on the floor.

"S-stop!"

Mas dumami ang humatak sa akin. They successfully let me go of the Athena.

"Bitawan n'yo ako!" sigaw ko.

"Ilayo n'yo na siya, bilis!" Reni asked Athena's friends.

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo, Renato! Bitawan n'yo ako," sigaw ko ulit.

I'm not yet done with that bitch. Gusto ko siyang kalbuhin at paduguin ang buo n'yang katawan.

"What's happening?!"

I stopped moving when I heard a voice.

"Miss president!"

Yves. Miss president. My sister.

Hindi siyang makapaniwalang tiningnan ako. I gulped. She still looks beautiful in her strict aura.

"Let her go," she coldly commanded my friends. They did what she said.

"Miss President, Athena is now on the guidance," singit ng school's secretary namin.

She nodded and looked at me, "I'll handle her," sabay hila n'ya sa braso ko. We entered her office.

"What was that?!"

"Away," I stated the obvious.

She gasped in disbelief, "For fuck sake! Answer me properly, Laura Solace. What happened?!"

"Siya ang nauna, okay?! I only defended myself."

"What kind of defend is that? You almost killed her!"

Ngumisi ako, "That's good, then."

I'll provide coffee and bread for her burial.

Suminghap siya, "Stop giving me a headache!"

"Who told you to meddle, huh? Kaya ko naman 'yon! Hindi ko hiningi na pumagitna ka sa amin."

"And, what?! Mommy will hear what happened, again? Alam mo kung ano ang aabangan mo sa bahay!"

Ngumisi ako kahit wala namang nakakatawa, "insulating words! Iyon ang aabangan ko sa bahay. You think I'll get hurt by that? Putangina! Hindi! Ngayon pa ba ako masasaktan, e, buong buhay ko 'yon lang ang naririnig ko sa inyo!"

"What do you expect to hear after putting yourself in harm?! After making us worried over and over, again? Sa tingin mo pupurihin ka namin?!"

"I didn't ask for that! What I want you to do is to stop meddling in my life. Hindi ko kayo kailangan. Kailan n'yo maintindihan na wala akong kailangan sa inyo? Kaya ko mag-isa!"

I want them to realize that I wasn't the same Laura Solace anymore. I've changed because of what happened in my past. Ang mga nangyari na walang nakakaalam kundi ako lang at wala akong balak na ipaalam pa sa kanila.

It happened already. Nothing will change anymore.

"How about you? When will you realize that you're too toxic? You're a walking flag? You're~"

Hindi ko siya pinatapos, "Na selfish ako? Oo, alam ko na 'yon! I only think about myself. And? What's wrong with choosing myself after learning to say no to our parents? Hindi ako katulad mo na alipin ng mga magulang."

She slapped me, "How dare you say that."

I exhaled on my nose, "You don't know why I became like this."

Tumalikod ako sa kan'ya at humarap muli, "Wala kayong alam kaya wala kayong karapatang husgahan ako. And don't tell me that I didn't tried to talk to you about it... I did, but you kept cutting me off."

Iniwan ko siyang nakanganga at binagsak ang pintuan nang malakas. Dumiretso ako sa comfort room. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang makitang ako lang ang tao sa loob.

"Bobo! Don't cry, Ace! Ngayon ka pa iiyak? Matagal mo ng pinipigilan 'to!"

But my eyes are a traitor! May pumatak na isang luha galing sa mata ko! I immediately wiped it using my finger.

"I said don't cry!" pagbabawal ko sa sarili ko.

Hindi naman dapat ako nasasaktan nang ganito but she triggered me. She opened the wound I was trying to hide.

I was too young to experienced it pero may magagawa pa ba ako? Nangyari na 'yon. The damage has been done.

"Stop crying, Solace! You're a fucking loser!"

Patuloy pa rin ang pag-agos ng luha ko kahit anong pigil ko. Nataranta ako nang bumukas ang pintuan. I forgot to lock it.

"It's just me."

Shaira reached for my cheeks and wiped my tears.

"You can cry to me. I am your best friend. I won't judge you... I'll listen."

Mas lalo akong naiyak sa sinabi n'ya.

"I'm also here!" I heard Reni from outside, "I can't go inside. I'll hug you when you go out."

"Kahit ano mang Ibato sa 'yo, naniniwala pa rin kami na may mabuting laman ang puso mo. We see things that they can't."

Humagulhol ako. What did I do to deserve these two?

"This sounds bad but I love to see you cry. After years of not recognizing your feelings, finally, you cried. At walang masama sa pag-iyak. You are strong and we are proud of you."

Shaira looked deeply into my eyes.

"Go easy on yourself. Hindi sa lahat ng oras ay kailangan mong maging matatag... Stop fooling yourself that you're fine. Hindi ka okay, Ace. Alam namin iyon dahil kaibigan ka namin. We can see it on your eyes."

Nanikip ang dibdib ko. Another tear pooled down my eyes.

She kissed my forehead, "You can trust us. Remove your mask and let us embrace and protect you."

Kahit gaano ako ka-imperfect na tao. They still accept me for who I am.

"T-thank you. Thank you for embracing me when everyone is throwing shades at me."

Shai forced me to go to the clinic but I refused. Athena was there and besides, I can handle myself. Hindi naman ako masyadong nasaktan ni Athena. Ang braso ko lang ang sumasakit pa dahil sa kalmot ng babae kanina.

"Tara, gym na tayo. The game is almost starting!" aya ko.

They didn't talk about what happened inside the comfort room earlier. They just let me cry and we went out after I fixed myself. This is how it feels to be comforted. Nakakataba ng puso.

I'm the type of person who doesn't show vulnerability to anyone, even if you're my closest friend, I still won't rant at you. Ayokong makadagdag pa sa mga problema nila at kaya ko naman. I can handle problems alone. I'm used to fixing things alone.

Nang makaupo kami ay nahanap agad ng mata ko si Stan. He's stretching when he noticed that I am staring at him. May binulong muna siya sa Coach nila bago tumakbo papunta sa akin.

"Hey, are you fine? I heard what happened," nag-aalala n'yang tanong. He observed my body if got injured.

I smiled to assure him, "Yes! Don't worry about me, worry about your game."

"You can't just tell me to stop worrying about you. I always worry. You're my girlfriend."

"Thanks, then. But honestly, I'm fine."

"Can I have a good luck kiss?" nakanguso n'yang wika.

I gave him a quick kiss on his lips.

"Thank you. I'll win the game. You should think about my reward," he grinned and ran back to the court.

Napangiti ako habang iniisip ang reward na ibibigay ko sa kan'ya. My mind automatically thinks about that! Gosh, I'm really addicted to sex.

The game started. Sa una ay malakas ang team nila Stan pero habang tumatagal ay nauunahan na sila ng kabilang grupo.

"'Wag kang mag three points!" sigaw ni Reni.

Reni groaned as well as the crowd.

"Oh! 'Di ba! Bobo kasi. He's not good in three points! Pasikat."

"Buwaya kasi, Bakla!" inis na tugon ng katabi n'ya.

"Right! Dapat bangko nalang siya."

Umiling ako at kinuha ang cellphone. I saw Stan looking at me so I raised my phone to signal him to get his.

Solace: You want a blowjob? Win the game.

I saw him biting his lips. I saw him typing on his phone.

Stan: I will win.

Tinawag na ulit sa court. Naging ganada nga si Stan. He almost scored their scores.

"Ang galing ni Stan ngayon!"

I smirked.

Stan's team won. Their supporters went near them and congratulate them.

"You want to congratulate Stan?" Shai asked. I nodded.

"Let's go. I think he's looking for you also."

Shai was right. Tumakbo si Stan papunta sa akin nang makita n'ya ako.

"Congratulations."

"Can I hug you?" he asked. He is sweating too much. I sighed and nodded my head.

"I can't wait for the reward."

Ngumuso ako at tinulak na siya.

"You're really thinking of that?"

"Of course! Your reward made us win."

Umiling ako, "Okay?"

He laughed a bit, "I love you."

"M-mahal din kita," bulong ko at naglakad na pabalik.

Nang makalabas na kami ay doon ko lang naramdaman ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko.

"I think, I'm already settling down," I whispered.