"Mag-aaudition ka for Juliet role?" Liz asked while we're cleaning, magkasama kasi ulit kami sa schedule of cleaners.

"Yes. Miss Gaurano asked me to join audition." I answered, mentioning our English teacher na naghikayat sa akin na mag-audition.

"I heard Nadia and Stephanie will audition too. Good luck!"

Nagkulong agad ako sa room ko pagkauwi to practice my lines.

"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

Napailing ako, ang awkward ng pagkakasabi ko. Inulit-ulit ko 'yon hanggang sa makuha ko na 'yong gusto kong tono.

"My only love sprung from my only hate

Too early seen unknown, and known too late!"

Argh. Napasabunot ako sa ulo ko habang nakaharap sa salamin. Kulang sa emosyon!

"What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot,

Nor arm nor face nor any other part

Belonging to a man. Oh, be some other name!

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would smell as sweet."

I'm really not good in showing emotions kaya hirap na hirap ako habang nagbibigkas.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite."

"Kaya ko 'to." I whispered to myself. Kaya mo 'to, Astrid.

Late na akong nakatulog dahil sa kakaensayo ko. I even woke up late because of that!

"Antok na antok ka?" Samuel asked dahil halos humilig na ako sa table.

"Yeah." Mas lalo naman akong napapikit when I felt his hand brushing my hair.

"It's later, right?" He asked at tumango lang ako. "Good luck."

"Hindi ka manunuod ng audition?" I asked, I need him there kasi.

"Hmm," saglit siyang tumingin sa taas na tila nag-iisip. "Of course, I'll be there," awtomatiko naman akong napangiti dahil sa sinabi niya.

I'm so nervous and I'm fidgeting while waiting for my name to be called. Sana magawa ko ng tama mamaya, hindi ko inaalala na magkakamali ako dahil kabisadong-kabisado ko na 'yong mga lines na napili ko. 'Yong emosyon lang talaga sa pagdeliver ng lines 'yong problema ko.

"Del Estrella." The staff called. Huminga ako ng malalim at umakyat sa mini stage. I immediately saw Samuel kaya kumalma na rin kahit papaano 'yong nagwawala kong heartbeat dahil sa kaba.

I started saying my lines and I didn't even notice na matatapos ko na pala. Sana lang talaga ay nagawa ko ng maayos 'yong sa emosyon.

"I will kiss thy lips.

Haply some poison yet doth hang on them

To make me die with a restorative."

That was the last line, I bowed after that. Narinig ko ang palakpakan nila and that somehow boosted my confidence.

Agad akong lumapit kay Samuel after that.

"Okay lang ba?" I asked.

"Of course," pinat naman niya 'yong ulo ko. "Canteen?" Tumango ako at hinila na siya.

The next day ay nilabas na 'yong resulta ng ginawang audition. Medyo kinakabahan ako dahil hindi ko naman sure kung nagawa ko ba ng maayos or what.

"Julianna, congrats." The senior officer of the theater club smiled at me. What does she mean by that? Could it be..

Mabilis akong naglakad papuntang bulletin board at parang gusto kong tumalon sa tuwa when I saw my name there.

"I did it!" Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

"Congratulations, Julianna." Nadia said to me, hindi ko man lamang namalayan na nasa tabi ko na pala siya.

"Thanks." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya.

"And to your Romeo, congrats." After she said that ay umalis na agad siya. Na curious naman ako, sino 'yong napiling Romeo?

I scanned the list again and I almost jumped when I saw his name on it.

What the frick? For real?

"Hey. Congrats." Samuel whispered on my ear as I got out of the crowded front of the bulletin board.

"You freak!" I hissed, hindi naman agad siya makatingin sa akin. "You didn't tell me na magaaudition ka!" Medyo nagtatampo kong sabi.

"It's because," he again looked away at napahawak sa sentido niya. "I'm not sure if I'll pass, you know that I'm not that goo—," sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Hindi man lang kita natulungan at naicheer man lang," gusto ko lang namang bumawi kasi lagi siyang nandiyan para sa akin, I owe him a lot.

"It's okay. Atleast I passed."

Hindi ko muna siya pinansin at nagsimula nalang maglakad. But I'm happy actually kasi bestfriend ko 'yong partner ko. He's my Romeo!

The day came and it was so hectic. I'm watching myself in the mirror while the make-up artist is busy applying make-up on my face. They also fixed my hair and I love it so much.

"Ang ganda ganda mo talaga," kanina pang puri ng make-up artist sa akin kaya nahihiya na talaga ako.

"Thanks."

I didn't saw Samuel, kanina pa ako nandito pero hindi ko siya nakikita dahil nasa kabilang dressing room 'yong mga boys. Kinuha ko nalang 'yong phone ko at nagtype ng message.

U okay? Good luck sa atin mamaya!😊

Itinago ko na 'yong phone ko dahil tinawag na kami ng coach namin. Binati naman ako ng mga kasama namin sa play, sa mahigit isang linggo naming practice ay nasanay na ako sa presensya nila at gano'n din yata sila sa akin, well, sana nga.

"Good luck, Julianna." Bati pa ng isang babae.

Nginitian ko lang sila at saka ako pupunta na sana sa kabilang room kaso hinarangan ako ni Ate Sheen, 'yong isa sa mga senior trainer namin.

"Later nalang, surprise daw." She smiled at me saka ako nilead papuntang backstage.

Oh my! Bigla namang gumapang sa akin 'yong kaba, naalala ko kasi na manunuod pala 'yong parents ko. I'm not afraid of the performance dahil namaster ko na 'yon throughout the practice, I'm just afraid dahil makikita nila si Samuel. I hope they won't hate him, Samuel is a good man, and he's my best friend.

"Julianna, get ready." Our coach told me. Geez! It's time.

The curtain flew open at lumabas na 'yong mga kasama ko, I remained on the backstage dahil wala pa ako sa scene 1 and 2. Rinig na rinig ko ang boses nila dahil may mic at malakas 'yon.

"Is the day so young?"

"Ay me! sad hours seem long.

Was that my father that went hence so fast?"

I almost jumped when I heard Romeo's voice, Samuel rather. I can't explain what I am feeling pero bigla nalang akong napahawak sa dibdib ko, parang bigla akong naexcite, parang biglang gusto ko ng lumabas para makita siya.

I want to see my Romeo, I want to see my bestfriend.

When it's already scene III ay agad akong lumabas, malapit ko na siyang makita!

I put the needed facial expression on my face and recited my lines.

"How now! who calls?"

"Madam, I am here. What is your will?"

We left the stage after the third scene and we entered on the fifth. This is it. I will see him.

I suddenly want the other lines to be finished fast, I don't know what's happening to me. Gusto ko na siyang makita pero hindi naman pwedeng igala nalang ng basta basta 'yong mata ko.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

Parang gustong tumalon ng puso ko habang nagsasalita siya. Nasa harapan ko na siya ngayon, looking so dashingly handsome in his outfit. My heart is beating so fast, I'm sure that it's not because I'm nervous, pero hindi ko rin alam kung bakit.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

Which mannerly devotion shows in this;

For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,

And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa kanya, sa mga mata niya. It's as if I can see his soul through his eyes. Pero hindi ko maiwasang mapatanong, 'Bakit ang gwapo gwapo ng bestfriend ko?'.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nagawa, I struggled with emotions during the rehearsals pero ngayo'y tila ang dali-dali nitong gawin, tila natural itong lumalabas sa mukha ko without trying hard.

He caressed my face before closing his eyes.

I felt my tears flowing from my eyes as I recited my last line. I also closed my eyes after I said it.

I heard the loud noises from the crowd, gagalaw na sana ako but I felt Samuel's arms around me. He hugged me.

And I'm sure my parents saw that.

We bowed before the curtains closed.

"Great job everyone. Bilib na bilib 'yong crowd, especially our guests." Nakangiting anunsyo ng coach namin sa amin, hindi ko rin mapigilang mapangiti dahil do'n. I felt Samuel's hand tightened on me.

Nagkaroon kami ng maliit na kasayahan bago kami dinismiss.

"Uuwi ka na ba?" Samuel asked, nakabihis na kami ngayon. He's now wearing a white shirt and maong pants while I'm wearing a simple beige flowy dress.

"Yeah. My parents are waiting for me outside." Umiwas ako ng tingin, paano kasi titig na titig pa rin siya sa akin. Naalala ko naman, nakamake-up pa pala ako. I will remove it immediately pagkarating sa bahay dahil baka magclog 'yong pores ko.

"Ingat." He said before planting a kiss on my forehead. Nasanay na ako dahil lagi naman niyang ginagawa 'yon, pero ang hindi ako sanay eh kung bakit parang may kakaibang tunog mula sa dibdib ko. Weird.

I waved and smiled to him before walking away.

"You did great earlier, sweetie," mom immediately hugged me no'ng pumasok ako sa sasakyan namin.

"Thanks mom."

"Never knew na may future ka pala sa acting, my princess." Dad added, nahiya naman ako bigla at tinawanan nila ako. "I'm so proud, anak." Napangiti ako, 'yon naman talaga ang gusto, ang maging proud sila sa akin.

The ride was so embarrassing dahil pinag-uusapan pa rin nila 'yong play, kung paano ako umiyak, magkunwaring inlove daw, at kung anu-ano pa.

"I'll go to my room, mom." Pagod kong sabi. Mom looked at me, tila may gustong itanong.

"What is it, mom?" I asked curiously.

"Your Romeo," my knees trembled because of what she mentioned. "He's a Yu, am I right?" Mom is smiling but I know there's something behind her smile.

Wala sa sarili akong tumango at naglakad palayo.

No, they can't take my bestfriend away.

"Sino partner mo sa prom?"

"May gown ka na ba?

"Excited na ako, next week na 'yon."

I'm in our classroom right now and obviously, I just heard my classmates talking about the JS promenade. Syempre as a teenager, nakakaramdam naman ako ng excitement, although konti lang hindi naman sobra.

I already have a gown, si mom na ang nag-asikaso do'n, hindi ko alam 'yong design dahil sabi niya siya nalang daw 'yong bahala.

As for my partner, I looked at Samuel who's busy with his phone again. Hmp, ML nanaman siguro.

I poked his left arm kaya napatingin siya sa akin. "Why?" I looked down and pouted, medyo nahihiya ako, tsk.

"Hmm," lumapit ako sa kanya. "Partner tayo sa JS ha?" I whispered, umiling naman siya. What? Ayaw ba niya?

"Of course, and it should only be me." He said and returned his gaze again on the phone.

Him and his words. Tss. Sabagay, siya nga lang pala 'yong 'friend' ko.

The prom day came, and guess what? Umulan lang naman ng napakalakas and I woke up feeling so hot, 'yon pala ay inaapoy ako ng lagnat. I really felt bad dahil hindi ako makakapunta and Samuel will be alone. I hate myself so much, bakit ngayon pa kasi ako nagkasakit?

"I can't go. I'm so sorry." Nahihiya kong sabi kay Samuel through phone call.

"Uminom ka na ba ng gamot?" He asked, ignoring my apology.

"Yeah. Our family doctor already came to check me, don't worry. Sorry talaga ha? Mag-isa ka tuloy."

I actually want to cry earlier dahil sa buong buhay ko minsan lang ako maexcite, tapos ngayong naexcite ako ay bigla pa akong nagkasakit. Ang sakit no'n.

"Don't think about it. I'm used to being alone, Astrid. Just rest and be well."

That's what he said before he ended the call. I slept the whole day dahil kapag gising ako ay nalulungkot lang ako na hindi ako makapunta sa prom. The timing is so bad!

"Send me a picture of you." I said when he called again. Of course, I want to see my bestfriend wearing tuxedo. Nakita ko naman na siya dati kaso bata pa kami no'n at tinakbuhan niya pa ako, hmp.

"No need to send." Kumunot 'yong noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Basta."

He's so weird, after that ay ibinaba na niya 'yong tawag dahil magsisimula na daw 'yong ceremony.

I got bored so I opened my social media accounts. I scrolled through my facebook news feed and I immediately raised my brow when I saw Samuel changed his profile picture two days ago.

It was our picture after no'ng play, nakaakbay siya sa akin habang ako ay naka-peace sign. It was taken by our senior adviser, sa pagkakaalala ko. Nakaprivate ito kaya hindi ako makareact o makacomment man lang.

I don't know why pero bigla nalang akong napangiti, pakiramdam ko talaga napaka-espesyal ko dahil ako lang 'yong nag-iisang friend niya.

I also visited my instagram at nang-like lang ako ng ilang mga posts do'n. My ig is private kaya hindi gano'n karami 'yong followers ko dati pero nagulat ako no'ng nakita ko kung gaano karami 'yong nagfollow request.

It was after an hour of browsing into social media accounts when I decided to watch a movie. Ang alone lang, medyo nasanay na kasi ako na sa tuwing nanunuod ako ng movie ay kasama ko si Samuel. We usually do that after studying, it's our own kind of relaxation.

Natapos ko na 'yong movie, I also took my medicine, and naghalf-bath na rin pero hindi pa rin ako inaantok. Medyo nawala na rin 'yong lagnat ko at hindi na rin masyadong masakit 'yong ulo ko.

I almost jumped when my phone vibrated, hudyat na may tumatawag sa akin.

"Hey. How's the prom?" I asked. Si Samuel 'yong tumawag, hulaan ko nabored 'to.

"I left." What? Parang gusto ko siyang sigawan, buti nga siya nakapunta tapos 'yon pala aalis lang naman pala siya.

"What? Why?"

"I don't like it there."

Eh? Arte talaga nito.

"Bakit naman? Boring ba?"

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya.

"Ayaw ko do'n, kasi wala ka."

Huh?

I immediately ended the call kasi wala lang, hindi ko alam, parang naubusan ako bigla ng sasabihin. Pero naisip ko naman bigla, baka kinokonsensya niya ako, kasi ako 'yong partner niya tapos bigla akong hindi pupunta. I feel bad.

My phone rang again, may nagtext!

I almost dropped my phone because of what he just send.

I'm outside your house. Pwede bang pumasok?

Bakit siya nandito? This freak! Pero gusto ko nga pala siyang makita. I'm curious on how he looks like in tuxedo.

Okay.

I sent it.

Lumabas na rin ako ng balcony para salubungin siya.

"Hey." He greeted, hindi na ako masyadong nagulat when he immediately went closer to me and held my forehead.

"Wala na akong lagnat. Don't worry." I said, he's obviously checking it kasi.

"Why are you here?" I asked curiously.

Tumingin naman siya sa akin.

"Because my partner is here."

Eh? Umiwas ako ng tingin at kinuha nalang 'yong mat sa gilid saka ito inilatag sa tiles.

"Ow, let's sit." Umupo na ako do'n at sumunod din siya. It's awkward dahil bigla akong natahimik because of what he said.

"Hindi ba masama na nandito tayo sa labas?" He asked at umiling ako. I like it here actually.

"Hindi naman siguro, I want to see the stars," tumingala naman ako at sinubukang itrace 'yong mga constellations na nakikita ko. "They're making me feel better." I added.

There's an awkward silence once again, walang nagsasalita sa amin, we're just both looking at the night sky. I decided to break it dahil nakakabingi na talaga 'yong katahimikan at natatakot akong marinig niya ang naghaharumentado kong puso.

"So kumusta naman 'yong prom? Boring ba talaga kaya umalis ka?" I tried my best to laugh pero tunog awkward din 'yon. Ano ba 'yan, ang fail naman.

"It's okay."

Okay naman pala? Eh bakit umalis siya?

"But I want to be with you now." He added at tila natutop ko naman 'yong dila ko dahil hindi nanaman ako nakapagsalita ulit.

Damn his words! Bakit gano'n?

"Sumayaw ka ba?" I voiced out the question that came first in my mind after a long silence.

"No." I noticed him licked his lower lip. The light from my room reflected on him making his handsome face visible to me. His lips looks so reddish right now, but I don't know if the light is just tricking me or what.

"Bakit hindi ka sumayaw?"

He turned to me and looked at me intently.

"Because the girl that I want to dance with is here." He answered, still looking at me.

"Is it me?" I unconsciously asked.

"Isn't it obvious, Astrid?" He let out a small laugh and faced the front. "I want to dance with the girl I'm talking to right now." I didn't know what to say, pero alam kong masayang-masaya ako dahil sa narinig ko.

"Who do you think she is?"

Ugh. Bakit kailangan niya pang itanong? Siya na nga 'yong nagsabi na obvious namin. Is he trying to make me feel so embarrassed?

"U..Uh. Ang ganda talaga ng mga stars, nuh?" Tumawa ako, pero ang awkward talaga pakinggan. Bakit kasi gan'to siya ngayon?

"Your eyes are prettier, trust me."

Halos napunta na yata lahat ng dugo ko sa mukha ko when he said that. That was the very first time he complimented me of my looks.

"Samuel, ikaw yata ang may sakit." I said saka ako umiwas ng tingin. Ang weird ng mga sinasabi niya, hindi naman siya ganito dati ah.

Nagulat naman ako when I saw his hand in front of me. I looked at him curiously. Anong paandar nito?

"What?" I asked him, still confused.

"Can I have this dance?" He seriously asked and I don't know what to do.

"H-Huh? There's no music, paano—," I didn't even finished what I am going to say dahil bigla na niya akong hinila patayo at hinawakan 'yong bewang ko while I unconsciously wrapped my hands on his neck. This freak! Hindi nga ako nagsabi ng oo!

"I'm telling you, Samuel," medyo inis akong napatingin sa kanya. "Walang music." Hindi naman siya nagpatinag, he just looked at me seriously.

"I want you to be my first dance."

He started stepping his foot after that. Geez, alam ko naman kung paano sumayaw kahit slight lang, pero ang awkward talagang sumayaw ng walang music! Parang gusto ko nalang matawa dahil mukha kaming sira dito.

"You're my first dance now." Nakangiti kong sabi habang nakatingin sa mga mata niya. Minsan lang ako magkaroon ng lakas ng loob na titigan 'yong mata niya kaya lulubusin ko nanaman ngayon.

He's really good-looking, hindi ko masisisi 'yong mga patay na patay sa kanya sa school. Bumagay pa sa kanya 'yong tuxedo na suot niya.

I giggled.

"Bakit?" He asked.

"Ang gwapo naman ng bestfriend ko." Nakangiti kong sabi saka ko inabot 'yong mukha niya at hinawakan 'yon.

"Hmm, really?" Tumango ako. "Si Heaven ba? Gwapo rin siya sa paningin mo?" Nagulat naman ako sa tanong niya, bakit biglang nasama sa usapan namin si Heaven?

"He's also good-looking, he's a nice man, and sma—," Again, I didn't even finished what I am going to say because he suddenly leaned closer and pressed his lips against mine.

I automatically closed my eyes and I felt him sucked on it before pulling away.

"How about this? It's your second, right?" He said, smirking.