Chapter 16

June 2016

Anxious was nothing compared to what I was feeling right now.

It was my first day in high school and I didn't know anyone from here. My elementary classmates went to different schools.

There were some students, probably also freshmen like me, who asked for my name earlier but I didn't ask them back. I didn't even look at their faces! A result of the collaboration of my pride and anxiety.

We were now in the gymnasium, in-line by sections. I was standing at the back with two other freshmen behind me.

I pursed my lips while contemplating whether or not to talk to them. I had been standing here while everyone else were talking to each other. I was left alone with my poor social skills.

I tried to glance at the back and when the girl with curly hair met my eyes, I smiled timidly.

"Hi", she greeted first, much to my relief. I faced them fully and that's when I realized that the pair looked quite familiar. A girl with a curly waves and another girl with round frame, where had I seen them?

"What's your name?" the curly girl asked, stopping me from wondering. "I'm Tatiana. What's yours?"

"I'm Sophia and this is Louise", she pointed to the round girl who said in return, "Nice to meet you!"

~

I was staring at an empty space when my phone vibrated beside me.

With a frown on my face, I checked out who in the world was still awake in the middle of the night and thought that disturbing me from my daydream was a good idea.

An unknown number was flashing through my phone that made my frown deepen. I waited until it stopped and before I could turn off my phone, the unknown person called again.

I rejected it. Before I could block the unknown number, it sent a message composing, "Tati, it's James! Come out!"

Of course, I didn't believe it and still blocked the unknown number. James didn't have mine to begin with and why would he even want me out when it was already a quarter after midnight?

But then again, who else would dare call me out like that?

I shrugged off the thought and tried to sleep. Regardless of who it was, I shouldn't go out. I was not that insane to do such act.

After countless of tossing and turning, I sat up and grabbed my phone. I opened its flashlight and went to my desk to grab my stick. I then fished for my P.E. pants and sweater on the cabinet and wore them.

With careful steps, I went out from my room to the living room. I directed my phone at my stomach to avoid getting unwanted attention. I noted that it was dark outside save for the light radiating from the streetlamps.

I warily descended on the sofa facing the window overlooking the street outside. I peeped at the closed curtains and gasped upon seeing who was outside.

I immediately made my way out as silent as possible and hissed at James who was too preoccupied on his phone. "What in the world are you doing here!?"

He nearly dropped his phone in surprise when he jumped a little. "What the hell, Tati!" he rasped.

I looked around before I glanced at him with menace. "What are you doing here!?"

"To fetch you!" he whispered hoarsely.

"Are you fucking insane?! It's already midnight! And why would you even fetch me!? Are you out of your mind?!" I hissed back.

Instead of answering me, he just examined me from my head down to my toes. "Why are all covered up? Aren't you hot?"

"It's cold", I uttered as I crossed my arms against my chest and looked away.

He just shook his head. "I guess it's good that you're covered up since we're going somewhere."

"Are you insane?!"

He stared at me impatiently before answering, "No, I am completely sane, Tati", and before I could utter a word, he added, "And I know that it's midnight. I'm not out of my mind. Now, let's go."

He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me but I tugged away from him. He glanced at me with despair. "Can't you just go with me, Tati?"

"James, my mother will kill me once she knew I was out this late! Where are you even taking me?! Are you insa—No, you are insane!"

"Don't you trust me?" he pleaded.

Yeah, Tati. After going out with him for a couple of times, don't you trust him? my subconscious mocked me.

"I mean", I stalled, struggling to find the right words.

"I promise to bring you back home after an hour without even a single scratch."

I pursed my lips as I scrutinized him. I looked back at our house and sighed. "Fine. Just pro—"

"—Let's go!" I wasn't able to finish what I was saying when he dragged me with him.

•••

"Are we going to the plaza?" I asked James when I noticed where we were heading. He looked at me dryly as he asked back, "How come you always guessed where we're going?"

I rolled my eyes and snickered, "Maybe because I also live in this town? James I could literally wander around with my eyes close?"

"You don't even go out that much", I heard him whisper which made me chuckle. Instead of responding, I just let the silence reign over. It was weird that even in this peaceful moment, I felt so much comfortable.

I looked up and saw the moon high up in the sky. Thin forms of clouds were enveloping it in a tantalizing manner. Around them, the stars dotted the black shroud with its glitter.

"You'll step on shit if you continue walking like that", James said, ruining the moment.

I glared at him and retorted, "Only if you blocked my way."

"Ouch", he exaggerated with his right hand on his chest, "I was just worried."

I chortled. "Worry my ass."

He laughed at my retort and held my hand. "Come on, we're here."

Up ahead, I saw the town plaza for the first time at night during an ordinary day. Unlike during holidays, it wasn't well-lit. It wasn't that dark either as streetlamps were scattered all around but it still wasn't well-lit. Oh goodness.

"James, are you sure this is safe? I will really kill you if we get harmed", I whispered anxiously at James. He chuckled before reassuring me. "Don't worry, Tati. I'm always here and I never got harmed."

"Well, you're a boy."

He stopped walking and faced me with a dry expression. "What? I'm just stating facts here. I mean, if I'm the only one going out like this, I'm sure that I would then be missi—"

"—You won't get harmed, okay?" he grumbled while giving me a stern look, "I'll make sure of it."

I pursed my lips as I was quite nervous. I never saw James like this before. He looked like he was about to skin someone alive. I shivered, trying to put out the picture in my head.

"Let's go", he chirped while I just shook my head. I could never understand how his mood could change that fast.

As we were walking across the sidewalk, I couldn't help but look around for potential danger. My mind was wandering from one worst case scenario to another and it was making me anxious.

Why did I agree to go with James again?

When James stopped walking, I was still looking around that I didn't immediately notice the Nipa hut in front of us. It was still the same Nipa hut I would always see whenever I was in the plaza. Although now, it was decorated with Christmas lights and there were two cushions inside and some snacks.

It wasn't perfect, that's for sure, but the fact that he—

"—I made it", he proudly said. I looked at him with some sort helpless smile before uttering, "You're insane you know that, don't you?"

He frowned while I chuckled helplessly, trying to grasp the situation. "Oh my God, James."

"You don't like it?" he drawled, sounding very much disappointed.

"No, no. I appreciate it. Really, I do...but you just had to do it on midnight, don't you? Are you perhaps a vampire, James?" I joked.

He shrugged before saying, "Well, I'm pretty sure you won't come with me if I did this during the day so..."

"You're crazy, James", I remarked, still in disbelief.

"Can you just at least enjoy this? It was so hard to hang those lights just so you know."

I pursed my lips and glanced at the hut. "Okay."

~

When we were settled on the hut, I turned to him and asked, "Who gave you this idea anyway?"

"Me", he answered nonchalantly while handing me some junk foods. "I don't really like junk foods", I carefully said, not wanting to disappoint him.

"You want some chocolates then?"

My eyes glimmered with the word "chocolate" and I immediately answered, "Yeah."

He gave a bar of chocolate and upon recognizing it, the glimmer in my eyes faded. "It may sound weird but my head aches when I eat that chocolate", I muttered in a low voice while regarding the chocolate a look of distaste.

I saw James gaping at me at my peripheral vision. "You are so hard to please, Tati."

I frowned, deeply offended. "No, I'm not! Is it my fault that my body don't like certain things? Definitely not! I was born like this and if you can't handle that then I might as well leave."

"No, no, no. I was just joking. I'm sorry. Hey, I'm sorry", he gibbered while holding my right hand to refrain me from standing.

I pulled my hand away right off while glaring at him. "Your one hour's flying away, James."

"Oh, come on, Tati. I literally gave my all to this one because I know you were disappointed earlier."

"You're saying then that I'm ruining this?"

"No!" he opposed and explained patiently, "What I'm trying to say is just loosen up and maybe enjoy the night."

I examined his faltering yet patient expression. "Sorry then, my night's ruined", I stated coldly and looked away.

I heard him sigh and felt that he moved closer. "Tati, I'm really, deeply, truly sorry. I didn't mean it! I swear!"

I ignored him completely despite being aware that I was acting like a child. "You really won't talk to me now?" he asked which I didn't answer.

I heard him sigh again but this time I felt him moving away. He was giving up that fast?

I shook my head mentally. This was what I was meant when I said I didn't want him to—

"—Sorry na kung nagalit ka

'Di naman sinasadya

Kung may nasabi man ako

Init lang ng ulo

Pipilitin kong magbago

Pangako sa iyo"

I felt James' hand tugging at my sweater. I tried to ignore him again but my eyes betrayed me when he continued to sing.

"Sorry na, nakikinig ka ba?

Malamang sawa ka na"

"Oh please stop now, James", I uttered as I let my hypocrisy take over.

"Sa ugali kong ito

Na ayaw magpatalo

At parang sirang tambutso na

Hindi humihinto"

"James, you can stop now."

"Sorry na talaga kung ako'y medyo tanga", he sang while looking directly at my eyes.

"Okay, fine. You're forgiven!" I said in defeat which inspired a small smile to creep on his face.

He stared at me intently. "I'm really sorry, Tati. I didn't mean what I said", he apologized again.

I mustered the courage to stared back at him before uttering, "I get hurt easily, James, and I never forget about it."

"I know. I'm sorry. I won't hurt you again", he promised as he looked in my eyes.