....with Raine

We hopped on a jeepney heading to Dagupan, making a left turn and cruising past the side of Tutuban. When we got off, we made a beeline for a cluster of knock-off brands. Just window shopping, ya know? Raine had her eyes set on Penshoppe or Bench. Girl knew what she wanted—Jansport or Penshoppe or Bench, nothing else.

We wandered over to the Main Building of Tutuban and hit up this specialty store filled with all sorts of branded stuff. Raine spotted a Jansport backpack. She went for this khaki green or neutral green color—whatever you call it.

Once she made her choice, I asked if she wanted to grab a bite. She was like, "Let's just buy and take it to the apartment." So, we bought some Baliwag Lechon Manok and Liempo and grabbed four salted eggs 'cause Raine loves those.

Yeah, I felt a bit guilty playing both sides of the river. But hey, Raine picked me knowing I had a girlfriend, Kate. What if Kate finds out about us, though?

Less than 24 hours ago, Raine and I were fooling around in the apartment shower. Now, we're hanging out again. I've already deflowered Kate, and Raine and I had our fun too—live show style! Man, what am I doing with my life? Probably just making the most of it since I'm on a school break. Once college starts, it's a new chapter or maybe even a whole new book. Might be new characters, might lose some old ones.

Lorraine was predicting their sections for next term: Kate might move to section 1, I'm staying in section 3, Arcy might be in section 1 too, Jeric in the afternoon section 10, Nikki in section 3, and Angela and Jessica in section 4. I started thinking if it's good for Kate to be in the morning and Jeric in the afternoon, keeping them apart. I gotta visit Kate's house tomorrow to spill the tea to her parents.

Soon, we were at Pampanga St., with tricycles waiting for passengers. We were right at the entrance, so I said, "Let's take a tricycle."

"Manong, Sunog-Apog please," and he knew the drill. It was windy with a bit of drizzle. Could be a storm, but who knows? My head's sweating and not drying up. Raine looked fresh like she just stepped out of the shower.

I paid 10 pesos, didn't bother getting change. Gave a signal that it's cool... Opened the gate and door, closed them both. It was dark, so I fumbled for the light switch in the living room. Memories of Kate and me under the stairs flashed back, and then I remembered the bedsheet soaking in the dirty kitchen! I dashed over while Raine sat in the living room. Turned on the kitchen lights, saw the basin with red water. Rinsed and replaced the water, scrubbed it again, and left it soaking with some Zonrox. No more bloody evidence.

"Raine, let's go to the bedroom?"

"Haha! There again? Haha!"

"Hehe, don't you want to?"

"Of course! It's you! Won't your mom catch us?"

"They'll be back tomorrow."

She followed me upstairs. We didn't buy any booze, but once we sat down, we lost the urge to drink. Maybe we'll just eat. Suddenly, it rained hard, sounding like sand and stones hitting the roof, with water gushing down the gutters. Not a single drop got into the room, no matter how heavy the rain.

I went down to grab plates, bowls, and utensils. Came back with a pitcher of cold water and two glasses.

"Let's eat, Raine. Pick what you like... you go first." Playing the gentleman. But then her shorts clung tight as she sat on the floor. Her soft, stretchy shorts reminded me of Jennifer when we were in the backyard.