[b]002 [/b] I gulped the air, making my Adam’s apple look bigger. I felt a slight chill on my bone as I turned my back and saw a creepy girl wearing glasses. She looks slightly familiar, I think I’ve seen her, I just can’t remember where. I jumped away from her, “what the heck? Y-You…?” I paused for a moment and started laughing. Arrogantly, I asked, “your name is Lux, right?” Her eyebrows were now symmetrically straight and her mouth formed a thick horizontal line. She placed her arms down, “Uh… Well… Yes…A-Ano number mo?” “Why would I give it to you?” I mean, hello hindi naman sa nagyayabang, pero why would anyone give a person’s information to a freak? “I just...” her eyebrows furrowed. “What?” Bowing her head with no hesitation, she finally said, “P-PLEASE LET ME BE YOUR G-G-G-GIRLFRIEND...” I was about to laugh tauntingly when suddenly she spoke, “Please. Even for a short period of time. I’ll give anything anything. Anything, so—“ I raised my hand, as if it were a signal of acceptance, “Okay. I’m in.” Her voice cracked, and a very dishonest smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Nothing serious, right?” I smirked and she nodded, “I want the modern-day gadgets, if you don’t mind.” “I really don’t,” she quickly answered. Which really made me think, is she serious about this? I mean, I’m already taking advantage of the materials that she has. But anyway, looks to me that she really is determined to do this. Besides, it would not take that long anyway, and then I’ll be able to get everything that I want. No one will know that I made a deal with this freak. Come on, she’s willing to give anything. “Deal. I’m on it.” “Thanks.” She answered while fixing her nerd glasses. I walked away. But I stopped, knowing that I’m already ‘in a relationship’ with this freak. I can’t just leave her here, can I? And crap, I don’t even know where she lives. I looked around and she did nothing but stare at me. “Hoy, hindi ka ba uuwi?” She wasn’t listening, so I went closer and raised my voice. “Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?!” I asked again, but this time she turned around. She was wearing an earphone, and I just realized that she was talking to somebody over the phone. “[i]Yes, I’m here. Black gate. Second street from the main gate. Okay. Now. Bye.[/i]” Ano to? May driver siya? I know she’s intelligent and stuff, but I don’t think it’s right to brag about how rich she is in the middle of the street. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?” “Nothing,” I scratched my head, “Uuwi na ko.” I said, shocking my head wearily. “’Kay bye,” she waved her hand stiffly. I should’ve just ignored her. Hindi lang ako napahiya, na-ignore pa ang act of generosity ko. And so I left her. But not totally left, I was curious because she was just there…waiting? So I hid myself behind the nearby bushes. I was slightly spying her, thinking that what if this is part of her stupendous-yet-silly plan. 5 minutes... [i]Hmm…[/i] 10 minutes... [i]What is she doing? [/i] 15 minutes... [i]Tatambay ba talaga to.[/i] 20 minutes... [i]Seriously? [/i] 25 minutes of waiting when finally, a black Mercedes passed by and the men, or should I say HER guards, quickly let her inside. It was as if the car ate her whole being inside in just a split second. [hr] While walking my way to our house, I tried dialling Hazel’s number, but I always end up doing nothing. I went to the sidewalk, gathering all the courage to call her; I dialled it for the nth time and pressed the green thing although I was really hesitating at first. “Please…” I muttered under my breath, “Just answer it.” “…Voice Mail. Please leave your message after the beep.” I was thinking, maybe it would be fine if I would just simply leave a little ‘thing’ for her. Besides, I haven’t talked to her since that day we broke up. “If you’re free, please…call me.” Nothing happened, and it’s a shame that half of my brain desperately wanted to hear her voice. I entered the house, and as usual, nag-aaway na naman sila. I ignored them and went straight ahead to my room. Unfortunately, my drunken Dad caught me. He threw me a cork, “Pambihira kang bata ka…” Tinuro pa niya sakin yung bote niyang alak, “Wala ka nang ginawa. Kita mo nang ganito sitwasyon natin tapos ayaw mo pang umalis sa punyetang school na yon?” “Bakit kaya hindi nalang ikaw lumayas sa lugar na ‘to? You piece of crap. Wala na ngang silbi, manggugulo pa ng buhay.” And before he threw the glassed bottle at me, nakapasok na ako sa kwarto ko. I will never be anything like my father. I have my goals, and I will definitely do everything just to fulfil them. I felt my phone vibrating inside my pocket. And to my extreme excitement, I answered it without looking at the Caller ID. “Hello, Hazel?.” “Hazel? This is Lux. Remember?” “How the heck did you get my number?” “I have the right to know, don’t I?” I dropped my head in disappointment and tried to change the topic, “So, What now?” “Nothing, just want to get in touch with you.” “Well, now isn’t the right time.” “Wait,” she paused, “Just testing if I’ll fall in love.” “What?” I laughed, “That’s stupid. Parang kanina lang e.” I’ll never fall in love with someone like her. Is she kidding me? I mean, come on. I’ll never fall in love with someone like her. I just said that twice, but that's the truth. And she’s making an attempt to go beyond our conditions. “Really? Kapal naman ng muka mo.”