St. Ivis School: Battling Bullies

Chapter 22 - Azalea Gabrielle

Xyvill's POV

Dash has a friend who is hosting a party. He insists that we join him, even if we're not interested. Eventually, I decided to go along with it and have a drink. We don't have a choice anyway, especially considering how persistent Dash can be when it comes to these kinds of parties. As I'm walking around, a peculiar girl grabs my vodka and pulls me onto the dance floor.

"Ang tapang!" she exclaims, like it was her first time tasting strong liquor. Wait, did I just find her cute?

She talks a lot, and I usually dislike when people do that. But with her, it’s different. I find myself wanting to listen to her voice almost every day.

I realize I've met her earlier, and her name is Gabrielle.

"Dance," she commands, and a slight shiver runs through my body as her warm breath brushes against my skin. I don't know why, but my body seems compelled to obey her words.

Ah.

Her partner arrived. We have the same mask and tuxedo color.

I watched as her partner dragged her away. I wonder when we’ll meet again??

***

*Click!* *Click!* "Yan, just like that!" Director Dester found a substitute on behalf of my female partner today. She's beautiful but a little weird. Since earlier, she kept avoiding my eyes. While I was holding her. I leaned closer. "Have we met before?" Pabulong na tanong ko habang sunod sunod ang pagflash ng camera sa direksyon namin. Hindi siya sumagot. Is she mute? She's strange. Among all the female models I've worked with, she's the only one who seems uncomfortable around me. Unlike other girls who are eager to grab my attention.

"Can you bring Azalea home?" Tanong niya. Sinakbit ko ang bag ko. He's talking about the substitute model? "Is there a reason why I should do that?" Tanong ko. "She saved our photoshoot today." Tskk. Pinasakay ko sa sasakyan ko si Azalea. Tuwing kinakausap ko siya, she's always using shortcuts. Like she doesn't want to talk to me. "Xyvill," Nawala saglit ang focus ko sa daan ng bigla niya akong tinawag. Her voice... it's kinda similar to a girl that I know. "Pwedeng kong mahiram ang cellphone mo? I'll just make a quick call" I stared at her. Then slowly nodded my head. I swear, the way she called my name... was the same way Brielle did.

***

"Upo kayo dun." Turo ni Brielle sa sa sofa ng kwarto niya pero hindi ko siya sinunod. Her room is full of scent, which is pleasant and comfortable. It's also clean and neat inside. My eyes suddenly land in her closet, it's transparent. Like other girls, her clothes in the wardrobes are full of different styles. My eyes suddenly landed on a familiar dress. It's the black dress from the girl in the Masquerade Party. My eyes widen a little. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

No, maybe it's just a coincidence. That's impossible. Habang naglalakad lakad ako sa kwarto ni Brielle, napadako ang mata ko sa study table niya. May paperbag. Pero hindi yung paperbag ang kumuha ng attention ko. Yung brand ng product. R. From R'monte Entertainment. Doon, nagsalubong na talaga ang kilay ko. Agad kong inalala ang conversation namin ni Azalea. May katawagan siya na babae noon. At ang pagkakatanda ko. Tinawag siya nitong

"Azalea Gabrielle" I didn't realize that I suddenly said out loud.

I looked in Brielle's direction. Her expression seems shocked. But when I blink, her face turns normal. A conclusion forms in my head. I approached her. I often wonder whether it's normal to be attracted to three different women. I enjoy how Brielle says my name, find excitement in how Gabrielle boldly approached me by mistake, and feel a strong connection when I make physical contact with Azalea. However, it appears that these three women might be the same person.

Tinitigan ko siya. Halos hindi na siya makatingin ng daretso sakin. Lihim akong napangiti. Bago ulit siya tumingin sakin, ibinalik ko ang normal kong ekspresyon bago siya tinanong. "I'm just wondering if you know her," Lihim akong napangiti ng makitang mukhang tatakluban na naman ni Brielle ng panibagong kasinungalingan ang pagkatao niya. "After all, parehas kayong Samaniego." Dagdag ko pa. Napaawang ang labi niya.

She's so easy to read. I chuckled deep inside.

After having that game, truth or dare. I realized how close Brielle and Liam are. It's quite annoying. "Wait," I stopped Brielle from walking. She looked at me. I want to ask her about her relationship with Liam. But my lips and mouth won't move. Iniling ko saglit ang ulo ko. "I want to ask about Azalea's social media account. Alam mo ba?" Pagtatanong ko sa kaniya. Saglit na kumunot ang noo niya pero agad ring sumagot. "AG Samaniego. Yun *** account niya." Maikli niyang sagot. Agad kong binuksan ang cellphone ko at chineck ito.

Nageexist nga. She has so many followers. She's quite popular. I wonder what's her reason for living her life as a nobody. I searched for Brielle's Account and followed her. I smile at Brielle. "I already follow her. See you in class," I put both of my hands in my pocket and began to walk away. I thought I was a jerk because I'm starting to like three women at the same time but--- the fact that they are one person. A mischievous smile slowly carves on my face. It makes me happy. I'll ' wait 'till you're ready to open up yourself to me, Brielle.

Brielle's POV

*knock!* *knock!* Napatingin kami parehas ni Xyvill sa pinto ng elevator Ng may biglang kumatok."May tao sa loob?" Tanong Ng lalaking boses. Agad akong napatayo. "Meron!" Sagot ko. "Ma'am? Ma'am, lumayo po kayo sa pinto ha. Babaklasin namin." Muling Sabi ng tao sa labas. Tiningnan ko si Xyvill, nanlaki ang mga mata ko Ng nagkaganon na naman siya. Agad kong hinawakan ang kaniyang mga kamay.

Nanlalamig at namamawis na naman ito. "Xyvill, lalabas na Tayo---" Naputol ang pagsasalita ko ng hilahin niya ako papalapit. "Everything's shrinking, it feels sufficated... Don't let go, Brielle. Please, don't let go." Bulong niya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang nag init ang mga pisnge ko sa sinabi niya. Iniling ko ang aking ulo. "Stop thinking about other things, Xy. Calm your mind like what you did earlier. If you want you can play with my hands," Suggest ko habang pinipisil ang kamay niya.

Napatunghay siya sa akin. "What did you just call me?" Kaniyang tanong.

Nakaupo parin siya sa sahig habang ako ay nakayuko sa kaniya. Nagulat ako ng bigla akong hinila ni Xyvill. Napadapa ako sa kaniya. Nagtitigan kami, kahit madilim aninag ko parin ang mga mata niya. Halos ilang pulgada ang layo namin sa isa't isa. Rinig ko ang pagkabog ng puso ko sa hindi malaman na dahilan. "Ma'am, bubuksan namin ang pinto! Lumayo po kayo ha!" Agad akong natauhan ng may biglang sumigaw ulit yung mga taga maintenance sa labas.