Chapter 14: Sikat eh!

Ace's POV

Anong gagawin ko! Ang peaceful ng tulog ko pero para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig then sobrang kumukulong tubig pagkatapos! What's worst is that sa school news feed pa talaga? This is outrageous!

Picture naming dalawa ni Seph ang nandoon where he was holding my waist and almost like hugging me! Isa pa, may picture pa na para niya akong kinikiss sa cheeks,  but no! May binubulong lang siya sa akin noon!

These fans! Grabe!

Tiningnan ko din ang mga comments about sa post and halo halo. May mga natutuwa, mayroon din iba na nandidiri, may mga nagagalit, and ang pinaka nakakainis, sinasabi daw na "flirt at malandi" ako? What the! This is why I don't want anybody's attention!

Parang ayaw ko na pumasok! Parang gusto ko magtago sa room! Pakiramdam ko pag-uusapan ako ng lahat ng tao! Why is this happening to me!

Tiningnan ko sina Harry and Chester and they were so worried and alam nila na malaking gulo 'to.

"Ano, Ace, papasok ka ba today?" Harry asked.

Nagtalukbong ako ng kumot and said, "Hindi na! Bigla ako nagkasakit!"

"Pero, Ace, kung hindi ka papasok at magtatago, ibig sabihin bothered ka sa post? Ibig sabihin gusto mo si Seph?" Chester asked.

"No! Wala akong gusto sa kanya!" I exclaimed.

"Edi ipakita mo na wala lang sayo." Chester added.

"How can I do that? Kayo na nga nagsabi na dangerous ang fans ni Seph! You think I can go to the classroom and go back to our dorm without even being jugded? Walang mananakit? Ayoko ng attention, ayoko ng pinaguusapan ako! Isa pa, they'll think that I'm gay dahil sa picture na 'to!" I said.

"Pero sabi mo, straight ka. So dapat wala lang sayo." Chester said.

Then, tinanggal ko ang kumot sa katawan ko and looked at both Chester and Harry.

"Papasok ako. Walang makakapigil." I said and went to the C.R.

I looked at the mirror and talked to myself, "Kaya ko nga ba pumasok? Mag cap kaya ako? Or shades? Mag disguise ako?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After preparing, sabay na kami lumabas nina Harry and Chester sa dorm and we walked papunta sa school.

Nasa entrance pa lang kami but I can already feel their judgement. Ang mga tao, nakatingin na agad sa akin like I made a sin!

Habang naglalakad ako, nakarinig ako ng mga samu't saring mga bulungan...

"'Di ba siya 'yung guy sa post sa school news feed?"

"Siya ba 'yung boyfriend ni Seph?"

"'So gay si Seph? The nerve of this guy!"

Ayoko sila patulan dahil baka magkagulo pa lalo. Pero nagpintig ako sa boyfriend ko daw si Seph? Like wtf! Kakakilala ko pa lang sa tao, jowa agad? Itong mga 'to talaga! I shouldn't have been to that concert! My life is a mess right now!

Naglalakad pa rin kami and we're not even halfway papunta sa classroom at malayo-layo pa pero pakiramdam ko gusto ko na umuwi!

Somebody walked in front of us. 3 guys whom I don't know but I think they're seniors and sinabi ng isang guy sa akin, "Pwede ka ba later? How much? 'You want to do it at the back of the school?"

I looked at him and I was disgusted! I glared at him and papapawis sana ako but then someone from behind me interrupted, "Anong pwede ba siya at magkano? Anong tingin mo sa kanya, laruan?" A guy behind me said with a very serious tone.

Biglang natakot 'yung 3 guys na kumakausap sa akin after seeing the person behind me. So, tiningnan ko kung sino ang nagsalita and it was Lucas.

Nakatingin siya sa tatlong seniors and galit na galit siya.

"Oy, si Lucas, tara tara! Mamaya mabugbog pa tayo ng tropa nito!" the other senior guy said and bigla silang umalis.

"Wala pala 'tong mga 'to eh. Ha! Mag-isa pa lang ako pero tumakbo na agad." Lucas said.

"Ano ba 'yan, Kuya Lucas, tinakot mo agad!" Chester interrupted.

"Eh mga bastos kasi! Ganitong umagang umaga, 'yun ang bubungad sa akin!" Lucas said with a very grumpy tone, then he looked at me and smiled, "Okay ka lang, Ace?"

"Oo, okay lang ako." I said.

"Kapag ginulo ka ulit ng mga 'yun, sabihin mo lang sa akin. Mga sira ulo talaga 'yung mga 'yun eh." Lucas said.

"Kuya Lucas, nakita mo na ba?" Harry then interrupted.

"Ang alin?" Lucas asked.

"Yung post!" Chester whispered.

"Ahh, 'yun ba? O what about it?" Lucas said like he was unbothered.

"Kaya pinagtitingnan si Ace tsaka nilalapitan dahil sa post na 'yun!" Harry said.

"Ahh... eh ano naman?" Lucas said and bigla niya ako inakbayan with his very tender and warm hands na nakapatong sa left shoulder ko, "Ace, 'wag mo na pansinin 'yung mga comments. Tsaka lilipas din 'yang issue na 'yan. Wala naman silang alam sa'yo kaya kung ano ano sasabihin niyan. Basta kilala ka namin, okay na 'yun. Tsaka, wala ka naman gusto kay Seph 'di ba?" He asked.

"Wala." I said.

"Oh, edi wag mo na sila pansinin. Kung hindi naman totoo, hayaan mo sila magsayang ng energy. Mapapagod din 'yan." Lucas said.

You know what, he's right. If hindi sinabi ni Lucas 'to, I'd still feel anxious, but then, buti na lang he's here. Although mga sira ulo 'tong mga 'to, good thing I have friends that will not let me down and hindi ako iiwanan.

"Basta, Ace, tawagan mo ako pag may nanggulo na naman sayo na mga seniors. Kahit nasa class ako pupuntahan kita agad. Bibigyan natin 'yang mga 'yan!" Lucas said like he was so confident and showing me that I have nothing to worry about.

Nakakatuwa lang since he's here with me, nawala 'yung kaba ko and I feel more at ease.

"Kaya nga, Ace, tawagan mo din kami, mga minions kami nito ni kuya Lucas. Buong basketball team ang pupunta sa'yo kapag ginulo ka nila." Chester added.

"Ano ako? Damsel in distress? Baliw kayo!" I said and I looked at Lucas and gave him the brightest and warmest smile that I can offer since he made my day.

But then, bigla siyang na-stunned and I don't know why.

"Huy, kuya Lucas, bakit parang bigla kang namula?" Harry asked.

"Kuya Lucas, okay ka lang? Bakit para kang nasa heaven?" Chester added.

Biglang sinampal ni Lucas ang sarili niya ng mahina then he shook his head and said, "Okay lang ako. Sobrang okay na okay! 'Yung mas okay pa sa pinaka okay! 'Yung wala ng mas ookay pa sa okay!" he said while giving us a smile.

"O sige, okay na okay ka na." I said.

"Harry, bigyan mo na yan ng isang puntos." Chester interrupted.

"Anong isang puntos?" Lucas asked.

"Wala! Umalis ka na Kuya Lucas! Malelate ka na! Kami na bahala dito kay Ace!" Chester said.

"Oh sige basta, Ace, tawagan mo lang ako. I'll be faster than the speed of light!" Lucas said.

"''Wag kang O.A.!" I said then laughed.

"Good, gusto ko lang bago tayo maghiwalay, makita man lang kitang nakangiti at hindi nagwoworry. Bye guys! See you around! Chester, Harry, bawal malate sa practice!" Lucas said and left.

While looking at him walking away from us, I felt so relieved that Lucas is here. Na parang wala na akong problema na dapat pang isipin. I don't know but I'm starting to be comfortable sa kanya like with Harry and Chester.

"Hoy, Ace! Bakit ka nakangiti d'yan? Saya mo ah nakita mo lang si Kuya Lucas!" Chester said.

"Wala, natutuwa lang ako." I said.

"Dahil dyan, may extra point ulit si Kuya Lucas, Chester." Harry added.

"Tama. Bale may 3 points na siya! Nanguna bigla si Kuya Lucas. Isang araw pa lang 'yan pero nakadalawang points na agad siya ah?" Chester said.

Harry took out his phone and nirecord na ang points. He placed 2 bars sa name ni Lucas which makes him the frontrunner this time.

Then I asked them both, "Ano bang highest score nito? Paano malalaman if end na?"

Harry and Chester looked at each other with amusement and I wonder why.

Chester bursted out of laughter and said, "Ace... changed man ka na."

"My friend, Ace, inaccept mo na talaga ang fate." Harry added.

And bigla ako natauhan dahil sa question ko, like, why am I asking them kung paano ko malalaman kung sino ang mananalo sa puso ko! Like I admitted that gusto ko ang isa sa kanila! What the F! You two! You're so dead!

"Tara na nga! Baka tayo pa 'yung ma-late!" I said and walked away as fast as I can at sumunod naman na sina Chester and Harry.

As we got into our separate rooms, which is by the way, 1 section apart since section 3 sina Harry and Chester and sa section 1 naman ako, everybody was so quiet like you can hear a pen drop sa class room and they were looking at me.

Ito na naman, but I remembered what Lucas told me, that I have nothing to worry about since the post is not true.

I showed them my deadpan and emotionless face and walked straight sa chair ko. Then, out of nowhere, biglang sumigaw si Tara, "Oh, ano tinitingin-tingin niyo dyan? Ngayon lang kayo nakakita ng artista?" She said then everybody stopped looking at me.

When you have these amazing friends, nothing can go wrong.

"Ace! Okay ka lang ba? How did you managed to get here unscathed?" Tara whispered.

"Grabe naman, ano ako babatuhin ng kung ano ano?" I asked.

"Yes! Alam mo naman ang fandom ngayon, they get so weird and lumalala sila as time goes by, but not me. I love Seph, but not to the extent na makikipagbardagulan ako. And isa pa... nakakakilig kaya 'yung post niyo! Hihi! I'm sorry, Ace!" Tara whispered.

"Baliw ka talaga, Tara! But then, Seph and I, walang mayroon sa amin for the record. I mean, kakakilala ko lang sa tao so I don't even know him." I explained so Tara would be aware.

"Ayaw mo na siya kilalanin? Hihi!" Tara asked.

"After this incident, I'd say it's a NO for me. I was living a normal life before, but now, hindi na ako makalabas ng maayos. So I'd rather stay out of his sight or lumapit man lang sa kanya." I said.

"Hala, paano naman kaming Seph-Ace shippers?" Tara said.

"Seph-Ace what?" I asked.

"Ito oh!" Tara said and showed me a private group called "Seph-Ace shippers", "Kakagawa lang ng group na 'to and kaka-join ko lang! Sayang naman 'yung effort ng gumawa nito!"

"Baliw kayo! May gumawa pa talaga ng group? Sorry to say but me and Seph being together won't be happening. So I suggest, delete the group." I said.

"Ace, Ace, Ace... bawal magsalita ng tapos!" Tara said and laughed.

"Hay nako, Tara, nababaliw ka na talaga." I said.

"Oo! Nababaliw ako sa cycle ng buhay mo. Biruin mo, you were a straight guy—" Tara said and I interrupted her.

"Which I still am by the way. Don't use 'WERE'!" I said.

"Oh basta, 'yun na 'yun! Tapos ang gusto mo lang, magbasa and manood ng yaoi and BL, but here you are. Isa ka ng part ng yaoi and BL world! Basta ako, Team Seph ako sa tatlo mong manliligaw." Tara said.

"Well, I'd prefer Lucas for now." I said without even thinking.

"Ha?" Tara let out a very sharp and high pitched voice which caught everybody's attention.

Then after a while, nang hindi na nakatingin sa amin ang lahat, Tara then again asked me, "You like Kuya Lucas? The Basketball club president?"

What did I just said? Argghh! This mouth, ipapaputol ko na 'to!

"Nothing! I mean from a fudanshi's perspective and NOT MINE, Lucas is the best for now." I said.

"Ace! Ano ba 'yan! Team Seph tayo!" Tara whispered.

"Baliw ka talaga, Tara!" I said and laughed.

"Okay, if si Kuya Lucas ang nangunguna for now, it's fine. I mean, he's a great catch! He's strong and all tsaka may back-up siya which is the basketball club. Alam mo ba na may gang war noon sa school and his team won? I mean, si Kuya Lucas was the last man standing! 'Yun ang bali-balita!" Tara whispered.

Is that why takot sa kanya ang mga senior guys na  nanggulo sa amin kanina and even si Harry and Chester ay sobra siyang nirerespeto?

"Basta, I'll be over here minding my own business!" I said.

"Hmm, maghahanap nga ako ng private group niyo at baka may Lucas-Ace Shippers din at makikispy ako! Hihi!" Tara whispered.

"Wala namang gano'n! And nobody would dare to! Sabi mo nga, he's scary, right?" I said.

"Don't underestimate the powers of the Fujoshis, Fudanshis and shippers, Ace. But don't worry, sasabihin ko sa'yo if may nakita ako." Tara said.

I gave her a sarcastic smile then I decided to read a book, a Geometry book to be exact.

While reading, someone tapped my desk and it was Lester, they guy that's sitting in front of me.

"Ace, pakopya ako ng assignent sa Geometry!" Lester asked and laughed.

I looked at him and wondered, kung ganito pa rin kaya ka normal ang buhay ko like Lester, I think I'd be happy. Buti pa siya, pakopya-kopya na lang ng assignment and he has nothing to worry about.

I handed him my notebook and as soon as nakuha niya na ang notebook ko, he asked me again, "Okay ka lang, Ace? Balita ko may kumakalat na post sa school feed ah?"

"Ah, wala lang sa akin 'yun. Alam mo naman mga tao, lalo na mga fans, they tend to overdo it sometimes." I said like it was nothing.

"Bilib ako sayo, Ace. Kung ako 'yan, baka hindi na ako pumasok sa school. Baka mag drop na lang ako! Haha! Tuloy mo lang 'yan, 'wag ka papaapekto sa kanila. Tsaka pag di ka pumasok, sino na lang kokopyahan ko ng assigments! Anyway, thank you! Balik ko sa'yo agad." Lester said.

I wish I can have his normal life. Hay... Hindi niya alam na I barely survived this day. And if without my friends I'd die as a teenager. Haha!

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Lunch break na and I'm currently alone since Tara has her own set or circle of friends so I can't be with her. Also, Lester has his own set of friends. Mag-isa lang talaga ako and I really don't have any circle of friends sa section ko except for Harry and Chester which is nasa kabilang section.

Nasa school cafeteria ako and hindi pa rin natitigil ang tinginan sa akin, but go ahead, I don't mind. Malapit na ako maging manhid from all the attention that they're giving me as if normal na lang sa akin ang pagtinginan.

I'm standing at a stall and waiting for my order to be served, which is a cheesburger and ayoko kumain ng rice since wala akong gana. I, then, looked for vaccant seat but punuan ang school cafeteria. So, I was forced to eat sa vaccant benches sa loob ng cafeteria, but that's fine dahil burger naman ang kinakain ko. Ang akin lang, please don't look at me while I'm eating! Seriously? Gusto ko lang kumain but people are still looking at me like I'm wanted sa pulis!

I was about to take a bite when someone tapped my head from behind and said, "Isn't this Mr. Cutie boy?"

Familiar sa akin itong boses na ito and the name "cutie boy"!

Tiningnan ko ang taong nasa likod ko and it was Joker, together with Seph with his usual cold and deadpan face!

"Bakit mag-isa ka lang d'yan, Ace?" Joker asked but I didn't say a word dahil from this point of time, iniisip ko kung tatakbo ba ako or kunwari hihimatayin.

Then biglang umupo si Seph sa kaliwa ko and Joker on my right side.

"Since wala kang kasama, Seph and I will be your comrades." Joker whispered.

"I got you, Ace." Seph said with a very serious face.

Tiningnan ko ang mga tao na nasa harap and their faces... sobrang gulat na gulat and ano ba naman 'to! Can I not eat in peace? Shoot!

End of Chapter 14