C-08 • Queen's Game

•• YSHI PoV ••

THE DANCE CRAZE Training to Cygnus is fast approaching. Todo practice na kami sa daily routine namin para pag nakita kami nina Ms. Alixee at Ms. Casse hindi kami mapapahiya sa kanila.

Jillian was also busy with her team. As a Phoenixer, they had to live with perfection but I won't let them for now. Magkaibigan nga kami pero hindi ibig sabihin nun handa akong magparaya sa kanya. Jhyle and I shared the same mindset in games. Yeah. It's a competition and we don't include personal issues.

"You're coming along?" Tanong ko kay Jace ng pauwi na kami. Nasanay na rin kasi akong hinahatid niya ako hanggang sa bus stop.

"If you want me to." Sagot niya.

"Talaga?" Sus. GO signal ko lang pala ang kailangan ko.

He nodded and smiled at me. I smiled back. Nakakahawa kasi.

"Sama ka sa Cygnus, ha."

"Okay." He replied and we started talking random topics as we waited for the bus to arrive. It took a few minutes when we saw the bus coming. Sabay kaming tumayo at nagpaalaman.

"Sige na."

"No, get in first." Aniya kaya napilitan akong umakyat na lang ng bus at umupo sa may bakanteng upuan.

He waved and I waved him back with a smile then the bus took off.

I'm really glad to have a friend like him. Kung sana nakilala ko siya ng mas maaga.

•• JACE PoV ••

Nakangiting umuwi na rin ako pagkatapos kong ihatid si Yshi sa bus stop. Dahil nasa kabilang way yung daanan pauwi, nadaanan ko ulit ang school at nakasalubong ko si Sacha. She looks like she's thinking something and just snap out of it when she saw me.

I just smiled at her for acknowledgement. Actually hindi pa namin nagpag-uusapan yung tungkol kay Yshi, but I don't hold grudges that's why I can still be polite with her. She didn't smile back and just look at me.

"Jace, can we talk?" She asked when I passed through her.

Huminto naman ako at humarap sa kanya. Whatever she wants to say, I think I should listen her first. I should always give her benefit of doubt.

"Of course." Sagot ko sa kanya.

Nakatayo lang ako sa harap ko at hinihintay siyang magsalita. Siya naman nakayuko lang at parang walang balak sabihin yung gusto niyang sabihin.

"Mag-uusap ba tayo?" Untag ko sa kanya. She's not like the usual Sacha who always had all the words she wanted to say.

Napaangat siya ng mukha at yumuko ulit. I look at my wristwatch and check the time.

"Sacha, it's past 5:30pm already. Kung wala kang sasabihin, aalis na lang ako."

Natigilan siya dun at nagpilit magsalita.

"J-Jace—"

"If it's about Yshi, drop it, okay?" Inunahan ko na siya. Sabi ko makikinig ako pero ayaw na ayaw kong sinisiraan si Yshi.

"Jace, listen—" I know it. It's all about Yshi again.

"If it's Yshi, don't bother." I dismissed her.

"Bakit ba ayaw mong makinig?" Naiinis na tanong niya.

"What is it then?" Malamig na tanong ko sa kanya.

"She loves playing someone's feeling." She said angrily. "She played like she doesn't care if they got hurt."

Natigilan ako dun at napangiti ng mapait.

"We all do, Sacha. We all do." Yeah. People tend to play someone's feeling and Yshi isn't an exemption.

"No, hindi ganun—"

"Sacha, I won't run away from Yshi, okay? I won't leave her unless she told me to." May diin na sagot ko sa kanya.

•• SACHA PoV ••

NAKAUWI NA AKO at lahat, hindi ko pa rin makalimutan yung huling sinabi ni Jace.

Why do he have to be this stubborn? Kelan pa ba siya naging ganito katigas ang ulo? Kelan pa siya hindi nakinig? I am just making him realize the circumstances if he kept on accompanying Yshi.

Those words however echoed in my head and it broke my heart into tiny pieces.

"Sacha, I won't run away from Yshi, okay? I won't leave her unless she told me to."

"Sacha, I won't run away from Yshi, okay? I won't leave her unless she told me to."

"Sacha, I won't run away from Yshi, okay? I won't leave her unless she told me to."

He won't listen. He's bewitched.

"Sacha, nakausap mo na ba si Lywittz?" Tanong ni Emi. She's my friend and we're both concern of Jace's welfare. Siya din ang nagbanta sakin tungkol kay Yshi. I believed her not because she's my friend but because I also witness what Yshi is capable of doing.

She's a terrible girl. She's a walking disaster. At ayoko sa kanya.

Humarap ako sa kanya at umiling. She sighed.

"Hayaan na nga natin."

"He's my friend, Emi, I can't let him just like that." Frustrated na sagot ko.

"Eh, ayaw niyang makinig 'di ba? Let him be. Let him bear of Yshi's curse."

"Is there any other way?" Naghihinang tanong ko.

"Any other way? Like what? Break them apart? Eh, hindi naman sila 'di ba? Unless you do something extreme."

Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, but I'm sure I won't let him hurt.

•• YSHI PoV ••

Make-up Kit? Check. Sling bag for my phone and cash? Check. My clothes on my trolley? Check. All packed. I'm ready to leave.

But these bunch of species isn't. I blow a deep breathe. I need to calm down or else...

Naka-cross arms na hinantay ko yung bus saka yung mga kasama ko sa school ground. Jace was waiting with me. Nakaupo lang siya sa bermuda grass at nagbabasa habang nakatayo ako sa tabi niya.

"How many are not here yet?" Tanong ko dun sa kasama namin na Charee daw ang pangalan. She's in-charge of our attendance.

"Ten pa po." She said while scanning her notes. She's in-charge of keeping track of our attendance. Baka kasi may magliwaliw dun at maiwanan.

Lahat kami puwedeng magdala ng kasama para mag-observe sa ibang school and Jace is one of them. Hindi naman mahirap na i-appoint siya since member pala siya ng School Paper Committee. Media man pala 'tong si Jace ng di ko alam. Anyway, he comes in handy as always. Pero yung mga kasama niya— TSS! THEY'RE SERIOUSLY MAKING ME ANNOYED EVEN MORE!

"Matagal pa ba yang mga yan?" Masunget na tanong ko ulit.

"Tatawagan ko lang po uli." Sagot ni Charee at nag-excuse habang kinakalikot ang phone niya. "Hello? Saan ka na..."

I decided not to pay attention to their conversation. Baka mas lalong ma-badtrip ako.

"Relax." Ani ni Jace ng lumayo na yung mga kasama namin para tawagan yung mga late comers.

"They're freaking late! How could I relax?" Naiinis na sagot ko sa kanya.

"Maaga pa naman, Yshi. Your temper won't help you." Kalmadong sagot niya habang nag-flip ng page sa binabasa niya.

Sinimangutan ko lang siya at di na kumibo. Ang ayoko sa lahat, ang mga LATE-COMERS! Geez! What do they think of themselves? A VIP that we needed to wait until we lost our head?

After @#$%^&* years, nakompleto din kami. Nag-head count muna kami bago umakyat sa bus at lumarga papuntang Cygnus Academy.

Since only Jace can stand my foul mood, vacant yung nasa unahan at nasa likod na upuan ng inupuan ko habang katabi ko si Jace. He's not talking either and just wait for me to calm down which was a good thing for him to do.

It took half and hour when I felt sleepy. Paano ba naman, it's only 5 freaking o'clock in the morning! 3 am pa lang gising na ko para mag-prepare. How dare them stayed up long and be late for this event?!

"Come closer." Ani ni Jace at iginiya ang ulo ko sa balikat niya.

"No, I'm fine."

"You're sleepy, Jeshille. Give it a rest. Matulog ka na muna."

"I'm not." I snapped at him.

"You woke up early that's why you're upset the whole time."

Why do he have to know that?! Why does it sounded like he can read right through me?

"Sleep." He said softly.

Sinimangutan ko siya pero nginitian niya lang ako. Why do he have to be soo cute and charming? I felt my anger deflated just like that.

"Okay." I replied and let him lead my head to his shoulder. Saglit lang at nakatulog na rin ako.

•• JACE PoV ••

"YSHI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Takang tanong ko habang nilalagyan niya ng kung ano yung gamit ni Skye.

Nakarating na rin kami sa wakas sa Cygnus para sa practice nila. Sinama niya kasi ako dahil utos daw ni Ms. Alixee yun. Tss. If I know. Anyway, okay na rin sakin para lagi kong makikita si Yshi, ang dalas na kasi niya dito kesa sa Alchemy, kaso eto naman ako, nagtataka kung anong pinagagawa niya sa gamit ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Shh." Saway niya sa'kin at tinuloy ang ginagawa niya. She even messed the whole place. Ano bang ginagawa niya? Akala ko ba magkaibigan sila ni Skye? Bakit parang pinagti-trip-an niya yung tao?

"Keep your mouth shut, Lywittz. Just watch and learn." Aniya at mabilis na hinila ako palabas.

Then we heard voices nearby. May dalawang babae pala na nakatambay malapit lang sa pinagtataguan namin. Or probably Yshi choose this place so we could see them.

"Anong plano mo, Skye?" Tanong nung kasama niya.

"Wala. Kung ayaw niya akong kausapin, 'di wag! Problema ko ba yun?" Badtrip na sagot ni Skye habang nakasimangot.

Agad na kumilos kami ng tumayo na sina Skye at pabalik na sa dressing room. Sakto namang nakasalubong namin yung Grei Smith na Captain Ball daw ng Basketball Team dito at best friend ni Skye.

"Hi Grei." Nakangiting bati ni Yshi dito. "How was Izumi's company?" She asked with all curiosity.

She said she doesn't like that girl at all. She said Grei shouldn't talk to that girl, then why is she even curious? She can really be evil in her own way.

Kumunot ang noo ni Grei dito. "Wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo."

Yshi was still wearing that tight smile.

"Come on, sa tingin mo ba natutuwa si Skye sa ginagawa mo?" Her face turned dark.

"What is it in you, Caico?" He looks absolutely pissed off now.

"Skye's a dear friend. I won't let her fall just like—" naputol ang sasabihin niya ng marinig kaming malakas na tili mula sa loob ng dressing room.

"Yshi, si Skye yun—" akmang tatakbo na ako palapit dun pero pinigilan niya ako kaya nakita namin ang bilis ng takbo ni Grei papunta dun.

"MARSHBELLE!" Tawag ni Grei kay Skye na halatang takot na takot habang nagsisigaw ang huli.

Napatingin ako kay Yshi na pigil na pigil ang ngiti. What's so amusing on scaring Skye?

"Tara." Aniya at sumilip kami. I saw Grei holding Skye who's crying in his chest. Scared.

"F-CK! SINONG NAGLAGAY NG LIZARD SA HOOD NG DAMIT NI SKYLAE?!" Galit na sigaw neto at halos walang nakakagalaw sa takot. He's so mad and no one would dare to make a move or utter a word.

Did he say Lizard? Napatingin ako kay Yshi na nakangisi pa din. Di ba may dala-dala siyang lizard kanina? So, it's her? But I have to confirm it first. Ayoko namang mangbintang.

"Yshi." Tawag ko sa kanya. I know it's her. Who else will do it anyway? Kaming dalawa ang huling pumasok at nasaksihan ko yung panggugulo niya pati na yung paglagay ng kung ano sa mga gamit ni Skye kanina.

"Hmm?" Nakangiting bumaling siya sa'kin at yumakap sa baewang ko kaya 'di ako makapag-react agad. I can feel her warmth melting my defense. "Tara na, Jace." Malambing na aya niya. Walang magawang sumunod na lang ako.

Oh, no. She's using her charm against me!

"Why did you do that?" Tanong ko sa kanya ng makalayo na kami at napadpad sa di mataong lugar. Ayoko rin namang mag-usisa na may nakikinig at baka saktan siya ni Grei dahil sa ginawa niya. By the look on his face, he will beat anyone who did that stunt, but I will never let anyone hurt Yshi. I will never allow that to happen.

"Ang a-arte kasi. Hindi na nag-uusap." Sagot niya tapos ngumiti ng nakakaloko. "They're okay now. Skye's is scared of Lizard." She looks proud on what she did.

"Alam mo naman pala pero bakit nilagay mo?" Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinagot niya. I am really surprised to know she's using Skye's weakness!

She turn to me with a sad face. Ugh! Not again!

"Wag ka ng magalit, Jace. Para naman sa kanila yun, eh." She pouted while trying to make a point. "Saka it's no harm done. From now on, Grei will realize that he need to take care his first love." Paliwanang niya.

"First love?" Kunot noong tanong ko. Paanong alam niya yun kung 'di masyadong nakikipaghalubilo si Grei— o tamang sabihin na di kumikibo?

"They love each other." Sagot niya na parang alam na alam niya ang lahat. "Si Grei alam na niya yun pamula bata pa sila. Si Skye naman, dahil medyo kalat ang utak, hindi pa na-realize na in-love na siya sa best friend niya." Paliwanag niya sa lovestory ng dalawa. Have she seen them grow up?

"How did you know that?" Namamanghang tanong ko. I know Grei has a thing for Skylar. I can see it in his actions and the way he look at her— it's our instinct, but I can't tell he's in love with her because all I see was him trying to get rid of her.

"It's visible on how they look at each other, Jace." Simpleng sagot niya kaya biglang natigilan ako. Malalaman niya?

They say eyes were the window of our souls, but how can someone be so sure about telling what lies behind those look?

"How would you know?" Interesadong tanong ko.

"The way they look at each other. The window of our soul is our eyes, Jace. I can see through their hearts." She said casually like she also read what's running inside my head.

That. SHOOK. Me.

"S-So, you know my intentions?" Kinakabahang tanong ko.

"Of course. Tatanggapin ko ba ang alok mong 'friendship' dati kung hindi? Your intentions were pure, Jace. You just want to take care of me. Hindi tulad ng ibang nag-aalok. They wanted to be my friend because of I am Yshi Caico. Men wants me to warm their bed. Girls want to be famous." She replied as she shrug her shoulder.

That's pretty obvious intention. Yshi is like a precious trophy to someone who doesn't know her worth.

"Paano kung may iba pa akong balak sa'yo?" Panunubok ko sa kanya.

She paused a little and look at me. "You won't harm me, Jace. That's the greatest desire of your heart."

Natigilan ako sa sagot niya. The greatest desire of my heart?

"So, whatever it is, I know you're doing things for my own good." Nakangiting sagot niya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

I was stunned for awhile. She kissed me!

"Y-Yshi, paano kung sabihin kong mahal kita?" Pagbabakasakali ko sa kanya. She can clearly see someone's intention and that doesn't exclude mine. If she can clearly see others, then she must know mine.

"I know you do, Jace. I know. I know it from the start. I know you cares for me."

"You're beautiful." Namula siya ng konti dun. "What if sabihin kong attracted ako sa'yo?"

"As I've said, you meant no harm, Jace. Alam kong hindi mo ako hahalayin dahil sa maganda ako." Confident na ngumisi siya.

"How could you be so certain?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya. It amazed me that she really trust me.

Tumayo siya at niyakap ako, it caught me off-guard and make my heart flutter. "Jace, ang alam ko lang, 'di mo ako iiwan at ayaw na ayaw mong may mangyaring masama sa'kin. I watched all you did and it only proves that what I saw in you is real."

Naiiling na niyakap ko na rin siya pabalik. How could be this girl so sweet and sincere? The next words she said made my heart swoon and smile.

"I know you won't break me."

Yes, I will never break her.