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"Sis, kwento mo naman sa amin itong si Jiro." Gwen said, her head leaning on her palm. Her elbow on her knee and they are all looking at me. Either with teasing smirk or raising their brows.

I look to all of them first before sighing. "Boyfriend ko.." I admit, and that's when I hear a sudden stingy clap.

"Gago seryoso?!" Gwen ask, her hand in front of her mouth. Indicating she don't believe what I just said.

I slowly nod. "Yes, seryoso ako." I said while looking down.

To be honest I don't know what to do or how to act. After I finished talking to Jiro they heard our conversation and specially they heard the 'Love you too' part. So the moment we met gaze with each other. They immediately drag me inside to talk.

"Bakit parang malungkot ka?" Jax asked and my head snapped up.

I shrug. "Wala naman, it just worry me. To be honest, I don't know how to face you guys now." I said and I hear a scoffed from Lory.

"What do you mean you don't know how to face us?" She confusedly ask. Even making some hand gestures.

I sigh. "Because, I have a boyfriend." I said before looking down, playing with my fingers.

"Oh? Ano naman kung may boyfriend ka?" Gwen ask.. I slightly frown and shrug.

"Because I know you guys aren't expecting me to have a boyfriend. Lalo na at ako ang nauna magkaroon ng relationship sa atin." I replied, still my head hang low.

I don't want to meet any of their eyes at the moment. I'm still shy and embarrassed. I know they are all looking at me and that what makes me shy.

"You mean.. you are thinking na magagalit kami sayo? Because you have a boyfriend?" Lory ask..

I was about to nod but shrug. "Hindi naman sa magagalit but, it feels like you guys are disappointed at me dahil may boyfriend na ako. I know I barely show any affection toward anybody. So I thought na magagalit kayo sa akin because suddenly I have a boyfriend." I said before lifting my head up. And that's where I saw their eyes. I can sense worry through their eyes which I don't like. I don't want anyone worrying about me.

"Ilang months na ba kayo ni Jiro?" Jax asked.. a slight pout form on my lips as I count the number of months we've been together.

"4 months." I said and I hear their reaction such as 'ahh', 'ah okay', then there's Ali's 'sana all'.

"December naging kayo?" Gwen ask and I slowly nod.

"At ngayon mo lang sa amin sinabi?" She added and I once again nod while playing with the air inside my mouth.

"Actually.. alam na ni Ali." I suddenly say. When I lifted my head up I saw Ali's surprised reaction. And others looking at her.

"Ay ang daya." I heard Tobi mumbled.

"Bakit siya lang?" Lory ask, a small pout on her lips.

I shrug. "Kasi.. it was an accident of her knowing it naman. I didn't really tell her she just, saw me and him sa Munhigh." I said and they slowly nodded.

"Sa Munhigh? Taga Munhigh si Jiro?" Gwen and I slowly nodded.

"Chess player din siya." I said and I hear a snort.

"So kaya ka sumali palaro dahil sa kaniya?" Tobi asked with a teasing smile.

I hear other snort and hold their laugh. "Kwento mo nalang sa amin kung paano kayo nagkakilala." Jax said and other started to agree.

I sigh and message my temples before nodding. "Fine.. so here's how we met. Remember that one time dad told me that he'll pick me up?" I ask and Ali is the only one to nod while other's look at each other confusedly.

"Limot niyo na?" Ali ask and she just received confused stares from the others.

"Kunyare nalang alam niyo, sige go Laura continue." She said signaling me to go on.

I look at the others first before nodding. "I went to the cafe near or school. Para lang pakalmahin ang sarili ko dahil naiinis ako kay dad. Then I saw him there he was talking with the manager I guess. Then when I saw his face I realized he looks good." I said and Lory immediately laughed.

Gwen hissed. "Naku Kassandra, nahawa kana ni Alejandra sa karupukan." She said and I slightly chuckled.

"Tumahik ka Avelline, continue Kassa- este Laura. Gwen kasi!" Ali said before slightly slapping Gwen's arm.

"So.. when he was about to pass by me I hear something drop. When I look on the floor I saw a notebook and I immediately think it's his. So I pick it up and chased him. Then I saw him outside standing I gave his notebook. Then we talked of course he said thank you, that's when I realized he's good at English. Then I saw his bag, sira siya at may punit kaya siguro nahulog 'yung notebook niya.." I paused for a second, inhaling.

"Then I hear his stomach growl, I immediately invite him to eat and told him it's on me. Mabuti pumayag siya. He was so shy that time. But we still talked. I am still surprised that he's good at speaking in English. I thought at first he can't speak Tagalog but turns out he's fluent in both language. Then we ate. Then I bought food for his grandma. We agreed on a deal. He wants to pay me back but he don't have the money. So we agreed na he will be my personal assistant. So ask for his number. Then he sent me home." I said before looking at them. They are just all looking at me with wide eyes. They look like kids who's listening to their mother's story time.

Well it is a story time.

"So? Ano 'yon? After non kayo na? Wala na?" Gwen asked and I chuckled..

I shake my head. "Next time nalang, lets go to sleep now. May pupuntahan pa tayo bukas." I said before moving and tugging myself on bed.

I hear them grunt and hiss. "Napaka daya mo Kassandra. Mag kwento ka pa!" I felt Gwen shake my body. I chuckled before closing my eyes.

"Ay ang galing, tinulugan na tayo." I hear Tobi said. I can't help but to smile a little while listening to their conversation.

"Ikaw Ali alam mo?" It's Jax asking Ali this time.

"Luh, ba't ako? Relationship ko be? Hindi naman eh. Bahala kayo jan." Then I felt the bed move and probably Ali leave the bed and go to their place to sleep.

I hear the other's groan. "Takte bitin." Lory said before slapping my legs making me laugh a little.

Soon they disappear at my side. Well except Jax and Gwen cause they're sleeping with me on bed.

-

The next morning I wake up first. Since we are six here, and my room only have 1 bathroom I need to take a bath first. Its around 5:00am. I am getting some clothes and towel and was about to walk towards the bathroom when I saw Ali. Sitting on the couch using her phone.

Is her hair wet already? "Ali, nakaligo kana?" I asked surprised to see her on pants and long sleeves.

She lift her head and slowly nodded. I see her already wearing her specs. It's still dark here so I can't see her full image.

She slowly nod. "Yup.. kaninang 4am." She replied and my brows.

"Ang aga naman." I said and she chuckled.

"Yas, maligo kana kasi nag alarm si Tobi ng 5:15am para maligo." She said, I scratch my eyes and nod before heading to the bathroom.

I tried my best to take a bath with just 15 minutes. I played some kpop songs but I make sure it can be only heard inside the bathroom. I also slip on my underwear and some short and sleeveless inside the bathroom so I don't have to go outside only on my robe.

When I went out the bathroom I expect to see Tobi but to my surprise. It's still Ali who's awake beside me.

I slowly walk towards her. Skipping on sleeping Lory and Tobi on the floor.

"Tulog pa si Tobi?" I ask, she lifted her head and nod.

"Tumunog na alarm niya. Tapos siya rin nag turn-off tapos natulog ulit. Oh my god, I could never do that!" She said and I smiled a little before walking towards my closet.

I planned what to wear today. I slip on a black fitted pants. And since I already put on the black spaghetti strap top I just put on a red long sleeves checkered.

And a black boots. Does this even match? This is far from my fashion. But since I just signed to a modeling agency. I think I need to change my sense of fashion.

"Gaga ikaw ka ba 'yan?" I flinch as Ali suddenly popped at my back.

She's looking at my reflection from the mirror.

"Do I look bad?" I hesitantly ask. This is my first time wearing this kind of clothes. And I'm a little uncomfortable about it but I know I'll get used to this.

Kailangan kong panagutan ang desisyon ko na maging model.

"Hindi kaya, sana all nga sexy. Para makapag suot din ako ng ganiyan." She said and I sense sadness from her voices.

I frown. "You can naman, sino bang pumipigil sa'yo na magsuot ng ganito?" I ask while looking at her from the mirror.

"Yung 36 ko na waistline." She replied and I look at her reflection with confusion.

"So? What's with your 36 waistline?" I ask.. what's wrong with it? I don't get it. She doesn't even look that fat. She's just healthy.

"Para kang shunga. Saan ka nakakita ng babae na mataba tapos naka fitted pants at fitted na sleeveless. Alam mo 'yung legs ko 26 inches, 'yung braso ko 15 inches. Oh! Paano ako magsusuot ng ganiyan ka sexy?" She said and I faced her with a irritated expression.

"Ali, when.. where did you learn those? Come on, that doesn't work like that. Wear what you want to wear." I said but she shake her head.

"I can't just wear what I want to wear. Mai ju-judge ako. Sabihin ang taba-taba ko tapos mga damit kong sinusuot pang sexy. Mag mumukha akong tanga." She said and I roll my eyes.

"That's not the Ali we know. We know you're always confident to your self. So what's with that kind of thoughts?" I ask.. she pout a little before shrugging.

"Maybe.. part ng pagtanda ko na maging negative na ang isip ko. Awan, habang tumatanda ako palungkot na nang palungkot ang buhay ko." She said and my brows furrowed.

What the fuck is this girl saying? This isn't the Ali we know back in 7th grade.

"Ali.. hayst. Stop with that. It's not good for you. Ang confident mo dati. Tapos ngayon may ganiyan ka na palang iniisip? And what do you mean by, palungkot nang palungkot ang buhay mo? Is there a problem?" I ask, I saw her pursed her lips before shaking her head.

"Nothing.. sa terrace lang ako." She said before walking away.

I want to chase her, I know I need to. To ask her what's wrong or to ask her the problem. But I can't. It seems like something inside of me telling me not to follower and and give her space.

That it's her private life. But I'm also scared that the problem will get worse and  her friends can't help her about it. We will feel useless friends if we suddenly find out that Ali have a problem and we are not helping her with it.

We're her friends. We are always there for her. We are always there for each other. To help each other's with their problems. Cause that's what friends are for right?

After I check myself on the mirror I walk towards the bed. Tobi is already awake and walking towards the bathroom. I checked my messages. And that's where I saw Ms. Ava's message. She told me we will meet at the company by 8am. I realized it's almost 6am. I started waking up Jax and Gwen.

"Wake up, gising na 8am tayo pupunta sa building." I said while shaking their bodies.

Jax opened her eyes and sat up. While Gwen started squirming on bed.

"Gising na, mag b-breakfast pa tayo." I repeated.. Gwen sat up and nodded.

I make sure they're fully awake before walking towards Lory.

"Lory, wake up. 7:30am tayo aalis." I said while shaking her body. Waking up Lory requires more power and energy. Cause Lory is a big sleepy head.

She stared grunting and making some morning noises. I hissed when she slap my hands away.

I take a deep breath before kneeling down beside her and slightly lifted her body.

"Lory wake up." I said while making her sat up.

Then the light suddenly turned on. It was Ali..

"Play ambulance siren beside her ear if you really want to wake her up that bad. But if not, just keep shaking her." She said and I nod. I grab my phone from my ack pocket and search through my alarm ringtones.

I pressed on the 'alarm' before putting it beside her ear.

"Sorry Lory." I said before putting the volume up. Then suddenly Lory snap her both up which started me.

"What time is it?!" She ask.. I was able to sigh in relief when I saw how alive she is.

"5:56am. We need to go by 7:30am." I said and she slowly nod.

She stand up and go to her luggage. I look at the place where Ali, Tobi, And Lory slept. Oh god is a mess.

I was about to grab the pillow when Ali came out of nowhere.

"Ako na dito, put on some make up. Concealer, loose powder, a little bit of eyebrow then gloss or tint. Pwede rin blush if you want." She said without looking at me. I watch her pick up and pillows and blanket.

I slowly nodded and stand up. I walk towards my dresser and sat down in front of the mirror. I grab a cream first and put on before doing the process.

I also studied how models do their make up on their own. And I came up to the decision where I'll do my make up lightly. No make up look.

When I finished doing my make that took a long time since I'm new to this. It's Lory who's still inside the bathroom.

Gwen is combing her hair. Jax fixing her clothes then, Tobi at the side with Ali using their phones.

When Lory came up we waited for her to put on some face creams and light make up. Then we head downstairs and eat breakfast.

It was around 6:50am so we rush eating. I didn't bother asking the maid where dad is. I don't even care.

By 7:25am we were able to drive to the company. When we arrived in front do the building what actually shocked me is when them five formed a circle around me.

"What are you doing?" I ask Lory when we entered the building.

"Ssh~ we're your body guards for now." She said and I look at her confusedly. I go to the manager's office.

When I entered other managers squealed.

"Andito na ang sususnod na star ng kumpanya natin." One manager said that made me shy.

"Come here Laura." Ms. Ava said and I slowly nod.

I walk towards her, but I notice that my friends are no longer following me. I look over the door. And there I saw them peaking from the door.

"Lets go!" I said signaling them inside.

Ali shake her head. "Dito nalang kami. Hintayin ka namin." She said before closing the door.

My brows furrowed but I felt Ms. Ava hold  my wrist and drag me towards the chair in front of the mirror.

"If you didn't know. Hindi lahat dito manager. Nakausap ko kagabi ang boss. Ang sabi sa akin ay bibigyan ka na agad niya ng make up artist. Pero hindi mo siya kasama sa lahat ng panahon. Kapag lang mga photoshoot." She informed me and I slowly nod.

She stared stroking my hair. "You have a nice hair, vitamins nalang ang kailangan mo para jan, no need treatment. Then skin mo, that's where we're going now." She said before holding my hand and lifting me up.

"Lets go to our derma." She said. We walk out the room. And that's when I saw my friends.

Na-awa ako bigla nang makita silang biglang tumayo mula sa pagkaka-upo sa sahig.

"Sasama na kayo sa derma?" Tanong ni Ms. Ava.

They look at each other. "Pwede po bang.. hindi na? 'Wag nalang po." Ali replied.

My brows furrowed. "Why? Pwede naman kayong sumama ah." I said, Lory shake her head.

"Wag na, no need, mag ma-mall nalang kami. " Lory replied and I frown.

"Okay.. puntahan niyo nalang si Laura dito mga bandang 11am okay?" Ms. Ava said and they slowly nodded.

"Una na kami Laura, bye bye! Good luck!" Jax said before they leave the building. I saw Gwen and Jax laugh which made me confused.

What did I miss out?

Ms. Ava and I ride a different vehicle so my friends take my van. We arrived at a derma. I've been in derma once. It was when mom went home. She notice that my skin is dry so she decided to bring me in derma.

While Ms. Ava talk to one of the staffs. I just sat there on the couch while watching other staffs. Soon Ms. Ava is in front of me.

"Lets go.. your derma is ready." She said and I nodded.

We entered a certain room, I saw a bed and I guess the derma.

"Hi.. please lay down." She said and I nodded.

I've watched this kind of videos already. Anything that is connected to modeling and it includes skin care.

The whole treatment I am just closing my eyes. I even once almost fall asleep is I just didn't feel a sudden pain by the cheeks so my soul is once again alive.

After a long time, the derma finally removed the goggles from my eyes. Bahagya pang malabo ang paningin ko kaya kumisap-kisap muna ako.

"Anong oras na po Ms. Ava?" I asked while we are walking outside the building.

"10:58am, I suggest na tawagan mo na ang friends mo para mapuntahan kana nila sa building. May mga ilang bagay pa tayong pag-uusapan pero makakauwi na kayo mamayang hapon." She said and that just boost my energy.

Finally, I already feel tired. I know this is just the start. I know there's more to come.

I dialed Ali's number. After few rings she answered. I was about to speak when I hear her laugh first.

[Parang tanga 'to, hello Laura?] she ask and a hint of laugh is still audible from her voice.

I gulp. "Pwede na kayong pumunta sa building. May pag-uusapan lang kami then we can go home na." I said and I hear her him.

[Ah sige sige, paalis naman na kami ng mall. Bye!] she ended the call.

I put down my phone and silently sat there.

It's just the start ng I'm already missing a lot. Simula palang ay parang na fe-feel ko na napag-iiwanan na ako. I mean sa mga pagbo-bonding nila, I'm sure any mga masasaya sila ng ginawa habang wala ako.

Parang nagsisi na tuloy ako bigla.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•