She held me in place squeezing my cheeks inward. We were both of the same height and size but it was obvious on my side that she was stronger than I am and I hate to admit it. She forced my mouth open and slid her hand in grabbing my tongue and all of a sudden everything went black. I flicked when I felt a warm liquid dripped down my legs. “I’m glad you’re awake,” my make up artist greeted and stopped applying lipstick on my lips. Did I fell asleep? I looked around and everything was normal. I sighed in relief. It was just a bad dream. “Go... go... go. You’ll perform in few minutes!” She pushed me out of the room. I made my way to the lift. I felt strange. I felt something wasn’t right. I felt incomplete. I could feel my confidence dying. Something is wrong with me. One of the technicians handed me a wireless mic before I entered the lift. The lift is located under the stage and it will reveal me to the crowd. “You still look gorgeous,” she complimented and revealed herself ou
SERRA The moment I opened my eyes twinkling lights welcomed me. I looked up and all the stars sparkled in my eyes. The crystal chandelier spiraled down the arching gold ceiling reflected my sight. I turned around and behind me was a grand staircase. The edges of the wall were embroidered with gold. Gold vines swirled each pillar. The floor was shiny and well-polished. I was like stepping over the lake that turned into ice. I looked at myself. I was wearing an illuminating gold gown that brushed the floor. “But I’m an outcast I’m a creep, a wierdo What the hell am I doing here? I shouldn’t be here I don’t belong here I don’t belong here...” A familiar voice sang in the background. Women in their fancy shimmering gowns surrounded me. I don’t know where to focus my eyes. They were like jewels, emerald, diamond, ruby, amethyst, dancing gracefully. “You run run run out the door (run)Run as fast as you canYou run, run, run, run,Run...” I find the song weird. It doesn’t suit th
“Accident? That wasn’t an accident!” I complained after watching the news. We are currently inside our room. The celebration of SU’s anniversary continued despite what happened and today’s the last day of the event. They just prohibited anyone to enter the hall because of the ongoing investigation. Yes, ongoing yet they already released to the media that what happened to Suzy Williams was an accident. “What do you mean, Serra?” Amanda turned off the television. “If I’ll tell you will you believe me?” I gazed at her and she was already looking at me. “Maybe, you could try.” She shrugged. I curled my legs up on the bed and sat like an Indian. “There is a murderer in this school, Amanda. Whoever she is she’s still around.” I lowered my voice while roaming my sight around. “We’re inside our room, Serra. It’s just you and me. It won’t be possible that the murderer you were talking about could enter without us noticing. Relax.” She put the remote control on the side table. She then sa
He put the plastic bags on the table and sat on the sofa like he owned the place. The atmosphere turned tense and so did I. “D-Do you want something to drink?” I tried having eye contact with him but didn’t last long. “Cold water will do.” I nodded and hurried to the kitchen. When I returned I saw him sitting comfortably with his feet on the round table, arms on his head, and eyes closed. “Do you usually serve water with a bowl?” he said with eyes still closed. My brow rose because of what he said. I looked down and d*mn I was holding a bowl of water. I rushed back to the kitchen and brought him what he requested. “Seat beside me, Serra.” His eyes were still closed. My lips twisted because of his statement. “Chill... I don’t bite.” He opened his eyes and looked directly at me. I covered my neck with my arms. “You already did! Not once but twice!” He chuckled and beckoned me. “Come here.” I approached him with an alert stance and sharp eyes. He shook his head and brought two bo
SERRA “Go, Serra! Go, Serra!” Gugu raised her pompoms one after the other. “Give me an S - E - R - R - A!” She twisted her body to form each letter of my name, literally. If I don’t know her and saw her doing that I would one hundred percent freak out. She could replace Kayako in the movie and even do better. “S - E - R - R - A! S - E - R - R - A!” She clapped her hands while blurting out each letter. “Let’s take a break!” I slammed my butt on the concrete ground of the gymnasium when I reached the end of the stairs. “I’ll tell you when.” He stuffed his mouth with chips. “One more from the bottom!” He went down the gym’s stairs fast. I dragged my sore body and lazily went down the stairs. We’ve been doing this for a week now and it’s seeping the energy out of me. “Double time!” He clapped his hands and I speed up. “Attention!” he commanded. I firmly stood straight with chin up, chest out, shoulders back, and stomach in just like what he taught me a while ago before we started. “
“Where’s Amanda?” Amara asked as soon as I reached the table. “Her dad called her over. She was fetched by Mr. Garzon.” I sat on one of the available chairs. Six chairs were surrounding the round table. Beside me was a vacant chair and the other was occupied by Gugu. Next to Gugu was Amara then Grip and Victoria. Amara kept on glancing in Gugu’s direction. Victoria was all smiley while still holding on Grip’s arm and leaning, squeezing, herself to him. The latter remained expressionless. “Thank goodness! I really don’t like her.” Victoria’s nose bridge wrinkled. I could hear Amanda responding ‘Feelings mutual, Victoria.’ she would probably say that if she heard her. “Table thirteen,” the computer’s voice called. I looked at our table number and it was thirteen. “I’ll go get our orders.” Grip stood up but Victoria didn’t let him go. “Why don’t you get it, Serra? We ordered you get it. You know give and take.” She shrugged and sweetly smiled at me. “We ordered? I ordered,” Amara
“Are you avoiding me?” “D*mn!” I clutched my chest when Grip suddenly appeared right in front of me. “Jeez! What’s wrong with you?” I inclined my back inching myself away. “No, what’s wrong with you?” He returned the question to me. “Why are avoiding me?” he added. “I am going to be late for my next class–” “We don’t have a class after this.” He walked beside me. I pushed him away. “We’re not classmates.” “We are, starting tomorrow. I just got my new schedule.” He walked beside me again. Every step and pace coincided with mine. “Why are you doing this?” I faced him and brought the back of my hands on the opposite sides of my waist. He put his hands on his pocket and leaned over my face. I drew my head backward but he only stopped an inch away. “It’s my way of fencing you.” He winked and raffled my hair. I hit his hand and fixed my already messy hair. “Stop this nonsense right away, Grip.” “Liking you will never be nonsense,” he confessed frankly. His words were like scissor
He closed his eyes and leaned forward. My eyes grew big when his lips lightly touched mine. I froze. Something like this happened already. My brain couldn’t remember but my lips did. It was also light and soft but the warmth it gave me was different. My eyes inevitably closed. “Whatever it is do it now!” Gugu’s voice sounded in my ears. “It’s forbidden– d*mn!” Light pressures pressed on the sides of my head and softness and warmth touched my lips. I opened my eyes and saw Grip. Grip kissed me?! A scream from the rooftop brought me up on my feet and my awareness back to the present. I ran as fast as I could. Bumping and pushing Xyrus’ friends. I quickly pushed the rooftop’s door wide open and rushed in. There were groups of girls from freshmen to the highest year level. They were students from different departments. I even saw some from our department. “Welcome to hell, witch,” a girl with flaming red hair said after removing a red lollipop out of her mouth. Two girls closed t