Festival Part I

(Day 1)

That one week was the most exhausting yet fun week of my school life and aside from the practice I'm also managing the pageant and the ball I really look sluggish when I went home after our last day preparing for it. The girls insisted to stay on my condo and it's both chaos and blessing in disguise only because they lessen my workloads here at my condo.

"Ella, did you see my hair dryer?" Hailey ask after she came from the shower.

"On the vanity table." She answered.  I was on my study room with Yana who's still sleeping on the mattress on the floor then suddenly Carol came in and tap her legs.

"Hey! Wake up! Faster." She said sternly while tapping her.

"Later...hmm..." She moaned and hug her pillows

"Don't make me count." I chuckles when Yana's already standing and smiling on us.

"Good morning!!" She lively said but Carol just sigh and went out and I'm thankful that my reflexes are damn fast to catch her before she fall and pouted at me.

"I'm still sleepyy!!" I pinched her cheek and let her stand still and pushed her outside. I went  back on my laptop. I'm doing some dlp and templates for the certificates for the event.

"Cas! Let's eat na, later na yan!" I heard them all call I save it and was about to stand up when my phone beeps.

'Good morning, eat your breakfast so you won't be tired.💗 see you later.'

After reading that I bit my lips to stifle a smile but the feeling makes me blush and shake my head with a smile and my palms on my face.

'Demmit Grayyy!!'

"Haluh! Pano yung kilig?" I stand and show my phone to on Pea and then she laugh and pushed me a bit and we both went out with a smile but hers was a teasing smile.

"Save it for later we're to be late." Carol ordered so we eat our breakfast peacefully until my phone beeps again Pea and I looked at each other before getting my phone, I was about to open it when she swiftly snatched it from my hands and she screams as she open it but she got a hit from Ella who's beside her.

"Omg!! He asks you ‘Should I pick up? Or You'll drive?’ " Pea read it aloud I cover my face when it catches their attention. "Oh he texted again, he said he'll pick you up since we're not fit in on your car."

She look at me like she's asking my permission to reply on him I just nod and then after a few minutes she gave it back to me, we're already done eating. I went inside my room to take a bath, I don't bother to look army phone I just throw it mybed and went on the shower.

After that I've done my skin care and wear a white polo tucked in on my cream vintage trouser then white converse. I tied my hair with a hair claw then gray contacts, pair of small pearl earrings partnered with the same necklace given by Gray and I can't help but to smile as I've touched it and of course my watch and ID.

I pick up my sling bag and put the phone and wallet on it went out on the study room to get my laptop and I was about to went out when I heard Carol scolding Pea on what she did on me earlier I went out to stop the commotion.

"Let's go?" I asked and it seems the others get it they get their bags and pinaglayo nila yung dalawa, I flinched when I open the door seeing Gray leaning on the wall across my door.I scanned him and my eye brow rises up seeing what he wearing is look exactly on mine aside from the accessories he scratched his nape and while smiling awkwardly.

"I've told him what you're wearing." Yana said behind me and giggled

I shake my head and offer my hand. "Tara, late na tayo."

"Enjoy kayo!!" Ella teased us and they squeal in delight when Gray held my hand and interlock our fingers then open the door of his GTR for me and I was about to put my seatbelt when he done it for me and wink, pagkasara niya nung pinto umikot siya para makasakay sa driver seat at nag drive papuntang school.

And pati pag baba ay siya ang nagbukas at inalalayan ako palabas, ni-lock niya muna yung kotse niya at kinuha yung kamay ko he intertwined our fingers every eyes was on our hands as we walked on the avenue. We went on the SC office and gave my laptop to Nona one of the tech personnel of SC also part of Einstein the assigned media personnels of this event. We done a short meeting for finishing details then went on gym, Candice smiles and look on our hands as we approached them.

I tried to remove my hand slightly but he tighten it, he's talking to someone while I was talking to Candice then suddenly Chloe approached us.

"We have a problem." We all look on her.

"Tamara doesn't answering, she's our speaker." She said worriedly and dial someone on her phone, Candice panicked so I look around and I saw Keira walking in the avenue, she kook at my direction as if she felt that I'm starring and I ask her to come here but she rolled her eyes and put her head phone on and walk again they all sigh on what she did it seems they also look where I'm looking

I feel a sudden sting on my heart when Gray let go my hand so I look on him he just gave me a 'let me talk to her' look as if I can do anything he already let go of my hand I just nod and smile to hide my irritation and the pain. They talk and in just a minute as he talk to her, she already agreed! What the freaking potato!!

"Kai already explained to me and take note that I don't really mean to help specially you I just can't say no to Kai." She said and roll her eyes on me as she went on us Chloe gave her the script but she just look on the paper their after crumple and throw it.

"I don't take words from a scrappy and irresponsible dog, her speech was too long as if she was the president tsk!" She commented as much as I want to pulls her hair I stop myself because we need her. In fact I can do it naman but there's another thing assigned for me so I just smile on her but she scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Stop smiling like that. You're screaming on whole world how plastic you are, let's go and get this thing done." She cling her arm on Gray's I want to complain but there's no time Candice accompanied them so Chloe and I remained.

"Napaka-sama talaga ng ugali niya! Sarap sabunutan!" Chloe ranted and growl I just chuckles and tap her shoulder, I went on the gate and look at my watch it already time so I ask the guard to open the gate.

"Please proceed to the gymnasium, the program will start." I said with all smile. I shake hands to the President and SC officials of the universities we invited and I flinched when I saw Mom an Dad together with Manang an her kids.

"Ate Cassey!!" Sanjie shouts and hug my legs I ruffles his hair and told them to go on the gym. There's still people coming in and we welcome them with a smile, the campus looks like a amusement park but of course we didn't have a major rides like ferries wheel, rollercoaster, etc. BUT we did make it bawi on the booths, I felt goosebumps upon hearing Keira's voice she's indeed look and voice like an angel but minus her attitude she's demonic! I chuckles from that thought.

"Uhm Hi!" I startled and held my chest as if I saw a ghost when someone talk behind me.

"Hey! I'm not that scary for you to act like that." He added I composed my self.

"Oh! I'm sorry, what is it again?" I asked him he scratch his nape.

"Where's the gymnasium?" I want to rise my eyebrow because it's too obvious and starting that he's just hitting on me but I don't want to be rude and assuming.

"Just follow where the sounds coming off but f you can't hear it, just straight this path, turn left and take the stairs." I said and I even gesture it to him because he looks naive.

'Cassey judgemental! Cassey judgmental!'

"Thank you miss beautiful." He said and wink.

See?! He's just hitting on me! I was about to give him a punch when he's already gone and instead of getting mad and ruined my day I just look for my friends.

I can hear the screaming from our section's booth it was horror tunnel Gray was the on who pick it up on the bowl and of course we're higher up so expect being extra from us they hired a professional make up and prosthetic artist to do their look.

"Eyey! Here!" I look for it then I saw Yana waving her hand, they're on the street food booth.

"Oh! You're here, I just wondering how this booth works." Hailey said they are still on the side watching the other buyers.

"Yeah!! I want cheese sticks!!" Yana whine and pout

"Eh? Bakit hindi pa kayo bumibili?" I ask in confusion.

"They're paying using coupons." Carol said while focusing on the squid balls popping up from the oil.

"Akin na pambayad niyo." I said and in instant there's a five ATM card on my hand I tilt my head a bit and while looking on in.

"That's our problem, we don't have that coupons we only have cards." Ella said I slapped my forehead and gave their cards back and went on changing stall they also go with me and pumila. "Ano ba sainyo?"

"I want cheese sticks!!" Yana said and cling her arm on me

"Chicken and fish ball!" Ella cheerfully said

"Squid ball at Kwek-kwek!" Pea said as she jump on me I heard complaints by the others

"Bes, I want that tangerine stuff." Hailey said while pointing on it.

"You know what's mine, goddesses let's go we're blocking the line." Carol said and they went on the side I repeat their orders and one hundred pesos each of it and gave a seven hundred bills in exchange of coupons and she gave me a free coupon.

"Ah kasi po ma'am naka more than 500 pesos po kayo so meron po kayong free 50 pesos for any of our products." I nodded and say thanks, the amount and name of your order already in there so I distribute the coupon to them and they're like a chd excitedly fall on the line.

"Ohh!! Ganon pala." They all have the same thing on their minds, after they got their orders Ella and Carol Pea and Yana get the drinks using the free coupon.

"Hi, hundred pesos of that small orange stuff and another hundred pesos for the big one also hundred pesos of cheese sticks and fifty pesos of pineapple, you?" Riley said I know it's him I can smell his perfume then somebody poke me.

"Miss tinatanong ka ni Kuya." She said so I look at Riley who's rising his eyebrow.

"Ah sorry naman. I thought you're asking her, just chicken ball." I awkwardly said so he ordered a hundred pesos of it then after few minutes he gave me my order and left.

"Sino yun luvs?" Pea asks while chewing her food.

"Kaya nga! I thought Kaizer Gray lang, huh?" Ella sounds like she's interrogating me.

"Chill guys! He's just a friend, okay?" They nod but their eyes still judging I chuckles and told them na maglibot kami after a while Candice texted me that it's my turn to operate our booth so nagpaalam na ako sa kanila.

"What's your booth ba so we can pay a visit later?" Carol said in childish voice which is a very rare case.

"Wedding Booth." I chuckles as all of them pouted I wave my hands and went on our booth, Gray was the priest an the other members was the so called testimonies. Candice was the assistant and I was about to take her place when someone grab me and then Candice put the veil on me and gave me a bouquet.

"Pang-ilang kasal mo na Riley ah!" She commented so I gasp dramatically and put my hands on my chest act like I was shock and hurt.

"What the so pang ilan ako?" I ask and chuckle on my acting skills but what he said made me stop and speechless.

"You're the original so don't worry." He said in monotone so the crowd shouts.

"L-Let's go, para matapos na'to." I pulled him and we walk in the aisle and when we stop infront of Gray who's looking so serious, he started the ceremony.

"Cassey do you take Crimson to be your husband?" He ask seriously and me being silly, I smile and look on Gray before Riley. I gave him my sweetest smile and slowly nod I saw how Riley's eyes widen a bit behind his glasses.

"I do." I said while looking straight on his eyes I bit my lips to stop myself from laughing seeing his reaction Gray on the other hand was looking on him deadly.

"You! Do you take her as your wife?" I chuckles because his tone is like isang making sagot lang ni Riley ay babawian niya ito ng buhay but a playful grimace form on Riley's lips.

"I do." And the next thing happen was Riley already lifted my veil and he's lips already crashed on my forehead. The crowd was teasing us but a certain person really looks annoyed and he walk out so the girls waiting for him screams, Tyrone gave us the certificate and I was about to ask Tyrone to be the priest but he's gone like a bubble.

"Cas ikaw na magkasal sa kanila!" Candice shouted while pointing at the line and take note the guys that supposedly here at my place are also in the line. So I don't have a choice but to do it.

After I finished the line, everyone seems happy except for Gray, Riley and their friends but a smile formed on my lips when I saw Hailey walking in the aisle and Tristan standing beside me.

"Pang-ilan mo na yan?" I teased him

"Siya naman ang tunay." He immediately responded and Hailey pinched his arm I start the ceremony and where in the part of asking if they take each other etc. when I decided to teased Tristan.

"Hailey, do you take Tristan to be your husband? Pwede ka pang umatras." I casually

"Cas naman! Kala ko ba fan ka ng TrisLey??" He complained Hailey and I chuckles.

"Hmmm, I do?" She teased him

"Adi!" Tris called her on their endearment and look at me. "Pwede bang kiss the bride agad?? I do naman din sagot ko."

"Hoy! Baka pwedeng bilisan niyo kami pa oh." I peaked it was and I smile seeing Ella and Skyler.

"Sige na nga You may now kiss your bride." My mouth half open when he gave her a smack on her lips and thebcrowd claps. Just like Tris and Hailey, Ella and Skyler also got married today but what surprise me is seeing three fall in the line.

"Kailan pa kayo nagkakilala?" I asked Yana and Tyrone

"Kanina lang, I just pulled him I want to visit your booth kasi and siya yung una kong nakita." she said and giggled after the ceremony instead of kissing Yana he ruffles her hair she seems so happy on her certificate.

"Subukan mo lang akong halikan, etong kamao ko ang hahalik sayo pabalik." I look who's in front of me Pea and Terrence.

"Ikaw kaya humila sakin! Duhh choosy kaya ako!" He retorted back.

"Mag papakasal ba kayo? O Mag-aaway?" I asked while rising my eyebrows

"MAG AAWAY!" They shout in unison and glared at each other.

"Oh edi lumayas kayo jan, may mga nakapila pa oh." I pointed at the line behind them then cross arms.

Pea scoffed an rolled her eyes. "Tss, simulan mo na nga, I also want that certi."

I shake my head and start the ceremony and after they got their certificate, nag ambaan pa sila ng suntok. I cleared my throat to catch the attention of these people in front of me.

"Oh kayo, mag-titigan? O magpapakasal?" I asked Carol straightened her posture and nod like a obedient dog.

"I also want that, Ella and Hailey is teasing me." She said and pout I heard Lawrence chuckles.

"Hey! Stop chuckling we have a deal." Even though she's mad her voice is still calm and soothing. After I done the ceremony, my eyebrow rise and bit my lips to stop my self from smiling when he kissed her on her forehead after that Tyrone get my place and pushed me lightly on the aisle and Candice again putting the veil on me.

I look at her confusedly but she just smile on me, my heart beats loudly when someone grab my hand and intertwined our fingers. A very familiar scent welcome me as I faced who it was, I felt my cheeks heated and I can heart my heart beats.

"Stop starring. I might melt before we even got married." He said and smile the crowds gone wild as they heard that. He let go of my hand and offer her arm instead that I gladly accept and we walk in the aisle and stop in front of Tyrone.

"Kaizer do you take Cassandra to be your wife?" Gray look at me straight into my eyes and gave me his once in a blue moon smile.

"I do." He answered without breaking our look on each other. I felt that my heart skipped a beat.

"You, Cassandra do you take Kaizer to be your husband?" I gave him my millon dollar smile and nod.

"I do." We smiled at each other and if feels surreal. I chuckles and break that eye to eye contact, he might see how red I was and how I wanted this to be real.

"I pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss your bride." Tyrone was smiling on us I got stunned when he lift my veil and kisses me on the cheeks, he left with a smile plastered on his face.

The girls went on me and teased me, after few weddings we close the booth because of the program in the gymnasium it's already six in the evening, I get my laptop after securing the booth I saw some already leaving.

"Hey! Cassandra, right?" A lady asks as she suddenly appeared in front of me. I held up my chest because I got scared jeez!

"Sorry, I'm Aira Mae. President of Lancaster's SC I just want to thank you for inviting us here, we really enjoyed." We shake hands and bid goodbyes.

"At last nakita rin kita," Tristan said while catching his breath. "Tara we had a problem." He said and pulled me on the technical room.

"You're here, yung tape ni Riley hindi gumagana I've already played it thrice." Vincent said distress I was about to console him when Gray arrived.

"Bro! San ka ba nagpunta kanina pa kayo hinahanap." Tristan uttered.

"I went on Crimson. I gave him Sky's guitar since we already expect that we might get sabotage." I smile and look at him he really saves the day and when our eyes met he winks at me like he read my thought.

"Mapipilitang magpapalit ng kanta Riley." Napalingon ako kay Vincent tumango ako lumabas na din kami nung narinig naming nag simula na si Keira, napansin kong napalingon si Keira samin nung inalalayan ako pababa ni Gray at naupo na kami sa reserve seat para shaming higher ups.

"Now to start our program let's call the pride of Einstein, Grace Haroldine Sistina!" Everyone screams as a fine, slender lady walks in she sang It's all coming back by Celine Dion.

"What an amazing performance! Thank you—" Keira's word cut off when the crowd shouts her name, she smile and wave her hand on them.

"Let's continue our excitement by calling the pride of my section Fierce Riley Crimson from Edison!"

As he walks up in the stage everyone mostly girls is screaming his name he looks hot every time specially when he's wearing his glasses but hotter holding a guitar. I think he felt my stare so our eyes met and my heart beat, it just a single beat but likes my life depends on it, my chest hurt a bit but I don't bother to caress it Gray might worry.

"Stop starring at him, focus on me instead." Gray whispered in husky voice so I faced him and our lips