"Do what you want to do with your life, I couldn't care any less."

He sighed and closed his eyes, I didn't gave him any emotions, nanatili siyang nakapikit at parang hindi na alam ang gagawin, I just stared at him and waited for his reaction, he compressed his lips and massaged his temples. 

"Sibal! Tara na sa taas! Saan ka ba magso-shoot? Bilisan mo kaya," his clubmate ordered, he opened his eyes in a snap and paid me a look, tinanguan ko nalang siya at ganoon din ang ginawa niya. 

"Let's talk some other time, Lettie," he announced and walked away, hindi nalang ako sumagot pa at pinanood ko nalang kung paano nila buhatin ang mga ring light and materials.. Ellaine.. Followed the FTA members and was laughing with some of the dancers. 

Later that day I had the urge to check Ellaine's profile out of curiosity and I saw her post, 'yong picture nga nila ni Light, although side profile lang ng lalaki ang kita it still made a loud noise sa mga tiga-Priston, the comments section were filled with compliments and such. 

There are comments that are saying that they saw it coming or it was obvious miski no'ng umpisa pa lang ng 9th grade, see! That damned playboy! I saw that she has a story so I watched it with all the curiosity flowing on my nerves. 

"Liar.. " I whispered and clicked her story. Light's face welcomed me, it's a zoomed in video.

It's taken with a vintage-like filter, it's slowly zooming in on Light's serious face, may-tripod na nakatayo and he's leaning close to it.. His eyes on the viewfinder, right hand on the shutter button and the left on his hip, he's seriously looking at the camera then his gaze left the camera to seriously looked in front of him, "Look of love, convince me that you're in love, hindi world war II 'yong shoot na 'to, Romeo and Juliet, paalala lang," he said and bowed down to the camera again.

He looks serious because of his furrowed brow and piercing eyes, he looks definitely different when he's directing, parang ibang tao 'yong nakatayo roon.. It's like Dmitri.. Hindi si Light 'yon e, he's poles apart when he's with his camera.

It's amusing, he's ragingly fiery with that filming instrument, behind and directing.. I know that's where he belongs. But with that face and burning heart? Everyone could testify that he could pass as an actor as well!   

"Swerte mo, Ella!" I heard a girl say behind the camera of Ellaine. 

"Yeah, that's my director," she said in a very sweet voice. Her.. Her director, I smirked and left that app. 

I scrolled through my Facebook feed and I saw series of photos and my jaws completely dropped.. The background seemed to be in black and white.. But the quality! It's blurry yet it's focused on Ellaine's porcelain face! 'Yong background lang ata ang naka-edit to be in that flat black and white filter but Ellaine's figure has realistic and vibrant color. 

Her bold full red lips and probing stares.. It was more brought up because of the camera work and how great the picture was naturally edited. It's posted on SFU's official gazette page with a caption of. 

"Red, bold and fierce," I whispered to myself and continued to read it on my head. 

Photo taken by: Lucius Dmitri Sibal (IX - Pilot Section, Film Theater and Arts)

Edited by: Lucius Dmitri Sibal

Model: Ellaine Molina

I bit my lower lip.. With his laptop and camera he can work to wonders.. Makes me think, ano kayang hindi niya kayang gawin? I mean he's smart, obviously because he got in sa SFU in a snap and mind you na he's from the pilot section! He's also great with sports, halos agawin na nga siya ng basketball team but he just has this concrete stand that his heart for now and forever will be for the media and filming industry. 

Indeed.. Ellaine's so lucky, but she deserves more than a boy who just toys with her heart and deny her everywhere, ewan ko ba. 

"Hindi mo pa rin ba ako papansinin?" I shrugged and scribbled things on my notebook just so I could avoid him, I feel honestly awkward, sometimes I talk to him sometimes I don't.. It depends on the purpose of the conversation. "Still with the cold shoulders, Lettie, dalawang linggo ka nang ganiyan, ano bang problema?" Irritation was plastered on his tone but still, I didn't give him any glance, bahala siya riyan. 

"I don't see the need why I should talk to you anyway," simple kong sabi and closed my notebook, Filipino is our next subject so I need to bring out my brown notebook, color coded notebooks are fun to the eye. 

"Magandang umaga," our teacher greeted which made us all stood up, a deep exhale came from the boy beside me but I just disregarded it, umupo na kami at nakinig sa kung ano mang sasabihin ni Sir Fred. 

"John," I called my classmate who's seated at the end of our row, I'll ask him about Computer and Math notes the other day kasi naman hindi ako gaanong naka-follow and I spaced out dahil sa hirap ng mga 'yon and sa bilis ng pag-e-erase ni Mrs. Salta sa mga codes, gosh! Akala mo may lakad!

"Ow?" He beamed and faced me, I returned the smile and stood up to go to him.

"May I borrow your notes sa Math and Computer?" I whispered because Sir Fred is still in front, looking at his lesson plan because he knows he needs to drop an activity today para i-present on Friday, it's Tuesday today. 

September na rin and time is really flying so fast, unbelievable. 

"Sige, wait," tumalikod na siya and started to look inside his bag but then our teacher spoke.

"Nahanap ko na ang pahirap ko sa inyo ngayong araw," he laughed evilly which made me look at John, nginitian ko nalang siya and went back to my chair, later ko nalang kukunin, I need to pay attention to our teacher, I suck at Filipino, gosh.

"Salamat nalang sa lahat, Sir!" Says Cola which, made everyone giggle expect for Light who's still sharply looking at me, I ignored it and looked down on my notebook.

"Madali lang 'to! Play lang tungkol sa ano 'yong mga na-discuss na nating chapters ng Noli," he said which made my jaw drop, I hate plays! I mean, siguro okay 'pag maganda 'yong leader and director but if not.. It'll be a circus, for sure! 

"Sa Firday niyo ipe-perform, bali meron pa kayong tatlong araw, eto na ang mga leaders, magpilian nalang kayo. Tumayo mga tatawagin ko ha, Sibal, Mendoza, Reyes, Zhang, Alcaraz," our teacher watched the five students stand up then it's him who took his seat. "Sige, pili na kayo ng members, una ka nang mamili, Sibal, FTA ka e, 'di ba?" Light lazily bobbed his head and raked his hair. "Sige mamili ka na, tas sunod-sunod na ha," I watch how Light licked his lower lip and gulped.

"Akin si Yrreverre, Sir," he announced, unbothered. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya, w-why! I'm really not a big help with plays so I don't know why! "Sa akin," he looked at me straight in the eye and looked away. 

Natapos na ang pilian and Light took in our classmates who were left out, that includes Phoebe, wala kasing may gusto sa kaniya, she's smart but not a social butterfly, "Phoebe," tawag ni Light sa ka-group namin, our chairs are in a circle and we're facing each other, Light's leading the way of course, we were tasked to recreate the asotea scene, Phoebe looked at Light who's still beside me nervously.

"B-bakit?" She shyly said. 

"'Di ba sa script writing ka ng FTA? Nakita ko pangalan mo sa script no'ng Romeo and Juliet, Poebe Goria," he recalled, Phoebe's lips parted, siguro kasi ang galing ni Light tumanda ng name? I have no idea, silang dalawa lang ang nag-uusap and the rest of us were just paying them enough attention. 

"Ah, o-oo," nauutal niya pa ring sabi, I smiled. "P-paano mo, alam?" She's playing with her hands and her eyes can't be settled.

"Nabasa ko, marunong ako no'n e," our groupmates chuckled but our leader just darted them with stares. "Kaya mong gawan ng script 'to ngayong araw? Maikli lang naman, patulong ka kay Cruz oh," he instructed, tumango nalang si Phoebe and si Cruz. "Tapos ikaw nalang si Maria Clara, Lettie," he said which made me shake my head, may-Maria Clara ba na super conyo! 

We're just gonna humiliate ourselves! "God, no, you're gonna humiliate our group, si Phoebe nalang, she looks demure, me? I can't with the straight tagalog speaking," I waved my hands and looked around, they were just laughing at my expression si Light naman ay naka-crease lang ang forehead.

"Final na, ikaw na, kaya mo 'yan," he left me dumbfounded and decided to pinpoint other people for the casting, he's so sure about it and he even had an idea to modernize the short play, his mind.. It's fast when it's anything connected with films and acting, it's unbelievable. 

Thursday morning came, the complete family set up surprised me, as what I've expected Ate's face screamed boredom and Kuya just looked tired, but they had to join breakfast because we're complete and this happens rarely, so I'm okay with it, pero it's not the same with my Ate because Dad always notices her and her fails.

It's always like that, they only see failure but never the thousand triumphs, I feel bad for her, but I know she doesn't like pity, it makes her feel small and invalidated, so I let her find me as a brat.. That's better than making her feel bad for herself. 

"Good morning, honey," my mother greeted, I gave her a warm smile and occupied the seat beside her, Ate's in front of me and didn't mind me at all, it's okay, I'm used to it, she pretends to be strong so Dad won't get mad at her. 

"Morning," I took my breakfast and started munching over it. 

"How's ballet?" 

"Ballet pa rin," I heard my older sister which made me snicker a bit, I have sharp ears, I know our parents didn't hear that. 

"I'm doing great, Hasy and I started practicing for the November annual performance, and for the competition on October as well," I said with calmness. "Pink toes will start scouting again ata, but I'm not yet eligible, college students lang ang mga kinukuha nila," I said in an instant, even before they could react. 

"How about the Royal Opera House? When will you start sending your applications there?" I stopped for a moment, right. London. 

"Miss Claudine and I will work with that on summer, I need to win and get scouted by big houses first, Mommy," I said with truthfulness, I'm only thirteen, I'll turn fourteen on December and it feels like my parents are rushing my ballerina career, I'm trying.. Hard.

"Then win all the competitions that you need to win, Ophelia," tinignan ko si Dad and smiled sadly, just say yes, Phe, it's okay.

"Yes, Dad," I uttered. 

I have goals to attain in front of me, lahat planado na, no extra moves, no selfish motives, it'll just ruin everything.. I can't decide for myself, I'm like a lifeless doll acting like how it's been told, and it's okay. 

"And, I will repeat myself, I don't want to see you around that Lucius," my father stated which made me sigh, this talk again, gosh, let the boy's name rest! 

"He's a great person," simple kong sabi.

"He's not, a spoiled playboy, puro camera ang inatupag, walang mapapala," he concluded which made me stop, who are we to say such thing?

"Dad," singit ni Kuya.

"It's not a great idea to be friends with him, Ophelia," Dad surely declared. 

"We talk about him every week in front of the food, Dad, let's.. Let's just stop," I tried to end the conversation without offending them, I just hope that works. 

"And you keep on defending him, I saw you two on his birthday, hindi hamak na mas magandang lalaki ang kapatid niyang si Lennox at 'yon, 'yon ang maagang natuto sa pagnenegosyo," I played with my glass and exhaled, why are we even talking about the Sibals, I have no interest on getting close to them.

I'm so done with Light, we can be acquaintances but never more, I swear, it'll just break my head if we continues to be friends. And it's tiring to argue with my parents about him, it's just not healthy. 

"Let's just stop with this already," I almost begged. This is just too much to handle, ni hindi na nga kami nagpapansinan no'n. 

"He broke up with the daughter of my kumpadre," agad kong tinignan si Dad and arched my brow, sinong girlfriend na naman ni Light ang hiniwalayan niya? I am cursing him with fate's karma, I just know it'll hit him hard. 

"Sino?" Ate looked at me and pryed to Dad's statement, I want to thank her because I wouldn't have the courage to stick my nose unto these people's names. 

"Ellaine Molina," my eyes expanded in an instant, my back left the comfort of the foamed seat to look at my Dad, w-what?!

"What? I thought sabi ni Cecilia no'ng birthday ni Lucius ay nobya niya 'yon?" Takang tanong ni Mommy. 

"That's the point, Emilia, he's a playboy! Going around and breaking these girls hearts! He's a brat, that's why I am warning you about your friendship with that one, Ophelia, I don't like your name near a black sheep, he's peccable and blemished!" My father stormed out, and so what!

I mean, okay, I'm avoiding Light because he's a liar and I don't like liars but, I will not unfriend him just because he's not flawless! Ano ba, parang hindi na kami natapos sa ganitong discussion! People are designed to be flawed and peccable! We all are!

"Opposites do attract kaya," my older sister smirked and drank his coffee. "Hayaan niyo maging tao, Dad, she's so deprived of friends, she needs to be near these 'flawed' people so she learns from them, one can't stay perfect and flawless forever," she stared at me intently. "We're all bound for scars naman," she wiggled her brows and reclined on her chair, Dad's brows furrowed and was about to storm out.

I took a deep sigh, Ate's right.. I can't forever stay in this figure and state, but I need to, so I smiled sadly and played with my hands under the table. "Okay, I'll distance myself from that black sheep, Dad, you can have my word, I'll get going already," I voiced out, defeated, I saw how Ate's face rallied against my words but I just bit the insides of my cheeks to prevent a frown.

I stood up and walked outside our house, I can't wait to go to school and feel guilt all over me when I see Light, ano bang mga sabi ko roon? Argh! My mouth and my calculated moves! 

"Kailangan mo pa ba 'to?" I smiled at John and took my seat, naroon na agad siya sa upuan ni Light, tinignan ko ang graphing notebook niya and code sheets, I beamed in an instant but then frowned when I remembered I can't fully understand our Math lesson the other day!

"Thank you! But.. " I trailed off and shyly gazed on him, he just shot his brows up and reciprocated my smile. "Can you teach me Math? Those rationals really did me bad, if it's not hassle lang naman, if you're busy I can ask my Ate," his lips pulled apart with my request, I was totally spacing out! And why is he even shocked! Can't I be bobo with Math? 

"S-Sige ba," agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sagot niya and my lips almost reached my ears! I brought out my yellow pad. 

"Umalis ka sa upuan ko," a deep voice announced, tinignan ko agad ang nagsalita and it was just Light. "Sibal ba apelyido mo?" He curved his brows and gaped on John in a deadly manner, tinignan ko si John na nakangiwi nalang ngayon, I have no idea why students here are scared of him, baka kasi anak nga ng Mayor. 

"No, John, you stay there," I pulled John back to his seat when he attempted to stood up. 

"Alis."

"Light, pwede rito muna siya? I really need him," I pleaded and looked at him, I blinked multiple times and waited for his answer and his brows are almost knitted with each other, causing his forehead to crease, agad ding nawala nang maka-ilang kurap na 'ko, he exhaled and rolled his eyes, he then walked to John's place and set his head on the table. 

The day passed and it's really just me and John who's talking, hindi rin ako pinapansin ni Light and he seems to be in a bad mood so I am not trying to push any buttons to make him more mad, when there's a free time I talk to John about our project in Computer because it's website making and I'm really not talented with those, I need a lot of explanation and help! He promised naman to give me a hand when I need him. 

"Ano, tapos na?" Light asked in a mad tone, I bit my lower lip and nodded, he scoffed and sat on his chair. "Hindi ako makapaniwalang kailangan ko pang magtanong para lang maka-upo sa sarili kong upuan," he rolled his eyes and caught his chin with his palm. "Lucius Dmitri na ba pangalan no'n?" Scornfulness can be traced on his voice but I just chose to ignore it. 

"Phe, food?" I gazed up on John as he place a styro on my desk, nahihiya akong ngumiti at tatanggi na sana nang magsalita si Light na para bang representative ko siya. 

"If you want to feed her food make sure it's not junk, she has to follow a meal plan," Light explained and pulled the pink lunch bag out of his bag and placed it on my desk, tumayo na rin siya at lumakad paalis. "Eat your lunch, Lizette, bibili lang ako ng burger." 

I gulped and slowly unzipped the packed lunch.

"Galit ka?" With uncertainty I asked my friend who's sitting beside me while jotting his notes, he didn't gave me any attention, he bit his lower lip and disheveled his hair, tinignan na niya ako nang masama at agad ding umiwas.

"Ang lapit ng mukha mo, hindi ko makita 'yong board, pwede, umatras ka nang onti?" Masungit niyang sabi, I pouted and nodded, ang lapit ko nga sa kaniya, I didn't bother him anymore and just listened to our discussion, it looks like the tables have turned, hindi na niya ako pinapansin.

I felt liable! Kasi naman kahit two weeks ko na siyang hindi pinapansin he still packs lunch for me! Kahit hindi masarap minsan 'yong luto niya I still eat it because I know that he exerts efforts! Then I had the nerve to shoo him away, ni-rob ko pa ata siya ng chair niya! 

"You're mad, I'm sorry.. " I whispered, I don't even know what I'm sorry for! It just slipped! Maybe that'll make his heart at ease! 

"Santisima," bulong niya. "Parang 'di na 'to makatao," he sighed and compressed his lips, umiling nalang at tumungo, hindi pa rin ako pinapansin. Gosh, ano ba 'yon!

Buong araw na naman kaming hindi nagpansinan because na rin of John, I keep on asking him questions and ako nalang ang nakipag-switch ng chair kay Janah because Light is mad na pinapalipat ko pa siya ng chair, ako nalang nag-adjust because it's unfair nga naman for him, now he's just sleeping, then Janah took the seat sa last row becasue she'll talk to her groupmates daw and the next thing I knew Phoebe is stroking Light's hair.. I don't