The Lady in Shining Armor: Monte Carlo High

XLVI. Last Dance

Huling update para sa TLISA!

Dedicated to Coach M. Thanks sa idea, naka-lagpas ako sa unang round ng Incognito! Papalitan ko 'yung name mo sa taas kapag nakita ko na kung ano'ng WP account mo. lol

Ang track natin para sa chapter na ito ay Huling Sayaw by Kamikazee feat. Kyla (acoustic version). Enjoy! :)

***Vince's POV***

The day of the exams finally ended at naka-hinga na ng maluwag ang lahat. Unang exam pa lang 'to, may isa pa for Finals in February. That group study that we did actually worked. Feeling ko maganda magiging scores ko this exams. Excited na ako makita ang results, pero mas excited ako sa isang bagay.

"Baka naman pagbalik ko, hindi na ako ang hearthrob ng Monte Carlo?" I looked at Red as he wore his blue t shirt. He really changed a lot. Hindi ko nga namalayan, hindi ko napansin kung kailan nagsimula ang pagbabago niya dahil madalas na si Dawn ang kasama ko. Kahit magkasama kami ng kwarto, we rarely had long talks.

"Well, sorry na lang kung mangyari 'yun, pare." See? Sabi nga ni Joyce, ito daw ang finished product niya-- Red version 2.0. Hanggang ngayon nag-a-adjust pa rin ako sa pagbabago niya. Pero thankful ako kay Joyce, she was able to see the other side of Red at nailabas niya ito. People liked the glasses-free, more confident Red than the boring, monotonous one.

"I think Joyce injecting too much on you." We both laughed and he took a few steps towards me.

"Enjoy your stay there, bro."

"Of course. I'll try to bring you something." I picked up my bag and headed outside the room.

"As promised, the students who participated in The Monte Carlo Games will have an overnight stay in Crowne Pacific Hotel. Now, get on the school bus and enjoy the stay!" Principal Abad bid us goodbye before we all got on the school bus. Panget man pakinggan pero matagal ko nang inaantay itong overnight stay na 'to sa Crowne Pacific Hotel.

Sumakay na kami lahat sa bus at umupo ako sa tabi ni Dawn. Kanina pa siya malungkot, simula nang sunduin ko siya sa Dorm Gates. Tinanong ko siya kung ano'ng problema, hindi naman siya sumagot. Hinayaan ko na lang muna, hindi ko ugali ang pilitin siyang mag-salita tungkol sa isang bagay. Inaantay ko lang kung kailan siya komportable na magsabi sa akin, ganun tumatakbo ang relasyon namin.

"Everything okay?" I asked her again. I reached for her hand and held it tightly as she continued to stare outside the window. Again, no response. I wanted to talk with Joyce about her kaso busy siya kausap ang mga Sophomore Tributes. I wouldn't dare talk with Khione, delikado.

"Alright! Now that everyone's settled, I have a few things to say before we go." Si Miss Corpuz ang nagsalita. She was standing on the aisle beside the driver and was holding small wrapped goods, parang mga regalo. "First, let's all have a few minutes of silence and let's offer a prayer for the fallen tributes." We all stood up and bowed our heads as Miss Corpuz lead the prayer.

"Hindi ba parang unfair 'to?" Dawn whispered after the prayer. Miss Corpuz gave out the packages to us one by one. I looked at Dawn and held her hand again.

"Unfair ang alin?"

"Magsasaya tayo kahit alam natin na may mga hindi tayo makakasama. What's the point of all of these?" She exhaled heavily and looked out the window again.

"Dawn, look at me." I held her chin and turned her face to me. "We already grieved for them. Hindi naman natin sila makakalimutan by doing this. This is a celebration of life, kasi buhay pa tayo. I'm sure, they are looking down at us and guiding us. Kaya ka ba balisa kanina pa?" I asked her in a soft tone. Nag-aalala na ako. Hindi siya pwedeng malungkot ng dahil lang ulit dito.