Flaws To Your Perfect (PUBLISHED UNDER PAPERINK IMPRINTS)

Flaw #15

Hi!

This is the final chapter of Flaws to Your Perfect!

Thank you for reading!

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"READY?" Huminga ako ng malalim bago tumango kay Paige na nakaabang ang palad sa harapan ko habang nakatayo siya sa labas ng SUV ko, nag-aantay na lumabas ako.

After a week of absence, I finally got the courage to go back to school—thanks to my mom's and Paige's encouragement, I was able to gather enough courage to step out of my comfort zone.

"You can do this, Tegs," she cheered which made me smile despite the crawling feeling of nervousness I am feeling inside.

Ilang beses pa akong bumuga ng hangin bago tumango at inabot ang kamay niyang nakaabang sa akin. She helped me out of the SUV and gently intertwined her hand into mine. I can't help but smile as I feel our fingers brushing each other.

Nang makapsok kami sa may entrance gate ng school ay normal naming binati ng 'good morning' ang guard na sandali lamang na bumagsak ang tingin sa magkahawak naming kamya bago ito ngumiti at tumango.

"Chill, love. We got this," pagpapakalma ni Paige nang maramdaman ang pahagya kong panginginig.

It's only 6:45 am, the flag starts at 7 o'clock and classes on 7:30. Masyado pang maaga kaya naman hindi na ako nagulat sa iilang estudyanteng nakatambay sa may hallway at mga locker area.

Sandali akong natigilan nang makita si Kat kasama ang ilan pa naming mga kaibigan na tahimik na nakasalampak sa sahig, nakasandal sa hilera ng locker sa kanilang likuran at abala sa kani-kanilang mga cellphones.

My heart beat started racing once again. Pinaghalo-halo na naman ang kaba, takot, at pagdadalawang-isip habang palapit kami ng palapit sa grupo nila. It didn't take long before they were able to notice our presence. Namilog ang mga mata nila at agad iyong sinabayan ng malalakas na mga singhap.

I was already preparing myself for the worst. I was ready for all of their lashing and angry words, eyes full of disgust and contempt. I was ready to see those but I wasn't prepared to accept the rush hugs I received from them. Halos matumba ako ng dumugin nila ako ng yakap. Paige had to let go of my hand for a while and step aside to give way for my friends.

"I miss you so much, Tegs!" Kat wailed loudly.

Hindi ko alam kung paano mag-re-react. Paige did told me how worried our friends were but . . . I wasn't expecting a warm welcome as this!

It took them a few more moments before they were able to calm down. Hinila ako papunta sa pwesto nila kanina, tahimik lang na nakasunod sa likuran namin si Paige, probably letting me absorb the newly found enthusiasm from my friends.

"We were so worried about you!" Masama ang loob na ani Rhea. "Hindi ka man lang nakipag-usap o ano sa amin. But that's okay! It's alright! We understand!"

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtakas ng mga luha ko ng marinig iyon.

Kat pouted as her face contorted into a crying face. "Tanggap ka naman namin, Tegs! I'm sorry kung natakot ka dahil sa naging trato namin kay Paige noon. But we just reacted like that dahil akala namin ay tinake advantage niya ang kalasingan mo."

Tumango ako sa paliwanag ni Kat. Naiintindihan ko iyon, nakwento na rin ni Paige sa akin na nakapag-usap sila ng mga kaibigan namin.

Ikinagulat ko ang mabilis nilang pagtanggap sa akin—sa amin but I must admit that I am happy they did. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sakali ngang talikuran nila ako dahil lang . . . ganito ako.