justin said before kissing my cheek.

i was about to stand but he pushed me back down.

jah replied and smiled before walking away.

but that smile didn't reach his eyes...

i felt heavy but i didn't know why so i just tried my best to shrug it off. we're still going to have some fun and i don't want to ruin any of that.

i washed my face with water, trying to ease whatever this heavy feeling is. i just stood there, my hands on top of the sink as i stared at my reflection in the mirror.

"kasalanan mo 'to..."

i immediately shut my eyes close as i heard those words in my head again.

parang pinapatay ako ng paulit-ulit tuwing naaalala ko yung mga salitang binitawan ng mama ko bago niya ako iniwan.

small sobs came out of my mouth and i had to cover it with my hand so that i won't make too much noise.

i cried, sitting on the floor and hugging my knees close to my chest. fortunately, there was no one in the comfort room that time.

suddenly, i heard the door open and i immediately stood up to hide in one of the cubicles. i sat down the toilet and covered my mouth, trying to hold in my sobs.

the sound of the guy's chunky black leather shoes echoes through the comfort room everytime his heels would hit the floor. i followed his footsteps with my eyes and he stopped by the sink. i wiped my tears with the back of my hands and fixed myself, ready to go out now but before i could even open the bathroom stall's door, i got shocked when that guy stopped right infront of the cubicle where i was in.

is he falling in line? ang alam ko ako lang ang tao dito mula kanina ah? so, the other stalls are all empty.

i internally screamed.

shit, it's vincent.

he scoffed.

i can clearly imagine that annoying smirk on his lips and i suddenly felt the urge to punch him.

i groaned internally and rolled my eyes.

he said and chuckled.

really??? coming from him???

i sighed and opened the door so i could step outside and face him.

vincent stated and i rolled my eyes.

but you always make me cry...

vincent sighed, bowing his head low as his shoe taps the floor continuously as if he's contemplating whether he should tell me or not.

and i didn't know why but i felt nervous again...

i can feel that he's going to say something na hindi ko magugustuhan...

please... sandali lang..

what????

i tried to stop tears from forming in my eyes but in mere seconds, they were already filling to the brim and i started shedding tears once again.

he gulped.

and my world fell apart.

-------

josh, ken, paulo, and stell all gathered at the grandstand together with the other students as they started the 10-second countdown before the fireworks will be released.

the people cheered and everytime they would shout, stell would feel his heart ache even more.

because all he wishes to do right now is to turn back the time. turn it back to when justin was still there with him... maybe he could've held him tighter, so that he won't be able to escape.

stell had a feeling that this night would be their last night together. but all he did was shrug it off, assuming that maybe he's just overthinking.

but now.... where's justin?

the people around them jumped around and cheered, contradicting to how the four of them were feeling.

after the fireworks display, stell faced josh, hoping to get some answers from him.

josh sighed.

and right there.... his heart broke into millions of pieces... and his world was shattered right before his eyes.