XI. Hangover
I woke up the next day with a head throbbing real hard, wanting to crack into a million pieces. Apparently, the effect of the alcohol I had last night is making its way to my system just now. I tried to sit up but failed when gravity pulled me back to my bed. I looked at my side table and saw my alarm clock screaming 8:25am.
Oh great luck. I just missed my first class, and maybe even all of my classes for today. With the looks of it, I don't think it would be a good idea to attend school today. Curse that annoying guy who swore to never let me off without finishing the five shots of tequila he ordered.
Jasmine, hija? I heard mom knocked but I didn't bother to answer. Are you awake? Can I come in? She asked, still knocking at my door lightly. As much as I wanted to yell and tell her to go away, I just couldn't do that cuz that would completely blow off my pretense. So instead, I closed my eyes and pretended I was still in a deep slumber.
I heard the door cracked open - then closed again after a fraction of a second, followed by her footsteps. I felt the bed sank lower as she took a seat at my side. She then caressed my hair and I imagined her to be looking at my face at the moment.
I remember when you were much younger, you used to wear that face too when you're just pretending to be asleep. She said as a matter-of-factly.
I tried my best to keep a straight face. Come on Jasmine. You're not a six-year old anymore. Talk to mom. She placed a hand on my arm, and it felt warm...motherly.
Why are you here?! Aren't you supposed to be in your botique?! Eyes still closed, I asked irritatedly.
I took the day off. So we could spend time together. She said in a cheerful tone, making me wish I could bark like a wolf.
What made you think I'd like to do the same?! My eyes flew open at her, and I saw her expression turned offended from what seemed like a joyous one.
Hija, you don't talk to your mom like that. She reminded me, keeping her tone flat.
Yeah right. Which reminds me that I shouldn't even be talking to you. I rolled my eyes.
Hija, why are you being difficult?
Difficult?! Me?! I repeated, getting up from my bed which just made me fall back again. Mom caught my arm just before I bang my head with the headboard. Stupid me.
See that? She said, I rolled my eyes again.You drowned yourself with alcohol last night, came home at past two am and didn't attend school today. Now tell me you're not being difficult. She folded her arms in front of her, as if challenging me to disprove the things she said.
You don't know a thing about me so you have no right to tell me that I'm being difficult.
Exactly my point. I don't know anything about you anymore. That's why I'm here, reaching out to you. So I can know atleast a thing about my daughter.
She said, touching my chin.
This is not going anywhere, mom. I said, getting up from my bed for the nth time and finally succeeding.
Jasmine, we're not yet done talking. She called me but I still continued walking out of my room and didn't look back.
***
Mom left for work after lunch, and it somehow made me feel disappointed. See what? She said she took the day off to spend time with me. But how could she do that if she can't even stay long enough to handle my sudden outburst of tantrums? Srsly.
It was late in the afternoon when I got bored watching random movies in HBO. I called up Lia and Kat to invite them to another round of shopping but they both turned me down, saying they're still feeling this hangover thing and all. Boo. With nothing left to do, I got out of our house and went to the coffee shop near our school. The same coffee shop where...nevermind.
Coffee Macchiato. I told the lady staff when she approached me and asked for my order. And can you please hand me a copy of that? I said, pointing to the stack of newspapers near the counter.
Yes ma'am. I'll be right back with your order. She smiled then sashayed off. She came back in less than five minutes with my order in one hand and the newspaper in the other.
Alright. Don't mistaken me to be the news-and-current-events girl cuz I'm certainly not. This newspaper I'm holding is actually Eastern High's school paper. Why does this coffee shop have our paper? Well, our school president is also the proud owner of this shop so she made sure to have the school papers distributed here as well since most students of EH go here too.
Eastern High to host the annual Division Sports Fest this September. it says, in big striking bold letters.
I scanned the article and saw the names of the schools who'll be participating for this year's sports fest.
...Princeton High, Sherlock Academy, Lessee Mont, Eastville Exclusive..
Great great luck. I shook my head in disbelief, closing and pushing the paper aside. Just like a broken player, the memories of the recent past came rushing back to me while I played with the moist building up on my cup.
I don't want to be one of your flings anymore Jasmine.
I want US to be real.
Stupid. I mumbled then rested my elbow on the table, closing my eyes and massaging my temple. I should've just stayed indoors. This throbbing didn't seem to cease, and it's unbearable.
If this is not fate, I don't even know how I should call it. My eyes flew open with that voice I just heard. I don't know if I was imagining things or..ugh. Oh God. Please. Not now. Not ever.
And just then, someone pulled the chair in front of me and settled himself in there.
Hi there. He chirped, and I secretly cursed myself for not staying at home.
Excuse me? I raised my eyebrow at him. Whoever said you can sit here?
Don't worry. I don't bite. He said, grinning at me. Hangover eh? He asked, pointing at my head. I just rolled my eyes and drank my coffee.
Do I even know you?! I asked, trying to sound innocent and irritated at the same time.
Nice try. He smirked, not buying my I-don't-know-you drama.
Seriously, I don't talk to fugly strangers.
Come on, baby. You can't just forget what we did last night! You were so good! He said, touching my hand which I immediately jerked away from.
Nothing ever happened you idiot!! I snapped.
HAHAHA! He howled, if that's even possible. See? You remembered! He continued laughing so hard and I couldn't help but get more annoyed at his presence.
I assume you ditched class today, huh? He asked after a minute or so of laughing. Only then that I noticed that he was wearing his school uniform - a long-sleeved white polo underneath a navy blazer with a PH logo in it.
Princeton High.
