Chapter 21

Nasalo ni James ang garter na halatang ikinainis ni Sam. Di rin mawala sa mukha nina Ann at Enrique ang inis kay James. Wala silang nagawa kundi sundin ang tradisyon. Kailangan isuot ni James ang garter sa binti ni Devon. "Kaya mo yan," sabi ni Enrique kay Devon. Umupo si Devon at isinuot ni James ang gartner sa binti ni Devon. Kahit na naisuot na ang garter, di maalis ang electricity sa mga parte na nagdikit ang mga balat nila. Nagtama ang mga mata nila. Sina Devon and James ay nalunod sa mata ng isa't isa. Di nila maalis ang tingin sa isa't isa. Hanggang sa biglang tinapik ni Ann ang balikat ni James at naputol ang eye contact ng dalawa. Tumayo si Devon at lumapit kay Quen. "Hey, Von, let's dance," yaya ni Quen kay Devon. Malungkot na tiningnan na lang ni James si Devon at Quen.

Nag-sulk lang sa isang table si James. Kahit anong yaya sa kanya ni Ann na sumayaw, panay tanggi lang nito. Kaya naghanap na lang ito ng ibang kasayaw. May biglang tumabi kay James. Si Fretzie ito. "Alam mo, naiinis talaga ako sa'yo. After all na nagawa mo kay Devon," Fretzie said. "Then why are you talking to me?" James asked. "Kasi naman, ang torpe mo. I mean, I can see that you like her. Why not break-up with Ann and get back together with Devon?" Fretzie said. "I....I can't.  I just... can't," James said. "Bakit naman? You love her, right?" Fretzie said frowning. "Yes, I do. But.. I'm afraid she'd get hurt if she's with me. And I can't hurt Ann," James replied, looking down. "Alam mo, mas lalo mo lang sasaktan si Ann kung paaasahin mo sya. And mas sasaktan mo si Devon kung di mo aaminin ang totoo. When you left, Devon was devastated. We couldn't talk to her properly for months! Di sya matino. Ang tagal nya bago maka-recover. Ganun ka nya kamahal," Fretzie explained. "But... Devon and Quen are together now," James said. "Basta. Listen to what I'm saying. If you love her, go for it. I'll see you soon James," Fretzie said, then she left. "Thanks Fretz," James whispered to the air. She went to Ann whose dancing with some guy he didn't know. "Ann, can I talk to you," James asked Ann. Ann excused herself to the guy she's dancing with. "We should go somewhere more....private," James said. Ann agreed. "Ann, I have something to tell you. I think we should break-up," James said. He was afraid that Ann might cry. "I understand," Ann said calmly. "I already saw it coming. With you and Devon seeing each other and all, I'm not surprised. Hope you have a good life James," Ann said. She gave James a final hug, and left. James smiled. He's glad that Ann's fine. Now, to get Devon back.