"I'm nervous, Jane." Chelsea was very close to me as we headed to the room for the contestants. Today, the MTAP competition will be held, and it was held in our school this year. I am also nervous but I don't want them to notice it.
Clifford, on the other hand, was accompanied by a man on a suit. They were ahead of us and from the looks of the man, he just looks calm. He looks like the guy in the halo-halo stand. He also looks like a bodyguard. But who will have this bodyguard at this moment?
Maybe because there are also many students today from different schools. It was always this way though. Last year we were at Francisco University, the second largest school. Clifford looked at us as we were in front of the room.
"You ready?" We just nodded at him. He glanced at the man in the suit and nodded. He quickly understood and also left us immediately.
"We've been with him before, Cliff." Chelsea said as she watched the man walked away. I think that man's age is beyond the calendar already. But I can't deny that he looks good and you can see that he is handsome on his youth. Maybe he is not just be a bodyguard.
"He's our family butler." Clifford answered and opened the door. We went in and looked at the students from other schools. They're just talking while those at the far end are reading their notes and reviewers.
There are three vacant seats in the front row and written on it are the numbers I do not know about.
"Cliff, in front." I said, he also looked at it. We sat there. Chelsea was in the middle, I was on the left near the door and Clifford was on the right.
"Are you nervous?" Clifford asked Chelsea because they were side by side.
"Of course not. I'm fine." I heard Chelsea whispered to him. I also noticed that they are super close even though the two of them are always like Tom And Jerry. I notice the closeness between the two of them. If I hadn't known them I would have thought that they were a couple.
The door next to me immediately opened that made me I looked at it. A woman came in who I think is over thirty years old. She is wearing her glasses and her strict face is noticeable at first glance.
She doesn't teach here because we are not familiar with her. She was carrying the answer sheets that we will use.
"Good morning." She greeted when she was already in front. We greeted her back and sat down immediately.
"I am Mrs. Irene Zamora, a college professor. I am the one who's assigned for the Grade 10 competitors," she said. She looked at us one by one before continuing. "Shall we start?"
"Yes ma'am." We answer on unison. Three students from the college department also came in because they are wearing uniforms today. I think they will assist Mrs. Zamora.
They first arranged our sitting arrangements and separated it by groups. I moved far away from Chelsea who was sitting in her chair and I sat on the back, while Clifford was near the window on the right.
Then we started. We were given two hours to finish. It's like an examination. There are no choices and you have to solve within the given time period. I was still struggling with other questions and I think the time given to us was not enough but I finished before it even reached the set time.
I gave the paper to Mrs. Zamora when she looked at me. She stared at me lightly as if she's examining me.
"You're familiar," she said. "Are you one of the elites here?" She added.
I was suddenly nervous when she asked that. She's serious while frowning. "N-no, ma'am."
"Okay, you may go." I just gave a smile to ma'am and went out.
I sighed as I got outside. Fortunately, it is over. I immediately looked around to find Cheska and Clifford. I also saw them at the far end and it seemed that their conversation was not going too well.
I approached them when I saw Cliff's face turned red as Chelsea seemed to be crying while looking at the man in front of her.
"Chels, what happened?" I asked as soon as I approached them.
"J-jane. Something happened earlier." Her voice trembled as she faced me. "He beat the journalist who happened to be the editor in chief."
I immediately looked at Cliff while wondering. Why would he do that? Cliff just kept quiet while still raging with anger.
"You better get away from that guy, Chelsea." Clifford's furiously said before he left us.
Even though I was confused, I just took Chelsea to the canteen. She's quiet that I'm not used to it. I have an idea in my mind but I'm not sure. Maybe just some other time.
I saw Zaine and Cheska in the canteen at the end. Their conversation also seems serious. We approached and only then did they notice us.
"Cheska, Zaine." I call them.
"Jane, how's the competition?" Cheska asked as we sat down. She even moved next to Zaine so we could talk properly.
"It's over but it's mind-blowing." I sighed and turned to Chelsea who's just quiet.
"What happened to Chelsea?" Zaine asked as he looked to our friend. They are facing each other while Cheska is in front of me. I wonder where's the other?
"I don't know either. Cliff and I had a misunderstanding earlier."
I have not yet mentioned some of the things I noticed. I think it's something I don't need to interfere. We do have our own privacies. And I will not interfere with Chelsea and Clifford even though I am their friend already.
At first I was unfamiliar with them. I don't want to have a friend anymore because of my past friends. Even though its just a simple reason, yet it brought a big impact to me. They have betrayed and backstabbed me.
But with them is different. They came and persevered in my life. Quiet and unassuming. I am kind to the person who is kind to me. I appreciate someone when they check me and ask me if I'm okay, if I have doubt, and something like that.
And I think this is the time that I need to trust them wholeheartedly. Without any doubts and assumptions that they will betray me just like my previous friends were.
"Would you like to go home later? It's mom's birthday today." Cheska invited us. I also did not go to there house yet.
"I have nothing to do later," Chelsea said when she heard her friend's question. "Ma'am Santos also said that we can go home early because the results may take a long time before they will release it." She added.
"We don't have a class anymore." Zaine replied. I turned to him. His smiles never fade away. He is the type of person who is heavenly but mysterious. I never seen him get angry.
Maybe he was annoyed when he found out that Cheska texted Nathan when he was absent. Not a typical reaction from a best friend.
Then, does he like his best friend, Cheska?