Chapter 1
My first-period class sucks. Sinong matinong tao ang mae-excite pumasok sa school na Mathematics class agad ang klase? Calculus 'yon, 'te. Hindi ko kinakaya.
The second semester started for almost three weeks already and knowing that I'm failing one subject already makes me discouraged more to even go to school. I barely made it in the first semester, and here I am, making the same struggle for a second time.
Bettie, a friend of mine and also my seatmate, laughs at me as she watches me struggle to come up with a solution since our teacher gave the answer already. Por que, tapos na niya ang seatwork. She continues to watch me as our teacher announces how many minutes are left for us to finish. Knowing that I only have 10 minutes frustrates me even more. I kept on thinking where and what will I change.
Then, isang minuto na lang ay pasahan na ng papel, naaninagan ko ang isang anino sa gilid ko. May inilapag siyang scratch paper sa desk ko, kaya agad akong napangiti. Kinopya ko kaagad ang mga nakasulat doon, solution kung paano nakuha ang sagot at proof. When I finished writing, still a big smile plastered on my face, passed my paper to Bettie quickly as I still have the adrenaline inside of me.
I don't usually do this. I know cheating is an immoral way of giving/receiving, but I also have to thank the person who helped me. I looked up and was stunned to see who the person was. My enemy, Perri John Trinidad, The bully.
Well, although I'm the only one who he bullies, still, right? Tsk, bully.
I stood up and met his gaze. I don't wanna seem rude, even if we hate each other, so I bowed to him and muttered a low 'thanks'. He just smirked at me, got the paper and crumpled it, put it in his pockets as he went to his seat again.
I just sat again. Inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko for my next class. Ang weird-weird talaga ng taong 'yon. I got all my stuff now and went out of the room. I stood by the door to wait for Bettie so we can go to our second class together.
As I wait, I noticed PJ still on his seat not doing anything. All our classmates are out of the room now and that is only the time he started picking all his stuff, put in his bag, and stood up ready to walk out. But he caught me looking at him so he smirked again.
"All you do is smirk. Do you even know how to actually smile?" I asked him, irritated at his face.
"And all you do is to stare. You can take a picture, though. Lasts longer, I bet," he said and walked past me. I felt the blood run through my face. I just made a face at his back as he continues to walk until I couldn't see a glimpse of his back anymore.
"Ash-" I heard Bettie say but I still had my eyes on where PJ walked. I mumbled even more as I call him names like jerk, arsehole, king of bad vibes, and more. Then Bettie snapped her fingers at me that made me look at her.
"What're you mumbling about? Kung ano-ano ang lumalabas diyan sa bibig mo, Ash Rodrigo!" she warned. I blinked at her and realized she's right.
"I couldn't help it," I said trying to justify what I did but sighed. "Right, won't do it again. Promise." Then, we went off to our second class.
I still don't know why I sucked at Math. Science has Math. And I'm quite good at Science. Maybe I just sucked at numbers. But then again, Math has letters called as variables. And Science has, too. And I really don't suck at it. Should I-
"Just shut up and listen to the subject you don't suck so your teacher doesn't get you to detention?" a voice said.
"Yeah, right. I should just focus more." That's really a great idea. "Thanks."
"You are very much welcome, Ash Rodrigo." My teacher said. I smiled at myself, she's so nice.
I heard people laughing around me, and Bettie slapped my shoulder. That is when I looked in front and saw my classmates' smiling faces. Tumingin rin ako sa teachers' desk and saw Miss Leila raising an eyebrow at me.
I now realized everything so I lifted both my hands and covered my face.
"Pay attention, Rodrigo. I'll let this slide. Instead of two hours of detention, an hour it is. Chem Club will hear about this." WHAT?
"I promise, this won't happen again, Miss! Give me another chance," I begged. Going to detention in this school is a nightmare. They will include it in your all-time record as if you were suspended and call your parent(s) for them to know. I already experienced it once, and I know once is enough. I was grounded for a month because my mom thought I was rebelling. I was just late by 5 minutes! Then, I was threatened to be kicked out of the Chemistry Club.
"Meet me after class, Rodrigo. You too, Trinidad," she said. She turned her back at me after she rolled her eyes when I gave her my brightest smile. I was still smiling brightly until I turned to face PJ, and stuck my tongue out at him. He lowly chuckled and faced the front as I frowned at him. What a dickhe-. I said I'll stop. Okay. I thought as felt Bettie looking at me. So, I looked at her but she just raised a brow at me.
Why do I keep embarrassing myself? Now, I made sure I won't say that out loud to not embarrass myself more. I hope this day would end soonest!
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Jajaxvi✨