The week came by faster than expected. It's already Friday, and everyone is just really busy with homework and activities that eventually lead up to our exams. Somehow, the girls got worried too with their grades. I bet that they received an earful from their parents.
Nate attended school on Monday. I thought to avoid him whenever I met him in school, but luckily, we haven't bumped into one another lately. The atmosphere became more awkward than before between us.
It's almost lunchtime, and we're currently having our Biology class now. We are at the school garden mesmerizing at all the plants that are present here. We are tackling plant cells and stuff since Botany is a branch of Biology. I'm amazed by the students who keep the plants really healthy here in the garden. It takes so much effort! If I was given a plant, I think it would die on me on the third day. That's how irresponsible I can be.
"Okay. Trivia Question. Whoever could answer will have five extra points on the exams," the teacher said.
Everyone was gasping and excited to answer the question. Five points are no easy feat to gain especially if it's extra points. This could just be the only thing that could pull the score to passing.
"Here's the question: What is the process by which the microspores of a seed plant are transferred to another compatible plant of the same type?"
I raised my hand and answered immediately, "Pollination." I turned my head around when I heard another person answer, and it was Nate.
"Wow! I'm amazed you know the answer Ms. Harper. I've noticed you've been actively participating in our classes lately. Is this you turning a new leaf this year?" the teacher said, taking an interest in my unusual behavior.
"Probably," I said.
The teacher laughed at my answer. The girls looked at me and back at Nate, but Valerie looked straight at me with an eyebrow raised. I looked away. I suddenly felt intimidated by her.
"Well, since Mr. Cooper and Ms. Harper answered at the same time, both of you will get the extra points," the teacher said.
I did not show my happy self for gaining extra points in front of everyone. In my mind, I was jumping and smiling because I got it. It really pays off to study in advance. This will now be my assurance for my Biology test.
The bell rang, and our teacher dismissed the class. Valerie grabbed me by the arm and interlocked our arms together. "Let's date," she said. I was caught by surprise, and she dragged me out of the garden, leaving Kate and Jane behind.
Valerie brought me to our favorite cafe near the school. We used to hang out a lot in this place back in the day. We love it here because of the fresh coffee beans we could smell and the aesthetically-pleasing interior it has. It's a small cafe but loaded with food, desserts, and of course coffee.
"On me. What do you want?" Valerie said. We're both by the counter. She didn't even bother to look at me when she asked. She was just staring at the menu board in front of her.
I feel a bit uneasy. She's not usually like this. Why did she bring me here? Did she find out that I've been working in a different cafe in another town? I bit my lip, overthinking the possible reasons why she was blunt about having a date one-on-one.
"Lu, what's yours?" she asked again. I definitely could hear tension and irritation right there.
"Oh! Sorry. Hmm, mochaccino cold and chicken parmesan pasta," I said.
She repeated my order to the staff. The staff punched in our order and gave us a device that will buzz if our order is already available by the counter.
We sat by the window. There weren't that many customers around. One of the reasons we really liked this place was that not too many people come here.
There was an awkward silence between us. I keep on fidgeting my fingers, anxious and thinking of the "why" we are here.
"So…" Valerie said, eyes staring at me intently.
"Hmm?" I grabbed the glass of water that was just served and took a sip from it.
"Is there anything you want to say to me, Lu?" Valerie asked, crossing her arms at her chest. When Valerie really suspects something, she can be very intimidating. I hope my uneasiness isn't that obvious. I breathed in deep and exhaled. I composed myself and straightened my posture. I shouldn't let her overpower me.
"Say anything to you? Why? Should I, Luna Harper, explain anything to you?" I threw back at her the question, implying that as Queen, I am not expected to explain myself to anyone, whatever things may that be.
"I'm not asking as your minion, Luna. I'm asking as your friend," she said, softening her voice a bit, but still, her curious tone is noticeable.
"Ah, friend. It's been a while since I heard that from you," I said, crossing my arms around her too. She shook her head in defeat, aware that she will not be able to get the answers she wants to hear.
The waiter served us our food, and we silently ate our meal. Valerie will not stop until her curiosity has been put to rest. I should be more careful about what she is suspecting because I literally have no idea what it is.
"You know Luna, I envy you," said Valerie. For the first time, I was shocked to hear her admitting this to me.
"Envy? Me? Because of the title?" I asked.
"No. Well, yes! But not just that. I envy how you put up this high wall around you that not even friends can pass through it. I envy your strength as a woman," she said, not even glancing my way.
"Val… Has something happened again… at your--" I was cut off when she faked a laugh in front of me. Ah, there is!
"No! Haha. It's just that I want to say that. I admire you really, despite my obvious jealousy on some things," she said, laughing.
I smiled, but a sad smile that is. For what it's worth, Valerie is much stronger than I am. I'm no strong woman. I am but a coward. Yeah, that's the term I would describe myself.
After our unexpected lunch date, we came back to school for our afternoon classes. The ride back was full of awkward silence. Valerie just kept looking outside the car window, and we split ways when we've arrived at school.
Since I still have time before the next class starts, I went to my favorite place, the rooftop. I hope Nate's not around anymore. I really want to be alone. Yet, the universe seems to keep on bullying me because as soon as I opened the door to the rooftop, Nate was there about to go out.
"Nate!" I said in surprise.
"Luna, what--"
"Oh, I just need some time to be alone," I said, cutting him off, knowing what he'll ask me about.
"Ah. Okay, very well," he said while he stepped aside to make room for me to enter.
"Thanks," I replied and didn't even look back.
Things have been really awkward between Nate and me. Looking back, things are just moving way too fast, but still, I don't understand that whenever I am near him, I feel as if I've known him because I feel safe and comfortable.
Don't get me wrong, Nate has been playful in the first week of class, but he has always been there taking good care of me, but every time we're like centimeters apart, things heat up rapidly. It's dangerous.
At first, I doubted his intentions because he knew what my secret was, but as the day passes by, his intentions are getting more blurry than ever.
Now, I have to think about Valerie too?! She seems to be suspecting me of something, but I don't understand what. Does she already know that I am a penniless queen? I know Valerie. She can make any boy or girl in school kneel down before her, even if it's me. She is merciless. That's why I don't want to get on her bad side, especially if she is on the "right" side of things. Yet, she knows too that I won't back down when she crosses me until she asks for forgiveness. But in this situation, I have more to lose than her.
The bell rang for the afternoon classes. I got up and made my way back to the room.
"So, class, be reminded that exams are two weeks from now. Make sure to study during weekends and avoid unnecessary activities," our homeroom teacher said. The bell rang, signifying that the last class for the week is finally over. Everyone shouted for joy because "thank God it's Friday!."
"Okay. You're dismissed," the teacher said and walked out of the room. I grabbed my things and left the room also, but the Trio blocked my way.
"Where do you think you're going?" Valerie said, putting her hand across the door frame, telling me I can't go anywhere.
Oh god! Please tell me she's dragging me to a club tonight.
"I'll meet you by the front gate. I'll have to stop by the comfort room," I said. Valerie scanned me from head to toe then removed her arm.
"Fine. Better be there 'cause I have something to say, okay?" she said in an assertive tone.
"Yeah," I said and walked away.
I went inside a cubicle, then suddenly, a bunch of girls rushed into the comfort room. I can totally hear their voices.
"Gosh! Can't believe exams are just right around the corner," one girl said.
"I know, right. Mom said she'll hire a tutor for me because my grades aren't moving an inch, she says," another girl said. I could feel that she's pouting in front of her friends.
"Tutor? Then ask Nate!! The geek guy in our class. One time, I also asked our homeroom teacher for tutoring services, and she recommended me, Nate because he needs to comply with hours too as part of his scholarship grant," another girl said. I think there are three girls in the room.
"Oh!! That's great. Then you should ask him Abi. You did say you find him cute," the first girl said.
"What? No. I can't," the girl named Abi said.
"C'mon! Don't be shy. You're even flushing already," the first girl teasingly said.
"But… but… You know there's Luna," Abi said. My attention spiked when my name was mentioned. What did she mean by that?
"Oh right, the so-called Queen Bee?" the third girl said. The other two girls laughed, but Abi didn't.
"Why should you be worried about her? You know she doesn't seem to be the same person as before," the first girl said.
"Exactly! I thought I was the only one who thought of that, but it seems like everyone in class thinks so too," the third girl commented.
"It's like Valerie's taking the lead, and she's just too busy hooking it up with Nate. You know, I heard that they almost fucked in front of---"
The first girl didn't get to finish what she was about to say because they were all shocked to see me come out of the cubicle. Their eyes widen at the sight of me. I did not get fazed over what they talked about but walked through them to get my hands washed. The two girls looked like their souls had been snuck out from them while the girl, Abi, lowered her head. I kept quiet and just focused on washing my hands. No one talked nor even dared to move. I walked away and opened the door to leave.
"You girls should be careful where you take your gossiping sessions. Next time I hear something from those ugly mouths, I will rip your lips out myself. Got that?" I retorted.
"Yes, Queen Lu!" they synchronously said while bowing their heads in front of me.
"Good," I said.
I slammed the door on my way out. I could barely hear their cries of embarrassment and regret from the outside.
I walked with grace and dignity at the corridors to the front gate where the girls and I will meet. Many things have been running around my head since then, but I don't want to look obvious that I am worrying over it.
When I got to the front gate, Valerie was uneasy, so was Kate and Jane.
"What's wrong? You look like you've peed on your clothes," I said with an annoyed tone.
"Someone else was waiting for you," Valerie said.
"Who?" I asked. In unison, the girls stepped aside to make way for me to see who was waiting for me, and it was now my turn to feel like my soul had been snuck out from me.
"Grandfather," I said in shock.
"Get in," he said.
I had no choice but to do as I was told.