Meriedeth Salazar
It's still early so I went with Wesley. We are here at the ground floor of our building, we are at the sides of the hallway. There are students passing through the hallway going to their classrooms.
"What are we going to talk about?"
He looked at me and took a deep breath.
"I just want to give this club application form to you, maybe you'll change your mind," as he handed out a paper.
I just stared at the paper that he is holding. My eyes widened when he grabbed my hand and place the paper. It's a club application form. I looked at him and shook my head.
"I don't want to join. I'm not interested."
"I know but just take it, maybe you'll change your mind," and he smiled.
My forehead frowned because of what he said, I looked at the contents written in the paper.
Club application form
Club: EEHS Swimming club
There are also rules of the club that are written here and club benefits. There is also signatures of the club president and vice-president. On the last part, signature over printed name of the applicant and guardian or parent's signature.
"If you change your mind, your signature and your guardian's signature are the only things you need. No registration fees needed."
I looked at him.
"There are registration fees when you join other clubs?"
His eyes widen because of my question and he smiled.
"Yup, there are registration fees when you join other clubs but at the swimming club, it's free."
He looks excited, maybe he thoughts I will join the club.
"With a registration fee or not, I'm still not joining."
He just nodded and smiled. Such a positive person.
"Don't expect anything because I'm not going to join."
"Even if, you're first place at the freestyle event?"
I took a deep breath before answering him.
"To be honest, I really don't want to get involved in swimming again. I just did it because Andrea wasn't around that time, and Fuentabella and the others are pushy about it," his just staring at me. "And I have no plans in swimming again."
"I understand, Meriedeth. But, I hope so."
"You're such a positive person," I can't help it.
"We should look at the positive things in life."
"But being too positive is a bad thing. You'll expect too much and if doesn't meet your expectations, you'll end up blaming people."
"Then, we should accept the results of every action and move forward."
Wow.
"I'll go on ahead, it's almost time. See you around, Meriedeth," he tapped my shoulder and walked away.
When I arrived at the room, I saw the three of them talking. They greeted me, I just replied with a nod. Rovic asked me about the assignment in Araling Panlipunan. I just handed him my book.
"I saw you and Kuya Wesley talking at hallway," I looked at Eryx.
"He just handed a form."
"You'll join the club?" Shelanie asked.
"Nope."
Our teacher is still not here, I plugged in my headphones and listened to some songs. I keep the volume low, so I can hear the people around me and also, if the teacher will arrive.
"I pity you guys," I heard Shelanie said.
"I guess, this will be our last year for swimming," Eryx said.
"Hey, Rovic. Are you really serious of not joining the swimming club?" Shelanie asked.
"Don't disturb me. I'm still copying," Solider answered.
"Seriously?"
"I already did the try-outs for the basketball team" I heard Rovic said.
"As if you will get accepted."
"That hurt, Shells!"
"When did I became Shells?"
"Right now?"
I just shook my head because of what I have heard. Our teacher arrived and class began. Time passed, it's lunch. I stood up and hang my bag on my shoulder but Shelanie hold my arm.
"Why?"
"Join us."
I looked at the three of them, they pulled their lunchboxes from their bag. I just nodded and took my seat to join them. They are just talking to each other while eating.
"Shark girl, why don't you share something about yourself," I rasied a brow at Rovic.
I noticed that Shelanie and Eryx is staring at me, waiting for me to speak.
"I have no stories to tell."
"E?"
I drink some water and stared at him.
"If you're wondering if I have friends from the last school that I attended, well, I don't," and I eat some of my food.
"Bestfriend?" Shelanie asked.
"None—"
An image flashed into my mind.
"Girls! No matter what happens we are bestfriends."
"Of course."
"Even if we are far apart."
I shook my head, why did I remember them?
I looked at Shelanie and the others.
"None. I don't have one."
"Are you sure about that, Shark girl?"
"I don't know if they still consider me as their bestfriend. So, why should I call them bestfriend when I don't even know? Tss."
"Maybe they still consider you up until now," Shelanie said.
I did not speak a word, I'm done eating, I arranged my lunchbox before putting it away and I drink some water. Shelanie and the others are also done and they are putting away their lunchboxes.
"Guys, Ate Mel is going to treat us at the cafeteria. Should we go?" Shelanie asked.
"We still have 30 minutes, we could," Eryx answered.
"Let's go, I want some dessert," Rovic said.
They looked at me, I'm still sitting on my chair.
"Let's go, Salazar," Shelanie told me.
I just found myself walking with them towards the cafeteria. When we arrived there, Melanie treated us some slice of cake. Rovic is very happy, Wesley is also with us.
"What's up? Why did you treat us, Ate Mel?" Rovic asked.
"Nothing, I just feel like, there is no more chance to have new members for the club."
"Dude, just join the club already," Eryx said to Rovic.
"I'll join the basketball team, the results are not yet posted. I can't do both on the same time."
"Shela, just join the club," Melanie said to her sister.
"Ate, I don't know how to swim."
"Even if manager, that's okay."
"You're the club manager."
Melanie's gaze and mine met, and she grinned. I know what she is going to say so I speak first.
"I'm still not interested."
"Eryx and the others said, you haven't join any club yet."
"I don't want to join."
"Even if you won the freestyle event?"
I raised a brow at her.
"Yes, I won. But, that doesn't mean I'm interested."
"What a waste!"
"I guess focus we should just focus on our academics when the club is going to be dissolved," Wesley said.
I can feel a hint of sadness from them. But, still, I will not join. I just swam that day because they are forcing me to do it and I want them to stop.
I have no plans in swimming again. Tss.
"Well! Since, the club is almost going to be dissolve. As vice-president of EESH swimming club, we are going to hold a small party at the swimming club building this Friday."
"I feel like not attending," Rovic said.
"Oh come on, the three of you are not club members but I will allow you to take a dip at the swimming pool for free so please attend. Bring your swimwear," she continue. "Also, don't worry about the food, the expenses are on us."
"You're going to use the club's funds?" Eryx asked.
"The club is going to dissolve, the funds will be given to the other clubs that need funds. You know how we work hard last year to save it up, right?"
None of us utter a word.
"It's much better if we are the ones who are going to use the funds. I'll be the one to do everything, so, don't worry!" Melanie said while smiling but in her smile, I know there is sadness behind it.
When I arrived at home, I saw Kuya cooking.
"You're early," I said and placed my bag sa couch.
"Aunty Rebecca will be arriving soon."
"Really?" he just nodded.
I immediately fix the table. After a few minutes we put the food on the table. Somebody hit the door bell, I ran towards outside. I saw Aunty Rebecca near the gate.
"You did not told me you are going to visit, Aunty," I told her as I opened the gate.
"You didn't even called me, e."
"I forgot po, Kuya is inside. Let's go po."
When we went inside she greeted Kuya and asked how he is. We sat down to eat dinner. We are just talking to each other while eating, I offered to wash the dishes that we used.
"How's your event, Deth? Did you won?" Aunty Rebecca asked while wiping the plates that I washed.
I just nodded.
"That's great. When is the next event?"
"Aunty, I'm not joining po. It's just that it was all a timing that the swimmer for the event is not around that's why they let me enter for the event."
"But, you enjoyed it, right?"
I glanced at Aunty Rebecca and returned my gaze to the plate that I was washing.
"My feelings are not important."
"Deth."
"Aunty, I don't want to swim again. Maybe something bad will happen. It will be all my fault."
"You can do what you want. If you're worried because of what happened to Marjorie, it's all in the past."
"Aunty, even it's in the past it's not gone in their minds, they are still thinking that it's all my fault!" I annoyingly said.
Aunty did not utter a word, she kept on wiping the plates and utensils that I washed.
"No matter how I explain everything to them it's still my fault! They don't have any idea what happened to me, I almost drowned too! But, they did not believe me!"
My vision turned blurry because of the tears forming. When did I last cried?
Ah, the day when Papa almost died because of what he heard.
I wiped my tears and continued washing the glasses.
"It's my fault that Marjorie almost died, I almost died that day too. What if those kids did not help us back there? Then, me and Marjorie wouldn't be here anymore!"
Aunty glanced at me and nodded.
"Not all of us are perfect. I told Marjorie that we shouldn't jump there but what? She slipped! I have no other choice but to jump to save her! Is it my fault that my feet began to have cramps? If only she just listen to me there would be no accident! Papa wouldn't have a heart attack? Mama and Papa would be here right now! But, bullshit!" I said in tone full of rage and annoyance as I sat at the floor.
"Let it all out, Deth."
"I don't know if I would be happy or not that Marjorie woke up. She did not remember anything that happened. Uncle Mario? If the words he said can kill, I'm long gone beneath the ground," I can't help myself but to laugh bitterly.
I breathe in and wiped my tears.
"Nobody asked me if I was fine! The thing that they saw? Are my mistakes! That everything is my fault! I invited Marjorie to jump down there. What the fuck? I'm the one who stopped her to go there and then, arggh! What happened is bullshit!"
I stood up and was about to go upstairs when my gaze meet my brother's.
"What do you mean by that, Meriedeth?"
I sighed, Aunty Rebecca tapped my shoulder.
"I'll handle your brother."
"Thank you po, Aunty."
I grabbed my bag and went upstairs and locked myself inside my room. I looked at my notebook to check if I have any assignments.
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Small trivia:
Araling Panlipunan – is a subject about history, most about Philippine History.