MARICON
"What is the slope of the line perpendicular to line x = -3?"
I sighed and wrapped a curl of my hair on my finger. I looked at her confusedly.
"How am I supposed to answer that?" reklamo ko.
She sighed before putting down the book. "Kanina pa tayo nag-aaral, Maricon. You're so irritating na."
I chuckled. "Until now, I still don't know why should I study that. Magagamit ko ba 'yang slope na 'yan in real life? Nope!"
"Tinuturo kasi 'to sa school, Maricon. How are you going to catch up when you enter Avalon High if you don't know about this?"
I propped my chin on my palm before looking at her. "Do you really think that I can step my feet on Avalon High, Ate Kelly?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows, right? Maybe suwertihin ka suddenly."
Luck?
"Ah, basta! I'm so tired na. I don't want to study anymore," reklamo ko bago tumayo papunta sa kama ko.
She sighed and held my wrist. "Wala pa tayo sa kalahati, Maricon. Come on! You should be thankful pa nga na ako ang nagtuturo sa'yo. What more kung si Celeste pa, right?"
I boredly looked at her. "Ate Celeste is busy with her plates. She can't help me," I remarked.
"How about me? Tingin mo ba, I'm not busy?"
"Ikaw kasi. You can just go straight into the showbiz industry. Bakit kailangan mo pang mag-aral ng Marketing? That's so not you."
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin at bumuntong hininga. "Ang point ko, you should be studying instead of laying down all day."
"Dali na, Ate Kelly. Bukas nalang ulit, please?" I brushed my palms together and looked at her, still trying to convince her with my charms.
But it didn't work.
She let out a harsh breath before giving me a book. "Study," maikli niyang sabi at tumalikod na.
I pouted before going back to my desk and sat beside her. "Final na talaga? Hindi ba pwedeng bukas nalang?"
Umiling siya. "Tapusin mo 'yan or else isusumbong kita sa Daddy mo. You choose."
I raked my fingers through my hair before opening the book as a sign of defeat.
"Ate Kelly already went home, Dad," bungad ko kay Daddy nang makapasok ako sa office niya.
He removed his glasses and smiled at me. "Did you enjoy your lesson?"
I sighed and sat on the chair infront of his desk. "Are you kidding, Dad? Studying is something that I would never enjoy."
He chuckled. "But the Admission Test for Avalon High is already on next week. Are you ready?"
"But Daddy, do I really need to go to that school? I mean, the chance of me passing the Admission Test would be 1 percent out of 100. That's impossible."
"Kaya nga kailangan mong mag-aral, anak."
I pouted and toyed with a lock of hair on my finger. "And in fact, I don't really want go to Avalon High. Ayos na ako rito."
He sighed and leaned against his swivel chair. "Ilang taon ka nang nagh-homeschool, Maricon. It's the perfect time for you to catch up to the real world."
"You can just enroll me to a normal school. Bakit sa Avalon High pa po? That school is full of geeks. I certainly don't belong there," reklamo ko.
Muli siyang tumawa at nginitian ako. "You will. Trust me."
I sighed and looked at him helplessly. "Final na?"
"I'll buy anything you want if you will take the test. I promise," he said, not answering my question.
"But Daddy, aren't you nervous? What if I'll fail? I might tarnish your reputation if ever."
"Saka na lamang natin isipin kapag nangyari na. Ang mahalaga, sinubukan mo," he answered.
"But Daddy—"
I was interrupted by a sudden knock. I looked at my wrist watch and found out that it is already six in the evening. Sinong pupunta rito sa bahay namin nang ganitong oras?
"Mr. Alferro?"
Dad smiled before resting backwards again, taking on a more relaxed stance. "Come in," he ordered.
Agad namang bumukas ang pinto. A guy wearing an Avalon High uniform entered. But it's summer break? Why is he wearing a uniform?
"Did you came here straight from your summer class?" Dad asked.
The guy nodded and handed out a folder to my father.
I propped my chin on my palm while looking at him. He looks good. Gwapo sana pero mukhang masiyadong seryoso.
"The Dean asked me to give this to you, Mr. Alferro."
My lips drew in a straight line upon hearing him speak. Why does his voice sounds so good and delicate? It's like a music to my ears.
Tinanggap ni Dad ang ibinigay na folder noong lalaki at marahang binuksan iyon. After scanning it, he placed it on the table.
The guy shoved his gray hair back away from his face and looked at my Dad once again. Why won't he look at me, though?
"Is this all?" My Dad asked.
The guy nodded again. "The Dean said you should sign it immediately. Ibabalik ko na rin po bukas."
I bit the insides of my cheeks, trying to stop myself from smiling. His voice sound so good! It's manly even when he's speaking in Tagalog.
I toyed with a lock of hair on my hand, still looking at him. My Dad cleared his throat, gazing on me. I looked at him and just shrugged my shoulders.
"Just tell him that I'll give it to him personally tomorrow. I can't sign it tonight," Dad answered.
The guy's brows furrowed but he still nod his head afterwards. He looks cute.
"If that's the case, maybe I should go now. Thank you for your time, Mr. Alferro," the guy remarked.
Agad naman akong tumingin kay Daddy at pinanlakihan siya ng mata. He shrugged at me before looking at the guy again.
"You may go," Dad said.
The guy nodded and marched towards the door. My mouth fell open. Did he just ignored me?!
I looked harshly at my father after the handsome guy left. "You should have introduce me to him, Daddy!" reklamo ko.
My Dad laughed. "Do you like him?"
"Kinda. He looks fine," I answered.
Napailing siya. "Kids nowadays," he uttered.
"What is his name, Dad?"
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "I'll tell you after you take the test."
"Are you serious?" I let out a harsh breath as I scrunched up my face.
He nodded. "Deal?"
"I won't fell for that trick, Daddy. Kapag sinabi kong ayaw ko, ayaw ko talaga. I don't want to enter Avalon High— not even for that guy."
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