Sake is already in Grade 11 and as expected from him, he got into a prestigious school known for accepting only REALLY smart kids called
Alco Academy.
He's 17. is 5'9. has black hair. wears glasses.
His father is Filipino, and his mother is Japanese. Sake K. Torres is his full name. And as long as he lives, he must not dirty the Torres especially in this school.
Mojito Torres, his dad. Owner of Torres Co., a famous alcohol business. He is an alumnus of Alco Academy and graduated as the valedictorian.
Getting that man's kid into the same school is big news to the school itself since many people there still know who he is.
And just who wouldn't know about Torres Alcohol Co.? Especially the geezers in that school.
Today is his first day, and Sake is excited to secure the number one spot in his new class,
Class 125.
--
"Since the first day, so far everything has been ok." Sake begins his internal monologue.
"With all the times I've recited in class, I'm sure I got full marks in recitation. And with the numerous tasks, quizzes, and projects where I got above 95% marks—
And with the recently finished exams last week that I'm confident I did well on,
I'm pretty sure I'm in the top 3, at least. Or with the amount of confidence I have right now, maybe I'm really the top.. 1?" Sake chuckled. And when he realized he did, he quickly went back to his poker face and his raised chin.
He's now walking down the hallway towards a crowded spot where a large bulletin board was. There pasted papers which were ordered.
"And here are the results. This is where we'll find out the top students in each class—"
Since Sake has prescription glasses, he only needed a few more squinting from afar to see what's on the papers.
"—and as part of Class 125, which only consists of the top 25 students (based on grades) who want to take ABM, our top 12 is also the top 12 in the entire ABM track—
So!
Of course, if I get top 1, I'll also be the top 1 in the entire ABM strand at Alco Academy."
That's why he began searching for his class.
"123...124...ah!" he exclaimed with a smile.
But it quickly disappeared when he saw whose name was at the top of the list.
1. Whiskey X. Reyes
"... okay." Sake took a step back. "It's been a while but I've also experienced being on top 2... and actually, the lowest rank I ever got was top 3 back when I was in 7th grade- when I was trying to familiarize myself with the school."
But his remaining confidence vanished immediately when he saw who was the top 2 and 3.
2. Gin Y. Santos
3. Tequila Z. Tolentino
It's not. It's not his name that was there.
His heart began to tighten and beat rapidly.
"Huh?" He clutched his uniform over his chest. "This feeling… the last time I felt this was when I got a barely-passed score in 7th grade.
It's not like that was the first time I felt this either... but I know the anxiety only went away when daddy found out about it.
Even though I didn't want to tell the truth, I was also scared that he might find out about my score and that I even lied to him about it! So I confessed…
And after that, he started hitting me with his belt—on parts of my body that were easy to hide.
I was grounded for a month. He took away my gadgets and books, only leaving the educational ones for me to read.
And it's maddening.
AND THAT'S WHY THIS FEELING OF MY HEART TIGHTENING FEELS TIGHTER THAN EVER—"
Not only his pupils but his body began to shake.
"I'M AT MY FATHER'S SCHOOL. FUCKING ALCO ACADEMY.
Countless times, he has been bragging about his memories here
EVER SINCE I WAS LIKE 5!!!
And since almost everyone here knows me as "Mojito Torres's son,"
WHAT WILL THEY THINK NOW THAT EVEN IN THE TOP 3, I'M NOT THERE??
And my father? Of course, he'd be the most embarrassed...
Just what kind of punishment will he give me?
Knowing him, he might starve me for a month? only allow me to eat beans once a day??
Or maybe he'll lock me in the basement? where they keep all the things they no longer need..
At least I might see my favorite stuffed toy that they just took away from me one day... or maybe they've already burned it in the fireplace without me realizing it..."
He rambled and rambled more in his thoughts until his body just felt numb all over. His eyes lifeless.
He only snapped back to reality when someone bumped into him.
"...
It doesn't even matter. the rank.
I can just talk to my teachers later in case it was just a mistake." With that reasoning, life started returning to his eyes.
"Now, just where am I on this list? Top 4?"
And when he saw who was fourth on the list,
That became his last straw.
"E-e-e-e-e-even top 4, I'm not it?!
Top 5??
Still not?!!!
6??
7????
8??????
9?????????
10????????!!!!!
e-eleven?"
His mouth remained agape the whole time. He felt a brief sense of relief when he finally saw his name on the paper.
12. Sake K. Torres
His legs want to give out already…
But he held himself back since there were so many people around. And it was better not to add more to the embarrassment of being known as Mojito Torres's son.
"Not even in the top 10..."
Luckily, he managed to walk away from the bulletin board where the other students were in front of, either being visibly disappointed with the results or celebrating as if there's no tomorrow.
When he got home, he was greeted with a loud slap to the face by his father.
And every night since then, just like when he was in 7th grade,
under the stress and pressure weighing him down,
he began cutting himself again.
End of Chapter 1 - Sake K. Torres