LA ORIAN ACADEMY (Season II): Moving To The Top

PROLOGUE

Suzanne let go a shaky breath as soon as she saw the results on the board.

INTERNATIONAL QUIZ BEE AND BOWL, ASIAN DIVISION WINNERS

1ST – Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School, Tokyo, Japan

2ND – La Orian Academy, Manila, Philippines

Hindi n'ya inasahan ang magiging resulta ng pinaghirapan nilang dalawa. Hindi n'ya inasahan na dahil lamang sa hindi pagkakaintindihan ay hahantong sa ganito ang lahat.

"Finally, after a long, tight battle of the brains, we finally broke the tie and have a winner!"

Dahan-dahang napalingon si Suzanne kay Mark at kitang-kita n'ya ang nagdidilim na aura ng binate.

"M-Mark, so—"

"Don't," tahimik s'yang napasinghap. "Don't ever say that fucking word."

"Mark! Mark, sandali!" holding the silver trophy, Suzanne was chasing the hell out of Mark. The guy just suddenly walked out after they accepted the trophy and talked to their coach.

Suzanne was tired, to be real honest. She's already tired of everything which also includes chasing Mark right now but she must do it, she really needs to apologize.

"Mark! Makinig ka naman sa'kin! Please!" napasinghap s'ya nung biglang humarap si Mark sa kanya at kinuha mula sa kanya and trophy.

Nagulat na lamang s'ya nung bigla na lamang tinapon ni Mark ang trophy sa sahig at bago pa man s'ya tuluyang makaangal o makapagsalita ng kung ano, bigla na lamang s'yang sinandal ni Mark sa pader.

Napaigik s'ya. Ramdam n'ya ang sakit ngunit hindi na lamang s'ya umimik at agad n'yang tinignan si Mark. "Mark, alam kong kasalanan ko pero hindi mo dapat—"

"Shut the fuck up, Suzanne," Suzanne could actually feel Mark's breathe on her lips since his face is just centimeters away from her.

"Mark! Alam kong galit ka sa akin at alam kong kasalanan ko pero hindi mo naman kailangang gawin 'to! Makinig ka naman sa akin!"

"That's it!" Mark yelled as he punched the wall just beside Suzanne's head, making her squeeze her eyes shut and flinch. "That's fucking it! I listened to you! I fucking listened to you that's why you have the audacity to toy the shit out of me! And that's the huge mistake I've ever done!"

Unti-unting binuksan ni Suzanne ang kanyang mga mata. Kitang-kita n'yang nanginginig sag alit si Mark. Bago pa man s'ya makapagsalita ay umalis na si Mark sa harap n'ya at iniwan s'ya.

Hinang-hina s'yang napasandal sa pader si Suzanne at tuluyan na rin s'yang napaupo sa sahig dahil na rin sa panghihina ng kanyang tuhod. Dumako ang mga mata n'ya sa nasirang tropeo na hawak n'ya kanina. Naluha na lamang s'ya at tuluyan na ring humagulgol sa iyak. Maya-maya'y nag-ring ang kanyang cellphone at agad n'yang sinagot ito.

"Archles..."