Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Thirty-Seven: It's Valentines

-chapter thirty-seven-

"Serena, I was the seventh shapeshifter they had in there. And I was looking for you because I wanted to thank you. For saving me."

February 13 is a warning sign that hell's about to come.

Masama ang tingin ko sa bawat puso na nakadecorate sa buong hallway. I can't believe Yuri told the students about the threat and here they are, inviting Cupid to visit. The hallway benches are also filled with students talking about the chocolates they'll bake, the letters they'll write and what the perfect decoration is.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Ana na pasimpleng kumakanta. Sa tabi niya si Rachel na nag-aapply ng lipstick. Sabay silang napatingin sa'kin dahil sa masamang aura na inilalabas.

"Why do you look like you want to murder someone?" tanong ni Rachel.

"Because I do. If I could, I would have just skipped time to February 15. This is stupid."

"Nako~" Ana grinned. "Sigurado akong aabangan mo ang Valentines, Serena. I know some people who will really kidnap you that day."

Tinapunan ko lamang siya ng irap. As if I have time for those festivities. Mas mabuti pa ang matulog.

Humagikhik si Rachel na akala mo naman ay bagay sa kaniya. I gave her a look that says 'you're stupid'. Umismid siya.

Bumuntong-hininga ako't tumayo. "They have to be really skilled if they want to kidnap me." pagkatapos kong sabihin 'yon ay umalis ako.

I actively avoided the happiness and excitement that's vibrating from the students. Are they not aware of the threat in their lives? Why are they spending a crucial day to enjoy and not to prepare? Rather than decorating heat balloons, they should start escaping. Why must people be so stupid.

Napatigil ako nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan at lumabas doon ang napakayang mukha ni Minami. Her eyes landed on me and she smiled widely.

"Serena!"

Bahagya akong napaatras. Bakit parang may mangyayaring masama?

"Perfect timing! Bakit hindi mo subukan ang training na ginagawa ko?"

Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa'kin kaya naman umatras din ako. I bumped into someone's body. Nang lumingon ako ay nasa likod ko na si Dale na hinaharangan ang daan ko. He looks like he's been dragged into something he doesn't want to be a part of.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. If you're being forced, well I won't be! I will never ride someone's flow. Bahala na anong mangyari. Kung ayoko, ayoko.

"I don't want to." banta ko sa kaniya.

"I'm only following my sister's orders. Sa kaniya ka magpaalam."

He has the 'save me, I don't also want to do this' face. Napasimangot ako't nag-isip ng magandang paraan.

Umangat ang kilay ko. "If I beat you in a game, would you let me go?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. Dale sighed. "Fine. What game?"

I produced a dice from my jean's pocket. Ipinakita ko ito sa kaniya. I smirked.

"Simple lang. We guess what number does the dice have."

Saglit siyang sumulyap kay Minami na mukhang naging interesado sa laro. "Alright."

"Yes, go Kuya! Sorry na lang, Serena-chan, but Kuya never loses in that game. Palaging tama ang mga hula niya!"

Heh. Really? Ngumisi ako kay Dale na umismid lang.

Inihagis ko ang dice sa ere. Then when it hit the top, I stopped the time. Pinasingkit ko ang mata para mas makita ang nakalagay na numero doon. Then, I let the seconds continue while simultaneously catching the dice.