Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 15

"I'm sorry about last time," I halfheartedly uttered.

The girl who couldn't even look into my eyes started twiddling her fingers in front of me. I woke up early so I could make it up with her while there are few students. It'll be embarrassing if they see me apologizing.

The whole canteen is empty, just some early lunchlady and staffers. Dahil anak siya ng isa sa mga nagtitinda ay inasahan ko nang dadatnan ko siya. Maaga silang pumapasok para maglinis at magluto ng lunch ng mga estudiyante.

"I was furious that day. I also burned my finger and you poured the soup on me. I'm sorry if I pushed you out of anger. Sorry sa mga bad words.'I was born with this kind of mouth."

She's not lifting her face. Nakayuko lang siya at takot na takot sa presensiya ko. Masama tuloy ang tingin sa akin ng mga kasamahan niya roon sa counter.

I cut inches in between us and held her shoulder. It was a forced touch, just to make her feel that I'm not mad already. I can just use alcohol later. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat nang dumampi ang kamay ko sa malamig niyang balat. I gently squished it.

"Are we good now?" I tried my best to be as soft as I could.

For the first time, she lifted her face and looked at me. I faked a smile so she could smile too. She nodded, giving me a yes.

"S-Sorry din, h-hindi ko sinasadya. H-Hindi na mauulit, promise."

She even shook her head. I took back my hand and nodded. It's taking me too long and I need to leave the canteen now or else some students will see me.

"I need to go Joyce. By the way, I'm Leigh."

Ako itong nagmamadali, pero humabol pa ako ng pakilala. She took my hand and lightly shook it. Hindi na niya kailangan sabihin ang pangalan niya dahil alam ko na. Ako ang bumitaw sa kamay niya bago ngumiti sa huling pagkakataon at tumalikod.

Like a mask that I just wore for a play, my smile instantly vanished and my bitch facade took over. Alcohol kaagad ang una kong hinanap sa bag. I almost used half of it just to make sure I was germs-free.

Friday ngayon kaya puwede sana kaming magsuot ng civilian, but today is different. First Friday of the month kaya may misa kami sa school chapel. We are required to wear anything as long as it's not 'revealing' or else we will be branded as disrespectful and unholy. We were also advised to wear white tops. Nagsuot na lang ako ng white,'long sleeve blouse, maong pants at white,'scarpin heels.

Pailan-ilan pa lang ang mga kaklase ko nang dumating ako, pero nang pumatak na ang alas-syete ay sunod-sunod na silang nagsidatingan.

"Holy cow, Luca Pacioli, father of accounting!"

Idris came and started greeting me with a tease. Nakahawak pa ang lalaki sa bibig na animo'y gulat na gulat dahil naunahan ko siyang pumasok ngayon. I looked at him sideways.

"Himala ata ang umatake sa 'yo, Leigh. Ang aga mo, ha. Excited ka ba matunaw mamaya?"

"Gusto mo ikaw ialay ko? Kung lunurin kaya kita sa holy water?"

"Paano yung lunod? Sample nga," ani lalaki at tinusok ang pisngi ko gamit ang daliri niya.

Sinubukan ko siyang hulihin pero lumayo siya. He stuck his tongue out while giving me a weird face—ugly face I should say. I bared my teeth and threw him a piece of crumpled paper before harshly wiping my cheeks that he just touched.

"Smile ka kasi, magmumukha kang cheap niyan," aniya at unti-unting lumalapit sa akin.

I'm not planning to put up a fight with him, so I chose not to feed the troll.