Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 18

I watched my classmates wander around our garden. Tuwang-tuwa sila na parang ngayon lang nakakita ng mga halaman. They would faint the moment they know how much those plants cost.

"That's juliet rose, it cost fifteen million dollars each." I pointed it out with arrogance in my voice.

Parang bulakalak na bumuka ang mga kaklase ko nang sabay-sabay silang maglihisan doon.

"Gago, mas mahal pa sa buhay mo, pre," loko ni Darwin kay Idris.

"Hindi bale, kapag nasira Leigh, ako na lang ang papalit. Matinik din ako." Inaayos pa ang kuwelyo kunwari nang tumingin sa akin si Idris.

"Si Rose na lang ipapalit natin, Rose din naman siya."

"Yung Rose pangalan mo, pero mukha ka lang tinik. Sana sinaksak niyo na lang ako," ani Rose.

Umirap ako at lumapit sa kanila. Since they're here, let me show how rich we are. Inisa-isa ko ang mga halaman na nandoon at binanggit ang mga presyo nito habang nakahalukipkip ang mga braso. They're all in awe, but no one wants to touch it anymore even if I asked them to.

"Ito, Leigh, magkano?" turo ni Xyrene ang isang berdeng halaman.

"Around five thousand dollars, I think."

"Kapag ba ito ang binigay sa manliligaw, sasagutin na agad?" Natatawang umiling si Xyrene.

"Tumabi ka Xy, may dark mode yan. Sa gabi nagdidilig siya mag-isa." Inilihis ni Idris ang babae palayo sa halaman.

"Weh? Sana all!" ani Jane.

"Inggit, walang dilig." Darwin's finger pointed at Jane, creating a squabble between them.

"Tangina mo, palibhasa sariling sikap ka. Alam mo lang diligan, toilet niyo!" ganti ng babae.

Darwin and Jane. Sila ang palaging maingay sa loob ng room. One of the great reasons why I'm always annoyed.

Zach is watching me bond with our classmates. Nasa loob siya. Hindi ko pa siya nakakausap simula kanina. Every time I will look at him, he will turn his gaze on something else. Kita ko naman ang pamumula ng mukha niya at halatang halata na umiiwas siya.

"Leigh, gutom na raw si Clarisse. Baka pwede na raw kumain."

"Then eat, sino ba kasing nagsabi na unahin niyo ang pagiging ignorante?" I said, but my hands covered my mouth shortly after realizing what I said.

"Y-You can eat . . . Enjoy the food," I uttered nervously.

Dahan-dahan akong natingin kay Zach but he's already looking at me. Naitikom ko na lang ang bibig ko dahil sigurado akong narinig niya na naman ang masamang tabas ng bibig ko.

I let them fill the seats and tables as they ate. This is my first birthday na ganito karami ang mga bisita ko. Even with my eighteenth last year, I just asked Mom to buy me a car instead of a big party.

While my classmates were busy eating and Yelah was chatting with the group, I took a piece of cake before going inside for Zach.

Napaayos ito ng upo nang makita akong papalapit sa kaniya. He already unbuttoned the upper part of his polo, but he's still sweating.

"Is it hot?" I gave him the plate with a piece of cake as I sat beside him.

He shook his head, but he seemed to be bothered by something else. I was about to ask him when he talked.

"Ayos lang ba talaga sa 'yo na inimbitahan ko sila? Sorry for being decisive, I wanted to—

"I'm not mad, Zach. Stop bringing it up. I'm just not used to crowds when it comes to my birthday."