The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Twenty Third Trial

BRYSON 23

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 11

DAYS passed, and nothing changed. Malapit na 'rin ang Christmas party, at holiday break ng ZNL pero wala pa 'ring nagbago sa kanilang tatlo. Macey, and Bryson was still attentive to her, but that was it even though she can tell Macey that she really wanted to talk to her. Pinanindigan lang talaga nito ang silent treatment na para bang ibinigay ang gusto niya.

Well, that's what she really wanted, to let the people around them know that she's not a user, and to show them that she can do things on her own.

She wanted to prove that she's independent.

"POTLUCK NA LANG!" napa-kurap si Candace nang marinig ang mala-megaphone na boses ng kaibigan niya sa tabi. They're in the middle of advisory time, early in the morning to plan for the Christmas party that will be held at the end of the week. Hindi naman siya interesado, at wala siyang balak pumunta dahil nab-bore lang siya sa ganoong event.

"Potluck?! Ng jollibee?" she heard again. Her eyes searched to the one who spoke, and it was one of their classmates. Their president.

"Bobita!" sigaw ng isa. "Ano 'yon? Isang bucket of chicken per person?! Edit nag-fried chicken party na lang sana tayo!"

"Mango pie party! Wohooo!"

"Hoy, seryosohin niyo naman 'to! Bonding na 'rin nating isang section 'to!" Their president looked stressed. Wala kasing nakikinig sa kaniya mula pa kanina. Ang tanging kausap lang nito ay ang mga naka-upo sa harap, at nangunguna na 'ron si Macey.

Bryson on the other hand was beside her, taking a nap peacefully. Mukhang ito ang umasikaso kay Bella kaya napuyat. Iyon naman kasi ang madalas gawin ni Bryson. Being an older brother, and while Bella's still a toddler, Bryson was trying his best to create best memories, and create a bond between them.

That's right Bryson.

They're much more worth it than me.

It's them over the others.

"Pres! Ilista mo na lang 'yong mga food na pwede! Tapos by group na lang!"

Their president proceeded to listing the foods that will be brought to their Christmas party. Lahat ay nag-suggest, and mukhang ginanahan ang iba dahil angmga pinagsasabi ng mga ito ay sunod-sunod, at mukhang hindi na pang-party, kung hindi pansariling interes na. It was like a craving dream come true.

"Ayan! Nawa'y alam mo na ang salitang potluck, ano?!"

"Shut up! Potluck is for the poor! We don't do that! I can provide food for everyone naman!" Maarteng sagot ng ka-klase nila na kanina pa nag-iinarte. Palibhasa ay elitista masyado, at halatang bratinela. Uri ng estudyante na naibibigay ang gusto sa isang pitik lang kaya lumaking tatanga-tanga.

Well, ZNL university was really for the rich students. Iyong tipo ng mga estudyante na anak ng CEO, businessman, politiko, at sikat na artista. Hindi sanay sa tao, at bihira lang ang mga estudyanteng mauutak talaga na walang kinikilalang tutor. Hindi 'rin street smart madalas.

But despite of it, ZNL University remained a prestigious, and high quality university na kayang dalhin ang pangalan ng estudyante sa magandang kumpanya, na para bang top state university katulad ng UP, that is why even though Candace doesn't want to be with students like them, she has no choice—the four of them has no choice but to endure, for the sake of the high quality future.

"Wi downt du dat!" Mimicked by their classmate mockingly. Nagtawanan ang mga kaklase niya "Tanga ka lang talaga!"

"And also, isn't dirty? Homemade tapos kakainin natin? That's just gross!" her eyes rolled.