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

Thirtieth Trial

8 months later...

GRADE 12. More hectic than all of the students had been expecting, nonetheless, all of the hardships of the students were not taking a toll on any student as they all know that after all the hardships that they will go through will be worth it—as at the end of their senior high school journey, they would be all walking in a white toga, in the stage, receiving their fruit of success. Instead of being nervous, most of the students are excited in taking another journey... of reaching their dreams.

"Whoooo! Kumusta?!" Iyon ang bumungad kay Candace nang makalabas siya ng auditorium. Puno ng mga estudyante sa paligid. Mostly are from STEM department, like Macey and Bryson who greeted her the moment she stepped outside, and iba naman ay mga taga-ABM department, GAS, at TECH-VOC.

"Natapos ko... 'yong ginawa kong draft." Sagot niya at hinanap ng paningin niya si Bryson, at nang makita niya ito ay kaagad siya nitong nginitian.

"Congrats, Robot!" ani Bryson.

Well, this month is their October fest. May kaniya-kaniyang contest ang mga taga-senior high school department, lalo na sa kanilang mga grade 12 students. The faculties are giving them more exposure para masulit ang nalalabing taon nila sa eskwelahan, and like today, it's an art contest for the murals that will be painted on the school. Kung sino ang Manalo ay iyon ang gagamitin.

Candace was hesitant to join the contest, but her friends urge her to join. Actually, the moment she saw the poster, she was intrigued, but then, even after months of what happened to them, part of Candace was questioning herself if she can really join a big art contest.

"Congrats, robot!" bati naman ni Arrow. Mukhang kararating lang, at pinilit talagang humabol para sumuporta sa kaniya.

"Thanks..." bulong niya.

Hinatak na sila ni Macey paalis sa auditorium dahil ang mga estudyante ay dumarami na. Gustong makumusta ang mag pambato nila sa contest, at gustong sumuporta katulad ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Marami kayo robot? Nakita mo gawa nila?" Kaagad siyang inakbayan ni Bryson nang makalayo sila sa tao. Alam niyang kanina pa siya gustong yakapin ni Bryson pero hindi nito ginawa dahil maraming tao, at isa pa, nasa eskwelahan sila. Si Arrow at Macey ay halatang binibigyan sila ng privacy at gumawa na ng sariling mundo ang dalawa sa likod.

"Hindi naman... at wala akong pakialam sa gawa nila." Aniya.

Natawa si Bryson. "Kain tayo? Celeb?"

"Hindi naman ako nanalo." Aniya. Wala pang resulta, at bukas pa malalaman.

"Bukas?" tanong ni Bryson.

"Sabi..."

"Prom night bukas." Ani Bryson. "Kasama sa program? Wala namang nasabi sa akin. Pala-desisyon talaga ang mga faculty..." kumunot ang noo ni Bryson.

"Hayaan mo na. Ikaw ba? Wala kang sasalihan?"

"Ayos na ako sa inopen nilang opportunity, at nakapasa naman ako as part of the SHS student government, mas gusto ko 'ron..." Bryson answered as he brushed his hair up.

Since they're already grade 12 students, mas pinili na lang ni Bryson na h'wag nang tumakbo sa panibagong election. Bryson had been cross bridging STEM, and HUMSS strand, and they're graduating. Ang workload nila ay hindi biro lalo na't naghihigpit ang ZNL sa ganitong panahon however, because of the October fest, Bryson was given a chance to be part of the SHS government committee, which he can get what he's aiming for, as well as the responsibility isn't that heavy.