The rumor spread in the whole university. They posted the picture of Kuya Dave and me hugging tight. Athena and Sigfrid were both eager to know more but I couldn't care less. I remained silent despite a lot of degrading words.
"See, I told you guys that she really has something. First, it was Jed. Now, it's David. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of guys would be revealed tomorrow. Slut." One of my classmates intentionally announced from the nearby table. We are on the cafeteria as of the moment. I didn't mind and continued eating but Athena stood up and walked towards the table. In an instant, everyone's attention draws onto us.
"What did you say bitch?" She angrily asked.
"I said, your scholar friend is a slut." The girl teased and shifted her gaze towards me. I didn't bother looking at her. "I couldn't blame her. She's a leech who needs some blood to live and there's Jed and David who are obviously bewitched." Athena is trying to be calm but I guess she could't take it anymore. Humakbang siya palapit sa mga babae.
"Athena.'' Mahinahon ngunit matigas kong saad pero hindi siya lumingon kaya kaagad na akong tumayo at lumapit sa kanya. Iniangat ko ang kanang kamay ko para hawakan siya sa palapulsuhan. "Let them be." I whispered. She turned her gaze towards me for a couple of seconds, but she immediately looked away and glared at the girl as if she never really cared about what I said.
"See, that scholar girl can't even deny. It's obvious. Aren't you ashamed? You're befriending a total slut—"
"Stop calling her that!" Athena shouted that made everyone shock. She was known for being a proper girl kaya ganyan sila mag-react. She was always collected but it seems she lost her cool just now. Sigfrid run towards the other side and held Athena's left arm to pull her with us. Thankfully she didn't resist. I thought everything's going to end there but I was indeed wrong. Someone pulled me hard facing them and pushed me. I fell on the ground. I almost winced in pain.
"You're really full of yourself just because you know that you have Jed and David on your back. Sorry but they aren't here right now." The girl uttered and stepped forward to came near me. She spilled the juice and throw the cup on my head. Everyone gasped but after a couple of seconds, laughter filled the whole cafeteria like what they are seeing is entertaining. Wala man lang nag-abalang tumulong.
Athena was fuming mad, but I looked at her and shook my head. Sign not to try to pull anything. She looked troubled but eventually ended up obliging to my request. She remained where they are even she wanted to run towards me. Ayaw ko lang idamay siya.
Everyone's attention is on me, so I maintained myself. Tahimik akong tumayo at saka pinunasan ang sarili na parang nangyari. The girl scoffed in disbelief. Akala ko ay ayos na pero hinawakan ako ng babae sa injured kong braso. I couldn't go. I closed my eyes and breathed heavily. I won't cry, but I am still a human. I can still feel pain. "See. She's weak." The girl uttered and pushed me again. Because my full attention is on my arms, I didn't have the time to think. Naramdaman ko na lang ang sakit sa noo ko saka ako tuluyang natumba sa malamig na semento. I heard Athena and Sigfrid shouted my name, but I couldn't see them clearly anymore. My body felt weak, and my eyes felt heavy.
"Elle!" I heard a familiar voice exclaimed and rushed towards me. The mess was about to happen, but Kuya Dave suddenly popped out of nowhere. He faced the girl like he was ready to punch her. Nawala lang ang atensyon ko sa kanila nang may lumapit sa akin. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Adi na nag-alala. My vision were all blurry but I can see his handsome face clearly. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around my waist to support me from getting up. "Bring her on the infirmary." Utos ni Kuya. Nagulat ang karamihan pero hindi ko na nasundan pa ang mga pangyayari dahil hinigit na ako ni Adi palabas.
