Kissing the fire

Kabanata 33

Abyss

I wiped my sweat on my forehead before it comes down running on my neck...

I sighed deeply before I opened the door.

"Ms. Aldana, you're late," I saw how disappointed Ms. Flores is and saw that she was about to hand the testpapers, I sighed in relief. Hindi pa pala sila nag-uumpisa, "You have never done this before. Hurry up to your seat,"

I saw corynn's worried face and byron...well, he's still the same. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin kami nagka-kaayos.

I got the important things out like my ballpen, correction tape, ruler and calculator.

"Get one and pass," Ngayon lang ako nakauwi galing Janiuay and I woke up late because I spent my night, studying...

Tinakpan ko ang aking bibig gamit ang kanang kamay ko bago humikab.

Fuck, I even forgot to drink coffee!

"Oh, Ms. Aldana, hand your financial statements now because your classmates did pass it earlier before they start,"

I furrowed my eyebrows before I widened my eyes.

Shit!

I bit my lips and started to rummage my bag even though I clearly forgot to do my financial statements.

It was our midterm project for Accounting 5 and I forgot to do it.

I wanted to slap myself for being irresponsible.

This isn't you, Sierra Liane!

"Pass it now, Ms.Aldana...time is running," Professor Flores tapped her watched.

I gulped.

How am I going to say this?

"U-uhm..." I'll say that I forgot it at our house so that maybe she can give me time to get it, "I'm sorry, Prof but I forgot it at Janiuay since–"

"I am also sorry to say, Ms. Aldana but there will be no excuses. No financial statements then no project,"

"But Prof!"

"Maybe you can try to perfect your midterm exams, top 1 ka diba? How come you've become so irresponsible now?"

I bowed down my head because of embarrassment. If I have no midterm project then what about my grades? I can't perfect this exam! Or maybe I'll try...but still kulang pa rin...I won't make it to the top. Dad will certainly scold me for this.

"Era..." I pretended fixing my things in my bag as corynn went near me, beside her was byron...

"What happened, era?"

Sinukbit ko na ang bag ko at handa nang umalis nang pinigilan niya ako.

"Era naman..."

"Corynn, ano ba! You saw it already naman diba? I was embarrassed in front of the class for not having to submit our midterm project!" It was like a vein inside of me just popped out of nowhere.

It felt so exhausting trying to please everyone.

It felt so awful trying to admit, I am not perfect.

Hindi palaging nasa taas ako. Hindi palaging mataas ang grado ko at nakakainis kasi alam kong marami ang madi-disapoint.

"Era, sumusobra ka na ha! We don't know what you have been going through right now but please!" Byron's voice was strained..."Don't try to hurt people around you who did nothing but support you,"

They say not to speak when you're feeling angry but I can't stop what I am feeling right now. Pagod na pagod na ako.

"Really? Support?" I chuckled, "Byron, please stop those immature act of yours! Nasigawan lang kita, hindi ka na mamamansin? You're so sensitive! And corynn, please stop asking about me, for sure, ichinichismis mo lang naman ako sa baklang 'to!" I grabbed my bag aggressively and went out of the room.