VII
IT'S the first week of July. I have other acquaintances here now, inside our room, but Raena's my only close friend, and Harold.
I'm already at school and our first class will start soon. That's why I'm nervous. May test kami. It's just a pre-test pero dito nakasasalay 'yong pag-attend ko sa Welcome Party ng SPA sa Saturday. Kung bagsak ka, hindi ka pwedeng um-attend. Kill joys, they are.
I'm a bright student, 'yon ang madalas na sinasabi sa'kin ni Sydney. That's why I ended up believing that, because I kept hearing the words since I was in first grade. Blame it all on Sydney. Nag-aral din ako kagabi ng mga usual lessons ngayong year. Sadyang kinakabahan lang ako kasi baka mali 'yong inaral ko, babagsak ako.
Sobrang panghihinayang ang mararamdaman ko kung 'di ako maka-attend ng Welcome Party. That's my chance to meet more people outside the four walls of our classroom.
I'm not sitting beside Raena, unfortunately, because we have a different seating arrangement for our first subject today. That's why I don't have anyone to ask answers to. Malayo rin si Harold. Hindi rin si Sydney 'yong teacher. Fuck my luck.
"Good morning, class." Literal na nagitla ako nang pumasok na 'yong teacher. At hawak niya 'yong test papers. The test papers that have the final call whether I'll attend the Welcome Party or I'll stay at home, sulking.
"Good morning, miss." We greeted back in unison.
She didn't waste time and immediately passed the test papers to the students in front, "Answer that test properly. Even if it's just a pre-test, diyan nakasalalay ang pag-attend niyo ng Welcome Party. But if you do not want to attend, then don't answer it seriously. Hindi naman ire-record 'yan."
You heard it right. It won't be recorded, it won't be graded. It's just merely a shit of paper that holds the decision of our attendance in the party.
Nakarating na sa'kin 'yong test paper at kumuha ako ng isa bago ipasa sa likuran 'yong iba. I sighed in relief when I saw few of the questions. Tama 'yong mga inaral ko.
"Joshan." I looked behind me and was surprised to see Kriho sitting there. "You need to pass. We're the ones assigned on making news articles about the party."
My brows narrowed. Doing school works while partying? Bull. "Bakit kasali ako? I'm just a new comer." I tried to reason.
"Walang libre sa mga officer. Halos lahat ng officer, babae. Ayaw nila maistorbo dahil may ka-date sila. 'Yong iba naman hindi dadalo. At ikaw ang napagbotohang kuhanin sa mga bago."
I smiled fakely enough for him to notice. "I'm a girl, unless you forgot. I also don't want to be disturbed—"
"You can date with your so-called-best friend all night. Just observe the whole party while dating him." His brows narrowed. "Stop complaining, young miss. Ito na 'yong pambawi mo sa pagiging late sa first meeting ng club. So pass that test."
I'm not a young miss. I'm Joshan, party-pooper.
"Shush." I sat straight when the teacher spoke. "Test has started the moment you received the paper. You're not allowed to chit chat."
I almost talked back to Kriho but stopped myself because it just wouldn't end, knowing that I'm talking to a geek who won't let himself lose an argument. Tumango na lang ako para matapos na. Baka ma-special mention pa kami ng teacher.
I'll pass this shit. You just wait, PDA accuser.
I prevented myself from humming. This is the best feeling! Na alam mo 'yong sagot sa bawat questions.
