Cay's Zodiac (Completed)

Chapter 3

NANG MAKABALIK si Rayos sa loob ng classroom nila, nakita niya ang mga kaklase nilang babae na nakapalibot sa upuan ni Leo. The man looks so awkward. Nakayuko ito at kulang na lang ay isubsob ang mukha sa lamesa nito.

"Zodiac!" Rayos heard someone from the back called Leo.

When did they started calling him names? Tumaas ang kilay niya dahil doon.

Some of her male classmates avoided her gaze. Bumagsak ang tingin niya sa lalaki na napapalibutan ng mga babae, even boys were now starting to get closer to him.

"May lahi ka ba?" she heard someone ask again.

Rayos calmed herself. She doesn't want to be sarcastic, and rubbed her twin and brother's attitude to herself.

Tahimik lang siya na umupo at binuksan ang libro na dala niya. The book she was reading a while back, bigay 'yon ng daddy niya at hindi niya basta maiwan sa bahay. If she has free time, then she'll read it. Kaya niya dinala.

Her mind was full with knowledge related to Humanities and Social Sciences. Gusto niya muna na ma-refresh ang utak niya bago siya mag-umpisa na aralin ang strand na napili niya.

She wanted to wear her earphones and listen to relaxing music on her phone, hindi niya magawa dahil busy siya na pakinggan ang mga kaklase niya na kinakausap si Leo. Rayos was curious, pero hindi siya lalapit para magtanong kung ano ang meron.

"Your name is Leo, right? Ang cute!"

"Ang gwapo mo kanina, smile ka naman dyan oh?"

"Leo ba ang zodiac sign mo kaya Leo rin ang pangalan mo?"

"Sino ang sinundan mo dito? Grabe, spill the tea!"

Rayos licked her lower lip. Hawak niya ang libro at paulit ulit na binabasa ang isang linya, but her mind was occupied with someone else business.

She sighed heavily. Kailan pa siya naging tsismosa?

Wala ang teacher na naka assign sa subject nila after recess kaya hindi rin natinag ang mga kaklase nila. Some of their male classmates were asking nonsense questions to Leo. Such as,

"Saan ka kumuha ng lakas na loob kanina?"

"Hindi ka ba natatakot?"

"Mahal mo pa ba ang buhay mo?"

Rayos mentally rolled her eyes. They get easily scared because they have no balls. That was it. Why do they need to ask someone about it? Para magawa rin nila?  Boys and their shitty attitude.

Instead of reading her book, nilabas niya ang cellphone niya at 'yon ang pinaglaruan niya. Rayos open her Instagram and browse while eavesdropping.

"Leo, is it okay to call you Erese?" asked by someone.

She chewed her lower lip, waiting for him to answer.

"No," mahina na sagot nito.

"Bakit naman?" mataray na tanong nito.

Her forehead creased. Hindi nagustuhan ni Rayos ang tono ng boses nito. When someone said 'no', you should respect it and don't bother to ask why. Do not whine.

"Pero ayos lang na zodiac na lang ang tawag namin sayo? Para unique?"

Hindi na siya nakatiis. God! They're all acting like a kid! Senior high school na sila, kung tutuusin parang college students na rin sila. Hindi ba kaya ng mga ito na mag act na mature kahit ngayong first day lang?

Rayos open her camera and pretended she's taking a selfie. Inanggulo niya ang cellphone kung saan makikita niya ang lalaki na napapalibutan. Nakayuko pa rin ito.