Exceeding You

Chapter 2

Chapter Two
#EY02

"Ganda!" Aldiera pinched my cheek. "Good luck! See you at the competition next week."

"Thanks. See you." Kumaway ako at umalis na.

I'm claiming it. We'll win this round and represent HUMSS next week. Ang section kasi nila Aldiera ay automatic nang lalaban dahil isang section lang naman sila sa ST. We'll be performing at the campus grandstand. Hindi ko alam ang schedule ng ibang strand sa pagpili ng representative nila. Sana ay walang masyadong manood.

We had one last round of practice earlier in our clubhouse before we went to school. Everything's settled. We were advised to only wear our PE uniforms but we can have props or other accessories to elevate the look. Girls have the same hairstyles. Nakabraid ang buhok namin at may puting headband na suot. Habang ang mga lalaki ay nakasuot ng puting cap. We're also wearing white shoes. We want to look simple and clean, para organized and neat din ang performance.

Everyone acted like the argument I had with Abby never happened. That's good. I also don't wanna dwell on that too much.

Napaatras ako sa gulat nang matamaan ako ng bola sa balikat. When I looked up, my eyes glared. Who else would it be? Of course, it's Alpas and his friends.

"Who told you that this is a place for playing?"

He has a stoic expression while looking at the part of my body where the ball hit me. Puti ang PE shirt namin at nadumihan yun ng kaunti dahil sa bola.

"Hindi kami naglalaro rito. Ipapasa ko lang naman dapat yun-"

"Who asked?" I cut him off.

"Sorry."

Hindi na ako kumibo. Inayos ko na lang ang sarili at pinagpagan ang parte ng katawan kung saan ako natamaan. Nakakainis.

"I can clean that."

Inis ko siyang hinarap. "No, thanks."

"Ang kulit mo."

"What? Ako pa yung makulit ngayon? Ikaw na nga 'tong nakaagrabyado."

"I said I'm not an enemy. Lagi mo na lang akong inaaway. I hit you accidentally. Why would-"

"Shut up." Umirap ako at tumalikod na. The more he talks to me, the more he becomes annoying.

I don't wanna see him again!

But then I groaned when I remembered the memo from the debate society. According to them, we'll have our first club activity next month. Since the club has just been reactivated, it will start from scratch. The club adviser and some volunteers will facilitate while we still don't have the official officers. I'm actually planning to nominate myself as the president. I know I can handle the responsibility. Kaya rin hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras na sumali bilang officer sa HUMSS club dahil dito talaga ang gusto ko.

Kaya 'tong Alpas na 'to. . . he better not want to become the president or else I'll declare war.

The competition started 15 minutes late. Medyo may ibang nanonood galing ibang strands pero hindi ko na lang yun pinansin. Nung kami na ang magpeperform ay pinalalahanan ko ang classmates ko na maging focus lang. And don't get distracted kapag nagkamali.

In the middle of our performance, one person caught my attention. He was leaning on a tree near a kiosk. Nakakrus ang mga braso nito sa dibdib habang pinapanood kami. Why the hell is he watching? Wala ba siyang klase?

"Pres, you're slowing down a bit," I heard someone whisper to me from behind.

"Shit." Napapikit ako bago inayos ang sarili. I glared at Alpas when I opened my eyes. Saktong nakita niya ang ginawa ko at napaangat ang kilay bilang reaksiyon.