The Rank 1

Chapter 3

The whole class is okay but Madison next to me is even better — well i mean, her presence is fine, she didn't say a word to me since we met again. Ni hindi nga sya tumitingin sakin. Para akong hindi nag-eexist sa mundo nya.

Which is okay dahil hindi ko pinapangarap maging Popular katulad nya o mapabilang man lang sa The Rank na yan.

And out of nowhere, napatingin ako sa hawak na ballpen ni Madison — then to her fingers, ang haba ng kuko nya at may red nail polish. Actually it's very rare na makakita ko ng mga babae na may maganda at mala kandila na daliri — and honestly, it's kind of my fetish. I find it attractive.

"We have a quiz tomorrow." Sabi ng professor namin before he dismiss us. "Have a good day."

At isa isa na silang lumabas ng classroom.

"Silvana." Lumapit si Leslie sakin. "May gagawin ka mamayang gabi?"

Napaisip ako habang nilalagay ang tablet na gamit namin sa pag-aaral sa bag ko. "Mm I'm not sure." Then i look up at her. "Bakit?"

The gorgeous Leslie comb her fingers through her hair. "I have a party tonight."

"Birthday mo?" Inosente ko na tanong.

Nagtawanan naman ang dalawang babe na Kasama ni Leslie but she give them a glare. "Hindi ko birthday." She smile at me. "May tradition lang kami na magpaparty sa opening ng school — last year kina Madison." At napatingin naman ako sa Ice Queen sa tabi ko na nag-aayos ng gamit nya sa bag. "This year is at my place."

Taray ng school na ito, after ng The Rank system. Ngayon may yearly party pa.

But I'm not sure, I'm still adjusting not only in this school pati narin sa lahat ng bagay.

Napakamot ako sa kilay ko. "I'm not sure if i can come Leslie." I'm very apologetic. "I still need permission from my father and sister."

"What are you 12?" Pagsabat ng isa sa babaeng kaibigan ni Leslie with an eye roll. "You are lucky that Leslie is inviting you. Did you even know who she is? Or what Rank Leslie —"

"Agatha." Matigas ang boses na sinaway ni Leslie ang kaibigan nya.

But Agatha is kontrabida. "Why do you even bother inviting that girl? She's so pakipot. Kabago bago mo palang akala mo kung sino —"

"Agatha!" Nag-iba ang itsura ni Leslie na titig na titig sa kaibigan nya.

Agatha look terrified. "Whatever." At umalis na sya kasama ang isa pa.

"I'm sorry about that." Leslie apologize. "She is just.."

"A bitch." Pagdugtong ni Aurora.

Napatingin ako kay Aurora with a surprise look.

Natawa si Leslie. "She is." At tumingin sya sa mga bago kong kaibigan. "You guys are welcome and can come too."

At biglang tumayo si Madison, no facial expression not even a word — she leaves.

Teka.. Wala ba syang minions? Ganon kasi ang mga typical Ice Queen diba? Maraming kaibigan na nakabuntot sa kanya. But since this morning — it's just her.

"Really?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Aurora. "Are you for real?"

"Yes." Nakangiting sabi ni Leslie.

Samantalang nakatingin parin ako sa pintuan, still imagining Madison.

Agh! The hell i care?

Biglang lumapit sakin si Aurora sakin. "Please Silvana? Punta tayo? Ngayon lang kami nainvite ni Leslie sa party at nang mga the Rank girls."