Academic Temptations

Chapter 5

I kissed a girl and I liked it

Bigla kong tinigil ang music nang marealize ko kung ano ito. Random playlist lang kasi ang pinatugtog ko sa spotify. Tinanggal ko na ang airpods dahil tapos na rin naman ako sa pagsagot.

Binigyan kami ni Professor De Veres ng activity ngayon kaya parang free time na rin namin dahil madali lang naman.

"Pst! Isla," nilingon ko si Hailee na nakaupo ngayon sa tabi ko.

"DropOut daw mamaya." It's a bar that has been our hangout place, but mostly sila dahil hindi ako mahilig magbar. It's also the bar where I met the professor.

"Ayoko." I think I'll stay away from drinking for a while.

"Sige na, Is. Hindi pa tayo nagsh-shot sa breakup mo." Bulong niya sakin dahil baka mahuli kaming nag uusap.

"Kayo nalang but you can use my card."

"What?" She asked, leaning closer to me.

"Sabi ko kayo nalang pero you can use my card." Lumapit na rin ako para marinig niya ako. Medyo may kalayuan din kasi ang seats namin para raw walang cheating.

"Presence mo ang kailangan namin hindi pera. Dali na." Magsasalita pa sana ako nang may tumikhim sa gilid ko. Hindi ko napansin nasa gilid na si Professor De Veres kaya agad akong lumayo kay Hailee at nagkunwaring nagsusulat.

"Focus on your own work," she sternly said to the whole class, but I knew she was referring to us.

Hailee and I got up from our seats as soon as the class ended. Si Professor De Veres din kasi ang aming last subject. Hailee clung to my arms, pulling me out of the classroom.

She's really clingy lalo na pagkatabi ko siya sa bed parang ahas na nakapulupot sakin pero mas malala pag kasama si Althea dahil ako ang laging nasa gitna nila tapos pareho na nila akong yakap. Minsan nagigising ako dahil hindi na makahinga at nagmukha na kaming sandwhich.

"DropOut, here we go!" Sigaw niya habang papunta kami sa parking lot. I pulled out my card from my wallet and gave it to her.

"I really can't. Bawi ako soon, I swear." I kissed her cheeks and ran to my car.

"Isla!" Hindi ko siya pinansin at pinaandar na ang sasakyan. She can't be mad at me naman. We never really had a serious fight, hanggang petty arguments lang.

A familiar woman caught my eye as I exited the parking lot. She seemed to be waiting for a taxi and appeared uncomfortable in her heels.

Mukhang matatagalan pa bago siya makahanap ng taxi dahil uwian din ngayon ng maraming estudyante.

I have been avoiding her after what happened in her office. I actually stormed out, leaving her there. And as much as I want to continue ignoring her, my conscience can't take seeing her in this situation.

I pulled up in front of her and lowered my car windows.

"Professor De Veres," I called out, and she looked surprised to see me.

"Ledezma, it's you."

"Let me take you home." She seemed to be contemplating her decision, so I leaned on my side and opened the door for her.

Sumakay naman siya agad, kaya pinaandar ko na ulit ang kotse. I didn't bother asking for her address dahil alam ko naman 'to. It's odd that she's waiting for a taxi when she lives in a high-end condominium.