Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 26: ...

I was able to find out later from Josie that Lucia moved schools and to a different state because her family's small business went bankrupt due to a fraud scandal.

Josie walked with me to our classroom on the second floor of the main building. She was being persistent in wanting to carry my bag but I told her there is no need.

On our way, most people were stealing glances while the rest didn't even bother to hide that they're staring, all while gossiping. Though most of the whispers I've heard are full of good things and admiration, while the rest are them saying that they should stay out of my way, 'she's not to be messed with' or things like that. May iilan pang mga lumapit para bumati o mangamusta (na hindi ko makilala dahil wala sila sa alaala ni Catherine) at halos lahat sila'y nagugulat pag bumabati ako pabalik.

I think I underestimated how famous Catherine is.

We made it to the first class, Pre-Calculus. Pagdating ay wala pa ang guro because we were still fifteen minutes early.

Mula sa labas, naririnig kong sobrang ingay ng classroom. Pero pagpasok ko, biglang tumahimik.

Hindi ko pinahalata na bumigat dibdib ko dahil sa pagtahimik nila. Can't they make it anymore obvious that their attention is on me?

"Where do you want to seat, Catherine? In the middle row again?" Josie asked. I'm kind of glad she's here with me even though she's a pushover and overbearing.

"I want to sit at the last row this time," sabi ko sa kaniya at mukhang nakikinig ang buong klase sa sinabi ko dahil nagulat ako nang biglang nagsitayuan at nagsialisan yung mga nakaupo na sa last row kahit meron pa namang mga bakante roon.

Bakit sila umalis? Ayaw nila akong katabi o maski ang mapalapit lang man sa akin?

But Josie just smiled at me, "You can choose now wherever you want to sit, Catherine. Pick wherever you like."

This time, I couldn't control myself when my jaw dropped in shock.

What the fuck? They left so I can choose wherever I want to sit?

This... isn't what I signed up for. I don't like this one bit.

"N-nevermind," I shook my head when I noticed a free and empty spot in the middle row, "I'll just sit there," turo ko roon.

"Why, Catherine?" one of my girl classmates I don't know the name of asked, "Don't worry. The seats are all clean. We can clean it again if you'd like. HEY!" She yelled at those who stood up from sitting at the last row that remained standing on one side as if they really are waiting for me to choose, "Call the janitors to clean the seats!"

Oh, this is a different level of fucked up.

Bago pa lumabas yung mga inutusan nito para tawagin ang mga tagalinis ay pinigilan ko na sila.

"Wait," I said, and it seemed like the time inside the classroom stopped.

I sighed, standing tall while giving them a serious expression, "No need. I changed my mind again. I choose the seat beside the window on the last row."

The girl smiled, "Okay, Catherine."

Medyo nakukuha ko na rin ang pamamaraan rito. Mukhang hindi ko pwedeng gawin ang kung ano mang gusto ko basta-basta.

Hindi ganun kadali mababago ang reputasyong iniwan ni Catherine at mas mahihirapan pa ako kung pipilitin kong baguhin o iwasan 'yon.

I've realized, the best thing I can do right now is to lie low while also act like the old Catherine at the same time.