For Once

Chapter 6

"Lana, Ms. Martinez asked you to go to the faculty right now daw."

I am starting to overthink. 

I didn't do anything wrong or bad. So, what's up with the faculty thing?

I knocked 3 times before entering. The cold air from the AC hits my skin and sent shivers. There was that weird silence around the room.

"Good morning, Miss Martinez."

"Good morning, Lana. You must be confused as to why I called you here."

She laughed lightly. That made me able to breathe and assure myself that this is not a bad call.

"Please sit down. We're waiting for someone else before we discuss the whole thing."

"Thank you, Miss."

I roamed my gaze around the faculty's interior designs. There were incredible paintings from students, DIY craft mirror, a gown made of trash bags in the corner, and the door with a box filled with motivational quotes. On top of the door was a phrase that said, "Never stop learning no matter what."

I slowly read that in mind and we heard a knock.

The man that I neither hate nor be friends with, appeared at the scene. 

What brings him here? and he is even walking towards our direction!

"Good morning, Ms. Martinez and Ms...", he paused and looked at me.

I raised a brow at him. Is he pretending to not know me or nakalimot gyud siya sa ako name?

"You don't know her, Azure?", Ms. Martinez asked.

"Oh no, I know her. Mendoza, my friend.", he smiled before taking a seat.

"Oh, I see. You're friends pala. It-"

"Miss, we're not friends.", I cut her to avoid a misunderstanding on that part.

Ms. Martinez looked at Azure with a confused gaze and she looked at me.

"Lana just don't want to claim that we're friends, Miss, but we are.", Azure said and didn't even looked at me.

Didn't know he is kind of...assuming.

I kicked his foot under the table and smiled awkwardly to Miss Martinez.

"There's a first name basis, so I assume na friends gyud mo. I'm glad about that though, 'cause it seems like dili ko mag lisud on making you both comfortable to each other."

She is so wrong.

"Now, let me be straight in this short meeting. There will be a Math Quiz Bowl in November and I see both of your potential to win it."

"Is it an individual contest po?", this was my concern. Why are we both here?

"No. There's a team competition and a partner one. The team competition requires Grade 9 and 10 students, while the latter was randomized. So, I decided to team you both."

Silence.

But my thoughts were wandering.

I looked at Azure who looks like he doesn't have a problem with it at all.

"I'm fine with that.", he spoke.

"How about you, Lana?"

Math. One of the things I love, but will I be fine doing it with my math enemy?

"Yes, miss. I'm okay with it, too."

I shrugged the thought off. I wouldn't have a problem with him if he will not annoy me. He seems serious when it comes to academics.

"Okay. This was easier than I thought. You both can go back to your classes now. I'll send you a message when will our study sessions starts. Thank you!"

Miss Martinez looked so excited and enlighten.

After thanking her, I made sure that I walked first than Azure.

I almost hit the door. I thought it was successful but fate just wouldn't allow me to get it.

NASAPID KO SA BATO! 

I was waiting for my face to hit the cemented floor but it didn't. I opened my eyes only to realize that he grabbed my uniform stopping me from falling.

I fixed myself and thanked him. KAULAW ATO UY!

"What are your thoughts?", he suddenly asked while we're walking.

"About?"

"The competition we're in."

"What part of my thoughts about it do you want to know specifically?"

"About doing it with me."

"Beat me."

"But we're supposed to team up in that competition."

I stopped walking because I already reached our classroom.

"We have study sessions and sure ko naa practice tests. I'll do my best to beat you in those."

"Challenge accepted, Mendoza."