Skipped Heartbeats (Amorous Revival Series #5)

Chapter 4

Flashback

11 years ago

"Your first quarter grades had been a flop. If this continues until the fourth quarter, you won't be able to join your classmates and march in the moving up ceremony. So, Xave, what's your plan?" Sir Evan asked.

He told me to stay after dismissal to inform me about something. Ito pala 'yon. Kung alam ko lang na walang kakwenta-kwentang balita ang ihahatid niya sa akin, nag-cut nalang sana ako ng class pagkatapos mag-lunch.

Pinagmasdan ko ang pasilyo. Kita ko na uwian na rin ng mga ibang estudyante at mukhang ako nalang ang maiiwan dito kasama ang taong hindi ko alam kung bakit Sir Evan ang tawag ng karamihan gayong Lyle naman ang pangalan niya.

"Instead, should I be asking you that question since you're my class adviser? Yeah, Sir Evan. What's your plan?" I asked and mocked him by pursing my lips.

He shot a condescending sneer. "Well, I already notified your father about the enhancement program that will help improve your academic performance. He agreed to let you stay at school for 45 minutes after your last class. You will be having a one-on-one tutorial in the three core subjects you failed. That means your subject teachers in science, math and English will take turns on helping you understand the topics more effectively," mahaba niyang sagot.

I faked a yawn and rested my head on the writing board of my armchair. "And I don't have a choice but to comply because..?"

"Obviously, like what I said earlier, you won't be promoted on the next grade level. You're going to stay in tenth grade at alam kong ayaw na ayaw mong nakikita ang pagmumukha ko. Gugustuhin mo bang umulit?"

Which is quite true though. Buti napansin niya 'yon dahil naiirita ako sa gaya niyang pakielamero at mahilig manghimasok sa buhay ng may buhay.

I raised my head to show him my disapproval. "Nah, seeing your face means unbearable torture."

Imbes na ma-offend sa sinabi ko, natawa lang siya. Mas uminit tuloy ang ulo ko.

"Also, would you expect me to believe what you said?" nanunuya kong tanong. "Mag-i-ilang taon na ako dito sa eskwelahang 'to pero hindi naman ako binabagsak kahit na bilang sa daliri ang mga araw kung ilang beses akong pumasok buong taon. I know you're newly hired kaya wala kang ideya kung anong klaseng reputasyon ang meron ako," I bragged.

Malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw na hindi makakapayag si Dad na basta-basta akong ibagsak ng school. Most of the students here fear me even the faculty and staff. Sadyang 'yong mga mayayabang din dito na katulad kong basag-ulo ang kadalasan kong nakakabangga.

Sir Evan grinned as he stood up, pick a chalk on the ledge and wrote something on the blackboard that says 'everything must come to an end'.

Itinaas ko ang kaliwa kong kilay. "What are you trying to imply?"

He ridiculously shrugged and started to walk towards me.

God, I hate the sound of his shoes!

May namuong pawis sa noo ko kahit na malakas ang buga ng aircon sa loob ng silid. I tried to divert my attention to anything else but him.

"Mr. Fonacier said something before I ended the call when I phoned him last night."

Ayokong ipakita sa kanya na naaapektuhan ako sa binibitawan niyang salita. I'm Xebastiano Vicencio -- many have tried but no one ever succeeded on cutting off my horns. I would never surrender to this newbie.

"Believe it or not, your father is running out of hope. He wanted you to change your unruly behavior and start acting responsibly," he said, making me petrified.