There, Somewhere

Chapter XXI

A week since our school's golden anniversary celebration ended  and we're back to the usual stressful academic routine. And it's been that long but they just couldn't manage to accept that we're only first place in the festival dance competition. Dahil hanggang ngayon iyon pa rin ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Buti nalang nanalo tayo sa pageant. Kung hindi pa, ewan ko nalang."

"True. Though, expected naman 'yon kasi sina Gavi at Yvonne na 'yon eh."

"Sa susunod talaga dapat may dance instructor na tayo."

"Gaga ka. Last na natin 'to."

"'Di ka sure teh. What if bumagsak ako sa research?"

"Magiging repeater para manalo the next time? Ano 'yon?"

"Pwede rin."

Then laughters. I picked up my pen and slid my things back to my backpack before I stood up.

"Sa'n ka?" Adhara asked me, not expecting my move.

"Will have something to discuss with Jake." I lied. She nodded and brought her attention back to the group of Kailee and joined them as they shared talks, completely neglecting their supposed task on their own desks.

Mabilis akong umalis at dumiretso sa library instead of meeting with Jake. I just wanted to concentrate on writing and I couldn't do that with the noise. Malapit na kaming matapos sa capstone project namin, there will only be tests to run before it's officially done. Now that we are yet to figure out the results of it, our focus for now will be writing the remaining chapters of our paper.

I immediately ascended to the second floor nang makitang halos puno na ng estudyante sa baba. Ganoon din sa taas but I managed to see a vacant seat which I immediately occupied. I brought my laptop out and continued my work. Halos ako na lahat ang nagsusulat ng papel namin dahil Jake did the most effort with our machine. He volunteered to do it alone because he's really into crafting. But I insisted that I should at least help. And for the record, I didn't ask him to help me with the paper because I know how hard it is to meddle with the machines and I think that's my part in the study.

During the production times, we need to work at the school laboratory because he, as much as I, wouldn't allow his Dad to meet me again, and I would not want my Mom to meddle with us work, too. So there's no left facility for us to work on but the school.

I have also apologized to him about my sudden eruption that day when emotions got the best of me and settled the rumor that's escalating between his relationships.

After almost two hours of writing, I finally closed my laptop. I checked the time and I still have thirty minutes before the dismissal period. Wala na kaming masyadong ginagawa. We're already done with the course syllabus except our capstone.

I cleared my table and slid back my things inside my bag. I removed my glasses and put them at the most corner of my table before I finally let my head settle on my hands which served as my pillow and slept.

•••••

Approximately ten minutes of napping, when I woke up. I picked up my glasses and wore them while I checked the time before I roamed my eyes around for a quick and saw students, napping as well.

Pagkatapos kong isabit ang bag sa balikat ko, mabilis akong bumaba sa hagdan, but also being careful with my steps dahil marami pa rin ang estudyante sa loob. When I neared the glass door to exit, my eyes caught someone which caused me to slow down my steps. I watched him as he hurriedly turned and retraced his steps back out of my sight. He was just about to enter the room.