The Rivalry Theory

Chapter Two

Rendezvous

I devoured my food as my head was still heated from what happened earlier.

I can't believe it! He was actually able to steal my spot as the President. It's not like I was so desperate for it, but given the situation about me being known in our campus, we all should've seen that coming.

But no.

May alas na nagbigay malas sa araw ko ngayon.

"Irah, bebe, are you alright?" Lia carefully said as she was looking at me with concern. Jaz was beside her, also watching me while I was on the other side opposing to them at the canteen table we're currently eating at.

Huminga ako ng malalim, at ibinaba ang burger na kinakain ko. "May bago kaming kaklase. He was introduced to us kanina."

Jaz's eyes lit up. She leaned further at the table, trying to reach me. "Owemjie! Ano, pogi ba? Please tell me na pogi, need mo na talaga ng love life at this point!"

"Jaz! Let me rant first!" I groaned in frustration, feeling the anger and irritation filling me up.

Tinapik ng mahina ni Lia si Jaz sa kanyang braso. Tinignan niya ito ng masama, at nilingon ako. "So, what's up? What's got you all riled up with this new guy?"

Sighing deeply, I raised my hands and covered my face in frustration. "Siya ang newly elected President ng section namin."

"Ano!?" Both girls looked at me, horrified. See? Even they couldn't believe it. "But you're like the best student for the role! Bakit binigay lang nila sa baguhan?" Jaz exclaimed while Lia inserted, "And even if he's good nga, how sure are they na magagampanan niya ng maayos ung mga responsibilities as a President!"

Napahilamos ako sa mukha habang iritadong nagsalita, "I feel like he's a smart one. And if so, I don't have anything against it. Pero putangina, unang araw palang ng pasukan, parang hinahamon na ako."

Tinanggal ko ang mga kamay ko, at tinignan ang dalawa kong kaibigan. "And you both know me, I can't handle being a sore loser. I'am a competitive person. Now that he's challenged me, mapipilitan akong mag matigas at kalabanin sakanya!" Raising my arms in the air, I expressed my annoyance for him.

Lia nodded, brining her drink with a straw to her mouth. "But what if it's just for this day? Malay mo, bukas or the remaining days magiging mabait na siya sayo."

I shook my head furiously. "I highly doubt that, after he said this and I quote, 'You've been comfortable for too long. Maybe it's time to break your indisputable legacy.' Urgh! He's getting in my nerves so bad,"

I rested my head in my arms as I leaned in at the table. Jaz then spoke, "May nasabi ka ba sakanya para inisin ka ng ganyan?"

"I was just bantering with him." I mumbled quietly, enough for them to hear. "Hanggang sa nainis ako sa inasta niya, and my emotions just took over me. It heightened when the election happened as well."

Natahimik sila at hinaayan akong magmukmok. Until Jaz cleared her throat and said, "May paparating. Ikaw tinitignan Irah,"

I raised my head, eyebrows knitted in confusion. I looked over my shoulder and saw that it was Isaiah, looking at me with worry in his face.

Our eyes on him never left til he reached us, sitting beside me at the table bench. "Nakalimutan mo tubigan mo, kaagad ka umalis ng room eh." He raised my blue tumbler and placed it in front of me. "Parang inis na inis ka pagkalabas mo, okay ka lang?"

I smiled at him and nodded. "Yup, tinamaan lang ako ng mood swing."

He raised his brow at me, not believing my lies. "Weh, di nga? Look, if it's about the election kanina, I think yung mga girls ang nagpanalo kay Ace. We all knew na ikaw naman talaga dapat yung para sa posiyon na yon."