Sweet Deceit

Chapter Seven: Welcome To The Grave

I could tell Nolan was surprised to see me.

But what was more surprising to me was that he ignored me as if he didn't know me. Nakatingin lamang ako sa kaniya, ngunit hindi na rin ako nagsalita. I just didn't think it had anything to do with me personally, and maybe he just had a lot on his mind.

"Sorry for interrupting," aniya, seryoso ang tinig at nakatingin sa taong katabi ko. "Can we talk?"

Right. The Student Council President and Nolan were friends. Nolan's eyes flickered to me, and down with an intense gaze. My eyes widened when I realized what he was looking at. We were still holding hands! Parang napaso ay napabitaw ako. The Council President smirked a bit at the movement I made and I felt my face flushing hot again. Mas mabuti pa ay umalis na ako rito!

"I-I'll go now," I say lowly, not daring to meet any of their gazes as I walked out.

"Come back tomorrow after your morning exam," The Council President said, and I halted in my steps. Does that mean I had to work immediately? Effective na agad bukas ang trabaho ko? I bit my lip to stop a sigh. I can already feel I would be worked to death.

But it's a small price to pay. Right?

"Okay," nasambit ko, hindi na tumitingin. I marched out like I was walking in the flames of my embarrassment.

Nadatnan ko ang bipolar na lalaking estudyante. Natutulog na siya sa kaniyang upuan. He had his head back and an opened book on top of his face. At parang humihilik pa siya. Napangiwi ako. Oh. I better not disturb him.

Tahimik akong naglakad at nang nakalabas ng Student Council Office ay nakahinga ng maluwag. Para akong nauubusan ng oxygen lalo na kung malapit ako sa kaniya.

I briefly closed my eyes. I shouldn't forget. I should always keep my distance. I might be working for him starting now and... wait, until when? I facepalmed. I can't believe I forgot important details! Ganoon ba ako na-distract sa mukha niya?

I reddened. Bakit ba kasi ang... ang... gwapo niya? I buried my face in my hands as I stiffled a scream. He even... he even touched my face!

Anyway, I forgot to ask the needed things! Like how long I'll be working for him? How many hours a day? Do I still work on weekends? And rules and regulations? How could I forget?!

I silently groaned. And then a lightbulb appeared. Maybe I should draft a contract and propose it to him, right? Siguro pwede iyon. Maybe I should present it tomorrow, at mamayang gabi pagkatapos kong magstudy ay gagawa ako ng kontrata.

The halls were still silent but now I'm relieved. I'm glad I pleaded my case, and all I need to do now is to be careful. Pero saan ba ako pupunta? I think my exam's forfeited, anyway. Sighing, nagpasya akong pumunta at tumambay na lang sa Raio habang hinihintay na matapos si Gracie. When lunch time comes, hahanapin ko na lang siya.

While walking there, the people I could see were few. Siguro mga senior na maagang natapos sa mga exams nila. Nang nakarating ako sa Raio ay bigla kong naalala ang mga runes na nakita ko.

Right. With so many things happening, I forgot about it. My things are left in the classroom, though. Andoon rin ang notebook na pinagsulatan ko. Oh, well. I have a lot of time, anyway. Might as well write all of it from the start. And then, I'll look for books here that can help me decipher it.

So that's what I did to pass the time. Humiram ako ng pen and paper sa student assistant ng Librarian at binigyan naman nila ako. Maybe they also know something about the runes! Should I ask?

"Uhm, can I ask something?" sabi ko, pagpipigil sa isang estudyante nang maglalakad na sana siya palayo.

The girl nodded. "Oh, ah, sure," she mutters meekly.