RIVALRY [ heesun ]

eighteen.

"Present!"

I said panting as I got to the meeting place of the contestants on time. Everyone was looking at me like I am an alien. It's so embarrassing that I had to cover my face and stay at the back of other participants. I noticed Johann's gaze at my side.

Johann..

Masyado mong in-enjoy, Kei.

Hindi ko na pinansin 'yon dahil pinapunta na rin kami sa room where the essay writing competition will be held. Our seats are the typical arrangement of seats whenever there is an exam. There are at least 3 to 4 chairs in between the participants.

The usual announcements of instructions and maximum time of writing then start na.

Before we started writing, I had the chance to mouthed Good luck to him, in which I got a confuse gaze as the response.

It's cute though.

I have enough knowledge about the given topic to us. But then, I don't have an idea on how should I start the sentences. I am not the type of person to write my thoughts about a certain topic, I would rather blurt it out and have other people to listen whatever I say.

I must say that I like speaking more than writing. But I only speak whenever I feel like to. Only for formal occasions to be exact.

"What am I even writing at this point.."

I massaged the temple of my nose as I stared at the info that I just wrote.

Political Dynasty is bullshit. Who even started that?

It's been 20 minutes and I only wrote 10 sentences. I still have to write a conclusion.

Whatever, clutch ko na lang.

I finished writing. Can you believe that?

But my sentences aren't even synch.

Well, who cares? As if I wanted to win in this competition so bad.

Speaking of competitiveness, I looked around and saw the other participants writing and thinking of what could they put to their papers. When my sight landed on Gutierrez, I was amazed.

He's writing nonstop! It was like, his thoughts are unending.

Few minutes left before the competition ends, a black pen flew from Aryse's direction and it landed near my place. I picked it up and was about to give it back but then the bell rang, indication that the time ended. Tumayo na ang lahat para lumabas ng silid, Aryse is one of those. I called for his name but he didn't even budge. I'm pretty sure my voice is loud enough for him to hear.

"Yow! Tapos ka na?" When I got out of the room, Acky approach me. 

He positioned his hand into a fist, asking for a fist bump and so I did.

"Yeah. Where are the others?" I asked habang hinahanap pa rin ang pigura ng isang lalaki.

I totally lost him. Maybe he goes back to his friends.

Saktong nag ring ang phone ni Acky at sinagot niya ito. I saw Roshicheeks on the screen so I assumed it is Hiroshi whose calling.

"Hmm? Malapit ka na?" Acky mumbled.

While they were busy talking, I stared at the pen I'm currently holding. Pinag-iisipan kung ibabalik ko pa ba o hindi.

Come on, Kei. You have to return it. That's also the chance to start a conversation with him.

This pen is a blessing in disguise.

"Uy, pre? Tara, sunduin na natin si Rosh sa gate." I was back to reality when Acky talked. Hindi na kami nagdalawang isip na puntahan siya ro'n.