RIVALRY [ heesun ]

twenty two.

"Here are your campaign schedules. Make sure to follow them to avoid any conflicts. If anyone of you didn't follow what was written on the sched, you are automatically disqualified."

The current student council vice president, Wesley, handed us the printed schedules one by one as he finished explaining what should and should not be done during campaign hours. Every students who filed a candidacy are now here in the auditorium. We are excused on our subjects to have a campaign proper.

Napatingin ako kay Simone na nag t-take down notes. He is so sure about this. I also noticed other participants doing the same. Most of them are familiar to me, they were my batch mates back in junior high. It's so nice to be friends with them while the campaign is going on.

I don't have any hidden intentions. I just want to expand my circle and get connected to many people.

"Running for my own convinience is not part of my vocabulary, Aryse."

Nag e-echo na naman sa mind ko ang voice niya.

I glanced at the person who made me shiver last night. Sa emotion na pinapakita niya ngayon parang wala siyang sinabi sa akin kagabi.

So he heard me ranting to the cat. That's why he didn't answer my question, baka naisip niyang nakahalata ako.

Why is he there anyway? I know it is a freaking convinience store but, out of all people na kakilala ko, why do I ran into him always!?

He saw me looking so I immediately diverted my gaze to our campaign schedule.

"Oh! Would you look at our sched. We're gonna visit ABM students this morning pala.." Nilakasan ko ang boses.

Simone tapped my hand. "Your voice, Hannie.." He lectured me from being loud. Nahihiya akong ngumiti. "Sinabi ko na sayo kanina 'yan. You're not listening 'no?" He squinted his eyes before glancing to the person I was looking to earlier.

"It's not what you think it is! Napatingin ako k-kasi—" I was cut off by a loud siren noise coming from the speakers of the auditorium.

"You're dismissed now. The campaign has started. Go to your designated strands!" VP said, kahit ang raw voice niya ay rinig namin.

So scary.

"Nakakatakot naman siya.." I heard one of the candidates say.

Tumabi ako para bumulong, keeping the conversation, "I know right. He's always like that daw."

She turned to me, chuckling from what she heard, "Halata nga sa mukha. Pogi sana kaso ang rude. Ekis!"

It is my turn to laugh at what she said. Napalingon pa ako left and right dahil baka nandoon pala si VP at baka marinig kami.

"I'm Chloe Monforte by the way.." She offered her hand.

We did a handshake, "Aryse Gutierrez.."

"Oh, Gutierrez? Are you perhaps related to Lewis Gutierrez of GREZ law firm?" This isn't the first time someone asked me about my dad so I'm kinda used to people bringing him up whenever I meet someone new.

I scratched the back of my head before replying, "Yeah. He's my dad."

I saw her eyes sparkled.

"Woah, it was nice meeting his child! Sobrang thankful kami sa kanya.." She once shake our hands to give thanks siguro but when she noticed that we were doing that for awhile, she let go of my hand and chuckled.

"Sorry feeling close.." She made a peace sign using her fingers, "Your dad handled my uncle's case a few years back and they won the case, thanks to your dad's perseverance. Buti hindi niya sinukuan kahit ilang beses na gustong isara 'yung kaso." She offered a grateful smile.