That's how the Story Goes

14: B for Blasphemous

14: B for Blasphemous

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Third Person's PoV

Nothing seemed more annoying to Leah than the school's ringing bell marking the start of the day. It didn't seem to bother her before kaya hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit sobrang naiinis siya dito. In fact, it wasn't just pissing her off, it stirred something inside her, a combination of hatred, sadness, grief and disgust. She doesn't understand where it was coming from, heck, she doesn't even know why she feels it. It's just, there. Napahawak siya sa dingding sa isang gilid ng dinaraanan niyang hagdan. Kahit simpleng pagpunta paaralang ito, hindi na niya masikmura. She's overreacting, a little bit. But she got tired all the tough-girl-who-didn't-care-about-anyone-or-anything act, it was too much for her to handle. Hindi niya pa rin pala kaya. Hindi pa rin pala.

As much as she wanted to turn back and just head home, her feet continued to walk towards her classroom. Nakatungo lang siya habang naglalakad. "What the hell is happening!?" She mentally screamed when she was finally standing in front of the closed door. Hinawakan niya ito at unti-unting binukas. The door groaned, just like how she whined and complained about the sh*t she's on. Halos lahat ng mata lumingon para tumingin sa kanya, but her eyes were fixated on the man standing near the board. This wasn't their teacher. Sa pagkakaalam niya ng first period nila na Science ay si Mr. Del Valdez.

"Oh, Hi." The stranger greeted while fixing the eyeglasses that fell down his nose. "Are you Eleahnor Csandra Welsch?"

A question which she answered with a nod and another question, "Bakit po?"

"I'm a new teacher, but I will be taking over Mr. Del Valdez's classes."

"B-Bakit naman ho?"

"The members of the CAAS are being transferred to an exclusive section and Mr. Del Valdez will be their Homeroom Teacher, pumunta ka na rin do'n. You'll be late for your classes."

"Hindi po ako miyembro ng CAAS." Leah protested.

This time, hindi na nakatingin sa kanya ang guro at mabusisi nitong binubuklat ang Class Record na nakalapag sa kanyang mesa, maintaining the blatant look that made everything he said seem like the truth. "That's the same. You were a companion, you got involved, you're contaminated."

Dahan dahan itong naglakad palapit sa kaniya. "Some mindsets are contagious Ms. Welsch. Just like harmful bacterias. And the best solution to stop them from spreading... Isolation. Oh, in case you didn't know, nasa pinakalikod ng campud ang classroon na lilipatan niyo. You better hurry. Baka nando'n na ang teacher niyo."

Sinara nito ng tuluyan ang pinto habang naiwan namang hindi nakakapagsalita si Leah. Hindi siya makapaniwala. Of all the people to do this to them, mga guro pa talaga. She had no choice but to look for this exclusive section after being balatantly shut off. She felt like a guy who just got rejected. Hindi naman nagtagal ay nahanap niya ang sinasabing kuwarto. Isang malaking signboard ang nakabalandra sa may pintuan nito.

Class X-1B

"B for blasphemous." A spine-chilling whisper came from behind her. "I guess it's not something to be surprised about. And my meaning goes well with the story right?"

Hinarap niya ang nagsasalita at nakitang si Carlo lamang ito. "What story?"

"Oh, so you haven't heard. That's better." He opened the door and gestured for her to get inside. "Ladies first?"

"Thanks." Kating-kati si Leah na magtanong tungkol sa nabanggit ng binata ngunit hindi na niya ginawa. She's better  off not knowing, she thought.

"Goodmorning po sir. Sorry I'm late."

"It's okay. I know you weren't properly informed about this change." Binaling niya ang tingin sa mga kasapi ng CAAS na nakaupo na sa kani-kanilang mga upuan at desk. Luma at maalikabok ang silid. Gawa sa kahoy ang sahig at halatang pinaglumaan na ang mga mesa. Ang mukhang bago lang dito ay ang mga upuan na halatang mumurahing monoblock. "You can sit by Ms. Kiana Santos over there."

Sinunod ko ang direksyon ng daliri ni sir at nakita ang nag-iisang silya sa tabi ng dahilan kung bakit ako nadamay sa gulong 'to. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papunta roon.

"They promised to give us a better classroom as soon as possible. For now! Please don't mind that." Mr. Del Valdez pointed out. Malamang ay nahalata niya na hindi ako komportable sa tunog na ginagawa ng sahig sa bawat pagtapak ko.

"Hey there, witch." Bati sa akin ni Kiana nang makalapit ako sa upuan.

"It's very nice to see you too, bitch." Sagot ko na tinapatan niya ng irap.

"Oh, Carlo, wala na tayong spare na upuan. Will you be fine?" Tanong ng guro sa kanya.

"Ayos lang po ako, I'll go sit by there, at the back." There was an old box na mukhang ginamit bilang lalagyan ng mga gamit panglinis. He put his hands on it and started applying pressure as if to make sure it was strong enough to sit on. Contented, he made himself comfortable.

Nang makaupo na ng maayos ang dalawang nahuli, nabalot ng kakaibang katahimikan ang silid. Bakit? Lahat kasi sila ay napaisip king bakit nauwi sa ganito ang lahat. Cross Academy, although old, is actually a high class campus. Built originally to house the richest kids living in the city of Weschit. Most of its facilities are top of the line. Kayang kayang makipagsabayan sa kahit saang paaralan sa bansa. There are also several classrooms left unused. Ones which are in a better condition than this one. Kaya hindi nila maialis sa mga isip nila na sinadyang gawin ito ng faculty. They made sure that the problem they are dealing with will only affect them. Kung hindi yun ang dahilan, bakit sila ipapadala sa pinakamalayong parte ng campus?

Leah also could not forget how the teacher at her previous class treated her. It was unwelcoming. Almost too cold. Somehow, she started connecting the dots. Siguro kaya sinabi ni Mr. del Valdez na iniiwasan ng mga mag-aaral ang paaralang ito dahil sa isang rason. Relationships mean nothing here. That's one rule they needed to learn. Especially for the CAAS. Hindi nila alam kung sinong susunod. Hindi nila alam kung sino ang may sala. At hindi nila alam kung sino ang kakampi.

*****

One crappy update y'all. Hahaha. This is by far the most worthless part of this story. Anyway, I've got some ideas in line so stay tuned. I might actually find the drive to continue writing again.

-Red