A Mere Percent

Percent 7 - Shocking Kiss?

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Percent 7 - Shocking Kiss?

TREY

I woke up early today. I will also study my notes about History. I know today is the day. Ngayon ang quiz bee na kami ang representative ni Lavine dahil kami ang napili ni Mrs. Perez.

I finished showering and now I'm fixing myself for school. I'm quite hopeful that we could win this quiz bee even though this is my first time to join one.

I also have my own car, don't worry I have a driver's license courtesy of my parents. They said it is needed for my protection and to keep my secret. And now I'm driving my way to school. I parked my car in the school parking lot.

Good thing that I arrived in time, I made my way to the auditorium where the Quiz Bee will be held in a few moments. I saw our adviser Mrs. Perez and she told me to seat in the table of our section on the stage.

My partner hasn't arrived yet and there are only 3 minutes left. I don't know what happened to her the other night but when I saw her crying, I went to her and gave her a handkerchief.

I saw that she is looking at a man that is kinda familiar to me but.. Well nevermind. Focus muna ako sa Quiz Bee na'to. Mamaya matalo pa kami sa pag-ooverthink ko.

I waited patiently for my partner and the start of the quiz bee. Habang naghihintay, nagsidatingan na rin ang ibang mga contestants pero si Lavine hindi pa dumadating.. Nasaan na kaya siya? Sana siputin niya ang quiz bee na 'to. Kasi madidisqualified kami kung ako lang ang magrerepresent sa quiz bee.

Nagsasalita na ang principal at tamang-tama nakarating si Lavine sa table ng section namin. Phew!

"Good thing that you came in TIME." Sabi ko na diniin ang salitang 'TIME'.

Mukhang tumakbo siya papunta dito kasi pawis na pawis siya at hinahabol niya ang kanyang hininga.

"Phew... O.... O-o nga eh.... Teka.. hihinga... muna.. ako.." Then nag-inhale exhale siya habang hinintay namin ang first question. Nang nakabawi na siya may tinanong siya sa akin.

"Uy teka partner. What's your name nga ulit? Nakalimutan ko eh. He-he.. he" sabay kamot ni Lavine sa kanyang ulo. Mukhang nakalimutan niya ang pangalan ko.. 

"Ahmm, Trey. You always forget my name.." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"Aaahhh! Okay 'Trey' nga pala." Tumawa ito. "Sorry! Lavine nga pala." She extended her hands towards me. Inabot ko rin naman at nagshake-hands kami.

"Kilala na kita. Ikaw ang batch first honor eh." Sabi ko sa kanya. Mukhang nagulat siya na nagsalita ako ng Tagalog.

Tinatanong na ang first question. Naghanda naman kami.

"Sino ang gumawa ng Hanging Gardens para ialay sa kanyang asawang si Amethys? Go!"

"Uhh, I forgot his name." Sabi ko. Nakalimutan ko kasi. Hindi ko medyo naaralan.

"Nebuchadnezzar." Sagot niya. Mukhang tama naman 'yung sagot.

Sinulat ko na lang sa cardboard ang sinabi niya.

"Times Up! Raise your answers!"

"and the right answer is..... Nebuchadnezzar!"

"Yes! Tama tayo!" Masayang sabi ni Lavine at ngumiti nalang ako.

Nasa difficult round na at tinatally ang scores namin. Nagtutulungan nalang kami eh. Kasi hindi rin siya nakapag-aral at marami akong hindi matandaan. Ako naman ay kalahating part lang 'yung inaral ko dahil sobrang late na akong umuwi kagabi..