Skyler Academy

Chapter 8

Cossete Yaslee's POV

The lights suddenly went out, so I breathed a sigh of relief. When they came back on, the Headmistress was already on stage holding a microphone. Napakaganda niya sa pula niyang dress na hapit na hapit sa katawan niya. Her hair was the only thing that ruined the look.

She started speaking to welcome everyone, but I didn't listen and instead reached for the large glass of ice cream, which James immediately gripped tightly.

"Excuse me, my lady? That's mine." sabi niya pero hindi ko siya nilingon.

"Alam kong sayo." sabi ko at tsaka yun kinutsara at sumubo.

"Dearly regarded students of Skyler Academy, to our new transferees and freshmen, once again we extend our warmest greetings this evening!" the Headmistress announced in a loud voice, raising her glass of wine. "But before that, let me call on the Academy's top 1---Miss Magnum Opus. Are you there???" She said, as if looking for someone. "Oh, she's here! I'm going to give the mic to her. So once again... welcome to the esteemed halls of Skyler Academy! Make some noise and enjoy yourselves! Have fun tonight and celebrate the fact that you're still breathing! GOOD EVENING! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! TOAST!"

She laughed like a maniac, took a sip of her wine, and walked off the stage.

What's so funny??

"Celebrate the fact that I am still breathing? Ano namang ibig sabihin non?" tanong ko.

"Ah. Hindi pa kasi nag start ang hell." Xia said, carrying a ridiculous amount of food for us. She was using her magic to carry everything. Kasama nito si Dannica na dessert naman ang mga dala. Hindi pa man nalalapag ni Dannica ang mga hawak niya ay pinaghahablot na agad yun ng kaklase naming si James—and the next thing we knew, he was lying flat on the floor.

He never learns, does he?

"Hey, look. That girl..." Lianna suddenly appeared, holding two glasses of wine. Kasama niya si Zoe, and she is carrying a plate with an entire cake on it.

"The school's Magnum Opus." Pagtutuloy ni Zoe sa sinasabi ni Lianna.

"Magnum opus? What is that ba?" salubong naman ang kilay na tanong ko at tsaka nilingon ang babaeng paakyat ng stage. She had long, straight red hair and she is wearing a dark purple maxi dress. Just by the way she walked, you could already tell she wasn't ordinary. Yung paglalakad niya pa lang, may class na.

"The school's top one. And she's only 17 at that." Sabi ni Dannica.

"She was only 15 when she got here, and from Class 10, she jumped straight to Class 1." sabi naman ni Red. I couldn't help but be amazed and glance at the girl they were talking about—na mukhang mag i-iwan daw ng speech.

"Sa dalawang taon lang na yun, napunta siya sa class one????" rinig ko pang reaksyon ni James na tulad ko namamangha din sa narinig but my eyes ended up fixed on the girl when she began speaking in front.

"Good evening everyone..." nakangiting bati nito at tsaka nilibot ang paningin sa mga tao. Her smile faded the moment her eyes landed on me. Now we were both wide-eyed, shocked to see each other.

Anong ginagawa mo dito?

Bakit hindi ka na bumalik?

Panaginip ba 'to?

Anong 17 years old? Hindi ba't 19 years old ka na?

All this time... you were here?

Do you remember me?

Why did you leave?

ANSWER ME...

ATE!

He avoided looking at me. Smiled again, and spoke in front of the people. Hindi ko na siya nagawang pakinggan pa ang sinasabi niya. Masyado akong natuon sa ideyang nasa harapan ko siya. Masama ang loob kong nakatingin lang sakanya habang nagsasalita.

"Cossete?"

"What's wrong?"

"Okay ka lang ba?"

"Gutom ka na??" 

"Pahingi naman ng ice cream oh." sabi ko. Napatingin naman si James sa yakap-yakap niyang malaking lalagyan ng ice cream.

"Fine..." Mukhang naawa naman siya sa itsura ko. "I will share my sweets to you, pero ikaw lang ha. And call me Kuya!" he said, and I furrowed my brows.

"Ayoko! Pareho tayong 17 years old!"

"I'm not going to give it to you--ouch?! What was that for???" napahimas-himas siya sa batok nang batukan siya ni Dannica.

"Give it to her." Dannica warned him with a threatening tone, which made him gave up.

"Call me kuya." bulong niya pa din nung inabot niya saakin yung ice cream kaya ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat.

"Maglilibot lang ako." I looked around and spotted a veranda. "Mukhang maganda sa banda ron." I said, sabay turo sa kung saan.

"Bumalik ka agad ha?" si Zoe.

"Okay!" I said, then quickly ran off, hugging my ice cream.

Pabagsak kong isinarado ang pinto ng veranda! And in just a few minutes, I was startled when it suddenly burst open again.

"Are you not going to dance?" he immediately ask to me.

Ano namang ginagawa niya dito?

He doesn't look like a kid anymore—he looks like a young man in that outfit. I like how his pale gray hair matches his courtly attire.

"Greetings your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Y-you don't need to do that." he covered his mouth with the back of his hand and looked away.

Ayan nanaman siya sa pamumula ng tenga niya.

"Will you dance with me, My Lady?" this time siya naman ang nag bow at hinihingi ang kamay ko.

"I don't know how to dance Your Highness."

"I'll take the lead." sabi niya kaya wala na akong nagawa. You could still hear the music from inside. Alam niyo yung mga romantic music sa sinaunang panahon? Ganon!

"Free ka ba sa sabado?" lagi akong walang kasama kapag week days.

"Come with me on Saturday."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. You are a crown prince, but I'm not a girl who can be dragged around." I said irritably as I lowered my hand from his neck and stopped dancing.

Crush ba niya ako?

"I just want to show you something." kunot noong sabi niya at tsaka ibinalik ang kamay ko sa leeg niya.

"Ano naman yun???" nawala na ang pagiging pormal ko.

"The king. I want you to meet the king."

"Huh?! May gusto ka ba saakin bata??! Bakit ipapakilala mo na ako kaagad sa pamilya mo???"

"Whaaat???! It's not like that! Ang assumera naman nito."

"Eh ano??"

"You will know once you see him." Pagkasabi niya non ay biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad ang mukha ng mga kaklase ko.