I woke up with a start. It was like someone poured some cold water over my body. I shivered at the feeling. With my eyes half closed, I reached for my cellphone on my bedside table to check the time. "Crap!" it was exactly 8am already and my class today starts at 9am. I jumped out of bed, leaving all sleepiness I had a while ago. I went straight to the bathroom for a quick shower. I finished my bath for 5minutes, quickly dried myself and hastily put my clothes on. Thank God I have prepared my uniform for today last night. It is a white blouse with a red, black and white patch on left bearing the logo of University of St. Isabelle, one of the prestigious universities in the country, and a gray slacks. It took me another couple of minutes to completely prepare myself for the day. I grabbed my bag, putting the books which I will use for the day. History and Macroeconomics for today. I didn't even mind putting away the books I used yesterday. Then, I put some food and bid good bye to Cloie, my beagle and walked fast to the bus station. I should have my Ford Fiesta with me but my sister borrowed it since her Jazz is under some maintenance. Jeff can't pick me up because he told me last night he is working on some prototype project. Kuya Mico can't take me to school either because his class today starts at 7am. Bad luck I say but thank heavens I need not wait long for the bus. Few minutes left. Oh my. I usually travel for only 10 minutes with my car. It would take me 5 minutes more by taking the bus and the bad part is I still have to walk a long way towards our classroom. I rode on the bus and sat on a seat near the exit. Rather than opening my Macroeconomics book for some reading which I usually do, I just decided to send Jeff a short message. "I'm on my way to school now. Good luck with the prototype thing. Love you." Jeff has been my boyfriend since 4th year highschool. He is a handsome man with a good sense of humor. He's taking up Electrical Engineering in another University and also the top of their class. It just amazes me how we managed to strengthen our relationship though we do not see each other often. They own a Construction Firm. His dad is an architect and engineer at the same time while his mom is a well known lawyer. I am used to him replying instantly to my messages but this time there wasn't any message from him so I just decided to put my iPhone back on my bag. "St. Isabelle!" said the conductor. I marched down the bus followed by the students I noticed looking at me a while ago in the bus. At last, I'm in school now and I only have 7 minutes left. Reaching the university gate, I pin my ID and I strode very fast wishing that my professor is not yet there. Then suddenly I remembered that we are supposed to have a quiz in History today which is my first class. I haven't studied anything last night, I fell asleep while talking to Jeff even I did not intend to. Oh my, another problem, I slept while talking to Jeff, sure thing he's sulking that's why he did not give me a morning call and did not reply to my message right away. Well, forget about that now. I should worry about our Long Quiz in History today. Should I skive off my class and just made an excuse that I am sick or something? That's a good idea. I know lots of doctors because my mom is one and I have my personal doctor too, I just don't know if they are up to some immature fraud like this. Well, all I'm going to ask is a piece of medical certificate stating I'm not feeling well that's why I didn't make it to school. Surely that wouldn't compromise their professional ethics? Maybe I should ask Dr. Ramos, he's like a second father to me. He loves me as his own daughter, he wouldn't deny me of such a small favor. I might just offer him a 5x service fee but I know he won't accept it neither agree doing it. He might even lost his liking to me if I do that and I don't wanna risk that. I love his Christmas gifts to me and I don't wanna lose that. Am I overreacting? Think. I'm already here and doing that is a coward's way out of some trouble. My mom would also freak out if she knows about it because that way, I'm gonna lead her colleagues into fraud-- as if they would assent to my cunning plans! Still, I can immediately imagine her calling me saying "Do you know what I feel about what you've done? It is as if you don't respect our profession. I didn't teach you to be like that." I want to please my mom though she's in Canada. She's been there since I was 6 and gets home during Christmas breaks. She's a high paid doctor in one of the hospitals there and doing that would waste everything I have invested to make her happy. She might also tell Dad. Once dad knew, though he is in Japan since he is negotiating a deal with a Japanese firm, my allowance would automatically cut down by 50% for a week instantly. Dad did that to me when he knew that I wasn't able to pass my school project on time when I was in 4th year highschool. That was hard times. I don't wanna experience it again. Okay, I have decided to go to class now. Well, it's just one long quiz anyway. I'm sure there would still be others since it's just the start of midterms. I really planned to study for History last night even for half an hour. I don't know what happened I just instantly fall asleep. I actually cannot sleep without finishing all my school works. I can remember Jeff singing to me last night, yeah, that's it, aside from the hot choco my brother gave me, Jeff's soothing voice put me to sleep. I like learning new things and I excel in class but I just can't comprehend why we still have to study History in college. We had that in High School. Aren't we supposed to focus on major subjects? Uh oh. I remember that my grade is History is not good. I haven't given it effort at all. My prelim grade there is only 83 whereas I need 85% above. I don't wanna be dropped from the Dean's List this semester. Oh my. I think this day would not be a good day. On my walk to the classroom, I met several friends of mine. Some I was able to say hi. They just waved back to me without looking in my eyes and I really don't mind though it's a bit odd for they always greet me gleefully. Maybe, they just had a bad morning like me. I started gathering speed I just wish I didn't passed by someone I knew without even smiling at them.I don't want them to think that I am such a snob person, well, I am really not. Here I come at College of Business Building. I waited for the elevator, got inside and pressed 3rd floor. After few seconds, I got out of the elevator and walked towards CBB302. I peeked first at the classroom but can't see anything clearly. I decided to just open the classroom door hoping against hope that they haven't started the quiz yet. I rather get a 35 out of 70 than to totally miss the quiz while letting my professor sees me in class. He wouldn't give me a special quiz for just waking up late. Much to my joy, I found out that our professor is not yet there. Thank heavens. But I think something is wrong. Quite of my classmates are looking at me, I can't tell if it's a look of disgust or pity or loathing. Whichever of the three, I know if I don't deserve that look. I can't remember any awful thing that I've done. I am a consistent Dean's Lister since 1st year, brought some medals and honor to the university by winning a couple of regional quiz bees and representing the school in several national leadership trainings and I am also an active Student Organization Officer. What have I done for them to look at me like that? That's also an odd expression. I know my classmates love me. I might have brought shame to the university to earn a look like that. No one even said hi or good morning to me. Shaking my head to ignore them, I walked straight to my seat two rows from front. I am sitting beside my best friend but the bad thing is she isn't here yet. I wonder if she could tell me what the hell is happening with my other classmates. I decided that I should somehow browse my book, I might be fortunate to get at least a quarter of the score. I got my book "Philippine History" from my bag and turned the page into 234. Well, it just talks about Revolution, I listened on our discussion about this. I'm sure I could remember the names I just pray Sir Malvar won't ask about dates. I was on half my mind to look through the dates when a panting voice distracts me. "Mae! Have you heard the rumor?" My best friend Sally at last came, obvious that she ran so that she won't be late and I really do not have any idea on what she is talking about. "What rumor?" I replied with a bit of irritation in my voice. Maybe that's the reason my classmates were looking at me. "Well, it's about your sister..." Sally replied in a small tone. "What about my Ate Mia? Can you just tell it straight whatever hell is that all about?" "Has she been home since last week?" I got a bit annoyed by this question, I have told Sally a hundred times that my sister is staying with Jamie, her bestfriend, for their practice for the upcoming production of their class. My sister is taking up Theater Arts. "How many times should I tell you that she is with Jamie? The showing of Worthless Doll is near right?" I replied in an exasperated tone. I hate being annoyed with Sally but her question seems irrational since she has thorough knowledge where my sister is. "Well, she's not..." This news troubles me but I know that I should confirm things first. I have learned long ago that believing rumors right away is a very foolish thing to do. I know my sister is staying in Jamie's house because I just got a call from her yesterday saying that she might be there for another 3 days. My brother also told me last night when he entered my room for my everyday delivery of special Kuya Mico's hot choco. Unless, she just pretended to be there. But if she's not there, where on earth is she now? And why would she lie to me and to Kuya Mico? I want to know. I have to. Ate Mia is a responsible person. She values her integrity a lot. She won't do things without a good reason. "Sally, I'm sorry for the way I talked to you, I just had a bad morning. Can you tell me what you know about my sister?" The classroom door creaked open cutting our conversation and Sir Malvar came in.
