You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Thirty-Six

Tell me, would you rather be smart or beautiful?

We live in a society wherein your social standing will be defined through your looks. Truth to be told, the beautiful ones are given special treatment compared to average people. It's a privilege.

I'm not a pompous person but I acknowledge the fact that I have a pretty face. Maraming nagsasabing maganda raw ako at sa tuwing humaharap ako sa salamin, sumasang-ayon ako. Ang ganda ko nga. Well, what can I say? You should claim beauty as yours. Before anyone else, you should be the first one to appreciate yourself.

"But I wanna be smart," I groaned in frustration. I crumpled the test paper in my hand. Aanhin ko naman 'tong ganda ko kung wala naman akong utak? I only got 27 out of 50 in Math! I'm stupid!

"Shiota."

Napalingon ako sa bakanteng upuan ni Haru. It's been days since I accompanied Hana to Japan, and I'm already back to school but I haven't seen my ex-boyfriend yet. Halos isang linggo na rin kaming hindi nagkikita dahil panay ang pagliban niya sa klase. I wonder why.

"Altaria," I lifted my gaze when my professor called me. "Kung pwede, ikaw na lang ang magbigay kay Shiota ng papel niya."

My brows furrowed in annoyance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sulking because he asked me to do it. Naiinis ako dahil ramdam ko ang matatalim na titig ng mga kaklase kong babae na parang araw-araw binuburol sa sobrang kapal ng kolorete sa mukha.

"Lucy, let me give it to Haru." maarteng sabi ng kaklase kong babae na hindi ko maalala ang pangalan. Not like I give a damn, anyway.

I gave her a bored look. "Ako na lang. Salamat."

"Oh, come on! Wala na kayo, 'di ba? 'Wag ka ngang madamot!"

"Hindi ka magugustuhan ni Haru." I flashed a mocking smile before squeezing my right breast. "He can easily tell if your tits are fake."

Her jaw dropped in disbelief. I exploded into laughter due to the nonplussed expression on her face, as if she didn't know how to rebut my insult. In the end, she could only roll her eyes to me.

Of course, it was a lie. Sa tuwing naghahalikan nga kami ni Haru ay nagdudugo ang ilong niya. Do you think he can possibly go further than kissing? He's literally a giant baby. Hihimatayin lang iyon.

Ever since we broke up, girls from different classes started flocking around Haru. Well, I wish them good luck in getting his attention. In case you don't know, he's absurdly awkward to women except me.

Anyway, it was only four in the afternoon when our class was dismissed. I hastily left the classroom and made my way to the hallway filled with students. My heart thumped in discomfort as I listened to the noisy crowd. The corridors are unusually packed.

"Oh, it's you." I halted from walking when I bumped into Haru. He's not wearing his uniform, and he just got out of the faculty room.

"Ah," Haru gave me a small smile. "Hi, Lucy."

"Our professor asked me to give you this." sambit ko at inabot ko sa kanya ang papel. "As expected, you aced the exam. Good job."

"Thanks," He seemed pleased with his score. "What about you?"

Nahihiya lang akong ngumiti sa kanya. Haru knows about my trashy intellect, especially in Math. Mahusay lang akong magsalita sa Ingles at iyon lang ang maipagmamalaki ko. Alam niya iyon.

"It didn't go well, huh?" Haru caressed his chin. I flinched when Haru patted my head. "Don't take it to the heart, Lucy. Mahal ko parin ikaw kahit 'di mataas exam mo. Bahala ako!" He joked.