Memory of a Sinner

2. Know your Enemy

Chapter Theme: Know your enemy - Green Day

"Waaah!" Wrencel shouted as I accidentally stepped on his foot.

"Oops. Sorry, my friend," I said with a grin, and he shot me an annoyed look, but I didn't care. I sat down at my seat next to him.

"Where's Tyson?" I immediately asked after taking my seat at our table.

"He skipped school again," Reymond replied. I didn't bother responding because Tyson often skipped classes, especially since he wasn't passionate about his chosen course, Architecture.

I was eating when I noticed that Walter, who was sitting next to me, seemed uninterested in his food. Something seemed off.

"Hey!" I called to him. He had headphones on, so he didn't hear me right away.

Others turned and, upon realizing I was looking at Walter, they also looked at him. Elton, seated next to him, tried to get his attention by tapping him. Walter didn't seem eager to look at Elton, and his eyes remained fixed.

"Trexdene is calling you," Elton said, pointing at me. Walter finally looked at me.

I gave him a concerned look and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," he quickly replied and got up to walk away. I noticed that his plate and glass were hardly touched.

Nothing," he quickly replied, then stood up and walked away. I glanced at his plate and glass – they were barely touched.

As I watched Walter leave the cafeteria, my other friends fell silent. Could they know something I didn't?

"What's going on?" I broke the silence with a sigh.

Even though I was focused on my food, I felt their hesitation to answer.

"I don't know," said Zanji.

"Me neither," added Elton.

"Count me out," chimed in Reymond.

"Ano pa ako? I don't know anything," Wren asked but it was obvious that he's just lying.

None of them would confess. Well, I'd better ask Walter myself. It's probably better if he tells me than these guys, or not? Magmumukha lang akong nangingialam.

----

Time passed quickly, and it was time to go home again. Wren and Tyson wouldn't be joining us today since they had basketball practice at the gym.

So, it was just me, Zanji, Reymond, and Elton. Walter didn't want to come with us, saying he had somewhere to go. I didn't get a chance to ask him about his problem.

"Are we heading straight home?" Elton asked. It seemed like he didn't want to go home just yet. We were used to hanging out after school.

"Let's make a quick stop at the convenience store nearby." I suggested. They all looked at me, seemingly understanding why I said that.

"Count me out!" Reymond exclaimed. He seemed nervous, though – maybe he was exaggerating a bit. OA, e.

"I'm out too, damn! I'm broke today, got no money," Elton hinted.

Before I could say anything, they were already on their way, leaving me behind.

"You stingy miser. I'll just go alone," I muttered and walked out. But soon, I felt Zanji following me, so I won.

Upon arriving at the store, I went straight to the ice cream section and grabbed a Magnum. I was smiling because Zanji had followed me all the way. I felt his presence beside me, so I handed it to him.