Liquid Courage

Night 018

[Note: This is the continuation of last chapter’s flashback]

Nervously looking at the security guard, I immediately shook my head. “No, sir, we’re not going to cheat.”

“Ha!” he exclaimed. “You kids won’t be able to fool me! I know what this is even though I’m not a college graduate. You wanted to get a high score by memorizing the questions in this test paper?”

“That is not what we want, Manong. We are not going to do that.” I defended. I looked at Cesca for help but she was just staring into nothing.

The security guard folded the testpaper and put it into his back pocket. All of sudden he was dragging us outside of the room until we reached the school gate. I kept on telling him that it was not our intention to cheat but he is not listening to every word I say. Cesca, still, is being silent.

“Please don’t tell the teachers, Manong,” I pleaded. “I swear we are not going to cheat! This is just a misunderstanding.”

“Just go home, kid. We will deal with your misconduct tomorrow.”

I tried to reason out again but he already locked the school gates. Cesca was busy using her cellphone when I glanced at her.

Truth is…I don’t know what to say to her. I wanted to get mad and blame her but she is my friend and she told me earlier that she just wanted to help me. I’m really grateful for the help she offered but not this kind of help—I don’t cheat.

I just sighed and called our driver to fetch me.

---

The next day, I was so scared to go to school. I told my mom that I want to skip today’s classes because I’m not feeling well. But she saw through my lie and insisted that I should attend.

Every step I take, I wanted to just go back and run to our car. But I know Mom would just send me back so I did my best to ignore the terrifying feeling inside my chest.

Third period came and everything is still normal. Cesca also attended today’s class but she did not speak with me. I really thought nothing bad will happen today, I thought the guard would let that incident pass. I begged him and I told him the truth.

But on our first class after lunch, someone came to class and gave a piece of paper to my teacher.

“Santua, Margaret and Gallego, Cesca please proceed to the guidance office now.”

Our classmates were shocked when our teacher announced Cesca and I’s name. Our section is the highest one in our batch, it was unsual for any of us to be called to the guidance office because we are supposed to be the model students.

They started murmuring while looking at me and Cesca.

I wanted to shrink in my seat. I wanted to just disappear. I could only imagine their reactions once they find out why we are being called.

Lyra immediately went to me. “Marg, what is happening?”

I was about to tell her when our teacher called our names again and instructed us to proceed on the guidance office. “I’m sorry, Ly. I’ll tell you later.”

My mom was there when I went inside the guidance. I hurriedly hugged her as she patted my head and whispered that everything will be okay.

Miss Ramos, the guidance councelor cleared her throat and told us to sit. I looked around and saw that there is another man in the room. It must be Cesca’s father.

The questioning started. And like what I told the guard last night, I explained that we are not going to cheat and all of it is a misunderstanding.