Unfixed

Second

"Hey the results are up!" Binaba ko 'yong binabasa kong reviewer for UPCAT when Cielo called. "Guess kung sinong top?"

"Bark?" I answered almost immediately.

"Dang gurl, if I didn't know how much you hated Bark and vice versa, I would almost say na fan girl ka n'ya. You sounded so sure with this highpitched 'Bark'." I rolled my eyes on her.

I know, lagi niya itong ginagawa sa'kin almost every time she asks kung sino nag ta-top sa quiz, sa isang contest, competition. At first hinuhula hulaan ko lang talaga but then when I realized what Lina and Cielo was doing to me, I almost always know the answer would be Bark.

One time I got pissed off, they just reasoned kung mas lalo daw akong maeexpose sa reality kung gaano kalala si Bark in terms of competitiveness or even in excellence then probably magiging fleeting nalang ang feeling ko na Bark is doing thing purposely to shame me. Then Bark would eventually get out of my system. It's almost effective but when Bark made a mark on your system, you just can't stop thinking about her.

"But you're wrong!" Tumatawa niyang sabi. That definitely got my attention, slightly pushing my hopes na baka ako.

"Sino?"

"Si Aciel." Okay, whatever of Aciel got it then I'm probably trailing second or so-so. I'm not that bad at studying, afterall.

"Was I the next in the list?" I didn't blink when I ask this. Cielo just gave me a grin almost mocking my confidence. I don't care maybe, this time malamangan ko man lang si Bark.

"I love that, kinlaim na talaga na ikaw na. But yeah, we're both on the same number." I felt the blood in my whole body rushed to my faced, tapos lumaki ang ngiti ko. I can't believe this! That means mataas akong nakuha kay Bark!

"Cielo, we're so good!" I shrieked with excitement dahilan para lingonin kami ng ibang tao sa canteen. Cielo just laughed at my reactions. This is a cool day. Indeed this is a cool day. I can't stop smiling.

I was almost sure that I will do better than Bark this exams kasi starting that events in the cafeteria, I stalked her in IG, almost every day. These past few days, napapadalas ang labas niya. Clubs, drinks, parties. I was confused at her being at ease, na para bang walang exams na darating. I seldom see her making out with the guy who wanted my number. Her confidence in studying really is something, I thought. Kahit the day before the exams, she was out. I am being a creep being her stalker and all, even I myself don't know why. My hunches na hindi siya magta-top got confirmed when Cielo said it was Aciel who topped the exams. Bark would rather be nothing kung hindi number 1, that's the level of her competitiveness.

"Aren't you going to ask why not Bark?" Napairap ako sa malisyosong turan ni Cielo. I know, I am curious as hell pero hindi ako magtatanong to save myself for another rounds of teasing me being scared of Bark.

"Why Aciel? I know he is really good but madalas naman top 10 s'ya, ganoon diba?"

"Ohh she's dodging the Bark topic now." I gave her a glare. I mean, when would Cielo, sabay mo pa si Lina, when would they be tired of teasing me about Bark.

"Nevermind nga."

"Fine." She took her notes and started studying na rin as well. "He's always been like that. Covering up for someone."

"Who is someone?"

"Someone irritating. He's obssessed even when we were kids he wanted that recognition from that person. Sobrang kulong na n'ya na wala na siyang inatupag kundi kuhanin ang atensyon ng taong 'yon." Galing sa libro ay binaling ko ang tingin ko sa mukha ni Cielo. Dumiin na yung pagsusulat niya. Makikitang galit na rin ito.