[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

18: Double Trouble

ZACH

It's already 9:55 and my class starts at 10am today. I am now walking towards wait no, running towards my room which is in 4th floor.

I was so tired last night that I forgot to set my alarm clock and Clark, my so called bestfriend, left me alone in our dorm and did not even mind waking me up. 

Thank you for letting me sleep a little longer, Bestfriend.

Maybe he's really getting back at me for not sharing to him what happened with that shopping with Penelope.

I reached 3rd floor and was about to make my turn towards the stairs heading 4th floor when I heard two voices arguing.

I was planning not to care at all and just focus on not being late, even though I already am, but then I heard that they mentioned the name, Penelope.

I mean, there maybe lots of Penelopes in this university right? So there's a little chance it may be Penelope, the candidate for CQ. I made my turn towards the stairs when their voices became louder.

"Just do what you're asked to do, idiot!" One boy shouted.

"If people know about this, I swear, I'm quitting school." The other boy replied.

I slowly walked towards where the voices were coming from, which also means that I am walking away from my classroom. I think I rather be late than join a class I won't be able to focus on.

"We have to do this or they'll hurt us!"

"Who will hurt you?" I interrupted. They seem so shocked and were about to run away but then realized that they have nowhere no go. They are cornered and the only way out is where I am standing but I am not letting them go without them answering my questions.

"Who are you?" I realized that they were in Junior High because they're wearing gray pants. Pants in Junior High are gray while Senior High pants for boys are black.

"I asked first." I said and realized that the boys are tearing down Penelope's posters in the wall. 

Yes, the posters from Penelope Avery, the CQ Candidate and not just any other Penelope. There are other posters here from the other candidates as well, but they're only tearing down Penelope's posters. This is so weird.

"It's none of your business." The boy answered back. The other boy remained silent.

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but it is my business to know."

For a moment, he was taken back for what I just said and merely replied me with an, "Oh really?" I looked into his eyes, but all I see was fear.

"Yes, so let's have it this way. You'll answer my questions or I'm bringing you to the princi-"

"WE WILL ANSWER!" I was interrupted when the silent one yelled. He is now crying.

"What are you doing?!" The other boy asked the silent one.

"I don't want to be part of any of this! I just wanted to belong to your circle of friends, but if this is what it takes, I don't want to have any connections with you!" The silent one replied and the other boy was left with no words.

After a long moment of silence, the other boy broke the ice, "Fine. What do you want to know?" He asked me.

"Good. So first, why are you tearing down that posters?" I pointed Penelope's posters.

"Be-because, s-somebody asked us to do this." The silent one answered, eyes on the floor. 

I felt the sincerity in his voice.

"Who?" I asked again.

This time the other boy asked with his eyes also in the floor. "We can't tell you. If we do, they'll hurt us."

"They? You mean, there are many of them?" I asked again but they did not answer. 

"Okay, let's have it this way. If you can't tell me the names, just give me a clue or something."

"A Campus Queen candi-" The silent one answered and the other boy immediately covered his mouth to stop what he was about to say.

"So one of the CQ candidates?" I asked and they both looked in my direction.

"Please, don't tell anyone." The other boy pleaded. "I only did this because I badly need the money to help pay for my mother's bills. She's... sick."

"Why didn't you tell us?" The silent boy asked him.

"I'm afraid that you'll just embarrass me." He looked down and I realized that he's crying. The silent boy comforted him. 

"We really don't know who exactly, but we were told that it is ordered by a CQ candidate." The silent boy said.

"I promise, your secret is safe with me." I assured them.

"Thank you so much." They replied in unison.

"But," I added. "Promise me that this will will be the last time you'll do something like this."

"Promise."

"Yes, we promise."

I took my wallet out from my bag and opened it. I only have here 3 thousand pesos. My two week budget. I took it all out and handed it to the boy whose mother is sick. 

"I know it's not that big but I hope this helps."

He looked at me in shock and replied, "Thank you but no, it's really okay. I promise. I just have to find another way how to-" he started explaining but I am not buying any of it.

Instead, I handed it to the silent one and said, "Give it to him and make sure he accepts it." He nodded.

"Now, go back to your classes. I also have a class to attend to and I am really late. Also, learn to communicate. You both seem to have a problem with that." I told them and walked away. 

I heard them yelling thank you again and again.

I sighed.

Why does every trouble I encounter always linked to Penelope? 

I guess I just have to accept the fact that my life now involves Penelope. 

At least, for a couple of months.

I looked over my watch. 10:25. Great. 

If I walk inside that class on this time, my teacher will just humiliate me.

I decided to go to the library to get my mind off things for a while. 

This is probably the worst way to start my day.