[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

23: Rooftop Encounter

PENELOPE 

Debate Class is over. 

And for the second time this week, Zia won against me. Their group won against us. 

I'm really blaming Trixie for this!

She never mentioned to me that we were having a debate today so I haven't prepared anything last night! I was too busy with the CQ campaign. 

Argh! This is so frustrating! I can't believe Zia is winning. Again.

Why did she even have to come back?

"Penelope, I'm sorry. I really forgot." I didn't notice Trixie was already sitting beside me.

"Trixie, everyone's entitled to be stupid sometimes, but you are abusing the privilege." I spat.

I really don't want to be in a situation wherein I cannot do anything. I always do things my way. I always get want I want, but Zia is ruining everything!

"Sorry, okay?"

"Yeah, just shut up okay?"

"Whatever." She went back to her seat and redid her makeup.

Vanessa poked me and I faced her. "What?"

"What are you wearing tomorrow?" 

Right, I completely forgot about the pool party tomorrow.

"Can we just shop later?" I asked, instead. 

I have lots of new bikinis at home, but shopping would probably make me feel better. 

Today was so stressful.

"We can't." Vanessa pouted. "Trixie and I have a spa appointment today."

I looked at her in disbelief. "You booked an appointment without me?"

"Sorry, we forgot." 

Wow, I don't know what got into Trixie and Vanessa today., but if they are planning to ruin my already ruined day, they are doing a great job.

"Whatever. I'm going on a date with Jared later anyway." 

Lies.

I don't even know where he's at right now. He's not answering my calls.

I decided to text him instead. 

"Babe, mall later 6pm?"

After a few minutes, he finally replied.

 "Can't. We have a meeting in the field today, after class. Sorry."

Meeting? Again? 

I sighed. 

Fine, if no one's coming with me, then I'll go there myself.

"Good morning Class." Mr. Diangco, our Philosophy teacher entered the room and we greeted him back.

Can't wait to finish all my classes today. I really need to keep my mind off things, and nothing goes wrong with shopping. 

Nothing.

☆☆☆

ZACH

Thank God, it's Friday! Today was a really busy day and I'm feeling under the weather.

Our professors were giving us too much performance tasks and quizzes.

It was way too stressful given the fact that we just finished our midterms last week.

Clark isn't done with his class yet so I decided to just go in the rooftop of our building to kill time.

I always want to hangout there not only because it's too quite, but also because the silence helps me think better.

I was climbing the last five steps towards the rooftop when I heard two voices arguing so I stopped.

Based on their arguments, they're probably couples having an love quarrel.  I want to give them their privacy.

I sighed. 

Seems like the rooftop isn't available for me today.

I decided to just go to the library again and hopefully, fingers crossed, I will be able to see Zia again.

I was heading down the narrow stairs which was the only access towards the rooftop when I saw a security guard climbing up. 

SHIT! THIS IS BAD!

The rooftop is actually off-limits to students, so if I get caught here, I'd be put to detention and that is the last thing I want right now.

I slowly climbed back to the rooftop. My heart was racing so fast that I forgot about the couples who were arguing here earlier. I immediately hid behind these boxes so I didn't have the chance to see they are. That's the least of my priorities right now.

I never had a record in the Prefect of Discipline before and I have no plans having one. I never intended to break a school rule here though, I just really needed a place to think and this was the only place I know. Guards seldom check here so I never got caught before.

"Why don't you just breakup with her? I mean, that will make things easier for us!" a girl suddenly yelled.

Wait, why do I feel like I've heard her voice somewhere? 

Nah, maybe I'm just overthinking. Also, I'm not really feeling well. I just want to leave in peace.

"As much as I want to, I can't. My father wants me to marry her." 

I don't mean to eavesdrop but I stuck here and I can't just leave.

I heard the girl laughed nervously, "You're not serious, right? You don't even like her! And now you're marrying her?"

Curiosity is starting to kill me so I decided to peek in this little hole of the box. Unfortunately, I can't see anything from this angle at all.

"No, but she will, soon."

The ambiance around here is getting too intense as if I'm in some sort of a drama. Plus, it's getting really hot here like literally. I'm sweating a lot.

"Aren't you too young for that?"

The boy laughed. "Business is business."

I clenched my fists. I don't know why I feel bad. It simply just sounds wrong. 

"Hey, what are you two doing here?" Shit. I think it's the guard.

"Give me your I.D.s now!"

"Fuck." They cursed in unison. I heard their footsteps slowly walking away.

I waited for about 5 more minutes before I decided to get out and leave.

Just yesterday, I encountered trouble, and now this.

My life is too complicated right now.

So much for wanting peace.

"Zach? Are you okay?"

"Zia? What are you doing here?"