Expedition towards Success

Chapter 18

I started living with Jonathan. He sleeps on the couch in the living room while I sleep on the bed. We're both on the same page-- not giving it any malice. I know he's into Wendy. He's just preserving it and controlling his actions since his priority first was his study, according to him.

That has been our arrangement for two months. We became closer; I've considered him as my buddy, a friend as close as Wendy and Matthew.

Today is May 29 and we planned to take an exam in our target school, which was just near our workplace and our apartment. We consumed our time appropriately at the shop and we made sure to finish all our tasks before leaving.

"Two Wintermelon milkteas for Ma'am Shiela? Both contain 50% sugar level, take out. I received 200 pesos; your change is 50 pesos. Enjoy your milktea, Ma'am!" Those were the last words I uttered before our shift ended.

"Ready?" Jonathan asked while walking outside. I fisted my hands and tapped my chest as a sign of my readiness.

We rode a jeepney to University of Santo Tomas. The university was just near our milktea shop and one ride from our apartment. Aside from that, the school may still accept scholars or at least an application for student assistantship.

But the latter was blur, we're both unsure of passing an application for it if ever there are still available slots, since we're working already. So I think I'll just cross that option out of my possible decisions.

"Jonathan..."

He faced me. We're still outside the university, easing our tension and reducing our nervousness.

"I'm thinking of not applying for S.A. I don't want to suffer and have a hard time managing my time."

He nodded, "I thought of that too. Our academics would be at stake if that happens."

I sighed in relief.

"Let's go?"

He smiled and nodded.

"Are you nervous?" He asked while we're walking inside.

I shook my head and pouted.

"Really? You look like a worried grandma."

I rolled my eyes and whacked his arm.

"Why? Is this how your grandma looks like?" I fired back.

He stiffened and remained quiet. I looked at him and laugh to ease the tension.

I think I just said the wrong joke. I pulled his arm and we continued walking.

"Good afternoon. We are incoming 2nd year law students and we would like to take a scholarship exam." I said to the teacher inside the faculty.

She lifted her head to face us and her brow lifted. She slightly moved her specs downwards.

"Surname?"

"Cordova and Concepcion, ma'am."

Then she scanned the papers she was holding. My brows furrowed as I mentally asked myself what was that for. After a couple of minutes, she faced us and his face contorted. My question was answered.

"Your surnames are not here."

Jonathan and I confusedly looked at each other.

"Ma'am?"

She exaggeratedly sighed and put down the papers.

"Your surnames should be here if you've already passed the requirements before asking for an exam."

She stood up. "Have you?"

I bit my lip and we both shook our head. She narrowed her eyes and looked at us both with annoyance.

"Then you can't take a scholarship exam."

I quickly exerted my reason.

"Ma'am, maybe you can give us a-" She cut me off.

"You should've known the school's conditions in taking the exam first." She shook her head and stared at us firmly.

"If you have time for entering and nourishing a relationship, then you should definitely have time for your studies, as well."

She crossed her arms. I was taken aback with her quick judgment and I wasn't able to speak for a while, so Jonathan did.

"We're sorry for not knowing the rules when taking a scholarship exam, ma'am. It's because we're working and we have to do our duties first in our workplace. However, we are not a couple."

The teacher shifted its position and uncrossed her arms.

"Maybe you can give us a chance and consider our situations. We are working students, ma'am. We support ourselves and not anymore depending on our parents' subsidies and financial supports." Jonathan added.

She cleared her throat, "I understand. But rules our rules, even though I wanted to give you the permission to take the exam, there are no more slots left. We'll only be accepting 20 scholars who will get the highest scores, and those 20 will come from the list." She pointed on the pile of more than 200 papers on the desk.

I bit my lip and lowered down my head. I was close to crying. Jonathan gently caressed my back.

"I'm sorry." She said and went back to her seat.

We have no choice but to enroll as regular law students who will pay for the tuition and other miscellaneous fees in school. We went to the registrar to list down our names and ask for a promissory note.

"I didn't see this coming." Jonathan said.

I sighed and covered my face using my hands.

"Is this a punishment? It's getting harder and harder." I dejectedly spoke.

He put his hand on top of my head and ruffled my hair. "It's alright. We'll just pay for our tuition in installment."

I heaved a sigh. Jonathan chuckled.

"You're lucky you're our boss' favorite employee."

I slapped his hand placed on top of my head, so I got hurt too. "Ouch!"

"It's true! He's giving you your salary in advance." He laughed and whispered, "I'll tell Matthew soon about that."

"What? Are you still seeing Matthew?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Of course not. But I'll tell him everything once we all see each other again."

I scoffed and walked faster.

"That won't happen."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head exaggeratedly.

"Don't say that. I..." he trailed off and bit his lips.

"You want to see Wendy again? Yeah, right you coward, weakling lover boy! I wish you a sweet rejection from Wendy!" I laughed.

He sneered and walked even faster.

I smiled.

I'm still lucky.

I'm lucky I have a job and it pays my needs.

I'm lucky I've saved money in my two months of working.

I'm lucky I had my advance salary to pay for my tuition fee; I don't know the reason why I had it advanced.

I'm lucky I still have Jonathan.

I'm lucky he let me stay in his house.

I'm lucky.

I have to think positive and continue my living my life.

I have to think positive because this is just a phase. I will become a lawyer.

Atta girl, Atty. Cordova.