Codename: Alpha Zero

Chapter 05

MINA

Maaga akong pumasok sa school kahit buong gabi akong ginambala ng nangyari kagabi. I tried to act normal but I can't. Hindi ko maiwasang lumingon-lingon sa paligid na para bang may mga matang nakatingin sa 'kin at naghihintay ng pagkakataon para sumugod.

"Boo!" I felt my heart skipped a beat when Candy shouted behind me.

"Don't scare me like that! Mamamatay ako sa 'yo!" reklamo ko sa kaniya.

"'Wag mo na kasing isipin 'yong nangyari kahapon, tsk! Move on, girl!" sagot naman niya.

Even if I want to, I can't. Hindi gano'n kadaling kalimutan 'yong mga pangyayari kagabi. It's not normal to see people fighting with incredible skills. Namangha man ako sa mga abilidad nila, hindi naman no'n naalis ang takot ko kung sakaling magsalubong ulit ang mga landas namin.

"Mina!" I snapped back to reality when Candy shouted near my ear. "Sabi ko ano'ng order mo?"

"Ah! Chicken sandwich lang," I answered.

Napapailing siyang nagpunta sa counter. Ni hindi ko namalayan na nakaupo na pala kami sa canteen ngayon. Pagbalik ni Candy sa table namin ay kasama na niya si Janine. Looks like she already knew what happened last night.

"Sorry talaga, Mina! Kung alam ko lang sana hindi kita pinabayaang mag-isa na habulin 'yong lalaki," Janine said with the sad look of a child on her face.

"It's not your fault. Isa pa, hindi naman ako nasaktan, eh," I replied to her. She smiled a bit.

"So, how are you doing, Miss Bratty-girl-who-put-herself-in-grave-danger-last-night?" I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Oh, thanks for greeting me, Mr. Ice-cold-freezer-who-don't-know-how-to-treat-others-kindly!" I replied sarcastically with a smile.

"Sorry to disturb your exchange of call signs with each other but I think we should talk properly," sabat ni Randy. I noticed something on him but ignored it.

Masama ang tingin namin ni Alphero sa isa't-isa habang nakaupo kaming anim sa table. Some other students are taking glances at us with confused expressions. Nahagip din ng mga mata ko ang grupo nila Derica na sobrang sama ng tingin sa amin, lalo na sa 'kin.

"Ang gloomy naman ng atmosphere," komento ni Randy. Wala kasing nagsasalita sa amin ni isa. If not eating, just staring blankly at anything.

"W-Why don't we light up the mood?" Candy suggested. Parang nag-alangan pa siya sa pagsasalita.

"Good idea! So, let's start with the introductions! As far as I know, we haven't got a normal introduction with each other!" si Randy ulit ang nagsalita. "Mauna na si Janine!"

Umirap pa muna si Janine sa kaniya. "Janine Belandova. We're classmates so I think you already know what my position in class is,"

"Dog," Randy said. We all looked at him, confused. "Nah, nevermind. Not good for kids. Okay! It's my turn! I'm Randy Steves, my hobby is playing with anything, relatonships are excluded, of course. Hope we all could be friends!"

I don't think the last words he said will be true. I don't want to befriend people like them.

"Candy Lopez, I don't have many things to say. Sana lang maging magkakaibigan talaga tayo," si Candy naman ang nagpakilala.

"Marsh Simmons."

"Ikaw na, Mina," sabi ni Randy na parang excited pa.

"Mina Cruz, my hobby is writing stories," ayoko namang maging killjoy.