Chapter 1
Alli
"Allidaire, your group will be assigned to cover the baseball match on the second day of the sport's fest," I just nod at Ms. Quintos as my answer.
Ilang araw na lang at magaganap na ang 30th Sport's fest ng Revell University. Our club, as usual, is the busiest club during school events because the school paper depends in our hands. I am a photojournalist together with Hilary and Jedah. Kami 'yung madalas tamaan ng bola, sa mga games para lang makakuha ng magandang anggulo. Kung tutuusin pwede namang umilag, kaso sadyang pag andun na 'yung tamang anggulo mahirap ng bitawan para makailag.
"So, hiwa-hiwalay na muna tayo? I'll be joining Euphie to cover the baseball match," I said looking at Hilary and Jedah.
"I guess, wala naman na tayong choice. I'll join Aaron and Ella in covering the basketball game and the volleyball game." Pagsang-ayon pa ni Jedah.
"Then if that's the case I'll cover the soccer game."
The meeting was dismissed when the task was fully distributed to each group of our club. I was the last to leave the Club room.
Naglalakad ako sa corridor ng Third floor Club Building ng makasalubong ko ang officers ng Sports Club and as usual most of them are boys na hindi maipagkakailang makikisig at may taglay na yaman.
"Wala ka bang video ulit?"
"Balita ko sikat na ang video mo sa porn hub, totoo ba 'yun?"
"Wala ka pala p're eh, napanood na namin 'yun."
"Paano nga ulit ang ungol mo d'un?"
Sunod-sunod na tanong nila, ramdam ko ang pag-init ng sulok ng aking mga mata. Yes, I have a scandal pero taliwas sa alam ng lahat, hindi ko kagustuhan 'yon. I was raped by a stupid bastard during our prom night.
They took a video while they were wrecking my whole personality. Itinali nila ako noon para hindi makalaban. Isang kahalayan ang ginawa nila sa akin na hanggang ngayon ay d makalimutan ng lahat. Marami ang nandidiri at ang tingin sa akin ay malandi at pokpok, without knowing what really happens.
Nakayuko akong nagtuloy ng paglakad, narinig ko pa ang malakas nilang tawanan bago ako bumaba sa sunod na palapag. Ramdam ko din ang kakaibang tingin ng isa sa kanila. Isang tingin na hindi ako nilubayan hanggang sa ako'y makababa. Hindi ringing nangungutya ngunit tingin na mapanuri. Pilit kong pinipigilan ang pagpatak ng aking mga luha ngunit talagang traydor ang aking mga luha.
I decided to go to the library to refresh my mind. Books can give me comfort and wipe away my problems.
Naupo ako sa dulong lamesa ng library matapos makapanghiram may Mrs. Torres, ang aming librarian. I was in the middle of reading when a man pulled the chair in front of me. Am indication that he's going to share with my table.
I didn't bother to look at him instead I just focus my self on reading.
"I'm sorry for what happen earlier." It was the man in front of me catching my attention with his cold voice.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin at bahagyang nagulat nga makita kung Sino ang aking nasa harapan. It was the Captain of the baseball team who happens to be the President of the Sports Club.
"N-no it's okay, hindi ko naman maalis sa utak nila ang ganung thinking." I said before giving him a a small smile.
I return my gaze on the book and continue reading but I was again stopped.
"But still, I'm sorry. Don't worry I'll be the one to protect you from now on. I'll be your best friend and your knight," may sinserong sabi niya.
Nahuli noon ang aking atensyon, kaya't napatingin ako sa kanya with a shock on my face.
"Y-you don't need to do that," I said even though I'm shuttering.
"I don't need to but I want to protect you." His words makes my heart skipped a bit.
I wouldn't able to answer after that, I just remain silent and continue reading but the thoughts of every word in the book seems to be nothing.
Paulit-ulit tumatakbo sa utak ko ang sinabi niya. Bahagya akong natulala sa libro sa aking harapan nanatili ang makahulugan niyang tingin sa akin na tila ba may hinihintay mula sa akin.
I just look up at him and give him a small nod. A smile was seen on his face, a smile of satisfaction.
"I'll protect you from now on, Allidaire Ysobel." I don't know why but I feel a certain happiness with what he said. My heart suddenly skipped a beat. I took a glance on him and it feels like everything moves slowly and my world suddenly stops for him.
I just came back to my senses when the ring of the bell was heard all over the library. I closed the book and fix my things before standing and ready to leave.
I was taken a back when someone grab my wrist, resulting me to look back.
"W-wait for me, ihahatid na kita sa klase mo." He said before pulling me outside.
"Hindi na, kaya ko naman." Nanatili akong nakatungo at iniiwasan ang muling pagtatama ng aming tingin.
"No, I'll go with you." He said with finality.
As we walk through the corridor of our building, eyes and the judgemental gaze of people never leave us. They keep on buzzing like bees while talking about us. Well in fact there's no "us".
Hindi nawala sa kanya ang aura na madalas ipakita niya sa lahat. Naglalakad siya kasabay ko na larang walang pake sa mga binubulong-bulong ng mga estudyante dito sa tabi-tabi.
"'Wag mo silang pakinggan, Allidaire. Whenever you're being judged by them stand straight and held high, don't give them the satisfaction. Tears from your eyes means you're affected and it also means that you loose and their dirty mouth and minds wins." That was his last words before we reached the door of my room. He just bid his goodbye before turning his back on me and walk away.
