Contrasting Colors (Veles High Series #2)

15 | Alessandria

Alessandria’s POV

I GRUNTED UPON seeing the equation that Erald wrote on my notebook. We’ve been reviewing for almost two hours now and my mind felt so abused from all the terms and formulas that he insisted I should memorize.

4x2+8x+2
-3x2+4x-7

“Eto ‘yung vertical method ng adding and subtracting of polynomials,” he said then pointed the equation using his pen. “Mas ginagamit ko ‘to kaysa doon sa horizontal method kasi nakakalito ‘yon. Pero ikaw bahala, kung saan ka madadalian.”

“Solve mo na. Tapos check ko.”

I lifted my pen and kept on dotting the numbers. What’s the basic rule again of adding? Do I just add it or what? How about subtraction?

Argh…why do I even need to study this? It’s not like I’m gonna use it in the future.

Whatever, I’m just gonna answer what I feel like answering. Who cares if I fail?

-7x2+4x+9

“There,” I said then pushed my notebook towards Erald.

His laughter filled the library after seeing my answer. “Takte! Seryoso ka bang eto sagot mo?”

I glared at him. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Galit ka naman agad, Ma’am Kalesa,” naiiling na sabi niya. “Bakit kasi ganito—pfft…wala kang tama ni isa eh, parang pinagbali-baliktad mo pag-aadd and minus.”

My blood boiled upon hearing his statement. “How dare you? Just fucking quit teaching me if you don’t want to!”

“Teka teka, kalma! Sorry na, eto na nga oh ituturo ko na sa ‘yo. Nanginginig-nginig pa!”

I rolled my eyes. Damn this annoying guy!

Erald moved his chair closer to mine. Our heads were only inches apart and if I make a fucking wrong move, I don’t want to think what body part of ours would touch.

“Ganito kasi ‘yan, Ma’am Kalesa. Kapag magkaiba ng sign, automatic na i-su-subtract mo agad sila sa isa’t-isa, katulad nitong 4x2 at -3x2. Ang magiging sagot na lang diyan ay positive x2 dahil mas malaking number ‘yung 4. Kapag magkaiba ng sign, ang kukuhanin mong sign ng sagot ay ‘yung sign ng mas malaking number.”

Itinuro niya ‘yung sunod na number. “Tapos eto namang magkapareha ng sign ay i-add mo agad tapos i-retain mo lang kung anong sign talaga nila. In this case, parehas silang positive kaya ang sagot ay positive din.”

Nagulat naman ako nang bigla siyang humarap sa akin at magtama ang aming mga mata. “Gets mo na, Ma’am?”

I looked away because his face was too close. Doesn’t he know how uncomfortable that is?

“Uy, Kalesa. Gets mo na ba o uulitin ko pa?”

“I get it, okay?!”

“Ba’t galit?” takang tanong niya. “Sige next subject na tayo.”

The routine went on for another week. Every after class, Erald would come to our house to teach me and prepare me for the upcoming periodical test. And I hated every single day of it because it meant torture for my brain.

Like seriously? If not only for my Hayabusa, I really don’t mind failing! I’m sure the old man can pull some strings so I can graduate…so why bother?

I can’t even go out that much because after our tutoring session, all I want is to collapse on my bed. Argh, I hate studying so damn much! Why do I have to teach myself with all these math and science when I don’t even want anything to do with it?