The Trouble with the Rule

Chapter 25: Save paper

Piper's POV

I'm half awake. I was so busy watching movies yesterday that I wasn't able to check the time. Before I knew it, 3am na pala.

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa desk. I'm trying to sleep since we still have a few more minutes before the class starts. Kaya lang with the noise around, I doubt that I'll be able to sleep. Hopeless, I just decided to roam around the room. Baka sakaling mawala ang antok ko this way.

I kept on walking when a paper landed in front of me. Curious, I picked it up only to read a question with Nate's handwriting. Yeah, I know him too well kaya maski handwriting niya kabisado ko na. It's messy and barely readable.

Problema mo?

Tumingin ako sa gawi niya and mouthed the words 'I'm sleepy'. Napangiti lang siya and looked away. I, too, did the same before anyone could see us interacting. I took another step when I was hit in the head. Another paper. Napairap ako kasi medyo nakakainis ang mabato ng papel.

I picked it up and read what's written. Unlike kanina, hindi messy ang handwriting. Maganda. Neat. This is Hailey's handwriting. Sure ako.

'Yung eyebags mo. Sobra kung kamaway ngayon. Hahaha. Ano na namang pinagpuyatan mo?

I took the pen in my pocket to answer Hailey's question.

Movie marathon. I'm so sleepy. Once makauwi talaga tayo I'll sleep immediately.

Dumaan ako sa pwesto niya saka binitawan ang papel. She'll pick it up. I know.

Nang nasa tapat ako ng front door, saktong papasok na ang jocks. I pretend that I did not to see them at nagtuloy lang sa pag-ikot nang may bumulong sa akin.

"Anong nangyari sa 'yo? Puyat?" Nagmamadaling tanong ni Warren.

Tinalikuran ko siya at saka tumango. He got it na for sure.

It's quite tiring and I think I look like a fool for wandering around the room kaya I decided to sit na lang ulit. I was about to reach my place when Hailey threw the crumpled paper again. I picked it up and went back to my sit.

Pinapatanong ni Tamara kung wala ka bang orasan sa kwarto mo at hindi mo namalayan kung anong oras na? Isa pa, schooldays nangmomovie marathon ka. Mga trip mo talaga.

Napatingin ako sa dalawa. Nagpapasahan pala ng papel. Pasimple pa. Hay, this set-up is hard din pala.

I decided not to answer them since aksayado sa papel. May mga taong walang papel kaya dapat hindi lang 'to basta aksayahin.

"Hey there, Pipes!"

I mentally rolled my eyes when I saw Elle entering our room. She's nice dati. She's even my.. how do you call this.. my.. assistant leader, I guess? Kahit hindi naman necessary magkaroon ng ganoon. We've been friends ever since naging magkagroup kami kaya lang noong naging hindi na kami magklase this year, she changed. I'm not stupid, kaya alam ko na she wants to be in my place. She wants to be the leader of the Populars. Alam ko rin na kinaibigan niya lang ako para mas sumikat siya. But I didn't complain. Ang akala ko kasi magbabago siya, pero hindi pala. She's getting worse. Lagi niyang pinagtatawanan ang kung sino man na mas mababa sa kaniya. I'm at fault, too, kasi hindi ko naman siya sinusuway.

"What's that?" She pointed the paper I'm holding.

"Ah. This? Scratch paper. I was trying to solve a Math problem."

"Oh, okay. I thought it was something like secret message between you and.. you know who," she said then laugh.

Tiningnan ko lang siya ng seryoso at nang mapansin niya 'yun ay pabiro niya akong pinalo, "Just kidding. Hey, I'll go ahead na. Dinalaw lang talaga kita here 'cause I miss hanging out with you na. Sige, ciao."