Popularity

Foundation Week is getting near.

I really don't like to participate in this particular event in school since there would be a lot of socializing and activities. You have to mingle with different students from different levels and courses. But the saddest part, well for me, is it is compulsory to attend. It is one of the requirements to fulfill to get your clearance signed at the end of each school year. Again, I need to be in it and just have to get along with everyone even though it would be another painful week for me.

Everyone is so excited. The preparation is going well and some of the booths are already built in the school ground. Three days left and I would be in the middle of screaming voices, frantic girls and boys running to and fro, and all those athletes participating in different games and activities. That time, you would just see me sitting at the farthest part of bleachers, with my earphones on, listening to loud music, and reading my book.

"Why don't we choose Corine as a representative for the Essay Writing Contest?"

I am awakened from my reverie when I hear someone mentions my name.

I see my classmates look at me. They are all shocked even just by hearing my name too.

"No." I simply answer.

"But I think you could be perfect to do it since you love reading books," Mina says back at me. So, it is her ridiculous idea, after all?

"Reading is different from writing. I don't like it." my serious reply

I see the awkward reactions of my classmates. They are all worried that they might piss me off.

"But--"

"Now, why don't we just choose another one and respect Corine's decision?" Our class mayor butts in. He cuts Mina before she could finish her words.

I feel at ease hearing him say that. I owe it to him.

I see Mina's disappointed face. I feel so sorry for her. It is just I am not up for that idea since I don't like participating at all. They wouldn't understand my reason anyway. They don't know me at all. It would be best for everyone to just let me be by myself.

The class goes on without even one of my classmates bothers to take an interest in me again. It seems that they have a silent agreement not to pay any attention or even look at me. I like it that way.

After our last subject, I go to the library to borrow some books and I am already going out when a girl bumps at me. My books fall on the floor.

"Shit!" I hear her say.

I immediately pick up all the books and stare at the girl crossing her arms.

"What?" She irritatingly asks me. She is bitchy, alright?

She is not alone. She has three companions. Looking bitchy as well.

I could see from her face how spoiled and brat she is. She is actually gorgeous with her heart-shaped face and naturally red plump lips. Her big brown eyes complement her long blonde hair. But everything seems ugly to me with her attitude and glaring eyes.

I stay quiet and walk past her and her friends. I hate this kind of encounter. I don't want to attract bullies like her. I don't want her sorry, anyway.

"What a bitch!" I see her friend with curly black hair say it before passing right through them.

"It's not a surprise since she's ugly," I hear somebody from them say it. They all laugh at that.

I don't care at all. My thoughts are focused on how to get home and just read my newly borrowed books.

It is not new to find some bully students like them. They are all scattered at school while having fun with their victims. But this is the first time for me to personally cross paths with an actual one here at school.

I feel so sorry for their victims but I believe that they are more pitiful. They are the real pathetic and weak ones.

I decide to buy some snacks first in the cafeteria before going home.

As soon as I enter, I see a lot of students and the queue to the counter is quite long. I stand at the end of the waiting line. Some students follow at the back. I hear a booming sound from the covered court, situated on the left side of the cafeteria. There is an event going on and the students are coming towards it. I could see right through the glass walls of the canteen what is happening inside the court. It is a preliminary competition for Mr. and Ms. Foundation Week for this year.

I am having second thoughts if I would still wait in the line or just go home when someone blocks my view on the event.

"Hi!"

I remember him. He is the guy with the eyeglasses from the library.

I just look at him.

"I just want to thank you for the book you had let me read the other week. And sorry too if I ever disturbed you at that time. It wasn't my intention." He says with sincerity that I feel bad for being irritated at him the first time we met.

"It's okay," I simply said

He smiles at me. He seems nice and kind.

"John Grisham is my favorite author. I have a collection of his books but I haven't bought The Pelican Brief so I was quite excited to see that one at the library. I can even lend you some if you like." He kindly offers.

I appreciate it. But the thing is, I am not a conversationalist.

"No, it's okay--"

"Dave!"

My words are cut by someone who runs towards us.

The queue is moving slower than I anticipated.

"Professor Santos....was looking for you. H- he said he needed to talk to you.... about the propositions you told him last time." The boy says while catching his breath.

"I'll see him after the event. Thanks, Josh." His answer to him. The boy waves goodbye and leave us.

"Hi, Dave!" A group of girls greets him. They giggle when he smiles back at them.

I see the waiting line moves a bit. Another two boys approach us.

"Dave, Ms. Alente wished to talk to you about the tabulation," the taller one says to him.

"Just a second. Tell her I'll be there in a bit." He replies to them. They nod and go back towards the covered court.

So, he is quite popular, huh? I am suddenly conscious of the stares of the students around us.

They are not looking at us. They are looking at him. Who is this guy?

He suddenly turns to me.

"Sorry but it seems there are a lot of things waiting for me..." He apologetically smiles at me.

"It's okay," It is my third time saying these words.

"I have to go. See you around." He turns his back at me and started to walk away when he suddenly stops in his tracks.

He looks at me again and walks back. I am kind of startled when he does that.

"I forgot to introduce myself. That was rude of me. I'm Dave and you are?"

He extends his hand. I stare at it. I already know his name from all the students who greeted and talked to him a while ago. Is this really necessary?

"Ahem!" The girl at my back grunts.

We both look at her. She points the line ahead of me using her lips. She is obviously annoyed. I have a feeling that it is not because of the line but because of this guy who asks my name. She hears it.

The queue is now moving at last. I take steps forward. Dave follows me at my side still extending his hand. Maybe I have to end this now. We shake hands.

"Corine," it sounds like a whisper but enough for him to hear.

He smiles and slightly presses my hand. I see kindness in his eyes.

"Thanks!" He waves at me and half-runs to the covered court.

I sigh. I hate coincidences. Meeting him the second time is exhausting for me. Especially knowing that he is that kind of popular among the students.

I could see that he is nice but it is not enough for me to be at ease with him. I don't like him paying attention to me. I want him to forget all the small talks we had. Even my so-called name.

I badly want to go home and rest.

-------

Four agonizing days passed and it is already the last day of our Foundation Week.

During those days, I did my routine and I was really thankful for not being disturbed by anyone. They just let me spend time with myself and do my things. Listening to music while reading.

The students were busy doing scheduled activities such as playing games and other competitions. Everything was fun and lively. I saw their happy faces while roaming around the school grounds to check on the booths. I liked watching them all.

The most awaited event and the highlight of the Foundation are on the fifth day. The awarding of all the competitions and games, and the final coronation of Mr. and Ms. Foundation Week.

I just have to endure a few more hours and it would all be over.

It is exactly 6 pm when they are done with the awarding. Next, the search competition.

All the students are gathered in the field. They built a huge stage outside rather than using the school auditorium. And it is more appealing because, after the coronation, music jamming would be next. That is the only part of this event that I really like best.

Every level and course would have their representatives by pair for the search competition. Since they already did the preliminary, there would be only 5 pairs that would compete for this finals. The winner would be chosen through two parts: the result of the judges' scores and through online voting. Each is 50 percent of the total computation. It would be an individual victory for each and not judged by pair so each candidate has his or her chance and should do their best.

The Finals started. I choose to watch at the farthest back of the field. I don't want to fight my way through the crowd near the stage. Everyone is putting their lives on the line just to get that position. Besides, they have a huge LED screen setup in the middle of the field for those who couldn't see through the stage and its screen. I already get an ideal position. Far from the crowd.

The voice-over calls on the emcees for the event. I barely hear the introduction for the female host but when the male host is introduced, I am a bit shocked.

It is Dave-- his full name is Dave Locsin. And according to the introduction, he is the current governor of the school's student officers organization. So, that explains his popularity.

For the past days after our second encounter, whenever I saw him in the library or anywhere in school, I always tried my best not to be noticed. I would always go the other way when I saw him going to mine. I avoided him. I don't want another kind greeting or small talk with him. He is just too nice. I don't deserve it.

The third pair from the Interior Design department is called now for the Q and A portion. They are already in their 4th year in college according to the hosts. A familiar face flashes on the LED screen. The girl is that spoiled brat I had bumped with outside the library. She sweetly smiles and I hear some boys cheer for her.

Ms. Savana Cuaresma-- a flash from the screen.

"What would you choose? Kindness or beauty?" Dave reads the question for her.

She smiles sweetly again and looks at the crowd.

"Good evening everyone! Thank you for that wonderful question. I would rather choose kindness over beauty because physical attributes fade but a good heart stays beyond years and can even pass through generations. That's the value of having a kind heart. Thank you."

The crowd roars and her department cheer her name loudly.

How ironic. I wish she did choose kindness over beauty when we met that day.

So far, from my point of view, the male from the 1st pair and that brat girl have the best answers.

The 4th pair is already done and they called on the fifth. I am busy fiddling through my phone when a familiar name catches my attention.

"Mr. Sean Dela Fuente!"

I stare at the screen in disbelief. It is him. The annoying guy.

I hear the screams and the cheers of almost more than half of the female students. I even see some girls silently giggled meters away from my spot.

Seriously?

They wait for the crowd to calm down before the female host reads the question for him.

"What is an ideal woman for you?"

I see his warm smile again. And the dimples.

"Every woman is a unique character and individual. But an ideal woman for me is someone who knows where she stands and has her own voice. She's independent but helpful. Brave but kind. Resilient but compassionate. She is a woman with virtue and fights for her morals. I like a woman who knows what charity is all about. Thank you."

The crowd goes wild and chants his name with a thunderous voice. It is obvious who is their favorite.

"I love you, Sean!!! Please marry me!" someone shouts nearby.

Every girl goes crazy over him.

I suddenly realize how bizarre it is to meet these popular guys. Dave and Sean. How in the world did I end up knowing them? It feels so weird. And I also feel fear and exhaustion.

I must not cross their paths again.

Even that bully girl-- Savana.