Kabanata 12

PETER

She was really fun to be with. For the past couple of days, she was really a great person to be friends with. She was cool, smart, she was more than a pretty face.

Of course marami ang nagkagusto sa kanya na mga lalaki. She became popular for the past few days in school. Not only that, she excelled in most of our classes. Everyone was shocked to know that she was good in academics.

Today we were eating our lunch at the kiosks near the auditorium when some girls called her name and went towards our place.

"Hey new girl, got something up in your nose?" Tanong ng isang babae.

"No, can you just leave?" Sagot ni Maria.

As they were arguing, I had the chance to eat a lot of the food set up on the table. As if I wanna hear them taking shit about each other. Typical high school kids drama.

"Better watch where you bump into Miss Know-It-All, akin lang ang boyfriend ko."

"I don't even know who the fuck your boyfriend is." Maria replied in an annoyance on her tone. She just got fed up to some of the girls here talking back at her. Making her feel as if she's the perfect princess ever school likes.

Yeah she is one of the greatest students here in Parsons. The principal even congratulate her for being an excellent student and being a role model for the students here.

As the girls left, Maria then talks to Kelsie on who the girl was.

"She's the grinch who stole Christmas." Said Kelsie and they both laughed.

"No but seriously, why does she keep on threatening me?"

"Because she can." I said. The three of them looked at me.

"Why? The fuck did I do to the little Regina George?" She asked.

"Well, that was Karla Calumpang. Her dad is a well known businessman. His family owns 'La Creme Coffee Shop'." I answered. She then raised a brow and just sat back.

"How do you know this?" Kelsie asked. Shit, I almost forgot.

"Research I guess? Hindi ba kayo nagbabasa ng dyaryo?" Sabi ko sa kanila. All of them shook their heads and I placed my palm on my face for that.

"Who does that in times like this anyway? We're on the age where electronics and computers rule the society. We can't even live without our phones when we go to place." Ri contorted at my response.

I sighed, she's absolutely right. This girl is smart as hell that she might be the one to run as president of the whole student body.

As we finished eating our lunch, we all then talked about the things that were discussed on our subjects. Juan was always making jokes and trying to let everyone laugh at it.

While Juan was busy talking to both girls, I eventually Checked my phone. I saw some messages regarding my work at the hotel and nothing more. Now I know that people only get messages from their workmates now than friends. Lalo na ngayon ay part time akong pinapatrabaho sa hotel.

I scanned the whole classroom amidst the tension between Karla and Maria. Girls do fight over stupid guys, I wonder if Maria would date popular kids.

As the lessons went on, I glanced at Maria. She was reading the book with her hair tied up in a bun. A small tussle of hair fell down her cheek and she gracefully tucked it behind her ear.

I then turned my attention towards the teacher. I wanted to do great in my studies. Somehow I got good scores from my last pre-tests since we got around the lessons before from our old school.

"Mr. Aranguez, can you read to me the next paragraph?"

I stood up and read the whole paragraph. Though some guys in the class made fun of me, I still read through it. Even though I was pretty tired and frustrated with the teasing and all.

When I sat down my chair, I glanced at Maria and to my shock she looked at me. I then turned my head to where the teacher stood. My cheeks began to burn, that was freaking embarassing.

I heard the teacher settled the class down. She continued the discussion until the bell rang and all of us went out of the classroom.

"Bro, papasok ka na sa trabaho?" Juan asked and I nodded in response.

"Kuya maybe you wanna come and join us after 4 pm class? Pupuntahan ko si papa sa Hotel."

I nodded to Kelsie and walked towards my locker. After three days in the school did they assign us with our lockers.

Kelsie and Juan's lockers are far away from mine and Maria's.

"So, you're going to work?"

I placed my books inside my locker Nd replied, "Yep, I'm needed since I'm the new bellboy assigned at the hotel."

"Really? Well I heard some guests give the bellboy's some really great tips."

I smiled at that thought. Bellboys do make some extra cash as long as hindi nakikita ng manager namin. Pero sabagay, may extra pa akong mabili na pagkain pagkatapos ng shift ko sa gabi.

I closed my locker and went towards where Juan and Kelsie's lockers were located.

"Nakakainis, ba't ba kasi dito ako nilista ng eskwelahan ng locker ko? Layo ko naman sa inyo eh." Inis na sabi ni Juan.

"Sige at puntahan mo yung Head, baka matulungan kang ilagay yung mga gamit mo sa janitor's closet."

I glanced as to where that voice came from. Nakita ko si Karla kasama yung mga kaibigan niya.

Nilapitan niya si Maria, she raised her brow and said, "Oh, you're friend whines like a girl all the time."

"Yep, unlike that disgusting smell of your breath, I inhale every time you come through the halls," Maria replied. Nabigla si Karla and I chuckled at her expression. You're roasted.

Lumingon siya sa akin at ako naman ang napagtripan niya. "Oh, eto pala yung boyfriend mong sumusuporta sa iyo eh. Parang baklang ewan."

I chuckled at her insult, darn girls like these are too much for this school to handle.

"So? At least I got a boyfriend who's prettier than a plastic barbie like you."

"Whore!"

"Are you referring to yourself?"

"No, pero nilandi mo yung boyfriend ko kaya kami nagbreak."

I stopped laughing at what Karla just said. I know girls would just fight like cats but this is boring. The boiling tension between Karla and Maria are hot.

"Why would I flirt with your pathetic-looking egoistic boyfriend?" Maria asked.

"Nagtatanong ka pa?"

"Is there something wrong here?"

Lumingon kami kung saan nanggaling yung nagsasalita. To our surprise, si Headmistress yung nandoon. Lumapit siya at agad akong lumayo sa daanan niya.

"Hello, students? I hope you are all aware that we have to clear up the hallways in order for other students to pass?"

We all lowered our heads. I saw Maria just looking towards the Headmistress' eyes.

"Miss Johnson? Is everything alright in this area?" She asked.

"No problem at all Headmistress. I thought I saw an ugly beetle flying around the halls."

The headmistress nodded and warned the students to go to class. The four of us walked towards our classroom and just sat down at our assigned seats.

"Hey, you okay back there?" I asked Maria. She smiled and nodded at me.

"Was that a joke though? The boyfriend thing you said to Karla."

"Yeah, why?" She asked. I just shrugged and sat there while waiting for the teacher.