XI

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY WERE STUDENTS?

A certain individual would respond that it would be getting his feelings disregarded by his crush who was deeply infatuated with a K-pop idol.

Here comes another certain individual whose response would be getting a failing grade and getting scolded by her parents after. She also ends up losing her spot on the honor list.

The last individual's response is the most unexpected. The worst thing that happened to him is when he had to be partners in a pair activity with the person he loathed the most. What happened in the end, you ask? Well, they weren't able to do anything and had to repeat a grade level.

Since Laia had always been unfortunate and had a lot of her own experiences to share, she thought that her bad luck would end when she didn't get into her dream high school and therefore was the worst experience she could have in her life.

Apparently not, as her adviser had just announced that instead of having a written examination, the examination would be in a form of a group report regarding world issues with three people instead. At first, everybody was cheering and celebrating at the top of their lungs.

Said excitement did not last when their adviser added that she would be deciding on the groupings. And it only worsened when she announced that she was too (lazy) tired to group them accordingly, so the lady just had to group them by their surnames.

And of course, Laia immediately realized that her surname was exactly before the asshat's surname. The girl wished and prayed to anyone who could help her to not be grouped with the asshat in a very important report that equaled to their examination. And because her luck had absolutely run out and her adviser hated her guts, she announces Laia's nightmare with a huge smile on her face.

"Laurie, Lopez, and Miles!"

The room was silent for a while and everyone had their own opinions about the revelation, most obviously in shock and fear. Some even voiced out that it was unfair that Shane, the girl who was with Laia, got to be in the same group with their class's top one and two.

In the end, Shane was the only person delighted in the grouping. Laia notes to tell Brie that she's not groupmates with her boyfriend (for once). Laia forgot who her friend was groupmates with but it's the least of her concerns as of the moment as the asshat has assumed the leadership position and had already started planning the flow of their report and topics to discuss without even thinking of asking Laia's opinion.

Fucking asshole.

"... so we should focus on how capitalism affects the society, and--"

Laia quickly cuts him off. "Let's not do capitalism," The asshat had the audacity to look scandalized at what Laia said. "Everyone's probably doing it already with how it was literally the topic last week, not that you were listening--"

The asshat leans closer, making Laia lean back but she kept her eyes on him, not breaking eye contact. "How'd you even know if I was listening or not, Lopez?"

"Lucky guess?" Laia shrugs instead of mentioning that it was obvious that the asshat wasn't listening because of how he was flirting and giggling around with a classmate of theirs last time which made Laia have to switch seats. "Anyway, I suggest we do the scarcity of water, instead. The number of countries with issues of water scarcity has increased through the years and we could mention that it would be due to how these bodies of waters which used to be sources of clean water had turned--"

"How about human greed?"

Laia rolls her eyes, her jaw clenching. "What's wrong with the issue I'm trying to raise?"

The asshat had the audacity to shrug. He had the mocking smile on his face and Laia wanted nothing else but to punch it off his face. "I think you're not focusing on the important issue here," The boy started drawing figures on the paper Shane grabbed from her bag earlier and placed it on the table. "Why does the scarcity of water exist? From people. People, because instead of taking care of their natural resources they exploit them and use them for their own benefits. And when it no longer serves its purpose, they abandon it,"

"The scarcity of water isn't just limited to being caused by human greed," Laia also drew a figure on the table, even marking the drawing the asshat did with an X. "It can also root from global warming--"

"Which is caused by humans," The asshat interrupts, raising an eyebrow.

"So you're saying that the reason why deserts don't have bodies of water is because of humans?"

Laia knew they were already drifting away from the topic but her pride would not allow her to concede.

The asshat sighs deeply as if the conversation was exhausting him. "Why are you even talking about deserts when there had never been any bodies of water existing there--"

"Oases exist."

"And yet, that still doesn't prove your point," The asshat crossed his arms behind his neck. "Now, it's my turn to ask you, why won't you agree with how I want our topic to be human greed? Is it because the topic is offending you? Is it because you're greedy? Don't worry, it's not meant to be personal--"

"Oh don't worry about me," The girl smirks as it was her turn to lean close. "You should be worried about yourself for this topic might uncover your greediness that you try to cover up with your narcissism, not that it helps--"

The asshat laughs out loud, catching everyone's attention. "Now we're talking about my so-called narcissism? Don't you think you're being a bit personal now, Lopez?"

"I'm being personal? Oh, like how you went all personal when you called me a gold-digger when I accepted Brie's offer to pay for all of our meals when we went to that restaurant? Let's talk about being personal then because I sure do have a lot to say to you!"

Laia was standing now with her fists clenched. She wasn't even paying attention to everyone starting to whisper and point at them.

The asshole stands up from his chair too, pushing it back. He steps closer to Laia, and Laia could smell the mint in his breath. "Then say it. Say it in front of everybody what you really think of me," He leans even closer and whispers, "And ruin your crystal clear reputation in the process."

His words made Laia realize that everybody was indeed looking at them, anticipating their every move and some were even looking forward to another fight (not that Laia punching the asshat was a fight for it was very one-sided) and would probably end up creating more rumors that may reach the principal's ears in no time.

The girl didn't want to concede. She didn't want to appear as if she lost the argument. She would rather puke than admit her defeat.

But she knew she should this time. She had already been humiliated enough with their classmates witnessing how she lost her temper and started screaming at the asshat who was supposed to be someone she had a friendly competition with, not someone she absolutely loathed.

Laia sighs deeply and kept her eyes down on the floor, not wanting to see how her classmates would react to her admitting her defeat on the argument. "Let's just go with human greed,"

The asshat nods, pleased. He even pulls Laia's chair for her to sit down with a mocking grin lingering on his lips unseen by everyone else except Laia. Laia wanted to punch him. If only she could be invisible for a moment and the asshat would definitely lose a tooth.

"Laia accepted Samuel's idea?"

"Seems like it!"

"That's a first! Well, maybe Samuel whispered something worth Laia's time that's why she accepted his idea!"

"Why'd she lose her temper though? And what's with the restaurant and gold-digger scenario?"

Their adviser finally made herself useful and started reprimanding Laia's classmates who were gossiping instead of planning for their group report. However, just as Laia expected, some continued gossiping and would even steal glances at her.

Laia decided to plug in her earphones and listen to rock music, which was something most people would not assume to be her favorite music genre. Not only did the track she currently listened to mute everyone, but it also muted the asshat who was already discussing what their report's flow would be and this time Laia wouldn't be able to cut him off or do anything but listen.

And she would never listen. She'd rather just check the messages later on the group chat that Shane already created.

The same Shane that had just watched her two groupmates argue in silence and with her mouth open.

Laia lets out another sigh as she opted to busy herself by watching the view of their school gardens on the ground which can prove to be a good distraction to what just happened.

She felt a smile growing on her lips as she saw how the gardener, whose name she forgot, started watering the various plants and Laia could even see how the man sincerely loved his job.

Hopefully, everything that she did up to now and until she graduates would end up with her sincerely loving her future job as well.