Monday Madness
Jay-jay's POV
The day of the week was in my favor. There was no one at home except for Auntie's maids. Even Mama and Andy'ng epal were gone.I ate and slept all day----no bath! That's okay! Don't worry! But it seemed like only the week was favorable to me because it was Monday. Monday is Monday! Monday is Monday, my brother's mouth opened to me. I was ready for my daily routine with Percy. I was supposed to go to school but we were going to meet at the Mini Mart----you know this! But my brother was still at home and agreed. Sermon all the way! "I'll give it to you ï¬rst! You're really testing my patience!" He shouted at me. I just closed my eyes while listening to him. I felt like with every word he said, something would fly towards me. That's how strong the powers of his mouth were. "That's right Angelo, he's probably going to go now." Aunt Gema stopped him and turned to me. "...you're going to go now, right?" I felt like a child looking up at him. I answered with a curt nod because honestly I really didn't plan on going today. I didn't plan on going forever. "Did you think I would believe you?!" Kuya said angrily and pointed at my head. "...You think I don't know your crazy brain?!" Haaahhh! Brother can read minds now?! "And I can't read minds if that's what you think!" He added. Oowwwsss?! Brother's gaze became even more intense so I immediately bowed down again. He couldn't read but it was as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. "I-I'm really going to school. Just bring me to make sure." I said while still bowing. "You're really going to school! And to make sure you reach your classroom..." I'll bring you! "...I'll have you brought!" Whhuuaaattt?! Who?! To Aries the Horoscope? Geez, I'm not at the school gate yet, I'll drop him off. We also don't have a driver to drop me off. Andy can't go to the apple store either because he's going home to them----he says he has a lot of work to ï¬nish! "Who?" Tita Gema asked. "To him." Brother quickly answered while pointing at the door. Tita Gema and I looked at each other. The shameless one was grinning as he waved at us. I can only say one thing. Mondays are not in my favor! "Good morning." Yuri greeted. "Brother!" I called him annoyed. "He'll be the one to drop you off AND pick you up." He really emphasized the word AND. "...I'm also updated every hour, to make sure you don't get cut." Wow! Wow really! Wow wow! You'll be wowed! WOW! Brother smiled at me like I was crazy. It was as if he was saying 'you can't beat me'. He was so angry! I really didn't win. There was nothing I could do. Brother would only tighten his grip on me more if I kept pushing. It felt good to bang my head against the wall because of this. "Alright... Come in!" Brother ordered. Here you go! Here you go! You said it! I walked out against my will. I just passed Yuri who was looking at me. He followed immediately and I even got to his car ï¬rst. He opened the backseat door. I rushed in and closed the door, only then did I notice someone sitting in the passenger seat. Maybe Monday wasn't really in my favor. When was the last time I wasn't ready to see him? Really now?! What is this?! Just teasing?! In fairness, they're really good at teasing. I'm getting carried away! It's getting close! One more tease and my ï¬st will fly in their faces. "Jay... Sorry. I didn't tell you that Kei was with us----." I immediately cut off Yuri's words. I gave him a look that was as bad as it could go to the bone. Or maybe I'll just break his bone. "Yuri. Just please. I'M IN DEBT! Drive now." I said a little calmly. I was calm... Promise! Yuri did nothing but drive. While he was next to her, he was just looking out the window. The peg was just a tourist! It felt good to be stabbed in the back! I managed to look away when he slightly turned to me. I pretended to be a tourist too and was looking out the window. It was my mistake to stand behind Yuri. I should have been behind him so I could stab him easily. King of the Damned Snakes! A little while later, I smelled a cigarette. I coughed slightly because its smell mixed with the car's air conditioner. When I looked in ront, the Judas Kumag looked like a dragon blowing smoke. Shutanginames! "What is that?! He was still smoking inside the car!" I said annoyed and opened the window. All I heard was his laughter. I had a strong feeling that this Kumag was just being annoying . It looked like he wasn't really happy with what he did to me and now he was opening his mouth. "Bwisit." I whispered. I endured the smell of cigarettes. My lungs were almost dry because of it. When I arrived at school, Yuri hadn't parked yet, I immediately got out and slammed the door shut. I couldn't take it anymore! I went straight to the CR and passed the time. I also removed the cigarette smell that clung to my clothes. I also ï¬xed my appearance. I didn't want them to notice that I was miserable. The bell rang so I was orced to leave the CR. Every step I took was heavy as I approached our room. I wasn't really ready but Kuya said , 'updated'. I also took a few deep breaths. Fear was eating me even though I shouldn't have. They should be the ones who were afraid of me! I was almost at the door of the room when I backed away. I couldn't do it, my knees were shaking. I wanted to go home. But if I don't face them, this cowardice of mine won't end. A little courage! I shouldn't be the one who was afraid. Why? Was it me who did the wrong thing? I was the one who cheated and gambled? Did I lie and make a fool of myself? I guess I'm so ashamed! I'm the one who's already aggrieved and then I'm the one who's going to be afraid. I took a deep breath, like I pulled everything I could out of my lungs. I also slapped my face with both hands to wake myself up----it hurt! I walked normally, as if it was normal. It was like I was going to a normal class, to a normal school and with normal classmates. When I entered the door, it was like an angel had passed by---- barracuda arrived. Gradually, everyone fell silent while looking at me. The others stopped what they were doing and faced me. "Jay-jay." "He's already in." "Is he okay?" "I think he's still angry!" "As long as he's in!" "Jay-jay!" Ci-N shouted loudly while smiling. But I still couldn't return that smile. I looked at my old seat between my best friend and Gago. It was still empty and it seemed like it was really meant for me. The scrap of fabric from my skirt was still stuck to the bench . But I wasn't going to sit there anymore! I looked at the pair of tables and benches next to me. The closest to the door and the ï¬rst one. I don't have anyone next to me because they're all there, but they're behind me on the side. I put my bag down on the table, shook the chair before I sat down and crouched down as if nothing had happened. At least I don't have to put up with their looks anymore. I don't care what they do behind me anymore. "Come in." I looked at the one who spoke standing at the door. David, who has a social instinct. I looked at him boredly. "No. I'm just a hologram." He laughed a little while shaking his head before ï¬nally entering the room. "Why did he talk to David?" "Maybe they have something." "That's a trick." Is it annoying to have that kind of conversation that you'll actually overhear? I don't know if it's intentional or not. It just feels good to be punched. I looked at the table next to me. It was moving closer to me. I glared at the one who was pushing me closer. Ci-N! He even adjusted the chair and wiped it before sitting down. His smile was wide as his eyes widened as he looked at me. "Let's go!" He said happily. I looked at how close his table and bench were to mine. His was no longer in the right line. The space between our tables was gone. "I noticed." I said sarcastically. I looked around and looked for a place I could move to. I didn't want anyone next to me. That's why I moved seats and he sat next to me. But before I could move, Sir Alvin arrived. "Good morning... Sorry if I'm late." He said while arranging the papers on the table. He looked at me for a moment and smiled. "It's good that you came in. Angelo is always looking for you." Okay Sir. Remind me again! I answered him with a hesitant smile and a grimace. He started discussing something. I felt like I was in the wrong place because we were too far in front. The teacher could see me with every move I made. "Jay-jay." Ci called me in a whisper. Don't pay any attention. "Jay-jay." You're not listening! "Pst! Jay." Lalalalala... "Jay-jay... Barakuda." Tongono! "Why aren't you answering? You didn't brush your teeth, right?" Oh my! I wanted to bang my head on the table. That loud and so loud that I would lose consciousness. I didn't want to yell at Ci-N. I felt bad for her but that wasn't a reason to hit her. David also made it clear to me that Ci was just forced to do that. I just couldn't help but sulk. We've been together for so long. She even lived in our house and I even shared a room with her. She put up with it for so long without talking to me. It's annoying... We ï¬nished the subject of Sir Alvin but the one next to me still wasn't done nagging me. "Look at this." She said with a smile and presented me with a plastic toy, a surprise egg with a label attached. "...look! Look!" She opened the egg and clapped her head in joy like a child. He was happy with the toy he got from inside. "Surprise!" He said happily. I smiled secretly at his appearance. I miss him too. I miss our banter too. But we're not the same anymore. The next subjects seem to be normal again. Just don't group ! I'm not in a group with these Dimunyung Ulopongs anymore. The bell rang, indicating lunch. Dead! I forgot to bring food. I looked behind me and saw Eman already tidying up. It looked like she was cooking now. "Come on... Let's eat." Ci told me. I stood up and walked but didn't go to the back where the food was. I went straight outside. I even heard Ci-N calling me but I ignored her. Where was I going? I didn't know. I tried to go to the back of the canteen. I'll see if I can buy something from my salesman. "Sister..." I called to her from the back window. "...can I buy something?" "Miraculous! You're back here." He said and looked behind him. "...what are you going to buy?" "Your keneme combo." I replied and he suddenly laughed. "Keneme ka dyan." He commented and walked away. I waited for him for a few minutes until the door opened. I thought it was him so I immediately approached but I didn't expect the person I was facing. Aries the Horoscope! "J-jay..." The saleswoman called me hesitantly. Aries was holding what I had bought. She looked at me evilly. "Do this one more time, you'll be ï¬red." She told the saleswoman without looking back. "O-oppo... I'm sorry." Ate replied and left. Aries stepped out. He still didn't take his eyes off me. I almost melted in front of him like ice cream. "How long have you been doing this?" He asked lifelessly. "Just now again." I almost whispered. He laughed a little and presented me with the food I ordered. I thought he was reaching out so I raised my hand to take it but before I could grab it, he let go. "You chose your Section... So join them and suffer hunger." He said and suddenly stepped on the food on the floor. He even grinned at me before completely leaving in front of me. I was left staring at the ground. There was nothing to use except the water bottle. I slowly sat up and took it. I chose them.... But they also chose to fool me. I didn't know that I would regret choosing them. I still had the courage to brag to Aries because we were solid classmates. #SectionGoals But they were the only ones with Goals, I wasn't included. I stood up and walked away. Maybe, I'll get my ï¬ll of water. Maybe I'll eat the bottle too just to be sure. This is the result of stubbornness, drying up from hunger. I'll also curse Aries' asshole. I ï¬nished the water, I was about to eat the bottle but some men ran in front of me. They hit the bottle and it fell. It was gone... I couldn't eat it anymore. I was about to pick up the bottle to throw it away but I looked at the floor. There was a pack of cigarettes and a lighter not far away. It looked like the men running were dropping them. I picked it up and looked at the rim. I couldn't bring myself to go back to our building while holding it. I took a stick and played with it on my ï¬nger. This is what hunger does. Instead of going straight to the room. I went to the second floor. Fresh air greeted me. There was no one else, just me. I looked at the cigarette I was holding again. I really didn't like the smell of it. I only tried smoking once and it tasted really bad. Then Cyrus caught me and we fought about it. I didn't realize that I had brought the stick close to my lips. They say smoking is ugly for women, why? Is the man handsome? The lighter was already following me but before I could even light the stick, a hand snatched it rom my mouth. "Stop it!" I was so embarrassed by the traitor who did that. "What the hell?! What are you doing?!" Yuri asked me angrily. In my annoyance with him, I threw the box in his face followed by the lighter. He managed to dodge but he still looked at me angrily. "What the hell are you doing?!" I shouted at him. "Can't you see yourself?! You're changing!" "Probably not! There's no mirror here! You idiot!" Yuri pulled himself together because of his annoyance. "See?! Even your speech!" "Eeoowsss ppoeeh!" "YAY!" He shouted at me like he was Brother Angelo. "...get better!" He really wanted to lecture me. I had no plans to listen and I could hear it in my ears. I'm fed up with the sermon at home, don't bother him anymore. "Jay-jay..." He said as if he was very tired. "...I know you have a lot of problems but don't be like this!" "What do you want? Show me that I'm okay? As if I don't have anything? Pvta! This is broken!" I pointed to my heart. "...This is broken!" I pointed my head at my brain. "...and my body is so tired ! Then you want me to ï¬x it? It's just me!" "And this is your solution?!" He pointed at a pack of cigarettes on the floor. "...You're going back to the old you! The old you that you left in your province!" "Oh what now? What now for you if I go back to the old you?!" I pretended to laugh while shaking my head. "...You can't marry me if I'm like this? Right?" He didn't answer. "...But don't marry me. Is that a problem? After all, you're the only one who really wants this wedding!" I walked towards the stairs behind him. I didn't want to talk to him anymore. "You're just like your best friend, Gago!" I said before I could completely pass him. I was on the last step of the stairs when I stopped. The entire Section E was there and the others were still looking up. They were listening to our conversation. I didn't seem to care so I just passed them back to the room. It didn't look like it would be easy for me to enter.