CELESTE
"Can you please stop pestering me?" I hissed at Jarvis. He just sighed before pouting.
"Maghapon ka na lamang ba magbabasa? Weekend na weekend," reklamo nito.
"Kung ayaw mong mag-aral, pabayaan mo na lamang ako, puwede ba? May test ako sa Lunes."
"Sa isang araw pa naman," pagsuko nito at tumayo na. We were currently at the library dahil ayon sa kaniya ay gusto raw niyang mag-aral— na hindi naman niya gi
KELLY"Yes, Mommy?""Bilisan mo na di'yan, alright? Fix yourself, siguraduhin mong maganda ka."I chuckled. "Mommy, I'm already pretty.""I know, my daughter. What I mean is, make yourself prettier." Natawa naman ako at bahagyang napailing habang isinusuot ang aking hikaw."Mommy, I'm hanging up na. Let's just see each other later, okay?"
CELESTE"Wait. So you're saying that you're going to date Zev? For what? Akala ko ba hindi mo siya gusto?""Yeah, he's not my type." She leaned back in her seat, picking at her fingernails. "But I wanted to prove to him that a Kelly Carson won't fall in love for someone like him.""Paano kung mahulog ka?" "Are you really doubting me, huh, Celeste?" I sighed before shrugging my shoulders."Who knows," I mumbled before laying down on my bed."Aalis ka na agad?" I nodded at Clio before drinking my milk.
CLIO"Ewan ko ba kung pinaglalaruan ako ng tadhana o ano!" I hissed. Padabog kong ininom ang iced tea na inorder ni Kelly. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa cafeteria dahil lunch na at tinatamad magluto si Ashanti."Favor pa nga 'yan sa'yo, 'no! He's your crush, remember?" Umirap ako dahil sa sinabi ni Kelly.Crush? Psh, oo."But that doesn't mean na paglaruan niya ang feelings ko. Ugh, magm-move on na dapat ako tapos—""Tapos ano?" Celeste cut me off. Lumingon kaming tatlo sa kaniya samantalang prente siyang umupo sa upuan sa harap ko, katabi si Ashanti.
CELESTE"Do you think tama ang ginawa ko?" pangungulit ni Clio. Humarap ako sa kaniya bago tinapik ang kaniyang balikat."Ayos nga lang, okay? Chill," I assured her. Bumuntong hininga siya at napalabi."Bakit ba kasi hindi tumulad sa'yo si Jarvis? Napakakulit!" she whined. Napailing naman ako at bahagyang tumawa."Parehas kayo." Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin habang nagpatuloy naman ako sa pagbabasa. Nasa coffee shop kami sa labas ng Avalon para mag-aral dahil hindi raw makapag-focus si Clio sa library. May long test kasi kami bukas kaya't naisipan naming lumabas para mag-aral. "Ang astig niyo nga pala kanina ni Markus sa debate ah?" Napangiti naman ako at tumango."He's smart," pag-puri ko.
CELESTE"Where is... it?" I mumbled as I scan the bookshelf. I volunteered a while ago para hanapin 'yung librong gagamitin ni Ashanti para sa quiz bee niya. She's too busy kaya ako na ang nagpresinta na pumunta sa library at maghanap."Anong hinahanap mo?"Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita si Markus na may dalang tatlong libro."The History of the Ancient World," sagot ko.
ASHANTI"Himala," I remarked. Natawa naman si Celeste na halatang kanina pa gising. Bihis na siya at nakapag-handa na rin ng pagkain."Celeste prepared this for you, Ashanti," sabi ni Clio na may dalang iced coffee. Napangiti naman ako at tinanggap iyon."Siguraduhin mong mananalo ka ha," biro naman ni Kelly at umupo sa tabi ko.Psh, ako pa? History is just a piece of cake."Ewan," sagot ko lamang. Napailing naman sila kaya lihim akong napangiti.Tinikman ko naman ang iced coffee na tinimpla ni Clio. Napatango na lamang ako kahit na hindi naman ganoon ang lasa ng inii
ASHANTI"I warned you before to stop drinking coffee, right? Look at what have happened... Ugh! Hindi ka kasi nag-iingat," Celeste nagged.I just gave her a simple nod as a sign of defeat. She's right though, it's my fault."Teka nga, ilang baso ba ng kape ang nainom mo, Ashanti?" tanong ni Clio. My brows furrowed as I tried to remember."Two," I replied."Isn't it weird?" Bumaling ang tingin namin kay Kelly na prenteng nakaupo at umiinom ng... kape."Anong weird?" Celeste asked Kelly."Dati naman umaabot pa ng apat na baso ng kape si Ashanti pero hindi naman siya nagpapalpitate— sino nga bang katabi mo, Ashanti?" Her pupils dilated as if she figured out something."Si Courtney." Awe transformed her face. My brows arched an inch while looking at her."Hindi kaya may inilagay si Courtney sa kap
CELESTE"Jarvis Callum, ibalik mo sabi 'yan!" I yelled before I ran to chase Jarvis."Sabihin mo muna, 'Please, Jarvis'!" utos niya at iwinagayway ang salamin ko. Napasigaw naman akong muli nang muntikan iyong mahulog."Please, Jarvis!""Ay, hindi sincere! Gusto ko, 'Pleeeease, Jarvis!" I gave him a bitchy glare which made him laughed. I sighed."Fine! Pleeeease, Jarvis!" pagsuko ko.Ilang beses siyang umiling at lumapit sa akin. "'Yan ang dapat, Louisse!" saad niya at iniabot sa akin ang salamin ko.I sighed once again and wiped my glasses. "Anong trip mo, ha?""Wala si Clio, eh." He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the couch."Kaya ako ang pinepeste mo?"He clutched his chest acting like he's hurt. "Grabe ka naman! Peste talaga?"Ilang beses naman akong tumango. He po
CELESTE"Law or leave, Celeste?"I forced a smile before turning my head towards the direction of my friends. Nakatingin sila sa akin at tila nagtataka sa kung ano mang pinag-uusapan namin ni Mommy.Muli akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanila. I didn't expect that I'll hear those words even after two months since I last heard it.Ganoon pa rin ang epekto. Nakakatakot."Let's just talk about that later, shall we?" I asked.I heard her sighed on the other line. "I want your answer now, Celeste Louisse. Hindi ko hawak ang oras ko," seryosong saad niya."At hindi mo rin po hawak ang oras ko.""Binabastos mo na ba ako?" tanong niya pero ramdam ko ang pagpipigil sa bawat salitang binibigkas niya.Malakas akong bumuntong hininga at marahang umiling kahit na alam ko na naman na hindi
ASHANTI"Let's talk."I swallowed the lump on my throat before looking at Dane. "Bibili muna ako ng kape."He was taken aback at first but he just sighed. Nakibit-balikat naman ako. Coffee is a must lalo pa't mukhang seryoso ang pag-uusapan namin."Gusto mo bang samahan kita?" tanong niya."Bahala ka."Tumayo ako at agad naman siyang sumunod. Para siyang tuta na ayaw mahiwalay sa amo. Mahina akong tumawa at napailing dahil sa naisip ko.Nagpatuloy naman ako sa paglalakad at dumiretso sa cafeteria. Kakaunti na ang tao roon kaya't mabilis kaming nakapasok."Bibili ka rin ba?" tanong ko kay Dane."Ako na ang bibili. Iced coffee pa rin ba?"Tumango ako at umupo na sa pinakamalapit na upuang nakita ko. I propped
KELLY"So, what are we doing here?" I asked as I roamed my eyes around the restaurant."To eat?" he asked sarcastically.I rolled my eyes and glared at him. "Puwede bang umayos ka kahit for today lang?"He chuckled. "I'm just stating a fact, sweetheart.""As far as I know, I never agreed to be your sweetheart.""You don't like it? Alright, babe."Muli kong iniikot ang mga mata ko. "Can you just stop flirting at me? Hindi ka funny.""Sigurado kang hindi ka natutuwa?"Awtomatikong tumaas ang kilay ko nang magsalita siya ng Tagalog. He's still sounds awkward speaking it but he improved."Hindi," sagot ko.He let out a soft chuckle. "Suit yourself, sweetheart.""I'm not your sweetheart nga, okay? Hindi ba magagal
CLIO"Does your Mom already knew that you stole Celeste's spot?"He chuckled. "Siyempre hindi.""Why didn't you tell her?""Maybe because at some point, I wanted her to be proud of me. Even though I grew up apart from her, I still love her. Just like every other child, I want to feel loved by her just like how I love her."I let out a harsh breath. "You did well," I uttered.He looked at me confusedly. "Bakit naman? I broke your trust, right?""But atleast you did your best to make up from your mistake. That's enough."The corner of his lips quirked up. "Gusto mo talaga ako eh, ano?"Napailing naman ako at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "Gago," bulong ko."Pero kung hindi mo ako gusto..."Taka akong tumingin sa kaniya. "Ano?"
EPILOGUE CELESTE "You really bad mouthed Markus on National TV a while ago, huh?" I leaned against my chair and crossed my arms. "Nagsabi lamang ako ng totoo," giit ko. "Why are you like that ba? You looked so grumpy," tanong ni Kelly at uminom sa binili niyang frappe. "Try mo kayang tumingin sa labas. Nakakatakot 'yung mga fans mo," reklamo ko. She chuckled. "Hindi naman sila makakapasok dito sa loob. Don't worry," she said and smiled on the camera outside. Napailing naman ako. She's really fond of cameras now. Parang dati, papageant-pageant lang siya sa mga school. Tapos ngayon, artista na. Kelly Eiryne Carson, one of the highest paid actress in the country. "Balita ko you'll join Binibining Pilipinas. Is that true?" tanong ko. Tumingin siya sa akin at ng
CELESTEI let out a harsh breath as a sign of relief while walking at the corridor together with my friends. The news of the removal of The Rank Five system spread like a wild fire not only in Avalon High but also outside.As usual, some of the students are already gossiping things about us— which I don't mind at all. Everyone have a different opinion and I respect that.However, I stand tall and firm on my belief. The removal of The Rank Five system may not benefit the school like the previous school years but it would surely benefit the mental health of the students.A school is a place to learn and discover new things. It should not be a place for competitions that may affect the well-being of the student inside and outside the school premises. A school is a place to earn new friends that might last a lifetime and it shouldn't be a place for rivalry."I think some people are cursing us on their minds," Kelly whi
CELESTEI sipped on my milk while staring out of nowhere, trying to think if we are really ready for the challenge."Earth to Celeste! Hey!" I blinked a few times and looked at Kelly confusedly."Yes?""You're sulking. What's the matter?" she asked."I'm just... You know, nervous I guess?"She chuckled. "Oh come on! Ikaw pa, kakabahan? You're the smartest out of all of us.""You're bluffing again," I retorted and sipped on my milk again."The line up is already decided, right?" Ashanti asked while drinking her iced coffee.I nodded. "Are you confident?""Of course, I am. History is a piece of cake," she answered."You're lucky," Kelly said
CELESTE"Are you really fine?"I sighed for the umpteenth before looking at Kelly. "I'm already said that I am fine, right?""I didn't know that she's hurting you." Umangkla siya sa braso ko at isinandal ang kaniyang ulo sa aking balikat.Napailing naman ako. "That rarely happens. Don't worry.""But still..."I sighed and gave her a lop-sided smile. "Don't pity me."She pouted. "It's not that I pity you. I'm just worried," giit niya."You don't have to.""Anong kadramahan 'to?" tanong ni Clio pagkababa sa kotse nila."Just Kelly acting like a baby," sagot ko."Bakit hindi pa kayo pumapasok sa loob?" Clio asked and raked her fingers through her hair. Nagf-fade na rin ang buhok niya na kulay pink kaparehas ng kay Jarvis."We are waiting for you and Ashanti to come," Kelly answered."Yeah, she insisted na sabay-sabay dapat tayo," dugtong ko.Maloko namang ngumiti si Clio. "Sweet niyo naman!"Napailing ako kasabay ng marahang pagtawa. Maya-maya pa ay dumating na rin si Ashanti na prenteng
CELESTE"Are you sure that this plan would work, Celeste?" I sighed and looked at Kelly once again. "You know what, if you don't trust me, then you can leave," iritable kong sabi.She pouted before highlighting her notes once again. Of course, she won't leave. This is our only chance to claim our spot from those traitors."I am supposed to go London right now," Kelly uttered."Walang holiday pagdating sa pag-aaral, Kelly.""Ugh! This is so irritating na. For sure, nagsasaya na sina Kenley kasama sina Mommy at Daddy sa London tapos ako, nandito sa Pilipinas at nag-aaral," reklamo niya."Kelly, we need to do this. Gusto mo bang bawiin ang puwesto mo o hindi?" Ashanti told Kelly."At isa pa, puwede ka namang pumunta sa London anytime. Those leisure activities can wait," segunda naman ni Clio.