Chapter 4

I was silently scolding my self  as I continued to read our second reading for phil. history. I was cramming already! I wasn't able to finish reading it last night because I got so distracted about Sir Greg's message, I don't even know why!

I groaned in frustration as I continue to scribble through the words, but I ended up re-reading it again. The concepts won't get in my head and it's frustrating me more! Gosh, Felice! Why are you so distracted?!

I took a quick glance on my wristwatch and I barely have 5 minutes before class. I threw a dagger on my classmates who were being so noisy. They're just adding to my frustration! I cannot concentrate!

"Good morning, class."  I froze on my seat when I heard that voice.

Damn it!

"As I've instructed we will be having an oral recitation for today."

I kept on cursing in my seat as sir ordered us to pass a one-fourth index card with our name on it. 

I took a quick peek at our professor. Damn it. This is all his fault! Why does he have to message  me last night?! Now, I am so distracted! And I don't even know why! All I know is that my mind is scattered as fuck!

"Pass your index cards." I heaved a deep sigh and gave my index card to the one in front of me. 

When sir got all of our index cards, he immediately shuffled it like those playing cards. 

My breathing becomes heavy every time he'd draw a card out of it. Please…please… don't let me recite. Not today!

"Give me the facts of the first reading and share your thoughts about it…Miss Lemuel."

My eyes widened when I heard my name. My classmates turned to me, even sir. Holy cow! 

My legs and hands were already shaking, but I to stand up and keep a poker face on. It's my only way of hiding my nervousness and embarrassment. God, help me!

***

"Our highest for the quiz, with a perfect score, is none other than Miss Felice Lemuel. Congratulations,  Miss Lemuel." My communication teacher smiled at me as I went to her to get the paper. I heard my classmates clapping as I went back to my seat.

"Congrats, Felice," some of them say. I just gave them a small smile. 

I checked my paper and placed it inside my bag immediately. Miss Fortuna continued our lesson. I kept my eyes om the board, but my brain was out there remembering my embarrassing recitation earlier. 

A perfect score could not erase that scene that I made! Sir Greg did not gave me a grade yet. He gave me a chance to recite it again because my brain wasn't really functioning that moment. I could barely remember the content of the paper because I was only able to read half of its first paragraph. 

Argh! That won't happen again! I swear to god, no more room for failures, Felice. I cannot fail again! My grades are at stake here! Why do I even have to take Phil History? My course is Journalism!

I gently shook my head to keep my focus. I heaved a sigh and concentrate on what Miss Fortuna was saying. 

"Okay class, that's it for today. I won't give you any readings yet. But, we will have a quiz next  wee," Miss Fortuna said. I heard the groans of my classmates when they heard the word quiz. I shook my head. 

I quickly gathered my things and placed them in my bag. I don't have class anymore, so I decided to go to my favorite cafe across the campus. I needed to chill. I'll try to read the reading there too. Maybe the ambiance and the smell of brewed coffee will help me focus. 

I gathered my things and went out of the classroom immediately. I continued walking to the corridors. 

"Hi, Miss Felice."

"Good noon, Miss Felice."

I almost rolled my eyes upon hearing those greetings again. When will they stop? It's kind of annoying and frustrating already. Ughh. I walked faster and get out of the campus. 

When I arrived at the cafe almost all of the seats were taken already. Damn. 

"One Matcha frappe and one slice of blueberry cheesecake," I ordered. 

"That would be 546, ma’am." I gave her a one thousand peso bill before I looked around, trying to find some empty spot. Almost all of the tables are occupied. Where will I sit?

It turned to the cashier.

"Uhm do you still have vacant seats for dine in?" I asked. She looked around too. 

"Ma'am if it's okay with you, you can just share with those who are alone first. I'll just accompany you later," she replied. I just nodded and heaved a sigh. It's not as if I could do anything anyway. 

When my order was done, she accompanied me in finding a seat. I followed her when she went to the corner and talk to the guy who was sitting near the wall. She went back to me.

"Ma'am, sir said it's okay for you to share." I smiled and nodded.

"Oh, thank you so much," I said and went to the table. The guy was reading something so I couldn't see his face. 

I placed my frappe and cake on the table before I took a sit. I got my readings for Phil history then. I saw how the guy looked up when he saw my readings. I just shrugged and took a bite from my cake.

"You need help with that?" I froze on my seat when I heard that voice. 

I looked at the guy in front of me and my eyes widened when I saw that it was Sir Greg! What the!

He flashed his signature smile.

"I can help you with that, Miss Felice," he said, still wearing those smile. 

My heart started thumping abnormally again. I began to panic. What the hell. Why am I even panicking?! 

"Uhmm…"

"It seems that you're having a hard time with the readings. I could help you with that. What concept is difficult for you?" he asked. I couldn't move, not even a finger. 

I heaved another sigh and calmed myself. 

"It's fine sir… uhm I was just really distracted that's why I messed up earlier." I saw how his forehead creased at that. I immediately avoided his gaze.

"Hmm. Maybe I can help you, too. You know, I was once like you. I easily get distracted with other things, but I was able to conquer it. I could tell you my ways." He smiled again. I was hesitating on what to say, but he already got one paper so I just stared at him.

He wrote something on the readings. 

"Here are some tip. Most of the words from the readings are usually fillers and those fillers are usually the reasons why we get distracted from the content that we are supposed to be focusing. An outline on what you should be getting from these reading might help you." He gave the paper again. 

I looked at it and saw that he did some outline on what I should be looking for. I pressed my lips together and looked at him.

"Uhmm t-thanks." He let out a soft laugh. 

"You're welcome, Felice," he replied. 

Our eyes met all of a sudden. I was once again attacked by that unknown feeling inside my chest. I couldn't explain it, but I am sure that it was the same feeling that I felt when our eyes met during first day of class, too.

What the hell is this?! What is happening to me?!