No Weapons - Canteen Scandal

PENELOPE

"Ms. Penelope, are you going somewhere?" Manong Rod asked, glancing on the rear mirror. He's our family driver who have been serving us ever since Mom was alive. He's already in his 50s but he acts like he's still in his 20s.

"No, Manong." I answered. "Let's just go home." He smiled at me in the rear mirror and I can't help but smile back. He started the car.

I opened my bag and got my earphones. I plugged it into my phoneand shuffled my Boyce Avenue playlist. They're my favorite. Their songs and covers always calm me.

First song that came up was their Skyscraper cover. I leaned my head on the window pretending to be in a music video.

Wait, LOL. Why am I even doing this?

Anyways, it's been a week since Trixie registered me into the pageant and we just finished our meeting about it earlier. I met the other 3 contestants. And yes, only 4 are joining this year.

It's not bad though. The most number of candidates who joined the Campus Queen Pageant history was only 6. 4 is not bad at all.

The other 3 candidates were:

(1) Alexa Salisbury.

She's half Filipino, Half Australian. We used to be classmates when I was on Grade 8 level. I must admit, she's pretty. She's famous as well. I've seen her make up tutorials on YouTube. Class A, I must say.

(2) Clare Lastimosa.

Tall girl, tanned skin and she's beautiful. I think she's a new student here. I never saw her before so right now, I can't really classify her as an A, B, or C. I might need to do a background check on her.

(3)Kamilah Salvacion.

Simple girl with a bright personality. She was the first one who talked to me in the Non-academic Office earlier. She talked to me as if we've known each other for years. I acted interested, but I wasn't really listening at her. I was too focused at the meeting. I don't think she's be a threat though. She's not really popular and I don't think I saw her in the campus before.

Campaign Period starts tomorrow. And tonight, I just have to plan a good strategy for my campaign.

Something that nobody in CQ history did before.

🎶Go on and try to bring me down
I will be rising from the ground like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper🎶

"We're here!" Manong Rod happily announced.

"Thank you, Manong. Have a great evening."

I climbed out of the car and headed towards the main door. There, I saw Nana Tess waiting outside for me.

She's the wife of Manong Rod, and she's been here even before I was born. I called her "Nana" since she acts like my grandmother slash mother slash father. She's the one who's always been there for me when I lost Mom, and when dad chose to make work his priority.

"So what does our princess want for dinner?" Nana asked, "Do you want me to cook your favorite?"

I nodded and hugged her. I felt like I needed it right now. I'm so tired.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, Na. Just tired." She soothed my back. I smiled. I love her.

"Well, go to your room and have a rest. You seem tired. I'll just call you when I'm done cooking."

"Okay." I tried to smile again. I don't want to make her worry.

We came inside. Then Nana proceed to the kitchen.

I scanned our house and it was just then that I realized how big it is. This house is too big for me, Manong Rod, Nana, and the other maids and workers.

It's too big but it feels so empty. This house used to be so happy and alive, but now I can't even find the right words to describe it.

"Ms. Penelope, Do you need anything?" a maid asked. I remembered her face but not her name. I honestly do not recognize most of them. They are too many.

"No, I'm okay. Thank you."

I proceeded to my room in the 3rd floor, turned on the aircon, took off my heels, threw my bag away and jumped to my bed.

I decided to rest for a while and minutes later, I headed to the shower room. I have to get rid of these contact lenses before I forget removing them again. I put my eyeglasses on. Better.

My eyes hurt wearing contacts but I can't let other people see me wearing my glasses. If they do, they'll freak out. My friends hate nerds so I should not show them that I look like one. At least, not in school or in any public place.

I took a shower, got dressed and waited for Nana's call. I sat in my window seat overlooking the huge pool below. I always liked to study here. I scanned my book and remembered about the Campaign so I got an empty notebook and started scribbling down ideas.

CQ Campaign Ideas

1. Make bookmarks with my really pretty face. 
2. Make posters and slogans of course with my really pretty face 
3. Online campaign (?)

This is so frustrating! I've been preparing for this all my life, but now that I'm finally joining CQ, it's like going to a battle without weapons.

I can't think of new ideas right now.

Maybe it's because I'm hungry. Yes, I'm just hungry.

Maybe after eating my favorite lasagna, I will be able to think straight.

I can't lose this crown.

***

ZACH

"So what's your plan?" Clark asked. 

We're in the canteen, waiting for our turn in the line. I'm behind him holding an empty tray. 

It's lunch time and I just finished telling him about the problem with my article.

"Well, I don't know yet. Do you have any suggestions? For, you know, the subject." I asked.

He turned his head towards me. "So an article for everyone huh?" He paused and looked down. He placed his free hand inside his pocket, thinking thoroughly. 

"OH! Maybe Mr. Gabato meant, people. Not just any ordinary people but those popular ones. Like celebrities for example, many people would love to read anything about them -the good and the bad. You know how the media works, right?"

"Oh, dude!" I yelled, delighted. "I never thought you could think that way! Where have you been hiding these brain cells, huh?"

I gently punched his arm and everyone looked at us like we're some crazy. I ignored them.

Well it's true. Clark is someone who does not take things seriously, but when he does, expect to hear the most sensible words in this planet. He's smart, but he keeps it lowkey.

We ordered our food and paid to the counter. I got spaghetti, fries and coke. Clark ordered pizza, burger and coke, as well. Our kind of healthy lifestyle.

He scanned the room and found an empty table. The way towards it was narrow so I let Clark walk before me. 

Suddenly, I felt someone pushed me from my right and before I could even balance myself with the tray I'm holding, my food flew away. I swear I could see it fly in a slow motion before I lose my balance and fell to the floor. 

It was just then that I noticed the sign that says Watch Out, Wet floor.

The person who bumped into me offered me his hand and he helped me up. "I'm so sorry. I-" He started to explain but I cut him off.

"No, It's ok I-" I wasn't able to continue because I heard someone yelled behind me. The person who bumped me looked so scared and ran off.

"OH. MY. GOD." I turned my head to the person who yelled behind me. 

And there, I saw a girl covered with spaghetti and coke and there were also some fries stucked in her wavy brown hair. 

The more I looked at her, the more I became hungry. Wait, that did not sound right. 

FOCUS, ZACHARY!

"Bro." I came back to my senses when I heard Clark. He is right beside me now and is still holding his tray. "Bro, she's talking to you." he added.

"What?" I faced Clark and he motioned me to face the girl.

"Hey, are you even listening?" She crossed her arms and she looked really angry. Two girls helped her clean off her dress and the removed the fries stuck in her hair.

I didn't know what to say because I didn't even notice whether she is talking to me earlier or not.

 I just stood there, frozen. I don't know what to do.

"Is my face so beautiful that you can't stop staring at it?" she spat. Suddenly, I heard some people started laughing. Is she for real?

"Look, I'm sorry." I swallowed my pride because first, I don't what to make this a big deal. Second, I'm really, really hungry right now and Third, I really hate getting people's attention. I continued, "This was just an accident. I-"

"REALLY?" she raised her voice. She's really serious now. She glared at me. I

f looks can kill, I'm probably dead by now. 

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?" she raised her voice.

People were suddenly murmuring. I turned my gaze to Clark for some help but when I did, he was not there already. 

Seriously, bro? Are we really friends?

I faced the girl and said, "Look, I'm really, really sorry. I apologize for what happened. It was really just an accident. I swear."

I heard more noises from the people around us. It seems like we're in some sort of live drama. Some were even taking videos. I really want to get out of this.

Suddenly, she came closer and smiled at me. 

Okay, this is weird. 

Earlier, she looked really mad like she wants to kill me and now, she's smiling at me like I'm the best thing that happened to her. 

She's so close to me now and I can even smell her scent despite the smell of my food. Vanilla. Not gonna lie, she smells really good.

She fixed my collar even though there's really nothing to fix. Then she smiled at me and gently ran her fingers in my hair. 

What is she doing? 

I can feel my ears turning red.

"It's okay. I truly understand." she said. "I know that it was just an accident. You don't have to apologize." 

She smiled sweetly and I let out a sign of relief.

I thought that she will start walking away but then, she only leaned closer to my ears and whispered something that sent chills throughout my body.

Who is this girl?