Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Lila woke up to the sound of an alarm clock. Half-asleep, she stretched out her arm, searching for the clock because it kept on ringing.

“What time is it?” she mumbled and opened her eyes. 6:30am. “Oh right, Friday class.” 

Half conscious, Lila buried her face with a pillow and then decided to get up afterwards and prepare for school. She wasn’t able to sleep well last night. In fact, it was already 3 in the morning when she finally fell asleep. The Annual Quiz Bee King and Queen kept on bugging her peaceful mind but thankfully, she already made up her mind.

Today is Friday and just like their usual schedule, classes for this week ends today.  The day hasn’t even started yet and here’s Lila, feeling lazy due to lack of sleep last night. After preparing for school, she went to the dining room to eat breakfast. As usual, her parents are not here.

Upon realizing that she might be late, Lila hurried up and took a slice of sandwich placed on the table. “I can’t be late today!” she exclaimed and immediately picked her things in the living room. She didn’t bring much because she will be taking her books home to study this weekend.

As she walked out of the door, the cold air embraced her whole being. It brought shivers from her neck down to her spine. Lila closed her eyes, “Today is going to be a good day.” Despite knowing that she might be late, Lila decided to walk going to school since it’s just 10 minutes away. She wanted to enjoy the day and this will be her start.

Ever since the classes started, Lila always took a ride going to school but there’s something today that is stopping her from doing so. She trusted her gut and continued walking. Life has been difficult for her lately, her parents are not around, that's why she is left alone with the responsibilities in their home. Apart from that, she is also working as a part timer at the burger stall, together with Nathan which somehow helped her to divert her attention away from her problems. Nevertheless, Lila is a strong person.

It was already 7:45am when she arrived at school. She still has 15 more minutes before the classes start so she decided to go to the faculty room to talk to Miss Santos because they will not be meeting her today.

She knocked on the door before entering. “Good morning Miss, I have already decided with regards to the upcoming Annual Quizbee King and Queen.” Miss Santos looked at her and smiled, “I’ve been waiting for you since yesterday, I’m glad you have finally made your decision.” 

“I’m joining Miss,” she said, even though she wasn’t at all sure. Miss Santos, on the other hand, immediately hugged her like a teenager. “Yay! I’m so excited, thank you for agreeing, Lila.” 

After the talk, Lila left the faculty room. It’s been two days of contemplating whether or not she’ll join the competition. At first, Lila doesn’t really want to join because Quiz Bee’s are not her thing but just like any other student, her eyes were focused on the prize. It’s not the cash for her, it’s the full year scholarship. 

With less than 10 minutes left, Lila decided to go to the locker room first to get her books so that she will not alot more time for it later.

She took four books from her locker, Math, Science, English and her Art Book. She carried it in her arms because it’s almost 8:00am.

Knowing she might be late, Lila started running in the corridor. “Ouch!” From running, next thing Lila knew was that she was sitting on the floor with her books scattered all over her. She bumped into someone. 

The person who bumped her lent his hands to help her get up. Without hesitations, Lila grabbed it and looked at the person in front of her. It was Lucas. Due to shock, Lila’s hands accidentally slipped from his hands which made her fall on the floor once again.”Stupid,” he mumbled making Lila furrowed her eyebrows.

Lila can’t believe it, Lucas is here, in front of her. He is talking to her. She even touched his hands. What on earth is happening? “It’s already 8:00am, are you planning to stay there forever?” Lucas lent his hands once again but Lila ignored it, she stood up on her own. “Can you just say sorry?” she said and started to pick up her books.

Unexpectedly, Lucas was also about to pick up the book Lila is holding on to, Art Book. It seems like the world stopped for a minute. She looked up while holding the book and there's this tall, handsome young man looking back at her. For a glimpse, she thought she saw something in his eyes. It’s not his usual dark and lifeless eyes, it was something. Something she can never explain. The world was filled with silence and in the middle of the corridor were two teenagers holding on to one book looking at one another.

Not knowing what to do, Lila pulled the book from Lucas and continued on picking the other three books scattered on the floor. She opened her mouth to say something, to tell him to say sorry to her but she was too shy to even utter a word. It is freaking Lucas Andrew Dela Vega standing in front of her, yup, the one and only. 

After picking all the books, Lila rose to her feet. They stood there, in the middle of the corridor, facing each other and no one was uttering a single word. Lila lowered her eyes trying to avoid Lucas’ gaze which seems to be studying every inch of her being. It annoyed the hell out of her so she took the courage to turn around and started walking towards the classroom. She’s late, after all.

Lucas was left there standing in the middle of the corridor, confusion and disbelief was evident in his face. Who would ignore Lucas Dela Vega? Lila is the first person to do so, “Unbelievable woman,” he muttered as he glanced towards her direction.

“Good morning Miss Del Mundo, I’m sorry I’m late.”

Lila’s voice echoed in the room filled with silence. All the students looked at her direction and Nathan and Sasha were both worried and surprised with her sudden appearance. Miss Del Mundo who was writing at the board looked at her watch. It’s already 8:10am. 

“It’s fine, Miss Santiago. Just don’t be late next time. Take your seat.” Lila immediately entered the room and sat on her designated seat. Sasha, being the nosy one, whispered to her, “Why are you late?”

“It’s a long story but I bumped into Lucas.” Knowing Sasha is about to shout, Lila covered her mouth with the palm of her hands. “Shh.” Sasha’s eyes widened in disbelief and a smile instantly flushed from her face. Nathan, who was silently listening to their conversation, looked worried and at the same time, sad. Of course, he has a huge crush on Lila and here’s Lila, talking about her crush.

“Tell me about it later,” Sasha whispered once again and nudged Lila’s arms. Lila just shrugged her shoulders and took her notebook from her bag to start writing.

“Miss, sorry I’m late.” Lucas is standing at the door. Upon noticing Lila in the same room, Lucas’s brows furrowed for a second and his poker face instantly went back to its usual appearance. Without waiting for the professor’s approval, he went to his seat in the back row right away.

As he walked, Lila looked at him secretly. 

It all came back to her. Now, everything that happened is finally sinking in. It felt surreal. She felt her cheeks heating as the memories of what had happened earlier kept on running inside her mind.

She bumped into him, her longtime crush, Lucas. She couldn't help it, her lips curved upward and a smile escaped from her lips. Good thing, her long hair is covering her face as she writes on her notes the things on the board.

“Arrogant,” she whispered to herself and continued writing.