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Chapter 36: "I Promise You That"
GEODIE
Every time something would happen terribly wrong, silence was our first go-to friend.
Sitting on my armed chair, I looked at the clock as if it was an enemy to me. I watched it’s every movement, from how its longest hand transferred from one number to another. I had been doing it consistently for about fifteen minutes straight when suddenly, a knock on the door broke my concentration. “Open it!” Janvic shouted while leaning on the corner of the room, squeezing himself between the bookshelf and the square table. “That must be Mrs. Tejada,” he added as he tried to access the only opened window facing the outside. Nicole was the nearest to the door, so she took the job of twisting the knob. Slowly and while looking at us, she swung the classroom door open. “Oh, hey! It’s you!” Nicole greeted with a vibrant smile. She swept her slightly coiled hair onto heRelated chapters
The Photo Collector Chapter 37: Lunch
SAMANTHA(2 hours in lockdown)The hot argument that happened two hours ago divided us into groups and set barriers between us all.The Black Chain remained in tuck like they should. All of their three members were leaning on the wall, slouching beneath the white board while feeling the chilly sensation of sitting on the floor.The Star Harmony occupied the teacher’s table on the corner; taking advantage of the deafening silence as they took a quick nap while waiting for Mr. Morales’ promise of free meals.Andrei, Benedict, and Janvic belonged to the same bundle. They were those who just kept standing by the opened window; gazing at the outside for hours without getting bored.Ashley, Jacel, Nicole, and Jermaine played UNO Cards. I found it hard to figure out how they did it, but they seemed enjoying the game pretty well. Given that the game itsel
The Photo Collector Chapter 38: The Encounter
CYLVIA (20 hours in lockdown) We were all awaken by the buzz of a long and ear-shattering sound of the University buzzer. It’s annoying rhythm stayed in the air for a while, and it didn’t stop until everyone of us was irritated and could no longer return back to our sleep. It was roughly around eight in the morning, and just like yesterday’s weather, the sun ditched us and did not show up again.Everything was happening really, really fast, that our senses could not cope up with it. The next thing I knew, we all looked awfully stressed. And if I had to point out the reason behind it, I should say it was because of the scenario that happened the whole day—from the very first hour in the morning to the very last our hour in the night—yesterday. It was definitely one hell of a reason to end our Thursday with anger. We never had a nice rest. We were left sleeping on the floor, in our black and white outfit th
The Photo Collector Chapter 39: The Parcels
We were all awaken by the buzz of a long and ear-shattering sound of the University buzzer. It’s annoying rhythm stayed in the air for a while, and it didn’t stop until everyone of us was irritated and could no longer return back to our sleep. It was roughly around eight in the morning, and just like yesterday’s weather, the sun ditched us and did not show up again.Everything was happening really, really fast, that our senses could not cope up with it. The next thing I knew, we all looked awfully stressed. And if I had to point out the reason behind it, I should say it was because of the scenario that happened the whole day—from the very first hour in the morning to the very last our hour in the night—yesterday. It was definitely one hell of a reason to end our Thursday with anger.We never had a nice rest. We were left sleeping on the floor, in our black and white outfit that we should have worn only during the fu
The Photo Collector Chapter 40: Money
I wish I was them. I wish I had the same fortune, the same luxury, and the same wealth as them. If only I was as blessed as they were, maybe there was no need for me to suffer emotionally and financially anymore. If only I was rich like them, maybe I did not have to write essays for others, answer quizzes for others, and do assignments for others only to earn money for my bills and dues. But it was hard to be them. I could not be them.They are elites. The rarest of gems. The untouchables. The most fortunate and the most blessed students along with the rest of the class. They need not to be smart nor to be lucky in order to book themselves a scholarship. They even don’t need to take a scholarship! With just a few bucks, their slot in Star Section is secured. They did not have to work hard for it, just like I did.While watching everyone as they opened their parcels, I forced my eyes to be strong and not shed a tear. But it was diffic
The Photo Collector Chapter 41: The Lullaby of Misery
When I entered to the bathroom, the first thing I did was to get my outdated and ‘almost broken but at least still functioning’ 3310 keypad phone between my folded apple green towel and went to my music gallery. I did not have much music on the list. In fact, I was never really into music. I was never a fan of Pop, or Ballad, Or Rhythm and Blues, or even Country Songs which Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift were dominating. I did not know any music be it from late 1800’s or even up to date, too. There are only four music on my list, and ironically speaking, they were not even close to that stage. Technically, they were lullabies. My four most treasured lullabies I used to hear from my Mom, which never would have ever grown old to me. Even up until now when I was 18 years old, I still listened to them.Before I stripped down my clothes and turned the shower, I played the most sentimental lullaby on my phone. As it began to echo in the closed doo
The Photo Collector Chapter 42: The Hurts She Never Knew
We halted outside the caution tape surrounding the transit van where the crime scene happened. Three patrol cars, including the one Philip’s Dad used last night, was parked on the left part of the chapel beside the flagpole. As the investigation team began their job, we saw the vice-principal walking from the pavement towards the vehicle where the teachers and other staff were standing; discussing about the traumatizing death of the owner of HCU and her chauffeur.The Vice Principal Mr. Morales was an invisible man. He rarely showed up. He would only go to school when the principal had meetings or errands to attend to, or when she’s absent and missing in action. Since last Thursday when the principal died, today was his first time heaving into view to manifest himself. He was an old man, dark in complexion, and had always been a grumpy person. We could see his crumpled forehead far from our spot, and his croaky voice was audible and easy to hear becaus
The Photo Collector Chapter 43: We Are Innocents
“Open it!” Janvic shouted while leaning on the corner of the room, squeezing himself between the bookshelf and the square table. “That must be Mrs. Tejada,” he added as he tried to access the only opened window facing the outside.Nicole was the nearest to the door, so she took the job of twisting the knob. Slowly and while looking at us, she swung the classroom door open. “Oh, hey! It’s you!” Nicole greeted with a vibrant smile. She swept her slightly coiled hair onto her left shoulder, and moved aside to give way to whoever it was who’s about to enter.“Look, it’s Rabiya!” Yuri snapped. She crossed through the empty seats of the last row to meet the girl wearing a black dress on the aisle at the rearmost of the room. She hugged her, and when Samantha noticed, she rushed her way to give one to Rabiya, too.“How did the interrogation go?” Saman
The Photo Collector Chapter 44: The Guessing Game
YURI(25 hours in lockdown)It just happened that an hour after lunch, we unexpectedly gathered at the center of the room—on the seats that were arranged in a big circle—and talked about random things to keep our bored asses busy. It had been almost a day since we were locked in here, and the fact that there had been no updates from the outside world made us worry about what were the things waiting for us the moment we would step outside. There was just too much topics to talk about, that even us ourselves found it confusing where to start and what to talk first. It was nothing much than a panel discussion, but something less of a debate. Exchanging ideas and beliefs, and even speculations and conspiracy theories about things that just made and made no sense.We talked about various of things. From school politics to school rules and regulations, from personal experiences to personal problems, from
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