Chapter 4

"I'm nervous, Jane." Chelsea was still very close to me as we headed to the room for the contestants. Today, the MTAP competition will be held, and it was held in our school this year. I am also nervous but I dint want them to notice it.

Clifford, on the other hand, was accompanied by a man in a suit. They were ahead and from the looks of the man, he's just calm. It looks like the guy in the halo-halo stand. He also looks like a bodyguard. But who will have this bodyguard? 

Maybe because there are also many students today from different schools. It was always this way though. Last year we were at Francisco University, the second largest school.

Clifford looked at us as we were in front of the room.

"You ready?" We just nodded at him. He glanced at the man in the suit and nodded. He quickly understood and also left us immediately.

"We've been with him before, Cliff." said Chelsea as she watched the man walk away. I think that man's age is beyond the calendar. He looks good and you can see that he is handsome in his youth. Maybe he is not just be a bodyguard.

"He's our family butler." Clifford answered and opened the door. We went in and looked at the students from other schools. They're just talking while those at the far end are reading their notes and reviewers.

There are three vacant seats in the front row and written on it are the numbers I do not know about.

"Cliff, in front." I said, he also looked at it. We sat there. Chelsea was in the middle, I was on the left near the door and Clifford was on the right.

"Are you nervous?" Clifford asked Chelsea because they were side by side.

"Of course not. I'm fine." I heard Chelsea whispered to him. I also noticed that they are super close even though the two are always like tom and jerry. I notice the closeness between the two of them. If I hadn't known them I would have thought they were a couple.

The door next to me immediately opened so I immediately looked at it. A woman came in who I think is over thirty years old. She is wearing glasses and her strict face is noticeable at first glance.

She doesn't teach here because we are not familiar with her. She was carrying the answer sheets that we will use.

"Good morning."She greeted when she was already in front. We greeted her back and sat down immediately.

"I am Mrs. Irene Zamora, a college professor. I am the one who's assigned for the Grade 10," she said. He looked at us one by one before continuing. "Shall we start?"

"Yes ma'am." We answer on unison. Three students from the college department also came in because they are wearing uniforms today. I think they will assist Mrs. Zamora.

They first arranged our sitting arrangements and separated the groups. I moved far away from Chelsea who was sitting in her chair and I sat to the back, while Cliff was near the window on the right.

Then we started. We were given two hours to finish. It's like an examination. There are no choices and you have to solve within the given time period. I was still struggling with others and I think the time given to us was not enough but I finished before it even reached the set time.

I gave the paper to Mrs. Zamora when she looked at me. She stared at me lightly as if she's examining me.

"You're familiar," she said. "Are you one of the elites here?" he added.

I was suddenly nervous when she asked that. She's serious while frowning. "N-no, ma'am."

"Okay, you may go." I just gave a smile to ma'am and went out.

I sighed as I got outside. Fortunately, it is over. I immediately looked around to find Cheska and Clifford. I also saw them at the far end and it seemed that their conversation was not going well.

I approached them when I saw Cliff's face turned red as Chelsea seemed to be crying while looking at the man.

"Chels, what happened?" I asked as soon as I approached.

"J-jane. Something happened earlier." Her voice trembled as she faced me. "He beat the journalist who happened to be the editor in chief."

I immediately looked at Cliff while wondering. Why would he do that? Cliff just kept quiet while still raging with anger. 

"You better get away from that guy, Chelsea." Clifford's furiously said before he left us.

Even though I was confused, I just took Chelsea to the canteen. She's quiet that I'm not used to. I have an idea in my mind but I'm not sure.

Maybe just some other time.

I saw Zaine and Cheska in the canteen at the end. Their conversation also seems serious. We approached and only then did they notice us.

"Cheska, Zaine." I call them.

"Jane, how's the competition?" Cheska asked as we sat down. She even moved next to Zaine so we could talk properly.

"It's over but it's mind-blowing." I sighed and turned to Chelsea who's just quiet.

"What happened to Chelsea?" Zaine asked as he looked to our friend. They are facing each other while Cheska is in front of me. I wonder where's the other?

"I don't know either. Cliff and I had a misunderstanding earlier."

I have not yet mentioned some of the things I noticed. I think it's something I don't need to interfere. We do have our own privacies. And I will not interfere with Chelsea and Clifford even though I am their friend.

At first I was unfamiliar with them. I don't want to have a friend anymore because of my past friends. Eventhough its just a simple reason, yet it brought a big impact to me. They have betrayed and backstabbed me.

But with them is different. They came and persevered in my life. Quiet and unassuming. I am kind to the person who is kind to me. I appreciate someone when they check me and ask me if I'm okay, if I have doubt, and something like that.

And I think this is the time that I need to trust them wholeheartedly. Without any doubts and assumptions that they will betray me just like my previous friends were.

"Would you like to go home later? It's Mom's birthday today." Cheska invited us. I also did not go to them.

"I have nothing to do later," Chelsea said when she heard her friend's question. "Ma'am Santos also said that we can go home early because the results may take a long time." It adds.

"We don't have a class anymore." Zaine replied. I turned to him. He smiles never fade away. He is the type of person who is heavenly but mysterious. I never seen him get angry.

Maybe he was annoyed when he found out that Cheska texted Nathan when he was absent.

Does he like his best friend?

Maybe I have a crush on him that those thoughts made something inside me hurt. Just crush. That will not affect our friendship.

Our plan to go to Cheska's house continued. It is in a village that is familiar to me but I do not remember. Maybe I've been here before.

"Ethan's house is close to Cheska's. Maybe we should just go to him first." Chelsea said while we're in the van. His family has a driver and we just went together. Zaine was in the front seat while the three of us were in the back.

" Let's go to Ethan first." Zaine said to the driver. When the car stopped at a house full of glass windows, I realized that whoever is living here is surely a rich person.

Someone came out of the gate and we looked there. Ethan was walking now so Zaine went outside to meet him. They even made hand gestures that only they understand.

Maybe they are too close.

When Zaine entered, the door next to me suddenly opened because I was at the end. I looked at Ethan who just gave a smile and glanced at the others, Cheska and Chelsea.

"Hey." he said and got on. We sat side by side because we probably didn't want to be alone in the back. We will be crowded here.

"How are you?" I asked. I even turned to him without answering. I noticed that it was using earphones so I did not answer. He looked at me when he realized I was looking at him.

"Oh!" he removed the earpod from his ear and mocked me. What is wrong with him now? "What were you saying?"

"Nothing." its reddish lips curved even more. Looks like another Ethan is the right person to talk to. I guess it's playbay.

"I'm fine though. It's just strange that someone ask me that." he said and made a smile. I just nodded when I realized he heard it. Cheska who was next to me turned to him.

"What no one asks? We always greet you." Cheska almost shouted that made7s chuckled.

"Tsk, it's different. You're ..." he didn't finish it and just chose to listen to the music he was listening to earlier.

Strange.

I just shrugged at Cheska when I saw her knit. Even I, could not understand what he said. 

We reached a simple house. It is also somewhat similar in size to Ethan. This is more simple that Ethan's.

I wonder if her parents are here. She had mentioned before that they had arrived.

Upon entering we were immediately greeted by a lady who I think is 40 above. She is not the one I expected with elegant dress. It is simple to see often in provincial people. Grandma was wearing the same.

"Mother Rosy." We 'mano' one by one

to her. Smiling he invited us to the dinner table.

"Sit down kids," he said. "Just get there. It's good that you got there."

"Thank you," we answered at once.

"I'm going to ask. Who is this beautiful woman next to Ethan?"

"Jane, mom." I heard Cheska answer. I looked up and gave them a forced smile.

"Thank you and you came hija," she said smiling.

" Thank you too, ma'am."

"Oh hey, just eat there. Maybe more visitors will come." We greeted her agqin a happy birthday.

I can't choose from the dishes served. I like it all. There are rice, Adobo, Menudo, Noodles, Biko, Lumpia and others are food served.

"What do you want Jane?" I heard Ethan ask next to me.

"Ah..." I was speechless when he put me rice on the plate. I was a little surprised by what he did.

"Ahm," I asked shyly but he was still holding the spoon. It still seems to be waiting for my answer. "Adobo will do." 

"All right."

When I finished I looked at Chelsea who was just smiling. Immediately one of my eyebrows rose which made them laugh.

"That's just the way it is," Zaine said when he saw my reaction. My cheeks also turned slightly red from the action. I simply nodded to him and started eating.

"Nathan and Luke can't come because their older brothers are with them." said Chelsea who was laughed at by the person next to me.

"They're such idiots." Clifford shook his head while eating. I just noticed that this one is also heavenly, which at the time was just serious.

"Tsk, maybe they need something like that," Zaine laughed. They seem to trip their friends too much when they are ordered.

"Nathan is a good boy but Luke, I don't know. There is a substitute for your food." Chelsea replied making me smile.

"Luke must have regretted not being with us. The importance of food." They just laughed.

I noticed that Cheska was just smiling next to Zaine. She was laughing but I noticed that something was bothering her.

Maybe because of her mother.