Moonstruck (𝚂𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙾𝚗𝚎)

ACADEMIC RIGOR 02

"Wybie, hindi mo kailangang gawin 'to," I seriously spoke without facing him.

"I'm fine with it," he uttered, plastering a fake smile, trying to look genuine with it.

"Just let him do what he wants," Kage said, but her attention was on her chows.

Tahimik lang sina Gwy at Lunox, ramdam pa rin ang tension na nabuo sa pagitan nina Wybie at Artemis kanina. Natapos ang breakfast namin ng tahimik bago kami naghiwa-hiwalay.

"You okay, Wybie?" pansin ni Gwy sa kaniya. Wybie looked sick and weak. He's obviously not okay in any way.

"I am. Don't mind me," he insisted. He's lying.

KASAMA NAMIN si Gwy dahil nasa iisang section lang kaming tatlo. Napunta sila sa section namin dahil unti-unti kaming nauubos. Wala na sina Clint, Time, Martis at Bruno kaya sila ang pumalit.

"I think you need a rest," I suggested, plastering a sheepish smile at him. Now, I have a reason to go to the clinic, but I hope Nurse Aldous will be there so I can talk to him.

Nung last na pumunta ako ng clinic ay si nurse Layla ang naabutan ko kaya nakaka-disappoint. I just wanted to ask him a few questions. Few questions? I mean a lot. He knows something about my past, and he's my only key to unlocking it.

"Mauna ka na, Gwy. Susunod na lang ako," baling ko sa kaniya.

"S-Sige," she worriedly forced a smile. She's into him, really? Does she really like Wybie that much?

Wala akong balak na tulungan siya pero nanghihina talaga siya kaya kahit ayokong madikit sa kaniya. Wala akong choice kundi tulungan at alalayan siya hanggang clinic.

"Nurse!" I shouted, hoping it would be Nurse Aldous.

"What happened to him?" Nurse Layla asked.

Bakit wala pa si Nurse Aldous? Nanunuya kong tinignan at pabatong binigay si Wybie sa kaniya. "Hindi ko alam. Ikaw ang nurse sa ating dalawa kaya alamin mo," inis ko siyang tinalikuran at badtrip na bumalik sa classroom.

"Good morning, Sir Hayb. Sorry I'm late," I said submissively to Sir Hayb, our science teacher.

"Late? Alam mo naman ang patakaran ko sa klase ko diba? Kapag late sa detention kaagad! Ano pa't nakatayo ka d'yan?" wala pa man ay nanermon na siya.

"Sir, I'm late like a freak—I mean, with a valid reason. It's an emergency. Wybie is sick, and I accompanied him to the infirmary," I boredly stated and sighed.

"Okay, sit down!" he shouted and glared at me. Pasigaw talaga siya kung magsalita na akala mo ay may parating kaaway.

My left eyebrow quirked up and I eyed Franco, who's sitting on Chadler's chair. Though he treated me to a fancy and expensive restaurant, I still hate him. Ipinaghila niya ako ng mauupuan na ipinagtaka ko. It's been four days since he transferred to sit beside me. He even changed our seating plan so Sir Hayb wouldn't notice and chide him. Kahit na ika-apat na araw niya na akong tinatratong special sa klase ay hindi pa rin ako nasasanay.

"Good morning," he whispered in a husky voice. I hissed and rolled my eyeballs upright, which made him chuckle.

"Jayshie! Anong nangyari kay Wybie? Okay na ba siya?" Gwy quacked and worried for Wybie's condition.

She sat beside Artemis and occupied Time's vacant chair. I didn't take a glance at her, not even a single glance, because I knew what would happen next if I did. I didn't respond and just shut my mouth.

"Miss Danrel!" Sir Hayb exclaimed. As I'm expecting, Sir Hayb is like an eagle with keen eyes. Lahat na lang nakikita niya.

"Y-Yes Sir?" she stammered and stood up.

"Detention! Now!" His voice thundered and echoed in the room. She left with teary-eyed.

"Ganyan ang mga napapala ng hindi nakikinig sa klase ko!" he enraged and glared at us. He continued discussing sh*t. I listened to him kasi ayaw kong pumunta ng detention. This is my last chance, as Deputy Hanzo stated.

"Gonsalez! See me in my office, 4:00 PM sharp!" he said in a loud voice.

"Y-Yes Sir," she stammered in a low voice. Everyone sighed in relief when he left. Students really hate him that much, eh? Who won't despise him anyway?

Sir Hayb slammed the door to get our attention. "Before I forgot, Dissecting ang topic natin tommorow! Mag-advance reading kayo dahil may recitation! Ang hindi makasagot, automatic detention! Understand?"

Everyone replied with full respect, 'Yes, sir.' Hindi kami p'wedeng magpakita ng irritation o pagkabugnot dahil mas hahaba lamang ang sermon niya. Baka hiramin niya pa ang oras ni Miss Guin sa klase para lang sermunan kami. Gan'on siya kalupet! "Inaasahan kong may isasagot kayo bukas kasi announced ang recitation niyo! Malinaw ba?" He cleared things out by shouting.

Again, we responded, 'Yes, sir,' regardfully. My classmates waited for him to completely leave our classroom before they reacted—violent reactions, to be precise.

"Walang patawad! Dissecting? Recitation?"

"Gigil niya si ako! Siya kaya i-dissect ko?"

"Gawa kayo kodigo, pasa-pasa na lang!"

BREAKTIME. There's no thrill in recess time when Chadler is not around. Artemis and I used to be dragged by him in the cafeteria. Bukas papasok na siya kaya may thrill na ulit.

It's been four days since wala ng natatagpuang bangkay. Wala na rin kaming natatanggap na mensahe mula sa serial killer. Did he already stop killing? Did he already satisfy himself? Or he's just resting?

I'm hungry, but I can't ask Artemis to accompany me to the cafeteria. She's busy studying. She's our representative for the incoming quiz bee at the Science Festival. The whole school is expecting her to attain all gold medals in all categories. The school shouldn't expect that much. As far as I know, only one student is allowed in every category, but they forced Artemis to partake in each category. Pathetic, right?

𝚁𝚢𝚔𝚎𝚛𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗