Chapter 10- Chained

Lanie's POV:

"Alright! Let's make a group of two. For the summarization of our lesson about the Conspiracy Theory." Mr. Liam told us loud and clear.

I tried to open and focus my eyes on what he's been saying. But my eyes won't cooperate. I badly want to sleep, if only I can use my fingers as a stand so that I can keep my eyes open, I'll gladly do that. Unfortunately, I can't.

I started to blink my eyes. I hold my face with my hands for my own good. Because I really want to sleep in my armchair. I even pinched my cheeks to stay awake.

I really lack sleep.

We returned very late. And that's because of my brother, Sage. He didn't bother to sleep. And out of all places, he chose to stay in our living room!

We waited for hours! But he stayed in the living room until dawn before he decided to go to his room. We feared that he'll come back so we don't have a choice but to stay awake.

I rolled my eyes as I keep remembering what happened. I'm really unlucky! Or maybe Yshmael is really the epitome of unfortunate events!

How can I not think like that about him? The unfortunate things keeps happening yesterday. Because when we got outside of our mansion, we immediately returned to the Academy but his motorbike stopped in the middle of nowhere! We don't have a choice but to walk for two long hours with his motorbike!

Whoa. He really had a bad karma.

I tried to focus again on what Mr. Liam's explaining. I even forced my eyes to open to look active. But it won't work. His words keep passing through my other ear and I'm slowly losing my focus that's why I tried harder.

And when I finally did woke up from dozing off, I heard a loud sound from my someone in the back.

Everyone gazed at our direction. Obviously, they're shocked and amazed by a sudden sound.

I looked and saw Yshmael sleeping on his desk. And he's actually breathing, loudly! I shook my head. Obviously, he's sleepy too. I thought I am the only one who lacks sleep because before the class started, he looks like he slept for more than eight hours.

"Yshmael!" Mr. Liam approached him.

I sat properly when I heard Mr. Liam. He's really strict and even if it's Yshmael, he won't allow any sleeping session in his class.

I heard Yshmael groaned. He's now awake and scratching his eyes. And to my awe, our classmates, especially the girls giggled. They exactly looks like they saw a God from waking up.

"I don't have any idea why you, Yshmael and you, Maelanie looks like you both did something last night that's why you're both almost sleeping in my class!" Mr. Liam commented.

"Sorry?" I'm confused. Why I'm being dragged by Yshmael again?

Mr. Liam shook his head.

"Just by the looking, I can say that you two lacks sleep. Or maybe both of you didn't even sleep? Maelanie, you're obviously sleepy and Yshmael? You did sleep on my class, huh?" Mr. Liam ranted." Mind to share the reason behind it?".

"Yie!"

"Whoa! The two number ones!"

That's only a few cheer from our classmates.

I almost hide my face from embarassment. Yshmael's really the epitome of unfortunate events!

I even heard Mr. Liam murmured before he returned to his table.

"Let's forget about the group's summarization report." Mr. Liam said as he pointed us. "Our two number one just save the whole class for that."

I started to panic. I didn't catch any of Mr. Liam's explanation about that!

On the other hand, Yshmael just combed his hair with his fingers. He looked calm. And here I am, panicking!

Yshmael walks towards the front. I don't have a choice but to follow him. I'll just go on with the flow!

"It's just a summarization so we'll discuss only those keypoints about Conspiracy Theory." Yshmael started his introduction. He whispered to my ears, "Barkun's and Rothbard's".

I nodded. So I'll summarize Barkun and Rothbard's theory about conspiracy.

Yshmael cleared his throat.

"Conspiracy theory is defined as an explanation of an event or situation that invokes an unwarranted conspiracy, generally one involving an illegal or harmful act carried out by government or other powerful actors. This theories often produce hypotheses that contradict the prevailing understanding of history or simple facts. The assasination of the Late President Kennedy, 9/11, and the spread of aids are examples of conspiracy theories".

He paused then resumed, "There are many conspiracy theories about everything but most of them are not proven. We can see those theories in blogs and youtube, even in social media. And yes, those theories conquers the web".

Again, he paused, "Questions?" He looked at the class.

I want to shook my head. I don't know if they're really listening or just watching Yshmael.

"Oh right. Let's continue, let's discuss the diferrent types of Conspiracy Theories. We have Jesse Walker's, Michael Barkun's and Murray Rothbard's. I'll go with Jesse Walker".

Yshmael wrote something on the white board.

"Jesse Walker has identified five kinds of conspiracy theories,the first is called "The Enemy Outside", it refers to theories based on figures alleged to be scheming against the community from without".

Yshmael paused again and pulled me. "From without or outside. To make it simplier, let's say I and Maelanie is in relationship." He held my hand and made our fingers intertwined.

I know that he's making an example but I can't stop mysefl from blushing. I even heard few of our classmates shouting "Ayie".

Yshmael chuckled, "The next under Walker is the "Enemy Within" finds conspirator lurking inside the nation or group which is indistiguishable from ordinary citizens. This is the opposite of the first I mentioned earlier," he held my hand again. "We're in a relationship but we also came from the same circle of friends. And then, we have friends that don't want us to be together and they're doing everything to make us fall apart".

"What a fake friends!" Larsville commented.

"The third is the "Enemy Above". It involves powerful people manipulating event for their own gain. Let's say Maelanie came from a wealty household and I'm just a mere son of her family's maid. We fall inlove with each other".

"And I'm hearing a but again." Renia hissed, making Mr. Liam and the class laughed.

Yshmael continued, "But her family won't accept me for their daughter that's why they keep preventing us to happen. Because it's more advantageous if they married Maelanie to a rich family too. That's the Enemy above".

I suppressed my laughter when our classmates reacted wildly again.

"The fourth under Walker's is the opposite of the third. The "Enemy Below". It features the lower classes working to overturn the social order. Let's say my poor family won't accept our relationship because they want to overturn the order,which is sila ang mas makikinabang." Yshmael explained.

"I never thought that your love story is so sad and tragic." Leslie pouted.

Kalvin raised his hand. "Agreed. There is really no happy ending. Will you guys ended up with each other in that theory or fall apart?".

Yshmael laughed, "Let's see. The last under Walker's is the Benevolent Conspiracies. This theories are angelic forces that work behind the scenes to improve the world and help people. This is an act from heaven. I can say that this is a divine force that bestowed upon us",

Yshmael held my hand again. "Again, we're in a relationship but the world is against us. We'll face hardship and struggles but in the end, we'll be together. Because that's our destiny, to be with each other."

Ysmael raised our hands and kissed mine.

"That's destiny!" The class chorused.

I feel like my heart is beating faster that it's original.

And then...

Yshmael let go of my hand.

"Yes. Destiny. It's like a force that will chained us whatever happens. That's Jesse Walker's Benevolent Conspiracy."

❤