Chapter 14- Mystify

Lanie's POV:

"Alright! Everyone, this afternoon you will see the assigned departments for the upcoming festival. Each of your name will be posted under your department, and you can see it on the bulletin board."

Ms. Lorie tapped the table loudly, she succeed of getting our attention.

"Don't ever think about not joining. It will be an addition to your specs, and those who will not join their departments will be given a lot of demerits," she added before leaving the room.

I crouched on my desk and let a sigh.

I do not know how I fell asleep last night, nor how I was able to listen to the class since this morning. Though, some of the proffesors just gave us some pointers to review for the upcoming exam.

They are still busy. The one who put the virus into the school's system is still out there. And the school's management is still investigating the case and searching for clues.

I even heard rumors about the possibility of the school's system being hacked. The security is extremely tight and the only possible reason is that someone hacked the system then put the virus to the computers, affecting the whole Academy.

Even the personal computers are affected that's why the faculty is in dilemna. Even Yvan Mortem is searching for the root of the problem.

"Are you going or not?"

Again, I saw Yshmael when I looked up. My forehead frowned, thinking what he wants. But I don't have any bussiness with or regarding him. I don't even know why he's talking to me right now. One more thing, we still have one free hour before our lunch break.

"Journalism Club," he shortly said then turned away.

I immediately stood up when I heard him. I grab my bag and followed him.

I almost forgot about that!

"Lanie!"

I turned to Jasleene when she held my arm.

"Let's see what department we are in for the festival," she told me.

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. I don't have any idea what she's talking about. I quickly turned to the front. There, the word festival was written in the white board. And the date of the upcoming event which will happen a week after now.

Shoot! I want to slap my face. That's what Ms. Lorie's talking about earlier! I'm too engaged with my thoughts and I forgot the things I should be thinking right now.

"I'm sorry, Jasleene. I need to settle this first," I said and removed her hand. I didn't wait for her to respond, I run towards the door.

I thought Yshmael would wait for me, but I'm really a fool for thinking that. I don't even see that asshole's shadow!

I pouted as I head towards the Journalism Club. I went straight to the room. There are few students there, including Yshmael and his friends, Greyson amd Kalvin. Kalvin motioned for me to sit so I chose the vacant seat next to him.

After a few minutes, two female and three male students arrived. Then the youngest professor too, Mr. Yuan.

He smiled and told us to follow him. We went inside the mini conference room.

"Good Morning!" He said as he wrote on the white board. "I'm Yuan Perez, the professor in charge with this club. I know the old members knows me, but for the new faces here, I am your superior in this club. Also, I am the one who have the final say for the articles that we're going to publish in the The Wardens."

We nod. Mr. Yuan gave us time to introduce our self to each other.

Most of the club members are a bit snob and serious.

Yshmael is the Editor in Chief, Greyson as Associate Editor. The two female namely Laykah Maniebo and Rose Cruz as Managing Editors. There are three Section Editors, they are Leo Lee, Argee Gonzaga and Anthony Simeon. Kalvin and Jessa Baston as the Cartoonist or Illustrator.

There are seven contibutors: Mica Vasquez, Saliya Turk, Brenda Arago, Reymond Flore, Rachelle Axalan, Bianca Umali and Thraia Lim. They are all in lower years.

I am one of the four newbies, I and Brent Alexander who are both Seniors. And the two others are Sophomores, Zhian Prieo and Junel Magtanggol.

"Newbies, from this time, you'll be under observation. And while being on that state, you guys will be labeled as Contributors. We are releasing this month's issue of the The Wardens after the exam. After that, I'm going to give the position that suits each of you. Of course, it will be base on your performance," Mr. Yuan explained.

I nodded. I understood what he's talking about.

"By the way, next week will be our Festival and after that, it will be the Senior's mock exam," Mr. Yuan said. "And I want to let you know that some of the members already gave their articles for our upcoming issue."

Mr. Yuan motioned Yshmael. He sat down and let Yshmael talk.

Yshmael faced us, newbies. "The articles that we are going to release are news about the happenings from the past month and this month inside our Academy."

He paused for a second, "The Wardens release new issues once every two months. And all of the articles featured inside are all of the important events that happened in our school, and of course in Hespheria. A celebration or what, all of those are included. Why? Because it is our Founding Anniversarry, that's why we're having a Festival. And because we're having an important even, half of the articles will be about that. In short, half of the contents of our newspaper will be written after the Festival."

Mr. Yuan tapped the table.

"I know you are all confuse why we're having an event first before the mock exam. It should be the exam first, right? But Saint Augustine always did that, the reason? Simple, Saint Augustine trust each of it's students. One more thing, mock examination are for Seniors only, and they have been preparing for that for a long time." He paused, "One of Saint Augustine's policy is to make sure that it's students will be less anxious, relaxed and calm before taking the exam. It helps the student's mental state and then, will produce a better result."

I took notes as I listened to their explanations especially for the basic informations as a club member. I'm amused that Saint Augustine's policy is more strict but efficient.

"Well," Mr. Yuan clapped his hands. "How about a brainstorming? Any ideas for our soon to be topics for our articles?"

I don't know why I raised my hand. I just saw everyone looking at me.

"Maelanie?" Mr. Yuan asked.

I caught everyone's attention. I almost take my hand back, but it's too late. Me and my stupidity!

I cleared my throath." We're having a festival as a celebration to Saint Augustine's founding anniversary, right?"

Mr. Yuan nodded, "Continue."

"The truth is, I did some research and I found out that there are many people that want to live here. Of course, Hespheria's known for it's richness and peaceful community. I also found that the The Wardens are not just issued within the school's vicinity but to the whole town." I explained emphasizing every word.

Mr. Yuan nodded, "That's correct. As a prestigious Academy, one of our mission is to make our school newspaper known to everyone. Not only in our school but in the whole Hespheria. There's also instances that our newspaper reached the other municipalities and towns. That's why, The Wardens is labeled as the second official newspaper of Hespheria."

I smiled innocently, "That's also the reason why I'm thinking what if we give informations about the reason behind Hespheria's success..."

I clearly saw how Yshmael's eyed deepened. It's like he's shooting daggers at me. I just ignored him and faced Mr. Yuan.

"Elaborate, "Mr. Yuan demanded.

"I'm sure that our headline will be about the festival. That's why I'm thinking about writing not just about the event or how it is related to our celebration." I looked at everyone, "Instead, let's write information about the reasons why we're celebrating. A celebration means success. And I believe that in every success, there are people behind it. Let everyone know them. About the roots, of our school and ofcourse, Hespheria." I explained.

I don't know if I'm doing the right thing but I started it anyway. Come what may!

"Digging the roots?" Greyson asked raising his eyebrow.

He's provoking me. I know he wants to tell me something through his words but I just ignored him.

No one commented after him.

Everyone seems uncomfortable. I felt a tension between the club members and what I had said.

A topic that they didn't expect, huh?

I know they are all afraid to get involve. If Rona's right about the missing heiress of the Salazar's, then everyone here in Saint Augustine knows that.

What I can't understand is, how can everyone act like there's nothing happened here? Why they're acting like they don't know anything when it's obvious that they know something.

I should be wary to each of the students here, I thought while looking at everyone.

I planned this carefully, I just didn't expect that it will happen sooner than I expected.

Digging the roots and writing about Saint Augustine's overwhelming success as a Academy will lead to the missing Salazar and her family. Because, she's this school's students three years ago. One more thing, her family is one of those who build Hespheria and run it. And the most important thing, half of the school construction funds came from the Salazars.

"I'm afraid that we can't do that, Ms. Inocencio," Yshmael broke the silence.

His eyes met mine.

"The Wardens are known as a straightforward newspaper. Doing what you suggested is like taking u-turns, and that's not our forte." He added.

"It's not like we're going to tell the whole history. Just a glimpse of it. It won't hurt the main topic, and a glimpse of the past will caught the reader's curiousity making them read more of our newspaper." I anwered, shrugging my shoulder.

I saw Yshmael smirked, "Really?" His looks is as intimidating as him.

Mr. Yuan tapped the table, "Stop it, Kids. I understand your point, Maelanie, but like what Yshmael said, it's not our style and we can't just change that overnight. But your idea is not that bad either, so let me talk to my co-professors and ask for their opinion."

I smiled amd nodded. I won again today! Not that sure but atleast, there's a possibility.

There's no way I can investigate properly without getting doubted by anyone. This is the only way I can think of, for now.

I really don't have any plan to search and find how filthy the people here are. But I got myself involve.

I became involve without my knowledge. And if I won't do anything, curiousity will really kill me. Above all, Page and Yshmael both want me to stay still and do nothing.

"So, let's end our meeting here. Go and grab your lunch," Mr. Yuan told us before leaving the room.

Everyone followed him and went outside. I let them go first before taking my leave.

I put my things on my bag and decided to leave. I would have gone straight out if only Yshmael had not blocked me.

"What are you trying to do?" He asked coldly.

I maintained my innocent look.

He leveled his eyes on mine. "To satisfy your curiousity, right? Are you trying to make me laugh?"

I want to pierce his shining and black eyes. He's provoking and mocking me.

"Excuse me," I just said. I greeted myself for being calm.

I heard him chuckle, "To satisfy your curiousity. Is it also the reason why you threw your laptop unto the well? To find out if it will float or submerge in the depths of the water?"

I turned to him with wide eyes. He knew! No. He definitely saw me!

Yshmael faced me, smirking." To answer your curiousity, I bet a thousand bucks that your fake friends, if you have one, will float rather than your computer being sank. Same result with fresh water or salt water."

I couldn't answer.

He approached me and whispered softly in my ear. "Stop beating around the bush, Maelanie. You can fool everyone, but not me." He said emphatically then opened the door.

I just looked at him then went out.

He followed and talked to his friends who are waiting for him. He even laughed with them like nothing happened.

Before turning into the hallway I looked at him again. I caught him looking at me too before averting his eyes.

"Who really are you, Yshmael Marco?" I silently asked before I finally turned to the hallway.

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