Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Princess Pedregosa

May lalaking padaskol-daskul na pumasok sa loob ng kwarto at walang pakialam kung may tao man o wala. He throw his lightweight backpack, parang isang notebook lang yata ang laman.

He has light brown highlight mixed up with his dark brown hair, brushed back fixed with wax or gel. He has a soft features. Thick eyebrows, long thick lashes, pointed nose, sharp jaw, and soft thin lips.

He looking at me, observing who am I. I can't read what he was thinking right know. He's somewhat unpredictable and his actions were hard to read, also.

"Who are you?" He asked, looking at me. "What are doing here? You are forfend to enter this room. Why is she here?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya, at lumingon kay Khylle na tahimik na nanonood.

I heard Khylle sighed in annoyance. "Transferee," simple sagot niya sa tanong ng lalaking pumasok, hindi tinapunan ng tingin.

He's mouth slowly form into 'O', slowly sinking and getting what Khylle said. Amusement is written all over his face.

He's cute. I mentally addresses his features and gestures.

"Who are you? Renz Jarius Hernandez, by the way," iniabot niya sa 'kin ang kamay niya.

"Princess," I reached and shook our hands. "Princess Pedregosa."

"Does Khylle become annoyingly aggressive before dragging you here?" He gave me a playful smile before shifting his gaze to Khylle who is crossing her arms over her chest. His playful smile become a wide grin, teasing Khylle.

"Whatever. Just shut your fucking mouth. It irritates me a lot, jerk," she raise her brow and rolled her eyes, brought back her gaze to the television.

They are pretty cute to watch. Hindi na ako magtataka kung magkakatuluyan man ang dalawang 'to.

"It irritates me a lot," he mocked, making his manly voice like Khylle's voice.

"Shut the fuck up," she cursed, starting to get annoyed. "Can't you see?" She pointed the television using the remote she's holding. "I'm watching," she sarcastically announced.

He gazed the television and familiarizing himself to the video playing on the screen. "Sofia the first, amp," tumatawa na puna niya.

Khylle's face is now turning red because of annoyance with Jarius presence. She gritting her teeth to compose, calming herself.

"To correct your false words, I am not a jerk. Maybe just in your eyes, sa 'yo lang ako ganito," he smirked. Naglakad siya sa harap ni Khylle para harangan ang television.

He levelled his face to her ang look at her attentively in her eyes. Khylle is also giving the same intensity he's thrown. Walang nagpapatalo sa kanilang dalawa. He grinned widely.

"Ako'y sa 'yo at Ika'y akin lamang," he almost sang without cutting their gazes in each other's eyes. Then, his grin turned into a genuine smile.

He has a beautiful angelic voice, I admit.

She's getting red as an apple. "Ulol," she cursed. "Na-ulol na naman ang aso," she address Jarius as a dog.

"I can be a dog and a servant at the same time. Basta ikaw lang ang amo ko," he jumped at the sofa to sat beside her, placing his arm at the sofa back. Parang naka-akbay siya sa pwesto nila.

"Diba gwapo ako?" Nakita ko siyang lumingon sa 'kin.

"Ha?" I pardoned.

"Sino naman nagsabi na gwapo ka? Tumingin ka nga sa salamin. Magpatingin ka na sa doctor, baka malabo na yang mata mo," sarkastikong sagot ni Khylle bago pa ako tuluyan na makasagot.

He smirked. "May crush ka lang sakin, eh," he teased.

Biglang natahimik si Khylle sa sinabi i Jarius. "S-stupid!" She exclaimed, stuttering. "I will never hit on you, a blind can be. I am not blind so better shut up your mouth, Hernandez." She say in sttutering voice.

He pursed his mouth, not believing her statement. "As you say so, my childish baby," I heard him whispered.

Khylle didn't react, baka hindi niya narinig. Masyado siyang naka-focus sa pinapanood niya na palabas. Ayoko rin na magsalita.

I want them to discover each other feelings. Uso pa ba ang tulay sa isang relasyon ngayon? I don't think so.

"Have you eaten your breakfast, Princess?" He suddenly asked.

My eyes widened in shock. I don't know how should I going to react on what he asked. "Yeah," I managed my voice not to shake. "Thanks for your concern, Renz."

I don't know what should I call him. If Renz or Jarius. Hindi naman kasi kami close. This is the first time we met each other.

"First name basis, ah," he teased me for calling him Renz. Seriously?

He removed his arm near placed on Khylle's shoulder. Speed. I smirked on my mind. I was shocked when he went near me and start poking my side. He's tickling me. Napa-iktad ako sa pwesto ko, it was my weakest part.

"Hoy!" I heard Khylle's voice, screamed. "Tigilan mo nga si Princess," saway niya kay Renz sa ginagawa sa 'kin.

"Selos ka naman," he stated. "Sige 'di na ako lalapit kay Princess baka kasi magalit ang baby ko," muli siyang bumalik sa pwesto niya kanina na parang naka-akbay kay Khylle. Khylle throwing him some death glares but he nevermind.

I chuckled, seeing their reaction. They were hiding feelings. I can sense it. For a girl who doesn't know anything about love, I am good at observing people. That's why I know.

Jarius look at my side. "Bakit ka tumatawa?" He asked, confused.

I shrugged. I didn't know he heard my soft chuckles. "Wala lang," I denied, smiling.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa screen ng TV para manood nalang din. I kinda loving the character of Sofia. She's cute. Para sa bata talaga ang palabas na 'to.

I gazed again to the couple on side. 'Ang cute nilang tignan haha. Pero wala pa ding poreber.' I mentally murmured.

Natigil ang pagmamasid ko sa kanilang dalawa nang marinig ko ang malakas na tunog ng school bell. Simula na ng unang klase. Hindi ko pa nakukuha ang schedule ko sa office.

I immediately stood up. I picked up my things from the couch, panicking. I can't be late on my first class. Sobrang nakakahiya at nakakasira ng records 'yon kapag nagkataon. "Alis na ako," I bid goodbye to them.

They also stood from the sit but they still cool while I am panicking. How can they can remain and manage their cool posture at this situation.

"Princess, wait," I heard Khylle called my name.

I stopped walking, holding the knob of the door. "Bakit?" I asked.

Nagka-tinginan silang dalawa. "You're coming with us," instead of Khylle answering my question Renz take the place answering it.

"Ha? Ano yang pinagsasabi mo?" Confusion written on my face.

"Have you read the rules of the first rate elites? Montessori de Sueños Verdaderos Rules and Regulation Hand Book, page 14 section 3; 'Once you become part of first-rate elite student, you should be in the Star Section.'," she mentioned.

Lumapit si Jarius kay Khylle at inakbayan ito. Hindi naman tumalima si Khylle sa ginawang pag-akbay ng lalaki sa kaniya. He nodded, agreeing on what Khylle noted. "Whether you like it or not you are joining the star section, starting from now."

My eyes widened in shock and disagreement. I don't want special treatment. Mas lalong maraming mata ang titingin sa 'kin kapag sumama pa ako sa kanila. "Pero—"

"No buts. Let's go," sounds of authority came out from Renz voice.

I didn't uttered any words. I want to fight with some people with power and authority in this school. Baka ma-kicked out agad ako kapag sumalungat ako sa gusto nila. Baka 'di ko pa ma-refund ang tuition ko.

We started walking down the staircase of the abandoned building. Where there is no one students trying to go there. It is forbid for only first rate elite students and second rate.

We walked away, back to the building where all of the students gathered a while ago. While walking on the corridor I see no student roaming around. Wala ng gaanong mga estudyante ang nakatambay sa labas, maaaring nasa loob na ng silid aralan.

Khylle clinged her arm and hands on my right arm, guiding and pulling me. Renz was behind us, carrying his lightweight backpack and Khylle's shoulder bag. He's tall, naka-kapangliit kasama ang isang 'to. Kahit tumingkayad ako ay hindi ko maabot.

Khylle suddenly stopped on a door with a three gold star placards glued on the blue paint of the door. She twisted the knob and the whole class become silent for a short period of time.

"Wala pang teacher," I sighed in relief.

Khylle pulled me to enter the room. The students continue what their chitchats after they saw my face and look my whole body figure. They doesn't gave a judging looks. They don't look mean.

Some of them looked at me, judging. Kaya kong bilangin sa kamay ko kung ilan sila. Do I need to familiarize myself with their face so I can punched their faces later?

That's brutal. Suway ko sa sarili ko.

I roamed around my eyes. I found a wall air-condition to cool the area — it's a actually two. A white board in front. One seat apart distant chairs. There is more than twenty students inside the room.

Mostly of their classmates are having chitchats on what they've done last summer. The others are showing their new brought things like expensive bags and make ups. And some are looking and checking themselves on their phone screen or on a mirror.

On the back, there is a group of five boys watching something on the phone a guy. I think it something guy can understand. Umagang-umaga.

I shouldn't be here. I don't belong here, I am just a scholar for the Pete's sake. I don't even have enough wealth para tumbasan ang yaman nila.

Yumuko ako sa sobrang hiya. I was shocked when Khylle's holds my chin, upped my face, facing the way.

"Chin up, you are more powerful than them," she reminded. "Tabi nalang tayo para hindi ka matakot sa mga tao na nandito," Khylle patted the chair beside her.

I pursed my lips, taking a walk on the way to the back. I already take the chair beside Khylle and on the other side is a vacant seat. Sa harapan ko may dalawang tao – lalaki at babae – na naglalaro ng kung anong mobile game sa cellphone ng lalaki.

I felt Jarius rough hand holds the back of my palm placed on the desk of my chair and he smiled, sweetly.

"Hwag kang matakot, mababait ang kaibigan namin ni Khylle. Hindi ka maiilang sa kanila, I swear it," he assured. I just smiled, Renz removed his hand on mine.

"Tangina niyong dalawa. May bagong member ang elite group. Puro dumb ways to die 'yang nilalaro niyo," sigaw niya sa dalawang katabi niya na walang space sa pagitan.

"Umagang-umaga, Jarius. Mura ka ng mura," tumingin ang babae kay Renz at bulyaw na sinigawan siya.

"Sorry naman kasi," he apologised. "Gumawa na naman kasi kayo ni Peter ng sarili niyong mundo," he sarcastically answered.

"Bakit nga?" Iritableng tanong ng babae. Tahimik lang ang lalaking katabi niya na patuloy naglalaro.

Instead of answering, Renz just pointed me with the use of his lips. Napatingin naman sa pwesto ko ang babae. I heard her said, 'ah'. Umayos siya ng upo at hinarap ang upuan niya sa pwesto ko.

Now she's acted demurely. "I am Jasmine Nicholas but they call me Yassi. Sobrang layo 'di ba?" She asked me, laughing.

Upon looking her face, I admit she's gorgeous. She had a neat combed long straight jet black hair, arched brows, fringed eyes with long lashes, and tiny lips. Her skin was fair white. Alagang aircon.

"Maayos ka naman palang kausap," Renz tapped Yassi's head like taming a dog.

"Aba't," before she can cursed and burn Renz in the pits of hell. Mabilis niyang hinila ang buhok ni Renz at pinanggigilan.

"Canary, tulungan mo ko rito," he's begging for help came from Khylle. She just ignore him by putting some earphone on her ears connected on her phone.

"Princess, help me," I shrugged, laughing on his situation. Mukha siyang na-rape ng ilang bakla sa itsura niya.

"Mama," he called, almost crying.

"Maging plastic naman kayo minsan," sabat ng lalaking naglalaro kanina ng cellphone kasama si Yassi.

Yassi just raised her brow, asking what. The guy shook his head saying nevermind. "I'm Peterson Velonia but can call me love for short," he winked at me.

He had a chocolate brown hair, square jaw, chiseled nose, soft lips, thick eyebrows, and long lashes. He look like a God from Greek Mythology.

"Princess," I introduced myself. Inabot ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. Buong galak naman niyang tinanggap. I gulped when he kissed the back of my palm.

"Lagot ka kay boss. Isusumbong kita. Malandi ka," Jarius acted like a child. Peter just raised his middle finger.

"Shit," Yassi cussed. "Bakit ba ako nasa gitna niyo? Baka mahawa ako sa pagiging cursing machine niyong dalawa," Yassi holds her head, thinking all the actions of the boys beside her.

The whole hour of our first class never been boring at all. Since the three people in front of me having good time. Pinag-t-tripan nila si Yassi, nakisali na rin si Khylle sa kanila.

When Khylle gazes her phone screen, she stood up. "Tara na," aya ni Khylle samin.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" I asked her, without any clue.

Yassi, Peter, and Renz also get up their ass out from their chairs. Yassi brought her sling back with her. Khylle is just holding her phone, on the back of it is her long wallet.

"Of course, sa cafeteria. It's already snack time. Ipapakilala kita sa iba pang members ng first rate elites. Alam kong kilala mo na dun yung isa kaso yung dalawa 'di mo pa kilala," tuwang-tuwa na sambit niya. She looks excited.

Nagtungo na kami sa canteen. We sat down on a long table with a crystal plate written on it, Reserved. We are joining some companion. I saw a girl sitting, alone on the rectangular table for less than 10 persons.

"Hey, guys," she greeted us when she noticed someone sitting down beside her.

I'm still like a statue on the side. I saw a the font color of the word reserved is gold. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali, this table is for the first-rate elite members only.

"Cess," Yassi called my senses back from reverie. "Ayaw mong maupo? Ayos lang," pa-biro na sabi ni Yassi while smiling.

Wala akong nagawa kundi maupo kahit labag sa loob ko na maki-upo sa mesa ng mga taong mayayaman na tulad nila.

"Princess, ano gusto mo? My treat," Khylle insisted.

I shook my head. "Nakakahiya naman. Samahan na kita ako magbabayad nang akin," I stood up from my seat.

"If I say it's my treat then it's my treat. Ako na bahala sa pagkain mo. Seat and relax. Makipag-kilala ka muna sa kanila," she immediately went to the cashier.

"When Khylle insisted, wala ka talagang magagawa. Don't be shy, ate. Gan'yan talaga si ate Khylle," nagsalita ang babae na nasa harapan ko. "Masanay ka rin sa kaniya. By the way, I'm Lauren Fuente. Khylle's cousin," she announced in jolly way.

I smiled genuinely "Nice meeting you, Lauren," she smiled back to me, shy. "I'm Princess,"

"I already know you na po. Ate Khylle texted me before you all went here to eat," tanging nasambit ko lang ay 'oh'.

Napatigil kami sa pag-uusap ni Lauren nang marinig ko ang malakas na hampas ng kamay sa isang bagay. Binatukan ni Yassi si Peter, dahil magkatabi lang sila ay madali lang para kay Yassi na batukan si Peter. "Kung ano-anung kalokohan ang lumalabas dyan sa bunganga mo. Ang sagwang pakinggan," naka-ngiwing sabi ni Yassi.

"Inggit ka lang yun ang sabihin mo. Ang dami mo kasing segway 'di mo pa i-direct to the point," he ranted. "Kung mahal mo sabihin mo."

"Puro kabaliwan yang pinagsasabi mo," Yassi's forehead creased in anger. Her faced blushed in great annoyance.

Nagsisimula nang mainis si Yassi sa mga sinasabi ni Peter. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit sila nagsisigawan.

"Hwag mo ng pansinin ang dalawa na 'yan. Ganyan talaga sila, laging naglalampungan," Lauren whispered to me.

Natigilan ang dalawa sa bangayan nila at tumingin sa pwesto namin, throwing some daggers. "Hindi kami naglalampungan," they said in unison.

Lauren and I synchronize laughed on the reaction of the two people whose denying their feelings for each other.

Our foods delivered by a tall guy named, Renz. He's holding two tray of foods in his both hands.

"Here's your order," nilapag ni Jarius ang tray sa harap nilang dalawa.

Parehong napakunot  ang noo ng dalawa. "Bakit isa lang 'to?" Reklamo ni Yassi habang turo ang isang plato sa tray.

"Matuto kasi kayong bumili. Dalawa lang kasi ang kamay ko. Buti nga libre na 'yan. Say thank you to my baby, Canary," he point his lips on the counter then he sat beside me.

Khylle came back from the counter, she's holding only one tray on her both hands. "Hoy Hernandez," she yelled at Renz. "Anong sa tingin mo ang ginagawa mo?!"

Renz shrugged. "Kumakain malamang," barumbado niyang sabi.

"Stupid! You're seating on the chair beside Princess. For your information, that's my chair," she exclaimed.

"Okay, fine. Laging ako naman ang nag-a-adjust," he stood from the beside me, winking at Khylle.

Khylle answered his wink with a rolled of eyes.

I heard Lauren sighed, problematically. "May problema talaga ang mga kaibigan kong lalaki sa mata nila. They love winking, it look gross kapag sila ang gumagawa. Buti nalang yung isa matino hindi mahilig mag-wink." I heard Lauren whispered.

"Who?" I curiously asked.

"You'll gonna know him. Not now but soon. Kumain ka na," she pointed the plate in front of me. Maybe Khylle placed it.

We all ate in silence, sometime talking about our lives, what happened last summer vacay. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Tara na. Ayokong malate," Yassi said, panicking stood up from her seat.

"First day palang Yassi. Wala pang ga'nong gagawin. Hwag ka hysterical d'yan," inis na ani Peter.

"Hwag ka ngang makialam," pagtataray ni Yassi sa kaniya.

"What if I want to?" Palaban na tanong ni Peter.

I shook my head. I should brace myself everytime they talk. Lagi nalang nilang pinag-aawayan ang maliliit na bagay na hindi naman dapat pagtalunan.

"E, 'di gago ka," she cursed.