CHAPTER 4

Today is the day of our activity and together with my fellow Sciences major, I facilitated with them. I was tasked to roam around and monitor the booths, then later I will check the participants for dancing. I have rating sheets with me and a pen to rate if the booths were made properly. While walking I looked at the papers again to see that there are five booths to go.

“Need company?”

I was shocked at the voice beside me. I nearly cursed him for doing that but I was not able when I saw who the person was. He also have papers with him and a pen. I faced the direction ahead of me. I don’t want to look at him and I was glad that our surrounding is noisy because of the students who are visiting booths, dragging their boyfriends and girlfriends, and some of them tagged along with their friends.

“Why are you here?” I asked without looking at him.

At the corners of my eyes, I saw him raised his papers a bit.

“I was tasked to accompany you. One first year and a second year as a pair to facilitate the activity. Not bad because I was paired to you.”

I feel so uncomfortable hearing it from him. I don’t know if that was a coincidence or what. “This is tiring, are you sure you want to come with me?” we stopped in front of the door of a classroom used as one of the booths.

I faced him and he smiled at me, “I am. If you’re tired you can rest, I’ll do the remaining task.” Then he walked past by me and entered the room. My lips parted because of what he said. Then later on, I followed him. He was already asking the president of the classroom.

“If this is ready, you can open it now. Make sure your guests enjoy the booth and I need the names of those who’ll visit for certificate purposes. You know where to find us, Science Headquarters.”

The girl nodded and smiled to him. I looked around again, this is named the Famous Booth. All scientists were presented in this booth together with their discoveries, inventions, and contributions in the society.

Our next stopped was in the Photo Booth. The area was filled with the inventions of the famous scientists and there is also a spot surrounded with hearts and flowers, I think this is for lovers.

“Why do you have a Couples Corner here? You passed the plan of your booth and we did not saw anything written in there that there will be a spot for this.”

I looked at him because I was a bit shocked with his strictness. I saw the girl lowered her head that’s why I interfered with them.

“I guess it’s okay. We can add some spice in their booth since this is also a photo booth. Likewise, the guests will not be bored.” I saw him looked at me

“Thank you, Miss. That was really the purpose of the Couples Corner, to invite more guests. We thought about this and I think it will encourage them more to visit our booth. This was just a last minute plan that’s why we were not able to tell you.” The girl added

“Can we try it? I want to see the quality of the picture.”

My eyes widened with the sudden request he made. 

“Sure. Come this way.” She guided us but I am not moving from my position. I don’t know what to react

“Come on, for verification purposes only.” He smiled and I can’t do anything but to follow them.

She took pictures and I smiled nervously.

“Closer, please. And you can also get some stuffs like a big heart over there, then you can put it in between you two to make you look like a couple, if you’re not.  We also have headbands, frames, and others. Just browse them, miss.”

I shook my head, “N-no. We’re okay like this and besides we just have to check if the output is fine. Let’s not make this long, Miss. We still got some stuffs to do.”

She was a little stunned and nodded at us, “Yes, miss. I’m sorry.”

She took a picture of us and we went out. She gave us the picture and saw that it was very clear and the inks utilized were of high quality. I was about to return it when someone grabbed it from me.

I looked at him, “What are you doing? Give it to her to serve as a sample.”

He did not listened to me, instead, he kept it. “There’s no need of that, there are already displayed samples in the wall.” Then he faced the girl, “Thanks. Work hard.” And he left.

I followed him and I never dared to speak up again. I don’t know what to talk about him. I cannot really understand him.

We went to the rest of the booths and after, we proceeded to our own headquarter. I immediately saw Ali taking selfies, one of my classmates and three second years. I flung myself into the long sofa. I am exhausted of walking around the campus. Then I felt someone sat beside me and went near my face.

“Tired already?”

I looked at Ali, “Already? Do you want me to punch you? I strayed half of the campus to check the booths and it was so tiring. I walked for hours and my feet are freaking aching.”

She distanced herself from me and pouted, “You should have asked for help. I could come with you since I had only a simple task to do and I finished it early.”

My eyebrow shot up. I was really confused with her and I made my eyes smaller and tilted my head a bit trying to get what she just said.

“I thought we were paired to a certain task. Who was your partner then? Our senior?” 

“What? Who told you? I finished my task, myself. Then Vina and Wen decided to pair up, it’s up to you, girl. I guess you must be really tired by now. You’re imagining things.” She moved her head sideways

My mouth parted and my eyes landed on him who was talking to his classmates. He looked at me for a while but I avoided his eyes. He lied to me!

“No, nothing. I just thought that we’re paired.”

Ali sighed and rested her head at the backrest of the sofa, “By the way, did you tell your family? I bet they were dismayed by the news.”

I did the same with her, I rested my head on the backrest. This is comforting. I closed my eyes to relax more. 

“No, I haven’t. Maybe I’ll tell them later. I don’t want to disappoint them.”

We fell into silence for a while.

“If that’s what you want.” She dryly said

We were just quiet until we heard the door opened. We sat properly. 

“Dance battle will start, in charged please proceed to the auditorium room.” Said our senior

I stood up and bid my goodbye to Ali. Guess what? I have task again.

Bruh.

“You alone?” she asked when I was about to go. I was about to give her my answer when a man stood up on his seat and walked towards the door. He talked to his classmate who delivered the message to us.

“I don’t know.” I answered Ali

“Okay, I can’t help you either because I’m going to the gymnasium later to check the attendance of the players.”

I smiled at her sarcastically. I don’t know what’s her purpose for asking the question when she can’t also assist me. “You’re such a concern friend. I’m going, girl.” She laughed a bit then I went off.

My heart jumped when I saw him standing outside still near the door. I let out a sighed. “You’re giving me heart attack.”

We started walking, “Where are you going?” I asked

“Auditorium.”

I stopped walking and faced him, “What are you going to do there? We have an activity in the auditorium.” I am now talking too much with him. I am slowly showing him some of my sides and I don’t know why.

“I know.” He walked again and I followed him

“Are you going to help me again? Stop lying, I know that we’re not really paired. I happened to ask Ali.”

Instead of being shocked, I saw him smiled. “Thanks for that. I won’t be guilty anymore.” Guilty? Guilty of lying? Is that what he’s trying to say?

“You can stop now. I know you have your own task to do.” I may be disturbing him too much

“I do, but it’s done.”

Wish I am also.

“Jezcyl!” I turned to my left and saw Vina and Wen waving at me. They stopped and talked a bit while looking at me, and him. Oh god! I think I know where this is going. 

They rushed to me after moving on to the scene they just saw.

“Where are you going? You… two?” Wen asked pointing her fingers on me and the man in front of me. 

Argh! I thought they forgot about it since we’re busy now. “A-auditorium, I’m the facilitator for now.”

They looked at me for a while, then Vina spoke. “The Dean is looking for you. He wants you in his office, right now.”

I have no clue why Dean is looking for me but I think I have to go there first.

“I’ll do the errand. You can go there, first.” He said as soon as I faced him.

My heart is beating fast and I don’t know what exactly to say. 

“O-okay. Thank you. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I saw the two of my friends looked at each other like something is fishy between me and this man so I instantly dragged them with me.

“Hey! Hey! Stop, Jezcyl. You’re taking us to a wrong route. We have to facilitate in the gymnasium not in the Dean’s office.” Wen

“Oh, sorry. By the way, do you know why the Dean is asking for me? I have no matters with him now and I don’t think I have done something wrong.”

They both rolled their eyes, “Girl, you’re in front of his door. Mind opening the damn door, get inside and ask him yourself.” Vina

I made a face, “Whatever. Proceed to your task, girls.”

I am about to open the door when they talked again.

“We have something to talk later, girl. Bye! Love you!” they made a flying kiss and run off. Being sweet again, they and their plans.

I am in front of the Dean with my eyes literally wide open, shocked, and my mind is clouded.

“W-what? Are… are you sure D-dean?”

He smiled and nodded. His eyes lowered and he got something on his drawer. I saw papers with medium sizes and I think…

“You’ll be leaving next week, Miss Lorenzo. I contacted your parents and have taken care of your passport and the other papers. I just hoped that your sponsor won’t back out.”

He handed me the papers and I can’t believe I’m seeing my passport. I cried and I’m sure it was my tears of joy. I jumped with the happiness and came nearer to hug him.

“Thank you! Thank you, Dean! You’re a blessing!”

He laughed and hugged me back. This is incredibly a big news.