Chapter 08: Dawn After Query

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CASSIEN

NEWT PACED back and forth as his hands find comfort within his black overcoat's pocket. He had the fiercest look I've seen he ever expressed. He was different from the Newt who rescued us earlier from Jasper's boring basement and Lisbeth's grasp. I don't know why, pero natakot ako bigla kay Newt sa mga oras na 'to.

"Let's begin with your relationship with Jillian, Dudley and Ava," he said when he stopped at the center of the office, darting Lisbeth and Darius an intensive look. "Either of you may start. If one spit such falsehood, the other may terminate the lies."

As of the moment, it was already in the afternoon when we all headed to the school and went specifically to the SC President's office. Eight people were gathered to conduct a thorough interrogation.

Ranpo, as usual, was on the swivel chair and slowly pivoting himself. It wasn't his but Harper's. Wala kasi siyang balak ilabas ang sarili niyang upuan mula sa clubroom. He didn't seem to care what the holy pasta was happening right now. Nakatayo lang ako sa likod niya at nanatiling tahimik.

Conan, Keith and Harper were observing from the couch at the corner of the office, keeping their mouths shut. Kinuha naming spectator si Harper pero nag-volunteer na sumama si Keith. Masyado kasing seryoso ang paligid kaya somehow, I'm thankful na nandito siya. Ought to admit, I'm stealing glances to make myself unobtrusively smile.

Keith looked back at me with an innocent expression.

Huh, he did?

'Di nga?! Lumingon siya pabalik sa 'kin?! Is this for real?! Keith Abrantes, the heartthrob of our campus, looked at me?!

He then smiled at me.

What?! Halos sumabog na 'ko sa kilig dahil sa nangyayari. Pustahan, para na akong isang kamatis dahil sa pamumula. No, no. It's not like I'm in love with him pero—

Huwag kang magpapahalata, Cassien. 'Wag kang magpahalata! AHHHHHHHHHHHH—

"Stop."

Keith Abrantes! Why are you like this?! I tried drifting my gaze away pero parang may kunyenteng humihigit sa 'kin pabalik sa mga mata niya. Hindi ko na yata kaya 'to. I'm gonna explode! Teka, nakatingin pa ba siya? Naka—

"HEY, STOP!"

Kasabay ng sigaw na narinig ko ay naramdaman kong may sumiko sa dibdib ko. "Aray!"

Ranpo just hit my chest! Ano ba'ng problema ng lalaking 'to?!

Na-realized kong kanina ko pa pala niyuyugyog ang swivel na inuupuan niya. Dahil nga nakatayo ako sa likuran niya, the headrest was the first thing I'd touch. Jusme! This is what I hate kapag kinikilig ako. . . I hope Keith didn't notice, mukha akong tanga!

"Stop spacing out, idiot! Or I'll break your ribs again in no time," banta ni Ranpo habang sinasamaan ako ng tingin.

"Ribs?!" hindi ko makapaniwalang sigaw. "You just elbowed my chest!"

"What? Oh, wait. You mean, your non-existent chest?"

"Excuse me—"

"Ehem." Newt cleared his throat without looking at us. Right, we're making an unnecessary scene, all thanks to Ranpo kasi hindi ko naman kasalanang kinilig ako and unconsciously shook his chair. De jonks, kasalanan ko talaga 'to dahil sa pagiging ilusyunada.

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