The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7
"Failed"

Pakiramdam ko nawala ang mabigat na bagay na nakasampay sa likod ko pagkatapos ng exam. Nakatulong din that our family went on a trip to the beach kahit na maikling panahon lang. Nakahinga na rin si Mama nang maluwag na hindi na panay reviewers at books ang hawak ko, at hindi na lang parati sa kwarto at library. I don't know why she worries so much. Sa tingin ko naman I am blessed that my parents doesn't put me inside a box, na kung saan pag-aaral lang dapat ang inaatupag. May pagka-istrikto man but I don't really feel caged or deprived of freedom. Hindi sila nagkulang sa suporta sa aming magkakapatid, we are four at that. I don't know if they still have plans to have another child.

Lumabas ang result and it completely sealed my worry. I felt relaxed and at peace. Kaya naging maganda naman ang December ko. We spent the holidays sa grandparents ko. Aris only joined us on Christmas. Nasa kanila siya no'ng New Year.

Classes resumed. Graduating students became busy with the left and right admission tests, 'yong mga hindi naka-pasa ng SAT at hindi nag-take. Kung hindi ka sigurado sa standing mo, maninigurado ka talagang makapag-take ng entrance exams in different universities and colleges.

Even after passing the SAT, I am still taking the entrance exams in top universities in the country. But this time I am not pressured. Mas magaan na. Nilalakad na rin ang documents and other necessary things for my future admission to Oxford. I can't wait to finally step there and be part of it.

My eyes lazily roamed within the school quadrangle. Nakatayo na lahat ng booths. Abala ang mga estudyanteng in charge sa mga huling touches at iba pang need i-prepare. The students are hyped because tomorrow is February 14... except me, who doesn't really care. Valentine's day is overrated... for me.

Mahinang siniko ni Arth ang kaliwang braso ko kaya napabaling ako sa kanya.

"It's fun day tomorrow, hindi ka papasok?"

Humalukipkip ako. Walang klase bukas pero may pasok. Part kasi ito ng School Calendar of Activities na pasimuno ang SSC. They will check the attendance at may fines kung hindi pupunta. But I don't really mind paying.

"I'll think about it."

"Pumunta ka." Ngumisi si Arth. "Try the activities... How about blind date?"

I exaggeratedly rolled my eyes at him.

"Masyado ka kasing perfect, intimidated ang mga lalake kaya takot manligaw sa'yo."

"If they don't have the balls, then they're not worth my attention. I won't adjust for them, Arth. Not that I want to pick a boyfriend anytime now."

Tumawa siya. "Tama ka naman."

"Right."

"Ikaw, nililigawan mo raw si Hency?" I looked at him skepticaly. Hindi nagsasabi ang isang 'to. Narinig ko lang mula sa mga taga HUMSS na nakasalubong noong isang araw.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Ang maldita kaya no'n," I noted. She's a queen bee. May mga alipores pa nga, which I find cringed. Sunod-sunuran kasi sa kanya. Akala mo mga alagad.

"Well, she's cool."

"And you court her because of that?"

Umiling siya at ngumisi ulit. "There's more to what you see, Laviña."

Hindi na lang ako nagkomento. He is old enough. At hindi niya ako magulang para makialam. If they hit it off and work out, then good. I just hope he won't end up messing up his studies just for a girl and a relationship.

A soccer ball rolled in my direction, I instinctively stopped it with my foot and make a move to kick it. Nasalo naman ito ni Liam, kasama siya sa Soccer team. He smirked nang makalapit sa akin.