Embracing the Troublemaker

Chapter Eight

Jael's Point of View

Tinapos lang namin ang break time at agad din kaming pumunta ni Ross sa gymnasium. Nag bigay lang si Bishop ng excuse letter kina Cypress para sa mga sususnod na subject na hindi namin mapapasukan ngayon.

Hindi ako maka paniwala na kailangan ko 'to gawin. Wala naman akong experience sa ganitong bagay, baka nga mag kalat lang ako. Dala-dala ko pa naman ang pangalan ng STEM-1.

The school gymnasium buzzes with excitement as students from different grades gather for the representative selection. We are the last ones to arrive, and everyone is staring at us. I feel like crawling into a hole and disappearing.

"Sorry, we're late." Ross says, as we approach the stage. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the attention. Biglang nag bulungan ang mga estudyante habang naka turo at binibigyan ng kakaibang tingin si Ross. Iniisip siguro na gagawin laro lang 'to. Kahit ako rin kapag nakita sya dito eh.

One of the teachers, who is in charge of the contest, greets us with a smile. "No worries, we were just waiting for you two. You are the representatives from Mendeleev, right?"

"Yes po." sagot ko. "I'm Jael po," hinila ko palapit saakin si Ross. "And this is my partner, Ross."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo habang naka tingin kay Ross. Pinag mamasdan n'ya ito na parang may sinusubukang maalala. "You're familiar," pati ako ay nag taka. "Ikaw ba yung vocalist ng Ephemours Sanctuary?"

Ross did not answer. Naka tingin lang ito sa gurong nag aantay ng kanyang sagot.

Pinutol ko na ang awkwardness sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Napansin ko rin na hindi comfortable si Ross dahil bigla itong namutla. "Should we start na po, ma'am?"

Nahimasmasan na siguro ang guro kaya tuluyan nang nilubayan si Ross. "Listen up students, remember, this is just an elimination round. Okay, We're about to begin."

The teacher explains the rules of the contest. We have to answer some questions. We also have to walk on the stage, as if we are in a real pageant. We will be judged by a panel of teachers and students, who will score us based on our appearance, personality, and performance. Kung sino ang may pinaka mataas na makukuhang score sila ang magiging representative sa Mr. and Ms. Sportfest sa darating na Intramurals.

I avoid eye contact with the other contestants. Ang gaganda nila at ang gaganda ng hubog ng kanilang mga katawan. Ang kukutis at ang tatangkad. Habang tinitingnan ko sila kanina ay para akong nanliliit sa sarili ko, baka mapahiya lang ako dito. Marami naman kase akong magagandang kaklase na kaya makipag balagbalagan dito, hindi ko alam kung bakit pa ako nandito, para lang akong basura.

Nilingon ko si Ross. Naka-pikit lang sya na parang walang pake sa manga nangyayare sa paligid.

"Alright, everyone, gather around. Let's begin the elimination process."

"Are you ready?" he asks me, as we wait for our turn.

Napa-irap ako sa kawalan. Mukha ba akong ready sa lagay na 'to?

"No," I whisper.

Ross leans closer to me and whispers back. "You'll do great."

His words are somehow reassuring, and I manage a weak smile. Hindi pa rin mawala ang kaba sa dibdib ko para sa mga posibleng mangyari. What if madulas ako sa stage? Mautal ako habang nag sasalita? Hindi ko masagot yung tanong? Ang daming pumapasok sa isip ko.

"Jael Travieso and Ross Alaric representative of STEM-1 Mendeleev."

We walk on the stage, hand in hand. I still feel nervous, but not as much as before. I walked with confidence and gave them my sweetest smile.