Tripping Odysseus (G-High Series #1)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Hunters

Apparently, it took us a while before we reached the table. Halos sa lahat ng mesang nadadaanan namin ay tumitigil kami para batiin din ang mga kilalang bumabati sa amin. There were shrieks, greetings, and excitement upon our arrival. May mga nag-imbita sa tables nila pero magiliw na tinanggihan ni Zeus ang mga 'yon. At sa tuwing ituturo niya kung saan kami pupuwesto, parang nag-aalangan sila.

Yet they couldn't say anything to him. Despite the fact that he's heedful and considerate of other people's thoughts, none of them tried to interfere his statement.

'Cause it's the people that causes subtle chaos in Galileo that we're talking about. Those guys aren't normal students like the rest of us. Frequently, called the 'black sheep' of the school. Sa tagal ko na rito sa G-High, malabong hindi ko sila makilala, sa kanila lang naman kasi iwas na iwas ang mga tao rito.

And it gives me no clear reason why people like Eulaly, Thaddeus, Chesley, and Zeus has connection with them, no matter how small it be. Ang layo kasi ng possibility na magkaro'n gayong hindi nag-iisa ang circle namin.

Habang papalapit kami ay mas lalong nangingibabaw sa akin ang pag-aalinlangan. It feels wrong. Especially when I noticed their infamous leader staring at us with his piercing eyes. I could feel the intensity of his stare even if it isn't for me. The idea of meeting them face to face is making me uncomfortable, all the more since we'll be sharing a table with them.

“Zeus, you’re dashingly h-handsome!” Loren’s voice was drowned out by the loud, upbeat music from the band. Hindi ko narinig nang buo ang sinabi niya pero bahagya kong nakuha ang huling salita.

“Magandang gabi, Odysseus.” The guy beside their leader spoke. Two of the guys gestured us the empty seats.

“Good evening, mga Kuya!” I could feel the warmth in Zeus’ voice. Malamig ang titig nilang lahat sa amin pero hindi natitinag ang mga kasama ko.

Ngumiti pa sa akin si Eula, tila ba nagbibigay siya ng assurance na okay lang talagang maki-upo kami. Now, her modest demeanor dominates everyone at the table. Mas lumalabas ang pagiging mayumi niya dahil sa kanila.

I sat beside Zeus, katabi niya si A, Loren, at Eula. Sa kabila ko naman sina Chesley, Blaise, at Ivan. Kahit hindi ko na ikutin ang mata ako, pansin pa rin ang pasulyap-sulyap na mga estudyante sa amin.

Hindi ko naman mapigilang bumaling sa isa pang malaking mesa sa medyo kalayuan. I saw some familiar faces, from elite groups if I’m not mistaken. They seem like they’re attending an exclusive party because of their expensive-looking attire.

One of them was Ate Cressida, seated prominently in the center wearing a white cami dress and a white veil over her Greek braid, with smudged bloody red lipstick. Beside her is Eliseo Agliam, the sporty friend of my cousin, Evergreen – who’s now looking at me with a playful smile on her lips. When she saw that I noticed her, she waved at me giddily. I couldn’t help but be unfamiliar with her because of the costume. Regardless, she looked fearless tonight.

"Ano raw palabas?"

"Hereditary?"

"Silip kaya tayo, ‘no?"

"Ngek. Ano ka, VIP?"

Narinig ko ang pag-uusap nina Vance at Blaise sa tabi ko. They're apparently talking about the movie screening, that is currently happening inside the SHS building, just in front of us.

Kaunti lang naman ang nakatambay na mga studyante rito sa field. Karamihan ay nakakalat sa buong school dahil iniikot ang mga bagong activities sa gabing ‘to. Ayon pa sa mga SSG Officers, madami raw silang pakulo ngayon, kaya rin nakatanggap pa muna kami ng consent paper dahil baka abutin kami rito hanggang hatinggabi – which I guess will definitely happen. At mukha namang pinaghandaan nila ng maayos ang gabing ‘to dahil nakakaengganyo tingnan
ang paligid.