Every Bad Thing

Chapter Twenty-Five

"I'll do the Powerpoint!" nagtaas ako ng kamay. Napatingin sa akin ang mga ka-grupo ko. Lahat sila ay may bakas ng pagkagulat sa kanilang mga mukha. Of course, they're surprised. The Laurene Serrano, volunteering to make their Powerpoint presentation?

"Sure ka, Laurene? Madami-dami 'to." tanong ng isa naming kaklase, si Fred.

"It's fine. Wala naman ako gagawin..." I shrugged. They were staring at me like I've grown two heads. "And it'll help me review the whole lesson."

Ito ang huling reporting namin para sa subject na ito. Our teacher says that our final grade will depend on this reporting. I really need to do well. Okay naman ang grade ko sa subject na ito, pati sa ibang subjects ko. In fact, tumaas nga ako. Wala akong line of 7. Unlike my past grades from the past years. Ang pinakamababa ko ay 83. Highest naman ang nag-iisang 90 sa P.E.

I was going good, but good is not enough. I need to be better. Nagcompute na ako ng kailangan kong habulin na grade. I'm aiming for an average of at least 88. I need to. Gusto kong mapunta sa star section sa huling year ko sa highschool. That's my aim.

Kung kailan ilang linggo na lang ay patapos na ang klase, tsaka ko lang naisipan gawin ito. I consulted our adviser about it. Ang sabi niya ay kaya naman daw. Especially since all of the requirements that affect the grades greatly are being done during the Finals.

I got perfect scores on quizzes, seatworks, and assignments. I was actually surprised when I've realized how much time I have that could be allotted for studying. Lalo na ngayon at nabawasan ang mga lakad ko. Minsan lang ako umalis ng bahay, kapag may family affairs at may dates kami ni Silas. We only date once a week, so, that doesn't consume much time. Plus, it helps that Silas helps me study, too.

I used to doodle or daydream during lessons, but now I listen and take my time to write down lectures. Nakakagulat na sobrang dali lang pala ng mga lessons kapag pinagtuunan ng pansin. Hell, if I have known earlier, baka running for valedictorian na ako.

"Aba..." a voice made me lift my head.

Nakita ko si Vance na malaki ang ngisi habang nakatingin sa akin. He's wearing that annoying smug look of his. Napairap na lang ako at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa binabasang reviewer. Silas made this reviewer for me. Malapit na kasi ang exam. Nag-aayos na nga kami ng requirements para sa clearance.

It will be odd not to cram, but I'm nearly done with my requirements. Nakakapanibago dahil dati ay tinutulungan pa ako ng aking mga kapatid sa pag gawa ng requirement ko. That's how irresponsible I was.

The seat beside me moved. Sunod kong naramdaman ang pag-upo ni Vance doon. Hindi ko siya tiningnan at nagpatuloy lang sa pagbabasa.

"You trying to chase for the salutatorian title, para relationship goals kayo ng boyfriend mo?" I can hear the mockery in his voice.

"Find someone else to play with, Vance." I lazily uttered, still not throwing him a glance.

Matagal siyang natahimik ngunit naramdaman ko ang mainit na titig niya sa akin. "You really did change."

That made me lift my head up and look at him. I was right. He's staring at me. Still. I creased my forehead. That urged him to continue, "For him."

"I didn't. I changed for myself." I flippantly say, pushing my hair over my shoulder.

He nodded and placed his elbow on the table, his cheek was on his palm for support. "To be worthy of him."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. How could I when he managed to hit my weakest spot? My silence was a confirmation for him. It made him smile.