Against All Boundaries

Chapter One

"Ilan GPA mo?!" I heard one of my classmates asking someone from the back.

"3.599." I'm not sure, but that sounded oddly loud as if it was meant for me to hear when I don't even pay them much heed. If only we can direct the ears to stop from hearing at will, I won't need to suffer hearing them.

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.

I have my own things to think about and I shouldn't be bothered with what the others are dealing.

I slipped the piece of paper I took from the registrar inside my bag and gathered my things. I walked out from there and headed straight to the hallway.

Marami-raming nakasasalubong na mga estudyante heading to different places. But none of them is my friend.

I just busied my self looking for any familiar car parked outside the campus.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang walang makitang pamilyar na sasakyan. Pantay na linya na yata ngayon ang labi ko, and what's going on doesn't please me anymore.

I stood there, moved my gaze down which probably is a mistake cause my mood just got worse.

I immediately tore my eyes off the stain on my skirt. Hindi naman kalakihan ang mantsa, pero nasisiguro kong halata dahil puti ang suot ko.

Natapunan ako ng kape kanina sa loob. Mabuti nalang at hindi naman na mainit. Wala na yatang may-ari dahil napabayaan na sa isang kiosk kung saan ako nagawi and the unfortunate me, just happened to bump with someone I didn't bother knowing anymore. Then the stupid coffee just ruined my mood that instantly. I don't really want to blame anyone pero sino ba namang mag iiwan nalang ng kape kung saan?! But I am just thankful na bukod sa pambaba ko ay wala na namang iba pang nabasa.

Hindi ko na isinuot ang bag ko at hindi ko narin alam kung mukha ba akong tao ngayong ipinantatakip ko sa aking saya ang dapat sana ay suot kong bag.

I suddenly wanted to curse.

But I didn't get the chance to do so as I have been interrupted by a loud sound of an automobile horn.

And that sounds familiar.

Agad akong lumingon sa gilid at agad ring nakalimutan ang 'nasira' kong mood nang makita ang itim na SUV ng kapatid.

How did I manage to recognize the car and the sound of it? Nobody can explain so it'll be wise not to think of it anymore.

Tinakbo ko nalang ang distansya at nang nakalapit ako ay nakabukas na ang pinto ng front seat.

"You're in a rush."

"I'm in a rush." Pagsang-ayon ko sa pauna niyang salita. "At ang tagal mo."

"Needed to deal with something on my way here, sorry. Heading home?" Nasa daan na agad ang tingin nito. Isang kamay ang nasa manibela at ang isa ay naka lahad sa gawi ko.

"Hmm." Tumango ako pero hindi ko alam kung may hinihingi ba siya dahil wala naman siyang ibinibigay sa aakin at wala akong nakikitang nasa kamay niyang naka-lahad.

"What is it, Noah?"

He chuckled. Hindi parin ibinababa ang kamay. Natatakot na ako at baka mabangga kami sa ginagawa niya. The only thing suppressing my anxiety is the thought of him daring not to do something he isn't capable of.

"Your grades." Simpleng sagot nito. One glance in my way, at ibinalik agad sa daan ang tingin.

Napaawang ang labi ko.

How did he know it's already released?

He chuckled again. "Don't ask."

Wala naman akong sinasabi pero kita niya yata ang pagtataka ko kung saan niya naman nalaman na nakuha ko na nga 'to ngayon.