•••••Maura's POV•••••

The day has come for the Assassination Team Exam and everyone was busy studying. Walang ibang pinag-uusapan ang mga 1st ranked assassins kundi ang exam.

Of course, gusto rin nilang pumasa dahil ayaw nilang makick out at mapahiya sa Blandon High.

But despite all of these, kahit na nakapag-aral na ako in the past few days ay hindi ko parin maiwasang kabahan.

'Sino kaya ang magiging ka team mates ko?'

'Makakapasa kaya ako sa exam?'

'What if masira yung friendship namin nina Raven, Hades at Blade?'

'What if magbabago ang tingin namin sa isa't isa?'

'Hindi naman siguro mangyayari yun diba Maura?'

I deeply sighed. Those questions keep on running in my mind. I keep asking those questions to myself. Sino ba kasi ang hindi kakabahan? Sino ba kasi ang hindi magwo-worry? I don't want to ruin our friendship just because of this exam.

"Oh nandito pala ang bwiset ng buhay ko." I diverted my attention to the person who is now in front of me.

Maaga kasi akong dumating dito sa Blandon High kaya naisipan ko na mag-review nalang dito sa lawn.

"Elizabeth please. Ayoko ng gulo. Nag-aaral lang ako dito ng tahimik."

"Wow! Ang seryoso natin ngayon nerd ha?" That was Daisy.

"Well what do you expect? Nerd nga diba?" And that was Chloe.

They've been calling me that ever since and I'm used to it.

"Yeah. Worthless nerd." Matapos sabihin yun ni Elizabeth ay sabay-sabay silang tatlong nagtawanan.

Well I didn't find anything funny about that though.

"Just leave me alone Eli. Kung ayaw mong pumasa, bahala ka. Basta ako, hindi ko gustong ma-disappoint sina mom and dad. Kaya kung ako sa'yo, nakatuon na ang atensyon ko sa mga notes at libro instead na manira ng araw ng iba.", direcho kong sabi sa kanya.

I don't want to be a burden to them especially kay Raven. She went through a lot for me. That's why I don't want it to go to waste. Gusto ko naring lumaban.

I saw their surprised face lalong lalo na si Eli. Well hindi naman kasi ako sumasagot sa kanya eh. Sumasagot lang ako kapag pagod na talaga ako.

"Whatever nerd. Let's go girls. Masisira lang ang araw natin sa kanya.", she said to me and turned her heels. "Magsha-shopping tayo later. Sagot ko na lahat." rinig ko pang sabi niya nina Chloe and Daisy.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

What the hell is she thinking? May pera paba siya? Dad blocked her bank account last night as a punishment.

I sighed again. Focus Maura! Hindi dapat ako ma-distract sa mga ibang bagay.

"Maura." I came back to my senses when someone called my name.

There I saw Hades with hands on his pockets, looking directly at me.

"Hades."

"Let's go to the classroom. Both Raven and Blade are already there. Arrange your things now.", sabi niya

Dali-dali naman din akong nagligpit ng mga gamit ko at kaagad na sumunod sa kanya ng magsimula na siyang maglakad papuntang classroom.

*****

"Bakit ang tahimik ni Blade ngayon?", tanong ko kay Hades nang makita ko si Blade na ang sobrang tahimik at nakatingin lang sa labas ng bintana. It's very unlike him.

Hades just shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it's because of the deal."

Tumango nalang ako at umupo sa seat ko na nasa front ng desk ni Hades. Now that makes sense. I remember Raven and Blade's deal now. I wonder who will win?

I looked at everyone else. Busy rin sila sa pag-aaral. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at naglaro sa phone ko. I need to relax. Hades was minding his own business at naka-headset lang. Si Raven naman, natutulog sa desk niya.

Everyone has their own world at this moment.

We all looked at the door when it opened. When we saw who it was, yung ibang mga babae naming mga kaklase ay kinikilig habang yung iba naman ay kinakabahan na.

"Oh well, good morning!" Oh it's him. He yawned at halatang kakagising lang.

Narinig ko naman ang pag-'tsk' ni Blade sa likuran ko.

"Well anyway, let's get this over with so that I can go back to sleep.", Max said. He whispered something after that pero hindi ko na narinig.

"Then you should've stayed asleep.", rinig ko namang bulong ni Raven.

I looked at her na nasa gilid ko lang pero nasa unahan lang ang attention niya. Hindi naman para kay Blade at Hades iyong sinabi niya.

Who is she talking to? Maybe I just heard it wrong.

I focused my attention to Max again who is currently distributing the test papers.

After we received each other's test papers ay nagsalita ulit siya.

"You're given one hour to answer the test. Just read the instructions on the test papers. Siguro understandable na iyan at hindi na kailangang i-explain pa." He yawned again pagkatapos ay umupo na siya dun sa teacher's table. "Matutulog muna ako. Good luck sa inyong lahat."

Kita ko pa na tinapunan niya ng tingin si Raven pagkatapos ay sinubsob niya ang sarili sa table.

Geez. Same old sleepyhead Max Park.

After he said that, we started answering our test papers. Even if Max's a sleepyhead, he still has eyes in his surroundings.

Max Park wasn't named as the Vice President of the assassin student council for nothing. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay 3rd ranked assassin parin siya eh na capable naman siya maging isang 4th ranked assassin.

Napailing nalang ako. I have to focus. I don't need to pass this exam because I have to.

*****

"Well that was intense."

"Oo nga eh. Medjo nahirapan ako sa ibang questions. Ang hirap eh." Me and Hades were both referring to the exam.

Leshe! Kulang nalang umiyak na yung utak ko sa hirap ng questions na binigay nila! Daig pa ang calculus at thesis!

Pagkatapos ng exam ay kinuha ni Max kaagad yung mga test papers namin at nagmadaling umalis. Gusto niya pa kasing matulog.

"Why are you ordering me around? Hindi pa nga natin alam kung sino ang mas nakakakuha ng highest score sating dalawa eh!"

"I'm not referring to that idiot. Mas malapit kasi yang mukha mo na parang basura sa trash can kaya pinapatapon ko nalang ito sa'yo."

At nasabi ko narin ba sa inyo na kanina pa yan nag-aaway sina Blade and Raven? Well now you know.

Since the exam ended ay nag-aaway na sila. First, nag-away sila tungkol sa kung sino ang may tamang sagot sa kanilang dalawa. Next ay ito naman. Pagtapon lang ng isang plastic bottle ng tubig ay pinag-aaway pa nila.

We're here at the cafeteria by the way, in our usual spot near the tree.

Hades let out a long sigh at kinuha yung plastic bottle sa kamay ni Raven.

"I'll throw it." Tumayo siya at tinapon yung plastic bottle.

"Salamat dude. Kung hindi pa sana ang sobrang tamad nitong babae na kasama natin edi sana---"

"You're annoying Miyahara." Napatawa ako ng biglang tinapon ni Raven ang isang saucer na may ketchup na ginamit ko para sa fries ko sa buhok ni Blade.

Well since we're here in the cafeteria, everyone saw it and of course, they couldn't help not to laugh.

"What the hell!!!", Blade cussed.

"Serves you right.", Raven said with a bored look on her face.

"Why you---"

"Raven let's buy a pen. I ran out of ink." Before Raven could speak ay hinila na siya ni Hades palayo kay Blade.

Napatawa nalang ako. He did that on purpose para matigil na ang pag-aaway nilang dalawa.

"Nasira na yung anime styled hair mo Blade." Tumayo ako para tulongan si Blade na tanggalin yung ketchup sa buhok niya. "Here let me help."

"Thanks Maura.", Blade thanked me at tinulongan ko na siya. "Bwiset na Raisin na iyon. Sinira pa talaga ang hairstyle ng heartthrob ng Blandon High."

Napatawa nalang ako sa sinabi niya. Buti nalang at hindi narinig ni Raven yung sinabi niya.

"Alam mo Blade, gwapo ka naman eh. Matangkad, mabait, matalino. And you know what? Mas bagay kayo ni Raven. I ship the both of you." Bigla niyang naibuhos ang iniinom niyang soda kaya mas napatawa pa ako ng malakas.

"Maura naman eh! Okay na sana yung sinabihan mo akong gwapo but shipping both me and Raven is a nightmare!"

I couldn't help not to laugh again.

"Here. Tapos na.", sabi ko nang matapos ko nang tanggalin yung ketchup sa buhok niya.

To be honest, marami kasi yung ketchup na nilagay ko sa saucer. Buti nalang natanggal iyon lahat kaagad.

"Thanks again Maura." I just nodded at umupo ulit across from him.

"I don't think so Blade. You two look like a couple.", nakangiting sabi ko.

"Never." Natawa ulit ako sa inasal niya.

Habang pinagmamasdan ko si Blade ay hindi ko maiwasang malungkot.

"Blade..."

"Hmm?" He looked at me. "May problema ba Maura?"

Take a deep breath Maura. Tatanungin mo lang siya diba?

"K-Kasi..."

"Ano Maura?"

Napalunok ako.

"N-Naaalala mo p-paba si---"

"Oh the idiot's fine now." I wasn't able to finish what I was about to ask him when Raven and Hades arrived.

Hades raised his eyebrows at us. "You look so serious. What's up?"

"Nothing really. May tinatanong lang sana si Maura sakin. Ano nga ulit yung itatanong mo Maura?" Nagulat naman ako nang nasa akin na ang atensyon nilang tatlo.

"N-Nothing. F-Forget it. Hindi naman importante yun eh. Hehe." Just great Maura. Just great.

"You sure?" I just nodded to Blade. "Well okay then."

"Let's go back. Classes are about to start soon. They'll also announce the team.", sabi naman ni Hades na tinanguan lang naming lahat.

We went back to our classrooms immediately. I just let out a sigh.

What was I thinking to ask a question like that to him anyway?

*****

"We've already checked your papers. Better see your scores for yourselves now." - Sir Yamato.

Dinistribute kaagad yung mga test papers namin. Yung iba ay masaya. Yung iba naman ay nagulat. Halong-halong emosyon ang makikita ngayon sa mga kaklase namin.

"Bakit kailangan pa ako dito?"

"Because you're the one who conducted the test in this section Max kaya kailangan na nandito ka.", sabi ni sir Yamato kay Max na halata sa mukha ang pagod.

Nang ma-receive na namin ang test papers namin ay laking pasalamat ko na 180 over 200 yung score ko.

Omaygod! Passing rin sa wakas!

I wanted to cry because of joy. I wanted to scream because of joy. At least, worth it yung pag-aaral ko ng ilang araw.

"What's your score Hades?", masiglang tanong ko kay Hades na nasa likuran ko.

"185.", kalmado at maikli niyang sagot.

Yes! Passing! Well expected narin yun.

I was about to ask both Raven and Blade nang biglang magsalita si Sir Yamato sa front.

"Since the overall score is 200, the passing score is 150. Most of you got the passing score unlike the other section pero may nakakuha parin ng highest score."

Everyone gasped including me. Everyone started whispering, wondering who that person might be. Well I have my conclusions, either Blade or Raven. Sino kaya sa kanilang dalawa?

"Raven Saldoviana and Blade Alastor Miyahara, where are you?" Everyone gasped again and we all diverted our attention to Blade and Raven.

Tumayo silang dalawa.

"You two got the perfect score." We all clapped our hands, not to mention with our jaws dropped.

"Wow ang galing naman nilang dalawa."

"The test was hard! How did they get the perfect score? That's so amazing!"

"150 lang nga yung score ko eh. At least passing parin."

"Sakin naman 151."

"Wohoo ang galing niyo!"

"Si Blade na naman? Siya naman talaga ang nakakakuha ng highest score every test diba?"

"Ibang klase talaga si Raven. Looks like Blade finally has a rival sa mga tests ngayon."

Isa lang iyan sa mga narinig namin galing sa aming mga kaklase.

"Silence students." We diverted our attention again to Sir Yamato. Max was wearing a smirk. "Congratulations to the two of you but we can't have you both to have the highest score so you have to break the tie."

Napatingin ulit kami sa kanilang dalawa. As usual, Raven was wearing her usual expression and Blade was obviously ready.

"We must have a tiebreaker exam."

*****

"Hades sa tingin mo sino kayang makakakuha ng highest score sa kanilang dalawa?", I asked Hades here beside me.

Blade and Raven are currently taking a tiebreaker exam at sir Yamato's personal office. Me and Hades are just waiting here outside.

"Dunno. I heard it would be a 300 item test.", he said.

"Woah for real? Grabe naman. Pero kaya naman nila yun diba?" Hades just nodded to my question.

A moment of silence ate us. Until now ay mahihiya parin kasi ako kay Hades eh. We're so awkward. He's a silent type person. Sino naman kasi ang hindi mahihiya sa mga ganung tao?

Bumuntong hininga nalang ako. We sat outside the office for a few more minutes. Until the door suddenly opened.

"Raven! Blade!" We immediately ran towards them. "Kumusta ang tiebreaker exam niyo?"

"They did a great job." Napatingin kaming apat kay Sir Yamato. "Congratulations again to the both of you. Your teams will be posted outside your classrooms tomorrow."

Tumango lang kami sa kanyang sinabi at nagpaalam sa kanya. He looked so busy though.

"Well?" Me and Hades both waited for their answers.

Blade let out a huge sigh and decided to just answer our question.

I don't feel something good about this.

"285."

"Ikaw Raven?" Yikes! Why are they so quiet? Kinakabahan na ako.

"300."

"Oh 300 naman pala eh. Then ano---Teka 300!!?? Seryoso!!??" My eyes widened in realization.

Even Hades' expression changed. He was also surprised. Ngayon ko lang na-realize ng mabuti ang sinabi ko.

Pero wait, if Blade's score is 285 then 300 for Raven which is the perfect score, then ibig sabihin nun...

"That means..."

"Tch yeah. She won the deal.", sabi ni Blade na may disappointment sa boses niya.

Napatingin kami sa taong nasa harapan namin nang marinig namin itong pumalakpak.

"Congrats Raven! Nakita ko yung exams niyo. Ang hirap ng questions pero nagawa mo paring makakuha ng perfect score. I admit, your test is harder than calculus and thesis." He walked towards us habang kami ay nakatingin lang sa kanya. "Still, nice job parin bro."

"Tsk." Yun lang ang tanging lumabas sa bibig ni Blade.

Technically, na disappoint talaga siya. That's what he usually do kapag na disappoint siya.

"Anyway good job rin sa inyo Hades at Maura. You did a very great job today." He diverted his attention to Raven. "Especially you Ms. Raven Saldoviana. Can I ask the permission to get to know y---"

"Get lost. And you know what," Shit!

Here goes this feeling again. Nararamdaman ko na naman itong aura ni Raven kapag nasisira na ang mood niya.

She made a step closer to Max and said something right on his ear.

"If you don't have anything else to do, stop wasting your time to people who doesn't even give a damn about your shits."

Matapos nun ay sinenyasan na niya kaming umalis na kaagad naman din naming sinunod.

Tinapunan lang ng tingin ni Blade si Max and then, we just left him there dumbfounded.

I couldn't help but to remember her again while we were walking. No one wanted to speak. We just remained silent.

'She' and Raven are so similar.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Phew! Finally able to update. Better check out the other update. 😉😉 I posted something that inspired me to post this chappy.

I hope you had a happy reading! 😘😘