We're not done yet!

••••

Jehna's Point of View.

Hindi pa gumigising si ate, masama raw pakiramdam nya kaya magpapahuli sya. Sapat ba na dahilan yun? Ako ang SC president. Alam ko ang rules sa bawat sulok nitong school, may kalaban ako dati na nandaya kaya nanalo. And the reason was vote buying. I totally forgot who that was.

Napansin ko ang estudyanteng nagkukumpulan sa harap ng Freedom Board namin kaya't lumapit na rin ako. "What's going on, guys?" Tanong ko sa kanila.

"Guys, si President!" pagkuha niya sa atensyon ng iba. "Ang sama po kasi ng nakasulat."

JEN RAMIREZ INSENSITIVE

JHANESSA MANG-AAGAW

JIEMIE MALANDING KALABAW

Magkakaroon tayo ng campus war balang araw

PS:
QBs are back!

Damay na naman si ate. Palagi nalang siya ang nabubuntangan ng galit nila. "Erase that, now!" utos ko sa kanila.

"Anong nangyayari rito?" tanong ni Jhanessa na sumulpot bigla sa likuran ko. Kasama niya si Jen na nakatitig lang sa Freedom Board.

"You don't need to erase it, Jehna. It's a love letter," sarkastiko ni Jen.

"But it's vandalism."

"This is..." she scrawls something on the letters and wrote-

Q-u-e-e-n B-e-e-s

"Queen bees..." I whispered. "Sila Lyn ba ang may pakana nito?"

"Hindi pa rin sila nadadala," malamig niyang sambit.

"Ano? Aksyunan na natin?" Jhanessa clenched her fist like she's ready to fight.

"Jusko naman, Jhanessa, wag mong dalhin ang pagkabayolente mo rito sa school. Magkakarecord ka nyan, e." inis ko.

"So what are we going to do?" she asked.

"Aaksyunan natin pero hindi sa suntukan, okay?"

"Fine," she sighed and glanced at her watch. "We better get going, insan."

"Mauna ka na muna. I need to talk to the campus president," ani Jen at tumingin sakin.

"Sumunod ka a," aniya at naglakad paalis.

Being called by the ice princess is a different kind of feeling. "Bakit, Jen? May problema ba?"

"Not here," she walks passed me kaya't sumunod na rin ako kung saan siya pupunta.

Nahinto kami sa bench na malapit sa isang vending machine.

"Umupo ka," he taps the space beside her.

Tumabi ako sa kanya. "Anong pag-uusapan natin?"

"I'm pissed, Jehna. I hate this feeling, I want to kil-" nahinto siya sa pagsasalita at natingin sakin. "Ang cheering squad ang gumagawa ng pambubully. I need you to keep an eye on them, especially the twins."

Including Cheasty.

"If you say so, Jen. But for what reason? I know Cheasty, she's a very nice girl."

"Don't ask, Jehna," tumayo siya upang umalis. "See you later at the canteen."

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya paalis. Bumalik na rin ako sa classroom. Hindi kami magkaklase ni Cheska kaya paano ko mababantayan ang kilos niya?

"Good morning, President," bati niya sakin.

"Good morning, Cheas." sabay ngiti. Umupo ako sa kanyang tabi since we're only one seat apart.

Hindi maalis sa isipan ko ang sinabi ni Jen sakin. Why do I have to involve Cheasty here, she looks pretty nice to me. The only thing I know is ex niya si Joseph and her twin is in love with Renz.

This is not going to be easy.

***

Natapos ang morning period namin kaso hindi ako nakinig ng maayos. There's too much going on in my head. Sumabay ako kina Joseph papuntang canteen. Hindi ko pa rin magawang pansinin si Yoj. Nahahalata niya kaya na iniiwasan ko siya?

"Prez, ayos ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa kasi tulala sa klase," ani Joseph na nag-aalala. Paano niya naman iyon nalaman?

"I'm fine, Seph. Kulang lang sa tulog," ngumiti ako.

"Maybe you should take a rest. Magday-off ka muna sa student council duties mo."

"I'll try."

Dahil mas hindi ko gusto nang walang ginagawa, besides it's not really student council duties that I'm thinking of, it's something else.

Napalingon ako sa Freedom Board na malapit sa canteen. They erased the vandalisms. Nakahinga ako kahit paano.

"Hi, guys," nakangiting bati ni Jam.

"Hindi nyo kasama si Jiemie?" tanong ni Jhanny.

"We haven't seen her," Kyn replies and looks at me. "Where is she?"

Wait, don't tell me she didn't join morning period? "I don't know. I haven't received any messages."

"You better call her," Yver suggested.

I took my phone upang tawagan si ate nang dumating si Michael. Good thing dahil magkaklase sila ni ate.

"Mike, pumasok ba si ate?"

"Jiemie? I haven't seen her since morning period. Akala ko andito lang yun nakatambay sa canteen," aniya.

"Jehna, ano bang sinabi ni Jiemie sayo bago ka pumunta ng school?" Jhanny asked.

"She told me she's going to be late. Masama yata pakiramdam niya."

"Maybe she's sick and took a day off," sabi ni Yoj.

Saka siya binatukan ni Jester. "Wag ka ngang magbiro dyan. Masamang biro yan, ha!"

"Hey, that's based on what Jehna said. It's called conclusion, Jester!" depensa niya.

Just to make sure, I called my sister. Ring lang nang ring so I tried again and she finally pick up. "Hello, ate. Absent ka ba? Are you sick? Do I need to go home?"

I put it on speaker upang marinig ng iba sa amin.

"Jehna, papunta nako riyan. Super traffic talaga... manong, matagal pa ba?"

"T-Traffic lang pala," they sighed.

Thank goodness. "Ingat ka, ate. See you."

"Thanks, sis. I'll be there in ten."

Binaba ko ang tawag. I saw how Kyn reacted. Mukhang nakahinga siya ng maluwag.

"Traffic lang pala. Ang epic," tawa ni Mike.

"Do you want her to get sick for real?" Yver said sarcastically, while playing on his iPad.

"That's not what I mean, Yver," Mike smirked.

"Tumahimik nga kayo," Kyn sighed in defeat and stands up to order food.

Bakit hindi nya lang sabihin na concern sya kay ate? Men will be men.

"He won't tell he's worried," ani Jen na nakatingin sa kanyang kuya.

Jennifer's Point of View.

Kumakain yung iba at nagkwekwentuhan, while I kept staring at the freedom board. Dun kasi isinulat ng queen bees ang mga kung anu-ano. Gantihan ko kaya? Pero kapag ginawa ko yun, parang ang babaw ko yata. I won't stoop down to their level of pettiness.

"Campus War," mahina kong sabi na naging dahilan nang paglingon ni Tanga.

"Bakit? Alam mo ba ang tungkol dun?" tanong nya.

"Maybe," kaso ayokong pag-usapan. In the past, ang daming naexpel dahil dyan.

"Don't get involved, Yelo. Lagot ka sakin," aniya nang hindi nakatingin sakin. "I'm worried about you."

Who is he to tell me what to do? I'm Jennifer Alegna Ramirez, no one tells me what I should and should not do.

"Don't tell me what to do," I whispered.

He turns to me and looks at me dead serious in the eyes. "Seryoso ako, Jen. Concern ako sayo."

Concern? Yan din ang sinabi sa akin nila noon but they end up betraying me instead. Walang hiya ka talaga, Joy. Tinuring pa naman kitang kaibigan!

Natingin kami sa babaeng paparating sa aming pwesto. It was Jiemie, running for her life. "Waah, akala ko late na ako. Mabuti nalang at lunch pa."

"Kumain ka na?" sabay na tanong ni Jester at Kuya dahilan nang pagtinginan nila sa isa't-isa.

"I'm... full," Jiemie hesitated, looking away. Naupo siya sa tabi ni Jester at nilagay ang kanyang bag sa gilid.

I saw Kuya averted his eyes at them at nagpatuloy sa pag kain. Kung bakit ba kasi ayaw niyang sabihin ang gusto niyang sabihin. But it's up to him, their relationship is not my fucking business.

Nausog ang pwesto namin kaya't nagtabi kami ni Mike. I hate him, masyado siyang maingay. Kaharap ko si Yver na nag-iiPad habang nasa dulo ko si Tanga.

"Sa wakas, magkatabi na tayo, Jen," ngisi ni Michael.

I rolled my eyes. "Give me a break."

"Hindi pa nga nagiging tayo, break na agad."

I'm damn pissed right now. Gusto ko tuloy siyang suntukin.

"Ang sweet nyo, dun nga kayo sa kabilang table," hirit ni Assej na hindi ikinatuwa ni Kuya.

"Bitter," Mike whispers.

Yver angrily removed his headphones and looked at us. "So damn noisy."

Hay bahala sila dyan mag-away sila hangga't gusto nila. I decided to shut my mouth nang mapansin ko na sobrang tahimik ni Tanga. He is unusually quiet today.

Tumayo sya bigla at nagpaalam. "Restroom muna ako."

"Dideretso ka ba ng classroom, Renz?" tanong ni Kurt.

"I guess," saka siya umalis.

Natahimik kami nang nakita naming papalapit sila Lyn, Aya, at Vanessa. Gusto ulit yata nila ng gulo.

"Hi," Lyn smiled plastically. "Ang saya nyo a? Pwede sumali?"

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni kuya. "Can you leave? Alam mo nang kumakain kami Lyn."

"Bakit hindi kayo magkatabi ni Jiemie?" tanong nung Aya.

"Why do you care?" si Jester. "She wants to sit beside me."

Lyn and Vanessa laughed at my brother. Napayuko si Jiemie, nairita naman si Jehna at Jam.

"Wag nalang pala, isang upuan lang ang meron," ani Aya. "We won't fit in there."

"It's not like we reserved it for you," Assej sighed.

"Sinabi mo pa, ang laki-laki niyo rin kasi!" si Jam na hindi na nakapagtimpi.

"What did you say? And who the hell are you girl?" tumaas ang kilay ni Vanessa.

"Naghahanap ba talaga kayo ng away ha? Umalis na nga kayo rito!" asik ni kuya.

Lyn rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. "Ugh, stop yelling, Kyn. Alam ko naman na wala ka nang feelings for Jiemie Jhean Mendez. Stop pretending like you do 'cause you're going to hurt her... again and again and again," she smirks.

Vanessa and Aya giggled when Jiemie hit the table, getting everyone's attention. "Shut up, Lyn! Alam ko naman yan, you don't have to say it on my face."

"Already did, Jiemie," she said. "Come on, girls. Let's go back to class. We are not done yet everyone. Tandaan niyo yan!"

"Women are so damn noisy," Yver sighed. Umalis siya sa table at nagpunta sa kung saan.

I still need to know why he'd wanted me to delete the photo. Dalawang tao lang ang andun sa litrato na maaaring interesado si Yver, Dela Vega at Familia. I need to find out who he's protecting.

Tumayo ako, susundan ko siya. I need to talk to him. "Saan ka pupunta, insan?"

Hindi ako sumagot. I followed him to the next building. May lumang science lab doon. The school decided to renovate this side of the building. Palagi bang andito si Yver?

"Do you need to talk?" Yver turns to me, closed his iPad, and removed his airpods to listen. "You've been following me around, Jennifer."

"I need to talk to you about the photo. Bakit mo pinabura sakin yun?" diretsahan kong tanong.

He puts his left hand in his pocket. "What photo?"

"Damn it, Yver. Who are you trying to protect? Is it Familia or... Dela Vega?"

Lumapit siya sakin kaya't napaatras ako ng konti. "If you're going to do that thing again, I swear I'm gonna kick your ass, Yver."

"What thing? You mean the kiss?" he smirked.

"Sagutin mo ang tanong ko, Yver," malamig kong sambit.

His expression immediately changed. I looked at him dead in the eyes. He heaved a sigh and walked away kaya't sinundan ko siya ulit.

"Yver, come on. I'm freaking curious."

And annoyed at the same time! I really really hate him! They say opposite attracts but we're not like that at all!

"You don't need to know."

"Who are you trying to cover up, who are you protecting?"

Kalmado siyang lumingon sakin. "You. I'm trying to protect you so stop asking, Jennifer. I'm doing you a favor, you shouldn't get involved."

"Involved of what!? Campus War?"

"No," pabulong niyang sagot. "It's a secret for now."

I gritted my teeth. I don't understand him at all. He's such a puzzle to me. Ang hirap buuin ng mga salita niya.

Natingin siya sa labi ko. "I just realized that your lips taste like strawberries."

"Fuck you!" asik ko.

"My pleasure, ice princess," ngisi niya at bumalik sa pag-iiPad.

He is so annoying!

"I hate you so damn much, Yver."

"And I love that," he said sarcastically. Naupo siya sa bakanteng upuan nang naka de kwatro. "Sit down, princess. We still have 30 minutes before class starts."

"I don't have time for this. I need answers."

"And I'm not giving you what you want so either you go back to class or sit with me."

Naupo ako ngunit malayo sa kanya. Nag-iiPad lang siya, nakatingin naman ako. Ayaw niya talagang sabihin sakin, saksakin ko kaya si Yver? Kaso wala akong ballpen o kutsilyo.

I yawned when I realized how quiet and boring he is. Mukha namang malinis ang desk na ito kaya't napagdesisyunan kong pumikit saglit.

Yver's Point of View.

Damn this game, hindi ko matalo-talo ang boss. Tsk. I angrily closed my iPad at napatingin kay Jennifer. She was fucking asleep and it's almost time for class.

"I don't want to be late," I remembered her saying that to me once.

I heaved a sigh at nilagay ang iPad sa armchair. Wala namang pumupunta rito dahil isa itong lumang building that's why this is my safe space. And now Jen knows it.

"Should I wake her up?"

My phone vibrated and saw Kyn's name on screen. "What?"

"Nakita mo si Jen? Hindi pa siya pumapasok sabi ni Assej."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Why is she damn pretty and peaceful while sleeping? "No, I don't know where she is."

"Ayaw pa naman nun ang nalalate," sabi niya pa. "What about you? Nasaan ka?"

"That's... a secret, Kyn." Pinatay ko agad ang tawag at tumabi kay Jen and decided to stare at her quietly. Nilagay ko sa likod ng kanyang tenga ang mga nakawalang buhok.

If only she knew what's going on, I might not need to lie all the time. Lumapit ako ng konti upang tignan ang kanyang pilikmata nang hinila niya ang kwelyo ko palapit sa kanya.

"You're fucking awake?"

"Stop staring at me. I hate being stared at," she growls.

She did not just pull me closer to her! Hindi ko matitiis sa tuwing magkalapit kami dahil-

"Yve-."

"Damn it, Jennifer. You're really asking for it," I said in between my breath.

"I don't want to be late," tumayo siya at lumingon sakin bago tumakbo sa klase. "We're not done yet, Yver."

I tousled my hair in frustration and decided to go back as well. I hate myself for doing this.

——