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6-Point Perspective

---

1st point. Annaliese.

THE LOOMING darkness of the room lit only by one faded lamp, made Ann feel as if she were a lone ship in the sea - struggling to follow the last bit of light from the lighthouse.

It was a weary evening for her.

Silence was deafening - ringing in her ears as she laid flat on her bed. Her arms sprawled across both her sides as she stared up at the ceiling. Quietly, she counted the small dots in her vision.

Her mind was floating, as if she was just another vertical line on the shore - another long face with long, worn-out limbs stretching out into the abyss.

Hindi alam ng dalaga kung anong oras na ng gabi. She had committed to locking herself inside her own room, not bothering to speak with Sera or Queenie whose rooms seemed as dead quiet as hers.

In fact, none of them were in speaking terms after leaving Enzo's office that afternoon. They all just parted aways - as if they were all strangers from the very start.

Ann shifted in her bed. Her limbs and every muscle in her body was tired of fighting, just wanting to doze off and forget about every single problem that she was contemplating. Ngunit kahit na anong ikinapagod ng kaniyang katawan, she couldn't seem to shut off her damn mind.

Her thoughts were a mess. It was a series of incoherent flashes of both Rein's betrayal, and the looming doom that she was losing her father's bet.

But most of all, she'd end up repeating Enzo's words in her head - like a broken accordion ringing across an abandoned hallway.

"Hindi niyo ba napapansin? This school has been letting injustice rule ever since."

Ann took a deep breath before exhaling. She had been doing the same breathing technique for the past hour, but it seems as if not enough deep breaths could take away the heavy feeling in her chest.

I could run away. She thought mindlessly, placing her arm on her forehead as the tears silently rolled down her face. I could just run away from this damn city, and never look bac-

The thought crashed like a train slamming into a wall before she could even finish it. Agad itong napalingon sa kaniyang kaliwa, her phone lighting up and ringing from her bedside table.

Another sigh escaped from her lips once more as she sat down - her short hair rumpled and messy as she snatched the device atop the furniture.

"Hello?" She answered wearily, only to be greeted by a cold voice who she least wanted to hear from.

"Annaliese." Sambit ng kaniyang ama mula sa kabilang linya, inciting the young girl to sit up straight.

"Dad. Napatawag ka?" Ann said stiffly, switching her tone and aura so as to not make her father ask any questions about her well-being. She immediately wiped away her tears as well.

It was a strong, resilient facade she's been putting up ever since she could remember, because she knew damn well that no one else was going to there for her when she finally breaks her spirit in half.

"Nakasalubong ko kanina si Mr. Nestor Ramirez sa banko." Diretsong sambit ng kaniyang ama, dahilan para mapakunot ang noo ng dalaga.

"Banko?" Ann frowned, the prospect of her dad visiting the bank felt out of place. "Bakit ka dumaan sa banko? Are any of our finances in trouble?"

"May kinita akong kaibigan." The senator snapped quickly. "But that's not our topic here." Her father huffed from the other end of the line.

"I heard from that old obnoxious singer that his youngest daughter Sheyna, who he says goes to Castillo High with you, joined the Schism." He said impatiently. There was a pause, and Ann could hear the faint release of her father's breath - the same notion that he would make whenever he was smoking cigarettes.

Ann smiled bitterly. Sa ngayon palang ay alam na niya kung anong kahahantungan ng kanilang pag-uusap.

The senator cleared his throat. "He sounds extremely confident that his daughter would win, so I thought I'd remind you of our agreement." Her father finished, making Ann feel even more inferior than she already felt.

"Hindi ako ulyanin, dad. I perfectly remember every bit of that stupid deal." She responded coldly, clutching her phone tightly.

"In fact," The young Lobris heir continued, her shoulders shaking as she tried hard to control herself. "You don't need to ask about my progress. I assure you, I'm going to choose my own course for college - whether you and mom would like it or not."

And with fumbling fingers, Ann ended the call before slamming herself back into her bed.

The young girl let out a frustrated scream as she covered her face with a pillow - releasing all the pent-up anger she had been keeping inside her like a bubbling cauldron. Nang napagod na ang lalamunan nito kakasigaw ay saka lang tumulo ang mga luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata, dampening her sheets.

She was sick and tired of everything - her family, her school, her life.

But most of all, Ann felt lost. Defeated. Imprisoned.

She had nowhere to go, no one to talk to, and no one to trust. Sitting up, the young girl cradled her knees and rocked her body back and forth as she sobbed mutely, not knowing what else to do.

She just wanted to be free and happy.

Even though she sounded confident conversing to her father about winning the deal, Ann knew with a sinking feeling that everything she had just said to her father was a lie.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Annaliese Gracielle Beltran Lobris did not have everything together.

No friends, no life of her own, and if she didn't do anything soon with the progress of her novel entry, she'd be saying a permanent goodbye to her freedom as well.

Wiping her tears, Ann slowed her rocking until she stopped. Napatitig ito sa kaniyang aparador, the gears in her brain now finally clicking.

Maybe. She thought hastily, getting up from the bed and opening her closet doors. Baka nga pwede pa 'kong lumayas - make my own alias, live a life for my own.

Without thinking straight, the young girl snatched a pile of random clothes and threw it inside a nearby backpack. Hindi alam ng dalaga kung sa'n siya mapapadpad, ngunit patuloy pa rin ito sa pagkuwha ng damit sa kagustuhang lumayas mula sa lahat.

Tatakbo palang sana ito papunta sa kaniyang mga drawer nang biglang natisod ang dalaga. Hindi niya namalayang nakakalat pala ang isang karton sa sahig ng kaniyang kwarto.

Ann sucked in a breath as soon as she crashed onto the floor in pain, hugging her knees.

She then glared at the stray box strewn across the floor that made her trip.

"Ano ba namang-"

Napatigil ang dalaga nang namukhaan niya ang karton sa kaniyang harapan. It was the box used by the culprit to send back her things after kidnapping her.

With a frown, Ann snatched the box and examined it. Saka lang niya naalala na ginamit niya muli ang karton na ito para gamitin sana sa isa nilang subject na nagpapagawa ng dayorama project.

Looking at the box in disgust, she opened the flaps and looked inside the box. Wala na itong laman dahil nilabas na niya ang kaniyang mga kagamitan, at pati yung note ng culprit.

Despite the box's sheer emptiness, there was one particular thing that caught Ann's sharp eye.

"What in the..." She murmured, slowly pulling out a long strand of dark hair from inside the box.

---

2nd point. Reagan.

The city lights from the distance blinked in little dots as Rein stood out in the balcony of his room, arms resting on the railings as he dialed the number of the Maccio mansion.

It was a dismal kind of silence as he stayed there, the night breeze frigid and cold, the stars barely twinkling above. Everything was peaceful, but for Rein, it felt like the calm after the storm.

With a steady breath that fogged the cold air, Rein dialed their landline number once again. This time, it only took three rings before somebody finally picked up his call.

"Hewwow?"

"Noah." The young man said in relief, standing up straight as soon as he heard the small voice of his younger brother.

"How are you? Are you okay there at the mansion?" Tanong nito sa kapatid as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Okay, ku-yah. Ah-teh Mai make aish-kweam." Noah said from the other line happily, pertaining to one of their housemaids Ate Mailene. Rein could hear him slurping the said ice cream and he could just imagine his little brother all messy as he hate. Dahil dito ay natawa ang binata before resting his elbows once again on the railings.

"Penge naman si kuya." Rein said teasingly, smiling faintly.

"Ku-yah come home." Sambit naman ng kaniyang nababatang kapatid, dahilan para mapabuntong-hininga ang binata.

"I'll get you out of there as soon as I can okay?" He said quietly, the tree next to his balcony rustling against the wind. "I promise."

"O-key."

Silence.

"Ku-yah?"

"Hmm?"

"Why sad?" At this question, Rein couldn't help but curve his lips into a sad smile.

"Kuya's just... well... just stressed Noah. That's all." He lied, exhaling once more.

He couldn't tell his little brother of course that he had been feeling very low that night. He couldn't tell that he very much felt like a flat line on the heart monitor, wanting to just sleep and never wake up.

If he could, he would have jumped off this particular balcony hours ago, but he knew he couldn't leave Noah behind. Especially not with their abusive father.

His brother was his lifeline. The reason why he called him in the first place was to remind himself of the sole thing that made life worth living.

"Don't warry ku-yah. I'll tell A-teh Mai give you aish-kweam." Noah said happily, and that was enough to keep Rein at bay.

"I'd be glad to accept the gift." Rein smiled, looking down at the campus grounds of the academe where a few other Castillians were strolling by.

Just as Noah was now droning on about the academic games he had played at school that day, Rein noticed a group of athletes wearing the official jersey of Castillo High. They were a group of boys heading straight to Rein's direction, which was of course the boys' dormitory.

Squinting his eyes, he could see some familiar faces. There was his classmates: Javier Dizon of course, Richard Tynas, and Mayer Cortez. Kasama rin nila si Zan Chu, dahilan para mapatitig lalo ang binata, eyeing Zan and his two friends, Jayson Lopez and Lucas Garcera.

"Ku-yah?" Noah asked from the other line as Rein's eyes continued following the group, watching them like a hawk.

"Yes Noah, I'm listening. Magkwento ka lang okay?" Rein said absent-mindedly as he eyed the basketball athletes, pondering over the possibility of someone from the basketball team stealing Zan Chu's locker key during their training in order to frame him.

In fact, as the boys entered the boys' dormitory building, disappearing below Rein, he wondered if the culprit himself was in that particular group - just hidden in plain sight.

---

3rd point. Queenie.

The busy halls of Castillo High made Queenie feel smaller than she already felt as she exited the science laboratory and immersed herself amongst the other Castillians who paraded the corridors.

It was Monday. Two days had passed since the ugly fight between the six. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin sila nagpapansinan. No one else wanted to approach the other, and life for Queenie had become even more lonely and miserable since then.

Ducking her head to avoid the ball in the air that a jock passed to his friend by the hallway, she forcefully pushed a few prototypes that she was working on into her brown, worn-down knapsack, whose straps were close to falling apart.

Ito lang ang tanging paraan para ma-i-distract ni Queenie ang kaniyang sarili - poring over her inventions and creating seamless prototypes that would help boost her confidence, help make her believe that she was at least good and useful in at least one aspect.

Bumuntong-hininga ang dalaga as she finally reached her locker, flimsily opening the metal door. Pagbukas niya rin ito ay bumungad sa kaniya ang dalawang test tube na tila ba naghihintay sa kaniya. It was the pigment she had gotten from the bloody threats written on their walls.

Napakagat ng labi ang dalaga. She wasn't able to get back to the pigment in order to examine and find out the other half of the mixture.

"Well I guess it doesn't matter now that everything's fallen into pieces." Bulong nito.

Despite this, the young girl snatched the test tubes that sat inside the locker, ramming it inside her bag as well. She was going to finally examine it, but only because curiosity got the best of her.

Queenie then slammed her locker door shut, facing the cruel writings on its metal surface with a clenched jaw.

Nerd. Slum girl. Geek witch.

These were just some of the many offensive curses scrawled across her locker in graffiti - words that were written as soon as she had stepped inside Castillo High back in seventh grade.

Kahit ilang kuskos ng dalaga rito ay hindi pa rin natatanggal ang vandals na araw-araw niyang nakikita tuwing binubuksan niya ang kaniyang locker. In a way, these writings served as a reminder of her flaws, and how she knew she'd never fit in this prestigious academe no matter how hard she tried.

"Look at her and that ugly bag."

Queenie's ears perked sharply and the young girl bowed down once more, covering her face with her curly hair. Despite the ruckus around her in the hallway, she could still hear the faint giggles of a group of girls from across the corridor.

Nararamdaman niya ang bigat ng tingin ng kanilang mga mata; casually glancing at her as she swung her knapsack over her shoulder, hanging her head further until she looked like she was staring at the floor.

Hindi man gustuhin na marinig ng dalaga ay naririnig niya ang kanilang mga sinasabi patungkol sa kaniyang faded school shoes at lumang knapsack. It was very much different from their shiny black pumps and designer handbags which made Queenie felt twice inferior.

With her back hunched like a curved line, she immediately picked up her pace, walking fast until she was finally out of the corridor, running out of the junior high school building and receiving looks from her follow Castillians.

Wala pa si Ann at Sera nang nakauwi na si Queenie sa kanilang dorm. Everything was empty and quiet as she longingly glanced towards the rooms of her two other dormmates.

Bumuntong-hininga na lamang ito at agad na dumiretso sa banyo pagkatapos ilapag ang kaniyang knapsack sa higaan. With the silence of their dorm caving her in, Queenie splashed an ample amount of water onto her oily visage. Nang nakahilamos na ito ay napatitig ang dalaga sa salamin, staring at her herself. She was brown like any other Filipino, skin the color of almond. Her eyebrows were thick and unplucked, her frizzy curls unkempt, and her face bare. She had no makeup to hide her few pimples and blemishes, unlike the other girls who were clad in a thick layer of foundation and concealer.

To add to her despair, she too wore no expensive jewelry that would at least make her feel more confident about herself.

Queenie ran her hand through her curls.

She had never felt as lonely and as insecure as she had now. With no friends to walk with in groups by the hallways, she has no one to defend her from the whispers that passed through the hallways about how out of place she was in Castillo High. No one but herself.

She was an outcast. And as she continued nitpicking all the things she was not, Queenie realized that it wasn't the water on her face that was now rolling down her cheeks. It was tears.

Nang ipinunas ng dalaga ang mga luha nito ay pinuntahan na niya ang kaniyang kwarto, pulling out the two test tubes from her knapsack in the hopes to make herself feel better.

Kahit na mayroon pa itong mga gagawing assignment at projects na dapat niyang unahin, ay inilagay muli ni Queenie ang pigment sa isang microscope slide. She then carefully placed the slide under her microscope, an instrument that the admin was kind enough to provide to her after representing Castillo High in a number of science contests and fairs.

Peeking through the aperture, Queenie studied the pigment tediously; in the hopes that maybe once she discovers an important clue related to the mixture, she could talk to the others, regroup their selves to solve the mystery, and maybe, just maybe - feel a little less lonely.

After what seemed like hours of poring over the same pigment and searching for its characteristics through the many science books strewn on her desk, napakurap ng mabilis ang dalaga ng unti-unti na niyang naikokonekta ang kaniyang discovery.

"Soybean oil." Bulong ng dalaga na napakunot ang noo bago sumilip muli sa aperture ng microscope. She then blinked rapidly, confusion drawn all over her face.

Soybean oil was nothing but an ordinary compound used in various different occasions - as a cooking oil, a condiment for salads, or for skin whitening. But the most prominent use of this organic ingredient was mostly for the creation of newspaper ink; especially since this ingredient helps in the quicker drying of high quality images and texts for print journalism.

But soybean oil wasn't the only ingredient she found mixed with the dead rat's blood.

There was another component: cephalopod ink.

Queenie's forehead creased even more as she pondered the outrageous possibility running through her mind. "Could it be...?" She murmured, taking a step back as she stared at her microscope in a deep, troubling thought.

---

4th point. Seraphim.

"Alright, now turn your chin a little to the left..."

"Like this?"

"A little more - ayan." Elijah Valencia, a photojournalist for the Castillian Gazette, immediately raised his camera and snapped photos of Sera who was posing behind a white wall, dazzling the equipment with her charming smile.

Kasalukuyan kasing nagpe-prepare ang student council ng promotional materials nila para sa upcoming Foundation Week ng Castillo High. Everyone was busy doing photoshoots for the anticipated DP blasts that will invite everyone in the city to visit the academe during its founding celebration.

"Perfect! Gorgeous as always Sera." Masayang sambit ni Elijah at binigyan nito ang dalaga ng isang thumbs up, signifying the end of her photoshoot.

"Finally." Sera sighed in relief. "Thanks Eli." She said gratefully, walking towards her things that were placed on top of the student council's meeting table. Agad namang tinawag ni Elijah ang susunod na student council officer na kaniyang pi-picture-an habang tinawagan ni Sera ang kaniyang ina - a habit that she usually does every after her classes.

"Mommy!" Sera greeted her mother who answered after a few rings.

"Sera baby, napatawag ka?"

"Nothing, just wanted to ask, kamusta photoshoot niyo diyan ni daddy for the Ylando magazine?" Sera grinned, swinging her bag around her shoulder before exiting the student council's large office.

"Actually, it's still ongoing. Binigyan lang kami ng five minute break at naiirita na 'tong photographer namin sa ibang models." Sera then laughed at the notion of Tito TJ, her gay uncle and her parents' loyal friend and photographer, barking at the newer models of the industry in his high-pitched tone.

"Turuan mo kasi mommy, baka mga baguhan." Sera said teasingly as she walked to the comfort room, her phone still attached between her shoulder and ear.

Mrs. Savannah Rodrigo, the mother of Sera, was a beauty queen - known for representing Ylando City in various prestigious beauty contests in the 90s. Though she has long since stepped down from pageantry, Sera's mother was still a prominent model attending shoots and runways. Madalas ay pinag-aagawan ng mga kompanya and fashion brands na kunin siya bilang modelo; alongside Sera's father, Stephen Madrigal who was also a renowned model, and every girl's celebrity crush.

It was no denying that Sera got her physical attributes from her parents, who were always praised for looking so young and fit despite their age.

In fact, the photoshoot her parents were doing right now was for Metro, a brand known for its lingerie and underwear line.

"Ay nako Seraphim, hayaan mo ang tito TJ mo ang ma-stress sa kanila." Her mother laughed, inciting the young girl to chuckle.

"O siya, I'll be ending the call now. Baka ako pa ang pagbuntungan ng galit ng baklang 'yon. Take care there baby, I'll call you later!"

"Enjoy mommy, tell daddy I said hi!" Sera said cheerfully. By the time her mother had ended the call, she then slipped her phone back into her designer bag and brought out her makeup kit to retouch her face.

Katulad ng kaniyang ama, namana ni Sera ang symmetrical na mukha at high cheekbones nito. Her long eyelashes and plump lips on the other hand, were traits she received from her beautiful mother. Despite these qualities, Sera had her own insecurities regarding her physical attributes. Even without anyone saying, Sera felt compelled to always look good in society's eyes - especially since she was the daughter of two famous models in the industry.

With a deep breath, Sera closed the cap of her lipstick and quietly stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Look who decided to show up."

Agad na napairap ang dalaga nang narinig nito ang pagpasok ni Amber Muñoz sa comfort room - Sera's mortal enemy who uses her free time to throw hate to none other than Sera herself. Like always, kasama ni Amber si Jessica Uy at Nicole Ang - ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan, or as Sera would say, Amber's henchmen.

"Amber, I just want to know, are you some kind of stalker? Para kang ahas na sunod ng sunod eh." Sera scoffed as she shut her powder compact with a snap, not looking at Amber. "Ano bang gusto mo? Candy?"

Sera's enemy let out a horrid laugh, her voluminous hair bouncing as she did. Sera had always thought that Amber's large hair was just a wig, hiding her deepest, darkest secrets.

"Are you done?" Sera asked in amusement, hands on her hips as she finally faced her mortal enemy who was cackling like a witch. Beside Amber, Nicole and Jessica was shooting Sera with smug looks.

By the time Sera was finally paying attention to them, Amber immediately dropped her fake laugh and turned serious. "Patawa ka talaga eh noh Madrigal? Ang tapang-tapang mo sabihin na stalker ako eh ikaw nga 'tong parang linta na dikit ng dikit sa jowa ko. You two-faced boyfriend-stealer!"

At the sound of Amber's boyfriend, Sera's amused face turned into a rage of animosity.

"Listen here Barbie doll," she barked, stepping forward. "I didn't steal nor do I care about you and your ugly-ass boyfriend. He's the one flirting and pestering me, asking me for my nud-"

Sera took in a deep, shaky breath as she closed her eyes. Nang binuksan niya muli ito ay 'di na niya tinuloy ang kaniyang sasabihin.

"You know what, 'di mo rin naman ako paniniwalaan." Sera spat out. She knew that no matter what she'd say, Amber Muñoz won't ever believe her. She had known from experience that people only believe in what they want to believe in - Sera had learned it the hard way.

Like parallel lines, it had dawned to her that she and Amber would never meet eye to eye.

Without another word, Sera gritted her teeth and walked past by the group, not bothering to explain anymore further.

Akala ng dalaga ay makakaalis na siya mula sa kanila nang biglang hinila ni Amber ang kaniyang buhok.

"HOW DARE YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME?! Akala mo ba tapos na tayo ha?! You slut!!" Sigaw ni Amber habang sinasabunutan si Sera at hinihila pabalik sa comfort room. "You're just as slutty and as two-faced as your mother!" Amber snapped, at agad na nanlaki ang mata ni Sera sa galit.

Enraged, the young girl fiercely thrusted her arm out of Amber's hold and slapped her across the face - her hand imprinting a red mark on Amber's left cheek.

Jessica and Nicole gasped out in horror as Amber opened her mouth in disbelief.

Sera couldn't care less about the mark as she stared them down, her eyes now filled with angry, hot tears.

"Don't you dare," the girl seethed, her nostrils flaring in rage. "Call my mother, a slut."

That was the last words that Sera spat from her mouth before she stormed out of the comfort room, hastily wiping away the drops of vulnerability that rolled down her rosy cheeks.

"Hey, Sera!" A random guy called out to her as she rushed out of the bathroom and into the hallway.

"Sera babe, why don't you give me a good time?" The guy insisted as she walked past him. This call was followed by a wolf whistle and a series of hoots and laughs from the guy's group of friends.

Sera gritted her teeth as she furiously kept on walking. She couldn't clearly see the boys catcalling her through the tears, and she had no spite left inside of her to confront them. This was the burden she got from being the daughter of two models; for being too blessed in terms of her physical appearance. Para sa karamihan, being fit and beautiful equated to her being a slut. And Sera had no control over what the public thought of her.

So she continued walking faster and faster; seething in furious anger as she wanted nothing more but to get out of the corridor's limelight.

But before she could turn the corner, a familiar face bumped into her; forcing Sera to stop all at once.

"Sera!" Tyra, the one Sera had collided into, squeaked in both relief and surprise.

"Sorry Ty," Sera muttered, ready to walk past her when the meek girl grabbed her arm.

"T-Teka! Kanina pa kita hinahanap." Sambit ng mahiyaing dalaga, inciting Sera to stop despite not wanting to.

"Pinapa-update kasi ng student council yung student directories ng bawat klase for double checking. I-che-check mo lang sana kung ano... Kung, um, tama and updated ba yung personal details mo." Nahihiyang paliwanag ni Tyra, handing the class directory of 10-Fortitude to Sera; Tyra's long dark hair brushing against the document as she did.

Sera didn't reply as she scanned the directory in her hand, looking for her name amidst the alphabetical list. But before she could reach the last names starting with the letter "M", her eye caught a familiar handwriting.

Suddenly, she could feel Tyra's stare, waiting for her, and making Sera feel uneasy.

"Uhh yeah," Sera coughed, clearing her throat when she finally scanned her personal details. "Updated naman."

"Yay!" Tyra said cheerfully as Sera handed back the directory to her. "Thanks, Sera. See you around."

And with that, the angelic girl went on her own merry way, with Sera staring right after her - flashes of the bloody threats' familiar handwriting on their dormitory walls, befuddling her vision.

---

5th point. Jarrell.

There was a faint click in the machine as Jarrell parked his car, turning off the ignition. Looking up, the young Marquez heir then leaned on the driver's seat, sighing as he viewed the Marquez mansion from his car's windshield.

The manor, which was a hundred years old, stood on the well-groomed grounds proudly, all five of its floors basking in the afternoon sun. Many have remarked that it was glorious despite it being ancient; just like the people that resided there.

Mapait na napangiti ang binata nang naalala niya ang mga sabi-sabing ito. Jarrell didn't feel like he fit into the narrative of being a glorious, prideful Marquez anymore than he felt welcome with politics.

With a sigh, he then stepped down from his vehicle, finally walking amidst the cultivated gardens that led up to the front doors of the mansion. It was a quiet Monday afternoon, and Jarrell had no business going home during a week day, but he wanted to clear his head for a moment and step away from the toxic suffocation he could feel in the boys' dormitory with Rein and Quinn ignoring him.

As he passed by, he fleetingly saw the treehouse situated behind the mansion where an even wider grassy lawn was situated. Dahil dito ay pansamantala niyang naalala ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan. Every summer up 'til now, the three of them would play in that particular treehouse, pretending to be anyone they wanted to be. Of course they were now too old to be playing pirates or knights at their hangout treehouse; yet the three still made it a habit to stay there every summer despite them growing older every year - bringing games, books, or even a laptop where they could watch movies from.

Jarrell sighed. He missed them terribly.

Without another word, the young man was just about to head to the mansion's main doors when coincidentally, he saw his mother, Mrs. Jasmine Marquez, who was also the mayoress of Ylando City, watering her beloved yellow chrysanthemums by the front garden.

"Jarrell anak! Buti naman at naisipan mong bumisita." Sambit ng kaniyang nanay habang bumeso ang binata.

"Nasa'n si papa, ma? Pati sina kuya??" Jarrell asked, looking around the manor's grounds.

"Busy sa city hall." His mother responded as she continued watering her flowers. "Alam mo naman, maraming ginagawa yung mga yun. Siya nga pala, kamusta ka naman sa Castillo High? Running for honors ba anak? Nako, sana naman gumaya ka sa mga kuya mo. Noong panahon nila sa Castillo High, laging nagta-top ang Kuya Jesper at Kuya Joseph mo. O tignan mo ngayon, mayroon na silang magagandang trabaho." The older woman said mindlessly, moving to another bush of chrysanthemums.

Napatitig lamang ang binata sa kaniyang ina.

"O, natameme ka nanaman ata diyan Jarrell Blake." His mother demanded before facing him.

Jarrell scoffed bitterly. "Nag-aaral naman ako ng mabuti ma."

"Siguraduhin mo lang Jarrell at graduating ka na sa junior high school. Nakakahiya naman kung kahit ngayong grade 10 ay hindi ka pa rin makakapasok sa honor roll."

A rush of humiliation, insecurity and anger rushed through Jarrell's veins as he looked down on the ground, clenching his jaw. "Tina-try ko naman ma. Pero hindi naman ako kasing-talino nina kuya." He muttered, trying to control himself from making a scene.

"Edi magpatulong ka kina Reagan at Quinston!" His mother argued in a matter-of-fact tone, turning her back on him. "Hindi ko kasi maintindihan, matagal mo na silang mga kaibigan pero hindi mo man lang ma-adapt ang learning styles and habits nila? Hindi ka ba nale-left behind sa kanila? Kung gusto mo anak, pwede ka namang ulit magpa-tutor tulad nung elementary ka. Kayang-kaya naman natin magbayad para lang sa pag-aaral mo."

Mapait na tumawa ang binata as the birds in their garden tweeted from a distance. "Ma, hindi ako si Rein okay? Hindi rin ako si Quinn. At mas lalong-lalo na hindi ako si Kuya Jesper o si Kuya Joseph. Kung kaya nila, eh hindi naman ibig sabihin no'n kaya ko rin." He said grimly, finally looking up to see his mother taken aback with his words.

"Ay nako Jarrell Blake huwag mo akong ginaganyan." His mother warned. Ibinaba nito ang hawak niyang water can. "Sinasabi mo lang 'yan kasi tinatamad ka!"

Jarrell laughed bitterly. "Tinatamad po ba yung halos hindi na matulog para lang makapag-aral?" Napailing ang binata at saka inilagay sa bulsa ang kaniyang dalawang kamay. "Sorry ma ha. Sorry I didn't live up to the perfect son you've created in your head."

Without another word, he then turned around; heading towards the manor even with his mother demanding him to come back.

Nang nakapasok na ito sa loob ng mansyon ay napapikit ang binata, opening and closing his fists to calm himself. All his life, he had been very insecure about his intelligence, especially when his parents would always compare him to his two older brothers, or to his two best friends.

To his family, he was always known as the stupid, carefree child, always going with the flow no matter what the world throws him. Ang hindi nila alam ay pinipilit naman talaga ng binata ang maging isang mabuting Marquez. He would stay up late poring over his notes, trying to understand his lessons; even going as far as to participating in extra-curricular activities and doing everything to become a class officer.

But no matter what he did, his parents would only acknowledge his lack for being academically smart, or his covert absence of seriousness when it comes to facing life.

Napabuntong-hininga ang binata at saka binuksan ang kaniyang dalawang mata nang medyo nakakalma na ito. Blinking, he was then met with the two pairs of grand staircases leading to the main hall where he stood.

Sa sandaling iyon ay biglang naalala ng binata ang soiree na nangyari dito sa kanilang bahay kama-kailan lang. He could almost picture his father walking down the stairs as everyone cheered and applauded; whilst he, Rein, Sera, and Ann, ran towards the corridor exiting the hallway.

"Wait a minute." He muttered to himself, frowning as he slowly walked towards the left staircase, trying hard to remember the exact same scene that happened that night.

It was almost as if he was transported back in time as he envisioned the people there in the hallway, all facing towards the staircase - all looking up to the descent of his regal father, the mayor of Ylando City.

Everyone that night was paying attention to his father, all except...

Napatigil sa harapan ng hagdanan si Jarrell. Ngunit sa halip na nakaharap ito sa hagdanan, ay nakaharap ang kaniyang katawan sa kanan - his body angled perpendicularly in such a way that he was directly facing towards the corridor where he and his friends had ran off to on that Thursday night.

Napakurap ang binata. "Only someone standing here could have seen us exit the party." He murmured to himself, trying to rack his brain and remember who were the ones standing in this particular corner of the main hall.

With his head deep in thought, the young man paced around the spot, rubbing his chin, remembering, remembering, remembering...

"Well, her father is here." Jarrell stopped in his tracks as he remembered saying this particular phrase to Rein on the night of the socialite party - the both of them passing Ann's father who was talking to two men: one tall and thin man wearing a top hat that Jarrell recognized as Mr. Rojas, his father's friend and head of the city's treasury office; and another man who he did not recognize - a man with a large belly, a long beard, dark short-cropped hair, and rectangular glasses.

---

6th point. Quinston.

The Monday afternoon sun basked Quinn's room with the typical tropical heat as he sat on the end of his bed, his TechnoKids Championship Cup in both his hands.

Everytime he moved the cup towards the sunlight pouring from his windows, its gold plate of the award would glimmer and shine. Despite this, Quinn heaved a heavy sigh.

He then returned the prize on his bookshelf.

Ruffling his curly, messy hair, he then lied down on his back, glumly staring at the ceiling of his room. This was the most miserable week Quinn had ever experienced in his almost four years of being in Castillo High.

As he laid there in desolate silence, hindi mapigilan ni Quinn na maisip kung worth it nga ba ang pagsali at pagkapanalo niya sa TechnoKids Quiz Bee. Sure, it had earned him the satisfaction of finally experiencing the prestigious contest, finally giving himself a chance to showcase more of his brilliance, and finally choosing himself for once...

But at what cost?

"My friends." Malungkot na bulong ng binata as he tossed and turned on his bed, ruining the sheets he had just fixed earlier. He then miserably glanced at the Championship Cup once more.

What good was it to win the TechnoKids Cup when he had no one to celebrate it with?

Napabuntong-hininga muli ang binata. He had never felt so lonely in his entire life. And it was all his fault.

Choosing himself came with the consequence of losing the people most important to him - the people who knew and supported him since day one, the same people he had now pushed away.

Quinn let out a cry that seemed to be a mix of a grunt and a sob. It had been three days since the ugly fight, and the loneliness and absence of his friends had been eating him up. Even his twin sister wasn't talking to him.

It was horrible, and it made him feel even worse knowing that this was probably what Queenie have been feeling for almost her whole stay here in Castillo High, and he didn't even make an effort to make her feel welcome.

He was a bad friend, and a foolish brother.

For the past two nights, the young man couldn't sleep as he was ridden with his own guilt - his own sharp words that kept echoing in his mind. Quinn knew that everything he had said last Friday was too much, too unnecessary.

Masyado niyang hinayaan ang sarili niya na magpadala sa kaniyang mga emosyon.

And now, it's high time for him to face his mistakes like a man.

Dahan-dahan ay tumayo ang binata at saka lumabas ng silid para silipin ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan sa kanilang mga kwarto. To his disappointment, both Rein and Jarrell weren't home in their dorm yet - not a trace of their presence could be found in both the boys' rooms.

"Baka nasa classroom pa sila." Quinn thought, nodding to himself as he grabbed his windbreaker and raced out of their dorm.

Outside, he was met by the comforting afternoon breeze that made the trees sway gently. The school grounds were bathed in the sun's golden light as Quinn looked around the campus like a dotted line trying to find his two best friends, anticipating to collide with them and make amends.

"Rein could be at the library..." He thought mindlessly, frantically craning his head around just to make sure he doesn't miss them, when he suddenly noticed that almost everyone he passed by was reading the Castillian Gazette at this hour.

"Ano meron? May bagong issue ba?" Tanong nito sa sarili as he walked past a group of friends poring over an issue of the gazette.

"Hacked novels?? Eh ano bang gustong mangyari ng culprit na 'yan? Manalo ng Schism? Para namang ang laki ng perang ipapanalo diyan!" Yamot na sabi ng isa sa mga babaeng nadaanan ni Quinn.

"Gaga! Hindi pera ang habol ng mga sumasali sa Schism bakla ka. Yung benefits para sa college! Automatic pasok ka na sa kahit anong university pag napanalunan mo 'yan!" The girl's gay friend argued as they continued walking away, talking about the Writers' Schism.

Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Quinn as he pondered over their conversation. Wasting no time, he hurried towards one of the closest newspaper stands outside the junior high school building, grabbing a copy of the newest issue.

The first headline was enough to send Quinn reeling.

WRITERS' SCHISM: FROM STOLEN ENTRIES TO HACKED NOVELS

---

NOTE: Be sure to read this chapter well. It contains 6 different clues that may help you as a reader solve the culprit's identity faster than the sleuths themselves.

Also, sorry again for the very long wait! Some chapters are easier to write, therefore faster to be posted here on Wattpad; and there are chapters such as this one which takes tremendous amount of effort, energy and braincells to execute. I hope this chapter of 6,500 words was worth the wait.

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