4. Foundation Day

                         FOUNDATION DAY

"Good morning, Sir Blade!" Leah's soft language- (Leo is its real name.)

He belongs to class III-A.

"Good morning." Blade goes to the III-A classroom.

Third year students is his first class every Tuesday and Thursday. Yesterday, Rane had not yet entered. She was still weak after the incident. And this Tuesday she was still absent.

"Sir, I will bring your belongings." Leah volunteered.

"Hmf! I have nothing to give you."

"Sir, just one kiss is okay!"

"Crazy! That's forbidden."

"It's free, no more kiss Sir."

"All right, you insist." he immediately handed him the bag and book.

History is his class in them.

"Hmm... You smell like a baby, Sir!"

Leah smells his handkerchief.

"Oh dear, stop that!"

They entered the classroom one after another. He excitedly laid his belongings on the table and immediately sat down in his seat.

"Good morning class!"

"GOOD MORNING SIR!"

The class has already started... Blade's eyebrows are raised as he teaches. How come, his class is disturbed by the arrival of late students.

"Eherm! Alex, why are you late?"

Alex is tall but a little bit skinny. He has white skin.

"Sir, the traffic in Batakil Village is heavy."

The truth is, Batakil Village is just a walking distance to BLB High School.

"You, Richard! Why you are also late?!" he was a little taller than Alex and more fleshy. He is dark and the features are very Pilipino.

"Sir, it's coding in Batakil Village."

Blade clenched his fist secretly. 'Nalase!' His eyebrows are almost touching.

"Then why are the students from Laoac, they are not late? The barangay of Laoac is more far from school?"

"Sir! There is no traffic and coding in Laoac. Why did you compare?" Alex replied.

Blade bent down and tried to hold back. He didn't want to ruin his morning today. But, it looks like it's already ruin.

"Have I not already told you that I am also from Batakil Village?! My house is still up in the mountains."

"Sir, maybe your way is different that's why you are not stock in traffic and coding." Richard groaned.

"Abuwisit ak pa!" he suddenly imitated Drake's expression.

He exploded. He took a deep breath to calm down. Suddenly an idea entered his brain. He smiled out of nowhere...

"Because of that, I have an announcement!"

"What's that, Sir?" the students asked.

Blade grin at them.

"Starting tomorrow... Everyone who is going to be late and absent from my class... Will required to show a TALENT!"

Everyone looked at each other and fell silent.

"For now, I will let Richard and Alex go first. But I can't do it next time so prepare whatever talent you have. If you don't have any talent, just don't be late and be absent. Sit down! You, Alex and Richard. "

They followed and the concern was obvious on their faces.

"Excuse me, Sir." Leah said.

"Why?"

"If you are also late or absent... Will you also be required to show a talent?" Leah asked.

Because of that, everyone reacted. Leah has a point. Blade sigh deeply.

"All right, just to be fair! I will also be required to show a talent when I am late and absent. But anyways... That will not happen!"

The class resumed. During the recess the principal called a meeting. It was about the upcoming Foundation Day of the school. After the meeting, Blade sat on the bench near the canteen. He was depressed and thought deeply. He is thinking about a dance contest that his class is required to participate. He had no idea yet.

At night...

"Why did you take so long to get out there ?!" Blade's impatient language.

They will visit Ran... He will go to update her in class and at school. As for Drake, he will come just to see Rane, of course.

He had been waiting for Drake earlier. He was outside the door of his room. The door opened and Drake spat.

"W-What is that?!"

Blade smirk at Drake as he looks on his appearance.

"Hey, are you going to visit like that?!"

He is wearing a tuxedo. And his hair is curled. The underside of its eyes turned black.

"What is the problem?"

"You look like you're going to be buried. Do you want me to start digging?"

"Abuwisit ak pa!"

Blade scratch his head upon seeing Drake.

"Why is it under your eyes, black? Have you not slept all day?"

"Yes. I was excited when you said we would visit Rane tonight. Kegtot my heart!"

"And what did you do?"

"Ehem! I made a bouquet for Rane. Here is my masterpiece! Tantanan!" From behind the door, he took the bouquet of flowers.

"Animal! Don't take that!"

"Why are you protesting again? I worked hard on it. It's so beautiful, that's why I should be able to give it to Rane. She will recover immediately with this lovely flowers."

"Rane will not be happy when you give that bouquet to her."

"And why, huh?!"

"That's the crown of the dead! You really are a corpse. Change your clothes, hurry up! You look like a corpse that escaped the coffin. If you do not follow me, I will leave you. Hurry!"

"Okay, fine!" Drake was very hard against it.

He entered the room and slammed the door shut.

"Cover your eyes with your bangs, it's scary!" Blade said.

"Tse!"

In a few moments, Drake came out. He was wearing a green t-shirt and denim pants. His tangled bangs covered his eyes ...

"There, you look normal." comment by Blade.

"Aren't we really going to take this bouquet I made for Rane?"

"It's up to you if you don't want to believe me. It's not a bouquet, okay? It's the crown of the dead."

"Come on!" Drake frowned.

They immediately left and went to Rane. They went through the terrace of her room.

"Uy, Sir Blade!" Conrad opened the door.

He was shock to see Drake. He backfires.

"Don't be afraid of me. I don't bite." Drake said to the boy with a smile.

But it ran inward. He lay down next to Rane and covered himself with a blanket.

"Aswang, ate Rane!"

"Huh? Where is it?"

The two finally went inside.

"Conrad, Drake is not an aswang. Don't be afraid of him. He's kind." Rane said to her brother.

She was wearing blue sleeping clothes.

"Then what is he?" he gently removed the blanket that covered him.

He stood up on the bed and approached Drake.

"If you are not an aswang. Then, what are you?"

"I'm a vampire. My name is Drake, nice to meet you." Drake held out his right hand.

"Like the anime, Vampire knight?" it innocently accepted its handshake.

"Yes."

"Cool! I'm Conrad. The coldness of your hand! In that case, do you have fangs? May I look?"

Drake opened his mouth and showed his fangs. Conrad was amazed he smells Drake's breathe.

"Why does it smell like mouthwash, not blood?"

"Of course, I'm brushing my teeth and after that, I used mouthwash. You want to know your blood type?"

"What is the blood type?"

"Because people's blood types have different varieties."

"How do you know that?"

"By the smell."

"All right! I want to know my blood type then."

Drake bent down and sniffed Conrad's neck ...

"Type AB... First Class!"

"Why did you say my brother's blood was first class?" Rane asked.

"Because I can smell his blood was very healthy."

"Ah, okay... By the way, why are you here?" Rane asked.

Blade approached Rane and sat in the study chair next to the bed.

"We are here to visit you and to update you in class and at school. Foundation day is near, so get well soon."

Blade started teaching Rane in his lectures. She needs to catch up the lessons. While, Conrad and Drake are busy playing.

"I have two absents. What will I do with that talent portion?" Rane is worried when Blade says his new policy ...

"Your excuse, because you got sick. But just now ah? I can't have favouritism. By the way, is there WIFI here? I need to do some research for the dance that we will fight on the Foundation Day of the school." Blade released the tablet ..

"Yes. Our WIFI is on."

"That's good to hear!"

She told Blade the password. And he become busy surfing the internet. Meanwhile, Conrad and Drake approached Rane.

"How are you feeling, Rane?" Drake asked.

"I'm fine. I can go to school tomorrow."

"It's good then. I'm really sorry for what happened. I didn't want you to be hurt. I just wanted to date you during those times. Sorry again."

"Ahm... You've said sorry to me many times. You've already forgiven, just don't do it again."

Upon hearing their chats, Conrad turn towards Drake.

"Do you have a crush to my sister?" Conrad asked.

Drake smiled at the kid.

"Not just a crush, I love her! She kegtot my heart!"

"Hmm... Then why don't you bring flowers?"

"Because someone doesn't want me to bring flowers for your sister." he looked at Blade who was busy surfing the internet.

"Excuse me, Drake. I'm still young so please, stop that." Rane interrupted.

Conrad was still curious.

"Then why sister Karen, has a lot of suitors ?"

"She's different from me."

Blade turned to the three of them.

"Is there a snack?" he said.

Drake frown at Blade.

"You're embarrassing, Blade! Your shameless."

But Blade didn't care about Drake's comment. He just stared at Rane and Conrad then said...

"I'm really hungry, please?"

Drake felt embarrassed.

"Let's just go home, Blade. You just ate there. It's embarrassing. I guess you just came here to get WIFI."

Blade scratched his neck and looked at Drake in disgust. He just sigh.

"All right, let's just go home. I already got an idea for the dance for Foundation Day. Next time, I won't take you with me. You villain!"

The two said goodbye to Rane and Conrad. The two immediately went home. The two of them went straight to the kitchen and traded in the refrigerator. There was still carrot cake left.

"Will you eat too, Corpse?"

When Blade is annoyed with Drake. He calls him corpse.

"Yes."

They ate... Drake was irritated with Blade because he had been staring at him before.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You're annoying ah."

"It's nothing."

"As you say so."

When they had finished eating, the two of them went to bed separately. And after that, Drake was surprise when Blade entered his room.

"Why are you here?" Drake asked.

"I'm here, because I need you."

Drake's eyes widened and he suddenly became depressed.

"ABUWISIT AK PA! Don't say you've been lusting after me for a long time! Hey! We can't lose! Stop there!"

"Crazy! I need you because I need someone to help me practice a dance that I will teach my students tomorrow. You have a dirty mind!"

"You didn't clarify. You suddenly said you need me. What will I think?"

"Because you didn't let me finish. Come on, let's go outside. We need to make some bench first."

"Bench? What kind of dance is up in to your head?"

"Sayaw ed Bangko. It is a traditional dance here in Pangasinan. At the top of the stacked bench, both women and men will dance. I will mix hip-hop steps to be modernized. He he, we will win!"

"Will Foundation Day be held at night?"

"Yes, so you can go and watch."

"All right, I'll help you. Come on, let's make benches!" Drake become excited.

The next day, Blade met class II-A for the dance they will be competing in the upcoming event.

"Class, this afternoon, we have a dance practice that we will be present for on the upcoming Foundation Day. Everyone will participate because this will be your project for me in P.E. subject." Blade's announcement.

"Eh Sir, what are we going to dance?" Louie asked.

(Sayaw-dance)

"Sayaw ed Bangko. We will mix hip-hop and my friend and I have already created the benches we will use for the dance. They are already in the gym. I have also been able to remix our music." he even detailed the other things to do.

"Sir, do we have a step?" Rane.

"Sure. My friend and I formed it last night. So we'll all meet later at the school gym. Anyways, let's start the lecture."

The class started and in the afternoon, they went to the gym to practice dance.

"Boys, have you laid the foams here yet?"

"Sir, it's done!" almost simultaneous language of men.

They then arranged the benches and stacked them on top of each other.

"Sir, its scary! It is high, what if we fall there?" Barry asked.

"What is being done to those who fall? Isn't it picked up? That's why I put foam on the floor so all of you won't get hurt. Okay, all of you come here!"

Everyone followed and saw the faces of his students who were a little scared.

"I'll show you the steps. Rane, come on."

Rane hesitated to approach. She is afraid of the high. Blade steps on the bench, in the first grade. He held out his right hand to her. She reached for it and Blade supported her in getting to the bench.

"Okay, I'll show you the first step. Don't overdo it, Rane."

"Yes."

It has already started sampling the step. Partners should work side by side so that they do not fall into the bench on which they stand.

"Oh what? Did you get the first step?"

"Sir! How about me? I'm a bit heavy." Jamielyn asked.

She is fat and relatively small.

Blade gets depressed and looks at his other chubby students. Of course, It will definitely be difficult for them to balance above the bench.

"All right, no practice first. I think the solution is the other group is going to dance the tinikling. So bring bamboos tomorrow. But anyways, do you know how to dance tinikling?"

(Tinikling- a traditional Philippine folk dance which originated during the Spanish colonial era. The dance involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who steps over and in between the poles in dance.)

Everyone stared at him but nobody answers him. Blade sigh.

"Study that. Tomorrow, I will bring bamboos here. I will think of a new strategy." He said.

"Excuse me, Sir. I'm going down." Rane ask Blade.

He helps her to go down. After that, Blade announced...

"Okay, class! Dismiss!"

"YEHEEY!"

Blade scratched his head so hard. He needs to learn the step in Tinikling. His knowledge about that folk dance is just little. But never mind, he would just ask Drake if he knew a lot about it.

In the evening, Drake and Blade cut the bamboos for the dance. He has surfed google before and he has seen how the right timing for tinikling dancing.

"It's hard to be a teacher! It's stressful!" Drake suddenly snapped.

"You're right. But it's fun too."

Drake look at Blade in amazement.

"Really? Weren't you just complaining on your first day? You said, the kids were crazy, hard-headed and nuisance!"

"Hmm... That was just the beginning."

Drake rubbed Blade's forehead.

"I think your temperature is normal. You are not sick. What did you eat before?"

"What's your problem?!"

"He he he, just nothing."

The next day, Blade actually started rehearsing for the dance they were going to present. Traditional mixed with modern. They were in the middle of practice when Conrad came to the gym to watch. He just let it go because the child is not scratching.

"Class! Rest first." Blade said to everyone. He went to the place where his bag was and he open it and took its content.

"Come on, let's eat mangoes. Jaypee, get some vinegar and chili in the canteen. Borrow a knife and a plate. Don't forget the salt too."

Everyone likes the mangoes he brought. He tapped the hand of his students who wanted to take.

"Everyone will eat, just wait! Anak na lase!"

The one he commanded came and they started peeling and slicing the mangoes into thin slices.

"Sir, you are kind even if you are a little cruel." Marvin commented.

"What did you say?! I've been kind for a long time but only now did you notice?! That hurts! Animal."

They just laughed. They started eating after they had prepared everything. Meanwhile...

"Conrad, that's spicy. Just dip in the salt." Rane scolded her brother.

"Why everyone is allowed? Why I am not?" its complaint.

"It's spicy! Here's yours, as well as the sauce." she gave him the separate plate with the remaining mangoes and salt.

"Conrad, listen to your sister." Blade whispered to the child.

It frowned.

They are starting to eat and they enjoy chatting.

"Sir, after Foundation Day... Let's have an outing!" Van recommend.

"So Sir!" everyone has already scratched him...

"Wait, I don't have a salary yet! I don't have any money." he said before biting the piece of mango he dipped in vinegar with chili.

"Sir, we don't have much money either. But we can go to Antong falls, it is located in Sison." Van said again.

"Antong Falls in Sison?"

"Sir, the fare for the jeep to Sison is only ten pesos and only fifteen pesos for the tricycle to Antong Falls." Van added.

Blade think a little and then...

"All right! I can be there!"

"OKAY!" everyone said happily.

They continue to eat and what else they are talking about. Plan for outing.

"Wait, why does this vinegar seems to be increasing?" Blade thought.

But he just ignored on what he notice.

They continued to eat until only three pieces of mango were left on the plate. Blade was about to take a piece when...

"WAAAAHHH! I really can't take this! It's really spicy!"

It was Conrad. They all looked at him. They were stunned and seemed to become rocks... How come, they saw that it was salivating and its saliva, it was dripping on the vinegar with chili that they were dipping. It turns out that they do not notice because they are busy chatting.

"OH NO!" their group suddenly disbanded ...

In the evening, Blade talked to Raphael. He wanted something in favour of it.

"What favour do you want?" it played with its greyish braided hair.

"I wish you could sing on the Foundation Day of the School. You know, intermission. At least two songs."

"Blade, I am the shy type. But for you, ill sing." Raphael answered.

All angels have a beautiful voice. Drake suddenly arrives.

"Who are you talking to there?" he asked.

Raphael looked at Drake and smile. Blade stared at his friend and said...

"I'm talking to Raphael." Blade's short answer.

"Raphael ?! As in... One of the seven archangels ?!" Drake said in shock.

"Yes."

Drake quickly approached Raphael and shook hands.

"It's an honour for me to meet you! Please, make me a normal person .."

"Hmm... You are a vampire and Blade is your friend?"

Its obvious that Raphael was surprise.

"He wants to be a normal person. Does he have any hope, Raphael?" Blade asked.

"If he is really kind and doesn't kill people. I can probably find a way. But I don't promise. All right, I'm leaving. Let's just meet at the Foundation day. And by the way, Blade... Avoid those bad expressions!"

"Yah! I'm avoiding it." 'Son of a bitch.'

"That's good, Blade. By the way, nice to meet you, Drake."

It waved and suddenly disappeared into space...

"Blade, he's smart. He's really an angel! Then what are you? Are you sure you're really an angel? You're suspicious eh."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, just ignore me!"

The next day is Foundation Day so they are in full swing. One of Blade's students accidentally out of balance, it fell and...

"SIR! It crack!" Jericho shouted sharply.

He fell on the bench when he falls. This is Rane's partner.

Blade quickly approached him to see if he was in good condition or needed to be taken to the clinic.

"Are you okay? Your angry bird?"

"Sir... I think the eggs of the angry bird broke." he cried.

"Girls, even you mermaids! OUT!"

"Sir Blade, why?!"

"The angry bird's egg has broken, so get out!"

"Where's the angry bird?! Where's the egg?!"

Blade scratched his forehead.

"JUST GET OUT OF HERE!"

The women came out of the gym, along with their gay classmates.

"What, shall we fry, huh?" Blade asked Jericho.

"Don't Sir! I think it's still whole. I just need a break."

"Do I need to take you to the clinic?"

"Sir don't! It's embarrassing!" his face is red.

His other male students laughed.

It's FOUNDATION DAY and everyone is busy for the upcoming event. They drew teachers for their section number. Blade drew number five . The host of the event was Mr. Pinular and Mrs. Solano. Currently, number four is on the rise. Section IV-A...

"Sir, I think we are nervous..." Rane said.

"Didn't I tell you? Just be good and give your best. You can do that, remember our rehearsals!" but honestly, even he is nervous...

The current group has finish performing.

"Okay, let's give IV-A a big round of applause!"

Everyone applause. The group did a modern dance.

So far, class II-A is going to be the next to perform. They were seated at the back of the stage as Blade and Drake prepared the props. When the two finished, they took the stage.

"Good luck to you all!" Drake and Blade speak almost at the same time.

Drake didn't look obvious because it was a bit dark behind the stage. They started dancing and they heard loud applause. Blade was watching quietly because he was nervous. Nothing would have fallen from the bench and nothing would have been pinched the foot on the bamboos. The whole II-A routine ended well and loud applause rang out.

"Wow! Sir Blade! II-A did something different!" comment by Mr. Pinular.

Blade proudly waved to everyone. Winner!

"You did a good job! We will win!" he said to his students.

"Thank you sir!"

Class II-A also feels proud when they finish their presentation. That is the result of their vigorous practice.

For now, Raphael will be intermission. All the sections finished dancing and after Raphael sang the winners were announced. Rane was standing next to Conrad, with Drake and Blade. Raphael went on stage.

"SO HANDSOME!" all the female students and Mermaids trembled ...

"Wait, I'm also handsome. Why everyone didn't stared at me like that?!" Blade's annoyed language.

"You're still wondering about that, Blade huh?"

"What do you mean, Corpse?!"

Drake just smiled and looked at the stage. Raphael started singing. God gave me you by Bryan White.

"For all the times, I felt cheated. I complain. You know how I love to complain .."

"I'M IN LOVE!"

Blade smiled because he was expecting such a reaction. If they only knew who Raphael really was. Meanwhile, Drake stared at Rane who was busy watching. He simply put his hand on his hand. He grinned as he took her hand and squeezed it. His grip on his hand also tightened and he was dumbfounded. He was very excited in those moments until he noticed something.

"Rane, why your hand is rough? Didn't you used a lotion?"

"H-Ha? What hand are you saying, Drake?" Rane ask in amazement.

Drake smiled at her.

"Don't be shy. You are holding my hand, very tight!"

"No. I'm holding a piatos."

Rane showed Drake that she's a holding junk food.

"HA?! Then, whose hand is this?!"

Drake looked at his hand and slowly looked up. His eyes widened and he stared...

"What, Drake? Am I good at holding hands?"

Blade teased and he even winked at him.

"YAYKS! Disgusting!" Drake shook his right hand and wiped it.

"Ha ha ha ha! You thought, you got a score?"

Drake frowned and turned his gaze back to the stage. He saw Blade filming Raphael while performing. The first song is over and the next one is Ako'y Sayo at Ika'y akin lamang (I am yours and you are mine only) by First Circle.

"You are the one who said, that you love me too. And you said that your love will not change. But why, every time I approach you, you go away? Heart always hurts when you are with someone else. Don't they know? We swear. That I am yours and you are mine only..." Raphael sings the song with soul.

"I LOVE YOU!"

The song was over and Raphael smiled at everyone.

"Thank you all. Thanks also to Blade, he asked me to perform for all of you. There, I did what you wanted, Blade!"

Everyone look at Blade and applause him.

Raphael got off the stage. But everyone wants him to sing more.

"ONE MORE! ONE MORE! ONE MORE!" everyone shouted.

But Raphael already left the stage. After he sings... Here is what everyone is waiting for. The announcement of the winner.

"My section will definitely win. Alas, it is obvious that we are the only ones who are different and the best." Blade nodded and was very comfortable in those moments.

But something unexpected is really happening. Just finished announcing third place and...

"The second place for this contest is... Class II-A! Friends, ladies and gentlemen, IV-A is the first place!" announcement by Mrs. Solano.

Blade's eyes widened when he heard the announcement and it was as if a bomb had suddenly exploded!

"You are cheating, animals! It is obvious that II-A is the winner! FAVORITISM!"

"J-Just calm down, Blade!" Drake forced Blade away.

"Let go of me and these animals will see what they are looking for! They deceived us, I will not allow it! ABUWISIT AK PA!" Blade was really lost.

Raphael approached Blade and his face looked dark. It blows Blade aside!

"Argh!" Blade was asleep.

That is where the Foundation Day of the School ended.