1 One

"Joe, nakapag-review ka na ba for the quiz later sa Business Ethics? Pwede ko bang mahiram yung notes mo dun," I heard Pola asking me.

Signaling her to go fetch my notes from my bag, I just swift my hand towards her direction, "Huwag mo lang guluhin bag ko!" as I permitted her to do so.

Nakakainis naman kasi at talagang tinadtad na naman kami ng quiz ngayon ng mga teachers namin.

Just imagine, it's just the first semester of my last year in my senior high school years pero haggard na kaagad ako. I didn't even expect the workload would be this heavy. Tons of research I needed to finish so I can submit it on time to Miss Vargas, product-testing for our defense in our subject Entrepreneurship, then a quiz in all of the subjects that we have today!

Gusto ko na nga lang mag-half day or hindi na pumasok but that would just torment me sa dami pang dapat kong habulin.

Speaking of paghahabol naman, napalingon na lamang ako sa likuran na banda ng classroom. Sighing and shaking my heads as I saw the sight of the boys playing ML, nanghihinayang ako.

'Gusto ko rin maglaro,' I wished mentally. Kahit alam kong nakanguso ako, hindi pa rin ako dumukdok at pilit na tinititigan ang notebook sa harapan ko.

"Accounting can be defined as providing information about business organizations to interested parties..." I even uttered, again and again trying to memorize the line but can't. Frustrated about the topic in that subject, halos maitapon ko na ang notebook ko sa sahig.

"Can't focus?" rinig kong tanong ni Raine, smiling peacefully from her seat in front of me while she's holding the book in accounting in a graceful manner.

'Pak ganern! graceful ang ate ghorl mo'

"Hahahaha, paano naman kasi makakapag-focus yang gagang iyan eh tingnan mo ang eyebags, nakatulog ka ba kagabi?" pang-echapwera naman ng frennie kong si Nami na nasa likod ko.

Napalingon naman tuloy ako nang 'di oras, halos ihampas ko yung cattleya notebook ko sa kanya, "Huh! Panong makakatulog eh tinapos ko pa yung final draft nung chapter 2 ng research NATIN!"

Guilty as she may be, napa-cross naman sya ng daliri sabay sabing, "Spare me my lady" which made me chuckle

"Drama mo!" banat naman ni Jeanne sa tabi niya habang inilalagay na ang notebook sa bag, probably admitting defeat at pagod na mag-review.

Well, hindi ko naman siya masisisi kasi isa din siya sa mga nagpuyat kagabi para mapunan iyong mga kulang na RRL at RRS na kailangan. Halos makatulog na nga kami kakasummarize ng mga researches and dissertations kagabi, sadyang napilitan kasi ayaw magreply ng mga ka-grupo namin sa GC.

"Dana, mukhang nangangamoy uno ka sa peer evaluation," pang-buska pa ni Kris kay Nami kung kaya't biglang umasim naman ang mukha nito. Kapag kasi 1 ang grado nito sa Peer Eval ay malaki ang chance na bumagsak ito sa klase namin na iyon and that would be very fatal for her and her career.

She promised to her grandmother na kung hindi niya magustuhan ang accountancy ay maaari syang mag doktor, in a condition na tapusin nya ang academic year ng SHS sa strand na ABM. Quite a complicating drama sa buhay ng isa sa mga best friend ko. I'm glad na si Mama ay hinahayaan ako sa gusto ko pero maroon ring mga pangaral. The only problem was me, I don't know what I want.

Yet Nami got my attention. "Hala, ba't ako lang? Eh sila Grayson at Jade nga din walang sagot sa GC kagabi" said Nami while pointing at Jade and Grayson, both playing ML but immediately looked at our direction when they heard their names being mentioned.

"Oh? Kami na naman nakita mo Nami. Nag-send naman ako ng 2 RRLs kay Joe kagabi, summarized plus naka-APA na yung sources," I heard Grayson defended himself.

Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang mapangiti na mukhang nakita ata ni Jeanne kung kaya't siniko ako nito.

"Ghorl, masyado kang halata na crush mo si Grayson" hagikhik pa nito kaya naman bumusangot ako.

Napabalik naman ako ng tingin kay Grayson, nahuling naka tingin din ito sa gawi namin that made my heart flutter a little. Nginitian ko na lamang ito in which he smiled back at me before looking at his phone to continue playing which made my heard flutter for a moment.

"Nevermind, mag-review na lang ulit tayo" I snapped back to reality, slowly slumping with the notes I have.

"Sus, kahit naman di ka mag-review, mataas na yung makukuha mong score" Kris noted to us na kinahagikhik ng mga kasama ko.

"Damn, I could still remember nung nagpa-quiz si Ma'am Aileen sa accounting, lahat tayo bangag kung asset, liability or equity yung unearned revenue. The whole class even made fun of you nung sinabi mong liab hahaha. Napadebate ka pa kay Joseph nun hindi ba? " chika naman ni Nami.

"Could still remember kung paano parang nasampal si Joseph na liability yung unearned revenue hahaha. Akala mo kasi kung sino ng magaling," Kris added na kinangiti naman si Jeanne at Raine.

Tamo nga itong mga kaibigan ko, mga basher ni Joseph. Though, I couldn't stop them, I know the reason why they are saying those things.

Joseph is a notorious bully in this school, knowing na ang school ay nasa likod nya just because he did so many favors for the faculty. He even knew teachers' issues which he seemed to hold power for kung kaya't walang diretsong kumakalaban sa kanya. Though, his reputation sa mga estudyante is so bad dahil lagi itong nagpapatawa using students'shortcomings which is likely below the belt.

I just sighed, remembering what happened. Dahil doon kasi ay ako ang naging target nito sa pangbu-bully.

I didn't mind though as long as revenge and bullying back is beneath me. Just like what they say, if they continue to drag you down, that means you are above them. I don't want to stoop low to their level just to prove something.

'Sa totoo lang, wala naman talaga tayong dapat patunayan.'

Napatigil na lang ako sa internal monologue ko nang pitikin ni Jeanne ang noo ko. Napansin siguro natulala na lang ako bigla at hindi nagsasalita which rarely happens.

"Nyeta, masakit yon ah" sita ko sa kanya pero pinagsawalang-bahala niya lang.

"Anyare sayo ati, tulaley ka na naman. Iniisip mo siguro si Grayson no?" panunukso naman nito, instead. Kaagad naman akong namula sa sinabi nya, na palitan ang medyo iritado kong reaksyon kahit hindi naman ako guilty sa inaakusa nito.

"N-no, I was just thinking if we can grab some coffee and relax for a while mamayang uwian," I blantanly lied. Napailing na lamang ito at nginitian ako ng makahulugan, but then agreed. She even smirked for Peter's sake, probably because she saw right through me.

"Fine, sabi mo eh" balik na lang niya sa akin. Nilingon ko na lamang ang iba naming kaibigan, asking them to accompany me for getting some coffee kahit na dessert talaga ang gusto kong bilihin sa coffee shop.

"Pero hindi ba ayaw mo ng kape?" Raine asked curiously, probably remembered what I said the last time I bashed how the coffee tastes.

"Oo nga, sabi mo pa hindi masarap kasi mapait," Nami stated sabay baba noong phone na hawak nya sa table sabay palumbaba sa direksyon ko.

"And you said you prefer milk than coffee," Kris added.

Halos napalunok na lamang ako ng sariling laway, don't know how to defend myself from their statements.

It's true naman na I don't really like coffee, I was even wondering why many people like coffee, lalo si Mama!

" Sus, wag nyo na tanungin, baka kasi may ibang iniisip kesa sa kape," Jeanne blatantly said na kinapula ko.

"H-hoy, wala kaya. I'm not thinking about him" I retorted to her pero ngingisi ngisi pa siya. Hindi ko naman talaga iniisip si Grayson.

I'm just craving for something and thinking that I would just order some strawberry cheesecake and frappe to energize me, nothing more, nothing less. I deserve some treats din after a stressful day plus my minds needs to be refreshed.

"I was just thinking about you guys. Look oh, I really think you need caffeine. Naaalala ko pa how you worshipped caffeine kapag stressed kayo and today is so stressful" I added.

"Raine looks like she'd pass out any minute," I paused. " Ikaw naman Nami, I know you haven't slept well last night because of your insomnia plus you haven't reviewed any single thing about accounting."

Trrying to explain my point to them using my hands, I pointed bot to Jeanne and Kris, "And you, Jeanne and Kris, I know you love coffee and would eventually ask us to go with you, inunahan ko lang kayo" continuing my dialogue as they just sat there, shrugging shoulders about my explanation.

"Blah, blah, blah, Joe, sabi mo eh" they replied nonchantly and went back to reading their notes.

Napasibangot naman tuloy ako, feeling a little betrayed kasi tinutukso na naman nila ako kay Grayson.

I just shifted my attention back to reading this note of mine about accounting. Halos mahilo naman ako nang makita ko na andami ko pang kailangan kabisaduhin most especially about the process of financial management.

Though I know the process, the thought that I need to memorise these, word by word, tinatamad na ako. Memorization isn't my forte, but understanding how things works and making myself familiar with the systems, iyon ang madali sa akin.

Gusto ko na lang talaga maiyak. Konti na lang maluluha na ako, having my first mental breakdown of the day dito mismo sa school but bago pa ako makapag-react ay naramdaman kong may kumakalabit sakin.

"Duo tayo, rank game" rinig kong aya sa akin ni Grayson while I'm still stucked sa isang page ng reviewer.

When I glimpsed at him naman, I saw him pursing his lips habang nakadukdok sa table ko, nagpapa-cute, hoping I would agree.

"Pero may quiz pa mamaya kay Ma'am Aileen. Ayan sj Jade oh malakas naman na yan, mythic na" I reasoned out, indicating I rejected his offer while I'm still convincing myself, trying not to give in with his invitation as I was tempted to do so.

"Ah-eh may nakalimutan pala akong sabihin sa inyo hahaha" awkward nya pang tawa habang hinihimas ang batok

"Aber, anong nalimutan mo na naman" I heard Nami exclaimed.

"Sabi kasi ni Maam Aileen bukas na lang daw yung quiz, may meeting daw kasi sila ngayon" tuloy-tuloy nyang sabi sa mabilis na tempo. Mabuti na lamang ay naintindihan ko.

"Nakikita mo tong notebook, Grayson" nangingitngit kong tanong.

Kahit naman crush ko ito hindi ko papalampasin na hambalusin ito dahil sa nakalimutan nyang sabihin sa section namin. Nakita ko pa ngang hinagis ni Krisha yung notes nya sa sahig sa frustration at lumabas na ng room tangay ang bag.

"Eh, ano meron sa notebook?" tanong pa niya habang umaatras unti-unti. Seemed like he sensed na may balak akong masama kung kaya naman ay tumayo na ako at umabante patungo sa kinalalagyan nya.

"Maihahampas ko sa ulo mo!" I shouted, advancing to his place but he just run to the other side of the room.

Ang hirap nyang habulin, iyon ang nakakainis kasi naman papunta pa lang ako sa pwesto nya tatakbo na sa kabilang side ng room.

"Joe, tama na yan," rinig ko pang awat nila sa akin but then laughed.

"Aruy, naghabulan pa sa room, landers lang mga beh?" Kelly commented na sinundan pa ng mga kantyaw ng mga kaklase ko.

"Tamo oh namumula mukha ni Joe" tukso pa ni Nami sa akin. Napa-pakyu sign na lang ako sa sinabi nya pero tumawa pa siya sa reaksyon ko.

Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano gagawin ko. Should I chase Grayson and smack his head with my cattleya or sit down sa upuan ko.

But I chose the first one nang makita kong taken aback si Grayson sa mga tukso nila, his ears burning red. I took the chance and smacked him a little harder than I thought I could do. Though hindi man siya um-aray ay alam ko namang masakit iyon.

"Sadista ka talaga" I heard him remarked, napaurong naman ako. Slightly worried, checking him kung nasaktan ko sya but he wasn't which is a relief for me.

"Hala, sorry naman kase. Nakaka bwisit ka kasi, maiyak iyak na nga ako kakareview tas wala palang quiz" I retorted.

I don't know what I said funny to make him laugh pero ginulo na lang niya ang buhok ako, commenting, "Maglalaro ba kami ng ML kung tuloy yung quiz?"

"But still, you should've announce it earlier" giit ko pa at umupo na sa upuan ko. Nakita ko namang medyo nablangko sya sa pwesto nya pero agad rin akong sinundan.

"Sorry na" he pleaded. Hindi ko naman alam kung mangingiti ako kasi alam kong tutuksuhin na naman ako.

"Oy oh, LQ yung walang label" Kris teased us which made the both of us turn red.

"Gaga, inggit ka lang wala kang ka-MU" Raine told Kris while smiling. Napasibangot naman si Kris kasi nabatukan nya.

Hindi ko alam pero sa sobrang kilig ko ay niligpit ko nang kay bilis ang gamit ako at nagtatakbo palabas. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko. Grayson even grabbed my wrist, trying to stop me but failed. Nakita ko namang sumunod na rin ang mga kaibigan ko kasi uwian na rin.

"San tayo ngayon, Miss MU?" Jeanne teased kahit na ang talagang gusto nyang ipahiwatig ay kung saan kami tatambay at pag uusapan ang nangyari kanina. Inilingan ko na lang siya at hindi na pinansin ang panunukso niya.

"Sa Omelas tayo mga gaga, balita ko may bagong barista and that he's handsome plus the cakes taste great" Raine told us.

"Ay bet, game ako dyan" I replied, curious kung sino iyong tinutukoy nya.

"Taksil ka talaga, may Grayson ka na ey, may iba ka pang nais" said Nami.

"Nako, eh alam nyo naman na hindi naman sila ni Grayson. He's just flirting with Joe kasi binusted sya ni Gist. Alam mo yun, fling fling lang" tuloy pa ni Jeanne.

With that, I seriously don't know what to feel.

Alam ko namang rebound lang ako, pansamantala but Grayson knows na ganun din ako sa kanya. I just need some kilig in life to keep me moving, going. And my friends also know na hindi rin ako seryoso sa kanya.

"Hoy, San kayo pupunta? Dito daan papuntang Omelas" Rained pointed to the left nang maka lampas na kami sa unang kanto mula sa school.

When we turned, we immediately saw the sign saying Omelas, with a color theme of emeral green, white and rustic brown. There are some mug surrounded by seemed like leaves, creating an environment-related vibe.

Actually, this is my first time coming here kasi madalas kaming tumatabay sa milk tea shops just across our school.

"Kakabukas lang ba nito, ngayon ko lang to nakita" I asked and Jeanne nodded. Kaya naman pala hindi ko pa napupuntahan.

"Pasok na" aya ni Nami sa amin na nauna nang pumasok. Tinitigan ko naman ang glass window nito from the outside, clearly seeing there are some indoor plants used as decorations.

"Dito na lang kaya tayo tumambay from now on" Kris suggested before opening the door for me. Nakapasok na kasi si Jeanne, Nami at Raine at kami na lang ang naiwan sa labas because we're observing the place.

When we went inside, I was immediately greeted by the cold air from the AC. I immediately shuddered pero pinasa walang bahala ko na lang. I'll just order hot chocolate na lang siguro to ease myself.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Omelas," I heard the cashier girl greeted to us. Without bothering, I just gave her my casual smile. I see naman na her greeting is genuine and that made me feel comfortable in this place and I see no reason to be rude to her.

" Joe, tara na doon kila Jeanne," Kris tugged me as I was left there again, observing the place.

It's clean and ver aromatic, kaunti lang din ang tao. Though, what I liked is the mood it emits, it's soothing me lalo na't emerald green, rustic brown and white ang base ng interior.

There are even some couches sa bandang glass wall, bookshelves dividing the cafe into two parts where on the right side are usual tables and chairs for usual customers where on the left side are filled with island-likes setup, each islands contains a table, pillows and even blankets which is perfect for the students when they're reviewing or like us na tatambay just to pass time.

"Ang ganda di ba?" I heard Raine asked me, probably when she saw how I amazed I am sa interior.

"It looks so modern for me, comfy to be honest," Nami commented while scanning the menu list.

"Of course, it'll be this good. I heard si Kuya Jasper nag-design nito. Remember, the handsome 4th year guys nung freshman pa lang tayo?" Raine added which made my mouth went agape.

"Really? Then probably taga- SJA din ang may-ari nitong cafe" Jeanne hypotesized, nodding her head in agreement to what Raine said.

"There's a high chance na alumni ng SJA ang may-ari nitong cafe, pero alam niyo ba kung ano talaga yung dinadayo rito?" Raine suspensely asked.

"The cheesecakes? I saw their cake displays, those cakes looks mouth-watering. I bet that's probably one of the things na dinadayo rito" Kris said, shrugging her shoulders, unsure of her answer.

"Ddaeng" Raine told us.

"Coffee?" I managed to blurt but they just looked at me, especially Raine na medyo natawa.

"Could be the coffee, but nah, it's the one who's making the coffee, it's the barista" she meaningfully said which made us all look to the one preparing the coffee.