COSTLY FEELINGS

LISA:

"Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus."

"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen." We chorused after Evelyn, the chapel prefect.

It is another compulsory school activity; to recite and say the rosary at 6 PM daily. We kneel before the Virgin Mary's status with baby Jesus in her arms, both wearing sparkling crowns and arms spread to the air as we count down to the last bead of our chaplets.

"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit."

"As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." We chorused.

"Let us pray."

Evelyn solely recited the prayers — it was her call to do this part. I never bothered to learn any prayer she takes either for my good or my knowledge.

"Amen!" We chorused at the end of the long prayer.

"In the name of the Father…"

"And of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

And that calls the end to the evening rosary.

As holy as we were trained, we folded our hands, queued up behind the juniors, and marched out of the prayer ground into our various hotels for the next activity.

What could be next?

"Senior Lisa!" I turned to the hopping and happy Uriel.

"Shh!"

"I know but the Reverends are still in the chapel."

In Louis Nobis, we do not also yell. We are trained to talk in whispers at every time of the day. It is a rule to abide and any loud noise could result in punishment by the Reverends or the Disciplinary Prefect.

"Sandra is everywhere," I warned but Uriel took it as a joke and laughed even louder.

"Who is Senior Sandra when I have you?" She held my arm and rested her head on me.

She is not wrong now. Sandra, the disciplinarian may be everywhere doing her duty, but Uriel is safe with me no matter how loud she screams. No one can punish my girl; except the Reverends of course. Everyone behaves when they are parading, and since they are yet to end their evening prayers in the chapel, Uriel can act however she wants.

The loud bell sounded for the next activity and Uriel disarmed me.

"Dinner time." She pouted.

"Don't be late to the dining hall."

Although no prefect can dare to touch Uriel, I do not cease to teach her against trespassing, and she has been obedient and cooperating.

"I am not hungry," she frowned. "I want to skip."

"You mustn't skip dining hours, Uriel. You could be punished."

"I know but I want to skip. Can we skip?"

"We?"

"Yes," she came to my face and shone her perfect teeth. "I want to show you something."

"What can that be?"

The idea of being with Uriel when everyone else is dining gives me chills and rapid heartbeats.

"Skip dinner with me and I will show you."

"Okay."

Whatever may come afterward, I will take the blame and serve the punishment.

"Okay?"

"Let's dine later. So?"

My eyes brightened as I agreed to the madness and Uriel flashed me her prettiest smile.

"I will meet you in class in fifteen minutes."

"Uriel?"

"I must get something from the hostel. You go to class and I'll meet you there."

"Uriel," I shut my eyes at her crazy joke. "It is Weekend and classrooms are locked." I reminded her.

"I know."

"You know?"

"Senior Jeroita is your friend."

"Uriel…"

"Please."

Her eyes smothered as she pleaded, and yes, I can do anything to restore those happy eyes.

"Okay. fifteen minutes."

She nodded happily and ran off into her hostel. I watched the back of the girl who could make me do unthinkable things and wondered when my feelings developed that deeply.

Jeroita, that perfectionist, how do I get the keys off her? No, I won't try. I have a better means to get those keys.

"Gabby…" I went after the only easy means I could think of.

Gabby has a way around people. Her unique personality labeled her a friend of everyone and in the past, I have seen her speaking to Jeroita.

"I know this call," Gabby halted. "What do you want?"

Gabby understands me more than anyone. Although I am yet to tag her as my best friend or anything related to that, she remains the closest to me.

"I want the key to the classrooms." I cut to the chase.

"Do you mean the key to hell?"

"Come on, Gabby."

"I am not asking Jeriota for you. I am fine being this happy."

"No one else can talk to Jeriota."

"I won't help you, bye. I am off to dinner."

Yes, a bribe!

"My lunch for three days," I offered.

Gabby is our class glutton except she still looks malnourished. As skinny as she is, she can devour ten students' food and not be satisfied. Offering my food is the only way to get her to meet Jeriota.

"Interesting," her lashes flickered. "Why do you want to give up your food to be in class? What are you not telling me?"

"Are you bringing me the key or not?"

"One minute," she scanned me thoroughly. "Are you also skipping dinner for this?"

I shrugged.

"You look desperate. I will help but…"

"Gabby…"

I don't like Gabby's conditions; they are never favorable. Yet I must compile. What choice do I have?

"I will follow you to class."

"Forget it. I will meet the mighty study prefect myself."

I made to walk away only to have Gabby hold me back.

"I wasn't trying to pry into your business. I am you know, curious. But if you do not want me to follow you, it is fine."

I am glad she is re-tracing. It wouldn't be nice to bring someone with me; not because Uriel wouldn't understand if I told her but because I want a time alone with Uriel.

"So?"

"I will also have your dinner."

"And cover me," I added.

To be on a safe ride, I asked Gabby for a cover if perhaps the Reverends decide to grace the dining hall for inspections.

I didn't mention Uriel to avoid Gabby's curiosity. And I know if the Reverends should ask for Uriel, Gabby would have it covered.