2 RE-EVALUATION
OCTOBER 26, 2018
"Have you reviewed for the exam already?"
"I'm so nervous!"
"I don't want to become an F Class student."
"My mom even hired a professional trainer for me. I need to raise my grades!"
The day has arrived once again. It's the day of the re-evaluation. Everybody is feeling excited but nervous at the same time.
This is the day where the students of ALAB University get reevaluated and be put to the F Class, E Class, D Class, C Class, B Class, A Class, and the Elite Five.
"Do you think the members of the Elite Five will change?"
"Nah, I don't think so. It's their fourth year as the Elite Five already."
"Can you imagine that? They even beat the seniors during their first year! What a bunch of monsters!"
The Elite Five is the top five students of ALAB University that raise the school's reputation. Even with the strictest training, these students paved the way and surpassed the expectations of many.
"Here they come. It's been a while since I last saw them."
"Yeah, me too. They have their own building, with a library and cafeteria exclusive for them. Lucky bastards."
"This time, I'll oust Josh or Ken sa Elite Five. I won't let my training go to waste."
Every student of the A Class is truly eager to qualify the Elite Five.
But in reality, they know themselves that they can never oust them.
NOVEMBER 2, 2018
It's the day of the announcement of reevaluation results. Mixed reactions filled the gymnasium, as some students made their class higher, while some failed to do so.
"And that's all for the students who qualified the A Class. Now, for the Elite Five, may we have our dearest Chairman De Dios to announce the results," the ALAB University's President, Robin Hood, spoke.
The chairman stood up with grace and walk towards the podium. Upon glancing the list of the Elite Five, the eyebrows of the chairman twitched in disappointment.
"Top 2 again... nothing's new. You've disappointed me again Justin," the chairman uttered in his mind.
He immediately replaced his expression into a blissful one to avoid suspicion.
"There are only 10 students that were yet to be called. This means that the lucky five will become the Elite Five and the other five will be disqualified and will be kicked out. Now, if I didn't call your names, then that only means that you need to pack your things and leave the university premises before this day ends. You have failed to contribute to the ALAB University's unwavering class and reputation. Thus, you must face the consequences," Chairman De Dios said with coldness.
Sitting not too far is the unbothered expression of the latest top student, John Paulo Nase. Beside him is the guy who has been biting his nails out of nervousness. He is Stellvester Ajero, who can't help but be nervous despite being the top 3 student last year.
"Stell, stop doing that! It's embarrassing." Josh Cullen Santos, the recent top 4 student, scolded to his long-time friend. Stell's childish act embarrassed him.
"Aren't you nervous, Josh? We might get ousted from the Elite Five on our last year here in ALAB University," Stell answered nervously.
"Huh? Why would I get nervous? Who cares if I get ousted? It's their loss," Josh confidently said with a smirk.
"Stop talking. You're disturbing the ceremony," Paulo coldly said that made the two stopped teasing each other.
They won't dare to disobey him as they know how Paulo behaves when annoyed. He can walk out at this moment to avoid the noise if the two continue chattering.
"The 5th and the most outstanding student in the dancing spot was taken for the fourth time by Felip Jhon Suson," Chairman De Dios said.
Everyone's eyes shifted to Felip Jhon Suson, also known as Ken, and found out him in hoodies and earphones. They knew at that moment that he is in his own world again.
Justin lightly elbowed Ken to caught his attention. Ken confusedly stared at him and mouthed, "What?"
Justin could only shake his head and turn his head to the stage.
"Ah," Ken could only say while nodding and stood up to go to the stage.
No one dared to make a sound while Ken was walking. Meanwhile, Ken didn't even bother to take off his hood nor his earphone. With a poker face, he reached the seat placed on the stage with a label, 5.
John Paulo only heaved a sigh while watching Ken. He is used to his behavior and he won't bother scolding him anymore.
Stell unconsciously did a facepalm with Ken's action while thinking, "Crazy, as usual."
Meanwhile, Josh was grinning widely while seeing Ken being savage again.
"As expected, Suson. But I'll surely beat that," he thought.
"Thank you, Mr. Suson. And for the 4th spot and is the most outstanding student in rapping is obviously taken over by Josh Cullen Santos," Chairman De Dios said.
"Waaaah! Josh, you made it! What are you waiting for? Go there already!" Stell shrieked and pushed Josh's shoulder.
However, Josh didn't bulge a bit despite the murmurs around. He took a glance at Stell and diverted it to Chairman De Dios.
"Thank you, Chairman De Dios. But I want my chair to be brought here. I want that spot to come to me voluntarily," Josh loudly said with all seriousness.
Even Ken who has earphones on his ears pays attention to Josh's remarks. He heard what Josh just said because the song ended coincidentally.
"Conceited as always, Santos," Ken silently thought and glanced away from him.
"Josh, what are you doing?" Stell whispered and held Josh's arm, but Josh just ignored him.
A surprised look is evident on the chairman's face due to Josh's statement, but he can't deny that this made him more awed with Josh's attitude. He was wishing that his son could get at least half of Josh's confidence.
The chairman glanced at his staff with a nod. Upon seeing this response, Josh let out a smirk again.
"I won't chase over my spot as I'm destined to be on that spot. It should come to me itself," Josh said in his mind.
"Josh, aren't you being too much?" Justin finally spoke. He can't help but speak up as Josh disrespected his father.
"Come on, Justin. Is it a big deal? Your father was even smiling as my remarks," Josh sarcastically said.
As the chair with a label, 4, was moved on his seat, he turned towards the chairman and loudly said, "Thank you, Chairman!"
"You're welcome, Mr. Santos. Let's proceed to the 3rd spot and is also the most outstanding student in mimicry. Claiming his spot again, let's invite Stellvester Ajero to the third Elite seat," Chairman De Dios said.
Upon hearing his name, Stellvester released a heavy sigh and a big smile. He quickly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.
John Paulo and Justin couldn't help but look at Stell with cringe feelings. How come he's still nervous with the most obvious thing right now?
Back in Justin's mind, he knew that he lost again as he saw how his father's expression changed while saying who's the top 2 student.
"...Justin De Dios on the 2nd spot," Chairman De Dios said. He didn't even bother looking at his son while announcing his name.
"And on the first spot is Mr. John Paulo Nase who is also the most outstanding student in note accuracy," Chairman De Dios said monotonously.
John Paulo quickly stood up as he badly wanted to end the ceremony as soon as possible.
"Congratulations, Elite Five, for maintaining your spots up to the last year of your journey at ALAB University. Please be reminded that I need to talk to all of you after this assembly. Thank you very much and good day," Chairmain De Dios said to end his speech.
As the four elites sat on their spot, Josh felt a bit disappointed as he was left alone in the crowd. But he chose to ignore his sentiments to avoid embarrassment.
"May we invite Mr. Nase to give a short speech as the top elite of the year?" the master of the ceremony said. John Paulo complied and walk to the podium.
"Don't tell me he'll repeat his speech last year for the fourth time?"
"That would really be hilarious if he would let his last speech to be the same as his speech during the last three years."
"Why does it have to be him again?"
Despite hearing those mutters, John Paulo couldn't care less...
"Good day. Let's all have a great year. Thank you." he said.
Dismay was written on everyone's face as they guessed it right. He repeated his speech again...
...or so they thought.
"These three statements have been the content of my speech for the past three years of my reigning as the top elite. But I guess I had to make a change for my last year of stay here at ALAB University," he added that shocked everyone.
Ken quickly took off his hoodie and earphones as he sensed something off.
"Being the top student doesn't always mean having the best privilege in this university. In the past four years, I had to maintain my composure to avoid ruining the image of our prestigious institution. Some students look up to me, but there are also some students that hate me; and that's understandable, of course, as my personality is not as nice as Stellvester has." John Paulo said and took a quick glance at Stell.
"We are terribly sorry if there are times where we fail our duties as The Elite Five, but rest assured that we will do our best during the last year of our reigning. ALAB University honed us to be the best, so we should all give back to our alma mater. Thank you." he said and walk towards his seat.
Josh slowly clapped on his seat, followed by Stell and Ken, until Justin did the same. The rest of the crowd also applauded John Paulo's sincere speech.
