Chapter 20
Vin's POV
September 3
Five minutes before the bell rang, the teacher ended our class. Five minutes before the bell rang, Andy walked in front of the class. Five minutes before the bell rang, Andy started calling our attention.
I'm aware even if I'm half asleep through all the subjects.
"S-fource, may I have your attention please. The registration for science club is now open, give the payment to Phrea. About the PSYSC Summit, the payment is 7,500 pesos, you can also pay that to Phrea." Andy
7,500 pesos… Wait, did I hear that right? I turned to look to my right where Phrea is sitting. I gave her a look like a confused kid, all she did was nod at me as if she read the question from my mind.
Now I'm wide awake.
The bell rang on cue for lunch. I was dumbfounded by the fact that I need to pay the registration before I can make down payments for the Summit. Good thing I save up for this.
I got my wallet out and took the payment for the registration.
"Phrea, here's mine for the registration. I'll pay for the summit later after lunch."
"Ey, Vin. Can I borrow some money? I'll pay you later, I just need it to pay for the registration." Evan
Evan, 16 yrs. old, Chichay's ex-boyfriend. Son of a bakeshop owner in Liliw.
"Can I borrow some money too? Plssss." Athena
Good thing I brought extra money
"Be sure to pay me up later this afternoon."
I gave the money to Phrea and she lists our names. On the corner of my eye, I saw Ice and Daron heading out of the room. I grabbed my bag and tried to catch up with them. Turns out they are on their way to Kusina de Amor to eat lunch. So I tagged along to get myself some lunch.
"Miss one tapsilog here, how about you Ice?" Daron
"I'll take the tapsilog too." Ice
"Miss make that two-" Daron
He didn't even ask me what I will have. So I didn't let him finish.
"Make that three miss."
After we ate, we called a cab. It's too hot to walk back to school.
"I'll take the seat beside the driver." Ice
"Okay…"
So I'm stuck with Daron at the backseat. Great Ice, really great.
"I think we're gonna be late." Daron
I looked at him. Luckily he's looking in front so he didn't see me looking at him. Man he's too good to look at. He's like a sculpture made from chocolate and smells like one too. Before he could notice me looking at him I averted my gaze and looked at the road.
"No we're not, it's only 12:35."
Okay, now this is awkward. We're just sitting here with nothing to talk about. I've never been a conversation starter so I just kept quiet the whole ride.
We arrived at the school a quarter before one.
"Good thing we made it in time." Daron
We went inside and up to our classroom. As we went inside Daron suddenly spoke.
"You know what beer is?" Daron
"The alcoholic drink?"
"Hapi, that's the one in the zoo, you know like polar beer, grizzly beer." Daron
I just laughed for the sake of the joke. Was that supposed to be a joke? He'll never have the sense of humor in him. As soon as I sat down on my seat Evan and Athena approached me. They handed me the money they borrowed from me.
"Hey Ice, are paying for the Summit now?"
"We're just waiting for Grey, then we'll pay. You can go on ahead," Ice
I nodded and searched for Phrea. She was at the back of the room with Riley and Amarah. I walked up to her.
"Phrea, here's my down payment for the summit."
"Can you give it later? I'm still waiting for the list from Ma'am Bren." Phrea
A sophomore student appeared at the door looking for Phrea. He handed a list to Phrea, I think that's the list from Ma'am Bren. As soon as Phrea returned I handed her my down payment and she wrote my name on the list. I was about to return to my seat when I heard a familiar voice.
"Vin, can you lend Daron some money for the registration?" Ice
What am I, made of gold? And I already gave my money to Phrea so I don't have any spare money on me.
"I'm sorry but I don't have any more spare money."
Why me though? Out of all the people inside this room they all borrow money from me. I mean there's Apollo, he can pay for all of us if he wants to.
"Vin." Zaider
What now? They send another one to borrow some money from me?
"What?"
"We're going to play basketball later, do you want to join us?" Zaider
"Oh, uhm, I'll try to go but I've got something to do this afternoon."
I've got this inking inside of me. I don't know if I want to hold onto it or just breathe and let it go. That inkling stayed inside me until the last period.
"Okay Grade 10, you can start on your plate number 1 on your drafting. The deadline is before your periodical exam." Ma'am Amelia
The draft is fairly easy, I guess for now. I started on my plate, my focus unwavering. Couple of minutes passed and I finished my plate number 1. I walked up to Ma'am Amelia and presented it to her.
"Ma'am can I go now?"
"Okay Grade 10, you can continue that for the other day. I'll dismiss you early so you can finish that." Ma'am Amelia
After passing my plate to Ma'am Amelia I quickly took my bag and went downstairs. As soon as I got out of the school I called a cab. I presented the address to the cab driver and he started driving.
While inside the cab I took out my phone and went to the web browser. I searched the name Renz Coracero. I browsed through articles and news about Renz when the cab driver spoke.
"Sir, we're here." Cab Driver
I got out of the cab and saw a warehouse in front of me. An old abandoned warehouse. A silhouette of a man caught my eye but then it disappeared.
"Must be my imagination."
There was smog above the line of warehouses, I approached the door of the warehouse in the address. Inside it was empty except for something rectangular thing that was covered by a black cloth.
I searched inside the warehouse for anything other than that of the clothed item. I found nothing but cobwebs, I returned to where the clothed item is placed. I took the cloth off of it then I saw a painting.
"The Fall of Icarus."
I thought this was reported stolen. Why is it here? I carefully studied the painting. It was leaning against the wall but you can't see anything behind it. I went back to the painting, then I saw an embossed "C" at the center. I ran my fingers through it and accidentally pushed it. The painting started to rumble, I didn't know what to do. I stared at the painting, It revealed a panel. The panel started parting when suddenly someone yanked me to the side.
"Wha-"
He covered my mouth with his hands. I can't see his face all that well because of his cap.
"Shh… Don't make any noise." ????
Then I saw his face. The face I saw that day at the convenience store, the face I always saw in the mirror. The face I regret seeing everyday.
To Be Continued…