one

isa

Jealousy

"Now, let's move on. Turn your books to page..." 'Di ko na narinig pa ang sinabi ng teacher ko.

Natapos na rin ang fair namin. But, until now... Vortigern Khyrsoar occupied my mind. It's now tuesday and I'm sitting at my usual seat. Hindi ako pumasok sa klase ni Ma'am Cuevas kahapon kaya medyo wala kong maintindihan pero mabilis naman ako maka-pick up, so I'm not that worried for a failing grade.

Hindi 'ko kaklase si Maeve kaya wala akong makausap dito. They're all intimidated of me. For what reason? I don't know. It's probably because of my strong features. Or, it could be because I'm friend's with Maeve but who knows?

I sigh. Resting my chin on the palm of my hand. The door swung open, our heads turn in sync. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. The man that invaded my thoughts was here. Oh goodness, why is he here?! Nagpanic agad ako. Nalate ako ng pasok, wala akong ayos!

I crossed my arms and hid my face, pretending to be asleep.

"Mr. Zacarías, buti naisipan mo pang pumasok?" tanong ni ma'am. "Everyone, as you all know, ayoko na may nalalate sa klase ko. Let this be a warning, Vortigern. Your first and last. Take a seat."

My heart pounded so loudly, I could feel a drop of sweat roll down the side of my forehead. Shit! Ba't nandito 'yan? Dito ba talaga siya? Omg! Why am I only informed of this now? Sabi 'ko na nga ba dapat I didn't skip classes yesterday! Bwisit na Maeve!

I suddenly felt so conscious of what I look like. A realisation dawns upon me, the seat next to me is unoccupied. Should I peak? Shit, sa'n ba umupo 'yon? Sa'kin kaya siya tatabi? I don't I'll be able to focus if he sits next to me. It won't kill me to look, right?

Inangat 'ko ng kaunti ang ulo ko, ang mata ko lamang ang makikita mo kung titignan ng mabuti ngunit nakatakip ang buhok ko sa mukha ko na nag-silbing kurtinang manipis. My eyes frantically searched for my man. Censors and alarms boomed in my mind, like a security camera. Lens focused on him. Nakahinga ako ng malalim, he's a seat away from me. Buti nalang.

I sat up, fixing my hair. Sumulyap ako saglit kay ma'am na nagsusulat sa board. Kinuha ko ang tinted lip balm ko galing sa bulsa ng uniform. Naka-kuba ako para di gaano mapansin ni ma'am na naglalagay ako.

"Miss Ali." my compact mirror fell from my grasp, napatigil ako nang tawagin ako ni ma'am.

Huli. Kakabili 'ko lang nito, huhu.

Si Ma'am Cuevas lang ang tanging teacher na 'di pumapayag sa pag labag namin ng rules ni Maeve. Wrong decision to retouch sa klase niya. Ang takong ng kanyang heels ay rinig na rinig sa bawat yapak niya. Sigurado ako na papunta na siya sa'kin. Napapikit ako at umiling sa sarili ko.

Ang bobo-bobo mo, Hate Ali! I scold myself.

A hand came to view, I languidly look up to meet her piercing gaze. I flinch as she narrows her eyes at me. I sigh and placed my lip balm in her hand. I sent an apologetic look. She nods, accepting my unspoken apology and proceeds to the front.

"Next time, h'wag mong gawing beauty parlor ang klase ko." Padabog niyang nilapag ang lip balm ko sa lamesa niya. "This goes for all of you." Taas kilay niyang paalala sa'min.

I could feel blood rush up my cheeks, 'di 'ko na keilangan ng blush on. Light giggles of my female classmates filled my ears. Nakakahiya, andito pa naman si Vortigern!

"Dami kasing arte eh."

"'Kala mo naman maganda."

"Buti nga sa kanya."

"Make-up pa."

I payed them no heed. Sanay na kong marinig 'yan sa kanila. I don't let their words get to me. Pasimple akong tumingin kay Vortigern. I sighed deeply, buti nalang. He's occupied with his music and he's writing something. I chewed on my lower lip as I watch him.

Naka-hood siya at busy sa pag drawing ng kung ano sa likod ng notebook niya. His glasses rested on the tip of his nose, pushing them up to the his bridge every now and then. He didn't seem like the type most girls would be into. Dark unruly hair, tan skin, brown eyes, narrow nose, and thick eyebrows; he looked like the typical nerd you read in books and what you see in movies.

I propped my elbow down my desk, leaning my chin into the palm of my hand. I observe him. 'Di ko namalayan na tapos na pala ang klase kung 'di pa ako kinalabit nung nasa likod ko, sinabihan ako na lunch time na. Maeve was already there, waiting for me outside the room. Her hair reflected against the sun, showcasing her short brown locks. Her skirt hiked up, exposing her long legs. Matangkad si Maeve, she models minsan... all because of her half-American genes.

I've been told many times of how our features contrast with each other. Unlike Maeve, I have light skin; dark hair, and almost green eyes. Many envy my eyes, they look pretty daw. Maeve's more on the leaner side while I'm more curvier.

"Hey," bati ko. "Tara na."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay 'ko at pumunta na kami sa canteen. Ang ingay at lamig ang bumungad samin pag pasok namin sa loob. Si Helios Costales na manliligaw ni Maeve ay nakaupo na do'n sa table namin. Mabilis ang lakad ni Maeve kaya medyo nakakaladkad niya na 'ko.

"Maeve! I bought you guys food already. Sit," Tinapik niya ang upuan sa tabi niya.

Umirap lang si Maeve sa kanya, "I'm not your dog, Costales." She said before taking a seat across him. "Doggy, shit." Her lips twinged upwards.

"Maeve, you're so sama to me." He pouts.

Kumagat si Maeve sa fries na nakahanda para samin, binato niya ng isa si Helios bago ito sabihin na h'wag mag-pout. Napailing nalang ako sa dalawa at umupo na rin. Tahimik kaming kumain with few arguments of Maeve and Helios here and there, me occasionally shutting their banter. I picked on my food a little. I could feel eyes burning holes deep down my skull. Turning my head to the source.

Vortigern's hazel-green eyes stared me down. He was sitting at a table near the window wall. A mint colored electric guitar in arms and his hoodie off, he looked more dashing than ever. Ang isa sa kaibigan niya ay tinapik siya at my binulong. He just nodded his head, eyes never wavered from mine.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi. "Gwapo naman..." I mumbled to myself.

Hay naku, Vortigern. Keilan kaya kita makakausap? Should I make the first move, oh no wait! I would look desperate, no! Pero... it wouldn't hurt to try, diba? My eyes turned into huge globes when he stood from his seat and walked straight to my direction. Well, ayokong mag-assume pero... shit! Dito nga s'ya papunta!

"Niamh Hekate Ali!" Napalingon ako kay Maeve na bigla nalang isinigaw ang buong pangalan 'ko. "Tell Helios that I'm not gonna go out with him!" She demands.

Si Helios naman ay nakapout lang sa gilid at napatingin sa likuran ko. His lips gaped and he points at me. Kunot-noo akong tumingin sa kanya bago ako tumalikod.