CHAPTER 1: ADIRA

Author's POV... 

Taimtim na nakatitig si Adira sa mamahaling unipormeng nasa harapan niya, hawak nito ang baril habang naka-upo sa lumang kama. Mula sa ilalim ng unan ay kinuha niya ang isang larawan kung saan makikita ang naka-unipormeng tatlong lalaki at dalawang babae.

They are wearing the uniform of Astonish International Institute, the most expensive school in the country. The only school that has Elementary, Secondary, and Tertiary level that makes the premises wider than ordinary Schools. 

The two girls in the photo are wearing a purple skirt that was higher than the knee,their blouse was white with a beautiful purple-white stripes ribbon, matching with a purple blazer with the school's logo printed on it. The girl on the right was wearing black shoes and long white socks, while the girl on the left was wearing a black high heels. The three boys in the center was wearing black slacks, their inner top was also white and their blazer was also purple with the school's logo printed on it. 

Ang isang lalaki ay may hawak na gitara samantalang isa naman ay may hawak na libro. And the last guy looks uninterested and bored while crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

Kapagkuwan ay napatingin si Adira sa malaking larawan na nakasabit sa kahoy na ding-ding ng kubong kinaroroonan niya. Ito ay larawan ng apat na lalaking nasa singkwenta na ang edad. ''Ang kasalanan ng puno ay mamanahin ng bunga.'' Bulong nito bago pinaputukan ang larawan. 

...

"Today's the death anniversary of Tita Joyce right?" Nicole ask while scrolling on her phone. She's sitting on the couch with Aldos Gironella who's holding a book.

"Yes." Aldos answered, he close his book and stand-up.

"Where are you going dude?" Nathan sighed and stops playing the guitar.

Hindi sumagot si Aldos at lumabas na lamang ng Elite Room. Napailing naman si Thaddeus.

Nathan tsked. "That scumbag thinks he's higher than us!" 

Bumuntong-hininga si Chloe. "Don't mind him, nagluluksa kasi." 

The five of them became friends since they are grade 7, at hindi maikakailang pare-pareho silang may kaya sa buhay. Aldos Gironella is the second son of Jacob Gironella, the CEO of Gironella Corporation. Madalas itong tahimik at malamig ang pakikitungo sa lahat magmula ng mamatay ang kaniyang ina. Nicole Villafuerte is the daugher of former Mayor in their City (Aragon Villafuerte), mataas ang tingin nito sa sarili at napaka-matapobre. Chloe Escobar is the daughter of famous Chef (Danilo Escobar), kilala siya bilang spoiled brat at pinaka-maarte sa kanilang magkakaibigan ngunit may busilak na puso. Thaddeus is a son of a well-known Lawyer, he's the most cool-headed among them. And Nathan is a son of two famous Surgeons, he's addicted to musical instrument.

They are the richest kid in their school and the Elite Room is only exclusive to them. Their parents built it for them so that they could have a comfortable place in Astonish International Institute. A private school where rich kids are enrolled.

"About sa kaso ng Mom niya, Am I the only one thinking na walang kinalaman ang mga Mondejar?" Chloe said.

Ibinaba ni Nicole ang hawak niyang cellphone. "How do you say so?" 

"If the Mondejars are really innocent then why are they hiding? 10 years have passed and the police can't even get a hold of them." Thaddeus commented.

"What if they are hiding because they don't want to be suspected?" Sabi naman ni Nathan at ibinaba ang hawak na gitara. "Come to think of it, the police has no physical evidence about the case and yet the Gironella's are pointing fingers at them."

Napatango naman si Nicole sa tinuran ni Nathan. "You have a point but... innocent people won't go hiding. Patunayan dapat nila na wala silang kinalaman!" -Nicole.

Napatango silang lahat bilang pagsang-ayon. 

Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay bumalik na sila sa kanilang classroom at nagsimula na rin ang klase. In the middle of the class Chloe noticed the most quiet classmate they have. Adira.

''Nicole!'' senyas nito sa kaibigan. Nang mapalingon si Nicole sa kaniya ay pasimple niyang itinuro niya si Adira.

Napangiti naman si Nicole na para bang nagkaintindihan agad silang dalawa.

...

Adira's POV...

Palabas na ako ng classroom nang harangin ako ng grupo nila Thaddeus.

''Hi Adira!'' bati ni Chloe sakin ngunit ramdam ko ang ka-plastikan ng ngiti niya.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila bago tumalikod. Kung maaariý iiwas muna ako sa gulo. Paghakbang ko ay isang kamay ang humila sa bag ko. Si Nicole.

Seriously? Uso pa rin ang bullying sa panahong ito?

''We're talking to you, and you have the guts to turn your back on us? Seriously?'' Naiinis na sabi ni Nicole.

Natawa si Nathan sa sinabi ng kaibigan niya. ''Anyway, you look elegant in our uniform.'' Mungkahi ni Nathan. Sa kanilang magkakabigan ay sa lalaking ito ko lang naramdaman na hindi siya gaya ng mga kasama niya.

''May kailangan ba kayo saken?'' tanong ko sa kanila.

''Nothing.'' Tipid na sagot ni Aldos. Napatingin lahat ng kaibigan nito sa kaniya.

''Serioulsy Aldos! You're boring.'' Bulalas ni Chloe. ''Come on let's have fun with her!'' aniya bago tumingin sakin.

Imbes na sumagot ay naglakad nalang papalayo si Aldos na sinundan naman ni Thaddeus.

''Wala tayong maaasahan sa dalawang yan.'' Nathan said and started to walk. Sinundan naman siya ni Nicole.

''Aish!'' wika ni Chloe bago tumakbo at sundan ang mga kasama. 

Pinanood ko lamang sila habang papalayo. My mission is to get close to you all, hindi ko man gusto ngunit sisiguraduhin kong magtatagumpay ako. 

...

Palabas na ako nang makita ko si Thaddeus na nakatayo malapit sa labas ng gate. Hindi ko na sana siya papansinin ng bigla siyang magsalita.

"You!" itinuro niya ako kaya napahinto ako.

"May kailangan ka ba?" nagtatakang tanong ko sa kaniya.

Nagsimula siyang maglakad palapit sa kinatatayuan ko. "Adira is not your real name, am I right?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi nito. Kilala niya ba ako? 

"H-huh? Nagpapatawa ka ba?" 

This man!