Chapter 14: The reaction

The second year's performance was a dance from the song Gangnam Style by Psy which is very famous at this time. After their presentation was done, it was finally our turn to introduce ourselves. We lined up in four lines in Alphabetical order so I am just in the middle but since I'm hidden right now by the people in front of me, I cannot watch the others' introduction.

When it was finally my turn to introduce myself, I also went in front of the stage and with a confidence, "I'm Carmela ****, 12 years of age, hailing from Central town and a girl who takes every chance to polish and enhance the inherent beauty within and shine as I can be. Thank you." It was short, with only a bit of information revealed but because of it, it wasn't boring and too much which made the students who are watching like it better than the first introductions.

I was about to leave the stage when some students shouted something which I hadn't caught early on then later, the host of the program repeated what they said,"Miss Carmela, the students are asking, do you have a boyfriend."

So I asked instead, "Can I not answer ma'am?"

"You have to answer because I am also curious if someone has already caught your attention or does your heart belong to someone already?"

So I said,"I don't ma'am and currently not planning on it, I want to focus on my studies more. Maybe if someone comes when I graduate high school but we'll see ma'am, afterall, nobody knows what the future holds."

"You've heard it students, she is not planning to fall in love right now, as you should all be and focus more on your studies."

I thought that after I cleared that up, there will be no one who will ask me out. But it seems like it had on opposite effect. I suddenly had a lot of admirers. There were a lot of letters and flowers, and they would also approach me especially when I'm alone. There were also some that would buy me snacks and other things but I would always give them back and straightforwardly say that I am not interested.

But what was more problematic was the seniors' proactive approach to me. They were so active in stopping me whenever they see me at school especially when I'm alone. They will also give me snacks and won't take no for an answer. The seniors' attention were really hard to handle incontrast with my classmates who once I've said that they I am not looking for a boyfriend they would immediately back down. But there are also some who were pretty adamant in chasing me like Treize and others that are part of his gang.

Things at school became rowdy as some of my classmates and seniors would try to catch my attention and it brought me to the peak of popularity in school. I was even voted as muse in our classroom election and even on the student body election but I would always decline because I know how it would only bring me troubles later on.

So events unfolded one after another with me even becoming the subject of gossips but because I didn't get close to no one in particular, they have nothing to say about me. But the growing attention on me sparked a competition in our class because they do not want me to be stolen by the seniors and they said "may the best man win" as they say but when I heard it, I always laught it off because I thought they were not serious. Oh how wrong I was.

One afternoon, our class' boys suddenly had a competition. It was a competition that no one of us girls in our class know how it came about but just one day, they formed a competition wherein the one who gets more points in basketball becomes the winner. Us girls in our class do not know what the prize is but it must have been very precious because the boys had so much fighting spirit about it but I also noticed that there were few boys who opted not to compete in it. And I was glad they were not competing because I have known ever since I was a child that they are my distant relatives. Especially seeing how competitive to the point that there were some who were injured while playing too hard. But eventually, the winner was Treize which made me curious of the reason he was giving it all so much because as far as I know, they were pretty rich and he could buy the things that he want but then I thought, maybe the taught of winning the prize made them feel better about themselves so I did not think deeply about it.

Which was a mistake because I later found out that they were competing to who was going to officially court me because if they are all going to court me, there will be lost friendships and broken brotherhood. But it did not do any better to relieve me of my anger and all my anger were focused on Treize who was their kind of leader so I confronted him when the class was over.

"Hey, Treize, can we talk?!"

"Huh?Who- Carmela?!

Such a rare sight! For Carmela to willingly approach someone especially a boy. What brought you to me?"

"It's about an important matter so just hurry up and move."

"Okay, just chill, okay" He said while laughing which made me even angrier. So when we arrived at a discrete and empty room, I said

"What the hell's wrong with you?"

"What? Tell me what it is? what wrong did I do to make you so angry, tell me what is it?"

"What do you think I am, a toy you fight over then claim as a prize? As far as I know, I am my own person, nobody owns me and definitely not you!"

"Who told you about that?" He asked angrily.

"It doesn't matter who I heard it from, what's important is why do you all involve yourself in that kind of game. Are you even thinking clearly?"

"Don't be angry, Carmela, we did not do it for fun. We are serious about you."

"It's not about your feelings, it's about mine. Do you all think I would be glad to be treated like a trophy? I am definitely not and wouldn't you think it would be me who would decide who I should give a chance to court me. It's not any of you who will decide but me alone!"

"Well, in behalf of my friends, I apologize for offending you."

"It s good I you know. That's all I have to say." But I was interrupted when he held my forearms and said "Wait. I have something to ask." I turned to him and looked at his hand grasping mine so he'll take notice and remove it. Thankfully he removed his hands.

'cause I'm beginning to be conscious on the way his hands held mine.

"So how about me?"

I did not get what he was asking so I asked"What about you are you talking about?"

"You said earlier that you're the done who will decide, so will you give me the chance to court you?"