VI. Group Activity

A usual morning came with the familiar rock playing loudly next door. His music became my alarm every morning, what's he doing? Does he usually wake up at this time? He doesn't even go to school.

It's been four days since I was given the task to make him come to school but there's not an inch of development. I should consider dropping this task, I can get the book if I save more.

As I go on with my morning routine, the music stops. It's a bit early today but I'm still glad he stopped it earlier.

After getting ready, I got out expecting to see him using the papers as a rag but there's no one and nothing there.

Did he finally get it?

I look over the trash bin at the corner and saw the papers all dirtied. Yep, as expected but what I didn't expect is that he's not here to nag me early in the morning. Though, it's much better. I won't be late again.

"So for our activity, it will be by group and I'll be the one to assign you to your respective groups."

That is what I hate the most. It will always end up with me finishing all the activities without my groupmate's help and they will still have the same grade as mine which I've worked hard all by myself.

"Acosta, Almirante, Cabal, Hernandez, and Santos." The adviser calls out the first group and proceeds with the other groups.

Afterward, they started to move and find their respective group place. I cleaned up my table to look for my groupmates but they are the ones who move to my place and start talking about the activity. I was stunned for a moment.

"We have a week to prepare but we're too busy with other subjects too. How about after class?" Hernandez suggested.

I nodded with everyone, I'll ask for my leave today then. The landlord's kind enough to let me take my leave if it's for academic purposes.

"Today?" Acosta asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Today's my mother's birthday, we decided to celebrate it outside so I don't think I will be able to come but I promise to come tomorrow."

"It's fine, Katy. It's just the first day." Hernandez reassured.

I think my groupmate today is fine, especially Sean Hernandez. I know I can count on him.

"Now, let's decide our place."

"How about yours?" Angel Cabal suggested. Sean immediately shakes his head.

"No, my father won't let me."

"Mike?" Angel blushed when she asked her boyfriend his place. I almost winced.

"It's too small for all of us," Santos replied and Angel pouted.

They all looked at me.

"Suzi?" Hernandez speaks first. "Is it okay to go to your place?"

Angel suppressed her laughter when her boyfriend stops her. Sean's face suddenly turns red.

I was thinking about it silently but I'm afraid Lyndon will do something horrible just to bully me.

"It's nothing like-"

"I don't think so." We spoke together at the same time so I didn't hear him. "What?"

"Nothing." He answered quickly.

"Then where are we going?" Angel asked.

"How about the coffee shop near the school?"

We agreed together, it's settled then.

After class, they decided to have our meeting time much later when I told them I'll head to the faculty first. I want to talk to ma'am Rebecca today about her task for me.

"What? You're dropping it now? Is there any signs of his return?"

I shake my head. Ma'am Rebecca sighed in dismay.

"How about the books?" She asked.

"I'll just save more to purchase my own."

"Fine but if you change your mind the offer is still here, okay?" Her last words before I nodded and left.

I need to stop here. I can't fully cut my ties with Lyndon since he's my neighbor and I don't have any place to move to, plus, I have a job here with the kindest boss so it will be my loss if I ever move out. I'm only seventeen so I won't be able to find jobs like this.

When I heard the loud laugh of a group of men, without looking further, I know that I'm already near.

I entered the hall first to look for the landlord but my eyes first laid on Lyndon. He's sitting in the chair while talking with someone, his eyes are on me. I cleared my throat and proceeds to scan the surroundings.

"Sir Ricky!" I called as soon as I found him, he's laughing with someone.

"Suzi?" He approached me.

"I'm sorry, I'll be taking my leave today. We have a group activity."

"Is that so? When is it due?"

"Next week but I think we will be able to finish it in 3 or 4 days if we focus on it."

"Then come back to work after 4 days."

My eyes widened. "Really? But what about the customers? We rarely have them."

"It's fine, your group activity is more important." He smiled reassuringly.

"Thank you so much, sir." He truly is the kindest.

I still have some time left before our meeting so I decided to change to more comfortable clothes before heading out.

The couple was already there when I went to the coffee shop and when Angel saw me she announced that she wants to change her clothes too but Sean already entered the shop.

"Let's start?"

Angel pouted. I thought we are going to have more focus but after a few minutes, we are getting further and further away from the topic. They are suddenly making jokes out of nowhere and laugh hysterically. I know Sean is too sociable but I didn't expect our serious planning earlier to turn out to be like this. The manager annoyed by the noise kicked us out.

"Now, where are we gonna go?" Sean laughed.

"It's your fault." Mike pointed.

"Hey, you make louder noises than me!"

"Oh, shut it. Both of you are the same." Angel joined in.

"Says the one who keeps on laughing at our jokes." Mike countered.

"Suzi's the only serious one here."

I was thinking about our place while we walk randomly on the road when they mentioned my name.

"Huh?"

"You seemed in deep thoughts. What are you thinking?" Sean asked.

I was thinking of using my room as our place, I'm still worried about what will Lyndon do to bother me but if we are inside he won't be able to interrupt us, right? He's busy every afternoon playing with his friends so his music is not a bother too.

"Let's go to my place," I suggest.

"Are you sure?"

No, not really but we won't be able to finish this quickly if we keep on wasting our time. "Yes."

"But can I change my clothes first? I'm already sweaty from walking." Angel asked.

"You keep on making excuses just to change your clothes."

"But I really am sweaty!" She insisted.

"Sure," I said to cut the conversation.

"Thanks, Suzi! Let's go!" She pulled her boyfriend but Sean stopped them.

"Wait, why are you taking Mike?"

"Duh. He's my boyfriend?"

"Do you need him to take your clothes off?" Angel blushed because of Sean's blunt question.

"Why do you care? Just go ahead and enjoy your time with Suzi, stop meddling with other people's business." She confronted and left with Mike who's too helpless to struggle off.

"Do you even know where her place is?!" Sean shouted.

"I do, unlike you dummy!" She shouted back.

"Uh, so..." Sean scratches the back of his head when they are already not seen.

"Shall we go now?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah! Let's go."

I led him to my place, the noises from the billiard hall are loud as usual but it's bearable inside my room. Some guys from the hall turn their heads when they notice me and Sean heading.

"That's Suzi, right? And who's that guy?" I heard their chitchats from outside because of the open windows.

"Suzi! Why didn't you work today? And who's that guy? Your boyfriend?" Jake asked from the window.

Sean stopped walking so I stopped too and looked at him, his face turns red again as he looks at the hall.

"Sean?"

He looks back at me at the mention of his name and proceeds to walk upstairs, I didn't bother answering their questions.

"Where are you two heading? Are you going to make out?" He keeps on asking until we reached my room.

"I'm sorry." Sean apologized as soon as we entered.

I frowned. "For what?" I should be the one who's apologizing right now because of their loudness.

"They mistake me as your boyfriend."

Oh. "It's fine, don't mind them. It's not like we're really dating." I shrugged.

We settled down and decided to wait for them before we start. He seems awkward so he starts making jokes but it only makes him in a more awkward position since his jokes are not making me laugh. I feel sorry for him so I force myself to laugh but ended up me getting in an awkward situation too.

"Oh! How about this?" He's about to stand up but he slipped because of his socks and the shiny floor. "Ah! Oh..."

I hurriedly stood up to approach and help him. "Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?"

He forced himself to sit so I help him and when I touched his arm he immediately groans.

"No, no, argh..."

I swiftly remove my hand. "Sorry."

He then laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" He's in a bad position and yet he's laughing.

He shakes his head while laughing and was about to answer but loud knocks cut him out.

"Wait a minute."

I thought that the couple, Angel and Mike, are already here so I abruptly stood again to open the door but the person in front isn't Angel nor Mike.

It's Lyndon and his furious expression.