Chapter 2

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

James 4:16, KJV

Chapter 2

Maine performed the same routine she always does every morning, but instead of posting a picture, she posted a yoga session of her on Tiktok.

"I want to be more beautiful!" she whinned to her self as she stared at the image of someone staring intently on her eyes. She gazed through the vanity mirror of an image of someone in her yoga outfit. She frowned at the exposed belly button, then she glared at the yoga leggings, it covered the part which was two inches under the button. It was the reason she's not that beautiful. She wanted to get rid of it but she couldn't. She couldn't muster enough courage and faith because she didn't believe any of it at all.

Maine's heart rate increased and she took long breathe. Boiling hit surged to her nape and her face reddened in anger. She grunt as put her hands on the vanity table and fisted her palms tightly as she gritted her teeth to control herself from shaking. But it had no avail. She let out an agonizing pain of wail, then she swung her arms through all her beauty products. She was cursing her life, dispiriting life itself, spiting God's name, despising God's attribute. She'd been like that but no one cared. She'd been all by herself for many years but no one's been with her. No one cared that made her to have that hatred for everyone. She wanted to die and end her misery yet she had to stay alive to take revenge. She'll live 'til she take it, take what she always wanted.

"May niluto ako, anak. Tara, kain tayo?" malumanay na yaya ng may-kaidarang babae.

She shifted her head, glared at the woman, and shouted, "You know, what? Scram!" When the woman didn't budge, she frowned. This woman's irritating her day by day. "You're not my mother so don't act like one!" She stormed out of the living room and went to the garage.

"Anak!"

She didn't bother turning around again for she'd been sick from them all. She entered the backseat, slammed the door shut, and opened her phone. She turned her data on and checked her Tiktok video. Napangiti si Maine nang mabasa niya ang mga comment ng mga follower niya. They're going crazy, they wanted to live inside her body and experience her life, or live with her perhaps. She laughed when they became so desperate to have her life, her body, her wealth, and all of her. Some were arguing; her fans were defending for her like a queen, her haters were fighting for their rights where they sure can't have. Maine had it all, it had been hers and they're fighting for it to have. They never know that the Maine they see on camera is the same Maine they see at the distance but not the same of the Maine inside.

"Narito na po tayo, Señorita Maine," anunsiyo ng driver who was wearing a black formal business attire.

Maine exited her Tiktok app, closed her phone, gathered her things and looked up, seeing his observing eyes. "Thanks, Jess!" She winked at him on the rearview mirror and the guy reddened before turning his head to the window. Maine giggled to herself as Jess walked out of the driver's side, opening her door. Maine smiled as she stepped out of the car, swiftly planting a kiss on the poor guy's cheek. "See you later, Jess!" She waved at him, who was flustered, he waved back shyly.

Heels of her shoes click-clack down the corridor. Hips were swaying and arms were swaying on her sides, as if walking down the runway. Some were smiling at her, beaming as if they'd seen a goddess. Some were glaring at her, anger was written on their eyes, following her every move. Maybe they're expecting her to trip on her own feet but she just smirked. She's way too beautiful to tangle on her own limbs. Some were ogling her like predators, ready to devour her meat. 

"You're so cool on your yoga outfit. It complements your features perfectly," one praised as Maine passed her.

"I knew right!" She flipped her hair and walked off.

"Beauty and brain," added the other.

"Yeah."

Some youngsters were complementing her buttocks, her chest, her hair, and her secret techniques in wooing guys.

She snorted inwardly, too proud and pretty.

Nang marating niya ang kaniyang sili-aralan, she rejoiced when no one was inside. Maine went to her chair and clicked her camera and sit the timer and balanced her phone on the floor. She sat on the chair and curved her waist as she shew off her designer shoulder bag and shiny black shoes as she held out her palm for the phone to capture her pose, she then swiftly hid her hand before it snapped.

She inclined to get her phone when a beaming voice greeted her. "Morning, Maine!"

She quickly fished her phone, holding it tightly like a treasure she held dear.

"Why are you always come whenever I come? Don't you know you're disgusting? I hate sitting on a chair next to you." She glared at the poor girl, who was looking down on her wornout shoes, embarassed. "Scram!" The girl flinched but didn't walk away. She was too stunned to even budge. She stood in front of Maine, hugging her backpack.

With a loud huff, Maine gathered her things and stormed away. Why won't everyone move away whenever she demanded them away? Why does she always have to be the one to walk away?

Maine abruptly hissed and stepped backwards before nearly colliding with someone. to have another encounter with that someone.

"Maine," that someone said with a mis​chie​vous smile.

"I see a miracle, which I do not believe; you're now punctual," she declared in disgust.

"I miss you, my friend." The lonesome engulfed her into a tight bear hug.

She instinctively gripped Helena's shoulder to put Helena at arm's length. "Get off, you idiot!"

"I always admire your earliness. You're always been an early bird who catches the worm," Helena teased that Maine snorted. "Too bad, you can't catch that worm," she meaningfully affirmed before walking away on Maine's watch.

She turned on the tap aggressively and washed the unwanted dirt off her hands. She wanted to change her clothes, off Helena's hideous, rotten smell. She dialed Jess's number and he answered right after the first ring. She instructed him of what she needed and where she was waiting for him.

Momentarily, she looked like a model as her hips were resting on the counter at nakasanday ang isang paa sa isa pa na parang bilang apat. She didn't like closing her arms over her chest, for it was a sign one's protecting oneself, and she's not weak to show them that. She was admiring her photo, she took recently with just one shot, and was amazed by the comments on her IG account, when she was interrupted by knocks on the door. Angrily, she told the person out. Only then that hearing his voice when he stated his intentions, she finally agreed him in.

Jess walked in and handed her the paper bag. She opened the bag and saw that the clothes were neatly folded.

"Who did this?" For a guy, she doubted he arranged it himself.

"Uh…" She glared at Jess, who was contemplating on telling her or not, glancing every corner of the room, and not her. "Ano…"

"Stop stuttering to prolong my patience! Answer me directly!"

"M-mama mo po," bulong nitong uutal-utal at napayuko.

She opened the cubicle near her, walked inside, snuck out the folded fabrics. "Give this back and tell her I don't need her help." She dipped the clothes on the toilet bowl. "There."

Jess's mouth gaped open out of shock as he stared down the ruined clothes.

"Buy me another set of uniform. I need it in twenty minutes!" she demanded as she walked out of the cubicle.

"Pero—" She threw the paper bag to him with excessed intensity.

"Your time's ticking!"

Aligaga si Jess when he scooped the once folded uniporm mula sa masangsang na bowl ng palikuran at inilagay ito sa paper bag na dala niya ngunit nabasa lang ito at nawalan ng saysay nang magsimula itong tumulo. Kinuha niya ang cellophane mula sa trash can at itinapon ang mga laman nito sa basurahan ng ibang cubicle. He washed the cellophane with his own hands and he placed the clothes inside it. He then rushed away when he received a confirming nod by her.

Another set of knocks interrupted Maine that made her sigh in boredom and glared at the closed door.

"You're three minutes and nine seconds late." Pinutol niya ang tingin mula sa telepono and she slid her hand down, not inside her pocket. Such gesture indicates that one's protecting oneself, and she's not that kind for she's always in the battle with just a spare, barefooted. "Your pay is three days deducted."

"Si Señor po ang nagbaba— "

"Screw that parenthood. Now, scram!"

He handed her a paper bag, silently sprinted and then trotted away.

She unloaded the contains and smirked. Looked like someone was bewitched by her words. One can be obedient after all.

She changed her clothes, dressed herself on the washroom alone, and she retouched her makeup after sweating minimal oil from getting angry to a poor little boy. Just as she stepped out of the washroom, the bell rang.

"Excuse me, Ma'am Garcia," a voice chirped in.

The class glance onto the short Junior High Schooler who was standing on the doorway. Mrs. Garcia asked her reasons for interrupting. She inquired for Jim. Jim walked out of the class, following her.

Maine held her arm up high. "Ma'am, may I go to the comfort room?"

"Wait until Mr. Parker will return."

"You can't make me wait, Ma'am," she retorted.

"Why's that?" the teacher asked, urging her for reasons.

"You can't be that merciless. I've been controlling this but I know I can't hold on. You know what happens when a person can't discharge from a long time? Worst is death. How can you stand there and watch your student die because she can't discharge? I'm having LBM if you want to hear."

"You're out."

Maine stood up gracefully, flipping her hair as she walked passed her teacher and smirked behind her back. She liked to make the teacher guilty in her conscience. "I knew right."

Nang makalabas na siya sa silid-aralan, nakita niya ang dalawa na nakatayo sa dulo sa kaliwa. Nakatalikod ang lalaki habang ang babae naman ay paharap ngunit hindi siya napansin nito.

"I forgot mine, please, please. Pretty please."

Nagpapa-cute ito kahit hindi naman cute. Napatawa na lang siya ng palihim.

"Here." He handed her a handful of cash from his wallet.

"Thank you! I'll pay you, I promise!" she said as she took the monies.

"Promises are meant to be broken!" he countered back, playfully, when she rushed her way to the highest level of the stairs.

"Later when we get home, promise!" the girl flew him a flying kiss if it's even possible as if she's a Korean pop star which she was not as she ran downstairs.

Maine wanted to puke at that moment. He claimed to be a Christian but was living in one house with his girlfriend. His actions were contradicting his belief.

"Jim," she uttered sternly, demanding for authority.

Jim limped in surprised. He twisted his hill and was surprised that Maine was only five inches away. "Miss Martinez, you're there!" He stepped back instinctively.

"I want you to break up your girlfriend."

"Huh?" He knitted his brows in confusion.

"Don't play dumb, and don't make me dumb."

"I'm sorry?" His answer made Maine to feel mocked and subordinate.

"Break up your girlfriend, I said! Better mind that I don't like beating around the bush."

He was about to say something but she cut him off by clinging her arm to the crook of his arm.

"Now, let's go."

He tried to protest and wiggle his way out, but Maine held him perfectly still.

"You're back early," the teacher declared.

"Yes, and I come along with Mr. Parker. "

The teacher stared at them with her perceptive eyes. The class resumed as usual. Maine was raising to the top because she was always participating and got perfect scores. She only proved that being suspended for a week was nothing.

Maine spotted the American dude eating bread and was conversing with a few students. She wanted to get him out of their influence; however, there were people blocking her way who were standing in lines to get their food. She dashed to the lines at hinawi ang mga tao.

"Move away!"

Some students ached after being shoved to the floor. Some were curcing and glaring her. But she paid no hid.

She rushed to his table, slammed her hands on it and pointed Jim. "He's my guy!" she grumbled.

The students on the table was alarmed. "M-maine."

"Yes, the renowned. I'm burrowing my boyfriend or better yet you'll never eat with him again."

"Uh…"

She dragged him by his arm while he was munching his bread. "You're going with me."

He followed her with confusion as he tried to swallow the last morsel of his bread.

Their mouths gaped open, fell right down the floor. They never thought that Maine would come to be aggressive to snatch a guy from eating his meal in the middle of the cafeteria where teachers and staffs eat along with the senior high school students. The kiss was enough but it turned out not, she wanted more and she's intensely interested on him. She must have taken a liking to that specific American dude.

They went to the same washroom where they'd been yesterday. The girls who were there, ran for their lives once and for all, afraid of what Maine's wealth can offer dangers to their lives. 

"I want you to be my boyfriend now."

"No—!" She covered his mouth with her palm and shook her head in disappointment.

"From now on, you're agreeing everything I say for you to do. I don't like you opposing my every words. Is that clear?"

Before he could shake his head in disagreement, she dragged him out to the same table he was taken away from. Tumayo si Maine sa silya na inupuan ni Jim kanina lamang. She unshamelessly clapped her hands. "Guys, listen! Attention here, everyone!" Students stared up from their businesses. Some did not 'cause they've been following her every move all those time. "This dude here is my boyfriend!" She pointed him as he was standing at the side, lowering his head as much as possible. "I don't want anybody messing with my guy! Are we clear?!"

"I'm not agreeing to this," he mumbled to himself, hoping not one might hear but did One, and shook his head slightly.

The bell rang and classes resumed, she jumped off the chair. She went to her classroom, clinging on his arm.

When it was time for lunch, hindi nakawala sa paningin ni Maine si Jim. He tried to sneak away, but she stopped him before he could get away.

"Nakakahiya ka, Maine. You're such a disappointment. You were not like that."

Pagkalabas lang ni Maine kasama si Jim ay mabahong bunganga ang kanyang naamoy. Nandilim ang mukha ni Maine at hinarap ang bungangirang pandak.

"What it's to you, Helena?" she growled, digging her fingernails on Jim's arm.

"Nothing!"

Helena tried to walk away but Maine gripped her arm, releasing Jim at the same time. "Don't you dare walk out on me again, Helena! I'm ordering you!"

Winaksi ni Helena ang mga kuko na bumabaon sa kanyang balat. "I'm not your servant, Maine. Never again!" She walked away, leaving Maine who was glaring at her.

"What happened to the both of you?" he asked, confusion was written on his face, while he was massaging certain part of his arm.

"It's none of your business." She walked away but realizing that he was not walking with her, she turned to him again. "You'll eat with me," she demanded, gripping at him again. He felt like an stuff toy.

Nang makabili sina Maine at Jim, umupo sila kung saan palaging umuupo si Maine. Gusto niyang walang istorbo. Gusto ni Maine na walang umiistorbo, to be precised.

The dude sat with confidence radiating on him. Welcoming nod when some would greet him. She enjoyed the movements of his Adam's apple whenever he laughed with the students he was conversing with and whenever he swallowed the lump of food down his throat. Such a lovely scenery. She would live thousand years to try finding someone like him.

"You're handsome," she stated out of blue.

"I know."

"Quite cocky, aren't we?" She smirked.

"I know because God said so," he replied as proud as he could be. He pushed a morsel of bread to his mouth and smiled.

"There's no handsome in the Bible." Maine stabbed the broccoli with her fork.

Jim knitted his brows, staring intently at her, like as if he's looking at the depth of her brown eyes. "It's taken in Psalms 139:14, that says; I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

"Great answer. However, in David's time, they have yet known that word." She stabbed another peice of broccoli and pushed it into her mouth elegantly.

Jim knitted his brows tightly. He took a deep breath as he narated the words he memorized way back on the Christian school he attended all his life from the USA. "The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by sponsorship of King James VI and I.

"Besides, the word handsome was first used in 1530 and was adopted into English with the meaning of "easy to handle or maneuver; suitable for handling." which why it is not used in the King James Version."

"Understandable."

His eyes slightly widened and stared at no particular place. "Excuse me. I'd like to go to the restroom."

Umupo si Zia sa upuan na inupuan ni Jim.

"Tingnan mo nga ang sarili mo, Maine." Tiningnan ni Maine ang sarili, she observed the air she took, the pulse she heard, the flawlessness of her skin. "Ikaw na ang naghahabol ng lalaki. Hindi ba't lalaki dapat ang naghahabol sa babae?"

"What it's to you?"

"You're in love."

"I thought he's her toy?" sabat naman ni Crisostomo. Idinantay nito ang mga braso sa likuran ng upuan at nagpangalumbaba.

"She's in love, Crisostomo!" she bickered.

"Stay away from me!" Maine dismissed.

"Ang arte talaga nito. Ang totoo niyan, hindi mo talaga siya mahal pero gusto mo siya dahil hindi ka niya binibigyan ng atensyon kaya nacha-challenge ka at gusto mo siyang makuha sa kahit anumang paraan. That's why you don't have any friends. Sakim."

"H'wag mo ngang sabihin iyan, Zia!" pagsabat ni Crisostomo.

"Totoo naman, hindi ba?"

Maine hastily stood up, and unmannerly pointed the doorway. "I said, away!"

"Makagala na nga." Padabog na tumayo si Zia at pinagpagan ang saya. Tinapunan niya ng mariing tingin si Crisostomo. "Sasama ka ba?"

Crisostomo stared at Maine for a moment before agreeing, "Yeah."

Maine stared at them as they emerge to the

"I don't have friends because friends will betray. Besides, I don't want to share my beauty and my wealth."

Ilang sandali pa'y napansin niyang papalapit ang Kano. She smiled and stretched forth as she could. And he smiled back, of professional instead than what he gave to everyone else.

"Sorry, natagalan," he said in his American accent.

"I never thought you can speak there language."

"Isn't it yours, too?"

She tore her gaze away. She finished her fruits before retreating to her classroom. She ignored Jim again. Jim obliviously sat on his chair after the bell, and the students rushed to the classroom. Before too long, the classes resumed. After class, Jim walked out of the room, down the stairs, and met with the junior high schooler on the bottom step. Maine rushed down the stairs and raced to them.

"I've told you to stop dating her!" she exclaimed, yanking his arm, forcing him to not go with the kid.

"Señorita Maine," Jess said, blocking her sight, making her to loosen her grip on Jim, "uwi na po tayo."

Nanggigil si Maine dahil bakit ngayon pa dumating si Jess para kunin ang atensyon niya at mapunta sa ibang bagay. She gritted her teeth but stopped halfway, remembering that she might break her perfect, pearly, straight white teeth. "Estúpido. (Stupid)"

"We're going, Miss Martinez," Jim said, glancing her at ones, like how one acquaintance treats to one.

The girl uttered nothing, but eyed her with pretty innocent, big, dark brown eyes na napagkakamalang itim, innocently observing her actions as if she's waiting for Maine to puff out her sockets. Jim on the other hand was offering his hand to the young gal, which added Maine's anger.

"Let's go, Bebé Cadena (Baby Jess)" Maine intentionally grasped Jess's arm, dragging him with her, as they walked passed the couple, separating them both before the girl even giving her hands on Jim. She purposefully bumped her shoulder on the girl's head, who was way too short for her age.

***

Trivia

Maine hates being called 'friend'.