Chapter 14 - Assistant Mentor

"IT'S her test paper that I submitted yesterday. I wrote my name on it, thinking it was mine because she told me so."

Max just stayed silent, her fist clenched in annoyance and embarrassment as Hero did his confession in front of Mrs. Tuazon.

"Is this true, Max? But why would you do that?" the teacher asked her.

"That's true," she replied in a soft but unapologetic voice without taking her eyes off of him. "I just did both of us a favor. I knew my score will be in the top five, but I don't want to join the quiz bee. And here's someone so desperate to join. So I gave him my test paper."

"Are you saying I can't get into the top five if I pass my own test paper?" Hero butt in, feeling insulted.

"Why, did you study?"

"How can I study? You know I took care of you and watched over you all night."

"That's why I'm taking responsibility. I don't want to owe you anymore."

"Wait! Wait," interrupted their teacher again, pacifying their fiery argument. "So, Mr. Gaston, you did not get to study because you took care of Miss Mejares all night the other night? And you, Miss Mejares, felt responsible so you gave him your test paper to make sure he can enter the top five. Am I getting it, right?" she deduced.

They nodded simultaneously.

"I get both of your points, but the means don't justify the ends, Miss Mejares. What you did was still wrong. That was still cheating. Worst, you insulted Hero's capabilities."

"Mrs. Tuazon, if you want to punish me, just do it. I will take responsibility for my actions, but I will not join the quiz bee no matter what," she said impatiently.

"You will not participate in the quiz bee, but you will become part of the team."

She scowled her face. "What?!"

"You will be the assistant mentor of our representatives. You will tutor them until the end of their journey in the Science Quiz Bee. That is my punishment for you. Do it, and I'll completely forget what you've done. If not..." Mrs. Tuazon paused but decided not to go on. "You don't want the consequence. Just do it. "

She sighed. "Fine. Whatever. May I go now?"

"Sure. You can go back to your room. I will have to make some announcements."

Annoyed, she went out and left Hero. But he immediately chased after her. "Max, wait!" he called, restraining her arm.

She quickly grabbed her arm. "Just leave me alone!"

He blocked her path so she was forced to stop. "Please, let's talk."

"You want me to apologize to you? Over my dead body!"

"No. I... It's me who should apologize to you."

She was taken aback by what he said.

"I'm sorry if I got carried away. I should have talked to you first before telling the truth to Mrs. Tuazon."

"She already knows the truth. What else do you want?"

"Max, please...We were okay last night, weren't we? We're already friends, aren't we?" he said, almost begging.

"How long are you gonna make it hard for me?" she whispered to herself as she took a deep breath to calm herself. This guy really knew how to push the right button. He's making it hard for her not to melt into his gaze. Only he could tame her like this and she hated it. If she wouldn't take precautions, she might end up giving in to him in no time.

"Fine. Consider it quits," she said with a stern look on her face to hide her true emotions.

Hero's smile widened, one that could wash away all her irritation and anger and hatred...

And she hated it! But loved it at the same time.

"Yey!" he celebrated and subconsciously put his arm around her. "Oops, sorry!" he apologized, withdrawing his arm immediately and holding it up to his shoulder.

"Don't stick around too much. It's annoying," she warned him as they were nearing their classroom.

"Oh, where have you been? Max, why did Mrs. Tuazon call you?" Darwin asked casually as if he was some concerned friend.

Before any of them could speak, their teacher came in. Their classmates were wondering why she came back, and she told them her reason before they could ask. " I forgot to mention that I was chosen as one of the facilitators of the event so I won't have enough time for your training. That's why I assigned Max to be your assistant mentor."

The rest of the class except Max and Hero were shocked by the announcement.

Darwin was the first to react. "What? Why Max?" he asked with obvious disapproval.

"Because she got the highest score but she didn't want to participate in the competition."

"So, one of us just got lucky because of Max's withdrawal."

"You're welcome, Darwin," she said in a humiliating manner.

"What?" His eyes narrowed and his fist was clenched when he looked at her.

"That's enough," Mrs. Tuazon broke off. "You will not join the contest in vain. All top five and Max will be exempted from all quizzes before the major exam. Their scores will be the same as the highest score from among those who are not chosen. But, for those who will help them during their reviews and training, you will have plus points."

The whole class roared in excitement.

"But Mrs. Tuazon," Brenda complained, interrupting the momentary celebration. Her expression was the same as Darwin's mixed with jealousy and disgust. "I still don't see why you chose Max to be our tutor. What if she just got lucky, too. You said so yourself, you just gave easy questions."

She crossed her arms firmly across her chest. "You know what, Brenda. You don't have to attend the tutorial session that I'll be conducting with the team," she replied, annoyed with her attitude. "Just make sure you don't screw up when you come up the stage."

Suddenly Brenda's eyes blazed with anger when she looked at her. She was not frightened at all. She returned her gaze with equal anger and disgust, but only for a moment.

"Since it's already decided, I will set the schedule when and where we will review," she continued, now in a more authoritative tone. "If anyone complains, he or she can back out and will be replaced. You heard what Mrs. Tuazon said. If we want to pass, then let's just do it and get it over with."

"Very well said, Miss Mejares. I will be expecting a great fight from this class," Mrs. Tuazon. "Well, then. I'll leave the rest to you," he said before finally leaving.

The whole class got back to what they were previously doing. Max then returned to her seat which was previously Hero's.

"Excuse me, Max," Lindsay approached hesitantly. She looked up at her but did not say a word. "Can you also tutor me on our lessons in Chemistry? I am having a hard time in chemical formulas."

"I'm just at home tomorrow all day. You can come if you want. It's beside Nanny Belen's eatery."

"Really? I didn't know your family is the owner of that big boarding house," she asked in a fascinated tone.

She gave herself an imaginary facepalm. "Not the boarding house. I'm referring to the house next to the cafeteria."

"That house? Isn't it where Hero...you are living together in the same house?" Lindsay's voice echoed in the four corners of the room and got their classmates' attention. Almost everyone stopped and looked at them.

She wanted to beat her up right there and then as she gave her a dangerous look, but then she realized it was partly her fault.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't control my voice." She saw the fear in Lindsay's eyes as if she's waiting for her turn on death row. Her face grew pale.

"Is that true, Hero?" Darwin asked as he suddenly approached the young man next to her.

Hero looked at her hesitantly, as if asking permission whether to confirm it or not.

"It's true," she replied instead. "And I'll be expecting you, five, tomorrow at 9 AM." Then she turned back to Lindsay. "Anything else?"

Lindsay shook her head and returned to her seat.

"You, do you have any more questions?" she asked Darwin coldly.

"Nope!" he replied and immediately walked away from them.

The faint smile on Hero's lips did not escape from her eyes so she immediately glared at him. The young man smirked and gestured his hand as if zipping his mouth.

She rolled her eyes and just sighed.