PROLOGUE

FELINE'S POV

"Miss Morse, please do know that you'll have to group in the other subjects and activities. Hindi na pwede na laging individual work, iha. Our school promotes teamwork..." I completely zoned out as the principal continued to tell me her lectures about teamwork and the benefits of having a group — of a circle of friends.

Parang last year, hindi niya ginawa 'to ah? Hindi ba siya napapagod? The principal and all my other teachers do know that I came from being homeschooled before being in this "friendly-environment" high school. They're trying to make me work with other kids, but they should also know that the "other kids" are the reasons why I was homeschooled in the first place.

"Miss Morse, are you listening?" I turned my head in her direction and saw her sigh heavily. "I know it's a little challenging but—"

"Do you?" I couldn't help but ask. "Do you really know?" I showed pure curiosity at her remark.

No one knows about my feelings, about my fear, and yet, they talk and act as if they do. Acting so sympathetic in order to earn my trust and just betray me the following day.

"With all due respect, Mrs. Principal, but I don't think you know what I feel. Now, if you still mind my individual work for my last year in this high school, I could ask my parents to just pull me out." I know they'll support me anyway. "As far as I know, I have been performing well, academically speaking. And I do not fail to attend classes even if they make me feel uneasy. So, I wonder what seems to be the problem. If it's the teamwork you want, then, Mrs. Principal, my classmates are teaming up in order to cheat during exams, do you want me to be part of that?"

Hindi naman na siya nakaimik kaya pinili ko na lang na tapusin ang pag-uusap. I would end up late for dinner if this continues.

"If you have nothing else to say to me, Mrs. Principal, I would like to take my leave. Now, if you still want to force me that teamwork makes the dream work quote, please do it fast, so I can still prepare my transfer papers. Thank you and have a pleasant evening."

No one knows about the trauma I have been through and the courage that I have tried to gather in order to give back to my parents and enter this hell hole. But I could no longer hold it together anymore. I just want to finish my studies peacefully and individually, and then I could finally just make my own world. Just me... Like how it has always been. Only me.

H | Z

Hello! Third installment na ng Risus Series and I hope you're still here with me and the rest of the characters. Hindi masyadong napakilala si Fel sa Entrancing at Mischievous kaya naman new ferson talaga siya kahit papaano sa readers na nakabasa na ng naunang dalawa.

Nawa'y suportahan niyo rin po siya sa journey niya tulad ng pagsuporta niyo po kela Martina at Tres. Ayun lamang po, thank you and may you enjoy reading. <3