A/N: Will Loki be able to repair his relationship with Lorelei now that he's realized he needs her to solve his problem?

LOKI

GOING TO the clubroom was the first order of my business on campus every morning. Even if I was already late to my class, I wouldn't forget to drop by and check it briefly. It had become a habit of mine since the day I founded the QED Club.

Unfortunately, I was on the verge of losing it to some random club. And the people behind that move wouldn't miss the opportunity to kindly remind me. The day of the deadline was coming, and I had not convinced a single student to join the club. They'd already lowered the threshold, yet I was struggling with it.

Just a minute after I settled down in my swivel chair—which might be the last time—I heard three consecutive hard knocks on the door, as if they're pounding their fists on it. Whoever's on the other side was neither a potential client nor an interested applicant. That left only one possible answer: someone from the student council or the executive committee.

My hunch was proven right when the door swang inward even if I had not told them to come in yet. A female student with black-framed spectacles entered the room. A metal badge with the logo of the school was pinned on her lapel.

"Morning, Maggie," I greeted her with less enthusiasm. I wished I could add "good" to my greeting, but my situation wasn't going the way I wanted. "What brings the execom to my clubroom?"

Her eyes darted around the room as she walked slowly toward me. She frowned when her gaze landed on the Scuala chair on my right. Then she tore her gaze away quickly. "Mukhang wala ka pang nare-recruit kahit isang estudyante, ha? Malapit na ang deadline mo. Maybe you should start packing your things and savor your final moments in this room."

"I still got a few more days," I replied, leaning my back against the chair. "I won't wave the white flag yet. It's not over until it's over."

She stopped in front of the bookshelf and pulled one of the few books there. "The Paranormal Club will probably like this place. They've been eagerly requesting for a clubroom since last week."

My eyebrows knitted. "Are you planning to give this clubroom away to the Paranormal Club? Have you lost your mind? We all know that club is a sham! Have they done anything of significance to deserve this?"

She looked back at me with a shake of her head. "The guidelines for clubroom assignment states that a club must only meet the minimum number of members needed—which is five—to make them eligible. The Paranormal Club has five members. They're qualified to have this place. Unless, of course, you can recruit one legit member to your club."

I clicked my tongue. Giving this clubroom to those buffoons would only add insult to injury. That must be why Maggie came here. To annoy me this early in the morning.

"The guidelines also require us to serve a formal notice to the club being displaced a day prior the eviction." She put back the dusty book into the shelf and turned to face me. She pulled out a folded piece of paper from her chest pocket and handed it to me. I refused to take it so she placed it on the table. "Consider yourself notified."

She turned her back to me and marched toward the door. She could have asked someone from the executive committee—which she's leading—to deliver the notice, but she chose to deliver the message to me in person. Did she want to see the look of despair on my face? Or did she have another agenda?

"Why are you doing this?" I asked before I was out of her earshot. "You know how much this clubroom means to me . . . and your friend. I have fond memories of this place. Oh, don't bother giving me that 'rules are rules' crap. We both know that you're willing to bend them if needed."

She came to a halt, her back still turned to me. Her hands balled into fists.

"Do you know that this is the first time I set foot in this clubroom since that day?" Maggie's voice was constrained. "I've finally found the courage to visit this place again. I thought it won't hurt anymore. But I was wrong. I can still imagine her sitting on the vacant chair next to yours. I can see her smile. I can hear her laugh."

My eyes looked down on the chair that she's referring to. Someone used to sit there. Someone who's close to me and her.

"Maybe it's best to give this clubroom away. It might help the both of us," she added. "If things don't go your way, just think that I did you a favor."

She exited the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

As much as I wanted to agree with her, I couldn't just let go of this place. Who would have thought that a nine square meter room would mean so much to me? I wasn't a sentimental person, and I found it highly unusual of me to care about it.

This morning, I decided to skip my first two subjects and stayed in the clubroom all throughout. I didn't do anything. I just remained seated in my swivel chair and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

When the school bell buzzed at nine—the cue for our morning break—I went to the vending machine to grab my favorite canned coffee. I had drunk a cup in the apartment, but that wasn't enough. I needed more fuel to keep my mind and body functioning, especially since I was sleep deprived.

A crowd began to gather below, on the campus field. They were all looking up and shouting, "Huwag kang tatalon!" Students and faculty members rushed up the stairs too. There seemed to be a commotion on the rooftop. Some stupid student must be threatening to jump off.

The rooftop? Yesterday's confrontation flashed quickly on my mind as I pulled out a twenty-peso bill from my wallet. Lorelei must still be pissed off at me for putting her in that situation. But I didn't care. I wasn't put on this earth to please everyone and to be judged by other people's standards. I'd already said my piece. I'd already offered my apology to her.

I inserted the bill into the machine. But I must say that she's quite sharp—not as sharp as me though. Still, she deserved a little bit of credit. She's able to deduce that her secret admirer was one of her classmates. She must have also realized that I was the one who slipped the note in her locker to lure that guy. Her observation and deduction skills were rudimentary. With proper training, she could be better at it.

She also didn't react the way that I hoped for. She didn't thank me for solving her problem. She refused to accept my apology unless I'd owe her a favor. I found her . . . intriguing.

My finger was about to press the "canned coffee" option on the vending machine's display screen when it froze mid-air. My eyes widened slowly as if a light bulb went off on my head.

Eureka! Why didn't I realize it sooner? Lorelei could be the key to avoiding eviction!

Unfortunately, if I asked her to join my club, she might refuse instantly. We're not in good terms after all. Maybe if she'd owe a favor, she might grant it. She refused to recognize the help that I offered her in her secret admirer case. What if I stage a mystery that would force her to come to me? Once I helped her for the second time, she would finally owe me one.

I pressed the button for the "canned coffee." The machine began to make some buzzing sounds as it's preparing to dispense my drink.

What happened next was a surprise. I was not sure if the stars were aligning to my favor or if it's just a coincidence. Either way, the timing was perfect.

When I looked to my left, I saw Lorelei trotting up the stairs. She reached the third floor and paused to catch her breath. When she raised her head, our eyes met. Hers widened while mine remained the same. She looked a bit troubled. If she had another problem, I wouldn't need to stage anything.

"Are you about to watch the shoot?" I grabbed the canned coffee from the dispenser. If I let her go, I might not have this easily and perfectly timed opportunity again. I needed to get her attention and retain it. "What movie are they filming? Action, drama, or comedy?"

"Loki!" she called me. The hostile attitude that she showed toward me earlier was nowhere to be found. Instead, I sensed relief that she found me here. "Remember that favor you owe me? I'm cashing it in now to save a life—"

"Wait a minute." Favor? I wanted to chuckle or laugh, but I held it. "I told you early this morning that I owe you nothing. So why are you talking about?"

"Dahil ipina-expel mo si Aaron, balak tumalon mula sa rooftop ng close friend niya kung hindi babawiin ng school ang expulsion." Without any warning, she grabbed my left arm and pulled me closer to her. "We need to stop her!"

Ah! She must be referring to her good-for-nothing secret admirer. Right after the rooftop confrontation yesterday, I submitted a copy of the video that I had recorded to the Office of Student Affairs. They told me that they'd be calling the involved male student first thing in the morning. I didn't expect the OSA to act that quick.

"Is it my fault now? There's nothing wrong with eliminating a scum like him from this school." No matter how hard I struggled, she wouldn't let go of my arm. "If you stepped on a cockroach, would you feel guilty about it? No, because cockroaches deserve to be killed."

"Sabihin na nating makatarungan ang ginawa mo. But because of what you did, an innocent life is at stake here. We should help her—I mean—we should stop her from committing whatever she's thinking right now."

Perfect. This situation was perfect. The stars were truly aligning, even if I didn't believe in that nonsense. But I shouldn't give in too easily. I had to play hard to get.

"Not my cup of tea," I replied, feigning disinterest in the issue. She's pulling my arm so forcefully that my coffee almost spilled on my blazer. "Besides, what will I gain from helping you? And can you get your hands off me? I can't drink my coffee."

"Hindi kakayanin ng konsensya ko kapag may nangyari sa kanya." She released my arm from her grasps. "If you help me, I'd be in your debt."

Now we're talking. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I slid my free hand inside my pocket where my phone was. I made some quick taps to open the voice recorder up. "Pardon?"

"Ang sabi ko, kung tutulungan mo ako, I'd be in your debt."

"Hmm . . ." I turned my head away from her as I took a sip from my canned coffee. I pretended to give it a thought. Think about it for a few seconds, and then . . . "So you'll really owe me a favor? Despite everything?"

She gave me a firm nod. "Mas importante para sa 'kin na ma-save ang classmate ko kaysa sa inis ko sa 'yo. Gagawin ko na ang pinapagawa mo kanina. Ire-revise ko ang blog post na ayaw mo. If that's what it takes to make you help me."

"That's a tempting deal." I let out a long sigh. "If you're willing to be indebted to me, I guess I have to take it. But I won't ask you to make that revision anymore. I have a better idea."

"I'd do anything as long as it's not against my principles and morals."

I stared at the green landscape on the horizon before returning my gaze on her. "Fine, I'll help you. But there's no guarantee that I can stop that student from jumping. I'm not a hero who can save her from a tragic ending."

"No one's saying that you're a hero."

To be fair, I never intended to be one.

"Before I grant your request, I need a moment of privacy to think of a way to stop her." I bobbed my head toward the stairs. "You can go ahead. Just make sure that she'll still be there by the time that I arrive."

"Got it," she replied before leaving me behind.

The second she's out of my eyeshot, I fished my phone out of my pocket and stopped the voice recording. I then placed it close to my ear and listened to it. Everything was captured from the moment she repeated her promise to me. If there's one thing that I learned when making deals, always make sure there's proof of transaction.

I savored the taste of my canned coffee, taking my time sipping from it. The female student on the rooftop wanted two things: attention and her request granted. She got the first one. There's no way she'd jump without getting the second.

When I was done drinking, I tossed the can to the trash bin—though it didn't reach it—and went for the stairs. As I was getting closer to the rooftop, I heard the yells and screams from the students and faculty members. They were adding so much to this drama.

"Isa pang may humakbang sa inyo, talagang tatalon na ako rito! Kung ayaw n'yo akong tumalon, pabalikin n'yo si Aaron!"

"Go ahead, jump!" I shouted the moment I stepped on the rooftop. Everyone's eyes were on me. Most gazes had terrified look in them.

I was able to spot Lorelei from the crowd. I stood beside her.

"What took you so long?" she whispered.

"I finished my canned coffee first." I glanced sideways at her. "I have to keep myself awake so I can function the whole day."

She shot me with a squinted look. "Aware ka ba kung gaano ka-sensitive ang sitwasyon? Pasalamat ka't hindi pa siya tumalon noong wala ka."

I sighed. "Have I told you how much I hate drama? Let's be done with this so you'll owe me a favor."

"Huwag kang lalapit! Kung 'di tatalon ako!" the female student made the same threat again.

"Did you not hear me just a minute ago? I said you can jump anytime you want," I repeated. "Let's cut this nonsense drama right here, right now. I still have some clients to entertain in the clubroom."

The people around me gasped. They were trying so hard to stop her. But here I was, encouraging her to do it.

"H-Hindi mo ako pipigilan?" Even the female student was confused.

I shook my head slowly. "Why will I stop you? You can do what you want. Unlike these buffoons here, I don't have the intention to play the hero to save you. But I find it funny. You're willing to jump off this building just because the school expelled a guy? How lame."

"L-Lame?"

"You're selfish too," I added. "You don't care what your family, your friends, and your classmates would feel once you're gone. You want them to grieve over your death, you want them to feel the pain of loss while you're chilling in the afterlife. If that's not selfish, I don't know what to call it."

"I am not selfish!" She took a step forward as she bared her fangs. "You don't have the right to judge me! You don't know me!"

My hand made a dismissive gesture. "I'm not interested about who you are. Just jump when you feel like it. Don't drag the drama. To be honest, I'm more worried about the mess that the housekeepers will have to clean up once your brains splatter on the pavement."

There's another round of gasps and murmurs.

"I thought you're about to jump? What's with the delay? Go ahead, jump!" I teased. "Don't expect the school to reverse the expulsion. A lowlife like him deserves it. Oh, by the way, I'm the one who filed the complaint against him. Good riddance."

"You bastard—"

She sprang up at me, her fingernails ready to scratch my face. Thank goodness that I was able to dash backwards before her nails could touch my skin. The faculty members and the guards nearby were quick to restrain her and pull her away from the ledge.

"Let me go! Let me go!" she shouted, but to no avail. She was brought downstairs, still screaming to let herself go. Everyone on the rooftop was then asked to disperse and return to our classrooms.

I touched my cheek. "That was close."

"In-expect mo na bang hindi siya tatalon kahit ilang beses mo na siyang sinabihan na tumalon?" Lorelei asked.

"I tried to use reverse psychology against her," I explained. "By repeatedly telling her to jump, I made her wonder why I wasn't stopping her. Making her confused on whether to jump or not was my first move. Then I provoked her so she'd get mad at me and try to attack me, thereby getting her off the ledge."

Whether she'd be impressed or not by my method, it didn't matter to me. All I cared about was the deal that we struck in front of the vending machine. It could turn my situation around.

We both left the rooftop at the same time. I was waiting for her to say thank you or ask me what the favor would be. But she remained silent as we're walking down the stairs.

"I've kept the end of the bargain, so it's time for you to do the same," I reminded her. "You now owe me a favor."

"What favor?" Her eyes squinted at me. "Wala akong matandaang may pinagkasunduan tayong gano'n. You agreed to help me without anything in return."

I stopped dead on my tracks and revealed my phone to her. I knew this was coming. "I kinda expected that you'll try to pull a fast one on me so . . ." Then I pressed a key.

"Kung tutulungan mo ako, I'd be in your debt . . . I'd do anything as long as it's not against my principles and morals."

She hung her head low after hearing her own voice making that promise. I misread her twice. But not this time.

"Did you fall down the stairs and smack your head? Or are you having an episode of selective amnesia?" I asked as I pocketed my phone. "It's time to pay your debt."

"Fine! So what favor will you ask of me?" she asked irritably. She shouldn't be annoyed at me. She's the one who asked for my help and offered a favor in return. I merely took advantage of it. "Gusto mo ba akong kumanta o sumayaw sa harap ng maraming tao? O baka gusto mo akong gawing utusan sa loob ng isang araw?"

"No, nothing of that sort."

"Then what?"

I made a dramatic pause while looking her in the eye. "I want you to join my club."

Her eyes blinked repeatedly, staring at me. Her lips parted slightly, but no words escaped them. That's a favor she probably didn't see coming.

"My club needs to have another member or else they will kick me out of the clubroom," I elaborated. "The student council vice president wants to bully me. He knew it would be difficult for me to persuade someone to join my club."

"C-Can you give me more time to think about it?" She cut her gaze away from me. "This is a big ask. Kailangan kong pag-isipang maigi para masiguro kong hindi ako magsisisi sa desisyon ko."

"Sure," I agreed. "You have the whole day to think about it. Once your mind's made up, you know where to find me."

We separated ways when we reached the second floor. We didn't say goodbye to each other. We just walked on separate paths. She went to one wing while I went to the other.

Just like that, my clubroom problem was solved.

Or so I thought.

—to be continued—

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