Two weeks had passed since may nangyaring kaguluhan sa school. Back to normal na ulit but something changed sa relationship naming tatlo nina Eloiny and Cein.

I kept my distance away from them. Kung noon minsan ko lang sila kinakausap, ngayon hindi na talaga. It's not that I'm mad at them or what. I don't want to get in touch with people na alam kong iiwan din ako sa huli. Lumalapit sila sa'kin pero ako na ang kusang umiiwas. I know they will hate me in the end so why bother making friends? Pag nalaman nila kung sino ako, maybe sila pa ang unang gustong pumatay sa 'kin.

"Ms. Valdemore, what are you doing?" napatingin ako kay Paxton nang sinita niya ako. He's the one in-charge sa klase ni Sir Carlson at ang pinagagawa sa 'min ay physical training. He's on his 'bossy' attitude again.

"Taking a break," sagot ko. I'm doing sit ups pero umupo muna ako saglit para magpahinga. Sanay na rin naman ang katawan ko dito because dad trained me martial arts since I was five. Matindi pa nga ang training ko sa amin kesa dito.

"At sinong may sabi na pwede kang magpahinga?"

"Myself."

"I didn't order you to rest," He glared at me.

"What if I die here? You ready to suffer the consequences?" Tiningnan ko rin siya ng masama.

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Then stop asking questions that are obvious."

He smirked. Ayaw nya talagang magpatalo. "Who would care if a nerd like you die anyway?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. I'm really getting excited when it comes to debate. "Exactly. So who would care if a nerd took a break from this nonsense activity?" tinaasan ko siya gamit ang makapal kong kilay na ikinalabas naman ng isang dosenang wrinkles ko.

He let out a deep sigh. Halatang napipikon nya siya. "Fine. Bilisan mo na dyan kung ayaw mong maparusahan," he said then walked out.

Tsk. He will never win an argument against me.

"Ren, I'm taking a break too. Hindi mo ba ako pagagalitan?" malanding sabi ng isa sa mga kaklase ko.

"Ako rin fafa Ren. I'm so tired na rin and thirsty. Could you please come here and hug me to make me feel better?" dagdag pa ng isang bakla.

Napailing na lang ako.

"Me too. Ouch! My feet hurts. Could you please come here, Ren?"

Sunod-sunod ang pagpapansin sa kanya ng mga babae at bakla and I'm laughing in my mind right now. Serves you right, jerk.

"Bakit? Si Shea ba kayo?" bigla niyang sabi sa harap ng mga kaklase ko. Natahimik naman silang lahat.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Ano namang konek ko sa mga pinangagawa nila? I look around and as expected, parang gusto na nila akong patayin anytime.

What did I do?

"Ahem. I mean Sir Carlson instructed me to stay focused on Shea during training because she was always last in class, remember?" he explained.

Mukhang sumang ayon naman sila. I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

Natapos ang physical training at papunta ako ngayon sa cafeteria upang mag lunch. It's better to isolate myself from them and the rest of the students.

Nakarating na ako sa cafeteria and ordered some food. Buti na lang, konti pa lang ang tao kaya malaya akong makakapili ng uupuan ko. I sat at the very corner in the cafeteria. I put my earphones on, ignoring the world as I started eating.

"T-take care always, Aly. Don't blame yourself for this."

"N-no Bliss! Don't talk like that. I'm bringing you to the hospital, okay? Everything will be fine."

"It doesn't mean that when it's dark, it's evil. Sometimes you only find comfort in the darkness."

"What are you saying?! Hindi ka pa mamamatay, okay? Marami pa tayong tutuparing pangarap."

"Alysia... live."

"Shea? Helloooo, I'm right here."

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses when someone waved on my face. Napalalim yata yung iniisip ko. Tinanggal ko ang earphones ko.

"Okay ka lang?" asked by a familiar face. Naupo silang dalawa sa harapan ko.

It was Trevor and Ezra talking in front of me. Yeah, dalawa na kabilang sa Alpha ang nandito sa harapan ko and asking if I'm okay. Yeah, I'm okay. Pero yung masasamang tingin ng mga estudyante sa paligid is definitely not okay.

"Ang lalim naman yata ng iniisip mo, girl," sabi ni Trevor. Ngayon ko lang napansin na may dala na rin pala silang food tray at makiki-share sa 'kin ng table.

"Hindi naman. Nice seeing you again," I said.

"Is it okay na share tayo ng table? Ito kasing si bakla, gusto ka raw kasama. Baka lumalabas na ang manly side niya."

"Tumigil ka diyan, Ezra. Babanatan talaga kita."

"See? I think he's already becoming a man."

"My gosh! Kinikilabutan ako sa sinasabi mo, bruha ka. Nga pala, Shea, how are you? Matagal-tagal na rin tayong 'di nag-uusap." Nilapag niya ang dala niyang food tray sa harap ko at umupo. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ni Ezra.

"Oo nga. Noong umalis ka, hinanap ka pa ni Kiyan. 'Yong lalaki kasing yun, kung saan-saan nagpupupunta," Ezra muttered as she ate her fries.

"I'm fine. Still alive," sagot ko.

Pareho naman silang natawa sa sinabi ko. Trevor's laugh is so manly at hindi mo mahahalatang bakla siya. Kahit pumorma, lalaking-lalaki. So as Ezra, she's very classy kahit tumatawa pa siya.

Napatigil sila nang may dalawang babae ang lumapit sa 'min.

"H-Hi Trevor, Ezra! Pwede po ba kaming magpa autograph?" pabebeng tanong ng isang babae na mukhang pintura na tinubuan ng mukha. Hindi ako nanlalait, sinasabi ko lang ang totoo.

"Kami lang ba ang babatiin mo?" Trevor asked at tinaasan sila ng kilay.

Napatingin naman ang dalawa sa 'kin at inirapan ako. Sana mag lock nalang 'yang mga mata niyo.

"Hello, Shea. It's so beautiful to see you." They emphasized the word 'beautiful' while giving me a very sarcastic smile.

I mentally rolled my eyes. Ang ganda niyo kasi, eh.

"The percentage probability of sarcasm is 100 percent. You know, young maiden, before you say something like that, make sure you're perfect." a guy suddenly popped in the scene kaya doon kami napatingin lahat.

"Fire! Good thing you're here," Ezra exclaimed.

He's a tall guy, about 6 ft. in height. Has a well-toned body based on his posture. Maliban sa suot niyang salamin na bumagay sa kanya, I can tell that he's smart. Red hair, which has a similar feature with Ice. Must be his twin.

"S-sorry po," sabi ng dalawang babae at naluluhang tumakbo paalis.

"You're so harsh talaga fafa Fire. And I like it," sabi ni Trevor sa malanding tono.

The rest of the Alpha were already here and I'm starting to get anxious. Nagsisigawan na dito sa cafeteria dahil narito ang buong Alpha. Even the Pro.

"I'm trying to get a peaceful lunch here," pasigaw na sabi ni Ezra dahil nga sa ingay sa cafeteria.

"Who told you to go here na alam mo namang maingay dito?" sagot ni Vishna. Yung babaeng mataray.

"Eh bakit rin ba kasi kayo sumunod dito?" Ezra replied.

"Duhh... Trevor didn't cook. So, anong kakainin namin?" sagot ni Vishna.

So si Trevor pala talaga ang cook nila. Hindi halata na magaling magluto ang isang 'to. The crowd suddenly went into silence kaya nagtaka ako.

"Nice one, bro." Ice tapped the shoulder of Kiyan.

Anong nangyari?

Kung katulad lang ako ng ibang mga babae, malamang kanina pa ako nangisay dahil may mga mukhang Greek gods and goddesses sa harapan ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. This is not the same when I sense danger or what. This is more powerful.

"Hayy... buti na lang, fafa Kiyan, nandito ka. Nga pala guys, this is Shea. I bet you already know her," pagpapakilala sa 'kin ni Trevor.

Tumayo ako to pay respect. I am facing the strongest and the most powerful students here in the academy. I should act accordingly.

Napunta agad ang tingin ko kay Kiyan. At mas nagwala pa ang puso ko nang makita kong nakatingin din siya sa 'kin. This feeling seems new. At hindi ko alam kung ano 'to.

"Whatever." Vishna rolled her eyes on me.

"Lipat tayo dun sa gitna, mas malaki ang space. Doon na rin tayo magpakilala kay Shea," nakangiting sabi ng babaeng blonde ang buhok. Among them, mukhang siya ang pinakasimple. She's always wearing a bright smile and she's pretty.

Niligpit ko na nga ang pinagkainan ko dahil lilipat nga kami ng table. Lumapit naman sa 'kin si Ezra. "Namumula ka. Saan dyan? Hihihi."

Mas lalo pa akong namula nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Namumula ako?

"W-what do you mean?" The f*ck.

"Come on, Shea. I know you hate to talk, but hell, you're also a girl. And attracted to it's opposite gender," she grinned at me at mahina akong siniko.

Attracted? No way.

"Si Kiyan ba?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "No!"

Mukhang napalakas yata yung pagkakasabi ko dahil napalingon ang ibang kumakain sa 'kin.

"Defensive much?" Tumawa pa siya at naunang lumapit sa Alpha.

Sumunod ako sa kanya and I'm trying to calm myself. What the hell is happening to me? Umupo na ako at nagusap-usap muna sila hanggang sa nagpakilala na sila sa 'kin. I tried my best to calm down at mukhang hindi na ako namumula.

"Let us introduce ourselves formally to you, Shea. I'm Ezra Brown," she started and gave me that kind smile she's always wearing. Her brownish hair reflects her caramel-colored eye at hinipan niya pa ang bangs niya sabay tawa.

"Nakapagpakilala na ako sa 'yo so no need na naman 'di ba?" sabi ni Trevor. Tumango naman ako. Despite of him being feminine, his whole body screams manliness kaya nako-confuse rin ako kung totoo ba talaga siyang bakla o nag jo-joke lang.

"Vishna Schutz," walang gana niyang pagpapakilala. Yung mga mata niya, parang galit palagi which gave me the impression na mahirap lapitan at kausapin kasi alam mong tatarayan ka lang niya. But despite on how she looks, she's beautiful.

"Hi, Shea! Nice meeting you. I'm Alison Redfox," she smiled as she extends her hand for a handshake. Tinanggap ko naman ito. Ang lambot ng kamay niya like she's hardly doing any work. She smiles brightly na nag re-reflect sa buhok niyang yellowish. Maputi rin siya at matangkad na parang super model.

Nagtataka nga ako, why am I making friends with them in the first place? I thought they hate me ever since we've met?

"Bonjour, mademoiselle. I am Fire Dreyar and it's so nice to meet you." Bigla niyang inagaw ang kamay kong nakahawak kay Alison at hinalikan ito. I didn't react the whole time.

"Ikaw talaga, tol. Lahat nalang, pinapatos mo." Pinaghiwalay niya ang kamay naming dalawa ni Fire. "Ice nga pala. Unfortunately, that weirdo is my twin," sabi niya at tinuro ang kambal niya na ngayo'y seryoso na kumakain habang may binabasa sa kanyang notebook.

I think they are both weird. Fire looks smart and introverted. Yung parang 'genius-type' of guy, samantalang si Ice naman ay mukhang outgoing at happy-go-lucky lang. Huli nang magpapakilala yung Pro Alpha. Siguro sa iba, ang swerte ng pakiramdam nila dahil nakasabay nilang kumain ang Pro. But me, hindi ko alam.

"Don't go near the Alpha."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang pumasok sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Paxton noon. Like he cares.

Tiningnan ko siya, tumingin din siya sa 'kin. I can feel that strong force again like it's pulling me towards him. Ang sakit ng dibdib ko, dagdagan pa na abnormal ang tibok nito. Ang lakas ng enerhiya niya. As expected from the Master.

"Kiyan," he paused. Biglang nagwala ang sistema ko just by hearing his voice.

"Hayashi," dugtong niya.

Ewan ko, parang meron na naman sa dibdib ko na umiinit. Pinagpapawisan na ako but I tried to stay calm as possible pero hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang katawan ko. Nagwawala ang kapangyarihan ko and my body is screaming to run away from him.

I cussed silently nang maramdaman ko na namang magpapalit na naman ng kulay ang mga mata ko. I thought hindi na niya ako maapektuhan?

Someone tapped me from the back. Bigla nalang akong kumalma like I was being hugged by Mom.

"Mind if I join you?" said by a familiar voice from my back.

Pansamantala muna silang napatigil habang nakatingin sa likod ko.

"Ay! Si wafu. Lika, upo ka dito sa tabi ko," aya ni Trevor.

"Ikaw na naman?" Vishna glared at him.

Tiningnan lang siya ni Paxton. Yeah, si Paxton ang nandito at ewan ko kung ano ang trip niya ngayon. Though I hate to admit it, I'm secretly thanking him from saving me from this pressure and the uneasiness I've been feeling.

"Tabi," sabi niya sa 'kin. Tiningnan ko muna siya ng masama bago umusod ng upuan.

"Ay, bakit ayaw niyong tumabi sa 'kin?" Trevor pouted.

"Kadiri ka raw kasi," sagot sa kanya ni Ice.

"Ang hard niyo talaga sa 'kin."

"You don't mind if I join you, right? Besides you're with my girl," sabi niya at bigla akong inakbayan.

Agad kong tinanggal ang kamay niya at tiningnan siya ng masama. Why am I even here in the first place?

"You're Ren Paxton Montero, right? The boyfriend of Shea and the top 1 sa freshmen," sabi ni Alison.

He smiled as a sign of response.

"Woah," narinig kong bulong ni Ice.

That's it. Hindi ko na kaya. Kahit nandito na si Paxton, my body won't stop reacting from the opposite power surrounding me. It's too strong and my body is reacting violently.

"Excuse me, but I have to go," sabi ko at tumayo.

"Is there a problem?" tanong nila sa 'kin.

Umiling ako at tumakbong paalis ng cafeteria.

Tumakbo ako ng tumakbo. Ignoring the people around me. Wala rin akong pake kung sino ang makakabangga ko. I need to get out of here!

May biglang humawak ng braso ko at pinaharap ako sa kanya. "Hey. Are you okay?" tanong ni Paxton. Bakit ba palagi niya na lang akong sinusundan?

"Leave!" I shouted.

Mukhang nagulat naman siya sa pagsigaw ko. It's a good thing that no one's around dahil mostly sa cafeteria ang mga estudyante.

"Tell me, anong problema?" He asked worriedly. Wow, worried? Siya?

"When I tell you to leave, leave!"

Napaatras siya nang makita niyang naging kulay asul ang mga mata ko. Great, I've blown my cover.

My whole body feels like burning. Like I'm already losing my mind.

PAXTON'S POV

Umuusok yung buong katawan niya as I'm facing her right now. She kept on screaming and screaming like there is something inside her that wants to get out.

She's in pain.

"Buti nalang talaga naabutan kita kanina," bulong ko habang tinitingnan pa rin siyang unti-unting nanghihina.

Nawalan siya ng malay. I carried her down the hallway palabas ng building at dinala siya sa aking dorm. I once again laid her into my bed. Pangalawang beses na 'tong nangyari sa kanya.

"You never listen to me, idiot."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita kong natutunaw yung balat niya. What the...?

A disguise?

Unti-unting natutunaw yung pekeng balat niya hanggang sa lumantad ang maputi at makinis niyang mukha. I tried removing her eyebrows at totoo ngang peke ito. So as her nose, ang tangos pala nito.

I stared at her. I can't believe that I'm actually facing the disciple of the Goddess right now.

"Shea Alysia Valdemore, a nerd in disguise," I whispered.

I bowed down. "I am your familiar, my lady."

**