4: Take Their Crown

Artemis Elizabeth Williams Morbelque's POV

Matapos 'yung nakita naming eksena na nakakapanindig balahibo. Umalis na 'yung mga tao na para bang tapos na 'yung sine na pinanuod nila. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa tagpong nangyari.

Even the girl who took down that muscular man walked out of the scene like it was the next thing to do. The guy who's unconscious was left there like it was nothing, like he was just a piece of wood in the forest.

"Aren't we gonna help that guy?" Tanong ni Thorn doon sa lalaking nakasalamin na kasama namin. Napatigil sa paglalakad 'yung lalaki sa tanong ni Thorn, nakaramdam agad ako ng padilim ng aura.

"Oo nga? Hahayaan n'yo na lang 'yun do'n?" Segundo naman ni Pierce. I also nodded to agree, but I never stated a word. The guy with glasses heaved a sigh, like he was so tired of us, because we don't know anything.

"The number one warning in this school is don't get fucking involve in any other business if it's not yours. You got that, newbies?" He eyed at us like we are some creatures —downgraded.

I gritted my teeth secretly. Napalingon ako kay Kuya Theon, kasi alam kong ramdam n'ya rin na minamaliit kami nitong lalaki. Napansin ko na kalmado lang siya pero nakayukom na ang kamao. Kuya's pissed.

"Mind to introduce yourself, Mr?" Ate Amythee broke the deafening silence that was keeping us stoned in the area. Buti na lang binasag ni Ate Amythee 'yung katahimikan kasi mukhang hindi kami makakaalis do'n kung magpapatuloy 'yun.

The guy smirked like we should have already known his name. Like he was so insulted we did not know him. Napakapit ko kay Honoka kasi mukhang naiinis na siya sa inaasta nitong lalaki, he's just so sarcastic—not his remarks but his gaze.

"Nabwibwisit na ako r'yan kay apat na mata ha." I heard Biblee murmured to her sister. Ate Amythee gave her a reassuring smile.

"Magtatanong ba kami kung alam namin?" Mahina at kalmadong imik ni Kuya Akira na para bang wala s'yang paki-alam at hindi niya nakukuha 'yung pagiging sarkastiko nitong lalaki.

The guy chuckled like he was just so amused at someone so naïve. Umiling-iling ito na tila hindi makapaniwala. "Kellon." Maikling saad niya pagkatapos ay naglakad nang muli kaya wala kaming nagawa kung hindi sundan ito.

"Sasabihin din pala dami pang dadak." Kuya Cleon whispered but we still heard it. Medyo nawala ang tensyon namin. He ushered us to the building. The guy named—Kellon even told us about the directions, and how we can activate our iPad and phones in this school.

Akala ko 'yung dala naming mobile phones ang magagamit namin pero pinigilan niya kami 'yun pala may provided silang gadgets sa amin na nasa bag na hindi namin mabuksan kanina. We need to use our IDs to open the bags.

Napaka-weird.

"When it's break time you can go to Food Alleys and Food Plazas. You don't need money, you just need your IDs." Kellon stated.

"By the way, here's your first room, I believe you are all in the same classes." Kellon said surely. We all checked our iPad to see if he's right... and guess, he really knew several things about us.

Pumasok na kami matapos noon at umalis na 'yung Kellon.

It was a glass sliding door and the room was centralized. Pagkapasok namin ay hindi mo aakalain na maingay ang buong klase dahil hindi naman maingay sa labas. Guess, it was soundproof.

When the people inside the class noticed us, they immediately stopped doing random things and bickering. They stared at us like we are—trespassers? Para kasing hindi kami belong sa kanila kung titigan nila kami.

"Oh, commoners." I heard one remarked.

"What? Commoners? Did I hear that right?" Harper nudged me, while asking me those questions.

"You heard it right, Harper, someone called us, commoners." Natatawang saad ko kay Harper. Of all words, she doesn't like being labeled as someone low or someone average. Harper grew up prim and proper, trained to be a Queen.

"These people don't even know how to use proper adjectives." She commented while rolling her eyes.

Honoka patted her shoulders. "Held your head up, Harper, your tiara might fall." She even added so Harper smiled elegantly, making the class focus their attention at her. That's Harper for you, she'll just steal your spotlight without intending to.

"Kahit anong ganda mo, kung commoner ka, wala kang kwenta sa school na 'to." Natatawang saad nang isang babae na ngumungya ng bubble gum, pinalobo pa niya ito, at nagtawanan ang buong klase.

"Pumutok sana sa mukha mo 'yan." Biblee said irritatedly, then she sat down on one of the chairs, chuckling Ate Amythee followed her, and as if Biblee's words were command, the bubble gum did pop up.

Kami naman tuloy kami ang nagkatawanan at sila ang natigil. Akala ko makakatanggap na naman kami ng panlalait pero mga ngiting may kakaibang kahulugan ang natanggap namin.

Ayun na naman. 'Yung mga ngiting 'yun na naman. Ano ba kasing meron?

Umupo na kaming lahat. Katabi ko si Harper at si Honoka naman ang katabi ni Harper sa kabila. Pinaggitnaan namin siya. Tapos katabi ko si Kuya Theon at katabi ni Kuya Theon si Ate Amythee tapos si Biblee.

Kuya Cleon - Biblee - Ate Amythee - Kuya Theon - Art - Harper - Honoka - Kuya Akira - Kuya Pierce - Thorn

Kung kanina harapan nila kami ininsulto ngayon naman pinagbubulungan na nila kami. Halata naman na kami pinag-uusapan nila kasi tatawa sila tapos titingin sa amin tapos pagmamasdan kami gamit ang mga tingin na 'yun.

"Bakit ba ganun sila makatingin?" Bulong ko. Napalingon si Kuya Theon at Harper sa akin.

"It's really weird though, I wanted to underestimate them, they are just some bunch of people who only knew how to gossip but... my guts tell me otherwise." Kuya Theon told us.

"You were right." Harper agreed calmly. "Their eyes are screaming that we don't belong here." She stated while looking warily at them.

"Para namang hahayaan natin na magpatuloy 'yan." Ate Amythee popped in.

"True that! If they can't accept us, then let's turn it the other way around, we'll make it—We will not recognize any of 'em!" Biblee seconded with high energy. "Akala mo mga kung sino, porket bago lang tayo. Tsh! Patutunayan ko ang kakayahan ng angkan namin!" Natawa na kami kasi akala mo naman magproprotesta si Biblee.

"Akala ko tatalab kagwapuhan ko sa kanila, ang isip ko pa naman pagkakaguluhan ang natatangi kong kagwapuhan! Isang kalokohan ang pagtawag nila sa akin ng isang commoner!" Biro ni Kuya Cleon. Sinapok siya ni Biblee.

"Laway mo, laway mo. Pwede magsalita, pero huwag mo akong paliguan ng laway mo." Biblee said looking so disgusted at Kuya Cleon.

"Bakit nga ba kita kakambal?" Kuya Theon massaged his temple in embarrassment.

"Ano ako na naman ang tinakwil n'yo?" Pag-alma ni Kuya Cleon. "Art! Hindi mo ba ako ipagtatanggol?" He added looking so pitiful. Oh my, handsome brother's so... charming. Even Biblee's now smiling with his playful antics.

"Bakit nga ba kita Kuya?" I mimicked Kuya Theon's statement earlier, and we laughed. Kuya Theon still protested his plea.

After that,  kaming tatlo na nina Harper at Honoka ang magkakakwentuhan habang wala pa 'yung teacher. Somehow, hindi na namin napapansin 'yung nga estudyante rito na walang ibang ginawa kung hindi idowngrade kami.

May pinag-aralan kami. Hindi kami 'yung barkada na susugod at makikipag-away dahil lang sa mga tingin na ginagawa nila sa amin. Hindi man nila tanggap ang pagpasok namin sa paaralang ito ngayon... sooner or later... they would, and they will accept us and even respect us.

"Grabe, 'yong mga bago na 'to, may sarili nang mundo, sila rin ang kawawa sa huli."

"Ang dami ngang bago ngayon. Last semester may mga transferee—"

"That's taboo, girl. You don't mention that."

"But yeah, if these newbies are nothing but really commoners, they'll surely be treated like trash."

"Even worse than that, bitch."

Then their laughter echoed.

Napalingon ako kay Ate Amythee at Biblee at tama nga ang hinala ko. They are focused on their iPad. Mukhang naghahanap na sila ng mga information tungkol sa mga pinagsasabi ng mga tao rito.

Commoners?

Why are we even labeled as commoners?

Napatingin ako sa ID ko.

Artemis Elizabeth W. Morbelque.

Wala namang nakalagay na commoner o kung ano man.

Tiningnan ko 'yung mga ID 'nung mga kaklase namin. Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang makita kong may kulay green, meron ding brown. The ones who have the colour green, had no interest in us. But the brown ones... they are busy talking about us.

Maya-maya biglang...

"Yow people!" A girl with a big big big smile appeared at the entrance of the door. We came through the back door, that's why we are all at the last seats. Now, this girl came at the front so... all eyes were on her, automatically.

She chuckled so loudly. Para bang may mic siya sa bibig niya. Ang lakas ng boses. Mukhang may bagong kaibigan na si Biblee dahil mukhang maingay rin 'yung babae.

Akala ko siya na 'yung pag-uusapan o kung ano man, pero... para s'yang hangin sa kanila. Wala man lang pumansin sa kaniya tiningnan lang siya ng mga kaklase namin tapos... wala na.

Sadly... she pouted then took a sit in front. 

Naglingon lingon siya sa paligid tapos nakita niya kami na mga bago. She waved at us so cheerfully. I remained stoic. Same as Honoka and Harper. Kuya Akira, Kuya Pierce and Thorn bowed a little to greet her.

While Kuya Theon and Amythee just smiled. It was Biblee and Kuya Cleon who waved back at her and even greeted her, "Hi." Looks like they found a new buddy.

"Kyaah, kyaaah! Ang gwapo ng fes natin! Hindi ka naman bakla, 'di ba?!" The girl shouted so loud, the whole class went silent, while our barkada were holding our laughter... Gosh the agony!

Did the girl just ask Kuya Cleon... if he is gay?

"Ligawan pa kita r'yan para makita mong hindi ako bakla eh." Asar na sagot ni Kuya Cleon.

"Omg! Edi tayo na! Agad agad!"

And guess what? We were jaw dropped. Oh my gosh. Did that thing just escalated that quickly?

"Are you serious?" Biblee popped in.

"Selos." Kuya Akira commented.

"Pwede naman huwag sumigaw?" Kuya Pierce promoted peace. Thorn agreed. Oh, those two adorable saints.

"Joke joke joke!" Masayang sabi 'nung babae.

"Hiii! Ako nga pala si Luna." Pakilala niya sa amin.

"Biblee here!" Biblee raised her hand.

"Cleon." Kuya Cleon introduced while posing his hand the handsome sign. The girl chuckled so happily.

Tumingin siya sa amin na para bang hinihintay niya na magpakilala rin kami pero nanatili kaming iba na tahimik, at noong iimik na sana si Ate Amythee para magpakilala rin ay biglang may matandang babae na pumasok sa klase.

Natahimik kaming lahat bigla.

Pati 'yung babaeng maingay na ang pangalan ay Luna, natahimik at dali daling umupo na kamuntik pang mahulog sa upuan niya. Pigil tawa si Biblee at Kuya Cleon.

Umayos ang lahat ng upo na para bang natakot sila ro'n sa matanda, napasunod kami dahil baka mamaya mapagalitan pa kami. The old lady scanned the whole class, and stopped to eye at each one of us.

Then she proceeded with the lesson. It was the same lesson, we had in our previous school, so I guess... this was not really something weird? Maybe this was really just a normal school with students that have attitudes? Siguro nga.

Nakinig na lang kami hanggang sa matapos na 'yung klase. Naglabasan na agad 'yung mga kaklase namin at inayos na namin 'yung mga bag namin. Hanggang sa may malakas na boses na umimik.

"Hellloooo! Ako nga pala si Luna!" Pakilala nitong muli.

Nakipagkamay siya mula kay Kuya Cleon hanggang kay Thorn. Para s'yang tatakbong presidente. Napangiti na lang niya ako dahil sa kulit at natural ng personalidad niya. Parang nawawalang kakambal ni Biblee. Sila ni Biblee ang magkasundong magkasundo.

"Oh... commoners." Napakunot noo na naman kami.

"Commoners?" Harper inquired with her left brow up.

"Oh, easy. Hindi ko kayo iniinsulto ah." Depensa ni Luna. "Ganun kasi talaga rito, meron talagang 'labels'. At nagkataon na commoners nga kayo." She stated with a small smile.

"Can you join us at lunch?" Biglang sambit ni Thorn.

"Ay oo naman, baby Thorn. Sasama talaga ako sa'yo." Natawa na lang si Thorn sa kaniya.

"Kanina ako ang gusto mo, ngayon si Thorn na?" Kuya Cleon protested.

"Chill ka lang, Cleon babe." Luna told him and winked. "Alam mo na, mas maganda marami kayo, para more chances of winning." Dagdag pa niya. Nagkatawanan kami dahil doon.

"You are quite amusing." Kuya Akira commented.

"Oy, Akira sweetheart, baka niloloko mo na ako ha? Compliment 'yun para sa akin ha?" She replied quickly. Kuya Akira smiled and retorted. "Yeah, that's a compliment for you, Luna."

"So what's your full name, Luna?" Honoka asked.

"Ah, I'm Luminous Erina Melendez." Napangiti si Honoka, ang ganda naman pala ng pangalan niya. Hinawakan niya 'yung ID niya, akala ko ipapakita niya sa amin pero itinago niya.

Iba rin ang kulay, kaso hindi ko masyadong nakita.

"Let's go." Kuya Theon said.

Akala namin susunod si Luna sa amin pero nanatili siyang nakatindig at nakatungo.

"Tara Luna!" Excited na yaya ni Biblee she even went to her and clung her arms at Luna. Luna was kind of surprised but she smiled, para nga siyang maiiyak kasi may mga katulad namin na kumausap sa kaniya.

"S-Sigurado kayo, okay lang na sumama ako?" Nagtakha ako sa pag-aalinlangan niya. Parang kanina lang tuwang tuwa siya at ang sabi niya plano pa niya na sumama sa amin. Bakit parang ayaw na niya? Biro lang ba 'yung kanina?

"You should go with us." Harper even added. Harper is kind of choosy with people around her, so if she's like this, she actually like Luna as a person.

"P-Pero kasi... baka madamay—"

"Let's go, Luna." Thorn said, then went to Luna to pull her, we kind of teased them but Luna just smiled so happily at us.

We walked down the hallway and almost everyone are eyeing at us. Paano bago kami, tapos ayun na naman sila sa comment nilang, commoner kami, tapos may nagugulat kasi kasama namin si Luna but the weird thing is...

They never... they never even mentioned her. It was like Luna was invisible to them.

"Alam mo kung saan ang Food Alley or something na kainan?" Ate Amythee asked Luna.

"Oo naman! Tara!" Bumalik na siya sa pagiging masaya.

"Teka, we need to fetch the kids, baka lunch na rin nila." Kuya Pierce told us.

"Tara Pierce." Kuya Akira said. "Kami na lang ni Pierce ang susundo sa mga kapatid natin." He added, we all agreed.

"Kapatid?" Luna asked curiously.

"Yep! May mga kapatid pa kami. Hahaha." Biblee stated. Luna was amused. Akala niya lahat kami magkakapatid tapos pinaliwanag namin na magkakaibigan kami simula pagkabata at para na kaming magkakapatid.

Sinabi ni Luna kayna Kuya Pierce at Kuya Akira kung saan kami magkikita kita para makasama na namin 'yung makukulit naming mga kapatid.

Medyo malayo pala ang Food Alley at Plaza rito kaya naman nag-shuttle bus kami. It was free so it was good. Mabuti na lang akala ko may bayad, wala pa naman kaming pera na tinutukoy nila rito.

"Alam n'yo kapag gipit kayo, lalo na minsan walang budget ang mga commoner, shuttle bus lang kayo, kasi medyo mahal talaga mga bilihin dito." Luna instructed us. Medyo nakita naming kuryoso si Ate Amythee.

"Ops!" Pigil ni Luna. "Lahat ng tanong n'yo sa akin mamaya na. Alam ko namang bago lang kayo rito at marami kayong hindi alam." Nakahinga kami ng maluwag. Salamat naman at may magsasabi na sa amin ng mga nakakalitong bagay na pinagsasabi nila.

Kami kami lang ang nakasakay sa shuttle bus, at karamihan ng nakikita namin ay may nga sariling sasakyan at iba pa. Sana 'yung sasakyan na lang namin ang ginamit namin, kaso baka hindi kami kasya dahil umalis si Kuya Pierce at Akira.

Hindi nagtagal nakarating kami sa tinatawag nilang Food Alley.

Napanganga kami dahil sa ganda nito. Para kaming napunta sa isang food city. Sobrang dami ring tao na nagkalat. Oh my gosh! Ang ganda! Ang daming variety na pwedeng pagpilian kung saan kami kakain.

Para kaming nasa isang French City kung saan lahat ng high class stars na restuarant ay nandito. We should have brought our cards. Hindi ko akalain na 'yung ibang nakainan naming restaurant kapag nag iibang bansa kami ay narito.

"Ah eh... Tara muna sa place kung saan pwede tayong umupo. Hindi kakayanin ng pera ko kung lahat kayo ililibre ko." Kamot ulong sabi ni Luna.

"Oy, hindi kami magpapalibre ah. May pera kaming amin, tapos may bento pa na hinanda ang Tita namin na World renowned chef." Masayang sabi ni Kuya Cleon. Parang namang nakahinga ng maluwag si Luna.

"Mabuti na 'yung may baon kayo." She commented. "Magkano bang auruous n'yo?" Tanong niya. Nagtakha kami, tapos napakamot ulo siya. "Ay oo nga pala, hindi n'yo pa pala alam."

"'Yun ang tawag sa pera rito. Nasa ID n'yo s'ya. Parang debit na ba 'yung ID, ganun." Maikling paliwanag ni Luna. Napatango tango naman kami. Ganun pala 'yun.

Naglakad kami nang naglakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang garden. Merong mga table at chairs doon. Pero halos napakaunti lang nang nakain doon. Ang napansin ko sa mga nakain doon ay may puting ID, katulad ng amin.

Umupo kami sa may mahabang table doon na maraming chairs para kasya kami at 'yung paparating pang mga kapatid namin.

"May nadagdag na naman pala sa nga commoners."

"Looks like, hindi talaga  afford ng mga commoners ang pagkaing high class."

"Oh, poor them, mga walang auruous. Hindi kaya kumain sa masasarap na fine dining."

"Kausapin natin, may mga bagong commoners oh, katulad natin."

"Huwag kayong lumapit, hindi n'yo ba nakikita?"

Puro ganoon ang bulong bulungan nila. Mukhang apektado si Luna kahit hindi naman siya pinag uusapan. Ano ba kasing meron? Pakiramdam ko sasabog na ang ulo ko sa pagiging kuryoso.

Kung ganito na ako paano pa kaya si Ate Amythee, Biblee at Kuya Theon?

"Have you met Kellon?" Tanong ni Luna sa amin. We nodded. Inihanda na ni Honoka 'yung pagkain namin. Nasa kotse 'yun kanina binigay ni Kuya Akira bago kami umalis kanina. Mainit pa 'yun kasi may container sa kotse nila para hindi lumamig 'yung pagkain, para parang bagong luto pa rin.

"Wow! Ang bango! Ang sarap!" Biglang sambit ni Luna nang makita niya ang pagkain na hinahanda namin. Harper and I helped Honoka. Para naman kapag dumating na 'yung nga chikiting kakain na kami.

"Kayo nagluto?" Luna queried excitedly.

"No, Tita Shana did." Biblee answered.

"Sobrang sarap magluto ni Tita Shana, chef 'yun eh, sa totoo lang kung hindi nagpakasal agad si Mama kay Papa, baka nasa France na ang Mama at may restaurant na siyang may stars." Nakangiting pahayag ni Honoka.

"Yeah, Tita Shana's the best cook ever!" Masayang sang-ayon ni Kuya Cleon.

"Galing pala talaga kayo sa mayayamang pamilya ano?" Luna said while looking at each one of us.

"Hindi naman! Pero hindi ko rin masasabi na 'commoner' ang status namin sa buhay." I said. They all agreed.

"Truth!" Harper exclaimed. "I am trained to be a Queen, so it really doesn't fit with me to be labeled as a commoner." She added obviously. Natawa na lang si Luna sa confidence ni Harper.

"Bakit commoner kayo kung galing naman kayo sa mayamang angkan?" Takhang tanong ni Luna.

"That's why we are really curious about this so called labels in here." I retorted gently. Luna looked at me with eyes sparkling.

Sasagutin na sana ni Luna 'yung tanong kaso dumating na sina Kuya Pierce at Akira with our siblings.

"Ateeee Art!" Masayang tawag ni Ais sa akin. Agad ko siyang sinalubong ng yakap at saka inupo sa tabi ko.

"How was it, Athena?" Tanong ko kay Athena na tumabi kay Kuya Cleon sa katapat namin ni Ais.

"Okay lang naman, I just don't get some of the stares and they frigging call us ignorant commoners!" Asar na asar na sabi ni Athena. Kuya Cleon gave her cold water to calm her down. She's frowning so she's really pissed off.

"Hinamon ko nga ng suntukan 'yung isa ro'n! Hampaslupa sila! Alam ba nilang nakatakdang Hari ako ng kaharian ng mga Sy?" Altair declared loudly. Nakita kong napasapo ang mababait niyang kapatid.

"Altair, your mouth." Kuya Pierce demanded. Altair wanted to protest but Thorn interrupted him, by asking Blithe about her experience.

"It was awful, Kuya. They treated me like I don't belong. Let's go back home. I don't to be here." Malungkot na sambit ni Blithe. I saw how the two saints, suddenly produced black auras.

"Ha-ha-ha, ano? Resbakan na ba natin umaway sa reyna natin ha?" Pangdagdag pa ni Altair sa inis nung mga santo namin.

Sinamaan lang siya ng tingin ni Thorn. "Don't worry, Blithe. We'll take care of it. Just show them, how good and kind you are, they'll be on their knees." Paalala nito sa kapatid.

"Nicholas?" Biglang tanong ni Honoka sa kapatid na mukhang badtrip kasi hindi nagsasalita.

"This school is really the worst. I'm thinking of going back." Maikling saad nito. Nagbibigay ng malamig na pakikitungo. Sa tatlong Williams si Nicholas ang pinakanagmana kay Tita Shana sa pagiging nakakatakot.

Ginulo ni Kuya Akira ang buhok ng kapatid. "Ano aalis ka? Duwag ka na?" Savage. That's Kuya Akira. Minsan akala mo napakabait pero sa likod ng mahinahon at akala mo'y mabait niyang pagsasalita ay mga salitang matatalas na palaging nanghahamon.

That's why you really never wanna talk back to him, 'cause you'll never know when you'll be roasted. He has his way with words.

"Who said that?" Tanong ni Nicholas.

Kuya Akira shrugged. "Go back if you want, no one's stopping you." Balewalang sambit nito.

"There's no way I'll just back down from this." Nicholas replied with sharpness. Nakakatakot sa totoo lang. Ang bata bata pa pero iba na ang dating. Tita Shana's deadly aura was really passed down to him.

"Ano ba kasing nangyari Liam?" Biblee asked her brother.

"Bunch of idiots labelling us, as commoners and throwing glares at us like we are at the wrong place. They even told us to crawl back at our mother's womb because there's no space for us in here. In short, they totally hate us." Liam cut the story short to why they are so irritated.

"Ah ganoon!" Asar na imik ni Biblee. "Nasaan 'yang mga 'yan? Anong akala nila sa atin ha? Anong mga pangalan? Ibigay mo sa akin, lahat dali! Sabihin mo kung sino, at pananagutin natin!" She added furiously.

"Calm down, Biblee." Saway ni Ate Amythee.

"They deserve it though, Ate Amythee. I'll tell Father to take those nothing but full of talks people down." Aristle joined in the conversation.

"I'm sure, Mother and Father won't just sit around with what's happening, at this school." Harper seconded.

"No!" Kuya Theon stated. "Alam n'yo namang hindi nila alam na nandito tayo, tapos magsasabi kayo? Ridiculous." He remarked.

And with that, a heated confrontation begun. Napasapo kami ng noo ni Honoka. Harper even though she's calmly and elegantly arguing, she's still arguing. Agh. Why? Bakit naman kasi problema agad ang unang araw namin?

The battle between our circle is getting louder we are attracting audiences too, I wanted to stop them, but I don't know how, 'cause for sure, I'll be dragged on the mess.

Only if... only The Evans's are here, for sure, just one word from Kuya Law, all of them would be awfully quiet.

"AHM, NANDITO PA AKO, HELLO. HELLO. NAKAKAHIYA NAMAN SA MGA NANUNUOD SA INYO, PWEDE TAYONG KUMALMA?" Natigil sila dahil sa lakas ng boses ni Luna kahit hindi ito sumigaw nang todo.

Napalingon ang lahat sa kaniya. They even slowly sat down and looked at her confusingly.

"Sino siya, Kuya?" I heard Athena asked Kuya Cleon.

"Hi mga bulilit! Ako si Luna." Pakilala niya.

"At para sa pinagtatalunan ninyo, magpapaliwanag na ako, okie? Kaya chill, inhale, exhale." Natawa ako kasi nag inhale exhale nga silang mga nagtatalo kanina. Maliban kay Kuya Theon, of course.

"Kain na tayo dali, ang sarap pa naman yata nito." Sambit pa niya. So we started eating.

"Oh! Wow! Ang sarap nga! Omg! Penge pa nga! Mygad. Daig pa nito 'yung napakamamahal na bilihin dito. Hala! Magnificent! More more! Omgee. Hindi pa ako nakakain ng ganito kasarap! Swerte n'yo ah!" Dirediretsong kumento ni Luna habang kumakain ng luto ni Tita Shana.

Natawa na lang kami at kumain nang kumain. Hanggang sa nagsimula na siyang magpaliwanag.

"Alam n'yo, kaya commoner ang tawag sa inyo, kasi 'yung ID n'yo." Nakinig kami sa kaniya. "Ang kulay ng ID n'yo ay puti ibig sabihin nasa pinakamababang lebel kayo at 'yun ay ang mga commoners." Nanatili kaming tahimik pero naliwanagan na kami kung bakit agad nila kaming natatawag na commoners.

"May dalawang uri ng commoners, 'yung katulad n'yong puti 'yung mga free na commoners, 'yung tipong mahirap lang, walang auruous, tapos walang benefits at kung ano ano, the worst is, commoners like you are treated like trashes, and dropouts." She straightforwardly explained.

Biblee wanted to query but Luna signaled her to listen first to all she has to say. We all listened.

"'Yun na namang mga commoners na may ID na may kulay white at ibang kulay pa. For example, white and blue, white and brown, white and green, basta dual colour na may white, ibig sabihin nun ay 'yung commoner na 'yun ay alipin ng kulay na nasa ID nila." Mahinahong sambit nito.

"Hindi ko maintindihan. Anong mga kulay?" Kuya Cleon said.

"Ahm. The colours symbolize what kind of empire or state you belong into." Paliwanag nito.

"The colour white, and the crownless, are the commoners."

"The colour brown, are the middle class."

"The coulour green, are the elites."

"The colour blue are the royals."

"You don't mess with the royals. They are considered powerful. Maunti lang sila sa totoo lang. 'Yung mga madadaldal at walang ginawa kung hindi apihin o pag usapan kayo, mga middle tiers 'yun, kaso 'yung iba sa kanila elites."

"Commoners don't have any rights in this school. Kapag sinabihan ka ng kahit sinong middle class na linisin ang kotse n'ya at kung ano ano pa, kailangan mong sundin, kung hindi pwede kang mapunta sa punishment building."

"It's really scary in there you know. Hindi mo tatangkain na mapunta ro'n, only seven people have been there and went out alive."

Pakiramdam ko kinilabutan ako. May ibang ibig sabihin kasi 'yung sila lang 'yung nakalabas ng buhay.

Ibig sabihin ba talaga? Ang baba namin sa school na ito? Paanong nangyari iyon? Bakit kami commoners? Bakit?

"'Yung sinasabi ko naman na dual colour na commoner, sila 'yung mga may utang sa mga elites or middles class, kaya alipin sila nung mga 'yun. Huwag n'yo tatangkain maging alipin kasi sinasabi ko sa inyo, impiyerno ang dadanasin ninyo."

Walang nakapagsalita dahil sa babala ni Luna. Luna's easy go lucky and cheerful, but right now, she's so serious and I think we really need to follow her warnings and cautions because we don't want to go lower than we are in this moment.

"The middle class, have some powers and they are gutsy when it comes to commoners. May kaya sila at skilled sila, pero hindi sapat 'yung skill nila at aurous nila para mapabilang sa mga Elites."

"The Elites... they demonstrate the power of authority. Like the teachers. Commonly the teachers or percepteur are elites. Kahit estudyante sila kaya nilang kalebel nila ang mga teachers, lalo na sa decision making at iba pa. They are dangerous and they are treated like superiors, so be careful when you are encountering an elite. Mas mabuti pang umiwas kayo kapag ganon."

"Ano naman ang royals?" Biblee asked.

"Ah, there are only ten? Ah, no. There are only twelve royals. They act as the student council and the student board. They are part of the system in the school. Para sila na rin ang isa sa pinakamataas na may tungkulin dito. Daig pa ang ibang mga teachers. May tatlong teachers sa royals, at dalawang staff pero the rest ay estudyante na. Hindi na siguro masama na sabihin kong kontrolado nila ang school."

Estudyante? Kontrolado ang school?

"They are top notch. Academics, sports and— yeah, basta lahat na hindi sila nagpapatalo. They are also called the rulers. Basta kahit anong gawin n'yo kahit banggain n'yo na elites, 'wag lang royals, kasi pwede kayong matanggal sa school."

Walang nakapagsalita sa sinasabi ni Luna, mukhang... maling school yata ang pinasukan namin.

Sigurado ba talaga sina Biblee na nandito ang mga Evans? Kung totoo man, anong gagawin nila sa ganitong klaseng school? Hindi ba sila natatakot?

"Anong kailangan naming gawin para maging royals kami?" Nagulat kaming lahat sa seryosong tanong ni Kuya Theon.

"Are you seriously asking that? Hindi ba pwede middle class muna? Royals agad agad?" Natatawang tanong ni Luna.

"Yeah. Royals. How?" Kuya Theon queried so intensely. Nakita ko ang isang ngiti kay Luna na tila pinipigilan niya. Mukhang hindi napansin nung iba at ako lang ang nakapansin. Kinilabutan ako.

Sino ka ba... Luna?

"Simple lang." Nakangiting sagot ni Luna.

"Take one of them down, and replace their throne." Kuya Theon smirked. He's so thrilled about this...

"Sigurado ka bang hanggang royals lang ang gugustuhin mo?" Nagulat kami nang biglang nag-iba ang awra ni Luna, tila naghahamon, tila sobrang interesado, na hindi kami tumatakbo o natatakot bagkus ay naghahangad pa kami na maging nasa tutok ng hirarkiya na sinusunod ng paaralang ito.

"Why? Do you want us to go immediately and take down the crowned ones?" Pakiramdam ko biglang nanindig ang balahibo nang magsalita si Ate Amythee ng may kakaibang awra.

Parang ibang tao siya... hindi 'yung nakasanayan namin na mabait at mala-anghel na Amythee.

"So you know about the Crowns, huh?" Luna said with a simper.

"Yeah, the Gold ID holders." Kuya Theon retorted calmly.

Bakit ang kalmado nila? Pero kaming iba sobrang tensyonado na? Bakit ganito na lang bigla sina Ate at Kuya? Did they discover something? Or... why do I feel like... from the day we were born... we are already supposed to be like that... bakit parang matagal na naming persona ang maging kalmado sa oras ng tensyon at peligro?

"So you already saw a person with Gold ID holder, huh?" Hamong tanong ni Luna.

"Not really, but we saw a crown badge." Ate Amythee answered.

"Sino?" Tanong ni Harper.

"Kellon." Sagot ni Biblee.

Hindi ko matandaan na nakitaan ko si Kellon noon, pero kung totoo man hindi na ako magtatakha dahil halatang halata naman, kung maliitin niya kami kanina akala mo insekto lang kami sa paningin niya.

"Sila na ba ang pinakamataas?" Tanong ni Kuya Theon.

"Siguro..." Sambit ni Luna.

"Meron pa?" Tanong ko naman.

"Wala na." Luna stated with a smile. "The Crown. They are the highest in the hierarchy. They are the monsters personified... the people you wouldn't want to mess with, and the people who hold your dearest lives."

"So how do we get the crown? How may are they?" Tanong nito.

"There are seven crowns." Maikling sagot ni Luna. "How you ask? Simple..." Mapaglarong sambit nito.

"Just make them bow down, dethrone them, and take their crown."

Hindi ko alam pero parang sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko, hindi lang ako, kung hindi ng buong barkada. Parang kasing gusto ko 'yung hamon na sinasabi ni Luna. Ganoon nga lang ba kadali? O dadaan muna kami sa butas ng karayom?

"Did someone ever replace them?" Tanong naman ni Kuya Akira.

"In history? Never. No one even dared to take their crown away... until the..."

"...Crown Sinners came."

***