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Cafeteria Poison

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ANN PLACED the photo of their last suspect on the corkboard, pinning it with a tack. With a satisfied nod, she then stepped backwards, hands on her hips as she scrutinized the newly-put up evidence board that they had created for the vandal case.

Kakatapos lang i-finalize ng anim ang kanilang mga suspects after yesterday's inspections, something which they had debated over hours for.

"Sigurado ba tayo na ito na 'yung final list of suspects?" the short-haired girl asked her friends who were standing beside her, staring too at the board that they made.

"They were the ones that showed suspicious behavior and provided inconsistent alibis, so yes," Rein, who was leaning against the wall, was the first to answer. This prompted his rival to roll her eyes.

"Yes, pero baka may nakaligtaan tayo," she said in annoyance. "Queenie, who else do you have in your list based on your research?"

Napatingin naman si Queenie sa kanyang laptop na buhat-buhat ng dalaga. Her dark curls were pulled back in a bun, and her forehead was creased in concentration as she scrolled through the initial list she and her twin had collected last night.

"I think nailagay naman na natin lahat... oh wait," she stuttered, before rushing towards the nearby printer.

Napatingin ang lima sa kanya habang isinaksak niya ang connector ng printer sa kanyang laptop. In the span of a few minutes, she was able to produce another photo.

"We forgot the most popular rebel in school," Queenie grinned, pulling out the ejected photo from the output tray. She then walked towards the board, pinning the photo herself.

When she stepped back herself, the six then stared at the final photo — the face of a bored-looking Emerie Louise Castrana staring right back at them.

"Of course," Sera murmured. "How did we almost skip her?"

"We didn't, thanks to Queenie," Ann remarked, giving her friend a proud pat. Queenie rolled her eyes before smiling in appreciation. "Kailangan nating ma-interview ulit ang mga 'to as soon as possible. While contacting them, hatiin na natin kung sino-sino ang mag-oobserve sa suspects."

As the Campus Sleuths' president was about to delegate which suspects should each sleuth keep an eye out for, bigla namang tumunog ang speaker sa loob ng kanilang opisina at bumukas ang television screen na katabi nito.

"An announcement?" kunot-noong tanong ni Quinn habang lumapit ang anim papunta sa TV. "May nakalimutan ba tayong ganap ngayong araw?"

At that moment, the television screen focused on the podium where Castillo High's student council logo was engraved in its wood. Agad na umakyat at humarap rito ang matangkad na presidente ng student council. He had with him a folder which he placed on top of the podium.

"Good day, Castillians," seryosong bati ni Enzo. Diretso itong nakatingin sa telebisyon, his grey eyes staring straight at the sleuths.

"Hoping you are all safe and well. My announcements today will consist of the student council's plans to prevent any further type of vandalism on the school facilities. This has already been consulted with the school administrators as well as with the Official Castillian Police who has graciously lent us more men to solve this dilemma."

"The OCP is involved now?" Ann scoffed, snatching the remote from the table and increasing the volume.

"While the Campus Sleuths are still investigating the identity of the vandal, the administrators and OCP have agreed with the student council's increased security plan in response to this rebellious act. Two police officers from the OCP will now be stationed at the doors of both the girls' and boys' dormitories. To enter and exit the dormitories, students will be inspected and asked to log their names and time of entrance or exit. Additionally, the OCP will now also add four officers stationed at the gates of the campus to help school guards inspect the entrance and exit of students, faculty, and staff alike. We hope that these additional security measures will make you, our dear Castillians, feel safer within the campus grounds," he then gave a small smile before closing the folder.

"That is all, the press may now ask questions," Enzo announced as cameras flashed simultaneously at the young man.

Napakurap ang anim sa telebisyon. Silence hung in the air as the sleuths bore different expressions to Enzo's recent announcement.

"Is that supposed to be a dig at us na hindi pa natin nahuhuli 'yung vandal?" Quinn frowned, causing Ann to shut the TV with the remote. 

"Let them do what the hell they want to do," the Lobris girl snorted before tossing the remote to the nearby sofa. "Enzo's just a sneaky fox taking advantage of the situation para mapabango 'yung reputasyon niya."

"I'm afraid it's working though," Sera, who was peeking through their door, remarked. From outside their office, they could hear the faint sound of clapping and cheering.

Agad na sumunod ang iba at tuluyan nang binuksan ni Sera ang pintuan, all of them spilling into the corridor to see Enzo and a group of people at the lobby of the main building — kung saan naganap ang kaninang anunsyo. He was just stepping down from the podium as the Castillians cheered for him.  

"'Di talaga walang kwenta 'yung council pag si Enzo ang nasa taas. For sure 'di na uulit 'yung vandal na 'yan," a student told her friend as they passed by the sleuths who watched the whole thing unfold.

"Hindi ba't mas mahihirapan na tayong huliin 'yung vandal if hindi na siya uulit?" Jarrell asked nervously as they watched the different photographers of the student publications swarm around Enzo who slightly waved his hand before entering the student council office with PRO Webster Diokno and Chief-of-Staff Bailey Matula beside him.

"Relax," Rein quipped, placing a hand on his friend. "Don't let Enzo nor the council get to you. We'll just focus on our investigation and let the council do its thing," he reassured Jarrell who let out a deep breath, still afraid of the student council president. 

Pag pumipikit kasi ang binata ay nakikita nito ang matalim at nakakatakot na tingin sa kanya ni Enzo — as if he was close to murdering the youngest son of the mayor. Jarrell shivered at the thought.

With one last pat on Jarrell's back Rein then started walking away from the others.

"Huy, sa'n ka pupunta??" 

"Cafeteria," Rein replied without turning his head. Itinaas niya ang kanyang wallet. "Narrowing down our suspects has made me hungry." 

Sakto naman ay narinig nila ang biglang kulo ng tiyan ni Jarrell, greeted by the others' laughter. Dahil dito ay sumunod ang lima sa binata, discussing lighter topics as they crossed the field to get to the cafeteria that was now currently serving food.

"Oh I'm parched!" Sera exclaimed as soon as they entered the place, immediately falling in line by the bar area that was serving lemonade colored-drinks and iced tea.

Habang naghahanap 'yung iba ng bakanteng lamesa na mauupuan nila ay namataan ni Queenie ang kanyang manliligaw na nasa bandang dulo ng cafeteria.

"Ah guys, sabay nalang ako sa inyo sa susunod. Samahan ko lang si Kai," nagmamadaling sabi ng dalaga. Po-protesta na sana ang kanyang kapatid pero tumakbo na ang dalaga.

"Kai!" masayang bati ni Queenie rito. Kasama ng kanyang manliligaw ang ibang mga kaibigan niya. They were all on their phones, pressing on their screens violently.

"Q-Queenie!" gulat na sambit ng binata, glancing at the young girl quickly before gluing his eyes back to his device. Queenie felt a bit weirded out by this but she still decided to sit beside him for the benefit of the doubt.

"Uh," she said, looking around their table and staring at Kai's friends who were also busy playing, not even acknowledging the girl. "Kumain na ba kayo?"

"Ah, hindi pa. Tinatapos lang 'tong game," her suitor replied absent-mindedly without looking at Queenie to reply.

"UY PRE, DO'N SA GILID! AYAN!" sigaw ni Kai, cursing out loud when one of his friends' characters were killed in the game.

"Oh okay," Queenie muttered, trying to hide the change in her tone. "Wait, baka nagugutom ka na? Bilhan na kita ng pagkain."

Without waiting for a reply, the young girl then stood up, glancing back at the group of boys with a frown before walking towards the line of Castillians waiting for their food to be served.

"Wews."

A voice snorted as Queenie walked, causing her to turn her head in surprise to see Emerie walking alongside her. Mukhang papunta rin ito para pumila sa pagkain.

"I don't know about you, but if your boyfriend can't even get you food, he's automatically an asshole," the girl, who was one of their primary suspects, remarked. 

Dahil dito ay napansin ni Queenie na hindi suot ni Emerie ang kanyang usual headphones, nor was she chewing bubblegum in her mouth. 

"Pinapanood mo ba ako??" kunot-noong tanong ni Queenie as she looked at Emerie from head to toe. The young girl had her long, brown hair flowing down to her shoulders. Nakababa rin sa noo nito ang kanyang manipis na bangs, slightly covering her dark eyes. Queenie also noticed that the first button of her blouse was opened — her red necktie nowhere to be seen. And instead of wearing the prescribed black, one inch heels, Emerie was wearing black stockings and a pair of loafers.

Most of all, Queenie noted the faint smell of cigarette on the girl.

"Darling, you were speaking with your outdoor voice and I happened to be passing by," she scoffed. With an exaggerated gesture of her hand, ipinauna niya si Queenie sa pila.

The curly-haired hesitantly stepped into the line before glancing back to Emerie.

"He isn't my boyfriend though," she corrected the young girl who raised an eyebrow at her. "Nanliligaw palang."

"Then all the better! The easier you can dump his ass," Emerie remarked. "What's stopping you? Please don't tell me because he's sweet, kind—yada yada, yada! I've had enough of couples lately," she said sarcastically, shuddering as if remembering a certain couple.

"Besides, kung nanliligaw palang naman pala tapos ganyan na agad 'yung ugali, then he's definitely not worth your pretty face," sambit ng dalaga, leaning on one leg as she folded her arms and craned her neck to see the front of the line. "Ba't ang tagal ng pila?!" reklamo ni Emerie.

Meanwhile, Queenie pouted her lips in thought as the line finally started moving once more.

"I'll think about it," she murmured hesitantly. "Saka salamat. I've never had someone out of my friend group call me pretty."

Si Emerie naman ang tumingin sa kanya mula ulo hanggang paa, causing the curly-haired girl to blush. "Seryoso??" the suspect frowned before shaking her head. "Then consider me charmed."

Hindi na nakasagot si Queenie nang siya na ang sumunod sa pila, grabbing a tray from the pile. The lunch lady placed a plate of carbonara on her tray and two chicken sandwiches which she paid for at the cashier. Nang nakaalis na ito sa pila ay napatigil ang dalaga at tinignan muli ang manliligaw na busy pa rin sa pakikipaglaro.

She rolled her eyes before turning her head towards her friends who were now eating at another table. Jarrell seemed to be saying some kind of joke, and Rein, who was holding a copy of the Castillian Gazette, seemed to be engaged in another never-ending banter with Ann. All was right with the world.

With a fond smile, Queenie then headed towards them with her tray. 

"I'm back," she announced, sliding into the seat beside Sera who was twirling her pesto pasta with a fork.

"Oh, anyare sa manliligaw mo?" usisa agad ng kapatid niya na tinaasan siya ng kilay.

Queenie shrugged her shoulders, ignoring her brother as she leaned forward to the group.

"You guys will never guess who decided to talk to me just a few seconds ago," she whispered. Dahil dito ay napakunot ang noo ng kanyang mga kaibigan at inilapit rin nila ang kanilang mga mukha sa dalaga.

"Ha? Sino??"

"May manliligaw ka nanaman?!"

"Our primary suspect, Emerie Castrana," she grinned triumphantly before leaning back and mixing her carbonara. She then twirled it around her fork before taking a bite.

"Eh? Ano sabi?" Jarrell quipped. "Is she causing chaos again?"

"No," iling ng dalaga bago sumubo muli sa pasta. "Pumila lang siya like a normal student. Oh look, there she goes."

The other five then tried their best not to look directly at Emerie who passed by with a bowl of soup and salad on her tray. She then made herself comfortable by sitting at an empty table, eating alone.

"She must be lonely," Queenie said quietly. "I know how eating alone felt like for most of high school."

Ann on the other hand, frowned and snapped a finger in front of Queenie's face who blinked at her in surprise. "Get it together, Q! Suspect pa rin natin siya. We can't afford to empathize with our suspects — it can cloud our judgment! For all we know, she might be plotting her next move right now," the Lobris heir snapped.

"Ann's right. Ang dali mo kasing ma-attach eh," Quinn agreed with a teasing grin.

"Oo na!" the bespectacled girl complained before rolling her eyes. She then noticed the Gazette issue in Rein's hand, nodding towards it in her attempt to change the subject. "Oh, ano meron diyan? May bagong balita?" 

Rein looked down at the newspaper before handing it to Queenie who read the top headline curiously.

"We were just talking about the front page headline of the August issue," Rein explained, one elbow leaning on the table as he took a bite from his chicken curry. "According to the registrar, tumataas na daw ang bilang ng mga Castillians na nagda-drop."

"Huh? Pang-ilan na 'to diba?" Queenie frowned as she scanned the article. "Come to think of it, wala atang isang taon dito sa Castillo High na walang nag-drop na estudyante."

"Exactly," Rein nodded. "Which is why I was just pitching to Lobris about how much of an interesting case it would be for us to look into. But, as usual, the girl is as stubborn as she is short," he scoffed, causing Ann to snap her head towards him with a glare.

"And you're as brainless as you are tall!" she hissed back, stabbing a fork on the meat in her plate. "We can't afford to focus on another case right now when the student council president himself is expecting us to finish the vandal case ASAP!"

"Whatever you say, Campus Sleuths' president," her rival replied sarcastically before taking another spoonful.

Sera, who was reading the article alongside Queenie frowned. "'Yan lang naman siguro 'yung kakaiba dito sa Castillo High eh. Kung hindi nagda-drop na estudyante, may mga naaaksidente naman. Diba nga nasa coma parin 'yung isang grade ten student na nag-trending early last school year? Naalala niyo ba 'yon? August ata nung pumutok 'yung issue." 

The others whipped their heads towards Sera who was holding her glass of iced tea. "HANGGANG NGAYON?!" Hindi makapaniwalang sigaw nung lima. A few nearby tables turned towards their table curiously, wondering why the Campus Sleuths were shouting.

"Isang taon nang naka-coma??" Jarrell repeated in disbelief. "Imposible 'yun diba?"

"Baka gano'n na lang katindi 'yung aksi—AAAHH!" Sera let out a blood-curdling scream a she threw the glass of iced tea back to her table while standing up in horror. Agad na nabasag ang baso at natapon ang inumin dahilan para mapatayo rin ang kanyang mga kaibigan sa gulat.

Other students were now directly staring at the sleuths as Sera stumbled backwards in disgust.

Under the glass that crashed, a cockroach scurried out into the table before flying up in the air.

"MAY IPIS!" A student from the next table screeched as the cockroach flew over their heads.

Agad na nagtilian at nagsi-takbuhan papalayo ang karamihan habang nagtatawanan naman 'yung iba.

Jarrell couldn't help but be part of the latter as he let out a bellow of laughter. "NAG-INDIRECT KISS KAYO NG IPIS!" natatawang bulyaw ni Jarrell, halos hindi na makahinga habang namumula naman sa gulat at irita si Sera.

"Gago ka talaga kahit kailan!" inis na sigaw ng dalaga at hinampas ng malakas si Jarrell. Ann on the other hand gave her own glass of water to Sera who was sticking out her tongue in disgust.

"Where the hell did that come from??" Rein frowned, watching the other students attempt to kill the flying cockroach with their expensive, leather shoes. "Isn't Castillo High's food managed by michelin star-chefs?"

"Five star or not, I'll sue them!" Sera gasped after drinking the whole glass. 

Sa gitna ng kaguluhan ay bigla namang napatigil si Queenie at napahawak sa kanyang tiyan. Her face suddenly shifted into a shade of green while her lips turned pale. Nararamdaman niyang kumukulo ang kanyang sikmura, causing the girl to scramble her free hand on the edge of the cafeteria table before bending down.

"Queenie?" Ann asked worriedly as soon as she noticed the girl's predicament. Agad namang hinawakan ni Quinn ang kapatid, trying to steady her.

"Anong nangyayari sa'yo??" tanong ng kanyang kambal na hinihimas ang likod niya. 

Queenie then clutched the table tighter, feeling more sick by the second. "Nasusuka ako," she said breathlessly.

"She's going to double over," Rein said, his eyes widening in realization. Pero bago pa makakilos ang mga ito ay sumuka na agad si Queenie, doubling over on the floor. Quinn immediately pulled up his sister's hair habang ni-refill naman ni Ann ang kanyang baso ng tubig at ibinigay sa kaibigan.

"Please don't tell me there was a cockroach in Queenie's food too," Sera said in horror as Rein grabbed Queenie's plate, sniffing the pasta.

Kunot-noong inamoy ng binata ito ng tatlong beses bago ibinalik sa lamesa.

"It's spoiled," Rein frowned, turning to Queenie whose green cheeks had now turned pale, weak from vomiting. "Nilagyan lang ata ng bagong coat ng sauce sa taas kaya siguro hindi nahalata ni Queenie."

"That's it!" Sera snapped. She then angrily tossed her napkin on the floor and stomped towards the cafeteria ladies who seemed to be distraught from the situation as well, shouting towards the kitchen for someone to take care of the cockroach issue.

"Excuse me ate," Sera demanded, looking at the lunch lady behind the cafeteria's cashier. "Panis na carbonara ang nakuha ng kaibigan ko mula sa staff niyo kanina. Tapos 'yung iced tea ko rin may ipis. Hihingi po sana kami ng refund tutal mukhang hindi naman pumasa sa safety regulations 'yung mga pagkain na binebenta niyo."

Agad na umiling naman ang ale na nakasimangot. "I'm sorry miss. Pasensya na po sa nangyari pero hindi kami pwedeng magbalik ng pera. Kung tutuusin, may kasalanan rin kayo. Dapat chine-check niyo rin ang pagkain na bibilhin niyo," sambit ng matanda, tila sinisisi pa ang sitwasyon sa mga estudyante.

Agad na nagpantig ang tenga ng dalaga.

"Aba ate!" Sera said in disbelief, not believing what she was hearing. "Kami na nga 'tong na-agrabyado, ikaw pa 'tong galit?? Tignan mo 'yung kaibigan ko oh, sumuka na!" 

"Ay nako, miss!" sabi ng mataray na ale. "Sa OSA po kayo magreklamo, hindi sa amin!"

Sera threw her hands up into the air as a frustrated response.

Castillians all around them were either still shrieking from the cockroach, laughing at the scene, or whispering to themselves and staring at the sleuths with judging eyes. Keira Suarez — who was eating with her group of friends — were the latter, giggling at Queenie's predicament and talking to one anther in giddy whispers.

Mas lalong uminit ang dugo ni Sera.

"Dapat ito ang inaatupag ng student council eh!" sarkastikong pagpaparinig ng dalaga, glaring right at Keira whose immediately turned to Sera, making a face at her. 

It took all of Sera's willpower not to flip her at the spot.

"Sera, let's go," Ann hissed just in time, pulling the girl away. "Kailangan na nating dalhin si Queenie sa clinic."

"'Di ko papalampasin ito, akala nila," Sera muttered under her breath as Quinn and the others helped Queenie up, assisting the sick girl out of the cafeteria.

"Unting lakad lang, Q," Ann said softly while Queenie was leaning onto Rein and Quinn, the six of them walking towards the health service building in the campus.

Pagdating nila sa clinic ay agad na ipinaupo si Queenie at in-examine ng nurse na naka-duty, scrambling from her seat to attend to the young girl.

"Nako," the nurse clicked her tongue. "Mukhang food poisoning ata ito. Tara, sa loob ka muna."

Queenie was then led to the inner room of the large clinic, with the nurse making her sit on one of the white beds. There were a few students inside as well, others lying down on the other beds, while some were being attended by another nurse on duty. Mayroong mga kurtina na nagsisilbing divider sa bawat higaan para mabigyan ng privacy ang mga estudyanteng pasyente.

"Kukuha lang ako ng gamot ha. Kung gusto mo pang sumuka, takbo ka lang sa comfort room," the nurse instructed Queenie, pointing towards a white door. Agad na tumango ang dalaga at bumalik ang nurse sa loob.

"Kamusta na tiyan mo?" pag-aalalang tanong ni Quinn, the five of them looking at Queenie in concern.

"M-Medyo um-okay naman na nung sumuka ako-o," the curly-haired girl reassured them with a faint smile.

As the others tried to humor Queenie, something moving from the other end of the room caught Ann's peripheral vision.

Dahil dito ay napaangat ng tingin ang dalaga. Her eyes scanned past the rows of white beds until she saw a certain dark-haired girl occupying one of it at the far end of the clinic. 

Napakurap agad si Ann nang ma-realize nito na si Elysia pala ang nakahiga. Medyo namumutla rin ang itsura ng manunulat, having the same faint expression as Queenie's.

She watched as the brunette stirred lightly, looking up at the ceiling.

"Here," a familiar voice suddenly said, further opening the curtain leading to Elysia's bed. Napaurong sa gulat si Ann nang makita ang matangkad na postura ng student council president. 

Enzo's back was turned to their group. He was instead facing the feature writer whom he handed a glass of water.

"Thanks," Elysia said weakly, smiling up to the president before propping herself up on the bed. Kinuha niya ang baso mula sa kamay ni Enzo.

Napakurap ng ilang beses si Ann, hindi makapaniwala sa nakikita. Akmang lalapit na sana ito para mas masilip ang dalawa nang biglang dumaan 'yung isa pang nurse at isinarado ang curtain divider ni Elysia, instantly blocking Ann's view of the two.

"Huy Ann, sinong sinisilip mo diyan?" natatawang sabi ni Jarrell as the Lobris girl turned back to her friends with a troubled expression. "Nakahanap ka ba ng pogi?"

"Kailan pa sila naging close?" Ann murmured absent-mindedly, dahilan para mapakunot ang noo ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

"Sinong close?" Rein frowned, demanding an answer. But the Lobris heir didn't reply. She was still at a grasp for words.

While Ann wasn't exactly a confidant of Enzo's, she knew enough to know that the president wasn't the type to harbor friends.

Is the student council and Castillian Gazette in some kind of secret agreement? Ann thought to herself, pondering over the implications of what she had just seen.

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