" Magandang Hapon, 9- Curie" Our male teacher greeted us. We're in the room where we were taking classes in 8 - Geometry. Taking the afternoon subjects.

" I will be your ELC teacher." Yeah, it's our advanced mathematics "... for this whole school year." He continued. I salute him even tho he's a person with disabilities he's still continuing to teach the students.

After our last subject, Research-- We went already downstairs.

" Mga Beh!" Emma called us. She's running in the corridor. While I'm putting the notebook inside my bag.

" Shh!" Zophiya made a 'shh' sign with her finger.

" Wala naman silang teacher!" Emma looked to the Grade 8 students.

" Your mind!" Zophiya continually replied. She held her head.

" Girls! Let's buy iced tea, please" I said to them. I'm freaking thirsty since ELC Subject!!

We're now walking downstairs and we use the bridge to go to another building.

" Si Leigh nga pala?" Ashley asked.

" Nauna na, bieh! May practice na naman sila." Emma answered, exhausted.

" What kind of practice?" I asked, worried.

" Malay ko mga beh! Baka maghahanap lang ng boys!" Emma fired back.

" We should hunt her," Zophiya ordered.

" Saan ba 'yon nagprapractice? Ano ba prinapractice? Sino nagprapractice? Kailan nagprapractice?" Ashley continually asked.

" Mga praning!" Emma answered. " Daanan natin pag-uwi."

" Emma, look to your right!" Ashley ordered. We passed now the parking lot. Looking at another gate of the school, but it's only for the exit. We use that gate often because we're STE.

" Ano namang meron, Ash?" She asked.

" Boyscouts!" Ashley whispered

" Enough with that love life, we are looking for Leigh," Zophiya replied and she dared to look at the scouts.

" Weh? Hindi nga, 'te?" Emma sarcastically laughs.

I saw Gilbert, Vincent, and Angel walking in our direction holding notebooks.

" Hey, darling!" Gilbert greeted me. He's now graduating being a junior high school that's why he wanted to enjoy all the moments left.

" Hi, Mr. Villaflor!" I greeted back. " Why are you holding some notebooks?" I said.

" Dadalhin lang sa Fili center." He replied " Sama ka?"

" Nah! We're looking for Ashley." Zophiya suddenly answered.

Gilbert chuckled. " She's in the court."

" Nood kayo ng laban namin next next week, ha." Vincent mentioned. I know he's talking to Ashley, but he said it loudly enough so we can hear it.

" Bro, what will happen 'next next week' ?" He emphasized.

" You gals and goiz! Can we just give it to the faculty? 'Cause I'll be late in the cheer dance." Angel suddenly replied, " So please?"

" Omg! She's so maarte." Emma whispered.

" I am not! You 'I don't know your name." Angel said. fierce.

" Hey, darling. We're going now, okay?" Gilbert caressed my hair. " Chat me if you arrived at your house already."

" Okay!" I romantically replied. And met my two fingers pointing to each other.

He stared at me for a moment and he licked his lower lip and shaking his head " Let's go, Vincent and Angel."

" So sweet, sis!" Ashley jumped in excitement.

" Yuh! You got the right man." Zophiya winked.

" Bongga!" Emma celebrated.

" You--" I hold my head " girls!"

" Still sweet." Ashley holds my arms " Let's go to the court and find that Leigh."

We're now entering the court, also the venue where the flag ceremony was happening. Until a familiar face stopped us.

He coughed " Mga binibini, Saan kayo pupunta?" He raised his brows up and down " The classes are not officially done, right?" 

" Are you the one I met before?" I asked.

He looked at me " You all didn't know me?" He asked.

" Sino binoto niyong SSG President?" The familiar boy asked " I'm not mad. Just asking."

I had a flashback. The time I cried running on the stairs! I knew it was him. Ch-- Cha--? UGH! I can't remember.

" Binoto ko yung pogi?" Emma questionly answered. " Basta yung naka-barong sa photoshoot!"

" Girls! You didn't really know him?" Ashley looked at us.

" I knew him." Zophiya crossed her arms.

Freak! Why I didn't know him. I mean I know his name, but I can't remember.

" Your SSG President." He bowed " Chaste Rliesse Valencia, Grade 10."

" We know." Zophiya raised her brow and slightly moved his bag.

Chaste was opening his notebook... I think that's a record notebook.

" And we're not a regular student." Ashley showed her ID.

He closed " Mga binibini, Bakit hindi niyo kaagad binanggit?" Chaste said.

" Okay, please." I said " If you may? We're going to our friend, President." I sipped in my iced tea.

" Maari na kayong makaalis." He mentioned. He also formed a 'you can now go' pose.

" Thank you, Pres!" Emma called.

We're now inside the court. It's dim here because it's already afternoon. I'm hearing mixed sounds.

" There's Leigh!" Zophiya pointed at the blue bench. She's now wearing a white shirt and black leggings paired with rubber shoes and her hair was in a bun.

" Pagod si ate mo girl!" Emma mentioned. Fixing her hair.

" Yuh!" Zophiya agreed.

We went to the blue bench so we can talk to Leigh. And exactly they're taking a break.

" Mga biEh!" Leigh ran towards our position.

" Don't you ever tried to hug us," I warned. " You're wet"

" Wow, ha! Pawis lang 'to biEh!" Leigh replied.

" So, do you want drinks? Water, Iced tea, or anything?" Zophiya asked her because she looked tired as dried fish.

" May baon naman akong tubig." She answered " Pero kung hindi naman labag sa kalooban mo, Orange juice."

" Girls! I'll just buy her an orange juice." Zophiya told getting her purse in her bag.

" Iiwan mo bag mo?" Emma asked.

" Yeah?" Zophiya questionly asked " We're staying long pa, right?

" You're mom was not here?" I asked.

" She's sick that's why I'll go home on my own." She said, " We don't have a driver, that's why."

" I see." I replied.

" Gusto mo sabay nalang tayo umuwi?" Leigh asked " Una na kayo."

" Really? Hindi masama loob niyo, ha!" Emma sured.

" Yeah! You two are going to be fine without us, huh?" I asked. Making sure that they'll love us no matter what.

" Jusmiyo naman kayo!" Leigh laughed " Sige na! Una na talaga kayo. Bahala kayo, baka magbago pa aking isip!"

" Yeah! Girls" Zophiya smiled.

" Bye, Girls!" I kissed their cheeks. "Good luck, Ms. Cheer girl!"

" Hays! Cheer girl, amp!" She replied. Scratching her head.

" Ingat, beh! Kung may mga stunts lang naman!" Emma mentioned holding Leigh's arm.

4 months passed. And it's Mathematics month already. Same activities: posters, slogans, Rubik's competition, and also the Local Math.

" Sinong mga gustong sumali sa Local Math natin?" Our ELC Teacher asked. He's also our regular math teacher.

" Sis!" I tapped Ashley's arms. " You must join. You're a mathematician, right?" I whispered

" I can join, but I can't." She replied.

" Except for the participants who joined the Sipnayan." My Math teacher continued. And he looked to my sis. " Especially you, Ashley."

" I said what I said." She whispered. " Try, Sis. We don't know the luck. Plus, it has an additional grade."

" No!" I nod " I'm no good at mathematics."

I just focus on the person raising their hands. Actually, I'm not bad at mathematics, but I just can't answer it without formulas!

" You, Ms. De Verra." He looked at me. " You must join. I'm including you in the list."

" N..." I stopped.

" Sige lang daw po, Sir!" Ashley shouted.

" Okay." My teacher nodded. " See you on Friday. Goodbye, class." He mentioned.

" You know that I can't join, Ash!" I said to her. Standing.

" I can review you naman!" She said. " But before that. Friday's the elimination."

" Elimi.. what?" I asked.

" All Grade 9 students will take the exams." She answered, " And 'yung top 10 highest scores will go to the finals."

" Okay. That's easy." I replied. " I'll just gonna screw myself in elimination so I can't stay in finals. Thank you." And I went outside looking in the people passing by.

I heard steps running " No! Girl." Ashley popped up.

" Hello mga biEh!" Leigh popped up with her orange juice. She's with Emma and Zophiya.

" Bakit kayo nasa labas?" Emma asked " Looking for boys?"

" We're.." I looked to Ashley " not."

" Baliw! We're just taken na." Ashley answered to Emma.

" So, bakit nga kayo nandito?" Emma continually asked.

" Forcing Natasha to join the Local Math elimination!" She answered. " Come help with me."

" Oh my ghod? Really?" Zophiya burst out in excitement. " You better snapped!"

" Gonna tutor you!" Emma mentioned " 1 plus 1 gano'n!"

" Ikaw bieh!" Emma looked at Leigh sipping in her juice. " Ano ambag mo?"

" Taga-cheer! Pwede na ba 'yon?" She answered both hands raising like a cheer dance.

" Go, Natasha!!!" They shouted.

" May klase ata yung 7- Avogadro!" Zophiya whispered.

" Who cares?" Ashley asked, " Let's celebrate."

" Look, Natasha." She told me. " We have full support for you. We have the trust in you."

" You can do it, biEh!" Leigh cheered.

I nodded. I am so very thankful that I have friends like them. The fun! UGH!

" Thank you, girls!" I said to them. " I might join."

" Vincent is there, oh!" I pointed out. " I think they're having their morning classes."

" Yeah, I will just gonna talk to him," Ashley replied. " Bye, girlies!"

I went home already and I am in my bedroom doing my assignments. I just can't believe that in two freaking days will be the elimination. I don't want to fail my friends. It's already afternoon that's why I take a nap. 

I woke up when I heard a notification coming from my phone.. maybe it's a call.

I stretched my arms. " heweyo" I said. Still sleepy.

[ hello, darling. Just got home] he said [ still dreaming?]

" Hwey! Gwod ywou're in hwome alweady! Iwt's fwun!"

[ Maybe, uhm.] He thought [ You must wash your face, first. So I can talk to you much better.]

I was getting to end the call

[ But don't end the call.] He ordered [ You're washing your face while I'm gonna change my clothes.]

I just ignored what he said, but that looks sickening! I went to my bathroom and I just did a facial wash.

[ So, how are you?] He said. I saw he's in the chair writing in his notebook.

" Fine.. just can't believe what happened earlier in school." I placed the phone standing on a pillow.

[ What happened 'earlier'.]

" My friends wanted me to join in the local Math thing," I said.

[ And you accepted it?] He looked in the cam holding a pen.

I nodded " I don't want to fail them. I think they expected to.. me. That's why I took a power nap and I will review after I woke up." I continually answered him.

[ I am hundred percent sure that you can do it, darling.] He mentioned. [ Make sure you're available tomorrow.]

" It's Thursday!"

[ I know.] He smiled in the camera

" You did not join, right?" I asked, " My teacher didn't join Ash in the contest."

I saw he nodded [ Yeah!]

" So how are you? Doing something?" I asked.

We exchanged some topics and I reviewed my past notes during the First and Second quarters.

Thursday. The classes were already done. And niyaya ako ng mga bffs ko in the library so they can study me. We sat inside near the shelves and it's cold there. I'm sitting in the front. Zophiya and Ashley were on my right side while Emma and Leigh were on the other side. 

" I can't stand with our Research Teacher." Zophiya ranted.

" Minsan na nga lang 'yon pumasok," Leigh replied.

" Oh my goodness! You are a CEO of facts, Leigh," Zophiya excitedly whispered.

" Baka naman Leigh Xienne ako."

" But, Yuh! I know, girl! The due date of Related Literature will be this Monday?" Zophiya continued holding her forehead. "Oh gosh!"

" Let's just review, Natasha. I think?" Ashley smiled.

" Sige lang. Pero nakakabingi na rin mathematics." Leigh sucked on her lollipop.

" May tama ka diyan, bieh!" Emma snapped her fingers.

" Math is lowkey fun when you know what the sickening you're doing," Zophiya added. She really hates this subject, huh. Same.

" But when you don't" I suddenly replied to her " that's when it gets frustrating."

My Friends asked me about quadratic equalities. They even tried to solve some quadratic equations. And extracted me some square freaking roots. I'm glad that Ashley's there. My review was even better when I'm with her.. with my friends than myself.

I came back home. It's already 4:32 PM. I changed my clothes and took a short nap. I can't sleep because tomorrow's gonna be the elimination.

I came back to school because I forgot my phone. I heard some thunder and it's raining so hard. I saw Gilbert sitting at the slide stair.

" Hey, Gilbert," I mentioned. Worried " What are you doing there?"

" Don't, please." He said. His eyes were red.

" Hey! Are y-you crying?" I bend my body holding his face.

" Promise me, you will not do it." His tears fell from his eyes. " You know that I really lov--"

The place changed into a party. I saw a girl sitting on her throne with a familiar face.

I held my mouth " N..o!"

I suddenly woke up. I'm looking now in the wall. Thinking. W-why?

I heard someone's calling me by phone.

" Hey!" I fake smiled. That moment just can't be erased in my head.

[ Hello, darling] he smiled in the cam. [ Where are tita and your dad?]

" They are still in the office by now. I guess" I replied. I handled my phone to went downstairs so I can get a glass of water and I came back to my room.

[ Can I come there?] He asked.

I smiled " Really, Gilbert? Really?"

[ Yup! I want to review you... Local Math?] He puppy-eyed. [ If that is okay for you. You can say no naman.]

" Oh...kay! You can come. But" I said " You're not staying late! Maybe my parents will be here.. you know."

[ Yes! Sure-sure. Coming] He excitedly answered.]

I prepared my books and notebooks and I put them on the table. We can't study in bed, that's why. I open my laptop and I printed some questionnaires. I'll just answer it if he's already here.

Minutes passed and I heard a sound coming from the doors. It means some were there already.

I ran fastly downstairs. Muntik na akong ma-slipped! UGH!

" Ma'am, I'll open the door po." Kuya Roland insisted. Ate Lita was staying in her room that's why.

" I-i can--" I stopped when I saw Kuya Roland was walking outside. So I just sit here in the couch., waiting for them to come inside.

" M-ma'am! H-hindi n-niyo po p-pala sinabi na may bisita po kayo." Kuya Roland mentioned.

After he said that, I saw Gilbert's entering the house. He wore a blue long-sleeved button-down dress shirt tucked in his seersuckers partnered with white sneakers. I also saw he wore circular specs and a metal pendant.

I choked when I drank my water. He looked so formal!

He ran to me " A-are you o-okay, darling?" He held the water glass while fixing my hair.

" I am!" I chuckled " Why so formal, boy?"

He turned around revealing his whole wear " Am I?" He made a confused face.

" Ma'am, mauuna na po ako." Kuya Roland mentioned. I thought he already went back. " Mukhang good time naman na po ang nangyayari."

" Thank you! Sir." Gilbert smiled to Kuya Roland.

" Sat beside with me," I ordered him. Tapping the couch where he will sit. We're now facing the LED T.V.

" What?" He asked. He's still confused.

" Nothing!" I defensed " Wanna vibe."

" Did you sprayed perfume?" I asked. I just can't believe he transformed so hard. His hair was in wax too.

He smelled his shirt " B-bawal ba? It's forbidden ba here?" He looked at me

" You just looked good... I mean great..est." I said to him. I fixed his hair.  " Let's go upstairs?"

We went now to my room. He was walking around, looking at the interior designs and sa mga nakasabit sa room.

" You are a real fan of pastels, don't you?" He asked me while sitting on the ground checking the books.

I nodded. " Since eight."

" Same." He smiled.

Oh! Did he like pastels too? I mean I loved pastels, but is he too? Nevermind.

" So, Let's review now?" He asked. He was now in my front. He removed his specs and put them in his shirt.

He held my book and closed it suddenly " What is the standard form of the quadratic?" He asked.

Oh fuck!

I played my fingers remembering what my friends reviewed me earlier.

*flashback

" Natasha! If you want to memorize the song, remember the a x squared plus b x plus c equals t--" Ashley stopped.

" to zero!" The rest of my friends whispered.

* end of flashback

" U-uhm." I stuttered. " a x squared plus b x plus c equals.."

" to zero!" I shouted.

" Uhm! Weird" He nodded. " But let's move on."

" What are the constants in the standard form you said earlier?" He asked.

*flashback

"  All the letters are the constants!" Zophiya answered. " Remember that in your mind!"

*end of flashback

I raised my head " a, b, and c" I smiled.

" What is the absolute rule?" He smalled his eyes.

Remembering if my friends said that to me.

I played with my nails. Hoping the answer will pop up.

He laughed " Don't be nervous. I'm just reviewing you." He smiled.

He placed back the book on the table.

" Focus, darling. And don't pressure yourself. You can take a deep breath " He ordered. " Let's do this!"

" W-what if I fail?" I asked to him. " What if I will not make my friends happy?"

He went to my side.

" Hey! Natasha. Listen." He held my face " You're doubting yourself, again. It's not healthy." He shrugged.

" And about your friends. They would be more proud of you! It's not because you fail. It's because you try!" He caressed my hair. " I know you can do it, darling!"

" T-thank you!" I replied.

" You can rest muna. I think you're tired already." He ordered me. worried.

" N-no! Let's uhm, continue." I said to him. I don't want to waste his time because of this fvcking emotions i'm feeling right now.

" T-the a-absolute r-rule." I stuttered " I-is that the first consonant cannot be z-zero."

" Yeah!" He looked amazed " Yeeeah! You got it! Nice."

I heavily breathed out. But I realized that this was the only an introduction of our review.

9 PM and when he came back to his house exactly after a few minutes I heard a car coming. It's probably my parents. I slept early so I can review early later.

4:51 AM when I woke up. I opened my Twitter notifications and he sent some messages last night.

gilbertxanche: hey, darling.

gilbertxanche: i think you are sleeping already, but I just want to say that I left a box where I sat earlier.

gilbertxanche: and i'm so proud of you no matter what will be the results later!

gilbertxanche: i'll sleep now. goodnight.

After I read his messages. I immediately stand up to get the box.

I opened the small box and it has papers.

Study TIPS! (Hoping to help)

1.) Remove all distractions

2.) Combine many methods of memorizing the info : mindmaps, flashcards (you can use index), practice tests

3.) Condense your notes.

4.) Give yourself enough time.

5.) I love you.

I immediately shook my head when I read the last one. I don't deserved his kindness! UGH!

We're now in the classroom. Waiting to 11: 05 AM to drop so I can go to the Mathematics Laboratory.

" Girl! 10 minutes left." Zophiya was on my right side. Fanning me.

" Sis, don't be nervous," Ashley mentioned. Massaging my head.

" Hays! Natasha. Keri mo naman 'yan!" Emma replied. Massaging my back.

" Jusko mga BieH! Mga walang tiwala sa abilidad ng ating beshie!" Leigh suddenly mentioned. Fixing her nails. " Mga mas kabado pa sa magsasagot."

" Nasa meeting daw sila ma'am!" Shana shouted so we can hear it. She's our class president that's why.

I heard my classmates shouted. UGH!

" Basta, Sis! Good luck!" Ashley said to me.

" Hello po!" I heard a small voice coming from the door.

" Yes, kuya?" Shana, my classmate, asked the boy.

" Pinapatawag na raw po yung mga participanta for the Local Math." He said that made my heart pound.

" Girl, It's your time to shine!" Ashley shouted.

" Ipagdasal natin si Natasha!" Leigh ordered us. She's now finished fixing her nails.

" Amen!" The last thing I heard from my friends. I am so freaking nervous.

" Ihatid ka na namin sa taas, Sis!" Ashley told to us.

" Yuh!" Zophiya agreed " Brilliant!"

" Support na support mga friends?" Emma laughed " Hatid na natin!"

They looked to Leigh

" Bakit na naman ako?" Leigh asked.

" BieH?" Emma mocked. " Join us!"

" Hindi pa tapos nails ko mga biEh!" Leigh replied.

" Sasama ka o hindi kami pupunta bukas?" Emma warned her. Oh! I remember that the school will have a basketball competition and since Leigh's a cheerleader from the school, she will cheer the Novaballs! The basketball name of Novaleños is, weird right? UGH!

We're now walking outside to went upstairs, 3rd floor in the Marcos building.

I suddenly went inside the Mathematics laboratory until my friends made a noise that made me stopped.

" Go, Natasha!" They cheered.

" Natasha" I looked to my right

"Good luck" Gilbert smiled. He's with Vincent and Angel.

" So you dragged me for this?" I heard Angel asked her friends.

" Ano bang pake mo?" Vincent asked her. And Angel rolled her eyes.

I looked back to my friends

" Go! Keri lang 'yan." Leigh mentioned.

" Just don't notice her," Zophiya replied.

" Kami na bahala ro'n!" Emma said.

Ashley walked to me " We're just staying here outside. We will wait for you!" 

" Can I really do it?" I asked her.

" Of course, Sis!" She replied " Fighting!"

I saw Ashley went to the other side of this building. My friends were with Gilbert's friends. UGH!

I saw my classmates when I went inside.

" Oy! Natasha!" Gie, my classmate, shouted.

" Hey!" I waved. I sat a chair apart from him.

"Good luck, Natasha." Jan, my classmate too, greeted me. Fixing his glasses. He was a chair apart from my right side. And I think section Amos was on my left.

I saw a proctor went inside the room.

" Good Morning, participants!" She greeted. " I think you all are already prepared. Let's start."

My nerves are getting nervous and nervous. Like every second my hands are getting colder. If only I can see my friends near the window, but they're on the other side of the building near the Audio Visual Room (AVR).

"Good luck, participants." She said. " Get one and pass."

Until the examination papers reached me. 

" Start answering."

I flipped the exam paper and I saw only an underline and a question. It has no choices! I took a deep breath and I said to myself that I can do this!

I glimpsed at the first question. " Solve the following quadratic equations by extracting square roots." Oh ghod! You got to be kidding me!

I looked to the students who were answering the examinations. They were really serious!

" Given 4x²-45=0" I looked back to the first question.

Can I really do this? Or maybe I just get my bag and walked out.

But, no! I will snatch for that last place.

I answered it and I got: x²=45/4. I don't think if that was the right answer because I can't trust fractions.

Minutes passed and I just skipped all the numbers that I can't answer. 

" 3 minutes left!" The Proctor shouted so we can hear it. 

" Oh ghod!" I whispered. " I want to freaking cry!"

But, Natasha. You gotta trust yourself.

Minutes passed and The Proctor took the examinations papers who just on the limited time.

Gie looked back " That was the 'test?' Easy! baam!"

" You got to be kidding me! That was hard!" I whispered to him. I saw the Proctor was checking the papers.

I heard a whistle coming from the outside. It was my friend Gilbert, Vincent and Angel.

They all raised a 'like' pose. What was that kind of message?

Maybe. They're asking me if I am okay or fine? So I just copied their pose.

And I saw they knocked up Gilbert's head. They're laughing. What the freak with them?

" Okay! I got all the highest ten." The Proctor announced. " We will just post it in the Mathematics Faculty's gate later. So you can go now, students."

I went directly outside without noticing anyone inside.

" Hey, Sis!" Ashley gave a hug " How was the test?"

" How was it?" Zophiya asked repeating to raise the brows.

I slightly bowed my head " Fine."

Until a hand raised my head. " I think you did a great job, darling." He smiled.

" So, gals and goiz. Can we go now?" Angel asked, " We have deal pa, right, Everyone?"

" What is the deal?" I asked Gilbert.

" If you make a like pose. I will treat them.. and you." He said. His tone was hopeless.

" Hala nga mga bieh! Totoo na this!" Emma replied.

" Who said my babe will break it?" Angel asked which made my brows furrowed.

Did he just call Gilbert 'babe?'

or am I getting jealous, again? UGH!

" Hey, babe?" Angel looked now to Vincent. " Any opinions?"

I had a glimpse of Ashley " What the freak?" I whispered to her.

I heard a coughed sound came from Leigh " Mga bIeh! Baka naman. Alas-dose na. May mga pasok pa tayo maya-maya."

I ran to go downstairs without waiting for them. What was with that stupid word that came from Angel's mouth? UGH!

I saw some Grade 7 students bumping me because their classes were officially done. Until a handheld my arms.

" Hey!" He said. worried.

I looked at him. We were in the middle of the second floor and it was crowded -- and he still wanted to talk to me?

" That was a call... 'call-sign' only." He said to me. Explaining why Angel called him babe.

I nodded

" So, saan ka pupunta?" He asked.

" Nothing. I will go now." I answered in a monotone voice.

" Luh! Saan nga?" Forcing me to answer the question. " Look, If you're 'J' let's fix it. If you're just lang naman."

" I will go downstairs so I can look if I joined in the finals," I said to him with a hope in my eyes. 

" Then let's look at it. Together." He replied. He even intertwined our hands. " You're my only darling, Natasha."

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