When We Were Drunk

Night 018

[Note: This is the continuation of last chapter’s flashback]

            Nervously looking at the security guard, I immediately shook my head. “No, sir, we’re not going to cheat.”

            “Ha!” he exclaimed. “You kids won’t be able to fool me! I know what this is even though I’m not a college graduate. You wanted to get a high score by memorizing the questions in this test paper?”

            “That is not what we want, Manong. We are not going to do that.” I defended. I looked at Cesca for help but she was just staring into nothing.

            The security guard folded the testpaper and put it into his back pocket. All of sudden he was dragging us outside of the room until we reached the school gate. I kept on telling him that it was not our intention to cheat but he is not listening to every word I say. Cesca, still, is being silent.

            “Please don’t tell the teachers, Manong,” I pleaded. “I swear we are not going to cheat! This is just a misunderstanding.”

            “Just go home, kid. We will deal with your misconduct tomorrow.”

            I tried to reason out again but he already locked the school gates. Cesca was busy using her cellphone when I glanced at her.

            Truth is…I don’t know what to say to her. I wanted to get mad and blame her but she is my friend and she told me earlier that she just wanted to help me. I’m really grateful for the help she offered but not this kind of help—I don’t cheat.

            I just sighed and called our driver to fetch me.

---

            The next day, I was so scared to go to school. I told my mom that I want to skip today’s classes because I’m not feeling well. But she saw through my lie and insisted that I should attend.

            Every step I take, I wanted to just go back and run to our car. But I know Mom would just send me back so I did my best to ignore the terrifying feeling inside my chest.

            Third period came and everything is still normal. Cesca also attended today’s class but she did not speak with me. I really thought nothing bad will happen today, I thought the guard would let that incident pass. I begged him and I told him the truth.

            But on our first class after lunch, someone came to class and gave a piece of paper to my teacher.

            “Santua, Margaret and Gallego, Cesca please proceed to the guidance office now.”

            Our classmates were shocked when our teacher announced Cesca and I’s name. Our section is the highest one in our batch, it was unsual for any of us to be called to the guidance office because we are supposed to be the model students.

            They started murmuring while looking at me and Cesca.

            I wanted to shrink in my seat. I wanted to just disappear. I could only imagine their reactions once they find out why we are being called.

            Lyra immediately went to me. “Marg, what is happening?”

            I was about to tell her when our teacher called our names again and instructed us to proceed on the guidance office. “I’m sorry, Ly. I’ll tell you later.”

            My mom was there when I went inside the guidance. I hurriedly hugged her as she patted my head and whispered that everything will be okay.

            Miss Ramos, the guidance councelor cleared her throat and told us to sit. I looked around and saw that there is another man in the room. It must be Cesca’s father.

            The questioning started. And like what I told the guard last night, I explained that we are not going to cheat and all of it is a misunderstanding.

            “How about you, Miss Gallego? Is she saying the truth?”

            I looked at Cesca and pleaded through my eyes for her to tell the truth. But I was shocked when words left her mouth. “No. She wanted to perfect our exam in Math and I just helped her.”

            “What?!” I retorted. “Miss Ramos, I’m not going to cheat. Yes, I wanted to ace our examination but it was never my intention to cheat.”

            Cesca laughed sarcastically. “Oh please, Margaret. You want to cheat! Just admit it.” 

            I stared at her with wide eyes. Why is she lying? Why is she laughing like crazy? And why does she look different from the Cesca I know?

            “Margaret, please tell the truth,” Mom begged me.

            Cesca is my friend. And I don’t want to do this to her, but I don’t want to lie to my parents too. So I told them everything, our conversation yesterday afternoon and how we ended up inside the faculty. I did not leave any detail. I told them to check the CCTV to see Cesca stealing the keys.

            “You liar!” Cesca screamed. “That is not true, Miss Ramos. Do not believe her!”

            It hurts me seeing her like this. But I don’t want to hurt my parents because all they did was care for me. I don’t want them to think I’m a cheater. “You can ask Lyra, Miss. Everything I told you is true. And I’m sure the CCTV will support all my statements.” 

            “I hate you, Margaret! I thought you are my friend but why are you putting all the blame on me?” she asked desperately. “I just wanted to help you! I just wanted to be a good friend to you and Lyra but you cant appreciate all my efforts!”

            Days later, my statements were all proven. They watched the CCTV and confirmed that I was telling the truth. Cesca was given one week suspension for her misconduct and she blamed me for that. She almost strangled me if not for my classmates getting her away from me.

            After a week, Cesca came back and that’s when it all started. I don’t know how it happened but suddenly, everyone was aware of the cheating incident. I swear I was not the one who spread the news but Cesca believed that it was me no matter how hard I try to explain it.

            At first it was just harsh words being thrown at her. She’s being called a cheater, a user and a b***h. Everyone sided with me, they all think Cesca was just trying to drag me down. Cesca ignored them all but her eyes can’t lie to me so I followed her outside the room when she walked out.

            “Cesca…” I called.

            She faced me. And I was shocked to see the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Are you happy now, Margaret? Are you happy seeing me like this? Do you hate me so much that you even wanted the whole school to bully me?”

            “No, Cesca.” I shook my head. “You are my friend so I’m not happy that this is happening to you.”

            “Liar!”

            “Cesca, please…I’m sorry if I have to tell the truth. I don’t want to lie to my parents.”

            She glared at me. “You are selfish! I treated you and treasured you like a dear friend but look what are you doing to me right now?” 

            “I will tell them to stop, Cesca. Please…just hear me out.”

            But she did not listen to me. I tried my best to talk to my classmates but they told me that I am being too kind and Cesca deserved all that. After two weeks, I thought it would go back to normal. But no, it was only getting worse.

            It’s not just words. They started hurting her physically, too.

            It pained me a lot seeing Cesca being tripped intentionally. I defended her but no one’s listening to me, and it’s not about the cheating incident anymore…it seems like they enjoy bullying her. And they kept going, Cesca was fighting back but it came to a point that she just let them do what they want, like she doesn’t care at all.

            I tried once again to talk to her but she pushed me away. And I realized then that maybe I’m not helping at all. So I did what she want, I ignored her. I acted as if I don’t see them bullying her. I stopped myself from defending her even though I wanted to kick them all for hurting her.

            Two months later and she suddenly stopped going to school. She was just gone. Lyra and I tried to contact her but we failed. They sold their house and the teachers won’t tell us anything.

            Until a gossip scattered around the whole school—they said Cesca was admitted to a mental facility.

            To be continued…