Chaos Series 1: Angel

19

"Angel... why are the students giving you a bad look?" Ellie asked as we entered the cafeteria. Its lunch time and almost all the students are here to eat their lunches too. But something is odd, just like what Ellie said, the students are looking at our direction. More like looking at me.

"I... I don't know, lets just ignore them and let's pick a table." I said and turn left where I spotted an empty table beside other female students. I put down my books first and so is Ellie.

"So what do you want for lunch?" I asked, holding the back rest of my chair. Ellie looked over the counter first to see what are the available foods.

My eyes traveled at my side, where the other female students are. I noticed how they would look at me, then whisper at each other while still looking at me. I look around and noticed that a lot of students are doing the same.

May mali ba sa akin? May dumi ba ang mukha ko? Ang damit ko? Hindi ko pa naman dalaw para magkaroon ulit ako ng tagos at malimutan na mayroon na ako. Hindi rin ako nadapa o naputikan para magkaroon ng dumi. Bago ako lumabas ng classroom ay nag-ayos din ako ng aking buhok at naglagay ng powder at lip gloss, ano kayang problema?

"Angel, hey, Angel... are you with me?" My head snap up and I came back to reality as Ellie snap her fingers in front of me.

She sigh, "Thank God you listened, so as I was saying, I'm having vegetable salad, make the dressing two, one order ng porkchop and hotdog sandwich." She said and I slowly nod.  She look at me and squints her eyes, tilting her head a bit.

"May problema ba? May masakit ba sayo? Do you want me to order our foods or kaya mo?" She asked and my eyes widened a bit before nodding.

"Yes yes, I can, vegetable salad, pork chop, and hotdog sandwich for you, right? Got it!" I said and faced my back at her before rushing towards the counter.

I gave Ellie's orders and mine which are two patty burger steak, one cup of rice, and a beef fajitas. Iced tea for our drinks.

While waiting for our foods to be served, I noticed the students at my side eyeing me from head to toe that made me more conscious and uncomfortable.

Ano ba ang ginawa ko? May nagawa ba akong masama? May nasabi ba akong masama sa isa sa mga classmates ko at naging big deal ito masyado? Why are they giving me those looks? I've been cautious about my words and movements almost every time.

"Order for miss Navarro." I immediately grab my try as it got served and immediately rush to mine and Ellie's table. The student there a while ago are no longer there which I'm a bit thankful.

"Hoy... may problema ba? Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili Angel. Nakakapag-alala ka." She said as I started preparing our foods. I look at her and smiled before shaking my head.

"No no, it's fine, I'm fine. Walang masamang nangyari." I said in an assuring voice. I don't want her to worry about the same thing I'm thinking of. Labas naman siya dito kung may masama akong ginawa. If I have done something wrong and I didn't realized it, hindi siya damay.

We ate our lunch peacefully, but the stares are still there which made me eat faster, and I'm thankful Ellie did too since she's not using her phone. After we ate, I immediately told Ellie that I'll be going back to my classroom early because I have to do something and gladly she didn't questioned it.

The day ends with the stares that made me uncomfortable the whole afternoon. Ano ba ang nangyayari? Noong isang araw pa ganito. Simula nung may makabubo sa akin ng sauce at pahiramin ako ni Ezekiel ng t-shirt niya ay bawat araw mas dumadami ang mga estudyante na nakatingin sa akin.

Big deal nanaman ba? Si Ezekiel? Dahil lang doon? Naging maingat kami, we are not showing any affection sa public, we barely see each other nga! What could have gone wrong?

"Angel... can I talk to you?" My head snap up as I heard Ellie's voice at my door, I smiled at her and nod before fixing my books that are scattered on my bed.

"Sure sure, what is it?" I asked, she started walking towards me and sat down at the edge of my bed.

"Angel... Angel I know may problema. And I also know you don't like talking about your problems. But Angel... nag-aalala na ako, its been two days and you're acting all weird. Starting Monday ganiyan ka, kung may problema ka man, please tell me, kasi... nag-aalala ako." She softly said while looking down on my bed sheet. I can hear the sincerity in her voice, I just know she don't want making eye contacts when she talks softly, she's shy.

I forced a smile and a little giggle that made her head snap up, "Ano ka ba Ellie? Wala akong problema, baka stress lang sa school, but trust me, wala akong problema." I said and she pouted which  find I find cute.

"You didn't ate dinner properly kanina, you've been eating less these pass lunches. Are you on a diet?! Your metabolism is hecking fast! Why are you even dieting?!?" She exclaimed making me burst out laughing.

"Omg, Ellie hindi ah! I'm not on a diet! Kailan ba ako nag diet?" I asked and she look at me, pouting.

"Exactly! Pero you've been eating less these past few days, you even reject my quesadillas kanina!" She exclaimed and once again I started laughing.

"Okay okay, sorry. Pero I'm just not in the mood to eat." I said and she glared at me which made me giggle.

"May sakit ka siguro, bahala ka na nga, just talk to me if you need. Ayaw ko mahawa ng sakit mo." She said before standing up and leaving my room. But as the door closed, my smile dropped and so are my shoulders. I lay down on my bed and sigh. I put my arms on my forehead as I close my eyes.

When suddenly my phone which is at the side of my head vibrates which made me jolt up and sat up on my bed.

"Who...." I pick up my phone and checked who  messaged me.

"Oh.. its Ezekiel." I mumbled before checking the message.

from Alaire Ezekiel:

Angel please go to the office tomorrow recess. I need you to do some papers if okay lang?

to Alaire Ezekiel:

Sure, no problem.

from Alaire Ezekiel:

Great! See you tomorrow! Goodnight!

A sigh escaped my lips as I put down my phone on my bed and followed by my back hitting the soft mattress.

Imposible naman na dahil ulit kay Ezekiel kung bakit ang daming tumitingin sa akin ng masama.

Its the morning classes and our first period prof didn't made it in class. I badly want to leave the room pero saan naman ako pupunta? Sa field? Sa cafeteria? Kung saan mas maraming tao? I would rather stay here dahil we are just 30 students here, only 29 pair of eyes looking at me.

When the bell rang at 9:30, I immediately grab my bag, earphones still on as I rush out of our classroom and run to the SSG office. I even almost bump to other officers as they just left the office.

"Hey, what's with the rush?" Ezekiel ask as I entered the office, I sigh and removed my earphones.

"Wala naman, I just want to run." I reasoned out, I saw Ezekiel squints his eyes before nodding.

"Okay...? As you say, anyways, here are the papers I need you to photo copy, again." He said before slightly chuckling while walking towards me, holding the thin pile of papers. He carefully handed it to me which didn't seem heavy at all.

"And... for you." My mouth formed a small 'o' as he place a box of Ferrero Rocher on top of the papers.

"Ang sabi ni Ellie... you're not in the mood to eat these last few days. May gusto ka bang kainin na iba? I can order it for you if you want." He said and my eyes widened before shaking my head.

"No no, it's fine, okay lang ako. Si Ellie talaga." I said before forcing  chuckle. He chuckled as well but our attention were caught when we hear a camera flashing by the window.

"What the... who's that?!" Ezekiel was about to walk towards the door when I stopped him.

"I didn't hear anything, baka guni-guni mo lang." I said, he look at me, doubt in his expression but soon nods.

"Okay, go eat your snack na. I just need those papers before 4pm." He said and I nod.

"Have you heard about the issue?"

"Oo, hindi nga ako makapniwala eh."

"She looks so innocent, hindi pa rin ako naniniwala."

"The evidence are clear! Bakit ayaw mo maniwa-"

"Sssh! She's here!"

I kept my head low as I walk the hallway of the building where Ellie's classroom is. Other students are already dismissed that's why some students are here at the hallway, but I haven't seen Ellie yet, so I supposed their classes is not yet finished.

I'm meter away from Ellie's classroom when I saw bunch of students outside their classroom, my  eyes and I immediately rushed towards the door, pushing other students aside. I can hear screaming from the classroom but it's not clear.

Until I was able to squeeze myself in and hear the screaming clearly.

"Buburahin mo yung post mo tungkol sa kapatid ko o kakalbuhin kita!?"

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