Above Cloud Nine

ACN Chapter 6: Group work, group war

They started to form a circle to discuss what they are going to do with their skit. Their English class only last for an hour. They were only given ten minutes to work with it. Kamilla is just looking at Rose's group when one of her members poked her.

She returned to her members that seemed to be chilling out, most of them not interested in joining the skit.

"Aren't we doing something, perhaps?"

She looked around. She only had eight members who are really looking at her as they pay attention. Others are just doing their own thing, not even minding the ten-minute chance to practice for their miny skit.

"Oh, I am so sorry." She apologized but she looked at some of her members who even sat to their own seats.

"Gosh, guys, c'mon. Let's not waste time. Aren't you gonna practice for our skit?" Kamilla's bosy classmate took over her at that moment.

"Let me add some suggestions." Someone stood behind her. When she looked back, it was her overly enthusiastic friend who loves to share her ideas.

"Are you sure it won't be a mess, girl?" One of a close friend of Kamilla's answered.

"Well, let's just add some romantic words as part of Juliet's lines in some parts. I guess, that would be awesome."

"Well, what if our teacher will check every words from our skit? Remember, we need to be careful with the words Juliet says." Kamilla pointed out, looking worried. Some of her classmates nodded as they agreed to what she said while folding their arms.

"Most definitely, Kamilla. Our teacher is particular with the original lines from that scene. We can't eliminate or add any single word...that would be a big No-No." One of her classmates who is wearing a pair of eyeglasses suggested.

"So, what should we do then? Our time is running up we're still on the planning stage." Upon hearing that to one of her classmates, Kamilla glanced at her wristwatch.

"I guess what we're going to do is to improve the acting part. I guess that's more important." Someone talked behind them. They transferred their gaze at the other member who is busy doing his make-up even if he's wearing a boy's uniform.

"I think John will play the role of Juliet. I guess her eyelashes are more than ready for it." One of Kamilla's classmate from her group commented. There was a sudden burst of laughter from Kamilla's group that the other group's attention was on them for a while.

"Four minutes more." Their English teacher reminded them of the time.

She gently pulled her hair as she frowned. Her other classmates just look at her while whispering to each other.

"See? I told you we should select Rose. She's always bad as a leader."

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I should agree with you. She's selfish and she only thinks of her own and not other people around her."

Kamilla panicked when one of her classmates cried because the other one from their group was a bully as well. She wanted to shout and express her disappointment but she was already caught off guard.

She don't know what to do first: To comfort her groupmate or to continue their remaining minutes to practice. She's torn between two decisions.

"Can we all focus just this once? Please? I am your leader, not a referee. Six minutes has passed and yet we haven't done anything yet." Kamilla calmly told her members which made the others argue among themselves.

"This is Dina's fault. I don't know she's a crybaby, I should've given her some feeding bottle full of milk." Dina cried even more when she heard Lissy.

She seem to be tough and insensitive even if Dina is crying right now. It almost stopped everyone from what they are doing, especially in Kamilla's group.

"What is happening?" Their teacher roared all of a sudden that caught the attention of most of them in the room.

The group became silent, however some whispered and blame each other for the commotion.

"Dina and Lissy, what happened?"

"It's her fault! She's teasing me. She keeps on telling me that I am a crybaby!" Dina said between sobs.

"Duh! Are you not?" Lissy rebutted with raised eyebrows. She's too unafraid to air her opinions even if our teacher is now looking really mad yet trying to look composed.

"I am just suggesting something and you always tell me I have bad opinions. Why, are you even perfect?" Dina said between sobs.

"You easily cry. Do you think our classmates will find you cute? Grow up, will you?"

"Silence! Both of you! I want you to sit down. You're not getting any score from me. I also want you to go with me at the guidance office later. You have some explanations to do with me and your parents."

Kamilla followed them with her eyes. Dina is wiping her tears with her hands while Lissy is folding her arms as she frowned. They both stomped their feet as they go back to their seats because of what they did.

"Now, to those who are not involved, please continue your practice. You only have less than two minutes before you wrap up."

Now, it is Kamilla's turn to feel bad she want to break down and cry. Right at the very moment. She now lacked two important members of her group. As she glanced from the others, they were silent as they all listen to Rose. Some were giving suggestions and she smiles as she took some notes from them. Kamilla closed her fist because of annoyance. She felt like as if she can't accept what is happening right now. From the sight of it, it is unfair and too unacceptable to endure.

"Everyone, please polish everything. I need you all to act a good skit. If you need a lot of props, please feel free to use our resources inside this room.

Everyone was overjoyed and they even had a high five to some of their classmates.

"Let's start presenting." The teacher finally said. She gave each group ten minutes to present what they have prepared as a graded activity.

Kamilla looked really worried because she knew they didn't prepare well enough. Kamilla's group started with some few lines, with some songs inserted. When their classmate who acted Romeo started to step in front, he already forgot his lines and paused for almost two minutes. The other group members whispered aloud the lines which caused a funny scene. Some of the members from Rose's members laughed at them. Their teacher told them to be quiet which they obliged right away.

The class skit presentation ended a bit okay but it was described as 'messy' overall. Now, it's now time for Rose's group to present. Everyone even stood at once which amazed the group of Kamilla. They are all well-disciplined and full of confidence. Maybe Rose even taught them about how to execute confidence and style at the same time.

She secretly closed her fist. She never even noticed the tears running on her cheeks already. Good thing nobody ever saw that because she wiped her tears with her hands right away.

When everyone is in front, each members executed their own lines perfectly. With chins up, they were able to present as if they've been practicing for one, whole week. Kamilla's group members started to blame each other for the mess. The announcement of their teacher even confirmed that they were all 'losers'.

"See? I told you we should've selected Rose's group instead of Kamilla's."

"Of course. That will be the rule next time." Not a word from her groupmates escaped from her hearing which made her feel bitter even more.

She can see some of her classmates, even her best friends gave their high-fives to Rose. She can see some of her 'best friends' smiling at her too. Everyone cheered with delight in their eyes. She looked very happy from the results of their teamwork which Kamilla failed to impliment discpline among her members.

She saw Rose coming towards her. She suddenly felt terrified seeing her. She felt as if she's not ready to greet her victory.

She was looked down by her other classmates and because of confusion and bitterness, Kamilla stood up and told her seatmate that she'll be going to the comfort room. Before Rose reached her, she already left the door of their room. Rose tried to catch up with her but Kamilla was too fast in going outside that's why she didn't have the chance to follow her anymore.

Kamilla locked herself inside one of the cubicles of their comfort room. She never even mind the strong, putrid scent of the comfort room from what she's feeling right now as she can't stop herself from weeping uncontrollably.

Good thing there was no student at that time. It would be too embarrassing for her to pour everything as she sobs when a lot of students will see it.

Meanwhile, Rose noticed the disappointment in Kamilla's eyes as she went outside. Does she really hate her for what happened? Rose hope that Kamilla doesn't hate her just because her team won.

"Did you really overdo it? Poor Kamilla..." Rose can hear her other classmates saying something against her best friend.

"Why do you say that to Kamilla? I knew she tried her best. You can't just blame the group's fault to a single person alone!" She replied to some that silenced them as they all look down.

"Gosh, haven't you seen what happened earlier? Your group won. Of course the leader of the losing group will really be anxious."

"Duh...C'mon Rose. You pulled it off with us, I'm sure if she's good at handling our other classmates, they should've won the presentation. We all know that our teacher gave them the best scene, and the boring one to us." Her classmate baffled as she folded her arms. She looked around and she saw her other classmates agreeing as they nodded.

"But it is so unfair to only put the blame on her. Remember, it is a group activity and I have seen that most of you did not listen to Kamilla."

"She's being irresponsible and you're always there to defend her. Is that being fair to you? Because for me, it is not." Wilma said while folding her arms facing her.

"Yeah I agree with Wilma. Why are we going to listen to someone that's too bossy? She's also overreacting to things which made it worse." Her classmate defended the first to argue with Rose that made her look sad.

"Of course Kamilla is her friend. She can't help but to react to what they are talking against her.

"Everybody, go back to your seats." Their English teacher interrupted their argument. They all scampered as they go back to their seats.

"Half of you here did your best. I saw it with my two eyes. While the other group was too messy." Everyone started to whisper and argue again.

"Please be quiet," Their teacher stopped them. "I know you all did your best. I hope it will not happen next time. Please listen more to your leaders for they know what to do the most."

"Yes, Ms. Sevilla." The whole class chorused.

As their teacher walked at the center aisle of the room, she roamed her eyes around the room, she noticed someone was missing.

"Where's Kamilla?"

"Ms. Sevilla, she went to the comfort room." One of her classmates said as she raised her hand.

"Ms., I'm sorry I went outside for a pee break. I am back now." Everyone turned their backs on the door and they saw Kamilla. They noticed her swollen eyes and her gloomy expression.

"Please go back to your seat, Kamilla. We'll start with the written activity about what you have presented." She slowly walked towards her seat. She sit quietly and got her activity book inside her bag. While most of the eyes were on her, the teacher reminded them to look at their own activity workbooks.

Rose looked at her best friend as if feeling everything she's feeling right now. She's answering her activity workbook, looking very unmotivated. She felt guilty all of a sudden after she witnessed how Kamilla took the presentation seriously. She needs to talk to her after the class. She felt like she needed to do it because she's partly to be blamed.