Owing to Bulletin

Kabanata 9

They said Journalism is easy. You will just write all day and chill. It's like we don't need to train like how players do. Well, I can break their belief in just a sentence.

They said writing is easy? But also them literally writes five sentences as the intro, body, and conclusion and calls it an essay. f*****g hyprocrites.

We writers don't cry, even how difficult it is. We'll just sit and start bleeding on paper. Easy reading is damn hard writing. And yes, we writers don't cry, we bleed on paper.

Starting this day with a deep thought. Napatingin ako sa labas ng sasakyan. We're near to GNHS.

"Don't pick me up again Kuya," I said before getting off the car.

I walked straight and didn't mind the stares of some students. Sobrang gaan lang ng dala ko ngayon. A small backpack with a yellow pad, one notebook, and pens inside. And since, I brought my pillow last week so.

"Good morning ate Lexi."

As soon as I entered to Kalasag, the Junior Highs greeted me. Puro Junior palang ang naroon.

I nodded at them.

"Good morning, ang aga niyo."

"Excited po ate," Misquina said while smiling.

She's just a grade 8 and one of our Photojournalists. I would compare her with Kaz. She got a monolid eyes too but a hazel brown hair unlike Kaz's black hair. She's so cute when smiling, her eyes will suddenly disappear.

I pinched her cheeks.

"Ang cute mo, shit."

If I were a boy, I would be like Jethro. Kahit bata 'to papatusin ko. Well, she seems like a girl crush now. Just a girl crush, f**k she's a child only. Pure and innocent.

Binitawan ko na siya at lumakad papunta sa upuan ko. Binaba ko lang ang gamit tsaka naglakad na palabas. Wala pa naman sila Kaz kaya bibili muna ako ng kape sa cafeteria.

Habang naglalakad ay may mga napapatingin sa akin. I'm used to it so I'm cool now and didn't feel embarassment.

"One coffee ate, the bottled one," I said while pointing it. "Thank you."

Hinintay ko lang si ate na kumuha noon tsaka nagbayad. When I turned my back, I almost cursed a loud one. Napaatras ako at napahawak sa dibdib. My heart beats so fast. The audacity of this man to startle me.

"What the f**k?"

Vren smirked. "Nagulat ba kita?"

Sandali akong natigilan doon. I'm not like this. I winced and turned to him.

"Obviously," I raised my brow. "I can have a heart attack because of that."

Lumakad na ako paalis pagtapos ng mga tinuran. At ang bait ni satanas, sumunod siya sa akin.

"Heart attack? So your heart beat fast? Hindi 'yan gulat, Levior." He said and chuckled.

He was poking me continuously while laughing. The audacity of this man to irritate me. Bumaling ako sa kaniya na iritado.

"You wish," I raised my brow. "Tigilan mo kakasundot."

He just laughed on me. I stared at him in that moment. And instantly looked away to bring back my senses.

I continued walking and didn't give a f**k. But he followed me on the way. Some students are looking on us with curiousity on their eyes.

"Hey, you stared at me. I saw it," he mocked me.

"Really? Sabog ka pa ata," I smirked. "I think you need a coffee too."

I raised my coffee to him before drinking it. Humarap na ulit ako sa daan at naglakad ulit habang umiinom.

"Yeah, and it's your fault, Levior," he chuckled. "Hindi mo 'ko pinatulog."

Napaubo ako ng bahagya kaya nasamid ako habang umiinom. Lumapit siya agad sa akin na nakataas ang kamay at tila nagdadalawang isip na hawakan ako. I raised my hand to stop him since I can handle myself.

I continued walking without taking a glance on him. He followed me again. I felt relief when we're finally at Kalasag's building. Tahimik lang siyang nakasunod sa akin sa hallway.

"Hindi talaga kita maintindihan, Levior," I heard him whispered huskily before I opened the door.

As I opened it, all the writers welcomed us with their gazes. Kaz is pursing her lips trying to contain a laugh while giving me a strange look. Heira and Aldrin also while looking at my back.

I didn't mind them and continue walking to our table. Nang hilahin ko ang upuan para maupo ay may nakita akong chocolate at maliit na note.

"Chocolates can help you to write."

-Y

I took the chocolate, appreciating it. I looked around to see Yuno but he's not here. Binuksan ko nalang ang bag ko para ilagay iyon pero may nakita ako.

I saw the familiar brown paper again. I don't why but I suddenly felt strange while looking on it. I slowly grabbed and read it.

"Hinahanap ko ang direksyon patungong tahanan, hindi na ako nagtaka na sa'yo ako dinala ng daanan."

It's a deep message. Makata ang gumagawa nito, sigurado ako. Hanga ako dahil sa henerasyon ngayon ay bibihira nalang ang ganito. It's all running in gadgets, less effort unlike this.

I'm astonished again by it's Baybayin lettering. In every stroke of it, it's neat and ethic. Even in first look only, you can tell that the one who made this exerted so much effort.

Who the hell is he or she? I almost thought it's Yuno. Pero kung siya 'yon, hindi niya na ilalagay sa loob ng bag ko at isasama nalang ng chocolate. I looked at Vren who's talking to Segan. He's not, it's impossible. He won't do things like this.

Saktong paglagay ko sa bag ng papel na 'yon ay paglandas ng tingin sa akin ni Vren. He's looking at me while listening to Segan. Tuwing sasagot ay titingin lang siya saglit dito at ibabalik na sa akin ang titig.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at umupo na lang. Isa ako sa mga napalingon sa pinto nang bumukas 'yon. It's Yuno and Davin. Some of the writers greeted them. When his eyes bore into me, he smiled.

Naglakad siya papunta sa akin at umupo sa tabi ko. He's still smiling on me so I returned a small smile.

"Good morning," he greeted me

"Morning," I simply said. "Thanks for it."

He smiled genuinely.

"You're welcome."

Siguro hayaan ko nalang si Yuno sa kung anong gusto niyang gawin. I'm not a ruthless, I think? But, I'm sure I can't return his feelings. He's too good for me.

I just nodded at him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sinasabi ng sistema ko na lumingon sa kaniya. I followed it, and there I saw him. His playful eyes became a serious while looking on us. His mocking face expression when he's with me replaced by a dangerous one.

"Wait," ani Yuno kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.

Tumayo siya at naglakad papunta kay Davin.

Napabaling ako kay Kaz na umupo sa inalisan ni Yuno. She's with her mocking expression. Grinning while raising her brow.

"Ano 'yan, kada minuto iba-iba?" she said and laughed.

"Ha?" I asked casually.

"Baka may dumagdag pa na manliligaw kila Vren at Yuno ah?" she whispered before letting out a laugh again.

My brows furrowed.

"They aren't."

"Huwag ako, pre. Nakita na namin ni Heira," she said.

Napatingin ako kay Xeya na papalapit sa amin kasama si Heira. She's with her curious eyes.

"Anong meron? Ingay ni Kaz," bungad niya, umupo naman sa tabi ko si Heira.

Kaz chuckled.

"Pustahan tayo Xeya."

"Anong pustahan?" Xeya asked.

"Pustahan, magkaka-lovelife si Lexi bago mag-DSPC," Kaz said and laughed.

Iritado ko siyang tiningnan. "Ano?"

"Ako na panalo, pre," Xeya pursed her lips to contain a laugh. "Lexi is always grumpy to others so I bet she won't have."

"You're right, Xeya," Heira agreed.

"Hindi tayo sure," Kaz said and laughed again. Masyadong masaya 'to ngayon.

Nakatingin lang ako sa mesa habang nakikinig sa deal nila. At kung anong gagawin kapag natalo. Heira is with her phone right now. She's like texting someone so I gave her privacy.

"Mga bakla, nandiyan na sila Ma'am!" sigaw ni Aldrin.

Napalingon kaming lahat sa pinto at nakitang nagmamadali ang bakla. Sa likod niya ay si Vance na ganoon din. Bumalik na sina Heira at Xeya sa table nila. Kaz stayed beside me since we have the same coach.

Naupo sa kabila ko si Aldrin at sa tabi ni Kaz si Vance. Pati ang mga kasama namin sa kaniya-kaniyang kategorya ay naupo na rin. At saktong pagpasok ng mga SPA namin.

"Good morning, Journalists," bati ni Ma'am Morales pagpasok.

"Good morning po," we greeted back in sequence.

Other teachers just nodded on us. Pumunta sila sa mga hawak na kategorya. I looked at Ma'am Devi who's walking towards us. Naupo siya at nilibot ang tingin sa amin.

We listened closely to her words. She gave our topic for this day and the instructions to the recent writers. Nakatingin lang ako sa kawalan habang nagsasalita ang coach namin. Taon-taon ko na rin naman naririnig iyon.

"Isang topic lang ngayong araw," she said. "Para makapag-adjust pa kayo."

Napalingon ako sa kaniya bigla. It's nice, for the first whole day of training is just one article. Well, Ma'am Devi is right. Months passed since my last written article, the stolen article aside from last week. At baka nga ang iba sa amin ay taon pa.

"Kapag maaga kayong natapos pwede nang umuwi agad. Basta iwan niyo lang ang tapos niyong article dito sa table para ma-checkan ko," Ma'am Devi said before leaving with other school paper advisers.

"Make sure na matatapos niyo ang pinapagawa ngayon," Ma'am Morales added before they're finally out.

Naging maingay ulit ang loob ng Kalasag paglabas nila Ma'am Devi. Hindi ko alam kung gaya namin ay isa lang din ang gagawin nila.

I leaned on chair then looked around the Kalasag. Everyone is doing their articles and cartoon. Hindi nawala sa paningin ko ang mga Photojournalist na palabas. Ngumiti pa sa akin sa Misquina at kumaway. I genuinely smiled too and waved my hand to her.

My smile faded when my eyes bore into Vren who's raising his brow to me. Nakataas ang kilay niya at nakatulala sa akin. I smirked when Segan tapped his shoulder to bring back his senses.

Sa tinagal-tagal ko sa Kalasag ay ngayon ko lang pinansin ang magkaharap na mesa ng Feature at Editorial. I glanced at Yuno who sit down in my front. He blocked my sight against Vren, he smiled at me. May ginawa rin palang tama 'to.

"Buti nalang isa lang ang pinagawa sa atin. Sana lagi nalang," Kaz said and chuckled.

"Bakla ka, pagdating din ng mga susunod na linggo triple na 'yan," Aldrin said and laughed.

"Tama," I agreed.

Aldrin is right. Pagdating ng mga susunod na linggo ay paniguradong tatambakan kami. Especially on the last week before the contest day.

"Kawawa sila Heira," Vance whispered before laughing. "Tatlo agad binigay ni Ma'am Morales."

"Kawawi," Kaz mouthed to mock Heira when she looked on us.

She glared and cursed Kaz.

Sina Ma'am Morales at Sir Corral ang pinakamahigpit sa mga coach namin. Pero mabait naman sila. Tingin ko'y maghihigpit din ngayon sina Ma'am Devi lalo na't maraming bago. At balita ko'y pinaghahandaan kami ng mahigpit naming kalaban.

I opened my phone to browse some facts of the given topic. Nilista ko ang mga napili at tingin kong malakas. Napatingin ako kila Taliyah at Mandy na nagsisimula na rin.

I started thinking a strong title and punch lead. I took out my yellow pad and notebook for the scratch paper. Inililista ko rin lagi sa notebook ang kada topic na ibinibigay kasama ang facts, just in case.

Nang yumuko para magsulat ay napatingin ako kay Yuno na nasa harap ko at nakatitig sa akin. I raised my brow to him, he just shook his head and smile before bowing down to start writing.

Dahil sa pagyuko niya ay nakita ko si Vren. His facial expression is serious. Even his brows are furrowed, it's like he's eager to finished what he's doing. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa ballpen habang seryosong nakatingin at nagsusulat sa dilaw na papel.

I don't know how long I gazed on him. Buti nalang at hindi niya nararamdaman. Natauhan lang ako ng biglang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Yuno.

"Okay ka lang?" he asked, I nodded.

Nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin pero hindi ko na pinansin. Kinuha ko nalang sa bulsa ang earphone tsaka ginamit. I started writing while listening to the music.

Tuloy-tuloy lang ang pagsulat ko at tila walang paki sa paligid. Nakakarinig ako ng tawanan at asaran pero hindi ko na 'yon pinansin. One hour and thirty minutes passed, isang part nalang ang kulang ko. I started writing my conclusion.

I planned to finish this before lunch and re-write after. And as expected, I finished it smoothly. Itinabi ko ang scratch at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanila. Kaz is still writing, same with others.

"Ang bilis mo," Yuno said while lookong at me. "Hindi ka pa magre-rewrite?"

I shook my head. "Hindi pa, ipapahinga ko muna yung kamay ko."

I slightly massaged my hands. It's slightly numbed because of my continuous writing earlier. I stand up to get my pillow on the cabinet. Maliban sa tables dito sa Kalasag ay may cabinet din na lalagyan ng mga gamit. Mayroon din estante ng mga dati at kasalukuyang dyaryo ng paaralan.

Kasabay ng pagtayo ko ay pag-angat ng tingin sa akin ni Vren. Nalipat ang tingin niya sa kamay ko'ng hawak ko. His brows furrowed and shifted again his eyes to mine. In just a second, he continued writing and didn't give a single daze.

Nang makuha ang unan ay yumuko ako agad para magpahinga. It's masculine scent is still there. I can now identify, it's Vren's perfume. His masculine scent is attached to my pillow.

I did not sleep, though. My head is preoccupied. I can't avoid thinking about him, especially that it feels like he's near. It feels like that because I can f*****g smell him. I bet he sprayed a lot of his perfume to my pillow.

Minutes passed, I stayed like that while listening to the music. Kahit may oras pa ay tinamad na ako mag-rewrite. Maya-maya'y kinalabit na ako ni Kaz.

"Lunch na tayo," she said and pulled me.

I nodded before standing up. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa Kalasag. Kaunti nalang ang mga journo dahil malamang ay nasa labas na rin para mananghalian.

I looked a Heira who's still writing. On her side is Vren, doing the same. Segan is typing on her phone. Cartooning, Feature, at Sci-Tech writers nalang halos ang natira.

"Heira," I called her, but Vren also looked.

She nodded on me and started arranging her things.

"Papi Jethro, hindi ka sasabay?" tanong ni Aldrin sa kaniya.

"Hindi, dalawa yung binigay ni Sir Corral!" aniya at nagpatuloy sa pagguhit.

Si Xeya, Kaz, at Vance ay naghihintay na sa pinto. I walked towards them with Heira beside me. I looked back once again to the entire writers. And I saw Vren glanced on me before going out.

"Ako na nga magtatanong," I looked at Kaz who laughed. "Hindi maglu-lunch si Vren, Heira? Tanong ni Levesque."

I glared at her.

"Pinagsasabi mo?"

"No ata," Heira laughed. "Nagmamadaling matapos 'yon e. I don't know why."

"Oo nga pala bakla, tinadtad din kayo!" Vance mocked her. "Kamusta braincells natin?"

"Tuyot na," Heira leered.

"Buti nalang isa lang ang binigay sa amin ni Ma'am Ophel," Xeya said before letting out a laugh.

"Same," Kaz said and nodded.

I just listened to their chitchats about some random things until we reached cafeteria. Sure ako na makakasabay namin si Tanya, pero si Thalia at Von, hindi. Thalia just started her training for the dance competition. Same with Von, our basketball captain.

But I'm surprised when I saw Thalia waving her hands to us. She's sitting on a table with Von. Naglakad kami agad papunta sa kanila. Thalia is wearing a pair of oversized shirt and leggings but still look classy. And Von is with his usual jersey, looking hot. No wonder why some student here in cafeteria were looking at them.

"Tss," pasaring ni Von at umirap kay Xeya nang makarating kami.

"Papansin, baby Verdeflor," Xeya laughed so hard, mocking Von.

I saw Von's face turning to red. Maybe it's because of embarassment or other? Hinayaan ko nalang sila mag-asaran.

"Nasaan si Jethro?" pag-iiba ni Von ng usapan.

"Kalasag," I simply said.

"Busy sa cartoon," Kaz laughed. "O baka kay Morgiana."

"Morgiana? Sounds familiar," Thalia said.

"Oo sis, bagong writer," Aldrin answered.

"At syempre Junior na maganda. Jethro pa, rekta na 'yan," Kaz said before letting out a laugh.

At dahil wala si Jethro, siya topic ang topic ngayon. Morgiana is Misquina's older sister. Halos magkahawig nga sila maliban sa mata. Misquina got a monolid eyes then Morgiana's upturned eyes.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain pero hindi pa rin sila tumatahimik. Nahagip ng tingin ko si Segan na palabas ng cafeteria. Mag-isa lang siya at may dalang pagkain, dalawa iyon. Probably, the other one is Vren's food.

I continued eating when she disappeared on my sight. Hindi ko iyon binigyang pansin at nakinig nalang sa tsimisan nila.

"It's legit pala talaga that Adrian is a gay!" Thalia said.

Napatingin ko kay Kaz na umubo bigla. Siguro sa pagkain niya. Imposible na dahil sa tsismis. Hindi naman na siya bago sa ganiyan. And others didn't mind her though.

"Talaga bakla? Bakit mo nasabi?" Aldrin asked her.

"Joana told me, one of my co-dancers," Thalia explained to us. "She saw him with guy in the mall. Ang kaso lang, hindi niya ma-recall ang itsura. But she said, they're sweet."

"Sino ba si Adrian?" Xeya asked perplexedly.

"Basta sis pogi dito 'yon sa Gorostiz," Aldrin said chuckling. "At Thalia balitaan mo 'ko pag nag-break na sila. Time to shine."

"Tss," si Von.

Nagpalipas pa kami ng ilang minuto bago napagdesisyunang umalis. Kumaway sa amin sina Thalia at Von bago pumunta sa covered court. Doon ang training area nila pareho.

While walking I can't avoid thinking about Tanya. She didn't show up to us. Oh f**k, I almost forget it. Maybe she's with Constavo, especially our training just started.

I've gone absentminded until we finally reached Kalasag. Nakaramdam ako ng ginhawa mula sa init ng panahon sa labas dahil sa aircon na bumungad pagpasok namin.

Halos lahat ay nasa loob na rin at napatingin sa amin. May mga Junior high sa isang gilid at sumasayaw sa harap ng cellphone. I think it's a kpop song based on the lyrics.

Napalingon ako sa pinsan ko na may dalang speaker. He raised it before turning on. Nagpatugtog siya at tinodo 'yon.

"Mako," I warned him.

He laughed.

"Wala naman tayong ibang room na katabi."

I shrugged. Hinayaan ko nalang dahil sumasabay naman sila sa kanta. After that my glance shifted to Vren who's still writing. The food that Segan bought is just waiting him. Tumingin siya sa akin bago binalik ulit sa papel.

"Laro tayo!" Kaz shouted in the midst of loud music.

"Anong laro bakla?" tanong ni Aldrin.

"10 lives o kaya 5 nalang para mabilis," ani Kaz at tumawa.

We always play that game. 10 lives katumbas ng sampung daliri mo. Magbabawas ka ng isa kapag ang sinabi ng host ay akma o nagawa mo na. Bumilog na kami, sumali rin ang tropa ni Mako. Si Jethro ay hindi, nanatili lang siya sa table nila ng mga Cartoonist at Sci-Tech writers.

"Ako host," I casually said.

Kaz raised her hand.

"Ikaw ulit? Ako naman."

I looked at her with slightly brows furrowed. May kakaiba kasi sa tono niya. And I don't like it.

"Sige pareng Kaz ikaw naman," Owen said.

"Game," Itinaas na namin ang isa naming mga kamay bilang sign.

"Bawas isa kung may crush dito," Kaz said before laughing.

Halos lahat sila ay nagbawas ng isa maliban sa akin, kay Aldrin at Heira. I looked at Vance, observing him. Sino namang type ng baklang 'to.

"Legit ba 'yan Heira at Lexi?" pang-uusisa ni Kaz.

"Of course," Heira answered.

"Oo nga, ikaw bading! Alam naman nating lahat crush mo 'ko," ani Owen at tumawa.

"Sorry, wala akong 150 ngayon," Aldrin mocked him too.

Sa gitna ng asaran nila ay napatingin ako kay Misquina na kakapasok lang. Agad kong binaba ang isang daliri. Girl crush ko pala siya.

"Sabi na e," pang-aasar ni Kaz. "Sino 'yan Levesque?"

"Who's that?" Yuno asked too.

"Sa dami ng mga nagbaba ng daliri ako lang tinanong niyo," masungit kong sabi. "Next na, Kaz."

"Sige boss," Kaz said pursing her lips. "Baba ng isa kapag tapos na sa article o sa kung anong pinapagawa ngayon ng coach. At rewrite nalang o linis."

Nagbaba ulit ako ng isa. Karamihan din sa amin ay ganoon. Medyo nalito pa si Heira dahil tatlo yung kanila at dalawa palang ang tapos niya. Kaz kaughed before talking again.

"Next, bawas isa kapag may dala ka'ng unan tuwing training." Kaz said while pursing her lips to contain a laugh.

I glared at her. They all looked at me before laughing. Ako lang naman ang nagdadala rito ng unan. Karzielle is doing this on purpose, the f**k.

"Dagdag ng tatlo kapag walang chocolate sa bag," natatawang sabi ni Kaz.

"Nice," ani Aaron.

Lalong sumama ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Kami lang ni Vance ang hindi nagdagdag. Kaz didn't mind my glare. She just stared at Vance with brows furrowed and curiousity in her eyes.

"Bawas dalawa kung nag-lunch sa cafeteria kanina," Kaz said in a monotone.

Binawi ko annang masamang tingin sa kaniya. Her command is for general now. Nanatili akong kalmado kahit na ako'y delikado.

"Bawas isa kung uminom ng coke kaninang lunch," Kaz said and then laughed again.

"Maduga," I said while glaring at her.

Ngayon ko lang naisip na bakit ang tarantado ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Oy si Owen at Davin nagbaba rin naman," Kaz said defending herself.

"Talo ka na baks!" pang-aasar sa akin ni Aldrin.

"What's the dare?" Heira asked and chuckled.

"Teka, mag-iisip ako," Kaz said.

"Huwag na, may naisip na ako," napatingin ako kay Mako na nagsalita.

"Ano?" si Kaz. "Huwag mo tingnan ng masama , Lexi."

"Tutal masyadong focus si boss Vren sa training, sabihin mo 'kumain ka na, hindi ka dapat nagpapalipas ng gutom' at dapat sa malambing na tono." Mako said before letting out a laugh.

"Gago," I said warning him.

"Bakit 'yon? Ang dali lang!" gatong ni Owen.

"Bobo ka Owen," Xeya laughed. "Mahirap kaya kay Alexia maging malambing."

"Game!" Kaz exclaimed excitedly.

"Seryoso ka ba? Yari ka sa akin mamaya sa mansion Mako," binalaan ko siya.

Tinawanan niya lang ako tsaka tumango. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Do it, Lexi. Bawal madaya," Heira chuckled.

"Paano kaya ang malambing na Levior Alexia Levesque?" Xeya mocked me.

Pinasada ko ang kamay sa buhok para iwasan ang pagkainis. I want to look relaxed and unbothered. Tumango nalang ako. I don't have any choice.

Hininaan nila ang speaker at nag-abang sa akin. I looked at Vren who's currently drinking his water. He glanced at me while doing it. Binalik ko ang tingin kina Kaz na nagpipigil ng tawa. I won't turn my voice into cute one. I don't want them to be satisfied damn it.

"Mozarta," tawag ko nang makalapit ng bahagya at tila napahinto siya sa pag-inom. Without further ado. "Kumain ka na, hindi ka dapat nagpapalipas ng gutom."

Napatingin din sa amin ang ibang Journalist. Segan is with her brows furrowed while looking at me. She had her b***h face.

Agad siyang napaubo at nasamid sa biglang utos ko. I said that in my casual tone so it won't sound like I care. Naka-awang ang bibig niya sa akin at nakatulala.

"Ha?" he asked perplexedly. "Ano ulit?"

I stared at him.

"Kumain ka na."

He smiled like an idiot before drinking again his water. Inubos niya 'yon at tila balisa.

"You are really unpredictable," he said while looking at me seriously. "How I wished that it's not a dare?"

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