The silence she left behind

Chapter 4

Manahimik ka, Hetty! Palibhasa pangit ka kasi! " Dessamarie rebutted. Bago pa mag-away ang dalawa, hinatak na papalabas ni Sheena ang kaibigan niyang si Dessamarie. I was already wearing my P.E uniform with a pair of white running shoes. Thankfully, hindi ko iniuuwi ang spare shoes ko na ito. But I still need to get my Dr. Marten black shoes, hell! That was expensive, no!

We went outside and walked towards the new gymnasium. I was being cautious around my surroundings while walking, afraid that I might bumped with the SSG president.

" Ay, tanga!" Hetty suddenly stopped from walking, she was holding her forehead while staring at the entrance of the new gym.

" Hindi ko ba nasabi sayo? " She asked absentmindedly.

"What?" I responded.

"Nasa Special Science Class din pala si Israel Arden. Siya nga ang president ng klase nila e." she stated and stared at me with her sorry eyes. What the f**k! I didn't know that! I thought that he was in the Special Math Class! Not here!

The new gym is full packed of students, from different year and section. Pati nga ang mga taga senior high, nandito din! Most of them are girls! I didn't paid much attention around my surroundings since I started studying here in NN, I'm most of the time, spending my time alone or with Hetty kapag hindi niya kasama ang mga ibang kaibigan niya.

I'm unaware of the kaganapan here in our school. That's why I'm confident that I wouldn't have to crossed paths with Israel Arden. That's his name. I heard that we are going to have a match with the SSC's and I thought Mr. President is from the other special class which is from math.

"Nasa Special Science Class din pala si Israel Arden. Siya nga ang president ng klase nila e." she stated and stared at me with her sorry eyes. What the f**k! I didn't know that! I thought that he was in the Special Math Class! Not here!

It was too late to run and hide. From the entrance, the brown- eyed man were staring at me with his grim expression. My eyes went down into his right hand, there! It was my Dr. Martens shoe!

" Amari, larga na ako! Kaya mo na 'yan, girl! " It was too late to run away with her because a warm and firm hand already grab my arm.

" Where do you think you're going, Camero? " He dangerously scowled at me. His lips were formed in a thin line, indicating that he is trying to keep calm.

" What do you need, Mr. President " I tried to be polite by giving him honorifics. But he didn't even acknowledge me. He started to dragged me away and the students were already staring and murmuring towards us.

" Hey! Where are you taking me?" I panicked. I tried to get away but compared to his body, I'm too small that's why it was easy for him to drag me without exerting too much force, he's just two years ahead, but he had a body of a mature man. His build is like from the males from Senior High School department. He is just a grade 10 student!

Tumapat kami sa harapan ng SSG office. After opening the door, tinulak niya ako papasok. The nerve!

Bumungad sa akin ang nakasimangot na mukha ni Sir Ronald and some unfamiliar faces. There are two males who's grinning and giving dirty hands towards Israel Arden when the principal is not looking at them.

" Iha, ikaw na naman? " He disappointly stated. I took a deep sigh and tried to sat down but someone grab the chair away from me.

" You are not going to sit down." He heartlessly said. Instead of me, sitting on that chair, he took the chance to sit with it, not minding how ungentleman he is.

" Tangina talaga ni Arden! Walang puso, ampucha! Ang ganda na nga ni miss e!" I look at the person who suddenly talked with such bulgar words! He was wearing the school pants, a white sneakers and a black sando, his white polo shirt uniform were resting on his shoulder. He is just like those students na tumatambay sa store na nasa eskinita malapit sa school kaso mabangong version nga lang ang isang 'to.

" Can you shut up, Oxygen? Why are you even here? This is not a place where you can hang out. " Israel Arden spoke while throwing deadly daggers towards the person he called " Oxygen".

"Tarantado kasi si Ox! Nahuli kami ni Sir Ronald na umaakyat sa bakod!" the other guy butted in. This one is wearing the school uniform but on his feet, his wearing also a white sneakers, and he has a pair of chinky eyes. He's Chinese.

" Enough with the profanities, Mr. Jose Villa and Mr. Lim! We have a young lady here! " Sinuway na sila ni Sir Ronald. The old man were already massaging his head, indicating that he was having a hard time.

" Bago kita bungangaan, Miss. Camero, let me just deal with these two first! " Sir Ronald got up on the chair, I didn't notice that he was holding a long stick!

" Aray! Nak nang! Tay, nasakit 'yan!" My lips parted with the sight in front of me! Pinagpapalo ni Sir Ronald 'yung dalawang lalaki!

" Hey, you should stop him! He's hurting them!" I angrily spat toward Israel Arden but to my dismay, he was just watching the poor guys being beaten with his bored expression!

" Tay? Hindi mo ako tatay sa loob ng swekelahan na ito, Oxygen! Dinamay niyo pa si Champagne sa kalokohan niyong dalawa ni Isaac! Mag community service kayo sa barangay hall simula bukas! " Instead of talking back, the two guys nodded with agreement even if they are against of their punishment. I also noticed a girl who's sitting at the corner pero hindi ko na ito pinansin pa.

I was thinking about my punishment, of what I did earlier. For sure, this self-centered and heatless SSG president already filed a complaint towards me. How come that he was elected and won the school election? Wala nga siyang puso e!

" And you, Miss. Camero, will have additional 2 hours in cleaning the old gym, because of cutting classes. Thank you, Mr. Arden for being such a good leader. Hindi dapat hinahayaan ang mga pasaway na studyante at dapat lang disiplinahin. " The old man's strict voice thundered inside the office. No one dared to talk, hindi na din ako nagreklamo pa at baka tuluyan pa akong isumbong ni Israel na binato ko siya ng sapatos ko!

I was actually expecting that he would tell na I threw a shoe at him. I know that hurts because it was a Dr. Martens! That shoe is just like a hard rock!

" No need to thank me, Sir. I only did what I think is right, and they are my responsibility. " My lips twitched because of what he'd said! He is a pretentious president! Ang sama kaya ng ugali niya!

" Okay, Mr. Arden. All of you, go back to your classes". I immediately stand up at nakipagunahan sa paglabas, nakasabay ko pa ang dalawang nahuling nag attempt na umakyat sa bakod ng school at nginisihan lang nila ako.

I went back at the new gymnasium, I didn't noticed that Israel Arden were walking behind me. The game started at naka two set na sila. I saw Hetty who's going to serve the ball toward their opponent she also saw me and I noticed that she was trying to motion me to look behind me, only to almost have a face to face with Arden! We were too close!

I heard gasped from the students and most of it were with displeased! Huh! As if I wanted this!

" Get your face away from me!" I angrily spat at him. Imbes na magalit din siya, I didn't expect that he would make a grinning face! I grimaced!

" Nak nang! Gago, Israelito! Ang landi mo!" someone shouted and it followed by numerous teasing laughers coming from his back.

" Shut the f**k up, Ox! " Arden answered with his serious voice but the grin on his face never disappeared.

Nawala ang focus ng mga tao sa laro, nakatingin pa rin silang lahat sa amin. What's the big deal? Everyone is ogling at Israel Arden, especially the girls!

" Israel? Are you here to support me? " I heard another voice and seconds later, a girl wearing our P. E uniform appeared beside Israel's. She clung her hands into his arms and tried to get his attention, but she miserably failed, as the guy is still looking at me.

" Don't tell me you are into young girls, Israel? Nene pa nga 'yata 'to e! " The girl exclaimed and I think all the students heard that! Nene? Me? How dare she!

" Excuse me, po!" I emphasized the word so that she could feel na gurang na ang babaeng 'to. As if I like this guy? He's old and I don't like guys who have a tough attitude! I don't wanna like a person who have the same attitude with my father.

" I'm not a Nene, anymore! Niregla na nga ako, e! " I proudly said earning gasp from the people who heard it. Natawa silang lahat and some even got disgusted. Israel Arden's face hardened. He was back into his expressionless face, and I could feel like he was stabbing me with his eyes.

"Really? Camero? Do you know that you can get punishment by saying such bulgar words in public? " I groaned in annoyance. May nakalagay bang ganon sa student's manual? Ang dami naman bawal!

" What's wrong with what I said? Everyone gets their monthly period and it should be normalize! It's not disgusting! And I'm not Nene, I feel offended when she called me like that!" someone grab my hand and tried to drag me out of the scene.

" Bata ka naman talaga, you're just grade 8. You should also respect who's older than you, Camero. You talked like we are on the same page. Another 1 hour for additional community service. " He coldly said. My lips parted from what I heard! I can't believe this guy! He's so nakakainis and he's getting on my nerves!

" What? But you already added 2 hours earlier! Another 1 hour? That's unfair! " I complained. Sumimangot siya at hindi man lang pinansin ang hinaing ko. He slips his hands inside of his pocket and stared at me for a second using his stoic expression.

" That's what you get when you're getting on my way. Follow the rules and be a good little girl, Camero. "

"Getting on your way?! " Naiinis kong ulit sa sinabi niya. Nanlisik ang mata ko at tinignan siya ng masama.

"Hindi nga kita inaano e!" muling sigaw ko. I heard murmurs and they've been mocking me for doing this to the SSG president.

"Hoy, Amari! You can't shout like that to the SSG president! Wala ka talagang manners!" Dessamarie suddenly butted in. Inis ko siyang inirapan. I was ready to make my rebut when someone suddenly grab my arm.

" Hi, Pres! Kunin ko na'to! Baka biglang malowbat 'tong maliit na robot mag malfunction pa, lagot ako kay Don! " Before I could even react, Hetty grabbed me and we left the new gym in hurry. I was panting when she let me go. Asar na asar ang mukha niya na nakatingin sa akin.

" Alam kong maldita ka at lahat ng gusto nakukuha, but you should be mindful of the things that comes from your mouth! Bakit mo naman brinoadcast na niregla kana, girl? Minus points 'yon sa mga pogi! Baka na turn off sila sayo! " Her face were painted with problematic expression. Masama niya akong tinitigan at napakamot naman ako sa ulo.

" What's wrong with that ba? Lahat naman may period! And he's a leader, he should impose good behavior and fairness, but he is being unfair! 3 hours ang dagdag sa community service ko! I'll be late going home with that time!" I'm mad. Mad as hell! How dare him do that to me! Hindi naman malala ang mga offenses na sinasabi niya, and I don't think na nasa student manual ang sinasabi niyang bawal!

" He's using his leadership card to powertrip me! Binato ko lang naman siya because I wanted to get even! Nauna kaya siya! " I added. Umirap naman si Hetty at biglang humawak sa balikat ko.

" The last thing you would do is not to get cross path with Israel Arden, Amari Reign. He maybe looks like a person who's never going to do anything na makakasira sa prinsipyo niya, pero dapat ngayon palang itatak mo na sa isip mo, Arden's play dirty. You wouldn't get away once na kinanti mo na sila. He's a future governor, after all. He'll play dirty, umiwas ka hangga't maari. " Seryoso na lintanya ni Hetty. That's right. I'm aware about their reputation but I don't usually judge based from accusations and gossips. Maniniwala lang ako kapag ako na mismo ang nakakita. But the way how I view the attitude of that young Arden, it made me wonder, maybe, they are right.

The Arden's are powerful and heartless. I haven't met the governor and their family members, only the young Arden and unang nakilala ko mula sa pamilya nila. One thing is for sure, I hate Israel Arden to bits!