He's Yellow

Chapter 2: I Meant That

Chem Review Buddies

Jonah: y'all available later?

Martina: what in the world is this group chat for?

Jonah: can't you read, Miss Slacker?

Martina: uh, I'm not a slacker?

Jonah: say that to your blank review sheets.

Martina: whatever.

Maximus: Hi guys! How y'all doing? I'm available later.

Jonah: Nice! How about you, Eli?

Martina: Are my eyes tripping or am I seeing a stranger in this chat?

Maximus: Hi, madam! I am indeed a stranger, but not anymore if you ask my name.

Martina: Thank you, but I can perfectly read your name, Mr. Maximus, who still remains a stranger.

Maximus: Hahahaha. I'm from UPD Chem.

Martina: And why are you here in the UPV community? You are clearly out of place, may I say?

Jonah: Stop it, Martina. He's a friend from Chem Congress. The guy who presented his study before Eli.

Martina: Wait, I remember!

Martina: You were the guy who presented the thesis about microplastics!

It was early morning the next day, and today was the day we were all about to suffer for the next few hours because we were officially taking our first set of exams.

When I woke up earlier, Martina was still buried under her blanket, completely unaware of the world outside. And when she finally decided to wake up, the first thing that came out of her mouth was not a greeting, not even a complaint about the exam, but a reminder that I should not forget about our hangout later.

I stared at her for a while, wondering how I was supposed to split myself into two.

On one hand, I wanted to spend time with her because I knew she had been looking forward to it. On the other hand, I really wanted to finish my thesis experiment that night. I was even considering submitting another request form for an overnight laboratory stay.

But I also knew Martina would probably murder me if I skipped another day with her.

Not that I was behind with my thesis. Actually, I was ahead.

While most of my classmates were still preparing for their thesis proposals, I was already in the process of finishing my experiments. I hated doing things at the last minute. The stress, the panic, the constant feeling of catching up—it was something I never wanted to experience again. So I always tried to prepare as early as possible.

"Do you know this guy in the chat?" Martina asked while fixing her hair in front of the bathroom mirror.

I was already sitting at my desk, completely ready for school, just waiting for her to finish. My bag was packed, my notes were arranged, and I was scrolling through my emails while pretending not to notice how long she was taking.

"I know him from last night's session," I answered.

"He was the guy I mentioned last time when you presented a study," she said while turning around, curling her hair.

I didn't even look up.

"Just finish your hair because I don't want us to be late today."

"What? We're not even late! The exam is at ten and it's only 7:30."

I stood up and grabbed my things.

"I need to do my final review. If you're not done in five minutes, I'm leaving without you. Girl, let's stop drinking before exams."

I gave her a look as I remembered last night. She drank so much that she almost threw up on the living room carpet her mom had bought.

"Urgh, fine. I'm done now, Mom," she said sarcastically before finally taking her things from the drawers.

Chem Review Buddies

Jonah: Eli, will you be there later? I need help with something.

I looked at my phone and saw Jonah's message about the review session he wanted to do tonight.

Eli: Idk. Martina wanted to hang out tonight. And the session is probably not the hangout she wanted.

Jonah: Boo Martina. That girl is not studying at all.

Martina: Why are you talking about me behind my back?

Martina: Boo you, Jonah. At least I'm done with my thesis proposal already unlike you, who is yet to finish everything.

Jonah: Who even told you about that? I'm already experimenting, you brat.

Martina: Aww, lucky for you. I hope you get a low yield on your experiment!

Maximus: Wooow. What's happening, y'all?

Elisia: Normal setting. We can set our session around 9 PM if that's fine with everyone. I don't think any of you have Saturday classes, right?

Maximus: Yeah, that's a good time. I have to attend some org stuff at 6 too, so that works.

Jonah: Orgs are still functional at this time of the year?

Maximus: Yeah. Since I'm graduating this year, we need to recruit new talents for the Artist's Guild.

Martina: Wow, Mr. Artist.

Jonah: What's with you and your obsession with art guys?

Martina: Get lost, Jonah.

Elisia: See you later tonight.

Maximus: See y'all tonight!

"I hate Jonah. I'm gonna kick his a*s when I see him."

Martina complained as we walked along the hallways toward the school cafeteria.

Since it was still early, some students were outside jogging or doing their usual morning walks. Others were already preparing themselves for class, carrying reviewers and looking like they had accepted their fate for the last set of exams.

When we entered the cafeteria, the smell of adobo immediately hit my nostrils.

And just like that, I knew what I was getting for breakfast.

My exam today was Material Chemistry, and thankfully, my brain was still functioning enough to appreciate food before another round of suffering.

"I hope Mr. Jameson gives us a good exam where I won't need to think too much," Martina said as she sat on one of the wooden benches beside the window.

Mr. Jameson was actually a good professor. His exams were challenging enough to make you think, but never impossible. He wasn't the type to make students feel like they were fighting for survival, but he also wasn't the type to hand out easy points.

Material Chemistry wasn't exactly my favorite subject, but it was interesting enough. Maybe I liked it because I was good at it. Getting good marks definitely made the subject easier to appreciate.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you this last night! Gosh, I'm so stupid."

Martina suddenly hit her head in disappointment before sitting properly in front of me.

"Someone asked about you last night."

I looked at her with complete boredom.

"Yes, so?"

"Girl, he asked where you were! Maybe this could finally be the start of your non-existent love life!"

She said it so loudly that some students turned their heads.

"Martina, you're so loud!" someone shouted from another table.

"Cut it, Donovan. I'll see you later," she shouted back.

Then she turned back to me.

"Anyway, going back to my topic. Guess who asked about you?"

I knew I had to answer because if I didn't, she would continue until she got a reaction.

"Who?"

"Michael! The AB History guy!"

And there it was.

Michael again.

He really was consistent.

Consistently annoying.

I already told him not to talk to me anymore because I didn't want him to. But somehow, that guy always found a way to get on my nerves.

"Urgh. Cut it off, Martina. I don't like that guy."

I focused on my food instead.

"Why?" she asked.

I didn't answer immediately.

It wasn't that I thought Michael was a bad person. I just knew he wasn't someone I wanted around me.

Not that I wanted anyone around me like that anyway.

I didn't understand why people were so obsessed with relationships. Why everyone seemed to believe they needed someone else to complete them.

People were so easily consumed by feelings. By attraction. By temptation.

And I didn't want to be another person who lost herself because of something she thought was love.

My parents were both successful. They did well in school. They had their own dreams and ambitions.

But somehow, one of the biggest mistakes they made was believing that starting a family during college was the right decision.

And look where it led.

People were just beings who easily gave in to emotions, and emotions were dangerous when you let them control you.

So no.

I wasn't going to repeat their mistakes.

This bloodline ends with me.

And I meant that.