Project LOTUS: Beautiful Monster

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Say

I WENT to school early again. Probably just 10 minute later than the other day. The moment I parked my baby black on the school's parking lot, I figured that there are only a few students as usual but that was not the one that I initially noticed.

I knitted my eyebrows when I saw a police car parked two meters away from my motorcycle. I unconsciously walk inside the campus thinking about it. Are the police here to have an investigation about the death of Vanessa?

I almost feel bad for forgetting about it for awhile. I was too preoccupied by the incident that happened to my room that I forgot about this one... the death of my former childhood friend. Damn, even the word sounded distant to me.

As I walk deep into the campus, I noticed Mr. Legaspi perambulating with a police. I stared at them for awhile. It seems like they are discussing something important. I fan feel the serious atmosphere emanating from them. Until our prefect eyes wanders around and he accidentally caught me gawking at them. I noticed how his lips formed into a grim line as if his jolly system just automatically shuts down the moment he saw me. Right, we kinda had an unfinished argument when I tried to go inside the greenhouse even if it is prohibited. Mr. Legaspi briefly whispered something to the police officer before he stopped from walking and so does the police officer beside him. The police officer traced Mr. Legaspi's line vision and then his eyes also end up on me.

Now, he looks familiar. I think, is he the same police guy I saw back in the checkpoint yesterday?

"Andino!" Mr. Legaspi approached me with heavy long steps.

I also stop from walking as I boldly faced him.

"Yes, sir?" I said formally but quite casually.

"I will not tolerate your act of defiance towards your teachers! Being the president of the Supreme Student Government does not give you the rights to just stick your nose to the things that should not be your concern!" He preached like a mad uncle.

"I'm sorry for my seemingly impolite action but with due all respect, as the president of the student buddy, I think I have the rights to know the condition of my fellow students--"

"Just like what I said you are just the president of the student body it means that the authority you have is inferior to the teachers because at the end of the day, you are just a student who still yet to learn things. Know your place, Andino." Mr. Legaspi spat every word scornfully, each syllable meant to disgrace me or probably hurt me but to be honest, I don't feel anything at all.

"Do you get me, miss president?" He emphasized the last two words sarcastically.

"What's happening here?" Ms. Quen suddenly interjected in the middle of our conversation. I didn't even noticed that she is already here.

Mr. Legaspi faced my SSG advider.

"Ms. Quen, you better discipline your student. The head of the student council must manifest traits that willl serve as inspirations to other student not the other way around."

"What do you mean by that sir?" Ms. Quen was confused. She probably did not know what I did yesterday.

"Well, miss Andino here happened to sneaked inside the greenhouse yesterday the faculty's warning that it is strictly prohibited."

Ms. Quen looked at me blankly. She's probably not shocked anymore, she knows me better than all the other teachers here. She knows that I am stubborn for a good purpose.

"I would like to apologize in behalf of her. I'm sure that she has good reason for doing it. However, you are right that it is still unjust." Miss Quen shook her head.

"But let us please settle this once and for all. For now, we are facing something more important so let us focus on that."

"Alright but miss Andino should assure that she will not the same mistake again." Mr. Legaspi sharply turned to me.

I cursed internally.

"I'm sorry Mr. Legaspi. I promised that I not do such impulsive act of defiance again." I uttered each word in a cold tone. I can't stand the stand the hint of satisfaction etched all over his face.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion ma'am, sir but we need to meet with the principal to discuss important matters." The police officer entered the exclusive conversation. His well-plated blue uniform screams in so much authority that matches his deep baritone.

Our eyes met briefly when I turned to face him. I creased my forehead when I noticed something odd in his plain black eyes.

I thought I saw it flicker in a different color... or is it just the reflection of the sun?

"Alright. Apologies, officer Manalo." Mr. Legaspi fakely coughed with a hint of embarrassment.

"Shall we go, then?" He lead the way towards the principal's office and the police followed him.

I was left together with Ms. Quen. She look at me with a look of exasperation.

"Please, Arylle. Give me a favor of staying away from conflicts with the other teachers, okay?"

I nodded at her.

"Alright. I'm sorry about that."

She just gave me a tried smile before turning around to follow the police and Mr. Legaspi.

I stared at them for a couple of seconds before I decided to go to our classroom and as I expected, I am the only one here yet. I fished the key inside my pocket to open our classroom. I silently went inside and comfortably sit on my chair.

I put on my earphones, picked a good music on my phone and closed my eyes. My head still hurt a bit, I want to use this solitude as an opportunity to relax. As I closed my eyes, the unconscious realm gradually embraced me.

"Come on! Why can't we do this?" Vanessa's high pitch voice engulf my ears in the cold night of the New Year's eve.

I came back in the house to get a jacket because it is chilling tonight and now I came back here only to saw Vanessa childishly arguing with the boys again. 

"Vanessa, I don't think that's a wise choice. My mom said that kind of firecrackers are really dangerous." I heaed Blade trying to convince her in a calm tone but loud voice to match the noise around us.

They are on the other side of the road but I can hear their loud voices mixing with the firecrackers everywhere.

"Why are you guys so kill joy! Come on, let's do it!" Vanessa persist with hee argument while tightly holding a huge triangular firecracker that somehow looks familiar. Isn't that the illegal firecrackers the government are banning?

I look left right to check if I can already cross the road and reunite with them but a few vehicles just won't stop passing by creating an ear-splitting noise to celebrate the new year. The rogue firecrackers on the toasted road even added to my list of obstacles.

"Hey, you guys! Did you see our cat Eclipse? I think he ran away just now!" Lumence suddenly exclaimed in the middle of Vanessa and Blade's argument while holding an empty collar, it seems like his cat was able to escape from his collar.

Gamence went to his brother and also stared to the collar with a missing cat.

"Why did you even let him out of the house?" He uttered something for the first time. I almost smirk if I was not too busy finding an opening to cross the road.

"Yeah. Garrick's right, Luis. Didn't you know that pets are scared of loud sounds?" Blade interjected to the twin's conversation.

Before Lumence can respond to Blade's remark, Vanessa started wiggling the huge illegal firecracker in her left hand and a lighter on her right.

"Drop it with the cat! I'm going to light this thing up to greet you guys a happy new year!"

"Hey, Van! Are you crazy? That thing is dangerous and illegal. What's your new year's resolution? A death wish?" Lumence said, finally realizing what Vanessa is up to. 

Vanessa was making faces while Lumence was talking. She ignored his statement and just proceed with her plan. She put the lighter near the huge firecracker and was about to light it...

"HEY VANESSA! STOP THAT! YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOMEONE INJURED OR KILLED!" I shouted on the top of my lungs while still standing on the other side of the road, unable to cross because of the passing vehicles.

-C. N. Haven-