Chapter Fifteen
1200 Words
Chapter Fifteen
The Last Petal
WE BOTH stared into each other eyes before he withdraw. I think he averted his gaze not because he cannot handle my eyes anymore but because he chose to end it there... because he knows I won't let myself be defeated in anything.
"Shall we?" He casually said, his fist in the position to knock on the classroom's door.
I nodded at him curtly as a signal of approval. Then, he knocked on the door two times before we heard the teacher inside telling us to come in.
We formally announced the news that class will be reduced into shorten period. After that, Tangent and I quietly exited the room.
Silence reigned as we walk side by side. No one dared to talk for a few seconds until I decides the break the ice.
"I was wondering... you are in the same class with Vanessa and Cathrina, right?" I asked casually.
He fixed his glasses using his index finger before putting his hand inside his pocket.
"Yeah," he answered curtly.
"So you're probably shocked about the news, huh?" I said in a steady voice.
We walked seriously as we reached the second floor.
"Obviously. What else would you feel if you suddenly hear the abrupt news about your classmates' deaths?" He countered in a voice with a hint of sarcasm.
I am used on hearing that kind of tone from him. Tangent and I both have condescending attitudes. We have that same air of superiority so even if my position is higher than him, I never saw him acting submissive towards me. Well, he is still the Vice President after all.
I covered my lips using my palm while we continue to stride as we are about to reach the third floor where their classroom is located. Our eyes are dully fixated on what's on front if us--not daring to tear it off and meet each other's ferocious eyes. Our shadows smoothly glide on the concrete wall beside us.
Tangent Reyes. You have always been a mystery to me.
I wonder where you are that day when Vanessa died.
"We were dismissed earlier that day so I was in the student council office like you, don't you remember--"
I stopped walking at once. Meanwhile, Tangent was already three meters away from me when he also ceased from walking as if he realized something wrong.
Well, there is something wrong.
"What did you just say?" I asked in a tone filled with controlled surprise.
His posture did not falter at that. He did not turned his head on me or even resume on walking. Tangent remained firmly standing three meters away from me with his two hands pocketed inside his slacks without uttering an answer I continued.
"How did you know that I was thinking that? I did not even open my mouth to speak." My voice was coated with coldness as I speak those words.
I keenly stared at his back as I waited for his answer.
Oh, Tangent.
Finally, after a few minutes of nothing but silence, he decided to slightly turned his head to me; just enough to see his well-angled nose and the slight reflection of his glasses.
"You are probably mistaken, Arylle. Because I just heard you speak." He answered, his voice void of any emotions.
I tilted my head on the right while raising my brow at him.
"You were the one who's mistaken, then. I did not utter any words, Tangent. I was just merely thinking by myself when you suddenly answered my supposedly internal queries." I said in a casual tone.
His demeanor was not shaken by any words I say to him. Despite me, spotting the odd event that just happened between us. He did not changed his position or what. I am still facing his back while his head is just slight tilted towards me. He adjusted his glasses using his index finger before finally mouthing a response.
"Then, you are probably thinking out loud..." his words sprang naturally from his lips before withdrawing his slightly turned eyes on me and continue his way towards the third floor.
His every steps did not make any sound as he climb on the stairs. However, I remained on my position foe a few seconds with my eyes lazily following his body that speaks so much of the unsaid truth. My lingered at him until he disappeared when he finally reached the third floor. That is when I decided to proceed to climb on the third floor, too and towards the weat wing of the fourth floor where our classroom is located.
Thinking loud, huh? You must have a great ears then, Tangent.
I boredly dragged myself as I climb my way up while thinking about our conversation but I was surprised by what I saw the moment I reached the third floor.
Five meters away from me are two bulky police officers who are snappily standing in front of Tangent Reyes with.
I cannot help but to automatically stopped from walking when I saw their set up.
Another student is with them, his face is filled an anxious expression. I figured that he is Tangent's classmate.
"T-Tangent, they said that they needed to conduct a quick interrogation on our whole section since we were the last people that Vanessa interacted b-before that... you know." His classmate is trying to sport an posture aura despite his obvious trembling aura.
"Is that so?" Tangent reacted simply before boldly staring directly in the eyes of the police officer on his right. My mouth slightly gape open when I realized who that officer was.
It was the same officer that I saw back in the checkpoint and the same guy that I saw walking with Mr. Legaspi earlier this day. His serious eyes emanates an intense aura as he stared at Tangent too.
"I'm sorry but our adviser is not here due to some errands. I am not quite the right person to ask for consent." Tangent answered in a casual tone, no traces of fear in his voice.
"We already talked to your principal about this. This interrogation should have happened yesterday. However, your class were dismissed earlier that day so it was not possible. We just need to hear some brief statements from you to solidify our hypothesis about this case." The same police guy that I saw in the checkpoint said.
Tangent stared at him for a couple of seconds more before mildly sighing.
"Alright..." he trailed off as he looked something on the police officer's chest. "...officer Manalo. If that's the case, we'll be willing to undergo to your interrogation if it will help to the investigation of our classmate's death." He formally bowed his head a little before gesturing the two police officer towards the direction of their classroom.
Then they silently stride their way towards it. Tangent and I had a brief eye contact before they disappeared into the clouds of their own world.
I remained standing there for a few more seconds as I dully gaze at the deserted hallway of the third floor.
Vanessa, your death has caused so much.
--
-C. N. Haven-
- Writer
