Mhorfell Academy of Gangsters (Book One)

Chapter 7

Alex's POV

    It's a usual morning here in Queen Anne's. It's been two days since I got really bothered by Kia's reaction after the match. I never meant for anyone to get hurt or to offend that time.

    Believe me, I was just doing my responsibilities as a student!

    Hindi ko naman inaakala na seseryosohin nila ang isang round na iyon. I felt really bad when I caught Kia refraining herself to cry in front of the crowd as she walked out of the room. Doon ko mas napagtanto kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang titulo ng pagiging magaling sa pagpana.

    But the damage is done.

    Everyone is calling me now the new Queen of Archery after that match.

    For me, it's should not even be considered as a match since it's only a single round. Taking the bull's eye on a single round or not is still possible for calculations of probabilities. That's why I talked to Sky to help me stop the students calling me with that title because the game is not fair, to be honest. Nagtaka siya sa sinabi ko pero kalaunan naman ay pumayag siya.

    My main reason why I regard that round an unfair one?

    Definitely, it's because of me, for who I am, and for what I am.

    "Oh, kanina ka pa? Ang aga yata natapos ng klase mo." Dumating si Dereen kasunod pa ang dalawa ko pang kaibigan na sina Fiacre at Dereen.

    I log out from my f*******: account and shut the laptop down. "Yeah. May emergency daw kasi si Ms. Cruz kaya nagbigay na lang siya ng reminders. Si Riell nga pala?" natanong ko.

    Nitong mga araw kasi parang hindi ko na siya madalas nakikita. To think that the five of us are sharing a room and are living on a same dorm. Nagtataka na tuloy ako. Kapag naaabutan o nakakasalubong naman namin siya parang lagi siyang seryoso at laging palatingin sa paligid na parang napapraning na.

    Nung tinanong naman siya ni Rennei kung ayos lang ba siya, "Okay lang ako. 'Wag niyo ko alalahanin." Is all what she gave to us as a response.

    It's not that I am worried. Nakakapagtaka lang kasi.

    Ibinato naman ni Rennei ang itim na backpack niya sa may coffee table nang mailigpit ko ang laptop sa bag nito. "Don't mind her anymore. She seems busy assisting the teachers." Rennei said as she went to the kitchen.

    "That's right. Isa pa, 'wag mo na rin masyadong alalahanin si Kia. Natural lang na masaktan ang pride niya dahil simula bata pa lang, archery is her passion." Pagpapaalala na naman sa akin ni Dereen nang makaupo siya sa katapat kong couch.

    I nodded to show that I understand.

    "And getting sad over a defeat is something that someone should not be passionate about, Alex. They should learn their lesson and realize where have they gone wrong to be better the next time around." I smiled when Fiacre reassures me with her professional adviser tone while fixing her hair in front of the huge mirror.

    I sighed from the overwhelming assurance these three giving me. Minutes later, Rennei came out from the kitchen holding two mugs of hot chocolate and she put them on the coffee table.

    "There you go, hot chocolate for a worried schoolmate." And she pushed the mug through its handle a little bit to my side.

    I gladly take the handle and drink from it. Hmm, tastes good. "Saan pala tayo maglalunch? Anong oras na rin eh," I asked when I'm done having a sip from the drink.

    "Sa cafeteria na lang. Nagyaya si Sky."

    "Fiacre, don't tell me—"

    "Oh shut up, Maria. Manlilibre daw kasi 'yung mga gunggong niyang kasamahan. Libre naman eh. Aba'y patusin na natin."

    "Sabihin mo lang, pa-hard to get ka pa." nasabi ko na lang habang sinusubukan siyang asarin ni Rennei.

    She rolled her eyes and turned her heel towards her part of this room. We chuckled on how she can easily get pissed off just by mentioning Sky and his never-ending determination to obtain Fiacre's love.

    "So, ayos lang ba sa inyo 'yun?" Dereen questioned.

    Wala naman na kaming ibang sinabi pa ni Rennei at tumango na lang. It's not like were going to have lunch with them with a bunch of dangerous and dark motives, right?

    Hindi naman siguro kami magpapatayan doon.

    ***

    As we set our feet inside the cafeteria, the lingering noise of conversations and gossips are evident. Mapa 'yung mga kumakain na, nakaupo, at mga nakapila, pinagtitinginan kami na parang kami ang pinakahihintay ng lahat sa buong araw na ito. I hate this.

    Naglakad pa kami lalo papunta sa mga hilera ng lamesa at mga upuan para hanapin ang kumag kong pinsan na hindi namin mahanap hanap samantalang siya itong nagyaya. "Nasaan na ba iyang pinsan mo, Alex? Naiirita na naman ako nito eh." Fiacre whispered on my right.

    Pare-parehas lang naman kaming naaalibadbaran sa mga tingin ng mga tao sa amin. Ni hindi nga rin namin alam kung ano ang naisipan ni Sky para imbitahin kami sa pagkain nila kung saan manlilibre ang mga kasamahan niya. All we know is that they didn't like us and both of us have mutual impressions to each other.

    Nagtingin-tingin pa kami sa kung saan-saan. Pansin ko nga ang pagkainip ni Rennei dahil kanina pa siya bumubuntong hininga. Ayaw pa naman nitong naiinip siya o sinasayang ang oras niya.

    Nang sumuko na kami at napagdesisyunan na lang naming magsarili ng lamesa at bumili na ng sariling pagkain ay saka naman namin narinig ang isang pamilyar na boses. Boses na pagmamay-ari ng lalaking awtomatikong kinabibwisitan ni Fiacre.

    "Psst! Pinsaaaaaan! Alexandriaaaa! Dito! Dito kayo dali!" Parang baliw na nagtatawag ng pasahero ng dyip ang pinsan ko habang nakatuntong sa isa sa mga upuan dito.

    Oh God. Nakakahiya talaga itong lalaking ito. Talagang sinigaw pa ang pangalan ko at tinawag akong pinsan. Resulta? Ayan, mas lalong lumakas ang bulungan. Bulungang hindi na natapos ng mga walang magawa sa buhay nila.

    Pansin ko din ang pagkaramdam ng hiya ng mga kaibigan ko sa pinaggagagawa ni Sky kaya napangiwi na lang akong nauna papunta sa kinapepwestuhan niya. I mean, nila.

    They were occupying a long table available for fourteen people. The HEADs' attention was also on us but I can see the grimace on them while taking a glance on Sky who continues his call for us.

    "Dito na kayo dali! E-ehem ehem! Mhorfell Academy studentry, meet my oh-so-beautiful cousin, Alexandria!"

    I threw him dagger looks from what he just stated. f**k, ikamamatay ko yata ang mga pinaggagagawa ng pinsan kong ito. Minsan nga ipapasama ko sa ospital ng ninong naming para naman masuri kung maluwag na tornilyo sa utak.

    Hinayaan ko na lang na magpatuloy ang mga naglalakbay na tanong sa buong cafeteria. Wala na rin namang saysay na itanggi pa eh siya naman na mismo ang nagsalita. Kung sa amin lang ding dalawa, aba'y mas paniniwalaan siya ng mga estudyante rito. Hanggang sa makaupo ako sa tabi ni Sky ay dama ko pa rin ang tingin nila sa amin kaya ako na ang nagsalita. "Uhm. Care to take your eyes off me?"

    That gained smiles from the HEAD members which I didn't get the point, actually. I don't know if it's a sarcastic one or a welcoming one. Anyway, both are still acceptable. We're not here to fight or to remind each of ourselves about the unpleasant encounters but to eat at least, in a civil way.

    "Sa susunod Sky, 'wag mong ibabalandra ang pangit mong boses. Nakakarindi. Kulang na lang ipapalit na kita sa parrot sa zoo." Asar na asar na umupo si Fiacre sa tabi ni Rennei na siyang nakaupo rin naman sa tabi ng isang HEAD member na sa pagkakaalala ko ay si Marco.

    "Minsan, iwas-iwasan natin maging denial, babes. Mahirap bang sabihin na gusto mong naririnig mo maya't maya ang nakakaakit kong boses?"

    "f**k you," the love of his life muttered as she rolled her eyes on him.

    Sky's lips formed a grin as if he's thinking another one hell of a damn nonsensical thing. "f**k me? Uy, ano ka ba, Lei! 'Wag muna! I believe on making love after marriage!" Umarte pa itong pinsan ko na akala mo ay siya pa ang agrabyado at gustong pagsamantalahan.

    Kapal talaga ng mukha.

    Napaangat naman kaagad ang tingin ni Fiacre sa kanya. Her forehead creased and a single brow arched. "What the hell. As if, you crybaby jerk!" Inambahan pa nga nito si Sky habang hawak ang isang tinidor sa kamay niya.

    Napatigil naman ang katabi ko at nakasimangot na umayos na ng upo. Narinig naman ang mahihinang pagtawa ng mga kasama pa naming sa mesa. "Bro, nakakahiya ka. Tumigil ka na." Alexis advised as he stood up from the table.

    "Hindi porket ikaw ang manlilibre, may karapatan ka nang ganyanin ako. Makapagsalita ito akala mo may matinong relasyon. Dalagang pilipina kasi." Pambalik ng katabi ko sa sinabi ni Alexis.

    I saw Rennei massaging the side of her forehead while her eyes closed. Ayaw niya kasi ng puros mga bangayan ang naririnig. Naririndi talaga siya. "So what do you girls want? Come on, my treat." Alexis asked, looking on the four of us, smiling with his teeth exposed, ignoring Sky's reply.

    Nagkatinginan na naman kaming lahat sa tanong niya. Hindi man halata sa panlabas na aksyon ko, I feel awkward being with them on the same table. I'm not comfortable with strangers.

    Naaalala ko lang ang lalaking iyon kapag may lumalapit sa amin na hindi namin kilala.

    Nagpakiramdaman kaming apat at alam kong pati na rin ang iba. Dahil mukhang wala ring balak magsalita sina Dereen at Rennei ay abang kumalampag ng ilang beses si Fiacre sa mesa gamit ang isang kamay niya para kunin ang atensyon naming lahat.

    "Seriously? Kakain tayo nang ganyan? Grabe, kakain na lang may tensyon pa! Dinaig pa natin ang katahimikan ng mga death eaters sa mga meeting nila kasama si Voldemort!"

    Again, nagpatawa iyon sa iba. Pati na rin sa aming tatlo. Kaya kahit hindi talaga ako komportable pero may nagtutulak sa akin na ipursigi ko lang ang sarili ko na makisama sa kanila kahit ngayon man lang ay makahulugan akong ngumiti kina Dereen at Rennei.

    Signal to show at least some skin.

    A real skin of ourselves.

    Bumuntong hininga muna ako at umalis sa pagkakadekwatro ko. "Any rice meal, milk tea, a bottle of water, hot soup, and a slice of Pecan Pie please, Mr. Samonte." I recited as if I'm telling my orders to a respectable waiter who has come to my table.

    The HEADs stopped from their own personal matters like tapping on their phones, playing mobiles games, etc. when they notice that I broke the ice between them and us. For I started, the two followed.

    "Any rice meal too, pineapple juice, some slices of fruits, and water." The usual plate arrangement for Rennei.

    As for Fiacre, "Dahil libre naman ito, lulubus-lubusin ko na. Any rice meal, chocolate mousse, milk tea, water, and fruit salad." Wala eh. Masiba talaga kumain ang isang 'to.

    Her motto? Mas mabuti na raw ang magpakabusog nang masaya kaysa patayin ang sarili niya sa gutom para lang sa lecheng diet.

    And also because of that motto, her and Rennei would always come to a debate about it. Like Fiacre doesn't know how much other people value their looks and Rennei missing half of her life for eating strict meals.

    "Masanay na kayo sa tatlong 'yan. Any rice meal will do and perhaps, a bottle of water please?" Akala mo kung sinong magsalita itong si Dereen.

    Any rice meal will do? Goodness, kaya niyang makaulit ng limang beses kapag lumalabas kami! Minsan nga binabaunan na naming siya ng kanin para hindi na napapagod ang waiter sa kanya kakarequest niya ng extra rice. Pero, hayaan na nga. Tutal mabuting kaibigan naman ako.

    Nakita ko namang tila nagliwanag ang mga mukha ng mga HEADs. "You smiled!" Thelina cried.

    Consciousness immediately takes over me. Did I smile?

    Napangiti na rin naman sila and the next thing we know? Kumaripas na ng takbo si Alexis kasabay nina Collen at Jonathan papunta sa counter. Napahagikgik at napailing na lang ang mga natirang kasamahan sa mesa.

    "Bastards. Ni hindi man lang tayo tinanong ng gusto nating kainin," Edward almost whispered from Sky's left side.

    "Kapag mali nabili nila sa akin, sisiguraduhin kong wala silang kakainin mamayang hapunan." Nagbabantang pahayag naman ni Kia na sa tingin ko ay nakaget-over na nga talaga sa mga kaganapan nitong mga nakalipas na araw.

    We're good, then.

    Nasa tatlong lalaki pa rin ang tingin ko habang pilit na nakikisingit sa pila nang magsalita si Courtney na nakaupo naman sa upuang katapat ng kay Edward. "You look really pretty when you smile." Her statement gained the agreements of the others.

    "Court, wala eh. Nasa lahi na talaga namin 'yan."

    "Shut up." Muling banta ni Fiacre kay Skyzzer.

    At dahil masyado na nila akong pinagmamasdan dahil sa hindi ko namalayang pag-ngiti, nag-ayos na lang akong muli ng upo at naglayo ng tingin para iwasan ang sa kanila. Dahil na rin sa pagligoy-ligoy ng mga mata ko ay napansin kong wala ang magaling nilang leader.

    Where is he?

    I set the question aside to the back of my mind. There's no sense on asking them that. I'm just curious. Kahit naman na nandirito 'yon, paniguradong hindi rin namin mapapansin ang presensya niya dahil madalang lang siya magsalita tulad ni Edward.

    The conversation continues without me noticing. Sumasagot din ako kapag sa akin napupunta ang mga tanungan. Sumasali rin ako kung gusto ko ang mga binabanggit nilang paksa. It's all about basic information, opinions about something like that or this, first impressions, boys, until the topic has gone about Spade.

"Too bad, Spade is not present. I'm sure he's busy handling those cases. Kailan kaya siya titigil? Parang napapabayaan na niya ang sarili niya." Halata ang pagkadismaya sa mukha ni Thelina habang nilalaro ang kanyang mga daliri sa lamesa.

    "Bakit? Anong mga kaso?" Dereen asked out of curiosity. She just took the question from the bottom of my tongue out. Thanks, my friend.

    "Aside from having a share of work on their family businesses, Spade has been really busy about the a particular murder case even before we met him. Hindi niya nababanggit sa amin ang tungkol doon pero nakita namin sa kwarto niya ang iba't ibang klase ng papeles." Kwento ni Marco na sa tingin ko ay hindi komportable na makatabi si Rennei. Kanina ko pa kasi sila napapansin na nagpapalitan ng mga nakamamatay na tingin.

    Napakunot naman kaagad ang noo ko sa narinig ko. "Murder case?" I almost whispered.

    "Yes, cousin. Hindi namin alam kung sino ang namatay pero sa pagkakaalam ko hindi lang iyon ang kasong inaatupag niya." Mas umiigting naman ang mga katanungan sa isip ko. Kung ganoon, may mga ganitong problema rin palang inaasikaso ang lalaking iyon.

    "As far as I know, the other case is about a search for a long lost item of their family. A treasured item of the Vantress family. Perhaps, it's a brooch or something of an heirloom." Napatango-tango naman ang ilan sa suhestiyong nakapaloob sa pangungusap ni Edward.

    "Don't worry, it's not like these two cases are secrets from the studentry. Stalkers and fans are hard to get rid of, after all." Marc reassured us with a serious but cozy look.

    That's fine, then. At least, we found out more things about the king of Mhorfell Academy. Getting to know these are not that bad, I think.

    But, lost item? Pero bakit siya lang ang umaatupag sa paghahanap. Hindi ba't dapat ang mga tauhan ng pamilya nila ang naaatasan para hanapin iyon. Kung totoo din na ito ang pinagkakaabalahan ni Spade bago pa man sila magkakilalang lahat then, it must really be a very important item yet have been lost in a very complicated way.

    The subject of Spade's absence this time has been replaced by sounds of glee and joy when the three idiots came. Alexis, Jonathan, and Collen came with a few students behind them. They were carrying trays of different sets of foods which I guess are ours. They really are the kings and queens here. Little innocents act like little peasants for them.

    We are in the middle of our respective meals when Collen opened another topic to tackle about. "Oh Alex, how come you're so good at fighting? Your reflexes are great too. Are you a bad-ass as well on your former school?" Bahagyang tumigil din ang iilan sa pagsubo ng mga kinakain nila at binigyang oras ang tumingin sa akin.

    I slowed down from chewing and take my time swallowing it before I give a shot. "Not really." Panimula ko. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag sa kanila kung paano ako natutong makipaglaban. For all I know, I'm just an innocent, shy, and optimistic girl four years ago.

    I can feel the stares coming from Dereen, Fiacre, and Rennei. But I don't want to make them worry just for a mere question that I can easily get through with. "Nitong first year of senior high lang ako nagkaganito." I simply added.

    Though unsatisfied with my answer, Jonathan pulled another question to make the conversation survive. "May boyfriend ka na?" And all of a sudden, table napkins, forks, spoons, tomatoes, and bags have been thrown to him by asking that.

    "You're not the top Casanova here, you idiot. Don't steal my line." Marc snorted as he fix his posture as he also fixes his gaze on me.

    Rennei immediately interferes with the posture fixing and expertly squeezes her can of pineapple juice to spill some on Marc's maroon jacket. Maagap na nasundan nina Fiacre at Dereen ang ginawang kilos ng kaibigan naming. Subalit, wala naman na silang ibang nagawa nang mabilis nang napatayo si Marc para tanggalin ang suot niyang jacket.

    "Shit." He cursed as he carefully wears it off.

    The others just laugh at him while the four of us smiled with all rightful meanings secretly.

    "I'm overqualified to be someone's girlfriend, Mr. Llanes," I answered his question as I join the others on laughing at him.

    Although laughing with them is quite easier than I expected. There's still one question that should be given a real sure answer along the way the four of us are taking. Will they be our friends or enemies? Will they be our saviors from our miserable past or will be they another reason for the death of us?