Above Cloud Nine

ACN Chapter 4: Tiered, tired

Kamilla's POV

"How was the snack?"

"I really enjoyed it so much! Thank you dear! I am happy to taste it."

"We have a lot of interesting desserts to choose from. Have you tried halo-halo?"

"What's that?" I can see her eyes glistened as she listened to me. I chuckled because of her enthusiastic response. She's really cute.

"That's a cold dessert. It is made of finely crushed ice topped with sweetened banana and sweet potatoes, cooked corn kernels, rice crinkles, blueberry jam, evaporated milk and ice cream on top.

"Oh my! That's really interesting! I guess I have never tried that with father yet."

"Oh, I see. This is an asian country and you will really see a lot of interesting foods here."

She nodded. I can see that she's really passionate of hearing me more and what foods I will introduce her.

"What about in America? Is it true that you only eat burgers and fries?

"No, not really," She chuckled. "We ate a lot of that but of course we also have vegetable salads."

"Oh, I see."

"What's interesting about America is the servings. When I will compare it to the Philippines, you can order burgers, chips or pasta that could fill the stomach of two for the price of one."

"My gosh! I hope I can go to America so that I will get to experience what you are saying."

"Yeah. I hope to come with you there. You will surely enjoy the places in America, too."

"I also wanted to experience snow, dear Rose."

"Gosh, at first you'll be excited, but if you experience the coldness of the weather, you'll be wishing that it is sunny again."

"I find it really beautiful. Many people enjoy that on TV."

"Not all. For me, it's just normal. It's also how you have rainy and sunny days here."

Sometimes, I felt as if I have known her for a very long time already. However, we went to our second period class, nervous. This is one of the strict teachers I've ever had I should never go wrong on this. I simply took a glance of Rose who seemed to not have any reaction at all.

I am wondering what she's thinking at this very moment. Is she also nervous? Excited? Or she simply doesn't care?

I noticed her as she shifted her gaze at me. She chuckled when she saw me looking so nervous. She secretly held my hand tight as she whisper to my ear...

"Kamilla! We can do this! I am also feeling nervous but remember this, we came inside this room prepared so there's nothing to be really worried about."

"Sorry, I can't help it." I responded, gently biting my lip as well.

If only she knew how I became amazed by her personality. She's really enthusiastic when she's only a newbie to our school. She's the type that's never running out of confidence to whatever she desires to accomplish. I wonder where did it all came from?

Usually, if you're new to your environment, the adjustment might be really gradual but to her, it is different. She's showing as if she's really used to it.

When most of us noticed our Literature teacher arriving, most of us scampered as we go back to our proper seats, sitting straight as we held our chins high as we look what's in front of us.

"Okay class. I am expecting that you're ready for this quiz. Please get a piece of paper and write item one to thirty." I can hear most of my classmates gasped and groaned as quietly as they can. I turned my gaze to my teacher who seems to enjoy the whole thing. What he's doing right now is really unforgivable. I wonder how could some teachers make their students suffer? Is it really what they truly wanted?

"Yes, you all heard it right. Our quiz will be about Shavicpaque's biography. Are you all ready?" It made my heart race very fast because of excitement and happiness. It is when I realized I am more than ready for this.

I smiled from ear to ear as I glanced at Rose who is giving me a 'thumbs up' sign and a wink.

"Number 1, where is he from?" I secretly glanced around and I can see most of my classmates are scratching their heads. I answered right away until I noticed that the last quiz is for everyone to write our teacher's whole name. Wrong spelling also means wrong. I can't help to chuckle as the crowd continued to groan with tiredness and confusion.

"Okay, please pass the papers as I count from one to five. Everyone's quiz paper should all be on your class monitor's hands before the time."

My classmates became wild as they answered the missed items that they failed to write on."

"One, two, three..."

The class monitor started to gather all the sheets. After I pass mine. I manage to breathe freely when I saw that our teacher gathered the sheets of paper that we answered on.

"Oh my I hope I will get a favorable score from this." I muttered to myself. I glanced at Rose who is giving me a thumbs up again. How I wish I can get that calm and confident reaction, too.

The whole duration the test is really painstalking. Even if I am confident, I can't help but to be nervous since I know I have a secret competitor.

That is, no other than Elizabeth Rose, my best friend. It is really weird. I am not scared of the test itself. I am confident in all of my answers. The only thing that stresses me out this time is the turnaround of events.

I have a lot of questions clouding my mind right now...

"Okay. Times up. Pens down. Please pass your papers in front. This is my final call now."

I noticed a lot of my classmates followed our teacher's order even if some of them are obviously not done yet. Our teacher usually have this rule: pass your paper or get a zero mark in the quiz if you're not following instructions.

I sighed with relief. We checked the papers right away. He made us check our papers by exchanging them to the one beside us.

"As usual, I commend Kamilla Rae for getting the full score." He announced it right away in front of my classmates. I can see that Rose clapped her hands along with the others. I can see that she's very proud of me that I can't help but to awkwardly smile, too.

"Wait, Rose also got the highest score. We have a tie, everyone!" My classmates cheered louder this time around. I secretly closed my fist as I also forced my smile at her. I saw that she's shocked that she stopped clapping. Her facial reaction also changed a bit. I saw her glancing at me as she scratched her head and smiled a little, too. I gave her a two thumbs up even if I don't feel very well.

"Wow! A newbie just beat Kamilla Rae. What a shock!"

"Yeah, we never have that in years. That's amazing!"

"So it means Rose have the chance to beat her if ever? My gosh that's very exciting!"

I looked at my classmates who loves to gossip to whatever move I will make. They were the ones who enjoys every time I struggle with something. Toxic classmates. They really have nothing to do but provoke me until they will see me miserable. I can't help but to roll my eyes on them.

I never even noticed our teacher already left and we still have less than ten minutes for any kinds of short breaks. I slowly got my water bottle inside my backpack and drank some water.

I saw Rose coming towards me. Since one of our classmates is absent, she sat beside me in our other subject since we're not seatmates.

"Wow! We did it, Kamilla! I am so proud of you!" She giggled in excitement. I just smiled weakly at her.

"You know what? This is my first time answering a quiz since I transferred here. So this is really the feeling." She added, but when she noticed that I am just looking at her, she stopped what she's about to say.

"Are you okay?" She added in a worried tone. She looked at me in the eyes as if she's studying my facial expression very well.

'No, I am not.' I smiled but I just kept these words to myself.

"Y-Yes, of course. I guess I am just tired today, I think."

"Gosh me too! The questions are even tricky, we're only the ones who got everything of it right! Isn't it amazing?"

'Well, it would be if I am the highest, alone.' How I badly wanted to tell this one in front of her face but I guess I will become too mean for her. Better keep some words to myself.

"Yeah. Staying in the library for two hours helped a lot. I also want to thank you for telling me more about Shavicpaque."

"See? I told you. He's really awesome. Who would have thought the surprise quiz is all about him. I find the quiz fun and interesting."

"I agree with you. I never expected the things that he did for the sake of his works. He's a badass poet I love him now."

"Right. Nobody ever did that but only him." She nodded and chuckled because of how I describe Shavicpaque.

"Thanks for your help, Rose. If not for you, I will not get an incredible motivation and the highest score like we did right now." She smiled as we both did a high-five. Even if I admire her personality, I shouldn't be too swayed. I can say I am becoming threatened to death. I'll make sure this won't happen again.

'I'm sorry but I am not happy that we got the same score.'

I looked at her as I kept the words to myself. How I wish I have the courage to tell it all to her because it is not okay for me. It's like my ego is crushed into pieces.

The hours passed like lightning and it's the time for our dismissal. Rose said goodbye to me because she's going to accompany his father in buying groceries inside a supermarket. I nodded, smiled and waved goodbye at her. When I am getting ready to pack my backpack in going home, I accidentally overheard my classmates and whom they are stalking right now.

"My gosh girls, Kamilla Rae's reign will surely be over this year. I think we'll have someone who can finally beat her off her throne."

"Oh? I don't think so. Don't belittle Kamilla. She's full of surprises, you know."

"I don't really think so. Let me tell you something."

My other classmates also giggled as they come closer to Herra. She whispered those things and yet my auditory skills are not fooling me even a little. They don't know I can somehow hear them even if they were standing far from me.

"Really? Why? What's the catch?" Wilma said as she come even closer. She's the famous gossip-finder inside the campus.

"I am sure you won't be jumping into conclusions without your facts."

"Duh. You know me too well." Janelle smirked as the five of them came closer to each other. Maybe they were also aware that I might be hearing everything Janelle will tell them...of course I can if I am the one they're gossiping about.

"Did you know that Elizabeth Rose is also the top one in their school in America?" Most of my classmates gasped, that also includes me, following their facial reaction.

"Oh my gosh! Are you really serious?"

"Of course! Look at this." Janelle made them look at her smart phone as if showing an evidence for everyone to finally believe her. They all gasped as they cover their mouth.

"Oh my! You're saying the truth Janelle!" They said as they nodded. Some of my classmates are still looking at Janelle's phone. I am sure those are pictures of Rose and her awards.

"Let the games begin."

"Yeah, Kamilla's reign this year will surely be over."

So my intuition is never wrong. She's more of a threat rather than being a good friend. I should do more in class now that I already learned something about her.