Chapter 5: Back at Campus

The next day, Gerard drove me to Argao. I told Papa that there was no need but he didn’t listen. I snorted. It’s better to take a jeep to the University.

I leaned my head on the headrest and folded my arms, looking out the window. The surroundings are still dark and the wind’s chilly against my bare skin. It was dawn and the cold was keeping me awake.

“Miss, did you bring the one in the back?” Gerard asked.

I glanced at him for a moment before looking back outside the window. “Is there a problem?”

“Nothing, Miss.” He closed his eyes for a moment before snorting. “I’ve noticed these past few days that you don’t bring anything heavy to University. It’s just surprising now.”

My brows raised as my eyes squinted. “Don’t worry about it anymore, okay?”

I then blinked and folded my arms. A few minutes later, the car passed the crime scene. I saw the yellow cross line on the main road of Arbor. I bit my lower lip.

It’s been two months since the rumored crime took place in Baranggay Arbor. They said that someone was killed and the victim’s body was missing. Well, the authorities didn’t find any evidence, and they didn’t find the body of the victim even though they searched the area a hundred kilometers from the crime scene. Even so, I couldn’t help but be afraid sometimes.

The crime happened on Arbor’s main road and El Grande Lat’s also on Arbor. That means the crime scene’s just too close to us.

I sighed as the car drove forward to El Pardo. I thought maybe the two people who testified were just making up stories with the police.

The witnesses were from Baclayan and I heard that they were drunk when they saw the bloody road. And almost everyone knew that the words of a drunk were not to be trusted. I shut my eyes tightly, sighing, and opened my eyes again to look to the east. I think it’s past five in the morning.

The car sped up. The good thing’s the traffic in Boljoon was not heavy.

There are almost no cars on the highway except for some PUJ and large trucks that deliver vegetables and fruits to other municipalities. Fortunately, Gerard brought a big car, so it’s not too dangerous to run side by side with big trucks because the car’s easy to see in the side mirror. Having four lanes on the highway also helps.

Gerard and I stopped over at a fast food in the center of Alcoy. We just ordered through a drive-thru because it was almost six o’clock. We still have to pass through Dalaguete before reaching Argao. I sighed as I bit into the burger.

I swallowed and turned to Gerard. “Have breakfast first in El Grande next time. I’ll be late because of you, eh.”

“Miss, I waited an hour before I saw you come down the stairs. It’s not my fault.”

I snorted. “Are you blaming me?”

He nodded.

“You!” I glared at him with eyes wide open. That one’s so honest!

I shut the passenger seat door with a bang. “Thank you!” I shouted sarcastically at Gerard. But that man was too insensitive when he even managed to smile and wave at me. I just shook my head in disbelief, turning around.

I marched into the gate of the University. There were already many students inside the campus and I saw the three-story main building with the University’s logo engraved on it.

“You know, Gen, I don’t have time for boyfriends. I’m not like the others out there, running after Levi…”

My eyes narrowed when I saw two women approaching me. I folded my arms and stood in the path of the two. They stopped and looked at me. The woman who spoke earlier raised her eyebrows. “Gen, look who’s here.”

The woman called Gen looked at me and raised a brow too. “I see an idiot who likes to run after Levi.”

My lips twitched. I was right to assume I’m the one they’re talking about. Snorting, I grinned. “Talking about good girls,” I smirked at them. “At least I enjoyed reading books you want but can’t have. Right?” I smiled widely at them.

I once heard them talking about erotica that they wanted to read but couldn’t because they’re too shy to let everyone know they like to read that kind of book too. A pity for them.

Jamaica’s face darkened. After a while, she smiled at me. I raised my eyebrows at what she did because she was twitching her lips, annoyed. “Do we look like we care, Larica? And…” She looked at me from head to toe. “You look pathetic in that cardigan and high waist. Why don’t you wear our uniform? That will do good to your looks.” Then she glared at me before asking Gen to pass by me.

Frowning, I looked down at the clothes I was wearing. There’s no problem with this, okay? Besides, this is Levi’s taste when it comes to girls’ fashion. It’s my thing too. I shrugged my shoulders and was about to walk to my building when someone called my name.

“Rishel!”

I looked at the man running towards me. He gasped and stopped in front of me with a wide smile. “How are you? When are June and Tiden coming back?”

Oh. I blinked and smiled wryly at him. He’s Benji. Not one of my friends but he’s a batch mate of Tiden and June and of course one of Vine’s die-hard fans. Well, when it comes to collecting merchandise, he topped second to me because he also has the largest collection of Vine merchandise.

“I don’t know?” my answer. “Just look for them on the streaming sites,” I said and passed him by. I heard him complain but I continued towards the main building. It’s almost seven and I don’t want to be late for Prof Waye. That Professor’s a terror.

I waited an hour and a half before the first examination test ended.

Since it was break time, I went straight to the locker room. There, I put the paper bag that contained the four books that I wrapped in the gift wrapper. I was surprised when I closed the locker and saw Benji’s face.

I sighed. Not again, please. “What? Are you going to look for June and Tiden again?”

“Ah, Rishel please understand me. We’re block mates but since becoming members of the band, I can no longer contact them. Tell me where I can find them.”

My face crumpled. “You know dude, even if I know where to find them, I won’t tell you. You know why?”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Secret!” I let my tongue out at him and ran away. I heard him complain again saying that I am selfish and don’t know how to give way!

Huh. Did I tell them I am a good girl?

My lips pressed together and I turned my back to go to the canteen but I was stunned to see Jamaica and Generica happily talking on the bench near the Education lockers. They hold milkshakes in their left hands while piles of notes rest on their thighs. I grimaced. They still have time to chitchat in that condition.

I just walked to the other exit, going to the canteen alone. It’s nothing new to me being alone because I’m used to it.

I quickly ate my ordered cookies and drank the drinks before moving on to the next subject. Too boring and a pain in the head. My brain was already drained from the first subject, dried up with all the questions. I want to go to the Faculty and ask the Prof if we have discussed those questions but he might kick me out of the faculty.

I was overwhelmed by the thought. Because why not? Not everyone is blessed with memorization and analytical skills. Or, let’s just include critical thinking. Why? Is it a sin that I’m just better at reading stories? And is it bad to be creative rather than critical?

It was like ten fists hit my brain while I was sitting on the chair. The school bell is currently ringing —- a signal that the examination test is over for the day. I let out three consecutive sighs and simply smiled at the whiteboard. I survived!

Just one more day and my ordeal will be over, finally able to relax.

“Miss Larica.” I was startled and looked around. There were no people. Looking forward, I saw Prof Gina standing behind the professor’s desk. She was frowning. “Aren’t you planning to go out, Miss?”

I laughed, embarrassed. “Bye, Professor!” I quickly took the shoulder bag and ran out of the classroom.

With a wide grin plastered on my lips, I walked straight to the hallway where the lockers were. I opened mine and took the paper bag where the books were and closed the mini door, locking it.

I hummed a song while walking out of the building. Even the people I had met in the hallway were following me with their confused gazes and from time to time, they would whisper to their companions and giggle. I winced for I knew I was the one they were whispering about. Ah, gossipers.

I called Gerard to ask him to take me to the fishing port in the city, but I remembered his nosy attitude earlier. So I told him not to pick me up because I’m gonna visit the fishing port on my own, just taking a bus to City.

Now, I’m sitting on the bus with the headset plugged into my ears and my head resting on the headrest of the seat. I woke up at the South Bus Terminal. I immediately got off and looked for a jeep that would take me to the Main Campus.

I stood in the waiting shed and waited for a Jeep to pass by. But almost all the passing jeepneys were full, with no vacancy, not even one. So I waited a few more minutes until a black car stopped in front of me.