Chapter 6

I thought I could study peacefully because Candice, my number one distraction when it comes to studying, wasn't here. She talks too much, so you really get distracted when you're with her. I thought I could study peacefully because the entire room was quiet and I was the only one here, but I was wrong. I was so wrong when I saw him, the campus crush who always had a smirk on his lips every time he saw me.

"It's different when you're smart, isn't it?"

I stopped reading when I heard those words. I didn't need to look up to know who said them because obviously, he was the only one with that voice. A voice that always had a sarcastic tone and ridicule, which is why many people get annoyed with him and at the same time look up to him.

I ignored what he said and focused my attention on what I was reading. I didn't have time to talk to him because I needed to concentrate on my studies to pass my exam later.

"Don't you even acknowledge me, baby girl?" I heard him say, realizing I probably had no intention of acknowledging him. And for the second time, I didn't pay attention to what he said.

"Ouch. You're so mean to me, baby girl," I heard him say. At that point, I was starting to get annoyed with his voice, so I couldn't help but look up from what I was reading. And I didn't expect to get even more irritated when I saw his two balls on both sides of his nose.

I glared at him because of the irritation I was feeling.

Damn! Which part of his face are they calling handsome? And why are they crushing on him? He's so ugly? They even called him the campus crush, but there's no part of his face to crush on. And why do I love to criticize? I'm not even that pretty. Only my sharp nose and gray eyes are my assets, but here I am criticizing a creature that is grabbing the attention of my classmates and schoolmates.

Actually, he's not that ugly, I'm just really annoyed with him, which is why I can't help but call him ugly. Even though the truth is, his good looks are breathtaking.

I don't know why I'm so annoyed with him, but maybe it's because he always likes to annoy me since we were kids.

I looked up from what I was reading when I heard those words. And as soon as I saw him, I let out a sigh of frustration because I knew he would ruin my studying for this occasion. He's just too noisy.

"What?!"

I was brought back to reality when I heard Jude's surprised reaction, and that's when I saw his shocked expression, which eventually turned into a pained one.

"Are you a tomboy, baby girl?" he asked in surprise. Eventually, his shock turned into pain. "That hurts," I heard him say. He held his chest, as if in pain, which made me wince. He's being dramatic again.

Damn. Is this guy crazy? I asked myself silently, and it seemed like my question was answered when I heard what he said next, "But it's okay, because I'm gay, right, Ses?" he asked Candice in a gay tone, who was now rolling on the floor laughing.

And for the hundredth time, I sighed in frustration at their foolishness. Looks like I'll get used to this habit of mine.

But behind my sighs, there was a hidden smile on my lips.

After that, I no longer bothered to look up or understand their nonsense. Because obviously, their conversation was going nowhere, so instead of wasting my time focusing on them, I directed my full attention to what I was reading so that I could have answers for my exam later.

Actually, I already learned some of these things last night, but what I learned was not enough to ensure that I could pass Sir's test later. I need to be one hundred percent sure that I can pass this test, so I really try to focus all my attention on what I'm reading even though I'm starting to lose focus because of the noise from my stupid classmates who are now entering the classroom, a sign that they have finished answering Ma'am Buenaventura's exam earlier.

I need to pass this exam because if I fail this exam, my grades will definitely go down and when they do, I will definitely lose my scholarship. I know that I am pressuring myself because of this, but I can't do anything about it. If only Sir Carson was still alive, I wouldn't be struggling in my life now and I wouldn't be pressuring myself now.

I have been a Carson Scholar since I was in elementary school, and because of that, I don't feel too much pressure in my studies. It's okay for them if you have a grade of eighty as long as your average is 90. It's not like here where you really need to have grades of 90 and above.

And because of my scholarship, I only think about working for my family. I no longer worry about my tuition and miscellaneous fees in school because they pay for it themselves, and the best part is that every month we receive 5 thousand for our allowance for school for the month. Sometimes they even add another 5 thousand if your general average reaches 95.

I am really grateful to become one of Sir Carson's scholars because during those times, our lives really improved because what I earned from my work, I saved, and I used the 5 thousand they always give me for all my expenses at home. From my grandmother's meds, to my allowance for school, to the bills and everything...

At first, I thought that the scholarship would last until I finished college, then I thought it would last until I graduated. However, everything fell apart when we received sudden news that Sir Carson, who was supporting our education, had passed away. According to the news, his wife was kidnapped by his own mother for unknown reasons. Mr. Carson planned to rescue his wife, but during the rescue operation, they were both shot, which caused them to lose their lives.