CHAPTER TWO : IT ISN'T

CHAPTER TWO

DYLAN

Dylan realized he spoke too soon as he gawked at Cynthia in disbelief. She’s currently picking a fight with a senior who rudely pushed a girl out of his way. Dylan watched everything unfold in quiet dread. 

It happened so fast, he cursed himself for not stopping her. Cynthia walked up to the senior and pushed him back. She sure has the strength to make the huge senior back for someone a foot smaller. Instead of putting himself in between the quarreling parties, Dylan walked towards the victim, slumped down on the floor, and helped her get to her feet.

           “Are you okay?” he asked. He kept an eye on Cynthia, who was currently nagging the guilty party. “Aside from your butt hurting from the fall, well, is there something else which needs the specialist’s attention?”

The girl with shoulder-length black hair shook her head, anxious. “You shouldn’t have helped me. That’s Lowell. You shouldn’t have crossed him.”

           “Uh-huh,” he nodded. “Too late for that.”

           The girl turned to Cynthia and nodded faintly. “I can see.”

           Dylan watched Cynthia stand her ground. The guy named Lowell hasn’t spoken a word since Cynthia approached him. He was just staring at her like a mute.

           “What kind of guy does that?” everyone in the cafeteria heard Cynthia yelling. “You’re disgusting! You vile insolent humanoid dung! Didn't anyone teach you how to treat a girl right?”

           She continued to flail more insults at his face, and Lowell just stood there like a statue.

           “You will never maltreat women ever again!” she yelled. Dylan felt something stir in the air, but he ignored it. To his amazement, Lowell nodded quietly and walked away. There were murmurs from the crowd who witnessed her tirade. Can't blame the guy. Anyone would endure the nagging if it came from her.

           Cynthia turned to him, and her gaze landed on the girl. He cleared his throat awkwardly when she started walking towards them.

           “Are you okay?” she asked the girl standing next to him. “What’s your name?”

           “My name’s Opal,” the girl answered. “Thank you for… doing what you just did.” 

Dylan thinks she didn't really sound thankful at all.

           “My name’s Cynthia,” she said. “Don't worry about it.”

           Opal looked like she was about to burst out crying. Her face spoke of how grateful she was or horrified, most likely if Dylan was to tell. Her disheveled hair, crumpled shirt, oily face spoke volumes of the state she was in.

           “Why don't you eat with us?” asked Dylan. The girl looked down shyly. ”Cynthia can protect you, girly.”

           “I’d like you to eat with us from now on if that's okay with you,” said Cynthia. “Come, let’s choose our table together.”

           Without anyone’s notice, two pairs of eyes stalked her every move like hawks upon a bunny. 

           “I can feel traces of power on her,” whispered someone to her companion. "Do you think she's one of us?"

           “It’s very faint,” said the other. “It could just be the power of her will.”

           Still, they didn't leave. They took note of every word she said and every move she took. Whatever it is that’s about to manifest inside of her, they need to find out. 

--

SELENA

Selena frowned at the class syllabus in her hands. She didn't know whether to be annoyed or happy because it was almost the same Physics syllabus they had last year in high school. She sighed in disappointment. She doesn’t know why but her eyes searched for the Evil Spawn’s reaction to this syllabus. She saw him crumple the syllabus and throw it on the floor.

“What’s the percentage allotted to attendance, Professor Garcia?” Evil Spawn asked the teacher. The teacher frowned, confused.

“Ten percent of your total grade, dear,” she answered. 

The guy’s planning to ditch the whole class and show up only to take the exams.

Selena’s sarcastic chuckle echoed inside her head. I’d like to see you try, Spawny.

           Zacharias Aguila stood up and approached the old professor. “Inform me of upcoming tests, Professor. Thanks for your time.”

           He stormed out of the room.

           The professor shook her head. “Tell that kid I will not tolerate his behavior today. School policy renders teachers’ rights to give students the consigned sanction regarding absences. Three absences mean you’ll be forced to drop the subject. Your tardiness will not be overlooked in my class.”

           Figures.

            “Does he have any friends here to tell him that?” she asked. No one answered.

           A girl in a messy bun with expertly applied makeup raised her hand. “I’ll be glad to inform him about it, Professor.”

           The professor eyed her reluctantly. The girl’s interior motives are out in the open for everyone to see. 

           The professor sighed, defeated. “Okay, you tell him that, Miss Zaraspe.”

           The girl giggled happily at the professor. Selena already felt sorry for her. Evil Spawn's not going to be grateful to her at all. She’s his courier of bad news. She frowned, bemused. How do you know?

--

           After she finished discussing the syllabus, they were asked to answer a pre-test for the whole semester. Physics interests her very much. It was one of those few subjects she enjoyed studying. But there’s just something dull in everything repetitive. She answered the questions in the exam worth answering. She patiently waited to run out and handed her test paper forward. As soon as the clock struck 4 pm, Physics was over.

           Selena got up and followed her classmates out of the room. She needed to get to room 201 for Geometry. It didn't take her long to find it. She entered and saw Evil Spawn sitting in the very front row. His attention was already on her and Selena pretended she didn't notice him. She went straight to the last seat on the last row.

           Their Geometry professor turned out to be a plump woman, chocolate-skinned with a warm smile. Selena shifted on her seat, excited. She likes her already.

           “So, who likes Math?” she asked. No one raised a hand. Selena rolled her eyes at the silly question. “How disheartening.”

           The professor started passing the syllabus to everyone. She introduced herself as Professor Santos and started talking about shapes. She gave them a very brief discussion about Perimeter, Area, and Volume.

           “Now tell me,” asked the woman. “Who’s confident enough to claim that he could pass my subject without my help?”

           As she expected, Evil Spawn raised his hand.

           “Okay, Mr. Aguila,” she said. “If you can accurately recite in front of the class all the formulas I’m going to teach you this semester, you can feel free to leave and attend only the major exams.”

           Now we’re talking.

           Evil Spawn made this victorious scoff and started blabbering. He started with the theory on how to get a shape's perimeter which was just adding the length of the sides together. Then, he continued with the Area and the Volume. He even mentioned the algebraic formula sometimes used in deriving the unknown. When he’s done, Professor Santos, smiled and said.

           “Congratulations, Mr. Aguila,” she said. “See you in your major exams.”

           Perhaps I can go to her later for my recitation.

           He started to rise and to Selena’s bewilderment, he asked the woman. “The rule is to recite them in front of the class, right Professor?”

           “Yes, Mr. Aguila,” she nodded, smiling.

           “So, if someone is planning to recite it to you out of the classroom without the whole class to witness it then…”

           She shook her head, contemplating the idea. “I guess… I will not allow it.”

           Selena gritted her teeth in lament. Her lament turned into bitter resentment when she saw Zacharias Aguila turn to her and smirked, mockingly. Did he just deliberately sabotage me? Why? What did I do to him?

She mentally recited the never-ending decimal digits of pi. Her clenched fists shook as she tried to rein down her nerves. So much for being a nobody if you’re on the radar of the craziest kid in school.

           

--

DYLAN

           According to the weather forecast, Batangas will experience a sunny day today but the clouds speak the opposite. The sky was gray and it had started to drizzle. A little bit of wind and there’d be a downpour.

           Dylan was currently with Opal waiting for Cynthia in the cafeteria. On her second day at school, she was already on the radar of almost all the campus personalities of BSU.

           “Is it just me or Cynthia’s just got prettier overnight?” asked Opal, awe visibly in her voice.

           “What do you mean?” Dylan frowned. “Isn’t it just cosmetics?”

           Opal shook her head. “Her hair seemed thicker and softer. Her lips were red and luscious, her eyelashes thicker and longer. Not to mention her cheekbones seemed more prominent.”           

           “I have an older sister and I know you can enhance those using the right stuff,” Dylan told her.

           “I’m a girl and I know natural beauty when I see one,” Opal retorted with a hint of annoyance. “I can’t force you to believe men but you'll see.”

           “Let’s say she’s not wearing makeup,” Dylan started. “Still, your claim with this prettier overnight thing is moot.”

           Opal just sighed. “She’s here.”

           Dylan turned her gaze in the direction she was staring. He almost gasped in surprise at the sight of her. Opal cleared her throat and he groaned.

           She’s almost glittering.

           “Hey,” she said as soon as she approached the table. “I got held up by the Drama Club. So, what’s up?”

           Opal smiled and turned to the menu. “Dylan?”

           Dylan blinked and turned to Opal. “What?”

           “What are we going to eat?” asked Cynthia. “I heard there’s a new food stall in here.”

           “Ah, yeah. That’s the Porridge stall,” said Opal. 

           “Then what are we waiting for?” she asked. “Hand me your money, I'm going to buy us some.”

           Dylan handed over a fifty-peso bill and Opal rose from her sear. “I’ll come with you.” Dylan didn't have to be told that his sole duty is to guard their table.

           He watched them walk away. Opal’s assumption was starting to. make sense. He’s not really the kind of guy who makes a fuss over a girl’s physical appearance, but Cynthia’s beauty is starting to get abnormally good. She’s starting to look out of place.

           Her flashy attitude isn’t helping either. Her fame is guaranteed. He took note of the fact that the Porridge stall started to get more customers the moment Cynthia erected herself in front of it. 

           “Hey, Dylan,” Jon Castor called. He sat down next to him and hooked his arm on his shoulders. “Does Cynthia have a boyfriend?”

           “She hasn’t mentioned it,” he said, and there goes that odd-sounding chuckle again.

           “Why don't we have a deal,” he said and leaned nearer. “Help me with Cynthia, and I’ll ensure your basketball slot on the team?”

           He laughed nervously. “Come on, Jon. You can handle her without me.” He wants to be on the team but betraying Cynthia isn’t on his to-do list. 

           “Thing is, mate. Odd as it may seem, you seem to be the only guy she’s open to hanging out with,” he said. “I’ve seen her turn down every guy who tried to approach her today.”

           “Uh-huh,” he nodded, trying to come up with words to say.

           “So, you’re gonna help me,” he shook him lightly. “I’m going to hold a party this coming Saturday. Six in the afternoon at my house. Bring her.”

           “Right.”

           Jon Castro fled their table long before the two girls arrived. He wanted to talk himself out of that party, but he’d seen a lot of unfortunate things befall those who defy Jon’s whims. 

           Jon Castro’s holding a party just for Cynthia. Great.

–

SELENA

           Selena received a text from Cynthia right after her class was over. Her friend wanted to hang out right after class. She texted her back with a:

           Selena: I can’t. Mom wants me home early.

           Cynthia: Bummer.

           “Who would want to text the likes of you?” Zacharias Aguila’s mocking voice startled her. She’s sitting in the same spot in the library where she was yesterday. The Evil Spawn took his spot, a shelf between them.

           She pretended she didn't hear him and slid the book on the shelf to cover his spy-hole. 

           Selena: Grr.

           Cynthia: What’s wrong?

           Selena: There’s an imbecile fag lurking around.

           Cynthia: Haha! Your stealth skills are devolving. 

           Selena: He’s mental.

           

           “Imbecile fag?” Aguila’s voice again, higher on the shelf this time. “Your vocabulary’s rather vast.”

           She ignored him.

           “Are you mute?” he asked. “Or are you deaf?”

           He heard me call him a jerk yesterday. He’s just trying to wind me up.

           “Talk, you ugly mute,” he said and dropped a book on top of her head. She closed her eyes, suppressing her temper. “Repulsive bitch.”

           Cynthia: He’s not doing anything wrong, is he?

           Another book fell on her. She winced. I refuse to get bullied. I don't want to get hurt.

           She bowed down and let the guy drop books after books at her. Luckily, every book seems to miss her. 

           The Evil Spawn tsked, and when he’d run out of books to drop on her, he left her alone. She listened to his retreating footsteps.

           Cynthia: Hey. U ok?

           Cynthia: rsvp

           Selena: I’m ok.

           

           She started putting the book back on their shelves. If she continues to stay quiet, pretend he’s non-existent, he’ll get tired of paying attention to her, and she’s safe.

           Cynthia: My friend Dylan said I’m invited to a party.

           It hurt her faintly to know that she already had new friends to replace her.

           Selena: What kind of party?

           Cynthia: I dunno. My classmate Jon invited the whole class.

           Selena: U going?

           Cynthia: Not if you’re not going.

           Selena: I’m not invited.

           Cynthia: Dylan said I can invite anyone. Jon won’t mind.

           Selena: I don't trust you at parties.

           Cynthia: :D :D :D Is that a yeah- hezzz?

           Selena: Yeah yeah.

           Cynthia: Loveyah. Tc.

           Selena: u too

           Selena went home looking for a pack of ice. She got a lump in her head from Aguila’s assault. Her mom helped her out. She asked what happened, and she lied. A kid can’t just tell her mother she’s getting bullied, right? That’d be embarrassing, especially at her age.

DYLAN

           There was a cat stuck on the tree. The third day of school was welcomed by a heart-clenching scene. Dylan and Opal watched Cynthia squirm on the spot, obviously bothered by the trapped cat high up the tree. 

           “The devious thing got there by itself. It can find its way down without your help,” Dylan told her, but she still appeared agitated.

           “The cat won’t be meowing that loud if that’s true,” Cynthia said sharply. “It’s shouting for help.”

           “Well, that’s what you call digging your own grave,” Opal mused. “No one in their right mind’s going to climb that tree—“

Cynthia looked at them with a very odd expression and ran towards the tree. Dylan watched her remove her shoes, put her backpack in front, and glanced up the tree. 

“I think that’s her saying, ‘You don't need to be in the right mind to save the cat,’” Opal murmured in exasperation.

           Oh, God. No.

           Dylan swore he saw her start climbing the fat trunk of the ancient tree. 

           Opal looked at the ground and then up the sky, a hand over her mouth. ”You must be kidding me. Dylan, do something!”

           Dylan couldn’t even fathom how a pretty girl like that has the boldness of Tarzan. Is this it? Is this what the Good Luck remark was for? He sneered when she saw her climb the tree one step at a time, trying to find holes to grab on to so she could pull herself up.

           “For the love of …,” an old man’s voice shouted. Dylan didn't have to look to know who it belongs to--- Dean Bicol. “Get that girl down here!”

           They all gazed at her get to the branch where the cat was suspended. She inched her way forward, reaching for it. The cat, that ungrateful beast, swiped a claw at her hand. 

           There was a series of boos from the students watching. Cynthia pulled her hand back and examined her scratched hand, then they saw her mouth move.

           She’s talking to it. She’s out of her fuckin’ mind.

           “She’s really pretty, but I don't think her brain is as impressive,” whispered Opal, voice strained with fright.

           To everyone’s utter surprise, the cat started to walk towards her. Cynthia continued to talk to it. And then, finally, she took it in her arms. She continued talking to it that Dylan thought she could as well be muttering incantations to compel the cat. She grabbed the cat by the nape and slid it inside her backpack. 

           She looked down at them, and Cynthia found his eyes. The idiot even had the guts to give him a thumbs up and grin at him. He watched her start to climb down. The descent is always much scarier than the climb itself. Dylan felt Opal grab the sleeve of his uniform. He knew she was as frightened as he was. A trickle of sweat slid down his tracing his jaw.

           Cynthia was halfway down the tree when her grip slipped. His gasp was drowned out by all the shouts and screams from the crowd, which was then silenced.

           They witness her simply kick herself away from the trunk and somersaulted in the air, landing on the grass bed with a muffled thud. The move was so smooth that Dylan had a feeling that it wasn’t the first time she had done such a thing. It felt like it was well-practiced.

           They saw her sigh in relief when she checked her backpack and saw that the cat was still safely tucked inside. She grabbed the cat by the nape again and settled it down on the grass. Then she turned towards them, oblivious to the gawking crowd. Dylan clamped his mouth shut and looked around. Everyone is gaping at her like mute fools. Well, who wouldn't be?

           Now, he knows why her best friend would be worried about Cynthia.

 She’s crazy. She’s a maniac. She’s a storm.  

Cynthia strode towards him, her empty backpack being held by a hand. 

She then opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off.

           “Bring me to your best friend,” he said, grabbing the backpack and helping her get it on. “Now.”

           He dragged her out of the school. Opal followed them out in silence. She looked traumatized. Dean Bicol, like the rest of the students who saw everything, just watched them leave.

--

           They were outside BCC, seating on a bench made of bamboo, in front of a makeshift store. Cynthia’s busy eating a hotdog bun, Opal quietly staring at the vehicles passing by while Dylan’s preoccupied with thoughts regarding this mystery friend of hers.

           “Selena’s brilliant,” said Cynthia right after she gulped Coke. “I’ve been with her since kindergarten. Sometimes I catch her deliberately not answering the easy questions. I asked her once why she did that. She simply said, ‘I don't answer pathetic questions. Wicked, right?.”

           Not smart enough if she’s friends with you.

           Her phone lit up. She squirmed first before grabbing the phone. “She’s out!” Her eyes quietly searched the incoming crowd. “That’s her.”

           Dylan followed her gaze and found a girl walking without company under the covered pathway. The first thing he noticed was that he couldn’t see the upper half of her face because it was covered with her bangs. The second is the Deathly Hallows insignia on her shirt and finally, her whole physique. 

           She’s as white as marble and as frail as glass. And she spells nerd with a capital N.

           “Selena!” Cynthia yelled and the girl’s pace hastened. Dylan watched her walk towards them. Her gait is that of a wimp. 

           “Cynthia,” Selena’s voice was smooth and cold and quiet, unlike Cynthia’s warm, friendly and husky voice. Dylan’s eyebrows shot up when he witnessed the two girls do this very complex handshake most people had been addicted to once when they were in grade school. Their gestures were fast and uniquely choreographed. He doubts someone could copy them. The handshake ended with a hug. Finally.

           “Well?” Selena asked her, still oblivious of Dylan’s presence. “What did you do this time? It’s your third day in college… Let me guess, climb the roof of the tallest building in BSU just to save a bird you believe to be injured?”

           “Close,” said Dylan, and finally, she took notice of him. What she saw was a boy with a glint of amusement in his eyes, smiling as he’d never been sad before. What Dylan saw was half a face impossibly vacant.

           “Alright, Selena, this is Dylan Montano,” Cynthia introduced, a little defeated. “Dylan, Selena Comia. And Selena, this girl’s Opal Beron. Opal, Selena.”

           “Why’d you bring them?” she asked.

           “I asked her to let me see you,” he said and tried his best not to sound too assertive. Selena tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to continue.

           “Cynthia climbed a hundred-year-old acacia tree to get a cat stuck up there,” he said. “You know how tall a hundred-year-old acacia tree is?”

           “I see,” she exhaled slowly, trying to think things through.

           “I was wondering what to do with the fact that that was dangerous and she could’ve fallen—“

           Selena grabbed his arm and pulled him a couple of feet away from Cynthia, who was busy talking to Opal. “Montano, right?” He nodded.

           “Okay, Montano,” she paused, her emotions hidden behind her shaggy veil of hair. “Cynthia has this fascination in everything heroic. When we were in third grade, she was once hailed as Cynthia, the Intrepid, because she was brave enough to jump on an oncoming truck to save a toddler. She’s also adept with street fighting, which sprouted from her drive to protect the bullied. One time, she kicked a police officer on his balls simply because she saw him scolding a homeless man, and that was just this summer. We were locked inside a prison cell for an hour until our parents arrived.”

           Dylan shut his eyes imagining all Selena said.

           “There’s simply a pattern in her recklessness,” she said. “She’s not stupid or abnormal. Most of the time she just wants the good to be acknowledged.”

           He scoffed and shook his head in mocking disbelief.

           “So, what do you want me to do?” he asked. “Honestly, Comia. I don't even know why I’m here talking to you. I think it’s probably to report her recent heroic feat before I scamper off and try my best to distance myself from her for the rest of my college days. To avoid witnessing more of the stomach-churning, heart-clenching stunts she just did a while back, or maybe I’m here to tell you to transfer right away so someone skilled enough can rein her down.”

           “I’ve never tried to rein her down,” she said, and her lips twitched. “I simply try my best to remove the ‘danger’ element in the picture.”

           “And why don't you stop her?” he asked, frowning in confusion.

           “Where’s the fun in that?” she asked him. 

           My. What a selfish response.

           To stop himself from strangling a girl for the very first time in his life, he realized he had to find some kind of distraction. His eyes wandered around and that’s when he noticed a guy standing by the gates, staring at them. His stare started shifting into a scowl and now he’s glowering at him. He turned his attention back to Selena.

           He was about to make a smart retort when they heard screaming. There was this loud screeching of tires and Dylan saw a blue vehicle heading towards the makeshift store. One moment Selena was in front of him, the next she had already dashed off towards Cynthia.

           There was a crash and everything seemed to freeze in place. 

           Dylan walked slowly to the two girls and what he saw cosigned him on the ground. Selena’s hair tucked off her face. A gust of wind must’ve blown them away. 

So that’s what she looks like. There was a glimmer from a glass reflecting light and Dylan winced.

           Dylan saw the mini-truck missed them by a couple of inches. Thank God, they’re okay.  He sighed relieved. He noticed Cynthia staring at the front of the truck, gawking still in shock.

           Then, oddly, Selena left without saying a word. He wanted to follow her to ask her what’s wrong but the look on his friends’ faces stopped him.

Opal looked like she passed out because of shock. Cynthia’s eyes were unblinking. The evil-looking guy from the gates was standing beside him now.

“Hey, Cynth,” Dylan grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Cynth, snap out of it.”

Cynthia looked at him, eyes wide with an emotion he couldn’t read. “Selena, she… Selena… She protected us.”

“Where is she?” asked the guy. “Where did she go?!” he yelled at them.

“She left,” Dylan told him. “See that?”

The guy watched the jeepney across the street started moving. He heard the guy growl visibly barmy. Who the hell growl these days? 

Half of the make-shift store was destroyed. People started to gather. Teachers started appeasing the excitement of their students. The police and ambulance arrived, took the injured driver to the hospital. Opal was offered to be taken to the hospital as well, but she refused to go. She didn’t want her family to get worried over anything, she said.

They were asked questions regarding the incident. The guy who approached them a while back disappeared right after they heard the approaching siren of the police.

He came to meet Selena Comia to stop the crazy. If he only knew that he’d be introduced to another sort of crazy, he’s quite certain he wouldn't have come. 

And her face. He couldn’t wipe her face out of his head.