|Yukenzo Cabrera|
It was sunny morning and everyone's busy with their own duties. And me, as the president of the campus, I'm leading the student council's yearly tradition which is the booths. I was talking to Azelyn who just came here to help us but I know she has her own work to do and I don't want her to rush after. But the more I refused, the more she pushed. So in the end, I let her help us decorating the booths.
"I'm gonna help Urson there," Vencie tapped my shoulder and he gave me a playful smirk.
I tsked and pushed him inside the jail booth. He just laughed but it's already enough to annoy me right at this morning.
"He really knows how to annoy you," I looked back at Azel and raised brow.
"Guess that's how his day works." I shrugged and bit the paperclip so I could arrange the pattern of the colored papers in front of me.
"Minutes from now, you're going to see me on stage with my sports attire. No goodluck? Just a piece of lucky charm."
I stopped from arranging the papers and lifted my gaze up to her again. She's smiling brightly and I don't want to be the reason of her disappointment. And speaking of disappointment, after the commotion in the covered court and after I talked to Vanez, despise my disappointment, I did my best to still understand Azel. She may be changed into someone I'm not familiar with, I believe she's still the Azelyn I knew.
I caught her looking down at my lips, that's when I realized I'm still biting the paperclip so I took it out rightaway."Goodluck, Azel."
Her smile widened."Thanks! It means everything!" I didn't expect what happen next. She kissed me on my cheek and everyone saw it!
Damn, I literally stilled.
I blink a multiple times before I could process what she did. Vencie went out the jail booth just to give me his usual look full of malice. Fucking malicious.
"You're blushing," he mouthed.
I rolled my eyes and decided not to mind him... and the others who keeps on teasing me and Azel. I irritably looked at her and it's seemed like she's enjoying it. I cleared my throat.
"Guys, watch me later, okay? I need your full support! Oh my gosh, I'm so nervous but I know I can do it! Though I already have my classmates' never-ending support, it's still different if you will give me yours!"
"Of course, dear! We're just here to support the prettiest member of the council!" Keisha, the vice president responded.
Azel look overwhelmed."Gosh, thank you, Keish! Love you!"
I cleaned my throat once again."Everyone, back to your duties." I ordered.
"Yes, Yuki..."
Azel was about to speak up but our attention have caught by the two people walking along the hallway. Most especially, the gray-haired girl on the left side. I bravely gazed at Vanez Arnaez only to gain her unpleasant reaction. My forehead wrinkled and brows furrowed, I wondered.
Does she have a problem with me? Why is that, everytime our paths have crossed, she always gives me that look? She just rolled her eyes at me, countless times, man.
While ok the other side, Vencie saw her friend and they talked about something I cannot relate. But Vanez interrupted them and they vanished from our sight.
As I'm looking at her vanishing figure, I realized we will also see her on the stage later, aligning with Azel and the other participants.
I titled my head and just continued arranging the papers. Azel didn't stay any longer and she bid her goodbye to us the moment her make-up artist called her.
The preparation didn't last long because when the emcee announced that the program will start by 5 minutes, we made sure everything is purely fixed already. Some of our member were assigned to different booths while the first five members of officers are assigned to roam around the covered court to spot the stubborn students.
"Man, let's go! You're walking like a turtle, what the?" Vencie hurriedly grabbed me, I veered at him but he's too busy dragging me.
He's the SSG treasurer, Keisha, Toni and Chesca are with us; the vice president, secretary and representative. We entered the covered court. I even saw Lyle there, my cousin. I give him a high-five before Vencie find our seats. Our place is near the bleachers and in our front are the teachers and admins. The covered court look so full, different color of shirts were highlighted including balloons and tarpaulins. Each grade level is provided to cheer their favored candidates. The whole place is filled with noises and loud music from the speakers.
"Good morning, Clintonians! Are you all ready for the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals?!" The emcee held the mic as he announced audibly.
"Yes, we are!!!" Students answered in a chorus.
I crossed my arms and rested my back at the monoblock chair. Vencie was moving from time to time that I need to give him an warning glance. He's talking to a sophomore behind us. They're quite nosy and it's alarming. Teachers are in front of us for pete's sake!
Can't he atleast shut his mouth and behave for a moment?
The emcee continued so my attention got distracted."You ready? Glad you're all ready! But before we proceed to that, let's welcome our newly built boy group and their production number! Give them a round of applause!" He shierked this time.
The entire covered court almost wreck when the boy group appeared the stage. Cheers, shouts and howls are everywhere. They became wild as the performance started.
Vencie poked my side."Sophomores and their old dance steps." He commented. Or should I say, bashed?
"They might hear you." I whispered, pertaining to the teachers in front of us.
His brow shot up."And they care because?" I hit him on his arm, then."Ouch, man! What's with you today? Why you're grumpy all of sudden?" He said amusingly.
I gave him a flat look.
"Just shut the fuck up and be vigilant. I can see some delinquents sneaking out under the bleachers." I sneered and ignored his exasperated gasp.
"Really?" In my peripheral vision, I saw him roaming his eyes around. He turned to me again."You sure? I can't see some! I envy your chinky eyes!"
I sighed and jsut let him. I can't stop this one from uttering words. I busied myself by watching the sophomore boy group, many cheers are coming from their batch but mostly from girls and gays. I was tapping my shoe on the ground, joining the beat of music.
At last, the opening number has ended. The emcee went to the stage again, he talked to the boy group first before he faced us.
"Did you like it? You want more?!" Is he serious?
My brows furrowed. I know to myself I don't want more. This opening is already taking too much time.
"Yes more!" Most of the girls shouted.
"No more!" But many dismissed.
"I go for no more," Vencie shrugged. I just tsked.
"And for the most awaited part of this program... as I promise, let's all welcome the participants of Mr. and Ms. sportsfest from first to fourth year!" We all clapped as the participants came out.
"Representing the section C, Annalyn Juarez and Jacob Vasquez!"
The muse and escort of first year did their poses, all of them are wearing sports attire since it is the representation of this event. They also have props like balls, badminton and volleyball. The emcee continued announcing the participants along the cheers and howls of every student.
"It's Azel's turn! I wonder who's her partner?" I heard Vencie chuckled.
"She said it's Timothy."
"Representing star section 1, Azelyn Aldovar and Timothy Falcon!"
True enough, Azelyn stepped forward so as her escort, Timothy. She's holding a baseball while he's holding the baseball bat. She's wearing a baseball cap, blue shirt printed with big number and white skirt.
Vencie whistled."Looks good on her, huh. She's really pretty. Right, Yuki?" Why is he asking me by the way?
"She is." I simply answered.
"How about prettiest?" He moved his face closer to me, teasingly. My eyes narrowed.
"Just pretty." He roared a laughter.
"Harsh as fuck,"
"Shhh!" When one of the teachers turned to us to shut him down.
He bowed his head apologetically."I'm sorry, miss." But I can see his ghost of smirk.
"Told you," I shook my head.
"Representing section 8, Vanez Arnaez and Drecco Hamilton!" The emcee got my attention again.
I fixed my eyes on stage. Cheers and howls, suddenly faded. And I don't even know why my world seem stopped, too. All eyes are watching the muse of section 8 on the stage. My shoe paused from tapping and I can't take my eyes off her... anymore.
"Damn... is she really Vanez? Is she really my Rocelia's friend?" I ignored Vencie.
'Cause even me, I doubt if she really is the careless bad girl I have ever known. Vanez is wearing a white cropped shirt, fine to expose her slim body, navy blue skirt that exposing her long and flawless thighs, high-knee socks and white and blue rubber shoes. She's holding pompoms. She's smiling confidently.
"Azel is pretty..." Vencie trailed off.
"But Vanez is the prettiest..." I unconsciously uttered, eyes never left her.
I sensed him immediately gazed at me but I'm too busy staring at Vanez. I can't blame my fellow students, they remained quiet while adoring her. She's utterly beautiful, with her light make-up and braided gray hair. She has side bangs and I find it cute.
"Go, Van! I love you, my beautiful friend!" Rocelia's voice echoed and because of her, the cheers and howls came back.
"I know that look, man!" Vencie pulled my senses.
I faced him annoyingly."What?"
He smirked."You have a crush on her! Prettiest, huh. Hmm..." I blinked at him.
He smirked more because I can't protest against what he said. The only thing I know is... this is strange. My mind was telling me there's nothing to worry about.
But my heart screams the opposite.
And it bothers me.