Chemistry Between A Paper And A Ruler

I

1

They said that friends in need are friends indeed.

But I'm starting to have doubts.

"Ikaw nalang kasi. Pwede naman siguro."

Bian smiled sweetly and showed me the book she's reading. Just like Sunny and Charles, she don't want to join the Quiz Bubble that our club organized. Kat and Ever flatly declined the offer too.

Based on the organizers, we, club members can't join. Iyon daw dapat na galing sa ibang club.

But we only have two volunteers in our class. I need three.

I looked up at Drey who's been fixing his bag beside Bian. "Kausapin mo mga organizer niyo. Baka naman payagan na."

I rolled my eyes at him. Bakit hindi niya nalang ako tulungang kumbinsihin ang isa sa babaeng kaharap namin ngayon?

Sunny who was reading some random novel again, put it down. Tinignan niya ako nang nakataas ang kilay. "My gosh, Maj. Hanap ka ng ibang biktima. Huwag dito!", pagtataboy niya.

Napaikot ulit ako ng mata.

"Yeah, and they said we're friends. I think they're wrong."

She also rolled her eyes. I sharpened my eyes. Hindi ako magpapatalo. I need them right now.

But in the end, wala akong ibang nagawa kundi tanungin ang organizers. At pumayag nga sila.

Halos lahat daw ay parehas ang mga problema. Hindi naman pwede na isa lang ang representative.

"Lilibre nalang kita pag nanalo kayo. May report talaga kami."

I rolled my eyes again to Sunny. Kanina pa siya nangungulit. "You're so clingy", I said watching her hug Ever.

"Hindi ah!", angal niya. "But seriously, pag nanalo kayo, lilibre kita ng isaw at kwek-kwek sa labas."

She smiled after that.

Minsan naiisip kong may ginawa siyang kasalanan kapag ngumingiti siya. Why can't I really trust this girl?

I just rolled my eyes at her. Geez, ang childish din nito minsan kahit ang sungit.

"Whatever. Drey and John, tawag na tayo", sabi ko nalang.

I ignored their 'goodluck' and teases. Sanay na ako. Sa anim na buwan ba naman naming magkakasama.

Kahit hindi pa taon ang pagkakaibigan na nabuo ko rito, we managed to built the rapport we needed to feel comfortable and trust each other. But of course, I won't tell them.

All of us sat down. May mga bakanteng upuan pa, pero halos lima nalang ata.

"Kinakabahan ka?"

Nilingon ko si John. He was fiddling his fingers above the table.

Sabi nila, hindi daw agad mahahalata na bakla ito dahil sa itsura niya. But I say no. Halata kaya.

Sa kutis niya palang na mas maputi pa ata sa akin, halata na.

"Hindi", direkta kong sabi.

It's not my goal to win this. After all, napilitan lang ako.

Ngumiwi siya sa sinabi ko. "Hindi ka nakakatulong."

Drey laughed. Napailing nalang ako at tinignan ang paligid. Rich, the tall STEM student and President of our club, is also here. Nakatayo siya sa podium at may hawak na mga flash card na sinulatan niya ata ng sasabihin.

I smiled when he looked at my way. Ngumiti din siya at naglakad palapit.

"Kasali ka pala? Akala ko si Sunny makikita ko dito."