Legends of Olympus (On Hold)

Rumors

Gumusot ang dulo ng papel nang ikuyom ko ang aking palad habang nagbabasa.

'They remained in the CAP headquarters for unknown reasons, while the Alphas and a few students struck down the enemies' biggest territory in Asia.'

'This could only mean two things: did the founders decide that their class was never needed, at all? or was it a cowardly decision by the class itself?'

"Cowardly-" Bumukas ang aking bibig, hindi makapaniwala. "Ano?!"

'When asked about which one they believe happened, the following students confidently answered-

Jacob, a Junior of the Beta Class:
I think their parents don't trust them enough, you know? They are very problematic and they're always caught creating mischief. All of them are strange, especially the dark one. Must be their weird bloodlines.'

"Talaga, Jacob?" bulong ko. "Putangina mo."

'Maine, a Senior of the Gamma Class:
So, they're finally showing their true selves, huh? I think they decided not to join because they were too scared to die.'

Anong too scared to die? Sina Zack? Bella? Too scared to die?!

'Yana, a Junior of the Gamma Class:
Hindi ko naman sila kilala, eh. Wala rin akong close sa kanila kaya either, siguro?'

Di naman pala kilala, eh ba't pinili lahat ng choices?!

'Blaster, a Senior of the Beta Class:
They have always been the black sheep of the student community, even though they have those white capes. Honestly, they look like a cult, and who knows? Maybe they have a whole temple inside their mansion.'

Aba. Mukhang may maba-blast na mukha sa Beta mamaya, ah...

'Anne, a Junior of the Beta Class:
They are super duper weird. Kaya di na ako magtataka kung bakit di sila pinayagan ng parents nila to join the attack. Still have a crush on Vance, though! He's like, my ideal type of guy! Ugh!

Binigyan ko ng nandidiring tingin ang papel.

'Nimrod, a Junior of the Gamma Class:
'Yon ba yung mga nakakapa na puti na dumaan sa harap ko? Gag*! Astig ng mga lalaki nila- ah, tinatanong niyo ako kung bakit di sila sumama sa pag-atake? Sa tingin ko, ano... trip lang talaga siguro nila?

Muling nagkasalubong ang aking kilay nang mabasa ko ang pamilyar na pangalan sa pinakaibaba ng column.

'Zack, a Senior of the Omega Class:
Di kami natuloy sa pag-atake kasi nagtatae si Amber no'n.'

Lumalim ang bawat hugot ko ng hangin nang biglang magliyab ang dulo ng papel. Nasunog ito sa aking harapan at nang tuluyan itong maglaho ay nagpakawala ako ng isang matinis na sigaw.

"ZACHARILLE!"

Paige's POV

Huminto ako sa paghuhugas ng pinggan nang biglang pumasok si Amber na nag-aapoy ang magkabilang braso.

So, she's read the school paper...

Luminga-linga siya. "Putangina mo!" sigaw niya. "Lumabas kang hayop ka!"

Nagpatuloy ako sa paghugas. "He's not here, Amber."

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

The reason why I encouraged Reign to attend the party later tonight is because I already had a feeling that some students will start to talk about our shortcomings against Orion.

And just by being herself, Reign's the best candidate to fend off such rumors.

Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng sliding doors ng kusina, at kasunod ang boses ni Grey.

"Paige."

Katatapos lang niya atang asikasuhin ang kanyang mga bulaklak sa greenhouse.

Hindi ko siya pinansin, kahit nang mapadaan siya sa likod ko at may hinalungkat sa cupboards katabi ng lababo.

"Tu n'as pas faim?" tanong niya. 'Aren't you hungry?'

Binilisan ko lang ang trabaho ko nang makaalis na ako.

Seriously, can he pretend I don't exist for once? So I could live the rest of my day without getting bothered by this always buzzing purple-eyed bee?

"I'm thinking about making a sandwich for Reign, would you like some?"

"No."

"Then can I get you a drink?"

"No."

"You don't want to talk to me, I see..." Narinig ko siyang may inilapag sa counter. "That's okay."

After a minute of silence, I heard him chopping on a wooden board, and while I transferred the plates on the drying rack, he got occupied with slicing the filling for the sandwich.

"Oh, fuck-"

Mabilis akong napalingon sa direksyon niya nang bigla siyang mapaatras nang nakahawak sa kanyang kamay. 

Nang makitang walang nangyari dito, inangat ko ang aking tingin kay Grey na pinadalhan ako ng isang pilyong ngiti.

"Got you, didn't I?"

"Can you stop?" naiirita kong tugon sa kanya. "You're annoying me."

Humarap siya sa'kin at itinukod ang kanyang mga palad sa dulo ng counter na nasa likod niya. "Now that I got your attention..." Humilig siya pasandal sa kanyang mga braso. "How true is it that you and my sister are going to the party tonight?"

"So?" tanong ko. "What if we're going?"

Kumibit-balikat siya. "I'm just asking."

I let out a defeated sigh before answering. "Yes, we're going," sagot ko. "So will you leave me alone?"

His purple eyes sparked with a suspicious glint as a smile drew across his lips.

Pinaningkitan ko siya. "What are you planning?"

Lumapad ang kanyang ngiti. "Go out with me tonight."

"No." Kasingbilis ng takbo ng liwanag ang pagbitaw ko ng sagot. "I won't."

"I know." Bahagyang gumilid ang kanyang ulo. "That's why I didn't ask."

"Seriously," I scoffed. "Give me a good reason why I should go out with you."

Nanliit ang kanyang mga mata. "Do I really have to?"

I continued to stare at him.

He sighed and averted his gaze. "Well, for one, I need someone to clear up the rumors that I'm dating a Gamma student."

"Then why can't you ask a Beta? or an Alpha?" suhestyon ko. "I'm sure they'll be happy to-"

"You don't understand, Paige," giit niya. "I'd rather date you."

Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya.

"I mean..." Nanumbalik ang kanyang ngiti. "I'd rather be seen hanging out with an Omega than a student of another class."

"You're serious?" tanong ko na tinanguan niya.

"No." Umiling ako. "Just no..."

"Go out with me tonight and I'll pay you back the favor in any kind."

Agad nakuha ng sinabi niya ang buong atensyon ko.

"Any kind?" pag-uulit ko.

"Why?" Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "You already have something in mind?"

A favor from a powerful demigod like him who can do everything? 

I think I can work with that.

"Not yet," sagot ko. "But I will, soon."