The Only Exception

Chapter 4

The eliminations started. Dumagundong ang speakers sa labas at rinig kahit sa backstage ang maingay na sigawan.

Nang lumabas na ang batch bago kami nakaramdam ako mabagal na tambol sa dibdib. But like what Queen Elsa said, Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.

I inhaled some air and exhaled before going out. I walked fiercely. Bold look, lips forming a proud smile, I braced the audience with full confidence. I felt like a model of a high-end brand, walking fashionably on the runway. I successfully hid my queasy feeling.

I turned to the judges and gave them the most genuine smile I could offer.

"Marie Catarina Elizabeth Alcoran, 16, Grade 10 Antonio Luna."

Nag-ingay ang buong auditorium.

"GO, CAT!!!!!!"

Nakita ko si Cassie at Syrene kasama ang buong section namin na sumisigaw ng malakas. Nahagip ng mata ko si Zach na malaki ang ngiti at pumapalakpak.

I smiled sweetly then turned and walked away from the crowd.

Sa backstage, sinalubong ako ng bati ni Ma'am Corpuz dahil successful raw ang ginawa ko. Ako lang raw ang contestant na hindi niya nakitaan ni katiting manlang na kaba. My great pretending ass really worked successfully, huh?

Pasok ako sa coronation. My bad.

Nang dahil 'don naging mauugong ang pangalan ko sa pageant at sa buong campus na rin. Instant fame.

And I don't like it. I don't want attention from anyone unnecessary to me.

"What's this?" I asked nung may i-abot siyang paper bag sa'kin kinabukasan matapos ang eliminations.

"Congrats." si Zach, naka-ngiti.

Tinitigan ko lang ang paper bag na nasa harap ko, kinakalkyula ang maaring laman nito.

"Don't overthink. Oreo truffles lang ang laman niyan." he placed it on my desk, then wriggled his brows.

Inside the paperbag was a cute box, with a ribbon and a note on the side.

" You're the best. Congratulations!
                       
                             - Zach and Nikki ♡ "
                           
"Nikki?"

"She's our youngest."

I glanced at him. "She knows me?"

"Yeah," he nodded "She actually helped me in doing that."

My heart immediately melt. The thought and the effort they put in making this for me, makes my heart happy. Pinigil kong sumilay ang ngiti sa labi, pero panigurado kita naman 'yon sa mga mata ko.

I formed a suppressed smile.

"Thank you." I said genuinely.

Binasa niya ang labi bago ito kinagat tsaka tumango sa'kin.

Tumunog ang bell kaya pwedeng pabalik
na ang mga kaklase namin. Pinutol ko ang tingin tsaka nag-pasalamat ulit bago ko siya talikuran.