Control The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 13

I nodded because he's right. Madalas ko pa rin siyang makita sa school, pero hindi ko na siya nakaka-usap—we just nod and smile. I'd been really busy with everything. Sobrang pangit ng schedule ko dahil araw-araw, tatlo o apat ang klase ko. Pinaka-malala iyong mula 12noon hanggang 9:30pm diretso.

"How's Katherine?" I asked.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why?"

"Bawal magtanong?"

"Hindi naman... Bakit?"

I shrugged. "Just curious..." I said. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nakikita iyong katawan ng mga magulang niya... She looked so different—she's much more serious now. Kahit hindi ko siya kaibigan, naninibago ako kapag nakaka-salubong ko siya sa hallway. Gone's the Katherine who looked like she's always up to something... She now looked like she's just living to exist.

"She's... fine," Iñigo said.

"Her subjects?"

"Okay naman," sabi niya. "Tinuturuan ni Jax palagi." I nodded. "Bakit mo natanong?"

I looked at him. "Nilabas na midterms standing namin," I said. Rory said na makaka-bawi si Jax sa midterms exam... But she was wrong. My eyes widened when I saw Jax's midterms. It was not him. He's really getting himself kicked out.

"Iñigo," I called.

He laughed nervously. "Bakit? Kinakabahan ako kapag sinasabi mo pangalan ko."

I looked at him seriously. "Can you talk to Katherine?"

"About what?"

"About Jax. He's failing."

He threw his cigarette in the bin and faced me. His face was serious... And it gave me the idea that this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation. Alam ko naman 'yun... But this needed to be said.

"Ano'ng gusto mong sabihin ko kay Katherine?"

"Tell her to tell Jax to fix his grades."

His lips parted for a second—like he couldn't believe what he was hearing from me. But I was serious. I stood there for two months, doing nothing and restraining myself every time I'd see Jax throw away everything he's worked so hard for.

"Seryoso ka ba?" tanong niya sa akin.

"He's gonna get kicked out. He's—"

"School's not everything, Charisse," he said, cutting me off. His jaw clenched. His eyes... they were so intense. I'd never seen them like this... For a moment, it felt like he's ready to defend her with everything he's got.

"I know that," I answered, looking at his eyes. I tilted my chin and faced him straightly. I knew he'd think I'm a monster for even suggesting this—but Jax's my friend. Hindi pwedeng ganito. Hindi pwedeng ganito palagi.

"I know for you, grades are important, but there's more to life than grades," he said.

I breathed deeply. I could feel my hands trembling slightly. He's making me mad. He's making me so mad.

"Tapos ka na?" tanong ko sa kanya. I looked at him with the disappointment in my eyes. I didn't even bother to hide it. I was so disappointed in him... Na ganoon ang tingin niya sa akin. Akala ko kilala niya na ako. Kahit papaano. Mali pala ako.

I walked so fast. I didn't want to talk to him. I didn't want to see his face. Napatigil lang ako nang makita ko si Katherine. She looked like she lost weight.

Huminga ako nang malalim.

I knew I'd be a bitch by doing this... but I just couldn't sit there and watch this anymore.