The Lady in Shining Armor: Monte Carlo High

XLVII. Too Late

"I'm sorry, Dawn. Okay ka lang ba?" Concern was evident on his tone as he held my shoulders and looked into my face. Ikaw kaya iikot-ikot, hindi ka mahilo? Kaya ayoko sa amusement park simula bata ako, eh!

"Okay lang, okay lang. Ano ulit 'yung sinabi mo?" His gave me a wide smile and a quick hug.

"I'm on top!" He pulled my hand and we went through the crowd to see the bulletin board. I looked at the list and stared at it for a couple of seconds. I had to blink multiple times kasi baka namamalik-mata lang ako. Pero kahit kusutin ko pa ang mga mata ko, 'yun talaga ang nakasulat. Vincent Pineda on the number one spot of the Top of the Class list. It's unbelievable kasi kahit kailan, hindi siya nasama sa list na ito.

"Congratulations, Vince!" I hugged him and I could still feel how happy he was. I was surprised when he cupped my face with his hands and kissed me. In front of this crowd.

"Ayieee!!!" Students cheered and teased us as our lips parted. Sobrang nakakahiya 'to. I never showed weakness to anyone. Well, with an exception of one.

"Grabe ka!" Hinampas ko ang braso niya at ramdam na ramdam kong namumula na ako sa ginawa niya. I grabbed his hand and walked out of that place. Tama na ang palabas sa umaga!

"Hahaha! Sorry, Dawn, galit ka ba?" He stopped walking and looked at me. He had his playful smile on and I didn't know what to feel at that moment.

"Ikaw naman kasi, bakit kailangan mong gawin 'yun!"

"Sorry na po. Masyado lang akong masaya, that's all. Hindi na mauulit, promise!"

"Dapat lang! Baka masuntok na kita sa susunod!" We both laughed and headed to the Cafeteria.

Days passed at hindi pa rin nawawala ang saya kay Vince dahil unang beses na nangyari ito sa buong buhay niya. His mother and sister even came here yesterday and brought food for us. Red was on second place and I ranked fifth. We had lunch together and I saw how proud Vince's mom and sister were. Nagpasalamat pa sila sa akin dahil ako daw ang naging dahilan ng malaking improvement na ito sa kanya.

"Ate Dawn, may sasabihin ako sa 'yo." Bungad ni Joyce sa akin pagpasok ko pa lang ng kwarto noong gabing iyon. I had dinner with Vince at tumambay pa kami ng konti sa Campus Grounds. May meeting daw kasi ang Math Club nila Red, kaya wala pa siyang makakasama sa kwarto. He mentioned that wanted to be a doctor. He finally decided on something to study in college. Gusto niya daw kasi mag-specialize sa mental health para sa akin. Mukhang hindi pa siya talaga sigurado sa kursong 'yun, malamang magbago pa 'yun, we still have five months left before graduation.

"Ano 'yun?" I stood behind her. She was doing something on her laptop at nagulat ako nang makita ko kung ano ang pinagkaka-abalahan niya. It was about Espada.

"Nag-specialize na din pala sila sa ibang weaponry related to swords-- knives and daggers alike. At mas marami na ang ni-re-recruit nila na younger than eighteen years old." That meant faster and stronger minions for them. The guys that killed the girls in Sisters of Mary used knives to execute their task. Ibig sabihin, matagal na nilang pina-practice ang mga tauhan nila sa ibang gamit maliban sa espada.

"Iisa lang naman ang lider nila, 'di ba?"

"Oo. He's only known as Mr. S. Bakit?"

"Ano'ng atraso namin sa kanya para gawin niya sa amin ito? As far as I know, wala talaga akong matandaan na naka-banggaan noong nasa Sisters of Mary pa ako. Pwede kayang kumikilos mag-isa 'yung mga tauhan niya?"

"Imposible 'yun, Ate Dawn. They're known for their loyalty and obeying orders. Hindi sila pwedeng kumilos sa sarili lang nila kasi may parusa kung mangyayari ang ganun." She scrolled on the pages and I saw a few photos of their victims throughout the years. Nakakakilabot.