Softly, you whisper

Prelude

For those who know how to wait, for those who listen....

Prelude

"Zoe, hindi ka sasali sa practice?!" I looked back to see who shouted. Si Vernon, nasa pinto at nakahawak sa hamba. His face was all red as if he was already mad that I am skipping practice again.

"Yeah," I said languidly. "I'll face the repercussions tomorrow."

"Ulol ka. Papagalitan ako ni Kieran niyan eh!" he shouted again and stepped out of the classroom. In a few steps, he was already beside me. Ang tangina, nilagay pa ang braso sa balikat ko.

"Bakit mageeskapo ka na naman? May pinopormahan ka na naman ba?" he grinned at me.

"Gago, wala." I cursed at him. "I'm not in the mood to practice."

Totoo naman. Who gets to vigorously practice if you fail a 60-item quiz? I can't let out my frustrations in the practice because I'll totally get pissed off. Baka hindi matuloy ang practice at makipagsuntukan ako roon.

"Dude, a score of 25 is not that bad." Vernon tapped my shoulder. "Ako nga 24 eh."

"That's always expected as for you." I retorted.

"Sus, ikaw napaka-grade conscious mo eh basagulero ka naman. Tara na kasi. Practice. Bad trip si Kieran kasama sa team kapag wala ka."

"Bahala kayo." Irita kong sabi. "I'm not in the mood."

"Tsk." Tinampal niya ang ulo ko at agad na lumayo sa akin. He then greeted some of the boys who passed by. I kept a serious face as I walked because I am not in the mood to even talk to anyone.

"Una na 'ko," paalam ko kay Vernon nang nasa dulo na kami. We'll be parting ways since he'll go to the gym while I'll go straight to the school's gate.

"Ge, ge." Vernon sounded bitter. Umiling na lang ako at hinayaan na siya. I walked briskly towards the hallway. May iilan pa akong nakasabay na ibang seniors din doon.

"Zoe! Di ka magpa-practice?"

Damn it, Mallorie.

I looked back at my cousin. Nandoon at nakasunod pala sa akin. For someone who's about to go home, Mallorie looks fresh. The other girls too. Shouldn't they look haggard or something?

Mallorie approached me with a grin on her face. "Hoy, skip ka na naman? Lagot ka talaga kay Kieran!" She slapped my arm.

"Bahala na sila. Ikaw? Saan ka?" I asked her as I continued walking. Nakisabay siya sa akin.

"Guess what?" she giggled.

I rolled my eyes instantly. "Date? Not again."

"Hindi, ulol. Pupunta akong mall. Sama ka?"

"Not in the mood," I shook my head. Mallorie then gave me a skeptical look.

"Low scores?"

"Yeah."

"Tss, napaka-grade conscious mo talaga. Hindi ka naman papagalitan ni Tita Ava kapag bumagsak ka."

Luckily, my parents aren't that strict when it comes to academic standing. My mom was on top of her class way back elementary days up until college. Si Papa ganoon din. Though a lot has been expected to us, their children, my parents don't pressure us on reaching the top. What's important is that we've learn something.

"Una na 'ko! Diretso uwi, Zoe!"

Damn, don't I know that? Pero ayaw ko talagang umuwi sa bahay ngayon. I wanted to cool down but at the same time find a place where I could somehow relax. Clearly, hindi ko mahahanap sa bahay iyon.