Sheena's POV
Earlier, I smiled big time when I got the results of my two quizzes. Science was easy peasy, I can answer it without reviewing my notes. Mas dumali 'yong history because of the reviewer that my girlfriend made which resulted in me getting 70% on the quiz. I'm not gonna lie, mahirap talaga 'yong quiz kaya buti nalang maganda bebe ko.
Lunch break so we're all here in the cafeteria. Gwen and her friends joined us too.
I am busy eating my lunch when suddenly Mikha gave Gwen her notes. "Gawan mo rin ako reviewer." she whispered and made a puppy eyes.
"Hoy, ano yan!?" I asked, annoyed.
"I'm handing Gwen my notes. Gusto ko rin ng reviewer." Mikha pouted.
"Wag nga! Mukha kang aso, Mikhs. Ang pangit pa ng sulat mo naiirita ako." I told her and guarded my bebe with a tight hug. "Love, library tayo?" I asked her.
Gwen nodded and I was about to get her bag pack but she stopped me. "Kaya ko na 'to. It's not that heavy." she said.
I smiled, she's always so independent. "I know but let me help you. Sila Colet naman na magdadala ng bag ko eh." I smirked at them.
"Luh, pinasa na naman sa amin" I heard them protested pero hindi ko na sila pinansin. Kinuha ko ang bag ni Gwen and gently held here hand on our way to the library.
Others are probably confused now seeing me enter the library for like twice na within this school year. Pumupunta lang naman ako rito kapag andito sila Colet o kaya puno ang clinic. Natutulog lang ang ginagawa ko dati rito and I never imagined myself studying here. Not until Gwen came and gave me a better direction.
We're in front of the library and was about to enter pero may tumawag sa akin. When I turned around, I saw a Grade 12 student carrying a box of cookie.
"Hi, Sheena. I'm Elle." she started, I can see in her shoulders that she seemed tense. "I'm a fan of yours. Lagi kitang pinapanuod sumayaw. I made these cookies for you."
I looked at her, trying to process what she's doing. "What do you want me to do with these?"
"Hmm, kainin mo?" she said and looked away.
"Do you want me to eat your cookie?" I asked unconsciously. With that, naramdaman ko ang pagbitaw ni Gweneth sa kamay ko at nauna nang pumasok sa library.
I panicked. "Love, wait up!" I shouted but she didn't bother turning back. I looked at the girl again and said, "Miss, ayoko kainin cookie mo eh. I already have a girlfriend who just walked out on me."
I hurriedly look for Gweneth around the library. Luckily, she sat at the back corner kung saan wala halos pumepwesto. I took the seat in front of her. Slowly, parang nag-iingat sa bawat galaw ko. Her aura is scary, nakakatakot ng sobra.
"Bebe ..." I called out for her attention.
She coldly stared at me. Nag-aantayan lang kaming may magsalita at nang wala siyang makuha sa akin, she broke the ice. "What!?"
"A-ano ..." I can't find my words for fuck's sake!
"Cookies, huh? Homemade." she nodded and rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, Gwen, it was nothing." I took a deep breath. "Look, I know you don't like..." I trailed off, not wanting to sound accusatory.
"You know I don't like other girls fawning over you," she finished for me, her voice softer now.
"Exactly. But this was different, Gwen. It was just a friendly gesture, I promise." I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "You're the only one for me, okay? Besides, hindi naman ako tumikim sa cookie niya." I flashed her a grin.
A hint of a smile played on Gwen's lips. "Fine, you really know how to get me." she conceded, rolling her eyes playfully. "But you owe me some serious dessert payback tonight. My treat."
"Deal!" I said, relief washing over me. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. Syempre kahit girlfriend ko siya, hindi ako hihindi sa libre. Mambuburaot ako kahit 75 na kami.
I'm glad she didn't ask me yet about the results of my previous quizzes. I plan to surprise her if I happen to pass my quiz in Calculus later. Kahit na boring dito at napapaligiran kami ng nerds, pinagtiyagaan kong mag-aral for my quiz. Ikaw ba naman may kiss, sinong hindi gaganahan?
-----
"This is so boring it makes me want to sleep." I told myself while answering complicated questions. This class is so boring for me. Kusang pumipikit ang mga mata ko at bumabagsak ang ulo ko. Kung bakit ba naman kasi sobrang dali sa mga examples but when it comes to quiz, ang hirap i-apply. I hate this!
I glanced quickly at my best friends and saw them seriously answering the quiz. Napailing ako when Colet immediately passed her papers tapos sumunod si Mikha and Maloi after a few minutes. Kaya ko rin namang gawin 'yon! Pero blangko ang papel ko kapag ginawa ko 'yon.
I was tempted when one of my cheat mates handed me answers. I gulped at mas lalo pa akong pinagpawisan. I'm having a battle against myself.
"Hindi naman makikita ni Gwen eh."
"Do you think your girlfriend will be happy once she know about you cheating on the quiz just to get a kiss from her? Mas lalong hindi ka bibigyan ng kiss 'non pre."
Fuck! What should I do? I shook my head. I won't do things that will disappoint my girlfriend again.
"Class, time's up! Pass your papers in 3 ... 2... 1..." our teacher said and started collecting papers. Wala na akong nagawa kundi ipasa ang papel ko.
Naubusan ako ng oras sa pakikipagtalo sa sarili ko.
We checked the papers at halos manginig ako when our teacher instructed us to return the papers to the owners. I took a deep breath at tiningnan ang papel ko.
24/50
I almost passed! What the hell? Paano na 'yong kiss ko?
"I'm proud of you, you know? I saw Alvin passing the cheat answers awhile ago but you refused to look at it." Colet said happily.
"Not bad, Shee! Next time pasado na 'yan. Ang hirap din ng Calculus eh." Maloi butted in.
"Yeah, look at mine, 26/50 lang. Maybe we should study together next time? Paturo tayo kay Colet." Mikha added in and smiled at me.
Kahit papaano, napagaan ng mga kaibigan ko ang loob ko. Sure, I can easily pass the Calculus by cheating pero sobrang satisfying pala sa pakiramdam na muntik kang pumasa kasi nag-aral at nagpuyat ka.
When our teacher finally dismissed us, nagpunta na ang mga kaibigan ko sa kanya-kanya nilang trainings. I took a deep breath again and decided to ditch my training today. Wala pa naman ang mga coaches namin at panigurado same dance routine lang din ang aaralin nila.
"Hi!" My girlfriend greeted me upon stepping out of our classroom. Nakasandal siya sa classroom na kaharap ng classroom namin whie holding her phone.
"Hello, love! Kanina ka pa?" I asked at kinuha ang bag niya pero tinabig niya lang ang kamay ko.
"Hmmm, about 30 minutes now? Early dismissal kami eh." she replied. "How was your quizzes, Sheena Mae?" she seriously asked.
I scratched the back of my head. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, bebe. Uwi na ba tayo?" I asked back.
"Eh kamusta muna quizzes mo?" she said, not letting me dismiss the topic.
Tumabi ako sa kanya to side hug her. "I passed Science and History. About Calculus, 24/50 lang love eh. I tried naman without cheating but I still didn't make it." I looked down.
Lumipat siya sa harap ko and held my chin to make me look at her. "It's okay. You did your best and I saw how serious you are earlier while studying. You made me very proud, love." she whispered.
"I know pero dalawa lang makukuha kong kis---" I was unable to finish my statement because she moved closer and started giving me kisses.
Three quick kisses.
"There! Three kisses." she giggled. "Three kisses means 'I love you'."
"Eh? Pwede bang 4 babe? 'I'm proud of you.' or 5, 'I'm so proud of you.'" Hirit ko sa kanya but she pinched my shoulder.
"Ang dami mong paandar, Halika na nga! Ice cream ulit tayo." My eyes began to shine when I heard ice cream. Alam na alam niya talaga kung paano ako pasasayahin. "Ready for payback?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
I grinned. "Always. Especially when it involves ice cream pero akin na muna bag mo." I told her.
She shook her head. "Pumayag lang naman akong dalhin mo ang bag ko kanina kasi wala kang dalang bag. Ngayon, meron na." she responded.
Napailing nalang ako. But when we started walking, medyo nagpalikod ako at inalalayan siya sa pagbubuhat ng bag niya. She's still wearing it at hindi niya rin naman ibibigay so I carried it using the designed strap on top of it.
While buying an ice cream, I saw a guy staring at my girl.
"Look at the guy sitting at the bench. I bet he's staring at you." I told her.
"Why would he stare at me? I freaking look like I just cried a liter of tears. I studied all night too." she answered. She's not wearing any makeups today pero kahit sabihin niyang hindi presentable ang itsura niya ngayon, I still find her amazing and beautiful.
"I actually like your face right now, love. You're so beautiful." I told her.
"Bola! I hate my after school face." she said.
"Won't you believe me if I say that your after school face is the hottest after school face I've ever seen?" I smirked at her, trying to throw her a punchline.
She didn't reply pero nakita ko siyang pasimpleng ngumiti at tinuon ang atensyon sa cart ni kuyang nagtitinda ng ice cream.
I mentally pat my back for it. Good job, Shee!
"Look, Sheena," Gwen whispered, nudging me with her elbow.
I turned to see a breathtaking display of colors streaking across the darkening sky. It was a breathtaking display of pinks, purples, and blues, like a cosmic watercolor painting.
"Wow," I breathed, mesmerized. "It's even more beautiful than the stars and moon." I commented.
"Maybe," Gwen said softly, her voice laced with a hint of something deeper. "But it's not as special. Because that was just us, under the stars."
I squeezed her hand, my heart swelling with warmth. "Right back at you, Gwen. Every sunset with you is special."
We continued to watch the sky until the first stars began to twinkle. Then, with arms linked, we started our walk home, the memory of the sunset painting our hearts with a warm glow.
And a familiar music started singing at the back of my mind.
So don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the waters; rough
But this love is ours