WET THE SERIES 2: CAR (SPG)

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX:

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AS I turned the pages of my book, I felt a pang of loneliness. Despite my cold exterior, there was a part of me that longed for connection, for someone to see past the facade. Athena was a name filled with strength and wisdom, but it also carried the weight of expectations. I had to be careful, always on guard, especially since I knew that anyone could be a threat, anyone could be looking for the Montello Montes secrets.

Sa school, napansin ko ang mga tingin ng mga kaklase ko. I felt their curiosity and excitement, but I couldn’t afford to let them in. I knew that one wrong move could expose everything. I had to maintain my distance, my composure, and my mystery.

But then there was Mia. She seemed to have an innate ability to see through my walls, and I wasn’t sure how to handle that. I could feel her trying to break through, trying to forge a connection. “Hey, Wisdom!” her voice broke my reverie. “Are you okay? You seem a bit lost in thought.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Just… reading.”

“Mind if I join you?” she asked, genuinely enthusiastic.

I hesitated for a moment. Sharing my space felt like a risk, but there was something about her sincerity that made me want to open up. “Sure,” I finally said, pushing my book aside.

As she settled into the chair next to me, I felt an unfamiliar warmth spreading in my chest. “So, what do you like to read?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Anything, really,” I replied, trying to keep my answer vague. “I like stories that have depth, something that makes you think.”

“Same! I love mysteries,” she said with a grin. “Like figuring out codes and puzzles. Have you ever tried?”

I could feel my heart skip a beat. “Yeah, I have,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I enjoy decoding things.”

“Maybe we could work on a puzzle together sometime,” she suggested, her enthusiasm infectious.

I nodded slowly, the idea both thrilling and terrifying. Maybe, just maybe, allowing someone to see a bit of the real me wouldn’t be so bad. But I had to be careful. I couldn’t let anyone find out the truth behind my name and my family.

As we chatted about books and puzzles, I felt a flicker of something I hadn’t experienced in a long time—a connection. But in the back of my mind, the weight of my secrets loomed, reminding me to tread carefully. I was still Athena Minerva Montes Montello, and I had to protect my true identity at all costs.

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IT'S my first day of school, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and tension. Grade 8 na ako ngayon, but it wasn’t just about me this year. My cousin, Artemis Diana—known to the rest of the world as May Moon—had just started her first year in high school.

Pagpasok ko pa lang sa school gates, nakita ko na siya sa malayo, nakatayo sa gilid, tahimik lang at walang expression sa mukha niya. That is Artemis. Kahit noon pa, she was always like a blank slate—no emotions, no reactions. Parang walang makaka-bother sa kanya kahit ano pa ang mangyari.

I approached her slowly. “Hey, Artemis,” I said softly, just in case she wasn’t in the mood to talk. Her eyes met mine, and for a split second, I thought I saw something flicker there, but it was gone just as fast.

“Tss, Athena,” she replied, her voice flat as ever. She didn’t use my codename—sa aming pamilya, we all stuck to our real names, maliban na lang pag nasa labas. It was safer that way.

Pero nakadepende rin sa mood namin kapag nasa labas. Like today, tinawag ba naman ako sa real name ko. Well, same to her din naman. Tinawag ko'rin siyang 'Artemis'. Tsk!

“First day of high school,” I said, trying to sound encouraging. “Are you… ready?”

She blinked, her face as unreadable as always. "Hindi ko na kailangan paghandaan,” she replied, voice even. “Bagong araw nanaman 'to ng pagka-stress,”

I nodded, understanding. Ganun talaga siya. Artemis never showed excitement, or fear, or anything. Parang sanay na siya sa mundong may mga sikreto, tulad ko.

HABANG naglalakad kami papunta sa classrooms, I noticed a few students glancing at her, curious sa tahimik niyang aura. May mga bumubulong, wondering who she was. But as always, Artemis didn’t seem to notice, or care. Sa kanya, ang mga bagay sa paligid niya ay parang hindi nag-eexist.

Or baka naman, she's just pretending, like she didn't notice anything nor anyone's?

“Narinig ko na mas challenging daw sa Grade 8,” she suddenly said, breaking the silence. It surprised me, usually, hindi siya nag-o-open ng conversation.

“It can be,” I replied, keeping my tone casual. “Pero kaya natin ‘to. We’re Montello Montes, remember?” I said it half-jokingly, but there was a truth behind those words.

We carried a name that is both powerful and dangerous, and I knew we’d need every bit of strength to keep up with the legacy.

She simply nodded. "Alam ko, at hindi rin ako magpapatalo.” It was more of a statement than a promise.

Pagdating namin sa classrooms, she turned to me and gave a small nod. “Una na ako, Athena.”

Pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid. "It's Wisdom Willow, Artemis Diana..."

"Tss." Ang tanging sagot niya lang.

I watched as she walked away, disappearing into the crowd of first-year students, her face as emotionless as ever. Deep inside, I felt a pang of responsibility for her, knowing she is now entering the same world I had, full of mysteries and hidden agendas.

I sighed and headed to my own classroom, mentally preparing for another year of keeping my secrets buried and protecting the family name. In this school, I am still Wisdom Willow, the quiet, cold girl. And that is exactly how it had to stay.

TO BE CONTINUED .....