Lies over Love

Chapter 6

AILA

“Someone got the perfect score in Biology!” the teacher happily announced to our class.

She’s holding the papers and ready to distribute them to the owners. 

This is the time that I wouldn’t want to see my test results. Urgh!

Today is Monday, the start of the week and I can’t help myself feel nervous because today is also the day that the honors list will be given. Since last night, this bothered me, I don’t know what would be the reaction of my parents if I won’t get the first spot.

My parents expect so much from me, actually, from the 3 of us, Ivan, Mino, and me.

My 2 brothers are always on top. No one can beat them, so they graduated with flying colors. Mino graduated as Summa c*m Laude in his course, which is Civil Engineering, and now focused on his review to pass the board exam. My parents were so proud of him, I can see happiness in their eyes seeing Mino went up the stage during his graduation and get the awards he worked hard for almost 5 years.

Ivan proceeds taking Law after graduating Political Science and also a Summa c*m Laude. I thought he will also take Civil Engineering but time changes everything that he took Law. Maybe he wants to be like our mom, Attorney Sylvia Rivas. A known lawyer in our town, and who knows? Maybe he will also be like our dad and enter the world of politics when the right time comes.

The 2 of them became my inspiration to do well in school, to push myself, and be the best among the rest. I don’t want to be considered as the black sheep of our family by not also being on top; I don’t want to be judged by some of our relatives.

Since I was a kid, it was already tattooed on my mind that I must always get the number 1 spot. Some tried to beat me but got disappointed. Books and other learning materials became my best friend. Reading became my hobby and joining quiz bees became a part of me.

But everything changes. I don’t know what gotten into me that now, I can feel something that I haven’t been feeling before. Something that bothers me to push my limits because someone may take the spot from me. I have been very confident in the past years. Now, even the first exams made me so anxious.

Am I afraid of someone?

Someone like….Sandro?

I remembered what happened last time in the parking area. After that, I made sure to avoid him. Actually, to avoid the feeling when I’m with him. I know it was something different… different like love? But every time I take those opportunities to avoid him, he’s the one trying to approach me. Pain in the a*s, huh?

He was right, that day was the last day I got messages from girls admiring him. I don’t know what happened but issues about us also ended a few days after. Maybe some of my schoolmates got tired looking for news about us because we are not really girlfriend and boyfriend.

“I only have 2 papers with me left,” the teacher said while looking at the papers she’s holding.

My heart beats faster because only me and Sandro were the ones whose paper was not returned. So probably, either the 2 of us got the perfect score.

Fingers crossed, I hope I’ll get the paper with the highest score.

I closed my eyes and when I felt someone put the paper in front of me, I hurriedly checked it.

58 over 60

F-f*ck

58?!

The red ink used in writing my score popped up in an all-black ink test paper.

I can’t feel my body at this moment. How can I be so careless? Why didn’t I review everything before passing the paper? My tears wanted to show up, but I tried my hardest to resist it. I don’t want everyone to see me crying over this s**t.

“Congrats to the both of you! Especially you, Mr. Espada, who got the perfect score!” Miss Hilary proudly announced it to the class.

“And at this moment, the list of honor students will be posted on the bulletin board. Better luck next time to those who won’t see their names on the list. There is always room for improvement, guys. And for those who are included in the top 10, continue what you are doing, I am so proud of you, class!” she added and went to the bulletin board.

She posted a long bond paper with printed names of students.

Shit! I’m almost having a heart attack.

After posting the list, our teacher headed out of our room and my classmates made noise and went in front. I can’t even stand and check for my name! s**t!

“Whatever may the result be, please do better next time, Aila,” I whispered to myself and tried to head in front.

“CONGRATS SANDRO! YOU GOT THE NUMBER 1 SPOT!” Gwen, one of my classmates, shouted. I hear my classmates cheered and congratulated him.

My body froze.

SHIT… if Sandro got the 1st spot, how about me!?

I hardly took a step forward and find my name on the list.

1st SANDRO HUGO ESPADA with an average score of 99!

2nd AILA FELIZ RIVAS

As I saw my average, I wanted to sigh!

98.5

98.5!  It was only.6 for me to beat him! Fudge!

I can’t take my eyes off the list because I can’t believe that in just a blink of an eye, Sandro beat me easily.

“Congrats, Aila” the great Sandro appeared on my side in a swift motion. I saw his cocky wink and confident smile as he brings closer his face to me.

Is he trying to irk me?

I showed my sweetest smile and faced him. Shut up great Sandro, this is just the start of everything. I am just warming up!

I don’t want him to feel that I am threatened by his presence or something.

“Congrats too, Sandro. Study harder next time because I promise you won’t ever step in that spot ever again. Enjoy the moment!” I assumed him and went back to my chair to get my things.

Fuck! This is so disappointing!

~*~

“This is the first time, Feliz. What happened to you? Why are you so distracted? Is there anything that keeps on lingering your mind?” my mom said lecturing me about the result of my exam.

We are here in our lanai, she’s drinking her tea while I’m standing in front of her and showing my exam results.

I almost crumple my test paper just to hide my emotions.

I know this would happen. Me being scolded for having low grades and of course, not being the number 1 in class.

Ugh, why am I such a disappointment?

I felt a sting in my heart. This is the first time I saw my mom being upset. I know some people will say that they push me too much, but for me, that will always be okay. Their happiness always comes first.

“S-sorry, Mom. I promise that this will not happen again.” I assure her as I hold her hand.

“Just make sure, Feliz. What will your aunt and uncles say if they’ll know about this?!” she tilted her head to face me.

“I-I promise”

She sipped the tea left on her cup. She left the lanai, and that was exactly when Mino came.

“Any problem?” the concerned Mino asked.

At that moment my tears fall continuously. Hearing Mino’s concerned voice made me want to cry everything. My frustrations, sadness, and disappointment.

With no word, Mino came closer to me and gave me a tight hug. I can’t stop myself from sobbing.

“I-I didn’t get the first spot, Min. I’m such a disappointment!” I hugged him even tighter.

“No, you’re not!” he snapped and cupped my face so I’ll look straight on his eyes.

“That single mistake of yours won’t sum up everything you’ve experienced and your hardships, Aila. You didn’t get the first place? So what? There’s always next time!” his words made me more emotional. How can I be so lucky to have him as a brother?

“Any problem?” I hear Ivan's voice interrupting us.” Why are you crying?” he added with bothered eyes.

“Mom scolded her because she didn’t make it to the top” Mino explained because he knows I can’t talk from crying so hard.

“Aila, look at me” Ivan commanded me that made me look at him with teary eyes.

“Always remember that even Mom and Dad won’t be proud of you, there will always be me, and Mino who will be by your side whatever may happen. I don’t care if you’re not the number one in class, I saw how dedicated you are in your studies and that will always be enough for me. You will always be the only sister that I could always ask for.” He said without blinking and every word came out on his mouth eases everything.

“B-but Mom got disappointed, I will never be like the two of you. I will always be different” I concluded and again, my tears won’t stop from falling. I know I look like s**t at this moment.

“Mom just wants the best for you but she can’t do anything if that is just everything that you can. You still did your best, Ai, and that is the only thing that matters. Never mind her; she’s just on her menopause stage.” He joked to lighten up the mood.

I smiled and hugged the two of them. We may always fight and they may always annoy be but having them in my darkest time always gives me light. If reincarnation is true, I still want them to be my brothers. That’s how much I love them.

“Thank you, brothers. You never fail to make me feel better”

After our drama in the lanai, we headed up in each of our rooms to prepare for dinner, and of course for me, to study for the next day’s lessons.

 ~*~

“What is your Mom’s reaction?” Ynna asked me while she’s chewing her food. Break time and we are currently having some pizza and fresh juice here in our school’s park.

“She got disappointed, of course. But I promised her I’ll well next time” I answered. I lost my appetite after hearing her question. Memories from the last day and my mom’s reaction vividly flashed in my mind.

I shrugged my head to forget it and continued eating the slice of pizza. Ugh, move on, Ai. You can’t bring back the past.

“Aww. Sandro is really something, huh? He made you experience something new. Hahaha!” she laughed at her own joke.

“Shut up, I will make sure he won’t step on that spot again,” I said confidently.

“Oh s**t, wait! I need to go, I bought new iPhone cases online and I think the courier is already outside our gate. I need to meet her first! Bye, see you later in our room!” she ran hurriedly without thinking she left her food on our table.

“Hayy. I will just bring this to her later.” I get the spare plastic inside my bag and put her food inside when a shadow appeared on my left side which means someone sits beside me.

The scent is familiar that even without looking; I know who it is.

A Giorgio Armani perfume aromatized the area where I am sitting.

The only person I know who’s using it is no other than...Sandro.

“Why are you here?” I snapped without looking at him.

“I just want to,” he said seriously. The nerve of this guy!

“You are really fond in annoying me, aren’t you?” my eyes widened as I look at him

“Your reaction amazes me.”

W-what.the.hell!

What the f*ck was that?

After a few seconds, he left without any words that made me froze.

The bell rings that made me breathe normally. Why an arrogant man did suddenly went to me and said those words? What was he thinking? He’s really fond of playing games with me huh!