Misleading of the Variance (Secondary Series #3)

07

“What just happened?”

Abi questioned as we were all left dumb founded. I stared at the direction where Benj and his friends went, confused and shocked. It’s not like Benj looking after me is a new thing but today, it somehow feels weird. How he does it is weird.

“Tell me about it,” I said in a small voice, shaking my head to bring me back to my senses.

It’s already enough that our fellow students are looking at us. But Benj doing that made them whisper to one another. He is a big shot here, after all he is a Sanchez. Added to that, he is also an achiever and is an active participant in academic competitions. His name is mostly posted in the school bulletin board for his competition wins. On top of that, he was the overall Vice President of our school’s student organization last year.

“I know that you and kuya Benj are close but that was a little weird. Like that was the first time he did something for you that feels strange. I don’t know why.” Samantha pointed out in which I agree.

“Maybe he just doesn't have anything to do… or doesn’t have someone to bother that is why he was like that.” I said.

“I don’t know. It just feels really weird.” Kaitlyn says as I just try to set aside what happened.

“I know but don’t mind it anymore. It’s just nothing, okay?” I assure them.

Though Abi looks not convinced that it was just nothing, she just let it go for now. I don’t know what his brother is up to but I am not up to joking around with him if it will affect my friendship with Abi.

“Anyway, let’s talk about Abi again…”

We proceed with our lunch while talking about random things. It took us a while since our lunch was for an hour. We managed to even stay in the quadrangle, talking, until we heard the bell which is the sign that the lunch time is done.

“Hey,” Someone said the moment we entered the room.

The four of us looked at Russell because of his sudden call. He just puts on a blank face as he approaches us. I glanced at Abi to only see her nervous all of the sudden. I wanna tease her but I’m not the kind of friend to drag her into her grave in front of her crush that she keeps denying he is not.

“Who are you referring to Russell?” Samantha asked.

He didn’t even look at Sam when she asked. He was just looking straight before she pointed to Abi.

“Her. Abigail Sanchez, right?” He questioned as Abi looks so puzzled.

“He is calling for you,” Kaitlyn told Abi, pushing her slightly forward, near Russell.

“W-what do you want?” Abi stammeringly asked which almost burst the three of us from laughing.

“Ms. Borja wants the two of us in the teacher’s office.” He simply says before passing by us to the side.

He didn’t wait for Abi which led her to panicky follow him instead. She was in a rush like someone was about to really leave her behind. It’s not like she doesn’t know where the teacher’s office is even if she is left behind.

“W-what do you want?” Kait mocked Abi’s words which made Samantha and I laughed.

“You should really stop mocking her words. You might get in trouble soon.” I told her in between laughter.

“Tell me that when you can control your facial expression already. I know how much you just stopped yourself from teasing her earlier. It’s obvious all over your face.” She defended.

We went to our seat, only to find four choco drinks on each table. The three of us stared at it in confusion, none even daring to approach our table. What is this again?

“Did one of your admirers decide to bother you on the first day of class?” I heard Kaitlyn asked Samantha.

“No!” Samantha approaches our table first as we only followed. “But Ali does.”

I looked at her in confusion before my eyes went to the folded paper in her hands. She opened it up herself while I went to my chair, taking the choco drink. I heard a gasp from Samantha but when I was about to ask her, our old classmate talked first.

“Kuya Benj went here with his friends to drop that. He said that you guys should drink that right away.” He says which made me even more confused.

“Did he say why he gave us this?” Kaitlyn asked.

“No. He only said to let you guys know that it was from him.” He responded.

“Strange.” I only said.

We thanked him as he went back to his friend. I took a seat on my chair, opened the cap of the bottle to drink it. When I looked back at Samantha, she was still staring at the paper which was placed on my table earlier.

“What is written there? Who gave that?” I asked her, taking the paper away from her hand.

“Kuya Benj.”

I immediately opened the paper when she said that. There was nothing weird written in there actually. But somehow, his actions really do feel strange.

Drink this & have fun in class. - Benj

“Ali, don’t you think it’s possible?” Samantha suddenly asked as I looked at her, raising a brow. “Do you think kuya Benj likes you?”

“Are you crazy?” I immediately reacted.

“What are you talking about Sam?” Kait butted in. I handed her the paper Benj gave for her to read as well.

“No! But I mean, do you think it’s possible?” Samantha repeated again as I sigh.

“No, Sam.” I simply answered like it’s not a big deal.

“How come?” Kaitlyn asked this time.

“Because we are practically siblings s***h childhood friends. I was with him the moment we moved here and we watched each other grow up. It’s impossible.” I debunk their forming ideas.

“But that is the point! The two of you grew up together. It’s highly possible that he will have feelings for you as you grow up.” She pointed out that made me shake my head in response.

“You are just imagining things.” I told her.

“But-”

“Alina! Abi’s brother is outside, looking for you.” Our old classmate called, disrupting our conversation.

“See? That’s kuya Benj!” Samantha says as I look at her in disbelief.

I left them in their seat. I thanked our classmate before I went to the door, opening it to reveal James outside. I was wishing it’s not Benj and my wish was literally granted. His fingers are fidgeting while leaning on the wall.

“James? What are you doing here?” I asked, getting his attention.

“Ate, do you have a spare pen? I lost mine.” He says with a pout that made me chuckle.

“It’s only the first day James. How come you lost your pen that fast?” I said in between chuckles.

He scratches the back of his neck, feeling shy. James is already on my shoulder now. I’m not too tall but for his age, he is just average height. Despite standing this tall, he can still manage to look adorable in his uniform.

“I don’t know ate. I just used it earlier then after lunch, it already disappeared.” He explained.

“Maybe you misplaced it. Did you just leave it on your desk?” I asked as he slowly nodded. I understand why now. “You can wait here. I will just take an extra pen inside.” 

He nodded as I went inside. It looks likes Abi and Russell occupied Ms. Borja for a long time that they are still not here. Sam and Kait are just gossiping with Kait sitting on my chair.

“So? It’s kuya Benj, isn’t it?” Sam immediately questioned me when I approached.

“No, it’s James.”

Her mouth formed an ‘o’ when she realizes that she is wrong. They watched me look for my pencil case inside my bag with a curious face. They just kept observing me until I went out of the room once again to see James talking with someone.

“James,” I called as they both turned to me.

James gave me a smile, approaching me, while the girl stood behind him with hands crossed. She was just looking at me, raising a brow. 

“Here’s the pen. Don’t put it anywhere, okay?” I told James as he nodded.

“I will return it to you ate once I already bought a new pen.” He said as I nodded.

“You should head back to your room now, James. The supervisor might roam around and you will get in trouble if he sees you here.” The girl says in which James immediately nodded.

He glanced at me as I gave him a smile. I watched him walk as fast as he can in the hallway until he was already out of sight when turned to the right where the stairs are.

“Aren’t you gonna greet your senior?” The girl immediately asked when I was about to get inside my room.

I heave a sigh, turning to face her again. I gave her a smile first before greeting her. “Good afternoon ate Eliana.”

Eliana Tan. She is tall, has narrow eyes and fair skinned. If you look at her, you can really tell she came from a rich family. She is like one of those arrogant ones who thinks highly of themselves. Above all, she is Benj’s ex-girlfriend.

“I see you really stayed here in SPU. That means you are still supported financially by Benj’s family, right?” She says which kind of pissed me off.

I don’t know what her reason is that she suddenly just hated me. She used to be close to me when Benj first took her in their home to introduce her to his family. Then after a few months, she just suddenly became rude towards me. Whenever she sees me, she keeps saying that our family just keeps using Abi’s parents money so we can live. It pisses me off so much that I almost came to her before.

“Do you need anything ate Eliana?” I simply asked, ignoring her question.

“I don’t need anything…but I need you to do something.” She approaches me, leaning slightly to my side. Her breathing sends tickles to my neck. “Stay away from Benj.”

She steps away as I look at her weirdly. What does she mean?

“What do you mean?” I asked her as her side lips rose up, smirking.

“I saw what Benj did in the cafeteria. Everyone saw that, you know?” She says as what happened in the cafeteria flashes back in my mind.

“What happened there was nothing. Benj and I are just friends. He is my best friend’s brother and also my childhood friend.” I clarified but she looked at me in disbelief, laughing as if I said something wrong.

“You really are dense, huh? You still don’t get it until now? The reason why he broke up with me. The reason why I hate you.” She says.

Benj and her have been classmates since their first year. They are in one circle that is why she was once close with me and Abi. Last year, Benj suddenly introduced her as his girlfriend but they didn’t last long. They only lasted for just four months. I don’t know what happened but they just suddenly broke up then when I bumped into her, she blamed me for their break up.

“Ms. Salvador? What are you doing outside the room?”

We both turned to our side only to see Ms. Borja with Abi and Russell behind her. I quickly notice Abi’s glares towards ate Eliana. Abi and ate Eliana are not in good terms ever since ate Eliana bad-mouthed my siblings and I.

“Ms. Tan, what are you doing here? Isn’t your room on the 4th floor?” Ms. Borja told ate Eliana.

“I was just telling Alina something, ma’am. I’m about to go as well.” She turned to me, pulling me for a hug which shocked me. “Remember what I said, Alina. Stay away from Benj if you don’t want any trouble this year.”

She is like a two faced person. She released me from the hug with an innocent smile as if she didn’t just threaten me. I watched her walk away from the scene after saying goodbye to Ms. Borja politely.

“What did she say this time?” She worriedly whispered when Ms. Borja and Russell went first inside the room.

“She wants me to stay away from your brother.” I told her as her brows immediately furrowed, showing annoyance in her face.

“She is still at it up until now?” She says, annoyingly.

Between the two of us, she is the one who gets more affected about this more than me. I’m always the one to calm her down because she gets to lose control whenever she is annoyed. I already know how to control her anger since we have been friends for so many years.

“Just let her say anything she wants, okay? I don’t care anyway.” I told her as a sigh escapes her lips.

“I really don’t know why the students and teachers here can’t see her brat attitude.” She pointed out.

Ate Eliana is currently part of SPU’s cheerleading team and an achiever as well. She is the captain and also ranked 4th in their batch honors last year that is why many people look up to her. She is also part of the student organization last year as the 3rd year representative. Many teachers adores her because she knows how to manage her time properly thus they cannot see how arrogant she can be already. They were all like blinded to what kind of person she truly is.

“Just let her. Come on, let’s get inisde.”

We just continued with more discussion about the lessons we will tackle under Ms. Borja’s class. In full three hours, half of it was spend with Ms. Borja gives us the outlines of the lessons we will expect in her subject while the other half is given to us for more time to get to know each other. She made us play something that will remove the awkwardness towards the new students which is really helpful.

For the following week, our classes are already regular and we are back to normal. Instead of lurking around the campus, the four of us spend our time reading our lessons in advance and at the same time doing a recap from our previous lessons that will help us with our current lessons now.

There is nothing much to do anyway except with studying. We had to face different recitations and quizzes during the first month of the school year as usual. We also have grown closer to our new classmates as we should really be. There is a competition for the grades but surely, it is separated when it comes to joking around.

“Abi, Ms. Borja needs you in the teacher’s office.” Our classmate calls.

“Can you guys finish this one? I’ll just go and check what it is about.” She says, handing me our paper for Science.

We need to finish our paper before lunch because this paper is supposed to be passed earlier during our Science class. But since our Science teacher took much time in teaching his lessons before giving us the activity, we had to use our first break to do this paper instead. It’s not really a bother because we usually just stay in our room during the first break.

“Kaitlyn, can you find the meaning of this term in the book?”

She immediately went to look for it for me. This paper is grouped to four people. Automatically, Abi, Kait, Sam and I are in one group while the others create their own. They said it’s unfair to put us in one group especially that we have Sam who is good in Science and Abi who was our class Valedictorian.

“Alina, did you get what the 2nd question was trying to say?” Russell suddenly appeared on our side.

“You can ask Sam about it. She is the one who handles the 2nd question for us.” I told him as he went to talk with Sam.

So far, Abi and Russell haven’t gotten involved in a  very fierce battle for the first honor. They have been simply doing their own thing without bothering each other. Russell does talk to us but it’s mostly for academic purposes. Abi talks to him more because she is our class President while Russell is the class Vice President.

They get along when it comes to discussing things as part of our class organization. But they don’t get along when Russell would often disagree with her ideas and opinions during class especially when they got into the same group. By observing Russell, both of them are competitive when it comes to academics They have their own ways of putting up with it. Both of them look chill but Russell usually sticks to reading books rather than walking around the campus.

“Did you finish the third question already?” Abi immediately questioned when she arrived back in our room.

“Yes. I’m just waiting for Kaitlyn to finish the fourth one so I can proceed to the last question.” I told her, handing her back the paper for the first question. “Why did Ms. Borja called for you?”

“Ah.. she just wants to remind me about the registration for the new set of school’s student organization officers. Today is the last day so she wants me to check if anyone is still willing to pass their form from our section.” She says before focusing on the first question.

We are just pretty occupied the whole day with activities. It’s mostly papers, especially the one in English class. We also took a quiz for our last subject based on our weekly lesson. It’s normal actually, for us to have a quiz. Normally, quizzes happen every Friday since teacher’s are not allowed to give us homeworks during the weekend.

“Today is the first meeting for the Math club, right?” Sam asked me as I immediately facepalm.

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that one.” I quickly fixed my things because the Math club’s room is in the other building. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow, okay? I need to go.”

They just let me go already because I will be late if they stop me. I had to run my way to the club room since I’m just three minutes away before the meet up time. Our teacher dismissed us a little late today because of our quiz. Despite not being in the mood to do anything after taking that quiz, I had to attend because the Math club coach, sir Manalo, himself asked me to join during the recruitment last week.

“I thought you wouldn’t be able to attend anymore.” Sir Manalo says when I opened the door slowly.

All attention went to me which made me really shy about it. This is not how I expected the first meeting to be like.

“Sorry sir. Our teacher dismissed us late.” I told him as he nodded, pointing to the empty seat on the front.

“Ali, please introduce yourself.” Sir Manalo says when I settled down as I nodded.

“Hi! I’m Alina Rachel Salvador from 1st year - St. Andrews.” I introduced myself as they all clapped their hands.

I see familiar faces around me, especially the person beside me. Most of them were once part of the Math club elementary level which means we were in the same club before. Meanwhile the others, I just saw their faces in the school’s bulletin board when the Math club won.

“Everyone, Ms. Salvador is the elementary level former President. I’m sure most of you who have been here are already familiar with her since she has been competing for the elementary level Mathematic competition for 3 years already.” Sir Manalo says as most of them nodded, familiarizing me.

“I tried bringing your brother along to join this club as well but he didn’t budge,” The guy next to me whispered as I chuckled silently.

“As if you can get kuya Evan to join this club anyway. I’m sure he is having so much fun in the dance club, kuya Michael.” I responded as he chuckled as well.

“You and kuya Adam are academic geniuses while Evan and Peyton are talented in singing and dancing. You guys are a whole package together, you know?” He says.

“That’s who we are. Academically gifted and talented.” I proudly say which made him scoff in disbelief.

“Don’t you look so proud,” He sarcastically says as I just laughed silently.

Michael Logan Uy. He is kuya Evan’s best friend since we entered this school. They have been sticking together since then which makes kuya Michael really familiar to us. He is like the version of kuya Owen except that kuya Michale doesn’t joke around most of the time. He is rather serious and knows where to focus and where to joke around. He is also a good talker that if you listen to him talking, you will learn a lot from him.

“For the freshman who is new to this club level, the competition for the high school level is way more difficult than in the lower level. So you will be needing to train at least thrice a week if you want to try and compete this year. It’s up to you whether you will compete because we have the sophomores, juniors and the seniors to fill in when some of you are not ready yet.” Sir Manalo announces as all of us nodded.

Should I just compete next year?

“Though some juniors and seniors are not allowed to compete this year because they have won last year, there are still some who can occupy the freshman. Just notify me next week if you are interested to compete or not since the competition will start next month.” He continued.

“Surely, you will need to fulfill my spot this year Ali.” kuya Michael whispered to me.

“We are not sure about that.” I told him.

“There is no option, you know? When we checked the backgrounds of the freshman, you are the only one who is fully ready to compete this year considering your background in Math competitions. Added to that, you placed 1st last year in the elementary level.” He pointed out.

“I’m thinking of resting this year. Maybe I will just compete again next year.” I confessed as he smirked.

“We’ll see about that.” He leans a little more. “I’m telling you, once this meeting is over, sir Manalo will approach you and tell you that you will need to compete this year.”

I gave him a weird look as he just shrugged in response. Kuya Michael is the club’s Vice President. He is also one of the aces of this club so when he said that I will need to occupy his spot this year, it means because he cannot compete. He won last year and it’s stated in the rules that a student who already won is not allowed to compete the following year at the same league which is the major competition. If they want to compete the following year after their win, they can only join the minor competitions. It’s different from my case because I was still in elementary level when I won last year.

“Ms. Salvador,” sir Manalo called before I can even head out of the room. I saw kuya Michael stopped in his tracks and stood next to the door, arms crossed and lips rising up for a smirk.

“Is there anything you need sir?” I asked.

“I know that this is too hasty but I wanna ask if you can compete for the major league this year? Since Michael is not allowed to compete this year, we have no other option.” He told me.

I glanced at kuya Michael as he shrugged proudly, knowing he is right.

“I’m actually thinking of taking a break this year for a while sir. If ever, can I just compete next year?” I asked as sir Manalo looked hesitant.

“You see Alina, we really are aiming to take the win this year because the judges from this year’s competition are from the US. It’s a very huge thing because it will give advancement for our school if we are the one who will win. If only Michael didn’t compete and win last year, I would have automatically sent him to the major league this year.” He explained as I nodded slowly.

“Is there no other seniors or juniors who can take his spot this year?”

“The ones we can send for the major league are already set to be sent in the other competition. We don’t have any other more options to those who are available because the major league is a really big one. Since you have a background in competing and really excel well in Mathematics based on your grades, we think that you are the best choice to fulfill the spot. The seniors and the juniors also think the same way.” He explained again.

“I will think about it, sir. Maybe I will inform you as well by next week.” I just told him that as he nodded.

Kuya Michael and I walked out the room together since he will be going to our house as well today anyway. He says kuya Evan and him will be playing basketball but since he is suddenly called and required to attend the meeting today, he just told kuya he will come with me instead.

“Just go and compete for the major league this year. After this, if you won, then take a year or two rest or join the minor competitions if you want to end your high school competing in the major one again.” He suggested as I shook my head because he just won’t stop.

“Ali!”

I heard someone call my name when we stepped on the last staircase of the building. There is Benj, approaching us, giving kuya Michael a glance before turning to me.

“Why are you still here?” I asked him.

“I- uhm… I will take you home.” He says as my brows furrowed in confusion.

“Oh, no need Benj. I will take her home. I’ll go to their house anyway.” Kuya Michael butted in as I nodded but it looked like Benj didn’t see it.

“Step back Uy. When I said I will take her home, I will.”

With just that, Benj suddenly held my wrist about to pull me with him. I was stopped and stuck between them when kuya Michael held my other wrist.

“And when I said also that I will take her home, I will.”

The two of them feel like they are in a pit of fire who is ready to go against one another anytime soon. What is going on here?

“I’m saying this once, Uy,” Benj threatened as he pulled me closer to his side. His jaw is clenched and the firm in his tone is obvious when he says his next words. “Let go.”