•••••Raven’s POV•••••

The new guy has captured the attention of all the students in Blandon High, especially the girls. Everyone at school was talking about him, even at the garden—our usual meeting spot has become so crowded.

It was like the students does not have any missions to accomplish. I did not see any mentors as well. It was so funny for me to think that the new guy has become the whole campus’ story. If we were in the newspaper, his name would totally be in the front page, name in bold, black ink.

“Seriously?” My attention diverted to Blade when he suddenly kicked the grass off in frustration.

“Are you okay?”

“No, Raisin,” he said. “Almost everyone’s talking about Jugg. That guy has some nerves. I can smell something off about him.”

I sighed and leaned my back against the tall tree behind me. I placed my hands on my skirt pocket. I roamed my eyes first around the garden with a lot of students before speaking again to him.

“Do not tell me you are envious of him?” From my peripheral vision, I could see how surprised he was by my question.

“Envious? Gimme a break! Why would I?” He sat on the grass, face so annoyed.

Seeing him like that made me chortle. He was so childish, and yet, it was uncanny and unusual that I do not find it annoying now. Even just a little bit.

“Who knows. Maybe because he has the looks?”

“Raisin, ipinanganak akong gwapo. I’m contented of what I look like.”

“I am not sure if you are just being an idiot, or you are just so full of yourself, or both.”

“None of those. Raisin, type mo ba ang mga lalaking kagaya ni Jugg?” Blade leaned his back against the tree. He raised his head to look at me. “Answer me honestly, please.”

I shrugged my shoulders. How can I answer him, anyway? I have never liked anyone before. I am not even sure what is my ideal type of guy or when I will find it.

If love would become a mission that we must accomplish, I would totally fail it. Unless love is edible then, mayhap I could somehow pull it off.

“Raisin, straight ka ba?” A strong kick landed on Blade’s face.

Nakatayo ako habang naka-upo lang siya sa gilid ko kaya madali lang dumampi sa mukha niya ang paa ko. Hindi nakasigaw si Blade, my foot’s landing on his face was too fast and unexpected. Nakuha ko pa nga ang atensyon ng ilang mga estudyante sa paligid.

“What an asshole, asking a girl like that,” I said. “Of course, I am straight, Idiot!”

My foot was still on his face at wala akong pakialam kahit na nakatingin yung ibang estudyante sa amin. May sinabi si Blade pero hindi ko siya maintindihan kasi nakapatong pa rin sa mukha niya ang paa ko.

After a few minutes, when I realized it was about time for him to inhale some air, I removed my foot from his face. When I did, he started to look pale and there was a slight blood seeping from his nose.

“Shit, bakit mo ba ginawa iyon?!” He was still shocked at napahawak siya sa ilong niyang dumudugo.

I crouched down to level with him and to see his face clearly. It was kind of odd because his face suddenly turned red. Perhaps, it was because of my kick.

Seeing blood oozing from his nose, I smirked.

“Never ask a question like that to me again.” He gulped after I said that. “Okay?”

Dali-dali naman siyang tumango kaya kinuha ko ang red handkerchief sa bulsa ko at binigay iyon sa kanya. At first he did not accept it, but I insisted so, he did.

Tinitigan niya yung handkerchief ko. Na-we-weirduhan talaga ako kasi mas lalo pa siyang namula. Was my kick really that strong and painful?

“Blade, why are you so red?” Napa-upo ako sa damo ng bigla siyang tumayo.

“B-Babalik lang a-ako!”

“Ah! Blade, wait!” Before I could say anything, he quickly ran off and passed by Maura and Hades who were just coming towards my direction.

I was shocked. Why did he have to run off so fast? Natatae ba siya?

Maura and Hades exchanged glances. Nang lumingon si Maura sa gawi ko, tumakbo siya kaagad palapit sa akin. Hades just followed behind her back.

“Raven, anong nangyari kay Blade? Nag-away na naman ba kayo? Ayos ka lang ba? Anong nangyari sa inyong dalawa?” May namumuo nang pawis sa mukha niya pero hindi niya iyon ininda.

These past few days, I noticed kung paano siya madaling mag-worry at kabahan. But I am not that ignorant not to notice na mas lalo pa siyang lumala matapos pinakilala ni Sniper ang new student na si Jugg Fuentes.

“Hold your hooves, Maura. Hindi kami nag-away, okay?” I said. “I do not know why he suddenly ran off so fast. Siguro natatae siya.”

After I said that, I made an attempt to stand up. Pero nahirapan ako because I have to admit, napalakas ang pagka-upo ko nang biglang tumayo si Blade kaya medyo masakit yung puwet ko.

I looked up when Hades extended his hand to me. Siguro napansin niya na nahirapan ako. I accepted his hand then, he pulled me back up.

“Thanks,” sabi ko at pinagpagan ang puwetan ko.

“That seems kinda funny. Parang namumula si Blade, e,” Maura spoke. “‘di ba, Hades?”

Hades just nodded and did not say any word. I also noticed that he was clutching a paper bag. Why did I notice it just now?

“More importantly, Maura, Hades, were you two able to buy the one that I told you?”

“Ah, oo!” Binigay ni Hades kay Maura ang paper bag. Dali-dali namang binuksan ni Maura ang paper bag at kinuha ang pinabili ko sa kanya. “Here you go. Choco mousse milk tea with pudding.”

“Thanks.” I accepted the choco mousse milk tea with pudding from her.

Actually, matapos pinakilala ni Sniper si Fuentes sa amin, nagutom kami pagdating namin dito sa garden. But we were annoyed kasi maraming tao dito. Maura volunteered to buy what we wanted kaya siya na lang ang inutusan namin. Hades was being a gentleman and he volunteered to accompany Maura to the canteen.

“Paano yung isa, Raven?” Maura asked.

“Mamaya ko na lang ‘yan iinumin.” I pushed the straw that Maura gave me through the cup.

“Okay. But, Raven, I was surprised. Bakit hindi red velvet cake ang pinabili mo sa amin?” I looked at her.

Hades leaned his back against the tree, hands in his pockets. His eyes were closed, but surely he was listening to us.

“I figured I needed this one right now,” I said.

I did not wait for her reply at sinimulan ko nang tikman ang milk tea ng school.

The chills immediately tingled to my brain, causing it to freeze. Pero nawala naman kaagad iyon dahil nagustohan ko rin ang milk tea nila. Glad my money was not put into waste.

Then suddenly, a memory flashed into my mind. I remembered that time when Ethan brought me to a mall in the US on summer vacation. I was still young and it was just the two of us. He brought me into a cafe and that was also the first time I tasted milk tea and I may not look like it, but I was kind of happy at that time.

However, there was something else. Someone came to us and Ethan gave me money and told me to buy whatever I want. He told me he wanted to deal some business. I did what I was told and just left.

I knew he just let me wander off on my own because he did not want me to intervene with whatever business he was dealing with. I also did not want to get involved with it, so, I just let it slide.

Pero kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko kayang matandaan kung sino ang taong iyon. I could not even recall if they were a boy or a girl. Ang tanging alam ko lang ay ang seryosong mukha ni Ethan. His aura has changed and his eyes were telling me that he just wanted me to get away from him and that person.

“Raven? Raven? Raven!” Napapitlag ako nang marinig ang boses ni Maura. Nasa harapan ko siya at nag-aalalang nakatingin sa akin. “Are you okay? Nakatulala ka ata jan? Ubos na ang milk tea mo, oh.”

I looked at my cup and she was right. That flashback really captivated my attention.

“Ayos ka lang? Iinumin mo ba yung isa?” I shook my head.

“I will drink it later.” I was about to walk pass through her when she suddenly grabbed my hand.

Her hand was cold and her grip was as light as a feather. I waited for her to talk but she remained silent. Nagbuntong-hininga ako. Kahit hindi man siya magsalita, alam ko that she was worried again.

“Relax, Maura. I will just go to the bathroom,” I said.

“Pero—”

“I can handle myself, okay? Besides, we are inside the school.” I squeezed her hand. “I will not do anything reckless. I promise that.”

At first hindi siya nag-react. Hanggang sa tumango rin siya at binitawan ang kamay ko.

“Raven,” I looked at Hades when he called me. He was still leaning his back against the tree. “do not talk to the new guy.”

I sighed again. What is with these people? If Blade was here, I wonder what he would say. The way they worry about me was too much and so suffocating. Para akong isang bata kung tratuhin nila.

“Whatever. Just take care of Maura for me, okay? Tell her not to worry too much,” sabi ko kay Hades. Tinuro ko pa si Maura kahit nasa gilid ko lang siya.

I turned my back against them after saying that at umalis sa garden. Sana hindi rin crowded ang CR.

-----

I washed my hands after doing my business. Buti na lang hindi rin maraming babae dito sa CR. Nakakairita lang kasi kapag maraming tao. Hindi ako sanay and I do not think I will ever be.

Matapos kong maghugas, tinapat ko muna ang kamay ko sa hand dryer bago lumabas. When I went out, I was surprised to see that the hallway was not too crowded.

There were only a few students, which was a good thing for me. Nagsimula na akong maglakad pabalik sa garden. Habang naglalakad ako, biglang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin sa paligid ko.

Someone was following me.

I stopped and looked behind my back. However, no one else was there. Wala na ring ibang estudyante sa paligid na nakita ko kani-kanina lang and it started becoming so weird.

Just your imagination, Raven.

I sighed. I decided to look back in front after convincing myself it was just my imagination. But when I did, someone locked me tightly in their arms.

“Hey there.”

Isang malakas na suntok sa tiyan ang sinagot ko sa kanya. He grunted not too loud in pain at napahawak siya sa kanyang tiyan, dahilan kung bakit bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin.

“Just what the fuck are you doing?” Hindi ko naiwasang hindi magalit sa kanya.

He can not just come to me like that and hug me.

“T-That was a great p-punch,” sabi niya. Ilang minuto muna bago siya tumayo ng matuwid at ngumiti sa akin na parang kani-kanila lang ay hindi ko siya sinuntok ng malakas. “What are you doing here alone, anyway?”

“You did not answer my question.”

“Oh, really?” Tumawa siya ng malakas. “What was your question again?”

I looked daggers at him. “I hate someone making me repeat myself.”

Tumawa ulit siya ng malakas. Is he a psycho?

“Okay, okay, chill. You’re definitely like the rumors I’ve heard about you,” he said. “I just hugged you because I think you are cute. That’s all.”

I scoffed. “Bullshit.” I walked passed through him. However, he suddenly grabbed my arm.

From the moment he locked me into his arms, I could sense his dark and perilous aura. For just a new guy, I could clearly see his potential. He should not be belittled.

“Let me go,” I glared at him again. “because I should not be talking to you.”

“Why not? Because I’m a stranger?” He smiled again, still not letting me go. “The name’s Jugg Fuentes, by the way.”

I rolled my eyes at him. Hindi naman masyadong tight ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin but I disdain those men who grabs me. Nakakairita at bastos.

“Listen, I know who you are and I do not fucking care. If you will still not let go of me,” I placed my hand on his arm that was holding me and squeezed it tightly. “you will go home with a broken arm.”

“Why don’t you just draw your sharp knife instead?”

“I refuse to wound you. Your blood stinks.”

“Listen,” He burst into laughter again. Damn. He is really a psycho. No doubt. “I can’t just let go of a pretty girl.”

“I don’t think she likes being touched, Jugg.” We both turned to see another man standing in front of us.

“Hello, Mr. ASC President Manigo. Didn’t see you there,” kalmado niyang sabi na as if naman hindi na siya nakahawak sa akin.

“Let go of her.” Sniper also looked daggers at the new student. “Or else—”

“Fine, fine. Sa’yo na siya.” Walang pasabing binitawan ako ni Fuentes at tinulak palayo sa kanya.

Kung hindi lang mabilis ang reflexes ni Sniper, siguro the hardwood floor would have caught me real bad dahil malakas ang pagtulak ng gagong Jugg Fuentes sa akin.

“Are you okay?” Sniper asked me but I ignored it because what the new guy did to me infuriate me.

“Fuck you,” I said to the new guy. Tumawa ulit siya na nakapagirita ulit sa mga taenga ko. Umayos ako ng tayo pagkatapos ay binalingan ko ng tingin si Sniper. “You can let to of my hand now, Sniper.”

Nanlaki naman yung mga mata niya at dali-daling binitawan ang kamay ko. Tumikhim siya at sinabing, “Right. Sorry.”

“You know, Raven, gusto kitang makasama ulit. Let’s eat dinner some time together, okay?”

“No way, Jugg. Hinding-hindi siya sasama sa’yo.”

“Ba’t ikaw ang sumagot? Pagmamay-ari mo ba siya?” Fuentes’ voice started to change. “Bakit hindi mo hayaan na si Raven ang magsalita, President Sniper?”

It was outlandish, but I think I have heard his voice somewhere before.

“Dahil alam ko na hindi rin naman talaga ang sagot niya,” Sniper simply answered. “She doesn’t want to be with a thug like you.”

“Seriously? Now you’re talking.” I looked at the new guy and his aura suddenly changed as well.

Without knowing, sweat started to seep on the side of my face. It was like the Jugg Fuentes that the president first introduced to us all was now different.

“Listen, Jugg—”

“What is happening here?” The three of us diverted our attention to a man who suddenly spoke behind us.

Lumingon kaming dalawa ni Sniper at bigla na lang tumibok ang puso ko ng makita ko ang mukha ng isang taong hinihintay kong dumating.

“Blade...” Lumapit naman kaagad si Blade sa akin at kaagad na hinila ako palayo kay Sniper. “Blade, wait!”

“What the hell did the two of you do to Raven?” He looked at me again and placed both of his hands on my shoulders. “Raisin, ayos ka lang? Hindi ka ba nila sinaktan or anything?”

“No, they did not do anything. Calm down.” Huminga siya ng malalim dahil sa sinabi ko.

He reached down to hold my hand and that sent me some kind of excitement feeling inside of me. The feeling was so uncanny and I never, ever felt it before.

“Let’s go, Raisin.” Bahagya akong hinila ni Blade para umalis. Ngunit napatigil kami nang biglang magsalita si Jugg Fuentes.

“Wait, hang on a minute. You can’t just take Raven away.”

“Bakit? Who are you to talk like that?” Blade turned to face him. “Hindi mo naman siya pagmamay-ari, ‘di ba? As far as I know, Raven Saldoviana is no one’s property.”

“Yo—”

“Enough, Jugg. Hayaan mo na sila,” Sniper said as he turned his gaze on me. He flashed me a smile before diverting his gaze to Blade. “Go, Blade. Dalhin mo na siya.”

Blade scoffed. “You don’t have to tell me, Sniper.” He turned to face me. “Let’s get out of here, Raisin.”

“Wait.” He started pulling me again but I squeezed his hand so he stopped. He looked at me, confused. However, he refused to say anything. For one last time, I looked at the new guy by my shoulder. “Is there something you want from me?”

He smiled. “Wrong question, Raven,” he said. “Ikaw, wala ka bang sasabihin sa akin?”

I shrugged my shoulders and turned my back against him. I could still feel both him and Sniper’s gaze on Blade and me. However, I did not mind it one bit.

“I would say, ‘Prove to them that you are worthy of your name.’ But then you already did,” I knew all of them were listening and I liked it. I could not help not to form a smirk on my lips. “by proving to me that your name belongs to a motherfucking jerkass.”