《Throwback》 Part 1 - Chapter 1: Throwback Women are really difficult to comprehend, aren''t they? There are moments when it seems like you need a damn college degree to fully comprehend them. Even though both sides are equally human beings, we all feel as if we''re of a different species. I used to have a mutual understanding with a girl named Lianne Corpuz when I was on the eighth grade, in other terms talking stage. Whenever we were talking it felt like I had a sister that was never born, but I was still annoyed at her for dumping me for no reason. As to how I ended up in the situation, a boy named Paulo asked me if I had a crush during that time and for no absolute reason whatsoever I mentioned her name since we were dance partners. To be honest she got the looks, her thin hair and round eyes seemed to do the cut for me. We''d talk for months until I finally told her that we should only be friends, and without surprise she agreed. Our relationship was more of a sibling banter than of a romantic relationship, plus I only seemed to like tomboys to be honest and she didn''t even look the part. . . . . The first day of classes, every student''s nightmare and every teacher''s hellhole. I mean, at least they''re getting paid and we''re getting paid thanks to our lovely parents giving us our lovely allowance. But as usual my parents were never lovely at the first place. While walking through the school, with my left hand placed on my pocket holding my phone to prevent it from falling from the holes on my pockets. I noticed some women gossiping on the distance as they we''re looking at me. "Girl, is that Jean?" "Yeah girl, no way that''s him that guy''s too handsome to be Jean. Plus, doesn''t Jean have a buzz cut?" They we''re my old classmates before I swapped sections, I wonder what''s with them today... am I looking extra handsome? Well, I bet I am. Plus, it''s nearly impossible to escape school gossip it''s like escaping the labyrinth without a pair of eyes it just comes natural like wood in the morning or I don''t know, Sam Sulek using steroids? As I was strolling around cluelessly I stumbled upon Prince, a short man with a well defined nose I''d say he once claimed his nose was the only good part about his genetics and to be honest... I don''t want to offend but... okay, I''ll sugarcoat it a little it''s not completely ass since he''s wearing those glasses and has that well textured haircut. "Hey dude, what''s good?" I approached Prince has he was busy playing his ball game on his phone, what''s up with that game anyways... I see it on the ads multiple times and I tried it once and it ended up being too easy. I mean if it means passing the time I guess... For a moment, Prince slightly turned at me as we locked eyes for a few moments. He kept turning his eyes up and down as if there was something in my hair and after a while he jolted out to me as he was pulling my hair. "Dude, you''re not a baldie anymore!" Prince shouted. Baldie is such an over exaggerated term, I just wanted to try out new hairstyles and be free from the buzzcut curse dude. I swear, I looked as round as ever with that same cut, it''s good to try something new. "I didn''t want to be shaped like an egg thank you." "And dude, mind if you stop pulling my hair?" I asked Prince, as I gripped tightly to his huge forearms as he slowly let''s go of my hair. "Dude, you look like a professional DOTA player!" "And to top it off, you look like you don''t shower it adds alot of the accuracy. " Prince laughed hysterically "Dude, even my shit smells better than you." "Even a beggar has better skin routine than you too, look at those acne scars, it feels like I''m staring at the fucking moon." I replied to Prince as I popped the white heads on his face. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "Ow ow ow! Too far man!" Prince shouted as he strikes my arm repeatedly and due to the pain, I let go. It''s impressive how this "Dwarf" has the strength of Hercules heck, he even has the body of Zeus. I kinda envy his genetics now I guess, I''ve been going to the gym for five months and I still look like a twig... And oh boy... It''s the first hour of school, and unspeakable bullshit was already happening... imagine the rest of the year dude, I''d rather die. "Hey, can you treat me to something?" Prince asked, he knows damn well I''m more broke than Manong Balbas on the street. I wonder where that guy went, oh well I guess he''s tired of groping the same children everyday so he probably went to a new place. Although he was very cool with us though, selling us cards, spinning tops, pogs, lato-lato, and some jolens during our elementary days. Pretty nostalgic if you ask me but don''t get me wrong I don''t think pedophilia is cool, I guess it''s fine unless we''re not the ones getting molested. "If you want someone to join you on the way to the canteen just say it." I sighed. "So, your treat?" Prince smiled "In your wildest dreams." I intoned, walking to the canteen as he followed me like a slave following his master. He''s probably hoping that he would get on my good side so I can buy him a drink or maybe some snacks, but in my code friendship doesn''t exist when it comes to food. "You''re gonna buy me something?" Prince asked as he pulled out his wallet "No." "Do I look like a wallet?" I replied to him as I leaned back at the glass container sealing the food. "Yeah whatevs." "Nay, pabili!" Prince called out to the old woman at the back, cooking some pancit canton. Ah yes, classic pancit canton. We''re gonna die early because of these processed shit. After a few moments, one of the workers went to the counter to serve us. She was a little bit fat and looked younger than the other workers. "What are you buying?" The fat worker asked. "I''d take some clover chips and 5 peso gulaman." Prince replied. placing the 15 pesos on top of the long glass container. "And for you?" The fat woman asked me. "Blue lemonade please two five peso bottles." I replied placing 10 pesos on the glass container "Ho ho, abusing the cheat code I see." Prince grinned as he bit on the bag of chips in his hand prying it open with his mouth. "I''m pretty thirsty, plus it tastes better than your flavorless gulaman." I replied sipping onto my sweet drink whilst holding the other. This is better than the overpriced Gatorade at the local 7/11 For a moment I looked at the clover chips Prince was munching on licking the cheese powder on his fingers, as I was sipping on my drink. To be honest, I think I''m craving for some chips. As I approached Prince, I placed my drink on top of the glass container before I tried to squeeze my hand in into the bag of chips. In a sudden, Prince swayed away the bag of chips away from my grasp. "Whoa there." "You weren''t giving me shit earlier. " He grinned as he was mockingly licking on the cheese dust on his fingers like a madman. "Let''s trade drinks then, just give me some chips dude." I replied to him as I grabbed the lemonade I placed onto the glass container. "Hm... Alright then." Prince smiled as he reached out to the blue lemonade on my hands Well... Maybe the trade isn''t worth it, plus he might''ve scattered some of his dirty saliva inside the bag of chips considering he''d been licking onto his fingers for a while now. "Wait, on second thought never mind." I replied to Prince as I walked away to from the canteen heading back to the classroom While I was walking by, I notice a boy sitting at a bench with thin glasses, and long wavy hair, it''s length reaching his neck, while wearing a a orange shit and blue jeans with a black sling bag strapped around him. Well that''s something you don''t see everyday, although I''d say he''s lucky to have parents that would let him grow his hair to that extent. I kind of envy him, since my aunt would force my barber to shave it off completely for a "clean" look. I''d argue that his hair looks cleaner than the entirety of this school combined, and maybe my aunt could use some lessons but I''m afraid he''d have to cut that shit off cause of the hair policy. After staring at the boy for a while, I check my phone to look at the time to see that I still have 20 minutes to fuck around ''til the teacher comes by. Well, since there''s nothing to do anyways I''m just gonna say hello to the guy and if I''m lucky enough I could be friends I guess. The guy sitting on the bench, turned to confused me as I began walking towards the bench. I sat beside him and gave him a smile as I reached out with my hand. "Sup..." I called out to the boy as he locked eyes with me with a nervous glance, as I slowly feel the atmosphere being awkward. Maybe this guy isn''t that much of a talkative guy, social anxiety? I bet that is the case here. "Well, not so talkative I see-" "Hi!" The boy shouted in a high pitch tone, with a smile as he hesitantly shook my hand, feeling it shaking as it sparked a cold feeling while I was holding it. To be honest, she sounds more like a girl than of a boy. "I- I''m, uhh a transferee here." He lets go of my hand placing it in between his legs as his shoulders began to tense. "I can tell." I smiled trying to hold my laughter, it just seemed so funny the way he''s acting so feminine. "So, what school did you transfer from?" I asked him curiously, slightly leaning forward from the bench. "I just moved from Cabanatuan..." He replied as his shoulders slowly began to relax for a moment. "Woah, that''s very far. " "Why did you move here at San Jose." I leaned back a little , as I moved a ittle closer he started to tense up with his face slightly turning red. Is this dude gay? This is making me feel uncomfortable, well I guess I''ll talk to him for a little bit just so he won''t feel offended. To be honest, gay people disgust me.... just the thought of men kissing makes me want to die a slow painful death. "Uh, are you okay?" I asked him, slightly moving away towards him. "Y- Yeah, I just got a little bit... startled from what you did there." He softly chuckled... Okay this shit''s getting weirder as I talk to this dude, I don''t want to have a boyfriend I''m attracted to girls! I love women! Absolutely fucking love them! "Oh yeah, uhm... sure I''m sorry." I laughed nervously as a drop of sweat slides though my cheek. Any wrong move I''d probably get pegged by a 15 inch dildo! "So uh, you know there''s a hair policy in this school right?" I asked the boy as he looked at me confused. "Wait, I thought that''s only for boys?" He looked at me with a puzzled expression. What do you mean it''s only for boys? Being transgender doesn''t excuse you to the equality of this damn school... Unless... hold on, I''m so confused right now and my brain is a few thoughts away from shutting down. So you''re telling me that? "What do you mean only for boys?" I asked her with a puzzled look onto my eyes as she slightly fixed her glasses whilst chuckling nervously. "Yeah... " She replied to me as I notice her trying to hold back her laughter. "You''re shitting me?" I replied. In a moment she tightens her orange shirt with a nervous smile on her face as I was looking at her, unbeknownst to me, the next thing I saw was a pair of medium sized melons... or in humane terms, a pair of small tits. I inhaled deeply as I felt my face start to heat up, as I slowly stood up as she loosens her shirt smiling at me nervously waving goodbye as she walked to her room while the bell was ringing. Words cannot express how fucked or embarrassed I am, I might not even go to my room as I try to process those... ''things'' that I saw. All I could say is just... what the fuck is with this school? Part 1 - Chapter 2: Hello, Nice To Meet You. "So class, should we begin with introducing ourselves?" The man in front of the class spoke, his eyes were shaking and it was visibly noticeable that the man is cross-eyed. He has such an annoying smile on his face, when I first saw his face on a Facebook story I was immediately disgusted with his look. Not only was his looks are disgusting but also his taste in music. I can already tell with his eyes and from his taste in music that he was already gay, and so far in my life gay people only traumatized me more... I used to have... gay friends, they were fun to be around to be honest. I completely supported them but not to the point I''d be protesting on social media I just supported them as a friend. That was until... "Jean R. Valentin, is Mr. Valentin present?" Mr. Manzano spoke as he was trying so hard to find me with his shaky eyes. I stood up and walked in front and took a deep sigh, I never actually prepared for any introductions since I''ve known these people for almost a year now. So far only three people transferred on this class, a girl named Amber, a box headed man named Alvin, and a guy named Keon... All of a sudden, my vision started to distort for a while as I caught a small glimpse of a room... a dark rubber room with lights flickering uncontrollably. In the dark room there were three figures inside, and one of them seemed to be holding a ball... a ping pong ball. One was sitting by the corner as I noticed the figure''s knees were slightly trembling, and one figure holding a gun as he pointed it to the figure holding a ping pong ball. I couldn''t seem to fathom the fact dying just because of a mere toy which costs 40 pesos on the local market. If I were you I''d surrender it right now- "Mr. Valentin, are you okay?" Mr. Manzano asked as he looked at me with those shaky puppy eyes. I''d rather you stop staring at me with those eyes or I''ll knock those damn frames off... "Yeah, I''m fine I guess I really didn''t have much sleep last night." I yawned. "Dude, I told you man you shouldn''t have stayed up ''til 2AM grinding ranked!" Prince shouted from the back. The call was unexpected yet Prince surely understood the assignment, to be honest to everyone I''d had plentiful sleep last night. I even woke up brimming with "so much energy." Yet I couldn''t understand, why am I seeing those things. "So that''s why... next time try to sleep earlier Mr. Valentin, but for now may you introduce yourself to the class?" Mr. Manzano replied. "Sure... yeah." I replied. "I''m Jean Rebanal Valentin, and I''m 15 years old, I live near the basketball court next to the national high school, I like sweets and I expect we''ll all be getting along well, I hope we have a fun school year." "Oh, that''s great Mr. Valentin you may now go back to your seat." Mr. Manzano smiled Well, I was about to go back to my seat anyways... as I sat down, I stared down the window for a while. I expected a much better view than a squatter area filled with trash and graffiti. While staring blankly I noticed a tricycle driver stopped by the area, he got out of the tricycle as he went to one of the walls edges to take a piss. As the man was pissing, I heard a scream from the other room. "Hey! No pissing here geezer!" the boy from the other room shouted. Was that Rofer''s voice? It sounded like his voice, and knowing him he''d cause much trouble during the first day without a care in the world. "You fucking... I''ll come after you!" The man outside shouted. Well, I guess we''re fucked again... well not exactly our section, but theirs. I guess I''ll have fun listening to another scolding from the other room, nothing''s more entertaining than listening to a little trouble. "Keon Benitez, is Mr. Benitez present?" Mr. Manzano muttered in front. Benitez... where have I heard that name before... Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. A boy with thin glasses walked in front with a confident look on his face, he wore a white torn sweater under his black t-shirt branded nirvana on it paired with some blue jeans. I know for a fact this guy was a band kid just by looking at him Not all but he had good facial features, and you''d feel open just by looking at the man. "Good Morning, I''m Keon Galang Benitez-" "What the fuck Jean!" Keon shouted as he pointed something at me, his hands wrapped tightly around my neck as I struggled to get off his grasp. What the hell just happened... okay, this guy is creeping me out. Why do I have a feeling I was somewhat close with him before, have I met him somewhere? "Okay you may now go back to your seat Mr. Benitez." "I guess that''s everyone, I''m Sir Andrew Manzano, you can call me Sir Andrew and I expect that we all would get along well-" "Where the fuck is the kid who shouted while I was pissing!" The tricycle driver shouted as he kicked down the door from the other section. The guard, wearing a yellow t-shirt was holding an arnis stick followed the man behind him as he held his shoulder. "Sir, could you please calm down and let us de escalate the situation-" The tricycle driver, flicked away the guard''s arm as he pressed onto him. "De escalate?! And let these kids disrespect their elders!" The tricycle driver shouted as he held the guard on the collar. Oh boy... drama drama, how funny. Let''s see how this shit turns out, I got to credit Rofer for this cinema experience in the first day. "Shit, if you weren''t dangling your dick in the corner next to a school we wouldn''t have called you out." Rofer replied with a smug look as he stood by the door. "If any, this could be called for public indecency." "You little shit, I was in the corner next to no windows stop making shit up!" The tricycle driver shouted as he let''s go of the guard walking towards Rofer. "I''m not pulling this shit up my ass Mr, I''m just saying you could''ve pissed at some where private instead of pissing next to a group of kids. What are you, some kind of pedophile?" Rofer laughed at the man. "Oh yeah? I''ll make you piss in front of all these kids!" "Sir, if you lay a finger on one of the students-" Oh shit this is getting heated! I got off my seat and went to peek outside to get a better view of the situation, you don''t get to see this shit everyday you know. The tricycle driver blinded in rage, charged forward to Rofer in an attempt to grapple him. But his attempt was futile, as he tripped over and fell onto one of the chairs the girls were sitting at. The girls startled, shouted as they began stomping the man on the head running away from the chair, now that''s got to hurt... Rofer grabbed the chair as the girls were standing on the side panicking, as he began to repeatedly pummel the chair onto the man''s back as he was stomping him in the groin. "Yeah, piss in front of this shithead!" Rofer shouted, as each of the strikes got harder and harder until the wooden chair broke. "That''s enough!" The guard held Rofer tightly locking his arms as he pinned him to the ground in a choke hold knocking him out. Holy shit... we''re reaching national TV with this bullshit! Did he just choke out a student?! Isn''t that like... illegal. Plus, he''s the mayor''s kid so, even more illegal! "Okay class, calm down and get back at your seats!" Mr. Manzano shouted. While I stood there, watching as Rofers body gets carried to the clinic next with the tricycle driver, the rest of the students murmured to one another as they went back to their respective rooms and seats. Seeing them walking back, I too did the same. Although, this first day was starting off as wild as ever... first the girl, then deja vu, and then this?! "Well...as I was saying, I guess that''s everybody I hope we all get along class." Mr. Manzano chuckled nervously. "Also, tomorrow I''ll be assigning you to your proper seats that''s it for today you''re all dismissed "But don''t we still have eight more hours-" NIco replied to the teacher. "The principal ordered us to dismiss everyone early because of what happened outside." Mr. Manzano smiled. "Well then, I''ll be seeing you tomorrow." Early dismissal, well considering Rofer did another mess I''d be shocked if he won''t be expelled after what he did. Well, should I even be shocked if he won''t he always gets away of everything since he''s the mayor''s kid, everyone''s scared of him just because of his last name. But for me honestly, I don''t give a shit about his antics unless he wakes up one day and decides to pick on me I''ll beat his ass so hard he would have the thought of switching cities. But I''m so proud to become a very well known pacifist in our school, violence is never the answer right? It''s a question and the answer is yes. As my classmates began leaving the room, I packed my bags checking if I had lost any of my things. Well, obviously I didn''t since it''s the first day of school and I want to look responsible to everyone around me. Even though my aunt calls me a irresponsible douchebag who slacks off everyday playing Mobile Legends, I try my best to help in the house. Well, I kinda try my best... While packing my things, I felt a hand tap on my shoulder. Well, it must be Prince or Alexis asking me if I would walk home with them. "Hey dude, I''m gonna use the tricycle on the way home-" I smiled as I turned around seeing that it was Keon? The classroom starts dimming slowly as I looked at Keon''s brown eyes through his glasses looking at me with a puzzled expression on his eyes. "H-hey Keon, what''s up?" I intoned nervously as he lets go of my shoulder, he adjusts his backpack and clears his throat for a moment. "You''re Jean right?" Keon asked me with a puzzled look. "Yeah, I''m Jean... I did just introduce myself earlier right?" "M-Maybe you were at the bathroom that time, well I guess-" "No no, I heard you the first time." Keon cuts me off as he kept staring at me, the brown shade of his eyes slowly began dimming darker. "So, uh... what do you need?" Keon doesn''t respond and he still kept staring at me, okay man this is creeping me the fuck out... the classroom being darker and his eyes, is he some kind of monster? Tyanak? No no, tyanak''s are dead newborn babies... but what if this guy is a tyanak that grew up?! Do tyanaks grow up?! Maybe he needs to borrow some money, that''s what he needs. "Uhh... you need to borrow money? You need some cash to go home? Well if so you''ll need to return it double tomorrow, with interest." I asked Keon, yet he still wouldn''t stop staring me with the eerie look on his eyes. "Jean... I don''t need your money, I just want to ask." "W-who are you?" Keon began staring at me with a sharpened gaze as he starts to slowly reach for something on his back pocket, the figure of the object slowly began to be visible as he was slowly pulling it out. A black ''L'' shaped figure, with somewhat of a weird curve on the bottom... only one object resembles that one description, a gun. YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS YOU DON''T HAVE TO DO THIS! Upon seeing him pulling out a gun, my body began to jolt up as the classroom began to darken up more. My heart began beating rapidly as the strands on my arm began rising up, I gasped for air for a moment then suddenly I heard the door bust open. "Jean! What the hell are you doing to the transferee?!" Reily shouted with a shocked look on his eyes. "What the hell do you mean, I didn''t even touch him!" I shouted in a cracked voice, as I was gasping for air. "Jean, don''t start telling me shit about how atoms don''t touch each other, look at him, look at his face i-it''s practically disfigured!" Reily shouted as he ran towards the transferee with concern. Disfigured... what the hell does he mean- I turned my head bellow me as I saw Keon''s bloodied face laying down the ground, his broken glasses and black shirt being the only factor that distinguishes him. Have I done this...? "Look, he was pulling out a fucking gun from his back pocket!" I told Reily, as he turned to me with a even much more perplexed look. "A gun, seriously? Jean, are you okay?" Reily looked at me with concern as he took something from Keon''s back pocket, as he pulled it out it turned out it was a black phone. Reily began pressing Keon''s black phone onto my face. "This... this is a gun?!" "No no, I swear he was pulling out a gun-" "Stop it Jean, I''ve heard enough... how would you tell your aunt about this?" Reily placed Keon''s phone on his hands as he stood up pressing me to the corner as I slipped and fell to the seat. "Hey aunt, I beat up the new student cause I''d mistaken a phone for a fucking gun, you know how stupid you sound?" Reily intoned tensed up for a while. "Jean, you''re on your own with this, and word of advice Jean." "J-Just think about what you''ve done before you enter the guidance office tomorrow." Reily replied as he carried Keon''s unconcious body walking out of the classroom. Part 1 - Chapter 3: The Only Guy The ceiling fan hummed softly as both the principal and the guidance counselor were glaring at me, yes I was aware I did beat the transferee to a pulp and it was an accident... I swear. I didn''t know what got a hold of me that exact moment but, it was just... "Jean, we''re you listening?" Said the principal as she was glaring sharply at me through her thick glasses. "Ma''am Crisanta, I''m truly sorry for what happened yesterday ma''am, I... I''ll control my temper next time." I lied, the two of them the principal glared for a moment as the guidance counselor Ma''am May let out a soft sigh. "You know the damage you did couldn''t just be fixed with a simple and genuine apology, look at what you did to his face he could''ve faced severe brain injury or let alone die. Do you understand what I''m saying?" Ma''am May replied with her arms crossed. "Yes Ma''am May, I do understand that which is why I''m to be held responsible for my actions." I replied to her as I turned my gaze through the hallway seeing Keon head upstairs with his entire body covered in bandages. "Alright, I can see that you''re genuine and are willing to repent so I''ll tell you this. You''ll be serving community service helping the canteen workers for one month, and for the rest of the school year you''ll be Keon''s seatmate and group partner until the year ends got it?" Ma''am Crisanta intoned as she stared deeply into my soul, so deep I could notice the thickness of the lenses on her glasses reflect my eyes distortingly through her wrinkled face. The scolding was over, for now... I still have a lot to explain to my aunt when I walk back home, seeing that she was furious when she heard that I got into trouble yesterday I could only imagine if she heard the results of today''s "lecture" or so they call it in there. I''ve got my fair share of "lectures" ever since I transferred here, I''m not quite the troublemaker. I only beatings to those who deserve it or even worse... I... I don''t even want to think what I did that day. I should definitely stay out of trouble this year, I don''t want to go inside that office again. I walked to the classroom letting out a soft sigh, it had always been a bad habit of mine... sighing for no reason my aunt would always warn me to never do that often since it would make you older, and it''s somewhat disrespectful but I couldn''t help myself. Looking around a few people were sat down on their chairs and armchairs, some of them were even using their phone and the most evident being the kid with down syndrome playing his Minecraft Parodies on speaker, seriously... grow up already. I turned to the back row to see Keon sitting down with bandages wrapped around his arm and his left eye, I didn''t remember eye gouging him... maybe I did that but does that even matter anyway? Well, I guess I gotta see how he''s holding up to. With my chest tight as ever, I walked to Keon as he was scrolling through his phone. I placed my bag on the chair next to his, he abruptly stopped was he was doing glancing at me, he was still giving the same stare he was giving me yesterday. Everything feels off with this man, I swear... "Can I help you?" Keon asked as he placed his phone to his desk for a moment. "Well, I''m- I- uhh..." I don''t even know what to say... "If you''re gonna sit, feel free." Keon intoned in a confused tone. "Yeah, Ma''am Cristana has she told you yet?" I asked him as I sat down at the chair next to the window. "No, what about it?" Keon asked without making eye contact staring blankly at the blackboard with his head resting on his palm. "We''re assigned seatmates ''til the end of the year." I told Keon looking at his dark phone case for a moment. "I see." Keon replied back as he grabbed his phone and began scrolling through social media again, is this guy allergic to social interaction or something? Well, I did just beat him up yesterday but... well I guess there are no buts it''s only natural for the guy not to talk to me after what I did yesterday. The silence was practically deafening. Even though the other classmates were talking to each other, meanwhile I was there sitting next to the guy I beat half to death to. It was just weird, everything is weird, I''m weird and he''s weird. Fuck... I pulled out my phone out of boredom, opening a game called Mobile Legends. Very overrated game here in the Philippines but it''s the only normal game considered by these squatting ants, the only fun part about this game was the trashtalk and stuff if you play to rank up or solo it would just get boring quickly. Keon slightly turned to me while I was practicing a difficult hero on practice mode called Fanny, I was slightly yet smoothly gliding my fingers through the second button trying to cable smoothly yet I couldn''t seem to get the hang of it. "What''s your rank?" Keon asked curiously as he was watching such disgusting gameplay on practice as I kept bumping my character through the wall. "Mythical Glory, why you ask?" I replied as I continued to practice the hero. "Let''s 1v1 your choice of hero." Keon glanced to me as he booted the game up on his phone. "You sure about that? Don''t come crying when you loose." I smiled as I turned on my mobile data to reopen the game. "Just choose a hero, I could even let you choose what hero I''ll choose to give you an advantage." Keon smiled as he created a custom lobby. "You don''t need to do that, I don''t want to utterly embarrass you." "So, what''s your ID?" I asked Keon. "957759398" Keon replied as I added him on the game. "Done, invite me now." I replied to him. "So, what hero are we gonna use?" Keon asked as a small crowd began to form encircling around us. Whenever there were one on one battles like this, they love to watch the games just so the looser would get picked on the entire day, well as for me I only lost a few times cause these guys don''t know the meaning of the word''s "sleep" and "study" they''re professional truants. Prince rushed by to my chair as he placed both his hands on my shoulder while he was watching me pick a hero. "Oh boy, it is on the transferee vs the almighty adobo!" Prince shouted as a larger crowd encircled around us, I walked to the third row to follow an unspoken rule. You cannot play one on ones while the two sides are sitting next to each other, since that would encourage the guy to look at the other guy''s screen and have an advantage via what we like to call "map hack" and the use of this dirty strategy is frowned upon on this classroom. "I''m placing my bets on Jean here, you guys saw how he was playing right?" Ben muttered from behind as he was watching Keon''s screen. "You do you man, but me I''m supporting the underdog judging by his skins he looks like a decent player." Gani replied to Ben. "Skins don''t mean skills dumbass!" Ben shouted to Gani. "Well, tell me this why would you even spend a wad of cash on a game you''re not good at?" Gani intoned annoyed. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "I''m picking Gusion." I told Keon as I locked in Gusion while Prince sat next to me. "Well folks, it looks like Jean is using his main hero against the underdog here I wonder who will stand victorious! So far we have Ben and Gani betting a hundred on each players so let''s see what our contestants can show off!" Prince intoned trying to imitate the shout caster from the reality tv show Showtime. "Gusion huh... well then, good luck." Keon replied with a confident tone, well the guy is five ranks lower than me I should give him a little bit of a chance- The picking was finished, I glanced to the icon next to Keon''s flag to see that he is ranked Number 21 Globally and he was also equipping my dream skin! What the hell is this bullshit... "Oh well folks, I think we know how this match is about to end." Prince intoned nervously. While I was busy getting wrecked by the mummy, I can''t help but notice everyone laughing and smiling everyone was so happy. It was just the start of the second day, yesterday was filled with issues yet seeing them like this feels so... it doesn''t feel so right. Tick... tock... tick... tock... It was silent. This feels, much more mundane no laughing... no smiling... no gaming, just this loud clock paired with the peaceful humming on the ceiling fan. It was all I ever wanted... no, I don''t want this I need this. Is it because there was beauty in mundanity? Or maybe is it because of my sense of distrust... either way my brain says it wants it but my heart objects. Now that I''m in this state, tell me have I always treasured these friendships? Were my feelings always valuable to them? Do they only see me as some... clown, pretending to be this kid with issues just to make them laugh in exchange for attention. But what is attention without respect? I''ve always hated them haven''t I? I''ve- "I''ve won!" Keon shouted with a bright smile slightly covered by the bandages. "You really should stick to the basics man." Keon intoned mockingly, while Ben paid Gani a hundred pesos after he lost the bet. "Yeah yeah whatever, you got lucky." I smiled as footsteps were heard entering the room. "Okay class, surrender your phones!" Sir Andrew stated as he opened a empty first aid box it was mainly for keeping the surrendered phones but you could try being more creative, no? A single file line was formed in the middle, one by one my classmates were placing their phones inside the box. I followed through behind same with Keon who stood behind me each of us waiting our turn to surrender our phones. . . . The crowds were bustling at the canteen, it was like a view you''d normally see on the night markets on Divisoria. The only thing that differentiates our school cafeteria from that chaotic stinky mess is that inflation is starting to be a bitch. Yesterday, fried chicken from the canteen only cost ?25 a piece, now it had sky rocketed to ?39 in a span of a day. They even had the decency to subtract a coin from the amount even though they fully take ?40 as the original payment. I weren''t the one to bother lining up on the canteen during the time of chaos, I''ll just wait until the crowd lessens or there was no crowd to be seen at all. Even though half of the food would be gone once it was empty, doesn''t mean the the other half was gone. "Hey, it''s you!" a warm voice intoned behind the bench. Turning to the voice, I saw the same girl from yesterday and it was confirmed from her outfit that she was one hundred percent a "handsome" young woman. She was sitting on the railing of the wooden bench with a gleeful expression. It feels like she''s up to no good. "Oh, hey do you need something?" I asked the girl, as she got off the bench railing and sat on the edge of the bench resting her arm on the armrest with her legs crossed. "Nothing, you just seem so lonely sitting by here alone." "You got any friends or do you just despise social interaction?" "Well, seeing as you approached me yesterday I kinda doubt that." She replied to herself letting out a soft sigh while she rests the side of her face on to her palm while staring at the canteen. "So kind of you to spare a thought." I replied to her while also staring st the canteen as the crowd wasn''t anywhere near minimizing. "You mistake kindness for pity, plus I''m bored and you''re one of the only guys I know in this place." She replied with a blank expression as she moved slightly closer to me. "So, tell me... what exactly are you doing here alone?" She asked. "Just waiting for the crowd to disappear." I responded still staring at the canteen''s bustling crowd. "Well give a clap for Mr. Edgy and Mysterious here..." She intoned sarcastically. "I meant the crowd at the canteen..." I corrected her with a annoyed glare. "Jeez, chill out your emo side is showing... Anyways, what if the food runs out?" She asked curiously "You think this place would run out of food, have you seen our enormous tuition fee? If the money''s not enough to supply food for a entire city then I don''t know what is." I answered in a sarcastic tone. "You''ve actually got a point! But sadly, the rich kids probably bought half the food on stock hehe..." She chuckled slightly. "That''s literally what''s happening right now." I replied, in the distance I noticed a group of tall boys probably on the eighth grade walking by with large portions of food on their hands. "See, just as we predicted." I pointed at them as they were walking at the separate hallway "Aren''t they afraid to get fat?" She smiled slightly while resting her chin on her palm slightly pressing her lip using her thumb. "To be honest, I won''t be afraid of getting fat. I''ll be afraid of whatever fhe hell they put on the food." "Think about it, all those shit is probably processed. We could die early just by eating their food." I replied, in a moment we both stared at each other as if we were linking our braincells. I know what I said didn''t make sense, it was just a thing Ben would always tell Gani. While staring at each other, she confusingly began bursting with laughter for a few moments, I did not know why she laughed. Was there something on my face? Do I look that funny? Am I funny? Little by little, as she laughed harder, I didn''t realize I was laughing with her. Two maniacs on a bench, laughing over processed food. We probably had hotdogs or meatloaf for breakfast, both of them being processed goods well I guess we we''re just that insane... laughing at the face of death. For a few moments, I noticed some people slowing down as they stared at us. It would be embarrassing but, I just didn''t care now. "Bwahaha! You''re insane dude, so you''re saying all of us are going to die early for eating street food?" She responds, still bursting of laughter as her glasses slightly slid down falling on the floor. She quickly picks up her glasses from the floor wearing it again, she looked at me with a wide smile on her face. "Cazandra, with a z not an s." Caz smiled gently as she adjusts her thin round glasses. "Jean, but most of them call me Val." I responded smiling back. "Val? That''s a weird nickname." She laughed "Ca"Z"andra? Your name literally has a spelling error." I replied back with grinning. "Well yeah, whatever... Val." She rolled her eyes as she stood up as walking to the canteen. "Don''t die early, Cazandra with a Z!" I shouted to her, she slowed down for a moment as she glanced at me slightly to give a slight thumbs up with a annoyed expression. . . . "Well class, don''t forget to have a good rest stay safe as you go home!" Sir Andrew stated as while the others were preparing their bags as they go home, the second day... wasn''t that bad in my opinion. "So, you down to play ranked later?" Prince asked while he was sorting out his books "Sure, I''ll try to login later if I''m not busy." I replied to him adjusting my backpack to a comfortable position. We both walked out the room, heading to the gate. The crowd was murmuring to one another as usual whenever one was to go home from school. The tricycle drivers we''re even stationed outside next to the street vendors selling sorbetes, siomai, and some fishbols. "Later bro." Prince uttered as he clenched his fist facing it toward my face. I raised my hand with an open palm and in a instant, Prince delivered a strong right hook onto my hand. It used to hurt when I did it the first time, but everytime we do this secret "handshake" my right hand would start feeling numb. I think it''s time to do that to the left too I guess. "Ow." I shook my hand and patted his shoulder walking past him as I was heading home. Well, heading home again... I really shouldn''t be walking home. Whenever I walk home my aunt would scold me, I have enough money to commute but I''d rather walk because I could observe the people around me, and who knows I might meet someone along the way. While I was walking, I turned to the city hall for a moment... Should I do it? Alright, just one more ride... I walked inside the busy city hall as I approached the man at the counter who was busy scrolling at his phone, he had a very pathetic expression. The same expression I have... I always had. "Sir, do you know where the C.R. is?" I asked him "Go straight and turn left st the second corner." He replied without batting an eye. "Thanks." I replied, following the directions he gave me. It was surprisingly empty today... well, let''s make this quick. I want to go home, but I don''t want to go home broke or my aunt will kill me. I''ve spent too much money and she''d be mad if she finds out I only got ?10 left on my wallet. As I entered one of the empty stools, I placed my backpack at the toilet tank zipping it open while I stripped my clothes, changing into a full black outfit. I pulled out a box of contact lenses and two black bandanas placing it onto one of my pockets. Dressing up completely, and lastly... I pulled out the knives. You can''t be safe these days, right? I strapped them up concealing them on my pants. I placed my school uniform on the bag, with my ID and some personal belongings. I walked outside the stool, pulling out the box of contact lenses on my bag as I faced the mirror changing my eye color to the color gray. I walked outside the comfort room and I approached the man in the counter once more. "Sir, can you take a look of my belongings? I''ll have to go somewhere." I asked the man The man dropped his phone for a second and we''ve exchanged glances for a while. He must be high or something... weed is illegal in the Philippines though, but who cares fuck the government. "Place it on the lost and found box." He said as he went back to scrolling on his phone. "What a weird kid... " he muttered to himself. Well get used to it dumbass... I placed my bag onto one of the lost and found lockers walking out of the city hall, I looked around the area noticing a local convenience store on the street. Bingo... I crossed the street as I entered the convenience store with my bandanas covering my hair and the second covering my face. I got my knives ready, the job might seem easy as there was no security guard. I just need a few couple of things, cash and chips. Looking around, I noticed there was a entrance to the back of the convenience store. The plan was simple, walk onto the staff room and sneak up on the cashier while I slightly injure the other staffs who see me no killing just disable them for a while. Following the plan, I snuck in at the back of the convenience store seeing multiple dumpster bins and a employee smoking a cigarette on the corner. He was alone... it was a chance for me to strike. I looked around and noticed a metal pipe laying near one of the dumpster bins. Staying low I hid on the side of the dumpster bin, then grabbed the metal pipe laying around the corner. It was the same routine as ever... "Help, please open the dumpster lid! I''m tied up inside, some guy knocked me out and I''m stuck here, help! " I shouted trying to imitate another person''s voice. "Huh- O-okay, hang in there ma''am." The employee said with a nervous tone. Ma''am... seriously? I''m good at imitating voices but ma''am? Ugh, who am I to complain... at least it worked. Footsteps approached rapidly on my position, and the moment I heard the dumpster slid. I swung my pipe on the back of the man''s head. Well, that went much more smoothly than my other attempts... this man''s pretty weak being handled like that by some 9th Grader. I stripped him off his work clothes leaving only his underwear and shoes, while I wore his clothes, taking my bandana off. I walked into the staff room, filled to the brim with boxes. Some boxes probably storing food, skincare, or possibly some tools who knows what''s inside those tightly sealed things, plus I can''t just grab one heavy box away and expect nobody to chase me. After looking around for a while, I walked out of the small room walking to the shopping floor... I really don''t know what this area is called so I just call it either shopping floor or main floor who gives a shit, all I know they sell shit here. While walking around scanning the area, I see the cashier on sitting alone on the counter distracted with his phone. Normally there would be two people there, but maybe I got lucky and got rid of the other nuisance. I now wonder where the manager is... I slightly pulled out the knives from my pants placing them onto the pockets. I walked to the cashier and stood there for a moment, he glanced slightly at me while he was busy playing some block game on his phone. "What is it? Look, I can''t loan you another hundred pesos last time you did it you said you''d use it to feed your brother but you spent it on some booze." He replied unconsciously as he continued playing on his block game. I took a deep sigh... I''m sorry. The man glanced at me for a moment, as I curb stomped him on the jaw, pulling him close shifting onto a chokehold while pointing the knife on his neck stabbing him on the middle traps using one of my knives. "Code, ten seconds, shout you die. " I muttered to him piercing the blade deeper onto his back. He wailed in pain trying to hold back his voice as he opened the cash register. I quickly removed the knife behind his back and slammed his head onto the marble edges of the counter knocking him out cold. Swiftly, I took the money from the cash registrar and quickly ran away outside the convenience store. I kept running as fast as I could, it was only normal for me... to run away. Nobody was even chasing me, but I still ran. Why... why did I run even though, I was the only guy inside that room.