Jay-jay's POV
Yuri didn't come to school. I texted him, but I didn't get any reply.
"Let's go out later." Ci-N suggested while playing with her cellphone.
I also wanted to hang out, but Kuya strictly told me to go home immediately. They were worried it might happen again like yesterday.
I shouldn't be here today either, considering how many absences I've already had. It's not good, especially with the exams coming up.
Such a waste...
"Jay-jay can't go out yet." David said while writing in my notebook.
"Why not?" Ci-N asked with a raised eyebrow.
"There's still an opponent, Ram, right?" He reminded us.
Honestly, I don't even feel anything for Ram anymore. I haven't heard from him, and he hasn't been sending threats like the others.
David closed his notes and my notebook before handing it back to me.
"Okay. Study this." He added.
Such a bossy move!
"Thanks!" I said happily, and he just nodded.
I was planning to borrow notes from Yuri, but since he's absent, Ci-N was my next option. But she doesn't write anything down—she claims that all the things she needs to remember are already in her fat brain.
It's all nonsense in her head anyway.
So in the end, I went to David, and because he's such a good guy (even if he's a rival to Gulayat), he said he'd write them for me. He truly has a pure heart, even though he always keeps his eyes closed.
I briefly peeked at the notebook he wrote in. I was happy to open it and greet it with a smile, but that quickly turned into a grimace. I do appreciate the effort he put into copying his notes into my notebook, but I wish he'd written it more neatly.
David has his own alphabet.
I admit that my penmanship isn't perfect, but it's not like this—like it's in Arabic or something. Even an Arab wouldn't be able to read this.
"Wow, your handwriting's terrible." Ci-N commented as she sneaked a peek at my notebook.
I quickly closed the notebook and pulled it away from her. I gave her a glaring look to warn her to stop, as I didn't want to offend David. But I guess her IQ is still absent today because she didn't even get what I was trying to say.
"Why are your eyes so big?" she asked.
I wanted to slap her with what I was holding to make her shut up for good. I didn't know what kind of signal to give her just to make her stop talking.
"Is my handwriting ugly?" David suddenly asked, making me turn to look at him.
I was about to answer "no" because I didn't want to upset him. I still had some pride, of course. But then he suddenly grabbed my notebook from me.
"N-not really. It's just messy, but still readable." I said while observing his reaction.
He seriously read his own handwriting. I thought he was offended by Ci-N's teasing because he wasn't saying anything. But then he suddenly lowered his head and scratched his eyebrow.
"Sorry, this is my notebook." He said and took the notebook he had put in his bag.
He handed it back to me, and I took it. I immediately flipped it open, and his messy handwriting greeted me, but it was still readable. Unlike earlier, where even an alien wouldn't be able to read his writing.
"Thanks." I said and put the notebook away in my bag.
How does he even read his notes?
I guess they can read their own handwriting. But if you can't even understand your own writing, I don't know. Maybe a ghost wrote it and just used the person's hand.
Good thing I can understand my handwriting.
I'll read my notes at home. I need to prepare for the upcoming exam. I'd be in trouble if I couldn't answer anything. I'd fail, and if I fail, I won't graduate. If I don't graduate, that's the end of me. Kuya Angelo will literally end my life.
I looked at Ci-N, who was now looking up and had her mouth wide open. I grimaced at her expression. I just hope no fly decides to fly into her mouth.
She's lucky though, even with her abnormal look, the Batang Kumag still has something to show.
Even with her eyes closed, she'd still get 100 or more.
I pouted. I want 100 too, even with my eyes closed. 100 pesos.
"Ci-N." I called her.
She looked at me without closing her mouth, so saliva kept dripping from it.
Sala-ola again.
"What?" she said, not really closing her mouth.
"What's your secret? Why are you so smart?" I asked, not paying attention to how she looked.
She sat up straight and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She looked at me in surprise while I was pouting.
"I'm serious with my question." I confirmed with her.
She scratched the back of her neck. "That's a surprising question." She smiled. "But I'll still answer it."
I adjusted my seating so I could get a little closer to her. Even though I wasn't sure if she was serious about what she was going to say or if it was just another joke, I was still going to listen.
"Here's the thing. Do you like music?" She nodded as an answer. "Pick a song with a melody you're really familiar with, then change the lyrics to our lesson." She explained.
That's nonsense.
"I'll kick you. That's a pointless thing you're saying." I threatened, but she roughly scratched her head.
"I'm serious, J ay." She adjusted her seating. "Or here's another idea. When you read your lesson or notes, sing them to the tune of a song. That way, when you hear the same music again, instead of the original lyrics—"
"You'll remember the lessons." David finished—who had been listening to us. "I did that before. Quite effective for me, but I'm not sure if it'll work for you."
I nodded in agreement. So that's the secret of Batang Kumag and David with their sophisticated instincts. Now I wanted to try it, and I'd pick a really good song that would make me want to dance when I remember it.
Ayy Macarena.
"I'll try it. It's better than going home in tears." And going home to face death, and Angelo, that's his name.
"Do you need help?" Ci-N asked, but before I could answer, she stood up as if looking for something. "There! Blaster!"
Blaster turned towards us and walked closer. The other Ulupong followed, having heard the call from Batang Kumag.
All of them are Blaster.
"Do you need a shortie?" He asked while messing with Ci-N's hair.
This one quickly scowled and almost punched him if Blaster hadn't moved away. We all chuckled a bit because of their playful teasing.
"What's with the hot temper?" Denzel added.
"Tch!" Ci-N hissed at them. "J ay-jay needs help memorizing the lectures. You're a composer, right?"
I frowned. When did Blaster become a composer? All he ever does is eat, talk, and get into fights. Complaining is just a bonus.
"Believe it." I commented, causing him to scowl at me.
"You're underestimating me. I'm not just anyone. I'm a composer of songs." He boasted.
He coughed while rubbing his throat. Even the other Ulupong came closer to watch what he was going to do.
"That's phlegm, bro, spit it out." Eren said, which made us laugh.
"Drama queen. I'll make J ay-jay famous. She doesn't believe in me." He said, massaging his jaw. He looked at me and pointed. "This is one of the songs I've composed. Watch out for my rise to fame."
I frowned at him. He will definitely rise to fame—probably for his nonsense. I admit, Blaster is good-looking, but if he didn't own someone's heart, his lifestyle would probably be like Eren's.
"Give me a beat." He said, and Ci made some sounds with her mouth, but it ended up with loud laughter. "Fix it!"
Instead of listening, her laughter only grew louder, and the other one almost lost his patience.
"Where is it? There's nothing here." I teased, and the Ulupong egged me on.
"Here it is!" He said angrily, and we fell silent again to prepare. He cleared his throat and started singing his bragging song.
"□A..B..C..D..Elementary…□"
Damn! I knew it.
The Ulupong started laughing, followed by some sharp curses directed at him.
"□ Highschool… College… You're not even circumcised…□"
He continued, and I just wanted to smash his face with the table.
"□ My dream is to be a doctor so I can pull out white—□"
"You're annoying! All you do is nonsense!" Felix interrupted his song.
"This is not nonsense. I've been thinking about it for a long time!" He defended himself, looking like he was ready to fight.
They started fighting because of the song.
Sometimes, I really don't know if these people's brains are functioning properly. I wouldn't be surprised if their madness suddenly came out of nowhere.
Edrix quickly slapped him on the head. "Idiot! I've heard that before. The kids sing it where I'm from."
"Probably heard it from me." He insisted, rubbing his neck.
We all turned to look at Ci-N, who couldn't stop laughing. It was as if Blaster was the biggest joke to her. David approached her and flicked her forehead without hesitation, turning off her craziness like a switch.
"Ouch…" She complained, rubbing her forehead.
"Your brain needs oil. It's so slow. And you're still laughing." David said, and even threatened her with another flick.
Batang Kumag quickly avoided him.
"Well, it's funny to me, so what?" She pouted.
"Ci believes in me, unlike you guys." Blaster said, pointing at each of us.
"That's because both of you are made from the same nonsense." Denzel said.
"I have many talents." Blaster boasted. "I can speak Spanish."
"Maybe espasol." I commented, and they all laughed.
"Food again!" Rory teased, so I threatened to throw my shoes at him.
But I had different socks again.
"Español? That's nonsense, Blaster." Mayo said.
Blaster laughed arrogantly. "I'll show you." He said, looking for a victim.
Just then, Drew walked in with a Coke in hand. Blaster approached him, causing Drew to stop.
"Oh ba—."
"Komo estas… mandurugas." Blaster said, and Drew immediately furrowed his brows. "Pay me back for the debt you owe me."
Debt?
The other Ulupong quickly gathered around to collect their debts too. It was only now that I realized Blaster had a lot of people he owed money to. I didn't know if I should go up to him and ask for my share of the money too.
"I don't have money!" Drew complained. "Do you have money for your Coke?"
"Your debt is forever."
"You're deaf when it's time to pay up."
"Has your memory gotten better? Pay me back already."
Each of them had their complaints. I almost felt ashamed to ask for my own money back, especially since Blaster had so many people he owed. How would he ever pay me back? It seems like his debts with others would take longer to clear than mine. I couldn't demand that I be prioritized.
Poor me.
Why am I so kind? Why did I even lend money to this fool? I'm not rich, and it didn't even come from my own pocket—Kuya gave it to me as allowance.
When it comes to loans, they should be paid back. That's why they're called loans. The problem with these people who borrow money is that it feels like it's a crime to ask them to pay back. They get helped when they borrow, but somehow, it seems wrong to ask them to return it.
"Hey!" Felix yelled at me, pushing me. "What's with the look you're giving Drew? Does he owe you money too?"
I didn't want to speak because I didn't want to embarrass Drew, but it turns out he really has so many debts, and it looks like he hasn't been paying them back either.
"Yeah, 5k, actually." I said, and he suddenly gaped.
"Seriously?"
I nodded to confirm. His face quickly darkened. He looked like he was about to pick a fight until he pointed his finger at Drew, who was about to get mobbed by his fellow Ulupong.
"You're an idiot, Drew!" Felix shouted at him angrily.
His creditors quickly backed off, and they looked like they had just won a battle. They exchanged glances before looking at Felix, waiting for the chaos to unfold.
"What's your problem?" Drew asked, annoyed.
"You're an idiot! You even borrowed from J ay-jay! Five thousand, seriously!" Felix shouted.
The Ulupong immediately reacted as if a huge crime had been committed. It was like catching someone cheating on their spouse.
"You're really an idiot!""Aren't you ashamed?"
They were about to attack Drew when I quickly stood up and approached. I stepped in between them, and Drew hid behind me.
"What's going on? Can't we talk about this calmly?" I said.
"No! He doesn't know the meaning of calm!" Denzel shouted angrily.
"J ay, why did you lend him that much?" Edrix asked. "He doesn't know how to pay it back!"
"That's a bit much! I'll still pay J ay-jay back!" Drew defended himself.
"What about your debts with us?" Josh asked calmly. "It's been two years with me."
Drew scratched his neck. "Uh, pay J ay-jay first. It's a bigger amount."
"Damn it! You still can't pay back the 20 pesos you owe me?" Rory asked irritably.
20 pesos? My 5k feels so small in comparison.
"My 50 pesos!" Eman said angrily.
"150 pesos with me. That was for my date with Mica." Calix reminded him.
"Damn it, my 80 pesos!" Eren said, as if what he was looking for was a huge loss.
You should ask your boyfriends for 10 pesos each!
"What about mine?" Ci asked, frowning.
"How much do you owe?" I asked.
"8 pesos. When I'm short of 8 pesos, I remember I still owe him. It's so hard for me."
I was so embarrassed by the amounts of their debts. They're still chasing after 8 pesos? And they say they're struggling? They should check my 5k, which I planned to save for my college expenses. It's hard for me to save again now.
"300 pesos is the biggest we lend out here." David said.
I almost wanted to cry. Why does it feel like it's my fault? Should I not have lent to him? Should I have just let him rot or get beaten up at KingsGround? I just wanted to help him back then.
"What's your plan now?" Felix asked Drew.
I slowly turned to face him. I almost wanted to collapse in front of him just to get him to pay me back. I didn't hide my disappointment in him.
Son of a... It would feel so good to slap you.
"I'll pay you back. In installments, if that's okay?" He said to me.
"As long as you pay me back, that's fine."
He slightly bowed his head and seemed to be thinking. Then, he reached into his pocket and took out some money, placing it in my palm.
"I'll start now." He said, and I opened my hand to see what he had given me.
The Ulupong gathered around to see what was in my hand. 5 pesos.
"Every day, until I've paid the 5k. Write it down so we don't get confused." He said with a grin.
I could almost feel smoke coming out of my nose. This damn Ulupong is such a traitor. When will he ever pay me back? We might graduate from college, and he still won't have paid me.
"You're such an idiot!" I said angrily, and he quickly ran off.
I chased after him, and the other Ulupong did the same. I'd only accept his damn installments if he allowed me to slap him.
We reached the stairs, but he still wouldn't stop running.
"I'll pay you back! Once I'm in a better place, I'll make it 10 pesos a day!" He said, making me even more furious.
"You're such a nuisance!" I shouted.
We had already exited the building because of our chase. Students we passed by were watching us.
"I don't even have money!" He added.
"Is that my fault?! You idiot!"
We reached the outside of the cafeteria, but he quickly turned around when I stopped for a second. He was about to head back to the building when he encountered his fellow Ulupong.
"You're an idiot, Drew!" They shouted.
I immediately joined in chasing him. We passed the parking lot, and just when we were at the gate, we suddenly heard gunshots. They came in quick succession, and I didn't even have the chance to look at where they came from because I was ducking to avoid getting hit.
The students were screaming loudly. I felt someone cover me, and when I looked, I saw David's worried face in front of me.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
I nodded slightly in response. But I wasn't really okay. I thought that was the end for me. My body was still shaking from shock and fear.
We looked around, and when we didn't see anything else, we straightened up.
"JAY-JAY!" Someone shouted, and when I looked, Aries was running toward me, panting.
He immediately hugged me. "What the hell was that? What happened? Did you get hit?"
He pulled away to check my body for any injuries.
I shook my head. "N-no. I'm okay."
I looked around, and then I gasped, covering my mouth when I saw the security guard lying unconscious on the ground. He was bleeding and unresponsive.
"Stay here." Aries said, and he approached the guard. "He's still alive. Call an ambulance." He ordered us.
But I couldn't move. His blood was all over the ground, and I couldn't bear to look at it. When I tried to turn away, I saw Mayo holding Kit tightly in his arms.
No. Please no.
"H-help… Help Kit." Mayo said, crying.
I couldn't even move. I couldn't bring myself to approach them. Kit's blood was scattered all over the ground and on Mayo's body.
Why am I like this? Why can't I do anything to help?
Why am I so useless?