My Forbidden Crush On The School Bully

Rylle

After recess, Leo and Marco unsurprisingly continued glaring at each other in the middle of the group activity like cats and dogs. Jusko, these two are acting like kids, giving each other sharp looks every chance they get.

Then, Mrs. Millares grouped us into 12 teams for our upcoming performance task in Bread and Pastry Production. I was so excited because finally, we're going to showcase our baking skills through actual activities! Mrs. Millares explained the details of the performance task and even gave us tips on how to do it properly.

“Okay mga nakshies, this is your first group activity. We have 12 groups total kasi medyo marami kayo, and each group will have 3 members. So please cooperate, mga nakshies, because this task will help you in real life and improve your baking skills,” sabi ni Mrs. Millares with her usual energy.

“Then mga nakshies, let’s start the count Row 1, go!”

Agad nagsimula ang bilang sa dulo ng first row. Everyone counted one to three in turns hanggang makumpleto ang grouping. I was just sitting there casually, until..

Boom. Group 7 ako.
And guess what? Leo’s also in group 7.
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, Marco turned out to be the last member of our group.

Ay naku, tadhana na ba to? Bakit ako laging sinisingitan ng kumag na yan? Pwede namang sa ibang group siya napunta, di ba? I started panicking and my mind went completely blank.

This is literally the worst group I've ever been part of in my high school life. Bakit ba nagsama pa yung dalawang may galit sa isa’t isa?! At ako pa talaga ang nasabit sa gitna nila? Jusko, bakit parang ako palagi ang kawawa?

I was still stuck in my spiral of anxiety when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. It was Isabelle.

“Are you okay? Napansin kita na parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo,” she asked with concern.

I gave her a bitter smile. Deep down, I wasn’t okay. I should be excited for the activity, but instead, I felt nervous and uneasy.

“Yes, I’m okay. Na-overwhelm lang ako kasi.. kagroup ko yung dalawang lalaki na ayaw kong magsama.”

“Leo and Marco?" she blurted, like a mind reader who accidentally tuned into the right channel.

“Yup. They’re both in my group. And honestly, I don’t even know if those two can stand each other. Kahit sa classroom, nag-aangasan na. Teh, anong gagawin ko?.”

“You need to cope, girl. Kasi kung mag-aaway sila in the middle of the performance task, alam mo na chaos na agad.”

“Exactly, Isabelle. It’ll be a disaster. Sana talaga hindi sila mag-clash, or else si Mrs. Millares pa yung magagalit. First time pa naman nating magpe-perform sa Cookery.”

“True! But don’t worry, bes, andito lang ako if you need help. Matagal pa naman kami tatawagin, kasi group 11 ako.”

“Wow, sana all, group 11. Kami, group 7.” I sighed heavily.

“Teh, wag ka nang mahinayang kagroup mo naman si ano, di ba?” she teased with a smirk.

Bigla ko siyang kinurot sa beywang.
“Ouch! Ano ka ba, teh! I’m just joking, sorry na!” she said with teary eyes from the pain.

“Hmmp. Deserve mo yan. By the way, magsisimula na pala yung performance task. I’m excited na to bake!”

“So true, teh! Pero baka naman excited ka kasi makakasama mo si Mr. President mo magluto?” she teased again, grinning.

I laughed so hard, trying to hold back my inis para hindi ko na siya kurutin ulit.

I gave her a threatening look. “Ahys! Isa pa talaga, teh hanggang loob ng tiyan mo yung kurot ko next time.”