Strings Of Perfection

"Guys, guys... may kwento ako."

The group paused, all turning to me with raised eyebrows. Xantie crossed his arms, looking half-annoyed but clearly curious. Aki leaned forward, smirking.

"Kanina, sa klase ni Miss, nagpa-drawing siya," I started, keeping my tone casual but dramatic enough to keep them hooked. "Ang sabi, i-drawing daw si Winmetawin."

"Tapos?" Kyan pressed, tilting his head.

I leaned back, smirking. "Gagi, bigla ba naman akong pinalabas."

Aki snorted. "Baka na silaw sa ka pangitan mo?"

"Hindi, gago," I said, shooting him a glare. "Bawal daw ang reference."

A beat of silence. Then they burst out laughing.

"Tangina, baka si Winmetawin pag na dapa sa hallway?" Aki choked out, laughing so hard he had to hold onto the chair.

"Dedma sa bashers." I shrugged, pointing to my face with both hands. "Tingnan mo nga naman. Napagkamalan na naman."

Xantie shook his head, grinning. "Baka si Winmetawin 'pag dehydrated." saad niya kaya na puno kami ng tawanan.

"Gago!" Tumawa ako ng malakas, bahagyang tinulak ang balikat niya. "Pikon lang kayo kasi hindi kayo worthy maging human reference."

"Kapal!"

"At least may mukha akong makapal!" I shot back, grinning. "Kayo? Kaya niyo bang maging Winmetawin?"

"Na lamangan daw ni Vault ka pogian ni Win, sabi niya sakin." Saad ni Kyan, iniinis si Vault.

Sinamaan lang ni Vault ng tingin si Kyan, habang binubuksan ang sampong libong MikMik na binili ni Prim. Si Prim naman---umaaktong naninigarilyo gamit ang straw ng mikmik.

They groaned, laughing and pushing me around, but before anyone could fire back, biglang natahimik si Aki kaya na tahimik rin ang buong circle.

"Bro..." he suddenly muttered, eyes darting behind me. "Si Miss."

I froze, my grin faltering. "Hindi ka nakakatawa...."

"Hindi ako nagbibiro. Si Miss!" Aki hissed, pointing with his chin.

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon---and there she was. Si Miss, nakatayo sa dulo ng hallway, hawak-hawak ang mga libro niya, diretsong nakatingin sa amin.

We all stood frozen, like deer caught in headlights. Our teacher. Our classroom. Her class.

"Putangina," Aki whispered, breaking the silence.

"Relax," Xantie muttered, smirking. "Wala pa siya sa classroom. Chill."

But Miss didn't chill at all!

Sa sandaling nagka-eye contact kami, she bolted. Literal na parang may humabol sa kanya, tumakbo siya papunta sa classroom.

"The fuck! tumakbo si Miss!" Kyan exclaimed, standing up so fast his chair almost tipped over.

"Gago, bilis!" I barked, grabbing my bag. "Kapag na-una siya, patay tayo!"

We all scrambled to our feet, tumatakbo papunta sa classroom like our lives depended on it. Prim tripped over her shoelace, but no one dared to stop and help her. Survival of the fittest na 'to. Sorry na lang, sayo.

I could see Miss up ahead, mabilis din siyang tumakbo kahit may dala pang libro.

The hallway erupted into chaos. Bags were flying, shoes squeaked against the tiles, and everyone scrambled to outrun Miss.