Chapter 3: CHAPTER 2: Overthinking Kills
Flashback...
"Hey, Zetry!" Fionellanj was halfway up the stairs to their classroom located on the second floor of this new building when she heard someone calling her, but even though she already knew who owned that voice, she still made an involuntary turn to where that voice was coming from.
There, she saw Rovianna running rushedly towards her direction. She was her closest friend now they''re in their 10th grade. They treated each other like sisters. She's also the only person who called her by her second name... and she knows it'll make her upset.
Rovianna has a rectangular body type and has a natural black straight hair that keeps swaying on her mid-back. She has humorous and eloquent eyes and straight brows, just like the Koreans. She also has an impudent prominent nose, while her lips were smooth and even contour surrounding with no sign of lip lines.
"D-does..." Said by her while she was gasping for some oxygen. "Does... Mrs. Fortoleza... told you not to leave... immediately... after the practice?"
Her brows knitted because of confusion as her eyes rolled upwards and when she stared back at her, she knew something was up. "Hmm, no. Why do you ask? Have I done something wrong?" She was alarmed by her question but at the same time, predicting that this was just her other prank action.
Rovianna grabbed her arm and started making a sibilant sounds that resemble a message, she wants to laugh upon looking on her serious face. "Listen here Zetry. Marilyn told me that she was poked by Mrs. Fortaleza, while we were singing the graduation song only to say that she's one of the awardees. That's why I run after you because I'm expecting you'll get an award."
Earlier, Fionellanj thought Rovianna was just making fun of her again, but after hearing what she has said, it makes her stunned and prevents her from thinking clearly. It seems like she was soaked in a tub full of ice and made her body felt numb.
She sat down in disbelief and released a forced and heavy sigh as she keeps on massaging her temple to relieve herself of this tension she has right now. She can't believe it--no, she doesn't deserve it rather..
Amidst her sorrowful moment, Jomary approached them by telling "Hey," but she still stayed that way, so only Rovianna spared a glance at him. "Is Anj, okay? Was she sick or what?" Fionellanj doesn't even mind listening to his interrogation, nor answering it. Rovianna takes place and speaks on behalf of her. "Hey there Jomary. Uhm, about her?" Ruvionna throws a glance at Fionellanj asking for permission whether to continue talking, then she nodded. Rovianna understood the message. That's the way real friends communicate non-verbally.
"She just felt a little dizziness after the practice. You know, Zetry is always fully energetic in everything she does. But don't worry, just a little spare of the moment will do. You may keep going now."
"Okay, if you say so." He continued stepping up until his footsteps sound got low in frequency. Rovianna seated next to her and held her over her shoulders.
"Zetry... I know you're not feeling well right now," she stated. "The hell I say this, of course, you're not," she chuckles a little. "Zetry... high school isn't over yet, your grades won't define your future. You still have the chance to prove yourself to your new school. Promise me that," she pauses for a little. "even though I had to stay here and you need to transfer there."
"No, Rovs." Fionellanj faced the ground and then stared at her. "Maybe I haven't given my best at all that's why I never had the chance to... you know, being an honor student. I'm okay now literally, I was just disappointed to myself," Rovianna's hand suddenly moved slowly to scrubbed her back to keep her at ease.
"Besides, they all deserve to be on the list for being a hardworking student. You're right, high school isn't over yet. I'm so ambitious, didn't I? Haha." she awkwardly laughed. She hides her feelings to her because she still felt distorted inside but she knows to herself that she's been a hardworking student just like the others. She even spends sleepless nights just to make their projects and tasks creatively.
"No, you're not. I know how you worked hard for it, perhaps there's something bigger awaits for you. We just cannot say, right?" She sighed. "The most important thing is I wasn't in the lists of awardees to!" She knew she's trying to cheer her up, but she can't help but laugh also.
"Come, I'll treat you a chocolate ice cream. I know it's your favorite." Rovianna beamed at her so cheerfully and stood up to help Fionellanj to get up.
Fast forward to the moment she's alone at her room, after spending two hours of nonstop crying, she finally gets up herself and faced the mirror on her wall. Her eyes were bloodshot as well as her swollen nose. Fionellanj thought she needs to cut the ties between her and Kenji.
Kenji was her oh-so-called-boyfriend. Let's just say... she met him on Facebook and then she found herself getting attached to him and so on. She knows it's being unfair to blame him after what happened to her, she can't help but to.
Their relationship is on and off and she couldn't imagine how she withstands at him for over a year. But she can say by now he has abused her mentally and emotionally.
She doesn't need him to be in her life anymore. She needs to fix her messed-up self so she can improve it. She wants to be more. She deserves recognition, that's why she decided romance should have no place to her. Having a boyfriend became her least priority because, for her, she needs to actualize herself first to become the woman that a man needs.
*knock knock*
A couple of knocks on her room's door brought back her senses. She's not used to locking her room and anyone from the outside can open it whenever. The door opened and it exposed her mom holding a glass of milk and a plate of grapes on the other.
"You're still awake Fiona. Here, I brought you a glass of milk, eat the grapes also." her mom as she put the foods she brought to her in the corner of her study table and then seated beside her.
"Because it's better not to left things undone," she gave her mom a timid smile and picked up some grapes to eat. She sighed as she saw her mom staring at her sternly. "Okay okay, I'm just polishing my three-page essay, mom. But I'm almost done and it's only 10:15 in the evening. It's not late-night already." she answered.
"You should be asleep when the clock strikes at 9. You're starting an argument again."
"I'm not, mom. I said after I finish with my food, I'm gonna fix my things and then sleep."
"Alright, I'm going to sleep now and so are you once you're done. Don't try to scroll on Facebook, just sleep. You have a class tomorrow early." She said then exited my room.
Honestly, she's already done with her homework, she just can't stop herself from overthinking that she would fail again this time. Her parents never pressured her about her grades. This is what her other friends want about their parents, but she's not contented with that.
She put her things inside her bag and finished eating her grapes and milk. She's already done with her night routine also, she reached her lampshade to switched it off, then hopped on her bed, and shut her eyes.
The next morning, she went to school early, but she messaged her squad's group chat that she will be waiting for them at the library.
This school's library is better and large enough to accompany many students compared to her previous school, which they considered a miracle to see students inside. This is also soundproof and air-conditioned. She seated at the first table in the middle row, so it will be easy for her friends to find her.
She does not pick a book from the shelves, instead, she pulled out her Earth and Science book to read their lessons in advance and take down notes some important details for her reviewer.
She was busy writing when she heard someone moved a chair beside her. "You're really into studying. Can you tell me how d'you read textbooks without getting bored? Because every time I tried to open a book, the music of lullaby is playing." She rolled her eyes upon hearing his voice. Yes. 'his' because it is no other than, Maxsimo Allen, her arrogant classmate.
"A.) Studying is obviously the job of every student and B.) make reading as your passion, so you won't get bored and feel sleepy." she said straight-forwardly while flipping the pages of her book and glared at her watch. It's already 7:15, she's been here for almost thirty minutes. She closed the book and put her things back inside her bag.
She was about to stand up when a message popped through her phone, it was from Anneliese. It says: 'was about to go there, but Maxsimo stopped us. So sorry Anj, but he insisted. Will wait for you up here. '
She's heading the exit of the library without giving Allen a look, but she heard his footsteps following her. That jerk!
He talks more for a man and Fionellanj hates a talkative guy. She still not glaring at him although she answered him occasionally for his unending questions. Finally, they have arrived in their room.
A few moments later, their classroom's door opened and it shows their adviser.
"Your first periodical exam is next week and it's going to be your hell week, so I want all of you to review our lessons and whoever gets the perfect score on my exam, he or she will have a price." Announced by Ms. Shang, as she assembled her projector.
Next week is the week that she finally awaits because she can now assess herself for what she has learned for the first period. She should start reviewing tonight although she kept reviewing every night.
"By the way class, your classmate Zely has an important announcement to say, before I start with my lesson. Zely, you now have the floor." Zely was the elected president of their class and Fionellanj was elected to the position of secretary.
"Good morning everyone! I would like to inform you that the school's basketball league has just started as of today. Some of our classmates will have a match later, at 3 pm at our gymnasium."
"Yes, we need your support guys! Please watch us, so y'all can witness how we will wipe out our opponents! Haha" That is Federicko, somewhat boastful yet, gentleman.
"Shut up Ricky-dicky." teased by Sunniva that make them all laughed, but Federicko just winked at her as his reply.
"Guys, quiet, there's a teacher in front and I'm not yet done talking," students seated properly while some were laughing silently because Sunniva is one point over Federicko.
"Back to what I am saying, there's also a debate of representatives from every class only in the Senior High School department. They were selected and some were volunteered. Please do support two of our classmates also. It will start at 5 pm. I know you will enjoy it because it's more like a Fliptop. That's all, thank you. See you there!"
Zely walked back to her seat and Ms. Shang just started with her new lesson for today. Watching basketball is not her cup of tea, but the debate or Fliptop does.
Channelle suddenly taps her arm. "Fionellanj..." whispered by Channelle. "Let's watch later, okay? I heard there's a handsome guy player from other strands"
"Sure." she automatically answered. She won't know, but something provokes her to go to the gymnasium later. Maybe she was just too fond of Fliptop and wants to hear how those debaters will nail their opposition.
She disregards her thoughts and just focused on what Ms. Shang was discussing. She knows this will also be probably included in their exams. It's difficult to stay lay low for her since being an achiever is her top priority.
Weekly Power Status
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