Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Hear the sound of love worth writing down

I went to the bulletin board after the training to see the level ranking results. There were groups of students looking, so I have to wait for my turn. I was nervous because I wasn't able to concentrate much on studying due to training.

Where are my classmates? Did they check the results?

I wasn't able to check mine during recess. Players were excused for our monthly check-up.

How about Zack? Is he still in the field?

I overheard the freshies as I wait for them to finish.

"Omg! His full name is Zack Jersey Mendoza Zendaya. He ranked one again. How amazing!" The curly girl said. She widened her eyes in amazement.

I recalled having the same reaction the first time I saw his grades.

"Oh, such an amazing guy. He tops almost all the subjects. Look, look, 98 for all the subjects he ranked first," her friend replied.

Well, what can I say? I'm always proud of my best friend.

"Let me see - wow! He's number one in all the subjects except for Literature, Social Science, and Religious Studies, but he still made it to the top two! " The girl next to the curly hair exclaimed.

"Who's number one in those subjects?"

"Zamora, Zee Katie Liu for Literature, and Tan, Gabriella Wong for Social Science. Who is that?"

I smiled. I always made sure to maintain that spot. I couldn't wait to see Sir Cerezo. I was waiting for his congratulatory speech. If I were to be born again, I would want to be his girlfriend. Too bad, he was already engaged.

"Oh, that, they are the girls who usually eat with Zack during Tuesdays and Thursdays."

There's no doubt Zack was famous, but I was surprised they knew the schedule. Well, it's Zack. He also got a lot of fangirls outside the school. He's humble, which was the best thing about him.

"Ah yeah, I remember. Seniors said one of them is his girlfriend. Woah, so lucky!"

I laughed at the thought. Girlfriend? You think so?

"Wait, Agoncillo, Aae Ocala Huang is the transferee, right? Wow, he ranks next to Zack, and tops Religious Studies."

Wait.

Aae ranked next to Zack, so it means he'd beaten Caroline, and the rank adjusted if he'd beaten Caroline.

"Uhm, hi." I approached them. "Would you mind if I check too?"

The girls stopped talking. They looked at me. The curly girl adjusted her vest while the short girl next to her instantly recognized me. "You're Zee, right?" She gasped.

"Yeah," I smiled at them.

They were talking about my relationship with Zack. I ignored them and searched for Gab's name.

I ranked eighth in the entire senior class, so I don't have any complaints about that. Why would I complain?

Gab ranked sixth in the entire senior class. It was better than mine. But, it wasn't enough for the high standards of her family. Gab grew up trying to reach their standards. She lived in the shadow of her sisters and brothers, who left names in our school by having the same rank as Zack.

"I believe Caroline was frustrated because a guy beat her again." I startled upon hearing Zack's voice. He stood next to me while holding the ball at his hand. I sniffed mint.

"Of course, she tried hard to beat you," I replied. "But, she easily lost to Aae."

"Why not date her? She likes you." I waited for an answer, hoping to hear what I wanted to know.

Caroline was doing everything to bet him so she could date Zack. It was their agreement.

"You'll get jealous." He bit his lower lip.

"Duh!" I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"Uh, Gab..." he added. Like me, I also don't know what to say about Gab.

"She'll make it. It's still the first quarter." I said.

Zack nodded as he continued reading the names.

I caught a glimpse of freshies staring at him with admiration. They stood an inch away from us. I sensed the reluctance towards them. It showed how they want to talk to him, yet they're shy. The freshies were so cute.

I glanced at him. He stood 6-foot on the ground. I sometimes hated his height because I have to lift my head to stare. His deep gray eyes always mesmerized me.

He's a tanned guy you wouldn't notice at first glance. He didn't stand out in my crowd the first time we met. But, when I look closely at him, I realized he was oozing with an appeal. His pointed nose and chiseled jawlines were something to be complimented. It suited him well.

"Your fangirls are cheering on the side," I whispered.

Zack shrugged nonchalantly. Of course, he never cared about them.

"Aae's going to beat you the next time. You better get ready." I teased him as I looked at Aae's ranking results.

"You know those numbers." He pointed at the board. "They don't matter to me."

"Yeah, whatever," I hissed. "Do you even have something that matters to you?" I frowned.

"You." He quickly admitted.

"Why ask me? I'm a-asking you duh?" I turned the other way to hide my face.

He chuckled. "Baka!" He jerked his head and murmured.

"Oh, your rank in math improved. You should be thanking me." He proudly smiled.

"Yeah. Thank you, master," I sincerely said and even made a curtsy. It made him smile. "Wait, do you still have banana milk? Give me one."

"Why would I give you? You gave it to me." He pouted. He tossed the ball as we walked and snatched it as soon as we saw Sister Lou at the stairs.

"Why are you still roaming around? The bell already rang." She crossed her arms as she surveyed us from head to toe. "Mr. Zendaya, this isn't the football field." She looked at the ball.

"Uh," Zack scratched his head. "I'm gonna keep it in my locker."

"We came from the clinic for our monthly check-up," I uttered with respect.

"Make sure you go back to your classes." She gave us a stern look.

We nodded and hurriedly went upstairs. I wanted to ride on the elevator, but we ended up climbing the fourth floor. Uh, I was so tired.

"Why are Sisters like that? Do they even know how to smile?" Zack scowled.

"Ssh, don't talk ill about her. It's the norm, and the school rules," I answered. "Give me the banana milk. I'll give it to Gab," I said before entering the room.

The class hadn't started yet. I sat beside Gab. She stared at me for a second before turning to her book. I know no amount of words would make her feel better, so I just gave her the banana milk. I should buy her favorite yogurt drink tomorrow.

"Thanks," she said. I initiated a hug, and she gave it back for a second. Zack patted her on the shoulder.

Talking would make it worse, so I decided to leave her alone. I prayed she would be okay in time. I believe when we're sad, a hug could make us better.

"Guys, list down your chosen musical instruments here." Charish waved a paper. I looked at her for a second before turning to the drum set. I positioned myself and was about to play it when I smelled chocolate.

"What are you going to play?"

I almost dropped my drum sticks when he sat beside me. Is he talking to me now?

Everyone was busy with their chosen musical instruments for the next level ranking. Gab was sitting beside the window, spacing out. Zack was teaching Chad how to play the saxophone. Oh right, Zack knows how to play almost all the musical instruments.

"I wanted to talk to you too. It's just I can't." He confessed. He tilted his head on the side. What is he thinking?

"You can't?" I reacted. I raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"You're always with Zack since the first time I came here." He sighed.

I breathe in the chocolate fragrance as he moved an inch beside me.

"Zack is my best friend," I claimed. So, what's up with Zack with me all the time?

"Is he?" He seriously glanced at me. His eyes were waiting for confirmation. I never thought he was this handsome up close.

"Yes."

"Zeekie! Coach Chris is looking for you!" Zack yelled from the door.

"Oh. I'll be back." I stood up from my seat.

"Is that a promise?" He said, acting like a kid.

I choked.

He laughed a little.

"How about you teach me how to play the drums?" He gazed.

"Zeekieeee! Coach Chris will get mad!" Zack shouted again.

"You don't need to shout, Zack!" Charish exclaimed.

I agreed with Charish. Why shout when he could say it nicely? I know Coach Chris would get mad if I made him wait. Why was he even looking at me during class hours?

I went to the faculty room. Coach Chris was surprised to see me and asked, "What are you doing here?"

What the hell is happening with Zack? Why is he playing with me?

Zack was outside the music room when I came back. He leaned his back on the wall, with his hands on both pockets. He turned to me when he felt my presence.

"Coach Chris didn't call for me," I said, irritated.

"Oh." He tried to be innocent of his crime. "I thought he was looking for you when he passed by."

"You gotta be kidding me, Baka!" I passed by him and reached the doorknob when he pulled me away from the door.

"Where are you going?" He clenched his jaw.

"Inside, hello? We have a class?" I sarcastically replied.

"No, don't go inside." He pulled my wrist and started walking away.

"Hey, hey!" I lowered my voice since shouting on hallways is prohibited. I don't want to get detention for God's sake! "What are you doing? If the Sisters caught us, we'll be in detention!"

He didn't even flinch when I pinched his arms. I tried pulling my hand, but he was too strong to let me go.

"Ouch!" I said when I bumped into his back because he suddenly stopped. "Baka! What the hell are you doing? You're being weird!"

"Let's go to the clinic," he said and started walking again, not letting go of my wrist.

"Why would we go to the clinic? Why do you need me to go to the clinic?" I hysterically said. I cupped my mouth using my free hand to stop myself from shouting.

What's up with him today? He is acting weird!

"I hurt myself. I need a remedy,"

What?

I scanned him.

Wait.

Is he possibly?

I shrugged the thought.

Nonsense Zee! He can't be!

How could he possibly be jealous?