MEMORIES
Cast: Pablo, Stell, Josh, Ken, Justin
Chapter: 2/?
Rating: PG 13
Warning: un-betaed, taglish, incorrect grammar, mention of bullying
Pairing: JoshxErica (random pair)
Summary: An introduction to their High school life.
“Uy Pau, may quiz ba tayo ngayon sa Science?” He looked up from the Science book he was reviewing and answered his best friend’s question, “Nakalimutan mo ulit Stell? Hindi ba niremind pa sa’tin ‘yan ni Ma’am nung isang araw?”
“Sorry na…medyo dami lang kasi ginagawa eh.” Stell sat beside Pablo and without even asking, took the book from him and scan the pages with notes.
“Andami mo kasing extra-curricular activities Ajero eh. Ayan tuloy, wala ka ng time to study our lessons. Tandaan mo, graduating na tayo. Need mo pa din ng high grades para makapasok sa dream school mo.” Panenermon niya. Stell was the most active person he had met. Lahat na yata ng club sinalihan nito this year and mind you, he actively participates to all their activities. Katwiran nito, since last year na nila sa highschool, why not make the most out of it. Ine-enjoy lang daw niya ang mga natitirang araw niya bilang isang highschool student. He understands that but lately he notices na mababa mga quizzes nito. It got him worried kaya ilang beses na niya sinasabihan na mag-lay low na and magfocus sa academic pero the more na pinagsasabihan niya si Stell, the more na hindi nakikinig.
Everyone was startled when the door of their classroom opened and one student was thrown inside. There were screams from the girls and they stood up to look at the student lying on the floor, obviously in pain while holding his stomach. They heard the loud cheers from outside and they all knew what was going on.
Ken, the troublemaker is creating trouble again.
Ken is their schoolmate. Same year sila pero nasa pinakahuling section kasama ng mga katulad din nitong troublemakers na mga students, while he and Stell are in the top section.
There were 4 sections in their year. They were arranged based on their grades and behavior. Section 1 obviously consists of intelligent and active students who are top of their class. The students here are both academically and extra-curricular active. Those that did not make it to Section 1 were placed in section 2. And then Section 3 consist of students na mga pasaway pero napagsasabihan pa. Maiingay ang trademark. And lastly, Section 4. This section talaga ang sakit ng ulo ng mga teachers, ng guidance and ng principal. They don’t listen to teachers; they create troubles in the school. They’ve been given final warning but since their parents begged the school to reconsider, the school gave them many chances. As long as they will not mar the school’s name by causing trouble outside and with other schools. Pablo knew they were lenient to them but he got no choice. Thankfully it will be their last year and in a few more months, they will not see them again.
Sobrang bihira magtagpo ang mga students from the highest section and sa lowest section and if ever mangyare man ‘yon that was because of a school activity. The teachers are still requiring the lowest section to participate kahit sobrang pasaway ng mga ito. The thing is, hindi nawawala ang kantyawan at hiyawan na minsan ay nauuwi sa pikunan, pero bago magpang-abot ay napipigilan na sila ng mga classmates nila.
Pablo being the President of the Student Council hurriedly assisted the student on the floor. “Okay ka lang?” he asked. It was Tim from section 3.
“Tang-ina!” Tim hissed in pain.
“Tara, let’s go to the clinic.” Pablo assisted Tim to get up but he was pushed on the floor when Ken jumped on Tim and hold the collar of his uniform.
“Tandaan mo, last na warning na ‘to.” Pablo saw Ken whispered something to Tim and saw the scared look on Tim’s face. In an instant, he was on his feet and pulled Ken away from Tim. Irritation is evident in his voice.
“Alis na. Sa guidance na lang kayo magkita.” May authority na sabi niya.
Ken just looked at Pablo and sneered. Then he stared at Tim, gave him a warning sign and then left.
Every student in their school knows the silent rivalry between Pablo and Ken when it comes to leadership. Wala man ni isa sa kanila ang tahasang nagsabi but those in the highest section look up to Pablo for guidance while the lowest section look up to Ken for protection.
Stell's POV
When Pablo left his side to help the student who was knocked out by Ken on the floor, Stell quietly snuck out of their
room and went to the CR. He cannot bear to see anyone fighting, natatakot siya na nanlalamig tuwing may nakikita siyang nag-aaway.
Once inside the CR, Stell washed his hand and went inside one of the empty cubicles. He sat on the bowl and tried to calm his nerves. It was always like this. Tuwing nawiwitness niya na nakikipag away si Ken, yes si Ken pati barkada nito, dahil sila lang naman ang nangunguna sa mga away away, palagi na lang siya hindi mapakali. Nanginginig ang kamay niya at nahihirapan siyang huminga. He feels suffocated. And since ayaw niyang mabaling sa kanya ang attention ng mga students specially Ken, he makes sure na walang makakapansin na umaalis at nagtatago siya. Honestly, takot siya kay Ken although wala pa naman instances where their paths cross and pinagbuntunan siya ng attention nito.
No one knew this was happening to him everytime, not even his best friend Pablo. Minsan magtatanong si Pablo sa kanya kung saan siya galing, ang madalas na sinasabi niya ay naghahanap siya ng teacher na masusumbungan.
When he finally calmed down and Stell was ready to get out of the cubicle, he heard voices from outside. Nope, it was from another cubicle. He listened one more time and clasped a hand over his mouth when he heard it again. Someone is moaning. Shit!
“Sshhhh shhhh, keep quiet babe…”
“Hmnnn…babe.. more pa please…”
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Stell when he realized what’s happening inside the other cubicle. He didn’t have any idea who the girl was but he thought he knew who's the guy.
It's Josh Cullen from Section 3. The womanizer.
Josh POV
Josh got so horny when Erica boldly touches his manhood while sucking his tongue inside the cubicle. Erica, his classmate and his newest girl couldn’t get enough of him. Since they've become a couple a few days ago, all they did was touch each other anytime, anywhere. Yes, their PDA was on another level. Well, it was always Erica who take the initiative of making him hot and needy. It was either she sat on top of him or she always had her breast touch his back or his arm, then rub it against him until he gets hard. Yes, Erica was bold and a show off. She wants everyone to know that they were now a couple. He was like a trophy to her and he didn’t care.
Josh knew his reputation in school. Being popular because of his handsomeness and his charismatic aura, girls and some of the boys went crazy over him. He was a chick/boy-magnet. Girls flock wherever he goes. They give him gifts, letter, food and attention. Even the teachers are fond of him.
When it comes to relationship, he doesn’t want any complex one, so he chooses those girls who were bold and brazen. Who made the first move, showed interest, flirted with him. He doesn’t like quiet, shy type, conservative girls. Nope. They are complicated and Josh doesn’t like complicated things.
He only has one rule and it is simple. Don’t demand anything from him and when he’s done, he’s done. And those girls understood the assignment. They were just a passing fancy to him. Once he gets tired of them, they will be set aside. Josh was not worried that they will get back to him because he made sure that they were treated properly. Yes, Josh was a womanizer but he was not an asshole.
“Shit babe, ang sarap mo...” Josh moans when Erica finally freed his manhood from his pants and was now touching him. He would have asked her to suck him but then suddenly the bell rings, indicating that their break is over. Their next subject is Math, his fave subject just because Mr. Orquiz makes the subject so simple to understand. He cannot miss this class.
He pushed Erica away from him and fixed his pants much to Erica’s disappointment. She buttoned her top and arranged her undies but before leaving the cubicle, she gave Josh her sweetest smile and reach out to kiss him on the lips. It was just a peck.
They were both surprised to see Stell looking at them from outside the cubicle but they just ignored him and passed by him on the way out. Erica whispered to Josh, “come to my house after school. Let’s continue what we were doing there.”
Justin's POV
Justin loves to stay in the library during recess, checking some of the hidden books about paintings he found in the farthest corner of the room when he first visited the library. Being an introvert, Justin knew the safest place he can be was the library. It suits him. No loud noises from the students, no one’s mocking him, bullying him. No one stares at him and talk about him as if he was not there. No one’s making fun of him.
Growing up, he studied in an all boys private school and classmates with some of the sons of known personality in business, politics, entertainment and the like during elementary and early part of his high school. His father was able to afford it since they owned some of the manufacturing companies in their town.
He used to be fun and active boy during elementary days but it changed when those spoiled brats picked on him when they were in high school. There was a group of students who like to bully him. They always corner him and demand things from him such as money or his food. When he tried to fight back, they knocked him down. It hurts getting beaten and threatened. He was not used to physical pain and didn’t want to experience it again so he just keeps quiet and not fight back. Then he noticed that if he remains invisible, they ignore him. That was when he realized the only thing to protect his self was to keep quiet and not draw any attention to him. Painting and drawing have become his therapy. He was able to express his self using arts.
His father noticed his lack of social interactions when he was in second year. He doesn’t have any friends; he doesn’t go out like any other kids his age and he rarely speak. He was always alone in his room, doing either painting or drawing.
He got worried and did some investigation and find out about the bullying. He felt sorry for Justin and their family decided to transfer him immediately. Good thing a semi-private co-ed school near their place accepted him even if the school year was about to end. Maybe a change of environment will change Justin. Will heal him. He was second year at that time when he was transferred. And it was already the fourth grading period.
A year has passed and he was still the same Justin although the students here doesn’t pick on him like those boys in his previous school. There was just one group who called out to him whenever they see him but that’s all. That group in Section 3, where Josh Cullen belongs together with his popular boy-friends and their girl-friends. They doesn’t get physical and when ignored, they just mind their own business. Although there is one group, he was afraid to encounter. Well, he knew most students were afraid of them since they cause a lot of trouble in school and Justin gets chill every time he thinks of them. It reminded him of those spoiled bullies in his old school.
Ken’s group.
Justin heard the bell rings, indicating that their recess was over so he immediately put the book back to it’s shelve and left the library. He was halfway to his classroom when he saw from afar Ken’s group going to his direction so he decided to turn around to the other side so he won’t have to run to them. The group was loud and some boys were cheering on him. It looks like Ken caused trouble again. Habang naglalakad ng mabilis, panay ang sulyap niya sa grupo. At dahil kabado, hindi niya napansin na may makakasalubong siya. He cried out when he bumped to another person and knocked both of them on the ground.
Justin couldn’t believe what happened. He was on top of Josh Cullen and their faces an inch apart from each other. Gahibla lang ang layo ng mga mukha nila sa isa’t isa at napatunganga siya sa maamo nitong mukha. Ngayon lamang niya napagmasdan nang malapitan ang isang Josh Cullen. Tama nga ang sabi nila. Napakapogi nitong nilalang.
Justin wanted to get his notebook and draw Josh Cullen right at that moment. He would have done it but he saw Josh Cullen’s eyebrows wiggle and heard him say, “If you want my attention, you don’t need to jumped on me like that. Just give me your number and I’ll call you when I’m free.”
Justin was too stunned to speak and his eyes widened when he realized that Josh was having a hard on. He can feel it on his stomach. He immediately gets up, grab his bag that was thrown on the floor and run to his classroom. Sa sobrang panic, hindi niya napansin na tumakbo siya sa way kung saan andun ang grupo nila Ken. He bumped to him but he didn’t notice and continue to run to his classroom.
“Pre, okay ka lang? Hindi ka ata kilala nun ah. Gusto mo ba magpakilala ako dun sa nerd na yun?” Marvin, his best friend said, habang pinapatunog ang mga daliri sa kamay.
Ken looked at Josh who was being assisted by Erica and smirked. “Leave him alone, pre. Wala tayo mapapala dun.” Ken then raised his brow when they passed by Josh and they fist bumped each other. May sari-sarili man silang grupo, they acknowledge each other and they don’t have bad blood between them. They may not be buddies but they respect each other.
Current Time
“Ken? Ken Suson?” gulat na tanong ni Pablo. Out of all the people that he might encountered, Si Ken Suson pa talaga.
“Yes, ako nga. Hmnnn p’wede ko na ba kunin si Kuro-chan ko?” he asked.
“Alaga mo ‘to?” Pablo was skeptical. He never imagined Ken Suson will have a cat as pet.
“Obvious ba. Kukunin ko ba sa’yo kung hindi?” Ken said defensively. He didn’t like how Pablo was questioning him.
“Proof? Malay ko ba kung ninakaw mo ‘to tapos ibebenta mo pala.” he cannot help but to add the last comment, even if it sounded judgemental. He knew Ken way back in high school. Sa sobrang bully nito, he never expects him na darating ang araw na mag-aalaga ito ng Pusa. He heard rumors that Ken and his friends used to hurt stray animals.
“Hoy Pablo, that’s foul ha. Here’s the proof that Kuro-chan is mine.” Ken brought out his phone and show Pablo his wallpaper. It was Kuro and him. He also went to his gallery and show him more pictures of them as well as the registration paper that shows that he owned Kuro.
When Pablo was convinced that the cute but heavy cat belongs to Ken, he handed it to him and said, “Tsktsktsk, bakit kasi pinakawalan mo? Eh kung iba nakapulot diyan?”
Nagkibit balikat lang si Ken habang inaabot si Kuro, sa isip-isip niya, hanggang ngayon mayabang pa din magsalita. Hindi talaga sila magkakasundo nito. He turned around and was about to leave when he heard Pablo said, “baka gusto mo uminom? Open na ‘tong bar ko. Don’t worry, pwede si Kuro dito.”
He looked back and saw the signage was now lit open and it says, SUKA BAR. With nothing else to do, Ken decided to chill for the rest of the night and walk inside the bar. Maybe it will clear his mind off and some plans will be made after he had a few drinks.
Tbc~