Chapter 5 CH.5 - Meeting Class 4-16

CLASS 4-16 (Rebecca's POV)

"OH, GOOD LORD." I mumbled as I entered the classroom. All their eyes were fixed at me and the girls were showing how much they dislike the fact that I was there. Ms. Leni pulled me in front and spoke.

"Good morning class. There was a last-minute change regarding your advisor and your classmates. Instead of Mrs. Rose, I will be your permanent advisor and we have added two more students in this class."

"If it's been decided then we cannot do anything but accept that girl." A lady with a long hair stated nonchalantly.

I wanted to run out of the room but doing that will prove that I am just a dumb, wimp, weak-hearted student who talked nonsense earlier.

"Please find an available seat, Rebecca." Ms. Leni said, and I was left with no other choice but to do what she asked.

I walked towards the free seat at the back next to a man who was sleeping. I immediately sat down and looked at my desk to avoid their judging stares.

I guess it's better to sit beside a guy than a girl who will torment me every day.

"Alright, so let's have a short introduction. Everyone already knows who I am so I will just explain why we have 4-16 this year and why this class only consist of fifteen students."

My eyes wandered and she was right. But they were only fourteen at the moment. One student was missing. It could possibly be the student she chose to join them or maybe the person she said she knew.

"This year, we are conducting a special assessment. The students here are carefully chosen not because you are failing your curriculum but we see an opportunity to help you boost your strengths and knowledge to give you a better chance of claiming your future. Originally, we only chose thirteen students, but we came to a final judgment that the last two who will join us are worthy of the open spot."

"I believe that the girl claiming Ibarra was one of the two, so who's the other one?" A guy wearing an eyeglass asked.

Ms. Leni smiled. "It's Ibarra himself."

I heard soft gasps coming from the girls and a wild clamor from the boys.

"So where is he?" Another student questioned.

Our advisor raised her arm and pointed the person beside me. "There. Mr. Constantine, kindly pay attention to class."

My eyes broadened as I watched him raised his head and focused his eyes at the front. Immediately, my heart pounded like crazy as my body froze in utter shock. I knew he'll be in this classroom. I knew that we will be breathing the same air but not this close! What happened earlier replayed in my head and I was starting to panic inside.

"Oh my, this is interesting." The girl in front of my seat noted with an amused smile on her lips.

"Interesting indeed." Her friend was also staring at us.

I swallowed the air blocking my throat as I felt my cheeks burn. I cannot choose whether if this was a good or a bad thing for me but one thing was for sure, I don't think I can last long in this room while experiencing this kind of tension. I will die in heart attack especially if...

A gasp escaped my lips when he turned his eyes at me.

Ho-Holy macaroons!

I wanted to curl my body and turn into a ball to keep my heart safe from his stare. He looked bored and annoyed but still... this was a rare kind of experience for me and I wanted to savor the moment.

"Can you stare away? Or much better find somewhere else to sit." He said in a low voice but the hint of detest was evident.

I was taken aback.

It was the second time I heard him speak but it was way different from the first time I heard his voice. The first time I met him was during our first day as freshmen. He was standing on the stage, welcoming the new students like us and he was the one who started the flag ceremony. I was mesmerized by him at that moment and that tiny fascination turned into a great admiration.

But his tone right now sounded as if it was filled with hatred and disgust. I found it disappointing since I finally get the chance to know him, yet he was already barricading himself from me. Well, who wouldn't be when I acted like an insane lady earlier?

"I..."

"Eyes here!" Ms. Leni loudly called out that broke our eye contact. "Why don't we start with the introduction from Mr. Constantine? Please stand up. Tell us your name, your likes and dislikes, and what are you pursuing in college."

He let out a sigh before standing up.

He's an ultimate snob but...

Damn! It was only making me crave to unravel his secrets and be close to him. My eyes focused back at him.

"Name's Ibarra. I have no particular likes, but I hate girls who throw themselves at me and stare at me like what you are doing right now."

I froze when he stared back at me before rolling his eyes in annoyance. I heard our classmates laugh so I looked down and covered my face. I guess he has the right to feel annoyed at me since I kept doing stupid things. What he said made me feel degraded. It felt like I was pushing myself hard to someone who doesn't like me.

You haven't started trying to tame him, yet, here you are... already planning to surrender.

I started to question myself whether the feelings I had for him was just shallow – a puppy kind of love or was it something deeper. I'd like to know, so I made a mental note not to give up easily just because he was throwing blank bullets at me. I suppose the answer will be revealed once trials were thrown at me consecutively.

"And about college... I don't have anything planned for it yet." He sat down and turned his back at me – looking past the window.

"Next."

I stood up and clasped my hands together. "M-My name is Rebecca. My likes are..." I paused for a bit and my classmates started adding their conclusion about it.

"Men like Ibarra?"

"Ibarra and his attention?"

"Ibarra and... Ibarra?"

My eyes followed the faces of these people who made fun of me while adding different answers to my 'likes'. They were even laughing that made me conscious to continue.

"Can you all stop? How can we move forward if you kept answering the question that was meant to be answered by her?" Ms. Leni scolded. "Proceed Rebecca."

"W-What I wanted is to have new friends, to have wonderful memories with my new classmates and to be acknowledge by someone." I glimpsed at him. "My dislikes are bullies, people making fun of other's weakness and backstabbers. I am still not certain about this, but I plan to become a writer in the future."

I immediately sat down and was awed by their silence. No more teasing faces and laughter.

Did I say something wrong again?