Sabotaging My Walkout Queen

David's P.O.V.

Finally, it's the last school year!

We just had to spend one more year here at St. Augustine's Academy and we would step into college. But before college could happen, I had to get the highest title first-I had to be the class valedictorian.

My class adviser said that it would never be hard for me to get the top rank since based on my grades from the first year to the third year, I was still the number one candidate for the valedictorian award.

It was just so fulfilling because if that happened, I would have a full-scholarship grant in college and my elder sister, Diane, would no longer dance in the club just to pay for my tuition fees. Our father passed away when I was only seven and our mother became sick since then, resulting in my sister to become the breadwinner of the family.

I dismissed my thoughts when I got to the classroom. I immediately sat right beside my girlfriend, Vanessa, and playfully tickled her waist. She was beautiful and sexy, and she was one of my inspirations aside from my family. I always went to school early because of her.

Who would have ever thought that the famous cheerleader of St. Augustine's Academy will become my girlfriend? Of course, I'm handsome! We are indeed a perfect match!

I wonder why she didn't mind me in the first place and just continued reading her book. When I looked at the cover, my eyebrows immediately creased into a furrow.

What the heck? Sixty Shades of Grey!

"Hey, Dave! What are you doing? Can't you see that I'm busy reading it? Mind your own business, please!" She seemed to be surprised when I suddenly confiscated her book.

"Seriously, Vanessa? Why do you have to read this kind of stuff? You know that this is forbidden here so you are clearly violating our school rules. How about your assignments? Are you already done with it?" I threw her a series of questions.

"Give it back to me!" she yelled at me. Instead of responding to my questions, she only forced herself to reach the book which I kept on raising using my right hand. "Geez, it's so hard to have such a smart-ass boyfriend." I even heard her murmured, still not surrendering.

I then towered over her. She was taller compared to other sixteen-year-old teenagers at five feet and five inches, but she couldn't get the book from me because I was still taller than her. At sixteen, I already stood tall at five feet and eight inches.

We were soon interrupted when Mrs. Cheng went inside the classroom. I immediately placed the book inside my backpack while Vanessa was still freaking mad at me. If stares could kill, I would have died already.

"Okay, class. Good morning!" Our class adviser greeted us.

We humbly replied, "Good morning, ma'am!"

"So this is the second day of your class and of course, your final year in high school. At this stage, I would like to congratulate all of you for making this far, most especially, those who are running for honors." She was all-out smiling.

I proudly smiled. We were forty students in section one. Almost half of the class was currently running for honors, but of course, I was the only one who ran for the valedictorian title.

Well, who else?

"Can you please stop yourself from grinning? I find it annoying, duh!" Vanessa rolled her eyes while looking at me.

I only gave her a teasing smile with a matching wink. She was indeed pretty, and I loved teasing her that way. We had been together for one year.

"But in the meantime, I would like to introduce to you your new classmate..." Mrs. Cheng glanced at the open door and motioned someone out there to enter the room. I didn't know why but I suddenly became nervous.

Wearing her red knapsack on both shoulders, a newcomer slowly stepped inside our classroom... but she seemed hesitant if she was really going to move forward.

"She is Miss Helena Delgado, from St. James Catholic School. It's obvious that she was a transferee here so be kind to her, okay? Hija, would you like to say something about yourself? Maybe a little introduction would help your classmates get to know you."

I narrowed my eyes. I must admit that the transferee was quite beautiful, but my girlfriend was still a lot better! Vanessa was even sexier than her. With Helena's eyeglasses, she looked like a smart teenager. But I knew for sure that she couldn't beat me. I would never let her beat me!

I curved the end of my lips into a smirk.

Focus, Dave! When did it happen that a transferee became the class valedictorian? my subconscious asked.

Yeah, I haven't heard of such a thing. It's quite impossible to happen!

She cleared her throat. "H-Hi, everyone. I'm H-Helena Mari Delgado, fifteen years old, and I came from St. James Catholic School. I'm a bookworm* and I love to spend time with my family." The transferee gave a little introduction about herself.

"Okay! Thanks, Miss Delgado. You can sit at the back of Mr. Rivera." Our adviser pointed the empty chair at my back and Helena quietly took her seat there.

In fairness to her, she doesn't look like a bookworm at all. If her eyeglasses would be removed, she would look more of a couch potato**. I smiled at my thoughts but little did I know that my smile wouldn't last long after hearing Mrs. Cheng's next words.

"And by the way, class... Miss Delgado was a consistent top one student from the first year to the third year. So I think, you have already found your competitor in getting the valedictorian title, David."

Mrs. Cheng was sincerely smiling at me but I found it a little bit awkward. Her smile was saying that I should study harder than usual.

I didn't know why, but I suddenly became timid and bowed my head. I felt being upset. I was not like this every time Mrs. Cheng would talk to me.

Am I intimidated to find out that my one hundred percent probability of being the class valedictorian will become fifty percent now? I don't usually get annoyed with women, but why does she have to transfer here?

"Enjoy this moment, boyfie. I guess, someone will beat you now!" I heard Vanessa said. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see her tongue on her cheeks. She was clearly mocking me.

I just ignored here and out of nowhere, I found myself glancing at Helena who was sitting at my back. To my surprise, our eyes met. It was not that long since I immediately looked away.

But from the moment we stared at each other, I didn't know why my heart leaped for a second. I got abruptly confused. There was something in her that I could not explain. Maybe, I just found her green eyes... beautiful.

Wait, beautiful? Hell, no way! I was supposed to say-I think her eyes were fake. Maybe, she was only using green contact lenses. But what is the use of her eyeglasses, then? Props only? Tsk, why am I even thinking about it? I shook my head.

Our class started but hours went too fast until we heard the school bell rang. That signifies break time-the favorite subject of most students. But not for me, it was my least favorite. Not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I just wanted to study in order to be successful someday.

I was going to invite Vanessa for us to have some lunch together. However, I had not yet opened my mouth to do that when she immediately rushed through the door, since they would still be having a cheer dance practice. Like the old times, I had no other choice but to eat alone.

But before I was left alone, I saw Helena just coming out. I immediately fixed my belongings, grabbed the knapsack on my right shoulder, and hurried out of the room to chase her. I did not expect her to walk so fast that I also increased my steps to be in line with her pace.

Wait! Why would you even follow her, Dave? Isn't that you're mad at her? my subconscious asked me.

But I didn't listen to it.

"H-Helena, w-wait!" I called her.

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Bookworm* is a person who likes to read books and who spends a lot of time reading and studying.

Couch Potato** is someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.

David's P.O.V.

The transferee stopped walking, but she didn't pay attention to me. Because of that, I immediately went in front of her for us to talk properly.

"I-I would like to ask w-why did you t-transfer?"

I didn't really know what to ask her. Hmm... I think, there's nothing wrong with my question. I'm just curious.

She calmly stared at me and took a deep breath before she spoke, "It was my father's decision." It was short and I couldn't sense any emotion on her face. Her voice was cold too. After that, she mindlessly walked away from me as no conversation had happened between us.

I didn't follow her anymore. In the first place, I didn't even know the reason why I suddenly rushed to start a conversation with her... and the way she responded to me?

It felt like she doesn't want to talk, she doesn't like to get close and she didn't want to be friends with me. It seemed like she built a wall, all of a sudden.

Really, Dave? To get close and be friends with you, huh? My subconscious would not leave me alone.

But woah! Did I really say those things? I find it stupid! I lopsidedly moved my head.

It was too late for me to realize that my feet already took me to the campus stage at the center of the whole campus where cheer dancers were currently practicing their steps.

I searched for Vanessa but she was not with them. I continued wandering my eyes around until I found her at the corner of the stage chatting with Drew. My eyes suddenly got stuck at them and I didn't know what to feel after seeing them so close to each other. I couldn't be wrong because only Vanessa had red hair among the cheer dancers.

Drew was one of the famous varsity players in our school. There was no basketball game that his team could not win, both on and off the campus. He was the captain ball indeed, but he was too weak when it comes to academics. He was egocentric-as if the world would not revolve without him.

I wasn't the type of guy who got easily jealous, but why does it feel like something seemed so wrong? I invited Vanessa so that we could have lunch together, but she rejected my offer. Now, I would find her having snacks with that Drew? And they were even laughing while talking to each other, huh?

What hurts me most was the fact that I had never seen that kind of laugh that would make Vanessa's dimples under her eyes appear, whenever she was with me.

Because I could no longer take what my eyes were seeing, I immediately left the place and walked through the course that would lead me to the canteen. Maybe, I was just famished, and food alone could alleviate how I felt at the moment.

You're just hungry, Dave! Do not be jealous. You are more handsome and better than him!

Before I could reach the canteen, I would first pass by the Music Room along the pathway. Students who were currently signed up in the Music Club were practicing their forte here or should I say, those students who were deliberately awake when the sky showered incredible music talents were always here.

As for me, I didn't have any talent when it comes to music. I was always out of tune.

I was ready to go beyond the music room when I heard the piano playing inside. After a few seconds, someone started to sing...

I couldn't remember when did the last time I saw your face

You were always proud of me, afraid of letting me go, but I walked away

If only I cherished the time you were still with me, ooh ooh

She had a soft and captivating voice, but there was a hint of sadness. I didn't know why I couldn't keep myself away from the door and just continued to listen.

How I wish that I could turn back the time and hold you in my arms

Only you could take the sorrows and forgive all my mistakes

But there was nothing I could do right now

No matter how much I wanted to hear your voice again

You were already gone, you left me... you left me now...

And you would never be here again even how many times I begged God for you to come back

Her voice became a little bit raspy. Soon after, it seemed like she was already crying... while still trying to keep with the harmony of the music.

Oh, I'm sorry for envying you

For everything that happened to us

And I've blamed myself since the day you were gone

She abruptly stopped singing and what I heard next was how she ran out of the exit door. I found myself opening the entrance door of the Music Room, then I immediately headed towards the exit at the opposite side of the room, but I wasn't able to see whoever owned that voice. I ended up waiting for my breathing to get steady before I left the room.

I guess I was just curious. Her voice was enticing enough to pique my attention, and this is my first time to hear that song. It seems like a self-composed.

I just went straight to the canteen to eat and there, in one of the corners, I saw Helena who was quietly eating her cheeseburger while reading or watching something on her tablet computer-perhaps an e-book version of what she wanted to read or a movie in Netfilms? I wasn't sure.

I noticed that she seemed to be in tears while her eyes were seriously glued to the screen of her gadget. For that, I frowned.

Was she reading a romance novel or watching a tragic film so seriously, for her to become too emotional?

I was even more surprised when I saw her tears welled in her eyes and eventually ran down her rosy-white cheeks. Because of that, I didn't think twice, let alone hesitated. I just immediately approached her and offered my handkerchief.

She looked at me like she was wondering at first if she would take my hanky. It took her a few minutes before accepting it. While she was wiping her tears away, I got the opportunity to slightly see her tablet's screen.

That was when I found out that she was reading about the Theory of Reactance* in Psychology. I sighed, I thought it was about something so serious-like a matter between life and death.

Is that the main reason why she's crying? If it was... then, she's weird! The reason seems to be shallow for her to cry like that.

"Thank you, " she said as she handed me back my handkerchief. She was not yet done with her food, but she quickly arranged her belongings, grabbed her knapsack on her right shoulder, and started walking away from me.

"Wait... H-Helena!" I called her name. For the second time, I followed her, and I was able to reach her outside the canteen.

It was a good thing that there were only a few people here even though it was our lunchtime. I had a girlfriend and I didn't want to hear any gossips related to Helena that would make Vanessa jealous. I was a one-woman man and I didn't want to hurt my girl.

Helena stopped and faced me, but she instantly raised her right hand to signal and stop me from what I was about to tell her.

"Please, Mr. Rivera... stop! I don't know about your motives, but I'm pretty sure that what you think of me is a threat to you. Don't talk to me, okay? Frankly speaking, I don't want to do anything with you so please leave me alone! Just... just stay away from me. Consider me as your rival from now on!"

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Reactance* is a motivational reaction to offers, persons, rules, or regulations that threaten or eliminate specific behavioral freedoms. Reactance occurs when a person feels that someone or something is taking away his or her choices or limiting the range of alternatives.

Reactance can occur when someone is heavily pressured to accept a certain view or attitude. Reactance can cause the person to adopt or strengthen a view or attitude that is contrary to what was intended, and also increases resistance to persuasion. People using reverse psychology are playing on at least an informal awareness of reactance, attempting to influence someone to choose the opposite of what they request.

Helena's P.O.V.

I was no longer in the mood to attend the next class, that was why I called Ricardo to fetch me up. Since it was the last subject and it was just the second day of the school year, I guessed I could still skip my class. In fact, I could skip classes whenever I wanted, and no one could ever stop me! Now boarded in our limo, our family driver in his mid-fifties was taking me home.

I should not have said those things to that freak guy! Oh, what was his name again? All I could remember was his surname, and that was Rivera. But do I have a choice? He creeped me out while following around like a damn stalker!

Why wouldn't he just leave me alone? Was it his first time to see a gorgeous teenager like me? Anyway, I did not want to be friends with whoever because I already learned my lessons well.

Even at my former school, my classmates would not do anything aside from bullying me. I did not know what kind of happiness they attained whenever they were telling me hurtful words such as teacher's pet and strawberry.

Hmm, a nicer term for bloodsucker? Suit themselves! For them, I was nothing but a threat-a threat to whoever wanted to get the valedictorian title.

I rolled my eyes. As if I care with those damn scumbags and ugly bitches!

But those would not ever happen if only Helena and I were able to avoid that accident. The accident that was still haunting me up to this moment.

Yes, all those bullying and criticisms that I had to endure for one year were for the real Helena. I was, I am, and I will always be Athena Cari Delgado... and Helena Mari Delgado was my identical twin sister.

We did not have any differences when it came to our physical appearances. With our five feet and six inches height, rosy-white skin, not-so-round eyes, naturally red lips, chestnut-brown hair, and its maintained length up to our bra-line area? All were just the same. We also shared the same eye color, green, which we inherited from our pure Spanish mommy.

Helena was just wearing a pair of eyeglasses because she had conditions such as Computer Vision Syndrome* and Astigmatism**. If not, you would not be able to find out who was Helena and who was Athena. But I guessed, those were in terms of physical items only.

When it came to attitude, she was way far better than me. As in super far that it even reached the planet Mars! She was and would always be kinder than me. She was almost perfect-thoughtful, smart, sensible... and me?

Well, who cared about me? I was just the fabulous and richer version of the word bitch! Outgoing, extrovert, and rebellious... but I must say... pretty and gorgeous bitch!

We were still young when our mother left us but even though Mom was still alive, Daddy had always been in favor of Helena. She was so smart to the point that she always got the top rank... and me? Oh! Like Helena, I was also consistent to be on top!

Daddy's top pain of the ass!

I was the number one cause of his non-stop headache. For him, I was nothing but always the black sheep. In his eyes, I had never done anything right and all I did was wrong! I was his daughter he could never, ever, be presented to his comrades and business partners. A daughter he could never be proud of.

But despite everything, I never grew jealous of Helena. Even though I was almost on the verge of being envious of how Daddy would favor her in everything considering the fact that we were twins, I never let resentfulness ate my heart out. We remained as best friends although she was, she is, and she would always be Daddy's favorite.

She always wanted our father to give the same attention to me. But the truth was... I did not care anymore! It just came to a point that I would never bother or please him to accept me. Time would just run out if I would still push myself while telling him, "Hey, Daddy! I'm also your daughter so please accept me!"

The crow would turn white but Daddy accepting me would never happen. Anyway, I had already given up my chances in our father-daughter relationship. If he loathed me for a reason I did not understand until now, then so be it. End of story.

But everything had changed when that dreadful accident happened, fourteen months ago...

We were on our way to Las Albas for vacation and summer excursion. It was also our Dad's treat to Helena for getting the highest rank again. As usual, Helena was at the front seat beside our Daddy. Me? Nothing new. I was always in the back seat-already used to it.

"Athena, can you move here in front? I wanted to lay down to sleep, you know that I can't sleep here." Helena pretended to be sleepy when we were at the stop-over. She even accompanied it with a loud yawn. "Pretty please?" My twin even winked at me-a signal that she wanted Daddy and me to get close again.

I just sighed. How could I say no to her?

Daddy did not utter a single word although based on his neutral expression, I knew that he does not want Helena and me to switch our seats. But since her favorite daughter already went out of the car and pushed me to take her original seat, I did not have any other choice but moved to the front seat and wore a seatbelt.

"Helena, hija... you have to be careful, okay? Do not lay down so you can still wear your seatbelt, take a good nap." Dad anxiously reminded Helena before he started the car again. He did not even mind me.

It's just fine, Athena. Don't mind him as well! I silently told myself, almost patting my back for self-comfort.

Sometimes, though I tried not to be affected by how Daddy treated Helena, I could not help myself to be sad knowing that even in my dreams, he could never give that same attention to me. The way how he treated Helena as his princess like she was the only one who exists? It was hard but I already used to suppress my envy.

Even though I was born to be a bad girl, I always reminded myself not to be jealous of her. She was my twin sister and God knew how much I loved her.

And for her, I was so willing and more than willing to sacrifice.

I pretended to enjoy the tranquility of our trip. Dad did not pay any attention to me throughout, so I just covered my ears with my Bluetooth headset. I enjoyed listening to my playlist and the music was raucous enough that up to the middle of his drive, I could say that everything went fine.

Helena fell asleep in the back seat, but she was lying down without any seatbelt. Due to how many times Daddy turned his head to actually check on her and as if the rearview mirror was not enough, he did not notice a huge and rushing truck opposite our way.

"Daddy!" I screamed out of chaos, but it was all too late.

Everything escalated too fast. The last thing I knew was... we bumped against the truck and due to the collision and heavy impact, our car broke down and fell into the cliff right in an instant.

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Computer vision syndrome (CVS)* is a condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer or other display device for protracted, uninterrupted periods, and the eye muscles being unable to recover from the constant tension required to maintain focus on a close object.

Astigmatism** is a common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of your eye that causes blurred distance and near vision. Astigmatism occurs when either the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens, inside your eye, has mismatched curves.

Do not be confused. The author intentionally used Helena's P.O.V. here to avoid the readers from quickly catching the twist. Succeeding chapters will use Athena's P.O.V.