Twenty-Six
– Daniel King’s POV –
“Everyone! Sit down!” It was Mrs. Onevic’s voice that made the whole class quiet, as she was walking towards the teacher’s table. Though few of my classmates were still chatting and walking towards their sits, she continued, “Congratulations, graduates for your hard work.” She paused as she glanced at everyone with a smile, “All of you passed the 4th quarter.”
The entire room was about to explode when most of my classmates loudly exclaimed in relief. Others were hugging each other and clapping. Hannah, who was sitting next to me, turned to look at me with a wide grin that could made her face thorn. I smiled at her as I secretly reach for her hand underneath the table. I held it tight and she held back my hand. We both looked back to ma’am for further instructions.
“And its about time to know the final top 5 of Section Jade.” Mrs. Onevic interrupted as she sat at the edge of the teacher’s table. She was holding a folded white paper in her hand.
I swallowed as I raised my brows. Well, I really don’t mind being in the top or not but its weird that I’m nervous.
I felt her hand tightened her hold on mine as she looked at me with a warm smile. I was forced to smile at her just to tell her that I’m fine. We looked back at Mrs. Onevic when we heard her cleared her throat. She opened the folded paper and took a quick look at everyone before she spoke.
“Top 5. With a final average grade of 90. 1, Geneva, Myka.” Everyone applauded as she paused and took a quick look at everyone, “Top 4, Alvarez, Nicole. With a final average grade of 92. 2.” Nicole’s friends were cheering at her while some were shaking her shoulder and she was grinning from ear to ear.
“And next, top 3. With an average grade of 92. 4, Dela Cerna, Jasper.” Everyone applauded as Mrs. Onevic paused and stared at everyone, “Before we proceeded, I would like to give a warm applause for our former top 1 and former top 2 for a very close grades.” She put the paper that she was holding beside her and applauded with everyone. “Job well done.” Mom emphasized between the applause, “The top 1 will proceed to the department office for Valedictorian and Salutatorian screening.” She explained as she get back the paper and the whole class went silent.
I don’t understand but I’m kind of uneasy. My palms were cold and I could almost hear my heart pounding. I sighed to breath out the weird feeling that I have.
I felt her hand tightened her hold on mine and her thumb was caressing the back of my hand. I raised my brows and looked at her and at the same time, she turned to look at me.
She genuinely smiled at me as she lean in closer to me, “Its okay. You’re always be my top 1.”
I tried to chuckle in a normal way but it was more nervous than I thought. After so many years of receiving medals, ribbons, certificates, this is the very first time that I had this feeling. So its really weird to me. Am I not used of being called as a top 1? First honor? With honors or whatsoever? I should be. Ever since I started to learn how to write, I always had medals or ribbons to take home every end of the school year.
“Now brace yourselves for the top 2.” Mrs. Onevic paused. She was giving us a thrill but my heart was about to jump out of my chest in any minute now, “With a final average grade of 94. 33.” She paused again with an excitement in her smile, “Gonzales, Shanice.”
Everyone’s scream echoed in my ears as I slowly closed my eyes and blew out. I could hear their voices cheering and applauding while others were whistling.
In the middle of noisy crowd, I could still hear ma’am voice continued to speak, “And the top 1 with an average grade of 94. 36–”
“DANIEL KING CARNILLO!!” Mrs. Onevic wasn’t able to finish her statement when the whole class shouted my name.
I heard my classmates cheering and loudly applauding. I could also felt someone briskly shaking my shoulder but I keep my eyes close. And I breath out. I don’t want to see them over-reacting.
Out of the blue, my eyes opened when I felt a warm soft lips touched my cheek. The noise that my classmates made got in my ears and could almost explode my eardrums. They were all laughing and cheering and applauding.
I slowly turned my head to her while my brows were rising. I was surpassing a smile and I’m positive that my cheeks now were burning. She was cheerfully smiling at me. I know she was so proud of me, just by seeing her smile and her beautiful smile made my mind blank. My brain cells froze inside and my neutrons weren’t functioning.
Did she just kiss me? Right in front of the whole class? As in, in front of our Adviser Mrs. Onevic?
“Congratulations, genius.” She said while grinning before she pulled me in for a tight hug.
I literally turned stone. And I swear to god that my face now is like a tomato. I could feel it burning and my classmates were teasing at us.
Shit, man. Mrs. Onevic was staring at us with a wide grin. I like the feeling being in her arms but dude… the teasing that I heard from left to right is something that you wanted yourself to be buried alive. It is so embarrassing.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ma’am asked in a giggled tone.
Her question made me back to my senses. Hannah looked at her but her arms were still around me.
I cleared my throat as I gathered the right words to say, “Honestly… W-we’ve been dating for… s-some time now.” I stuttered.
Ma’am smiled at us, “Well… it helped De Vera improve her grades. She may not be in top but she did pass the 4th quarter.”
I chuckled and I looked at Hannah. She was smiling so much. Her angelic smile was so genuine. It was something that ease all my troubles and calms my unsettled heart. I want to see that every minute.
Later, Mrs. Onevic glanced at her wristwatch, “Okay… I will dismiss you early. Again, congratulations and good luck to your new journey.” She paused and she turned to look at me, “The screening will start at 4 pm. Be on time, Carnillo.”
With a wide grin, I answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
After she said her goodbyes, she exited the room. Most of my classmates sprinted to the door and others were still at their sits chatting. Hannah and I stood at the same time. She was still smiling when I moved closer to her and grab her waist. Our eyes met and we exchanged looks for a few minutes before she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I smirked, “Takoyaki after the screening?”
She was grinning from ear to ear, showing her white shiny teeth, “Sure.” Just as after she answered she planted a quick kiss straight to my lips.
Man! One last kiss from her and I will surely melt.
“How does it taste?” She asked in a teasing tone with a playful smile.
I grinned, “It tasted addictive.”
Before I noticed it, she planted another quick kiss on my lips. She giggled as she was staring at my lips. Dude! I’m about to melt down.
“How about that?” She teased.
I chuckled, “If you won’t stop that, I will eat you.”
“Pretty please…” She begged in a cute tone with puppy eyes.
I wasn’t able to hold back myself when I kissed her on her lips and she kissed me back. Her lips was so kissable and warm. And it felt like everything in me was recharging.
“How sweet.”
We broke the kiss and we both looked at where it came from. We found Clarisse standing with a supportive smile while glancing at us.
“I wish I also have my own ‘King’.” Clarisse teased as she made a finger quotation in the air, quoting my name.
I softly laughed, “You’ll have yours, one day.”
“Anyways, where is Vanessa?” Hannah asked, her arms was still wrapped around my neck.
Clarisse sighed, “She already left with William.”
“Too bad…” Hannah paused as she gave me a quick look and I also glanced at her, meeting her eyes.
I turned to look at Clarisse, “Why don’t you join us after the screening?”
“Thanks guys but I’m good.” She immediately replied with a smile.
“Are you sure?” Hannah narrowed her eyes at her.
“Its actually fine and… I’m sure Hannah will be grateful.” I added as I glanced at Hannah.
“I appreciate that, King. But I’m really good.” She paused as she glanced at us with a sincere smile, “I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
We both laughed as Hannah removed her arms around my neck and turned to face her. I also faced her while I placed my hand on Hannah’s hips and pulled it closer to me.
“Okay, girl. Take care, okay?” Hannah said with a friendly smile.
“Yeah, same goes to the both of you.” She replied as she waved her hand at us.
I smiled at her while Hannah waved her hand at her and she left the room. I looked around and it looked like we were the only ones left. I sat back on my chair and pulled her. Her face went straight to mine and her forehead hit mine. She leaned her hands against the chair as I locked her hips inside my arms.
I was staring at her lips, “Sit.”
She smiled as she bit her lower lip before she sat, opening her legs. Our faces were so close that our noses touched and I felt her warm breath on my face.
“Aren’t we leaving?” She asked under her breath.
I smirked, “Not yet.”
She giggled and she wrapped her arms around my neck. She stared at my lips for a moment while her lips were parted. I moved my hands up and placed it on her nape. I pulled her face closer to mine until my lips touched hers.
It wasn’t long when I felt her lips trembling. She slowly broke the kiss and I stopped her face from moving before she could move away from me. She sniffed and I looked up at her eyes. Her eyes were wet and she was avoiding my gaze.
I gently place my hand on her cheek and brushed my thumb against her cheek, “Hey… What’s wrong?”
She sniffed as her brows furrowed, “I wish all of this was just a dream.”
With a half smile, I replied, “Of course not.”
“Because it’s a nightmare.” She answered. Her voice was so low like it was almost a whisper.
I was silent while staring at her face. Her words stabbed my heart for a million times. I know what she meant and I tried to deny it. But every time it crossed my mind, I felt like my chest is tightening. The world is against our love but shit man! I love her no matter how many times I am burnt. I couldn’t keep myself away from her and if I ever did, I don’t know what will happen to me. I couldn’t make a day without her kiss, her smile and her warm touch. I might end up in a mental hospital if ever, I would lost her.
“King… d-do you feel…” Her voice was shaking, “g-guilty about u-us?”
For that very instant, I felt my sight getting blurry and my throat getting husky. I don’t know what to answer. My guilty conscience is also killing me and I always deal with it, each denial I made. If only we met in a different way, in a different matter, things won’t be as complicated as it is. It will never be difficult for the both of us.
I saw a tear fell down across her cheek as she sniffed. I immediately wiped it with my hands and quickly come up with something to say. She wanted to know what was in my mind because she needed to know it.
I swallowed as I tried to composed myself but I couldn’t look straight to her, “It’s not important. As long as you have me and I have you, that’s all that matters.” And I quickly pulled her for a deep kiss so she wouldn’t noticed my tears rolling down across my cheeks. She kissed me back passionately.
What if we ran away? Away from our parents and to those people who knew us? And pretend that we knew nothing. Maybe that will help us overcome from the painful truth that killed us and start again. Start again in a place that nobody knew us but a happy couple.
It sounded insane but that was the only solution that I had in my mind to end this suffocating situation.