Chapter 3

AQUA

"Who is she?" I asked Sheena on our way to the cafeteria. 

That Karen gives me a vibe that I should be careful when she's around. 

I don't like her. That's it. Her guts and the way she looks at me. She's acting like she owns the whole place. I really hate people parading their superiority and toxicity. Dumbass. 

"Sus. Campus Queen kineme. Siya lang naman ang nagsasabi no'n. Wala naman talagang may gusto sa kanya dahil sa ugali niya. Mayabang lang dahil mayaman at siyempre maraming connections." paliwanag ni Sheena.

I raised a brow and smirked. Rich, huh? I bet her family's wealth is nothing compared to ours. I guess being the daughter of the Ferrers is an advantage. 

It makes me want to get her crown. The crown that was never hers to begin with. Dahil wala namang nagcoconsider sa kanya bilang nakakataas dito. 

And that would be my place. Exciting. 

Nang makahanap kami ng puwesto ay umalis si Sheena para mag-order. Alam naman niya ang gusto ko. Inilibot ko lang ang tingin ko sa paligid nang mapako ang tingin ko sa bag ni Sheena. 

Nanliliit ang mga mata ko at inabot ito. The thing that's on her bag is familiar. 

A bracelet.. 

I opened my phone and went to the gallery to check if it's the same as what I think. And I almost fell from the chair when I saw the picture.

It was the same as mine. My bracelet. 

"Aqua? Bakit mo hawak ang bag ko?" takang tanong nito at inilapag ang pagkain namin.

She's looking at me suspiciously and I was just staring at her with my eyes wide open. I couldn't speak and gazed at her bracelet and to my phone alternatively. 

"You're—" 

"I'm what?" tanong niya at umupo. 

Tiningnan niya ang hawak ko at tumango, "Ah, 'yan ba? Galing sa bestfriend ko. Mga bata pa kami no'n e. Sa America siya nakatira at pauwi-uwi rito sa pinas kaso nawalan kami ng communication kasi pareho kaming lumipat. Hindi ko na nga tanda mukha at pangalan niya e." 

"That's me.." bulong ko. 

"Ha? May sinasabi ka ba?" She asked. 

"I'm your best friend!" malakas kong ani. 

Gulat na napatingin siya sa'kin. I showed her my phone and she gasped.

"It's you! My long lost best friend!" She exclaimed and pulled me for a hug.

I can't believe this! After a long time I finally found her! I have a friend— best friend, even. And I'm pretty sure that my stay here will be more exciting than it is.

I never knew that I would reunite with my childhood best friend. 

"Oh my. How are you?" I asked. 

She told me everything that I need to know about her. Kung kanina I was annoyed with her talkativeness, ngayon hindi na. I was listening to her stories no matter how senseless they are. Because it's her! 

In the middle of our conversation, we heard a tapping of feet on the floor. Napatingin kami and it was none other than Karen. 

What does she want now? 

"If it isn't the lady earlier who looked stupid in front of the class," she said and smirked. 

I raised a brow and answered, "Oh? If it isn't the lady who surely thinks she's powerful." 

I saw how her expression changed in a split second because of what I've said. Bravo, Aqua. 

"Say that again." She commanded. And before I say something distasteful, Sheena interfered. 

"Stop, okay? Just let this pass, Karen. She's new here," kalmadong sabi ni Sheena. 

I crossed my arms. I honestly don't care about what this bitch has to say.

"You know what? I don't really care kung bago ka o ano dahil ayoko sa pagmumukha mo," she said. 

And my eyes widened when she was about to throw her juice at me pero a guy appeared and the juice was.. 

Oh my! Napatakip ako ng bibig dahil natapon ito sa lalaking naglalakad lang. Puti pa naman ang uniform naming college. I didn't see his face dahil nakatalikod siya sa amin. 

I think he's going to the stall and buy something.

"What—tsk." 

"Malas mo naman, nerd. Ikaw pa nakasalo nitong juice para sa baguhan. Bagay naman kayo e kaya mag sama kayo." Karen said and walked out. 

Hindi niya ata akalain na palpak ang plano niya. Well, it's not my fault that she's stupid. 

I turned my gaze sa guy na natapunan and I was about to ask him pero nauna na yung isa pang guy.

"Bro! Sorry. Halika sa locker room may extra ako," the guy with a skateboard said and they both went out the cafeteria together.

Hindi man lang ako nakapag pasalamat. He saved me from being drenched in juice for pete's sake!

"That Karen is a bitch!" gigil na sabi ni Sheena. 

She is. And I won't let her do what she wants. I'll be the Queen here. I won't back down without a fight.