THIRD PERSON POV:
The other day, the accomplishments of AUP's annual sports event went viral across the internet, with the victorious teams in each sport being announced in the media. This isn't surprising for AUP, given its reputation as a prestigious university in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, a recent commotion occured on the stadium after the volleyball game spread all over the campus. However, as the president's daughter was involved, the committee didn't pay attention to it.
Moreover, the commotion wasn't seen as some sort of defiance against the rules and regulations of the campus. But rather, it's just a misunderstanding among other people.
Currently, the campus is preparing for its back-to-back event, led by Supreme Student Council. They are decorating the campus for the upcoming National Reading Month, which occurs in November.
SSC's member Eugene asked in curiousity, "Do you guys know what exactly happened yesterday on the stadium?"
"I didn't watch the game, so I don't know."
"Just forget about it, we're not supposed to talk about that thing right now and right here," SSC's president Elinor said, glaring at her co-member.
Eugene shrugged his shoulder. "As I said...," he said and just focused on what he's doing.
"Anyway, we already have someone who's going to buy books for the event," Elinor mentioned, drawing the attention of her other co-members.
"That's a good thing! We can now focus more on other stuff for the event," someone said. "Yeah... and besides that, he's also donating books," Elinor replied. "So, we might get a lot of sales, which will benefit our charity program," she added.
"Hopefully, there are still others willing to donate. I think, around 8 one-meter piles of books would be good enough."
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At the campus basketball court in Student Plaza, a group of male student is playing to past the time. This place is where the students are usually hang out, as it has a wide space and a various activities. If you're going to look at it from a bird's-eye view, you'll see student everywhere doing and minding their own business.
In the mean time, after those students finished playing basketball, they sat down on the benches to rest. And while they are resting, they talked about the commotion occured yesterday on the stadium.
Lance spoke, enlightening Xavion, "Bro, have you heard about the commotion on the volleyball game? It's all over the campus right now, you know." Xavion and Lance were both basketball athlete and a top-notch player on AUP's basketball team.
"No. What's the matter with that?" Xavion replied.
"You know Caspian, right? The volleyball athlete? His team won yesterday's event, and that guy caused a commotion on the stadium, which was packed with people!"
"Imagine, being beaten by a girl in front of other people is apparently really embarrassing for him, bro!" Everyone burst into laughter after hearing what Lance said, except Xavion who's actually looks annoyed.
"Shut the fuck up, you asshole!" Xavion swore, glaring at Lance and the other guy.
"Bro, chill! We're not your enemy here!" said Lance, trying to calm Xavion down. But Xavion just let out a instantaneous disdainful "Tch!"
"Bro, why are you getting mad? I didn't say anything bad, am I right guys?" asked Lance, glancing at their friends for their confirmation. "Yeah!" They chimed in unison.
"What you just said is a sexist, you know?" Xavion said, his voice low and even, as he threw the empty plastic bottle beside him, which landed on Lance's face.
Lance winces and complained, "Hey, that hurts!" But Xavion's expression remained unyielding.
"Watch your words next time, bro. And to drive the point home, you should praised that Caspian guy for not laying a hand on a girl," said Xavion, his deep and serious voice commanding attention.
Lance and the other guy looked down, intimidated. "The real embarrassment... is being beaten by someone who's equally strong as you are, always remember that," Xavion added, his voice hanging in the air.
"Let's go, one more game," said Xavion, and they go back on playing.
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As the day wore on, students headed home, and the campus wrapped up typical. With AUP's annual sports event having just ended, students didn't necessary to attend classes. The campus is also preparing for the upcoming National Reading Month (NRM).
The rest of the school week followed suit. And Vaughn, as a Special Class Student (SCS), he didn't really have to attend school daily. He completed his school activities at home, and only had to come in on every Mondays and Fridays to get and submit his portfolio.
VAUGHN'S POV:
One week had past since the annual sports event of AUP ended. And during those days, I couldn't spend much time with Pasha and Rhys, because they were busy with their personal matters.
But since today is Sunday and we all don't have fish to fry, so we planned to go for a shopping. It could be also my chances to get a present for Rhys, because I haven't been able to do it these past few days. It's like something is stopping me from doing that.
I'm taking a bath now, cause it's sure to be very hot this afternoon. I've checked the heat index and it will be around 38°C by noon. And actually, I think all Filipinos have become daily routine bathing 2 to 3 times a day or even more, because of the extremely hot weather here in the Philippines.
After 15 minutes of fixing myself, I was ready. Because it only takes me 8 to 10 minutes to take a shower, while I used the remaining time to dress up and to retouch my face.
Because there's probably nothing wrong with cleansing my face, wearing sunscreen, and putting on some make up, right? As long as I won't get look like an espasol.
"I'm taking off, Ma!" I informed to my mom who's at the living area.
"Okay, take good care of yourself!" she responded.
"Yes, Ma. Bye!"
After saying goodbye to mom, I left the house, just in time because Pasha and Rhys were already here.
Pasha greeted me with a cheerful, "Good morning!" Thus Rhys did the same, "Good morning."
So, I greeted them back, "Good morning!"
"Rhys... What's the matter with your face?" I asked, furrowing my brow in confusion. Because Rhys looks like he had seen a ghost when he saw me. But maybe it just because of my makeup.
Does my make-up not good?
Rhys replied, stuttering as he spoke, "A-Ah, nothing. I just noticed... you look so good with your make up."
Rhys compliment is sending a flush in my cheeks. As I thought!
"Aray!" Rhys wince in pain as Pasha pounded him suddenly. "What's your problem, ha— Pash?!" he hollered, complaining at Pasha.
Pasha remarked, "Because it seems like you said how ugly Vaughn is without makeup!"
"What I meant to say— yeah! He still looks good even with or without make up. Use your common sense a little bit, Pash!"
I feel so embarrassed right now. These two is arguing about my looks in front of me!
Seriously?!
They're giving me headache! Our day hadn't even started, and they were already arguing.
"Stop that, guy's. I'm just in front of you," I said, depressed, and they seem to felt that.
So, they both genuinely apologized to me, "Please, spare us!"
I let out a sigh.
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We took a taxi to get in the mall, which takes us about half an hour. And when we got there, the first place that we went to was the clothing store. Because Pasha said that she want to buy new clothes, but turns out, she just wanted a friendship tees for the three of us. And now we were walking, wearing the shirts she insisted us to wear.
I asked Pasha, "Isn't it awkward to wear?" I couldn't really help but feel a bit self-conscious about how we looked.
"No, not at all! What's so awkward about this?" she protested.
I shooked my head. "Nothing, I just thought people might look at us," I explained.
Rhys interjected, glancing at me, "That's fine with me, as long as I'm with you... and Pasha." It was obvious to him, it almost felt like his lips were about to tear because he had been smiling for a while.
"This guy wanna be main character," Pasha murmured. "He's not asking for your opinion!" she exclaimed to Rhys. "Actually, you can just take off that shirt, Infact, I wasn't forcing you to wear that," she added in a more sarcastic tone.
But Rhys seems unfazed, and he spoke with confidence, "I think, that's actually a good idea. I guess I could walk around here naked, right, Vaughn?"
What the hell with this guy?!
"Are you crazy? Of course, not!" I blustered at him but he just laughed at it.
Tch!
"You know, guys... I'm just self-conscious, okay? Or, maybe it's just hunger, so let's just go and find a food stall," I said, and they agreed with what I said, so we looked for something to eat downstairs.
There's a lot of food stall here, mostly those commonly popular. But we chose to eat here at a less well-known place, because it might take us until the afternoon if we queued at the well-known brand. Pasha and Rhys ordered a meal bundle, but I opted to a simple burger, fries, and drinks.
I asked Pasha, "Where is our next route after this?"
Pasha glanced at me. "You, wherever you want. I already bought everything I need," she answered.
So, she really just wanted to buy this friendship tees!
I was about to speak, when a man suddenly approached us. From the height to his face, I'm sure that it was him.
"Uhmm... excuse me, can I join with guys? Because there are no more vacant seats." He asked politely, but Pasha and Rhys were already looked down on him.
"By the way, I'm Roan Guevarra. Nice meeting y'all."