Heaven's Point of View
"You and Lawrence are going to be our sophomore representatives since you both joined a club and had a position there so this school position won't be hard for you guys, right?" Our adviser told us one afternoon after the class.
"Yes ma'am" Our response to her. She quickly wrote our names down. We were also at the star section and we also rank the highest.
I succeeded in my freshman years with all those problems. I'm now a sophomore and because of our rank, Lawrence and I are still classmates. And that's when we became really rivals.
I treat him like my rival. I dispute and disagree with all of his answers which just lead to us debating with our own perspective. It also gains comparison on different subjects that we lead.
He leads on Mathematics and Science which brought him to join the Mathematics and Science Clubs. I lead on Language and Communication which brought me to join Language and Communication Clubs. My position in my Clubs was Secretary and he is the auditor and vice president.
He's persistent too but he can't defeat me. I just have my own reasons when we were in elementary and somewhat he knows that.
It was another day and the adviser met us again to discuss something. She wants us to be prepared for the upcoming celebration since we are now in the position. Being the highest ranking in high school isn't as easy as I had expected but I can do this.
"Step out of my way Mr. Lawrence Natividad" I said when we were walking out of the teacher's faculty. He gave way respectfully but I just rolled my eyes.
"You're really something that makes me so motivated to learn and study" I heard that. I heard what he just said. I feel the weird feelings again. It's like I'm happy and not. It's confusing me.
"What? What did you say?" I said and raised my eyebrow. He might say it again so I'm going to study what I felt.
"Huh? Did I say something? It's just your imagination, Heaven" He acted innocently and that made me annoyed. I just walked out and went to the cafeteria.
"You're really cool, Heaven. I wonder if I also have the confidence to straight up disagree with someone" Eliziah said while we were at the cafeteria. It has been our hobby since freshman years.
"You can do that with motivation, Eli. Hmm, what's your ambition?" I asked her. Mine was clearer than deep blue ocean. I want to have a successful career and later on move far away from this country with my siblings.
"I don't know. It's hard really, I feel like I'm just lucky enough to be at the star section" She utters. Maybe she was pressured by her parents so she sees this as hardship.
"It's okay, maybe you have different qualities. It's not by luck, maybe the teacher sees something in you that you haven't figured out yet but soon. You can do it" I comforted her. Eli and I became the company of each other here in high school.
"But in your perspective, what are my different qualities?" She asks. I thought that she had a artistic quality since she draws really well and is realistic.
"Hmm, I think you're good at the arts. You draw so well that I was fascinated sometimes. Try joining Art Clubs and it might be something you're going to be interested at" I said. She smiles brightly at me.
"Thank you, Heaven. I really appreciate you as my best friend. I just hope you won't forget about me" She said and continued to eat.
"Why would I forget my best friend? Am I nuts for that?" I said and we happily ate with her lunch that she always shares.
I went home feeling tired and exhausted from the activities in school. I lie down on the bed for a minute then do the household chores. My parents still gamble but for some reason, my dad became kind and generous by giving us money and food.
I'm getting more suspicious of this notion because it seems weird to me. I just save my money if there's no necessary things to buy. It might be important for the future of me, Alona and Swan.
"Swan, where are you going?" I asked Swan as she was in her dress with make-up on. It seems a bit weird since when she got home, she would always wear make-up and she stays silent and quiet. It's hard to hear her voice nowadays.
"I'm just going to the park. My classmate invites me to his party" She said which brought me joy that I heard her voice.
"Okay, enjoy there and have fun" I said and smiled at her. I accompanied her outside. She looked and took a glance at me so I waved at her and smiled, she waved back and smiled at me. It was really good to see Swan getting back to her shape again.
So when I continued the chores, I was all smiles. I even play some music that would make me dance and be happy.
Someone knocks at the door. I pause the music and open the door. My smile fades when I see Riza's face. It seems like she was mad at me and wanted me dead.
"You're the reason why! Lawrence and I broke up because of you! Please Lawrence come back to me or I will tell the whole school about your misery!" She shouted. Oh, that's the reason why I can't see them anymore at the cafeteria. Lawrence might be sickened to see her and her behaviour.
"You can tell the world and I won't still care. That's your relationship so you should fix it without the help of someone. You destroy me once and I won't let you destroy me again. Tell the whole school and you might be shocked and surprised for what am I going to do" I scare her. She looks really scared and left annoyed.
I just continue doing the household chores, not minding things that occur. Alona helps me since she finishes her assignments. We finished the chore and I went to the study table to finish my assignment also.
"Am I just the one who was weirded out by our situation now or do you also?" Alona asked me once as she sat beside me. I glance at her and continue to do my assignments.
"I was also weirded out and can't explain a lot of things that had happened" I responded.
"The adviser of Swan had told me, she didn't show up to her next class after the first subject. So even if we were together going to school, she had to cut class, "she said. That makes me worried and have a hunch if she lies to me earlier when she leaves.
"Does she have a close friend at school?" I asked but all I could hear was my heart beating so fast.
"I asked that to the teacher and she said she has isolated herself from the class ever since when she comes back" She honestly utters.
I feel like that would make me so unconscious. I hardly even breathe by the shocking news but I try to stood up as I know that Swan might be in danger right now.
"Let's find her," I said. We quickly went to open the door but as soon as we opened the door. Lawrence and his mom went to us to bring more shocking news.
"Swan, Swan got raped and killed at the park" Lawrence opens the news to us. I was so dumbfounded and all I could hear was her voice.
That was the last time I would get to hear her precious voice and that's my fault. That's my fault for not being able to protect her. That was my fault for not finding her easily when my dad brought her somewhere. She might be scared at that moment and needs me.
It pains me how I didn't even see her happy. I didn't even release her from the pain. And yet she died for the most horrible reason. It must be her last moment in the world that would be much more painful.
"Let's go to her, Heaven. The police and investigators are on their way to the crime scene" Lawrence said.
I couldn't move a muscle. I didn't know how to cry. Tears can't seem to flow even if I'm sad. I'm sad because I failed again. I failed with my goals again. I failed at protecting her, protecting her against the harsh and harmful world.