It had been a week since Elisa made a group chat for our class and a unanimous decision was made. Everyone was interested in having a high school reunion but only more than 90% were sure they would be able to attend. A few already promised they would file for vacation leave at work while some of those who were currently residing overseas remained unsure if they could come home.

My phone kept on pinging on my desk so I decided to put down my textbook and take a break from reviewing photojournalism.

There were a bunch of messages from our class's group chat and our planning committee's group chat.

We'll push through with March. The majority can make it anyway.

What are we going to vote about next?

Here's the list Kane made.

Ask about the theme, Elisa.

Noted. But let's provide some options already.

I still want a prom theme or maybe like an awards night kind of theme? Anything that will require us to dress up, please.

Hawaiian or summer.

Hey, sorry I was busy reviewing. I'll vote for the prom theme once Elisa sets up the poll.

Thanks, Kane!

Reviewing for an exam? Typical Kane.

Well, you know what they say...old habits die hard.

You should've turned off your phone's notifications, lol.

I know. Your messages are so distracting.

On it, Kane. I also like the prom theme.

I guess I should withdraw my suggestion.

If the majority votes for prom, does that mean we need to wear a suit?

YES

I'll vote for Hawaiian then.

Should I include Vino here?

I furrowed my eyebrows at Elisa's latest message. Why would she include Vino in our group chat? He wasn't part of the planning.

Why?

Yeah, why?

I just realized that the top-ranking students from our class are here and Vino isn't, lol.

9 years ago

Vincent Oliver Williams- 95.89

Katherine Ramos- 95.50

Noah Salazar- 94.92

Elisa Joan Morales- 94.57

Jeffrey dela Cruz- 93.35

"Congratulations to the top 5 for this quarter. Congratulations to all the achievers too," Ms. Sanchez smiled at us. "Those of you got an average of 89, you just need a little more push to be a part of the achievers. I'll expect that next quarter, okay?"

The awarding ceremony for the top students was held earlier. Afterward, we all went back to our respective classrooms to wait for our guardians to get our report cards.

I was still upset about my ranking. I had been the top one during the previous quarter, followed by Noah, and then Vino. But now, Vino was the top one. I couldn't stop thinking about the slight difference between our GPAs. It could have been because of the algebra test I failed to ace for that quarter.

I sighed in frustration.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up," Lily whispered. "I'm sure you'll do better next quarter."

"I have to," I replied before walking out of the classroom and heading for the restroom.

After I washed my face, I stared at my reflection.

I did my best, but I still felt disappointed. My efforts weren't enough.

I washed my face again with the hopes that my feelings of disappointment would go down the drain too.

I walked out of the restroom and was surprised to see Vino sitting at the top of the stairs.

"Hey. Congratulations," he smiled at me sincerely.

I nodded, avoiding his gaze. I wiped my hands with my handkerchief as I contemplated whether or not I should just go back into the restroom.

"Is it just me or are you upset at me?"

I sighed before looking back at him. "I'm not upset at you. I know you've worked hard for your grades too."

I walked up the stairs and sat down beside him.

"Then what are you upset about?"

"I'm just disappointed with myself," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze once again.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Vino shifting on his seat to face me. "Because you ranked second?"

I rolled my eyes. "Wow. Finally, you caught up."

"Is that why you ran crying when you ranked third during the math quiz bee this year?"

I just shrugged. I didn't want to talk about another disappointment.

"Look, I can't be mad at you because you are too nice of a rival. I mean—"

He chuckled and interrupted me. "You consider me as a rival? I thought we're friends already?"

"We're friends any day except for red-letter day."

"Okay," he responded, still chuckling.

"You just ranked first. You are a rival to me now. But I know I can't be mad at you because you're a smart kid and you aren't selfish. I mean, you even helped me by giving me algebra reviewers and you don't even write yourself reviewers for other subjects."

"Because you said you're having a hard time with algebra so I wanted to help you. That's why I made you a reviewer."

"Exactly my point."

There was a short moment of silence before he asked me, "I hope you don't mind, but why are you so grade conscious?"

Lily and the three boys knew the reason why I was competitive and grade conscious. But Vino and I had only known each other for a few months. There were still a lot of things he didn't know about me.

"I have never met someone as competitive as you. The most competitive person I knew in elementary was myself and people still think of me as chill when it comes to academics."

I glanced at him and smiled. "I don't know if you're being arrogant or sarcastic right now. Was that a joke or what?"

He grunted and held his hand to cover his eyes as if something was dazzling him.

"What?" I asked.

"Did the sun just come out or did you just smile at me?" he asked, slowly lowering his hand.

I chewed on my lower lip and lowered my gaze. I smoothed the pleats of my maroon skirt and my hair fell, perfectly covering my foolish smile.

"I'm just trying to make you smile, Kane. You were frowning since you received your certificate on stage."

I looked back up at him. "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not," I asserted and hit him in the arm.

"Ow," he exclaimed as he rubbed his arm. "You sure are scary for a tiny girl. Your mood changes so quickly. I can't keep up."

I laughed. "You look cute when you try to act like you're scared."

"Finally. I made you laugh. Lily and the boys might be used to you being upset but I'm still not."

I shook my head, still smiling. I looked towards the restroom door and we fell silent for a moment. I remembered why I was here sitting beside Vino. I couldn't help but worry about how I would explain at home why I only ranked second for this quarter.

I heard Vino let out a sigh, and I could feel him watching me.

"Do you really want to know why I'm so conscious about my grades?"

"Only if you want to tell me."

It was really difficult to prove yourself when you have such amazing sisters. My older sister had been an active member of the drama club during her high school days. She also had excellent interpersonal skills and it was easy for her to get along with everyone. She was already in college at that time and she was studying dentistry.

My younger sister was artistic. She was good in arts, prompting our parents to enroll her in a painting class. She was also very sweet and cute and everyone was just so fond of her.

Then there was me, the middle child who wasn't as talented and not as approachable as my sisters. Growing up, I had heard my aunts and uncles comparing me to Alex all the time. Alex always had a smile on her face while my default expression when I was a kid made me look like I want to punch someone in the face.

When Hadley came into our lives, I was about five years old at that time; I thought finally I might be better than her, that I would be the better sister now. To my dismay, everything became worse. She had grown to be friendly and she had always had a smile on her face just like Alex.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Vino mumbled apologetically.

"I have always been compared to them. I heard that I wasn't as pretty as them because I didn't smile more often, not as friendly as them, not as talented as them. The words kind of have been stuck in my brain. I just knew I wasn't as good as them."

"No, Kane. You are beautiful and kind and amazing. We've only known each other for a short time but you're already one of the most admirable persons I have met. I cannot understand why you can't see how amazing you are."

I looked up and fixed my gaze at him. The corner of his lips lifted so slightly as if he was unsure if it was the right time to smile. I blinked at him, still at a loss for words.

"And you're a smart girl, Kane."

I scoffed, breaking eye contact with him.

"But not smart enough to be a class valedictorian in elementary," I whispered. "I just hope I'll be valedictorian when we graduate."

"Isn't it too early to be thinking about that?"

The only thing I had been good at was studying. Getting good grades had been the only time I was better than my sisters. But I rarely heard my family compliment me for being a responsible and smart student.

I had just wanted to prove to everyone that I was good at something too.

After a couple of minutes, a majority of our class had voted for their preferred theme. There was someone who added an option to hold a reunion with no theme but only 15% voted for it. 25% of our class voted for Jeff's suggested theme while 55% voted for the prom theme.

Let's say goodbye to our summer shirts.

Hahaha see you in your best suits.

I should go check if my old suit still fits me, lol.

You should've convinced the other boys to vote for the Hawaiian theme instead of voting for no theme.

We should've briefed them before letting them vote.

Bianx, I think I should visit your mom's boutique soon.

Ok. There are some ready-made gowns available. I think you'd like some of it.

I took out my tickler notebook and scribbled 'prom' right next to the word 'theme'. Our next poll would be about the venue.

I glanced at my wall clock. It was only a quarter after six and I still had some time before our dinner. I picked up my textbook and went back to reviewing for tomorrow's quiz.