Chapter 26 Metal Challenge

I followed Elesa. She walks so fast that I needed to run just to catch up with her.

“Elesa wait—”

“Leave me alone,” she said softly but I heard it. Anger was evident in her voice.

“But Elesa—” I held her arm. “Ouch!” I said in pain. I was electrified. This is the sign. She is really mad at me. She stopped walking away.

“Elesa sorry—”

“SORRY?!” at once she turned to me. ”Do you think your sorry can do anything?! I thought you were going to help me for Prince Zoltar and I to be together?!” she shouted.

“I just said Femme's name,” I answered weakly out of fear.

“Is that so. Well fun fact Yani, Prince Zoltar only smiles like that rarely and that just means he was interested with her! I hope you at least let me tell him how I feel before you come in to answer him!”

“But isn't it better that I said that than you confessing to him and then you will just get rejected in the end?” I said.

She fell silent and was stunned and silence just formed between us.

“Ho-How can you be sure that he will reject me?” she asked and I could see in her face that she was about to cry.

“Don't you see that he’s already interested of Femme? Why do you insist? When did Prince Zoltar look at you like that?”

She was surprised by what I said. I was also surprised. Shacks! What am I saying? Wrong words are coming out of my mouth.

There was anger on her face. “I thought, you're my friend,” Elesa said with tears in her eyes.

“Elesa, I want to help you but this is for your own good,” I replied out of pity. “You are blinded by your love for him but that doesn’t mean that even if you love him for three years, he likes you back. At first, you were the only one who loved him, right?”

Because of what I was saying, she became more angry and attacked me with electricity. It happened pretty quickly so all I did was close my eyes.

But I did not feel electrocuted. I opened my eyes and was surprised to see who was in front of me now.

There was an ice fence in front of him but it also disappeared immediately. “Jethro,” I whispered while my face was still full of shock.

“What are you doing?” full of authority Jethro asked Elesa.

Elesa backed away and trembled with fear. ”Pri-Prince Jethro.”

“Why are you making a scene here?” he asked seriously. Elesa could not speak.

“If you two fight here in this place and destroy this hallway, I can arrest you,” he said coldly.

We were both shocked by what he said so we were speechless.

“And you…” Jethro added and looked at Elesa seriously. ”…you know you are an electric person and you can kill a person if you are angry. Didn't your dear prince teach you how to control your emotions?”

Elesa did not speak again and ran away.

“Elesa wait—” Jethro blocked me with his arm to stop me.

“Of all the people you want to get angry, not the electric and fire people,” he said.

I just calmed down and bowed my head.

It looks like I'm a bad person. Why didn't I just let Elesa finish earlier? Even if she will get rejected, that’s more than okay other than this kind of situation where she is angry at me.

There was only mediation of silence between the two of us. Also, this. Why of all the people who can save me now, it has to be him?

“I need to leave,” I said immediately, breaking the silence and turning around and starting to walk away.

“Just so you know…”

I stopped when he spoke. “…don't think that what I did today was helping you. You two are blocking the path so I did that.”

I was surprised and just bowed my head and made a weak smile. Great. Why are there tears forming in my eyes again?

“I know,” my voice cracked. “If that's the case… it would have been better if you let the electricity hit me earlier,” I ran away from him at the same time.

I stopped in a corner while panting and my tears continued to flow. I sat down because I started to feel weak and cried. I covered my mouth so that no one could hear me sobbing.

Why is it that with anyone else that could be there at that time, why does it have to be him? For a moment, I lost the thought of avoiding him but it’s like reality slapped me.

He really knows… and it’s painful. Very painful. Annoying. It was as if I regretted this now more than that time when he still doesn’t know about it.

I felt something approach me so I raised my head and saw Callie. We just stared at each other but I also immediately stood up while wiping my tears.

“Ca-Callie. Why are you here?” my voice still cracked.

“They are looking for you,” she replied.

I'm surprised. Of course. The challenges are not yet over. “Ah okay. Sorry for taking so long—”

I did not finish what I was going to say because she suddenly hugged me.

“I'm sorry but I saw everything,” she whispered to me.

My eyes are watering again. “What are you apologizing for, is it because you are following me or because of what is happening to me?” I sobbed while asking the question.

“Both,” she replied.

I hugged her back. ”You have nothing to be sorry for,” I sobbed.

“And you, you are not at fault,” she said.

I cried at what she said. Why is it that even though her body is cold, it is so nice to stay in her arms? She is like a mother caring to a child. After all she said, there was neither a single cold tone in it. It’s so comforting to cry.

~~~

THIRD PERSON

After a few minutes of Yani crying, Callie and her climbed back into the bleachers.

“Yani...” as Femme approached her. But Femme also stopped for a moment when she saw Yani's face that it’s obvious she just cried but she immediately smiled so as not to reveal what she saw.

“Uhm, where did you go?” Femme asked.

“I just talked to someone,” Yani replied.

“Who?”

“Uhm you don’t know her even though I will say her name.”

“Is that so. How about you Callie?” Femme asked.

“I went somewhere,” Callie's simple answer.

“Where?”

“You don't need to find out. It doesn't matter anyways,” Callie replied.

“Ah okay,” Femme said and sat down.

“What happened to your face Yani?” Kyrie asked. “Why does it looks like you—”

She wasn’t able to finish what she was going to say because Jessy covered her mouth. “Haha. You have to be patient with this woman Yani. She’s really talkative,” said Jessy.

Kyrie immediately removed Jessy's hand. ”Talkative? You’re one to talk. Also, look at her eyes—”

Toogsh. This time Jessy elbowed Kyrie in the stomach so she stopped. “Ouch…” she said in pain while touching her stomach.

“I'm sorry Kyrie you were saying something?” Jessy asked sarcastically.

Kyrie glared at Jessy. “You’re getting out of line Jessy.”

“Oh sorry,” Jessy apologized and she bent her body so that Kyrie could hear her. ”Do you know what privacy means? And we are in an event so don't ask, get it?” Jessy whispered to Kyrie.

“Tss. Annoying. You're always like that. Don’t be full of yourself,” Kyrie complained while rubbing her stomach.

“Oh Kyrie you always win so give it to me this time,” Jessy jokes.

“Heh! In your dreams. I will get back at you,” Kyrie threatened.

“I know that’s why we are rivals, right?” Jessy replied.

Kyrie just rolled her eyes and she once looked at Yani who was watching the game with sorrow on her face.

“Wow! Donna is great. She avoided all of that,” said Femme.

They also turned their eyes to Donna who was avoiding the attacks of a large robot and she broke it using stones.

They are fighting three giant robots and once you get hit with their attack, you will be removed from the challenge.

With only five left standing, “Okay. First challenge completed. The 5 players left standing and strong can proceed to the second challenge. You may have your break,” said Aes.

They met Donna downstairs and saw that she was frowning.

“You're great Donna,” Femme praised.

“Hmph,” and she just avoided looking at Femme while drinking.

“Oh my gash girl. You were awesome out there. I never thought you’re so strong,” Jessy praised.

She rolled her eyes at Jessy. “Whatever.”

“Oh what's your problem?” Kyrie asked.

“I don’t know to you,” she replied and avoided looking at us again.

They looked at each other. “Hey, you have no right to not look at us if there is no reason for it so just say it,” Kyrie said irritably.

“So that’s it. Not because the Tradition is close to its end, you have no desire to watch the other challenges anymore. You should be thanking me because I still have the strength to knock that robot down,” Donna complained.

“I'm sorry I didn't cheer you on a while ago because I haven't drank water yet and my throat still hurts. I’m really sorry. I will make it up to you for this second challenge, promise!” said Femme.

“Yeah girl. It’s not because we have no desire that’s why we cannot cheer. We just don't know what to say because you are really good,” said Jessy.

Donna didn’t say a word.

“Also sorry,” said Yani so they looked at her. ”I didn't even talk to you before you jumped into the challenge. Maybe all I can say is that you are great. It's enough that you knocked down a huge robot so whether you win or lose in the second challenge, you are still great,” and Yani smiled at her.

Donna looked at Yani and smiled back. “Thanks Yani.”

Then wonder was evident in Donna's face. ”Uhm correct me if I’m wrong but did you cry?” Donna asked her.

There was silence between them not when, “Okay players. The second challenge is about to begin. Please proceed to the grounds,” said Aes.

“Oh shacks,” Donna panicked. ”What am I going to do again? I drank water, I was able to rest and—”

“There is one player missing. Please come out now or else you're disqualified,” said Aes.

“Oh my gash! I think that's me!” Donna panicked even more. “Okay guys bye! Good luck to you! I mean to me!” simultaneously she said while running out.

They just looked at each other.

“Well, that's Donna,” Jessy said.

“Yeah,” Kyrie said.

“Okay guys. Let's go up,” Femme offered so they went up.

They were about to go up when Yani took Callie's hand so she stopped and turned to her.

“Is it obvious?” Yani asked.

Callie stared at her for a while and sighed. “Yes,” Callie replied.

Yani immediately looked away from her.

“But they understand it anyway and they respect you for that. I am sure they will wait as long as they can because they also want to help.”

Yani was slightly surprised by what Callie said and tears fell from her eyes but she wiped them away immediately.

“Thank you.”

Callie just nodded and they went up immediately. Yani took a deep breath and climbed up as well.

“The second challenge for today's Metal Challenge is a simple Math Quiz Bee,” said Aes. “To show your answer, each of you will be assigned a whiteboard machine. You can just tell the answer and when time is up, the white board machine will raise the board with or without an answer. Pencils and scrap papers will be provided for solution. Also no one should be cheating. If you are caught, you're disqualified from the game. So, are we ready players?”

“No. I'm sure that's Donna's answer,” said Kyrie.

“Okay. Let's START! First question: what is the square root of 625?”

The players started saying their answers on the whiteboard.

TING! “Okay, boards raise.”

…

“Only 4 got it correctly... the answer is 25”

“Oh my gash. Donna is the only one who didn't get it,” said Jessy.

“Ah so it’s 25,” said Kyrie. ”I also thought about what she wrote on the whiteboard.”

…

After nine questions, Donna just got 3 of it.

“As for the last question, I'll just give you a minute to solve it and it's worth 3 points...”

“So question number 10, determine the first element of an arithmetic sequence whose common difference is -5 and whose eighteenth element is -21?”

“What? What is he saying? Can that be solved in a minute?” said Kyrie.

“Yeah. Then what element is he talking about, metal?” said Jessy.

Toink! Kyrie hit Jessy’s head.

“Ouch!” Jessy complained.

“Idiot. He means element is a number not the things we are controlling,” said Kyrie.

“Ah okay. Sorry,” while Jessy rubbed her head.

TING! “Okay. Boards raise.”

“Looks like only one of you was able to get it. The answer is... 64.”

They looked at Donna's answer.

“Hey Donna got it,” said Femme.

“Wait, does that mean Donna is the only one who got it?” said Kyrie.

They looked at each other.

“KYAAAHHH!!” Kyrie and Jessy shouted in joy.

“Okay. So the top three for this year's Metal Challenge is... 3rd place goes to Yani's Team.”

Everyone applauded.

“Hooray! Donna is great!” Femme shouted.

“I Know Right! She is in the top three!” Jessy shouted.

“Amazing!” Kyrie shouted.

Jessy and Femme looked at Kyrie.

“Wow. That’s new for you to scream,” Jessy said to Kyrie.

“What now? It's only once,” Kyrie replied calmly.

“Go girl. Go for it,” said Jessy.

They did not hear the second and first place because of their screams. The usual, they met Donna again but as she approached them, she was frowning again.

“Congratulations Donna!” Femme's happy greeting.

She didn't say a word and just passed Femme while sitting and frowning.

“What are you frowning at? Haven't you heard? You are in the top three girl. This calls for a celebration,” said Jessy.

“Are you insulting me?” Donna asked while frowning.

“Did something happen so she’s in a bad mood again?” Kyrie whispered to Jessy. Jessy shrugged her shoulders while Kyrie cleared her throat.

“What are you getting angry about again?” said Kyrie.

“Annoying. I am only in third place. I should not be in the top three,” she complained.

Kyrie raised her eyebrow at Donna. “Oh is that so. ‘Only’ in third place? Maybe you’re the one insulting us. What if I remind you about Callie's place in her challenge a while ago... you like that? No offense Callie,” Kyrie said.

Callie remained silent.

“It's not because the rank is annoying,” Donna replied irritably. ”It just so happened that I was third because I was first in the first challenge but I failed in the second challenge. Eish, why did that prince think of Math as for the second challenge? It’s like he really meant it that the second challenge was really my weakness.”

“It’s not his fault that you are weak in Math and so as the other princes that our weaknesses are meant to be the second challenge,” Kyrie replied. ”And anak ng tokwa Donna, (Filipino expression: son of a tofu) we talked about it before. Have you forgotten Yani's words of wisdom?”

“Yeah girl. At least be happy that you were the only one who answered the last question,” said Jessy.

“It just so happened that I remembered that because Hera asked me that same question and I also remembered the answer. If you only knew, I didn't even touch the paper given to me earlier out of panic,” said Donna.

There was an awkward silence between them and they all looked at Hera.

“Uhm it's just a coincidence,” Hera said shyly.

“It's a pity we were screaming a while ago,” said Jessy.

“It was even my first time. I thought she was thinking rationally because of that difficult question,” said Kyrie.

“It's okay Donna. As long as you won, that's okay,” said Femme.

“She’s right,” said Yani. ”Didn't I say earlier that you are good enough in the first round so that's okay. You should be grateful that you got third place.”

Donna just looked at Yani and looked back at the floor. ”I know that Yani. The only thing I can't accept is why am I weak in Math? I did my best, and Hera even taught me but there was still nothing left in my brain. It's like I just wasted Hera's effort to teach me,” said Donna.

“Uhm that's okay. I can teach you again,” said Hera.

“No need Hera. That's okay. That Math Quiz Bee will be this time only,” Donna sighed. “But it's good that at least I have a tutor so that somehow at work, I can be a cashier.”

“Oh yeah. Mostly you are a waitress in restaurants and cafés,” said Jessy.

“Uhm, I'm willing. I'll find time to tutor you,” said Hera.

Donna smiled at Hera. “You have time but I don't have it so you will just have a hard time.”

“But do you really want a tutor?” said Yani.

Donna looked at Yani. “I hope so but I hope he or she always has time and I don’t bother him or her.”

“I have a suggestion. You can go ask him.”

“Okay. Who's that?”

“Uhm excuse me girls.”

They all looked at the speaker. ”Pri-Prince Aes,” Hera said as she bowed in front of him.

Everyone bowed except Kyrie but Jessy made her bow down by grabbing her head to bow down.

“Ouch hah,” Kyrie complained.

“Ahh it's okay. Uhm that's nice of you ladies,” said Aes.

They stood upright. “What brings you here, your highness?” Hera asked.

“Is Donna here?” Aes asked.

They looked at Donna when she asked that so Aes also looked at her.

“So you're Donna?” he asked Donna.

“Ah…” she once again bowed in front of him. ”Ye-Yes, your highness. Have I done something wrong?”

“Yes I think. Someone reported to me you… cheated.”

They were all surprised by what Aes said. ”Chea-Cheated?”

“Yes because you were the only one who answered the last question in just a minute and we checked your paper and nothing is written in there. So how come you were able to answer the question without solving it?” Aes explained.

Donna was speechless as they looked at Yani. “Prince Aes, I think it's a misunderstanding,” said Yani.

“Yes, your highness. She wasn't cheating,” Hera defended. “She just remembered the answer to your question because when we were studying, I asked her that same question and told her the answer.”

Aes looked at Hera after she said that. “Okay. So when did you two study?” he asked Hera.

“Before the Tradition, your highness,” Hera replied. ”I didn't know that your second challenge would be a Math Quiz Bee and you will ask that same question.”

“Are you sure about that?” Aes asked hesitantly. “Then how come you studied before the Tradition?”

Hera fell silent and tried to think how to answer him. ”Uhm… I-I uhm well—”

“Because I'm not good in Math.”

Everyone looked at her after Donna said that. “She helped me study in Math before the Tradition not because of your challenge but because it's my weakness. Hera has nothing to do with this. Yes she's telling the truth that I only remembered the answer when she asked me that same question and if you think that's cheating, then go ahead. I think I don't even deserve to be in the top 3,” Donna answered very seriously to Aes.

Aes was speechless after Donna said that. “I know how dumb I am in Math and what's the point if I rank number 3 if I learned nothing?” added Donna.

Aes fell silent for a moment and was about to talk when,

“Then how about you help her Prince Aes? You're really good at Math right?” Yani's suggestion.

They were all surprised at the same time they looked at Yani.

“What are you saying Yani?” Kyrie whispered.

“Yeah girl,” Jessy whispered. “Can't you read the atmosphere? He’s a prince.”

“Well that could be,” Aes said so they all looked at him while Aes looked at Donna. “What do you think?” he asked Donna.

“Uhm… no,” Donna replied immediately to Aes' surprise. “Uuhh look, yes I want a tutor for Math but you're a prince and I know how busy you are so it's okay—”

“I wouldn't mind at all,” Aes cut off Donna. “I may have a lot of schedule in a day but I'll make sure to insert it in my time to tutor you.”

“What?” Donna asked incredulously. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. At least it's my way of saying sorry to you,” said Aes.

Donna was silenced. “I'm sorry for thinking that you were really cheating,” Aes apologized. ”I thought you were just saying excuses. At least now I know why so the least I can do is to help you and that is to tutor you, right?”

Donna was just looking at him when she suddenly smiled. “Talaga?! (Really?!)” Donna said out of excitement.

Aes wondered what he had said. “Pardon?”

“KYAAH!” Donna shouted as she hugged Aes.

“Uhm Donna?”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much Prince Aes! That means a lot to me!”

Aes returned the hug. “Well, I'm glad to actually hear that,” Aes said and smiled.

They hugged for a long time.

“Awkward,” Jessy whispered to the group.

“Ahem!” ruining Kyrie's moment. “You two are too sweet.”

“Kyrie!”

Donna was startled and immediately parted away from the hug and walked away from Aes. ”Uhm sorry. I'm just uhh… happy.”

Aes just smiled back. “So what time are you available?” Aes asked.

“Ah... eh... uhm... well…” she held her head at the same time while blushing really red.

“Pfft,” Kyrie suppressed a laugh. “Look at Donna's face,” Kyrie whispered to Jessy. “She looks like a tomato.”

“Are you okay? Your face is so red,” Aes asked full of worry.

“Huh?” at the same time Donna touched her face. “Ah I'm fine. It's just uhm... hot.”

“Are you sure?” Aes approached her and was about to touch Donna's forehead but Donna backed away immediately.

“Ye-Yes, yes. I'm fine. Uhm 10-12 in the noon is uhm when I'm available,” Donna said immediately.

“Oh sure. Mostly, I'm vacant in those times.”

“Yeah. Uhh good. So uhm 10-12 in uhm...” she averted his eyes.

Aes smiled. “I'll wait at the front of the Main Cabin.”

“O-Okay. Fr-Front of the Main Cabin... yeah. Wait there...” said Donna stuttering.

“Uhm are you sure you're okay? You're stammering,” Aes asked.

“N-No I'm not. I mean ye-yes I'm fine. I-I'm good. I'm good,” she forced a smile.

“Okay. So I'll see you after the Tradition then,” Aes said goodbye.

“Yeah. After the tradition. Yeah. Uhm se-see you.”

Aes smiled at her again. ”It's nice meeting you Donna. Bye,” as he walked away at the same time.

Donna was surprised and watched him walk away. ”Bye,” and because she’s out of this world, she’s still waving her hand even though Prince Aes left.

Kyrie immediately put her arm around Donna. “Wow. Must be nice waving at nothing. Your smile seems so wonderful,” Kyrie joked to Donna.

Donna ignored her and just lowered her hand while she’s still stunned.

Kyrie turned to the group. “She's losing her mind,” Kyrie said.

Donna returned to her senses. ”Huh? Did you say something?”

“Nothing,” Kyrie replied. “You're just as red as a tomato.”

Donna was surprised. “Huh? N-No I’m not,” she denied.

“Oh girl. He even thought you were sick because of how red your face is,” said Jessy.

Donna stopped talking and Jessy and Kyrie laughed. Yani looked at them again, teasing each other while smiling.

That's how Donna is when she feels butterflies in her stomach. It's good that Yani suggested that because Aes might not be able to think about it. She hopes she can at least see them together again…

Gradually the smile disappeared from Yani's lips.

…but that’s only a wish for now.