Lexus sat beside the pool, trying to relax, yet he couldn't stop thinking about Janice. Every smile, every laugh she shared on campus—especially the moment she stood up for Alonzo—kept replaying in his mind. He couldn't understand why his feelings had suddenly changed. There was a strange ache in his chest, an unexpected jealousy he never thought he'd feel.
"Lexus!"
His mother suddenly called out to him. He looked up and noticed the worry etched across Bernadeth's face.
"Son, how's school? Have we talked about your grades already?"
"Ma, I'm fine," he replied, forcing his emotions down. Still, irritation crept into his voice. Janice continued to linger in his thoughts.
"Lexus… I heard your grades are starting to drop. You might lose your place on the Dean's List. Don't you realize how important that is?!"
Lexus bit into a strawberry and took a sip of juice, his heart tangled in confusion. He didn't know how to react—irritation mixed with a faint fear that everything at school might be affected.
"Ma, I just can't concentrate lately. A lot is happening… and you know, Ma, the role I have across the whole campus."
His voice carried a hint of frustration and exhaustion.
Bernadeth turned to face him, her expression filled with both patience and anger.
"Lexus, my child… I know you've gone through a lot as an officer, but you need to be responsible. Your grades aren't just for yourself—they're for your future. I don't want you losing focus because of things like this."
Lexus let out a deep sigh, feeling the tension weigh heavily around him.
"Ma, I understand… but you don't understand. This isn't just about grades. There are things at school… things I can't get out of my head."
Bernadeth stepped closer and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Son… I know you have things on your mind, but you can't let them interfere with your studies. You need to fix this. Grades first, Lexus. No excuses! Okay?"
"Yeah… I understand, Ma,"
he answered softly, irritation still laced in his tone.
Inside the house, standing before his mother, Lexus felt utterly conflicted. For the first time, he sensed real tension between his own world and the world he felt he needed to excel in—for the woman he cared about. A feeling he could no longer hide, one that would follow him every day on campus and open doors to new challenges, conflicts, and unexpected emotions.
[Classroom – Section B, Law]
Alonzo sat quietly at his desk, gripping his pen as he stared at the board, waiting for the announcement of the exam results. Every second felt endless—the tension inside the classroom, the hushed breathing of his classmates, and the faint noise coming from outside the windows.
Professor:
"Alright, class. Time to announce your results for the last exam. Let's see…"
As his classmates' names were called one by one, his nervousness grew.
"Okay, Mr. Santiago… you got the highest score across all Law sections. Ninety-nine out of one hundred! Congratulations!"
(Clap! Clap! Clap!)
Alonzo felt as if the world had stopped. He could feel every pair of eyes fixed on him.
Then applause erupted across the room. Even classmates he barely knew admired his achievement.
Student 1: "You're amazing, Alonzo!"
Student 2: "That exam was insanely hard, but it was nothing for you!"
Student 3: "We're proud of you—you represent the highest score in our section!"
Alonzo could hardly believe it. All the sleepless nights, anxiety, and effort had paid off. His smile widened when he noticed Maverick beaming at him, clearly proud and eager to show his support.
"Bro! You were incredible! Did you see that? Even as a newcomer, you're already among the top students on campus!"
"I can't believe it either, bro. I just did my best while reviewing."
Yet he could sense a subtle tension in the air. He knew not everyone was pleased with his success.
After class, outside the classroom, three students stood together—Benjie, Raymark, and Jacob. Irritation was written all over their faces as their eyes locked onto Alonzo with arrogance.
Benjie: "Well, look who it is—the 'Poor Country Boy'! Showing off as the highest scorer now, huh? Hahaha!"
Raymark: "Of course, man. His score might be high… but he still can't beat our boss, Lexus."
Jacob: "Exactly! Alonzo? The Probinsyano Boy!"
Jacob stepped closer, deliberately whispering into Alonzo's ear.
"Seriously, you're nowhere near Lexus on this campus. Don't get too comfortable just because you topped the Law sections. No matter how good you are, there will always be people with more power and influence here."
Despite the insults, Alonzo felt a strange strength rising within him. His cheeks burned and the tension thickened, but with every word thrown at him, his resolve only grew stronger.
Benjie: "Come on, guys! Boss is looking for us. Let's not waste time on him."
Alonzo's POV:
"I'm not here to prove anything to them. I'm here for my dream, for my scholarship, and for my parents who believe in me." he whispered to himself, forcing himself to remain calm.
Before Benjie and the others could leave completely, Maverick arrived and noticed what was happening. He knew Alonzo had been insulted.
"Bro, don't mind them. Just remember—academically, you can definitely keep up with them."
Alonzo smiled faintly, taking a deep breath. He felt his first major victory at Eastwood College Academy—a clear sign that even as a newcomer, he was capable of facing every challenge: elitism, scrutiny, and the pressure of wealthy students.
Narrator:
Amid Alonzo's daily struggles, he had no idea that his journey toward his dream was only just beginning. But would he be ready to step into the world of a Student Committee member?
"Angela! Help me hang this on the bulletin board," Jani
ce called out as she carried a large tarpaulin filled with announcements.
To be continued…