The Benefactor

Jana Tesoro hates Mathematics and everyone knows it. They have no qualms about it, because they feel the same way too about the subject. It could be an extra trouble for Jana herself though. Her strict aunty, Sera Tesoro-Andelev, is a woman who practiced Algebra like it will be the solution to the ever-growing population rate in the St. Clemente. The way her aunt clasp a Math book is similar to the Nuns when praying with the Rosary in hand. Devout, and even solemn. The students couldn't help but cringe everytime the teacher was near. Jana herself would hide anywhere.

“...I hate it, though. Just look at my hair! Does it still look proper to you?” Ginnie whined. “How could she be so mean to me?”

‘Well, the witch wanted you to look horrible in front of your dad!’ Jana squinted, eyeing the empty classroom before tugging her best friend inside. The whole class is now in the auditorium, having a group activity about ‘how to master Math easily’. Jana is over her gullible days. ‘Math can never be easy!’

“Maybe she wanted to shun you out, girl,” Jana pointed out, “The witch said she want you and her to be close but the truth is—she's trying to sabotage you.”

Ginnie had a horrified look in her face. Jana nodded knowingly, folding her hands behind her waist and grinned. “I've seen this in the movies. Step mothers wanting to trash the original daughter so that they could be the first lady of the house! I just knew it!”

Ginnie lowered her head. Satisfied, Jana turn to look at the window. Their school has become so old. Rust settled at the railings, and the color that once had been bright now faded into gray. Jana remembered the excitement she felt when she stepped inside the school premises before. She's quite nervous, worrying not about subjects and lessons but the people whom she'd be with for the rest of her middle high schooling.

That feeling was novel—for a while. And then the excitement turn into worrying. There was fatigue, then came disappointment. Now coming to school felt nothing but a chore. A routine that is very bland.

‘It's okay. It's the last year anyway. College will say hello, then I won't have time even just for breathing.’

She would have preferred watching television all-day. Where she can know about how Didi from Taking Back What's Mine is now doing. ‘Did she manage to steal that evidence that will prove her innocence? Daniel should not be so cruel!’ Or Sasha from ‘The Mistresses’. ‘That woman is the most suitable for Don Martin!’

When watching soap operas and telenovelas, one could not feel the boring day. Specially when the actors look so good.

“I won't let that happen,” Ginnie said with a resolve, “next time she asks me for a girl's night out where we can go ‘bond’, I'll tell her to iron her own conscience straight.”

Jana snickered. “You look hurt.”

Ginnie averted her eyes fast. “My teeth aches from all that grinning of yours!” Jana walked behind Ginnie. She tried to get her bag from resting on the chair but one of the strap is stuck. Jana tugged harder, and a ripping sound was issued. In the end, Ginnie rolled her eyes. “You're definitely thinking about Lucas. You, getting all absent-minded!”

“I wasn't thinking about him. Do I look like thirteen to you? I'm eighteen. Pay some respect.” Jana lifted her chin, asking for an argument. “And how can you say that casually in front of me? I've told you before—”

“Lucas is a perfect male lead material.” Ginnie asked, “Wasn't that the same as saying, ‘Girl, I like him’? You just made it sound fancier.”

Jana gasped. She had a look that says ‘I am immensely offended’. “Lucas is definitely the male protagonist type, but I'm not his leading lady.” She stated, “Lucas needs a partner like…Synthell Evanghelista.”

This time, Ginnie voiced her horror. “What? That woman is clearly a bitchy antagonist!”

Jana blinked. “Yeah, I know. Well, their physical aspects were aligned with each other. They're a perfect match.”

“Enough of all this matchmaking of yours. Lucas is absolutely a great guy and you're pairing him with an empty vase! Sure, she's beautiful, but her heart is made of stone.”

‘You said enough with the matchmaking.’ Jana clicked her tongue, silently agreeing with the fact that Synthell could be the meanest girl in the school when she feels like it.

Synthell, Ginnie and Jana has been classmates since prep school. The way that girl stare could make staying in hell a lot better than being with her for two hours. One second, she's friendly with you and the next second you'll be St. Clemente High's punching bag of rumors.

There was a time when she spread the news of Ginnie's parents divorce with the reason that Ginnie's mom is a drug addict. Jana had tried everything just to reign her best friend in. When Ginnie called asking ‘where does that bitch live, Jana?’ with a monotone voice she had thought her friend was possessed.

But then, if it was her, she'd be knocking that girl down with her Aunt Sera's encyclopedias.

Synthell haven't made a move towards Jana though. Carefully not trying to offend her aunt. Jana had been filling her Aunt Sera about how vicious that girl can go. And although Aunt Sera is protective of her, she can't scold a top student, Synthell, because of no apparent reason. It doesn't help too that Synthell's family is loaded.

“That's the main conflict of their love story. Lucas will be the one who will change Synthell's attitude forever!” Jana is excited just by thinking about it.

However, Ginnie doesn't feel the same. “Oh! You're hopeless. Shouldn't you just go and write a novel about it instead of waiting? 'Cause that will never happen.”

“I've been thinking about it for a while now.” The corner of Jana's lips rose. “You'll be the third party.”

“Oh, knock that idea off your head.”

St. Clemente had never been a peaceful town. There is no violence and fight to speak of but Jana can't help but feel as though the place is too narrow. The houses are far with each other but people will still cross over the fence, intent on knowing what stuff has been going on inside your family. It feels as though every person's faces are always the same. Nothing new to marvel about.

When Jana walks down the riverbank and see the usual scenery of grass, waters and sundown, she feel almost sorrowful.

Nothing is new in this place. It has always been a tiring, uninspiring walk. ‘I wonder how people keep up with the boring life inside.’

“Jana!” a voice called, “Jana, have you seen this game? I think you'll definitely like it.”

Jana snapped out of her musing. Some of her classmates are back from the auditorium. She can't help but smile at their expressions. ‘Despair lay within Math!’ She took Kristof's phone and navigated the app. “A…love story game?”

“Yes, solo leveling too.” Kristof shrugged. “Lucas shared this app with me. You want to play that?”

Jana's eyes couldn't help but twinkle. “Lucas played that?”

Kristof is her neighbor. Everytime the school is over and his boyfriend is not around, he'd often walk with her. “Yeah, well, I guess not? Tina was the one who's playing it in his phone. I just happen to take a glance on his screen and thought of you. I'm not really interested with it. Open your phone. I'll send it. Gonna delete it afterwards.”

Kristof leaned closer to Jana. His eyes intent on sending the app. Jana couldn't help but notice how big does a few years can change off him. The guy was four inch above her height of 5'6. When they were kids, Kristof had been on the tiny side. Jana was accustomed in protecting him. Now in middle school, Kristof is even top second in the 'tallest men' in class. Lucas was the first one. Synthell made the list. Ginnie is suspicious about it but Jana can tell that there is no bias with it. Especially when the height were measured. Ginnie won't believe it still. Jana knew its her prejudice with Synthell that is tough.

‘Pathfinder's Transmigration of Love’

“Hey, the game has a weird name,” Jana commented, “too long for my liking.”

Ginnie scoffed, combing her platinum blond hair with a brush. It was still frizzy. “Remember ‘Catching Zombies making Dinner with Family’? Yeah, you played that game once.”

Jana didn't mind her scorn and waited the game to load. The pink font gently swaying and the purple background is absolutely eye-catching. ‘Welcome! Please enter the player's name.’

“Kristof, thanks for this.”

The guy nodded before mumbling, “Welcome.” Eyes firmly glued to the phone, Kristof went back to his seat. Kristof's boyfriend, Zander, must be texting him.

‘Jana.’

“I bet they're getting along now…”

“…which is bad considering his parents…”

Jana caught a sight of Ginnie listening intently on the two students mocking another classmate. She sighed then reach her bag. Her aunt will make her read two books in a row and grounded for a week because of the large tear she made.

‘Please select the player's gender.’

‘Female.’

‘Note, the player accepts the terms and conditions…’

Jana inserted a check. Maybe she'll just play for a while in her own, since everyone inside this small classroom has their own business. Jana should feel like an outcast but instead she didn't. ‘I'm the school's walking trash can. Unwanted, but necessary.’ Sometimes she felt more like a design—a prop in school more than a student. ‘Unfortunately.’

‘Play now.’

Jana tapped the button twice. A welcoming sound beckoned her to look closer in her phone. ‘Time to play.’