"Furthermore it is not in the interest of the people of our country. Relihiyoso tayo, we should remember that God Himself believes children are pure─"

A scoff came from beside me, I raised a playful eyebrow at Queen who looked like she wanted to blatantly roll her eyes at the newbie debater of our org.

I righted my sitting posture, "Halt." I exhaled after stopping the poor dude. He must really be new to this whole formal debate thing.

"Wow, himala ng mga himala, you didn't throw a shoe or burn the poor dude to smithereens this time." King was smirking without meeting my gaze. He was doodling whilst the practice debate ensued. He also had his ear pods tucked in his ears. Sneaky, trying to avoid socializing again when he's actually just listening to us. Nice move though.

"Po? May mali po ba sa mga sinabi ko?" The newbie's eyes were wide with question- or was it fear?

Lately I've been notorious for being a terrorist of the debate org. I mean, seriously though paano ba naman kasi, ang daming mga sumasali dahil lang gusto nila ng recognition, or for the cash prizes we win during debate meets. Ugh friendly user swines

"Is this your first time?" internally however, I already knew the answer. It's kind of one of those stupid things we do out of reflex, like asking a wounded person if they were hurt.

Duh, of course it hurts.

But we're forced to say "I'm okay" almost every time. Ironic. Almost as if it's programmed into our systems.

The new dude nodded. Terror evident in his eyes. I wanted to roll my eyes. I mean geez, I'm being nice today! I haven't thrown a shoe at anyone yet, unlike what King claims. Hmp!

"That, my good lad." I made a clicking sound with my tongue "Is a one way ticket to the losers bracket." he frowned at my words, and I felt really bad.

Oh heavens above, why didn't I let Queen handle this one. Should've saved myself from this guilt trip.

I sighed and stood up. Walking towards the newbie. "Never state biblical references during formal debates. The laws of men are different from the laws of God."

It actually feels nice to teach youngsters (not that I'm old, I really just consider myself "older" than most people. Is this even making sense?), it's like giving people a part of yourself, a part of you that they'll carry their whole lives.

"Mas madali kung papanuorin n'yo na lang si Ace." Queen's voice reverberated across the silent room. Her voice is actually small, contrary to her aura and attitude that would legit have you believing she's as regal as her name sounds. "It's time, Ace."

The whole room filled with debate org members trained their gazes to me. I'm still a bit uncomfortable when they do this. I could feel every hair on my body stand from their hopeful gazes.

"Why are you all looking at me as if sasabak ako sa gyera?" I pouted, my eyebrows furrowing as well. "Aba, baka nakakalimutan n'yo na may masuwerte na bagong salta na isasabak din."

I could almost see the sweat drops on their foreheads. Almost cartoon-like.

Most of us here have confidence during practice, but when we're in the conference room and the eyes of the audiences and the ever benevolent (yeah, sarcasm) panel of judges study your whole being, it kind of turns us all into stuttering homo sapiens.

"'Di ka kinakabahan?" Queen stood up, along with Jack and King who formed a circle with me. "Ang daya daya, how can you even stand those filthy gazes." She was slightly pouting as she protested.

Kung alam mo lang.. Kung alam n'yo lang.

"I'm actually dead nervous." I smiled, slightly fixing my side bangs that kept going to my eye. Geez, God forbid I grow bored or you're the first thing I'd see to meddle with.

"Ikaw?" Jack and King in unison. Seriously though, these two might have been long lost brothers for all I know.

"Masama ba na kabahan ako? Bawal? Bawal? 'Di ako tao?" My head bobbed as I let out my tirade.

It was true though. Behind this perfect posture, the perfectly fixed hair, eyebrows neatly done before going to school, lips tinted red and smile - captivating (what? They say it is. I'm not being conceited here okay?) I'm actually a nervous bundle of white feathers.

Gano'n kasi kadali manlinlang ng mga tao.

If you own pretty features, you're automatically alluring to the eyes of the masses. Paired with a bright smile and the right poise ─ the world will offer it self to you, one by one, they all bow down.

"Arte." King huffed. "You look like you could kill Jemar Felix with just one glance though"

Ah, Jemar Felix. The philosophical dude - er, well, self proclaimed rather. He's one of those people millenials fondly call "pabibo". Someone who pretends to know it all for the sake of either picking up disciples or looking cool.

I mean geez right? I dunno about you guys, sorry if someone feels offended but damn the dude really makes me want to throw his body to a meat processing machine.

"Hoy! Azenith Archanghel nakikinig ka ba?!" Oops, I might have daydreamed of torture too much. Jack often uses my whole name to annoy me.

"Jaxcen Maestrado, you don't need to use my whole name." I frowned at him. I mean, we're pretty much just the same. Among us four,  Jack and I really have something against our names. I honestly don't know why though, personally I just prefer something else.

"Can we continue the attendance later?" Queen chirped "Pag tayo na-late baka dumami pa lalo mga kampon ni Jemartard."

The three of us laughed at Queen's remark. She was the youngest of us four, we were all born on the same year, separated only by months. And I guess that's one of the factors why we're inseparable - nah, just kidding. We're all awesome, that's why we stick together like glue.

It's funny how fate works. The student body either laughs at us or admires the four of us. It must be the work of fate that Jack, King, Queen and Ace ended up in one peer right? I mean, hi poker players, you'd seriously flip if you have these fellas in your hands.

"Ate Quinzel, pinapatawag na daw po tayo nila coach." Immediately, I saw Queen roll her eyes. Yeah, she sort of doesn't like her name, but loves her nickname.

"Queen na lang, Arriane" I told our org-mate. "Napipikon 'yan 'pag naririnig pangalan n'ya."

"Ay!" Her eyes immediately went as wide as plates "Sorry Ate Queen! Uhm, Ate Ace, ayun nga po, tawag na po kayo nila coach, briefing daw po bago lumaban." She bowed her head as she addressed me.

You see? Ito ang nagagawa ng mga nabanggit ko kanina lang.

Rule number one in this game..

Know your assets and liabilities, and know how to use them.

Queen and I walked side-by-side on the way to the auditorium. Jack and King were discussing about this chess player that Jack had a match against (although mostly it was Jack doing all the talking. King being the lazy ass lamp post just listened and casually nodded once in a while)

The white tiled hallways looked carpeted through my eyes. As to why I walked it with all poise and pride. The cream colored walls looked curtained through my eyes, a sign that something damaged or something bland hides beneath; and that's why I pay attention to every bit of it.

This school was a palace - not because it was elegant, oh hell , Vergil State University was nothing near majestic. Some pathways smell like sewers for the founder's sake. I swear I remember feeling nauseous in one of the classrooms in the College of Engineering building, I swear it felt like the building was leaning!

Worst part? The people.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not being randomly whinny like your usual millenial bit- okay harsh word, but yeah. Nothing like that.

People here are either just too ambitious for their own good, or too bland. I mean, in life there are two types of people, the dudes who would spout actual facts when you open topics like conspiracy theories, religion disputes or politics ; then there are those who'd make up facts or simply dismiss you. Shorter terms? Boring ass little biscuits (no offense to biscuits, don't get me wrong, I can't live without them. I just can't use the actual B-word)

"Gaya nga ng sabi ko, it's all about perspective." Okay that line is so unearthly familiar. The irritating male creature's voice continued with his discussion with a few people "You can be happy by perspecting things in simple ways."

A nerve above my brow twitched. "It's perceiving." I butted in, head held high, a menacing but alluring smile plastered on my face as I walked towards the hairless monkey and his crowd.

"Ha?" The he creature directed his gaze to me. Ugh I legit wanted to say "hakdog" or "hambog" and roll my eyes. Ugh annoying

"If you're going to quote someone, ayusin mo." I started "And walang salitang nakalagay sa dictionary na 'perspecting'." My smile grew wider, I swear the three would tease me for my cheeks if they were looking. "You can be happy by perceiving things in a simple light. THAT is the quote. Credits." I tilted my head a bit, letting the perfect strands of ombre hair fall to my chest.

Jemar Felix cleared his throat. Half of his supposed new recruits tried to hide their laughter.

Can't blame them, it's always fun to see the dude pissed. He he

"Oh, sorry. Was just trying to correct." I turned to his crowd "I'm Ace by the way, I taught him the quote." I excitedly waved my hand to them

The boys immediately exchanged their greetings with me, the girls looked skeptic.

Parati namang ganon. Aminin man natin o hindi, karamihan sa mga babae ayaw na nalalamangan sila. An alpha female is terrifying. When a girl is prettier, it's insulting. When a girl is smarter, it's degrading. When she has more friends, it makes us feel lonely.

Tough luck for most of us, but hey, it's just a phase. We all catch up to reality immediately.

"You realize that the quote didn't originate from you right, it originated from-"

"Oh!" I cut him off on purpose. "Saan mo natutuhan 'yan? Got it from google?" I made an innocent face - vastly contradicting Jemar's contorted and bitch-I'll-kill-you look right now.

"Pft--" Jack tried and failed to hide his amusement "Burn Felix, burn." his voice was melodious, like a victory song.

Slow claps resonated from King and Queen. For all I know, these two wanted to reality-slap Jemar Felix for a loooong time now. Seriously, I think we entertain ourselves by dissing him. Even going as far as saying "Jemar" instead of cussing.

I know, weird right?

"I don't understand." Queen's forehead creased as we marched away from the crime scene (otherwise we might have really found ourselves in an actual crime scene. Revenge demands murder - okay kidding) "Bakit pa kailangan makalaban ng debate team ang philosophy org? I mean, di naman sila magaling." she huffed

Oh this girl.

She might be youngest but her words are usually the harshest. She won't care if someone's feelings are at risk, like hell if you smell like a freaking dead fish, she'll tell you that you smell like one.

"Siguro para may ka-practice tayo." Jack answered, his gaze was fixated on the crowd. Knowing him, it was a hobby of his to observe crowds, either to find potential threats, or simply to internally judge.

"Ahuh, feeling ko rin." I looked over at King who was busy with his tablet, probably finishing a doodle. And as if he sensed my gaze, he lifted his eyes.

"Gano'n din naman." He shrugged "Palagi namang iisa ang result. Debate team wins, Philo org loses, Philo org would play victim."

Queen scoffed. I kind of wanted to do so too. Tama si King. The sore losers would always cry wolf.

Rule number two in the game...

Know who you're playing against.

You might just find yourself trapped the moment you thought you're winning.

You might think the enemy looks innocent and incapable of such heinous acts - but dear, sweet child tsk tsk, you're one step closer to the loser's bracket.

Today might look like a normal day for you Jemar Felix, but you clearly skipped rule number two if you thought you could play the same hand against us again. Using the same tactics against the same opponent is pure dumb, dude.

"Well, how do you want them sore losers' asses cooked?" I cockily asked the three in the most smug way I could apply. I was feeling really confident right now after all.

If you think you can lump me in with those mastermind wannabes? Oh please, even Joker or Lex Luthor or Littlefinger would wet their pants.

"Confident tayo ah?" Jack smirked, now I know for sure it was a smirk. He of all the three trusts my skills the most. He'd honestly gladly throw me in the front lines of a battle field and wouldn't be .01% scared about me getting my ass whooped. Yeah, funny way of putting it, but he really trusts my skills that much.

A hand flew to the back of my neck, tipping my head forward. "Flashy as always." Queen stuck her tongue out. Such a kid.

"Ouch.." I said with a straight face. Rubbing my neck, as the three of them laughed, I took a mental photograph of this moment.

I need to be better than the best for you.
Those smiles won't fade.
And we'll have more happy days.

"Let the game begin."