Play the game,
then you'll lose yourself again.

Chapter 1

“MISTER BENJ ZEDRICK HALDANE!!! WAKE UP!!!”

I am still sleepy when I heard Ate Serene alarm voice.

“Would you please lower your voice.” I said while my eyes are still closed.

“How can I lower my voice if it is already 9:30 in the morning and you're still in your bed! You're about to take an entrance exam, remember?”

I quickly get up when I heard what time it was already.

My eyes automatically went on my clock. Damn!

“ATEE!!!” you'll pay for this.

It's 5:30am in morning. I still have two and a half hours for that entrance exam.

I decided to took an entrance exam in one of the most prestigious university here in the Philippines.

“UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, HERE I AM!”

I almost shout it when finally, I am in front of this university.

Everyone knows how intelligent the students here. This university is also competitive. It can also compared it into Harvard University when it comes of having an intelligent students.

“Ouch—” I gaze into a girl who's now busy getting her things that fell.

“Sorry.” the girl looked at me and smile.

“No, it's okay.” she said while fixing her things.

“Giljean Abando.” she said and  offered her right hand.

“Benj.”

“So, obviously, you're here to take an entrance exam too, right?”
She said while we continue to walk.

“Hmm.”

“Sorry..hehe.. I am really like this, feeling close.”

“It's okay.”

“What course you are planning to take?” Giljean asked while trying her best to follow my steps.

I slowly walk—adjusting my steps for her. I am taller than her that's why it is hard for her to follow my steps.

“Bachelor of Arts in Communication, major in Journalism. ”

I saw an awe on her face, probably amazed on what I've said.

“You look intelligent, ha.”

“I don't think so.”

She was kicking the stone when she talk again.

“You know what? I really felt envious for those people who really they know what course they will take in college.”

I stopped to walk and face her.

“May I know why?”

“Because it was as if, I am living without any dream in life. I still don't know what course I will take in college. I can answer anything, but in that question... I always ended up silent.”

I can't stop myself from smiling. She's so cute when she was pouting.

“Everyone has a dream. You just didn't accept it to yourself what kind is that. I know you already have an idea what it is. You are just keep on stopping yourself because, maybe—just maybe, you are afraid to take a risk on it. Or maybe, it's about your dream and practicality. ”

I left her hanging up after saying those words.

...

“Okay. Before I give this test paper, I would like to to say Good luck to everyone of you. I hope you'll gonna passed this exam. Good luck and CHEATING IS NOT ALLOWED.” our assigned  proctor said.

Lord, I hope I will passed this exam, please guide me.

“How's  your exam?”
I almost jump-off when Giljean appears in my sight.

“Did you know that you can kill people by appearing abruptly? ” I said. Totally annoyed.

“Wow, ha. You're so over acting. Just answer my question, psh!”

I inhaled and rubbed my nape. Trying to longer my patience for this girl.

“You're talking like as if we really know each other.” I said in a low tone.

“Huh? What did you say?” she innocently asked.

“I said, I'm hungry.”

“Did you want to eat something?”

I nodded.

“Yeah, I want to eat”

YOU

...

“ You know what, I realized awhile ago that you are right. I knew what I want in life, I'm just denying it in myself.” Giljean said while chewing her foods.

“Just finish your foods, before talk.”

I laugh when I saw how she rolled her eyes on me.

“Psh, fine. You're the one who has a good ethic in life.”

“You're crazy”

“Because you're driving me crazy”

I heard she said in her lower tone.

“Are you saying something?” even I already heard what she said.

Sometimes, I like hearing excuses and lies.  Especially if I already know what is the truth.

“Nothing, I just said, I need water.”

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling so widely.

This is the reason why I like hearing excuses and seeing how they act so innocent.

“You're still not answering question. ”

I thought she already forget it. She had a sharp memory, huh.

“It was good. It's hard but I can also answer those questions.”

“But I'm not saying that my answers are correct.”

“HAHAHA” she laugh on what I've said. Crazy woman.

“I was about to adore you when you said, ‘But I'm not saying that my answers is correct ’ hahaha. ”

“Ah, so you're laughing at me now, psh. As what I've said I'm not that intelligent enough to answer those questions correctly.”

“Let's have a dare.” she vigorously said.

“What is it?”

“In the two of us, the one who got the higher score  in that exam will be having a rights to give Ten dares. Deal?”

I stared at her, trying to figure out if she's serious in that dare. I am sure that I can get a high score in that exam that I took awhile ago.

“I am sure that you will just end up losing this game.” I said with confidence.

“Let's see, then.” as she answered.