This Is Not Strange

Chapter Twenty Four

Bridgette

Back to school na and I couldn't be more happier. Aside from the fact na last year in Senior High na, I'll also be seeing Ella a lot since grade eleven and twelve will share the same building. I had to go to school early today para sa preparation and for the flag ceremony. After the ceremony, I delivered my speech and welcomed all the students. At dahil hindi pa kami magka-klase and mamaya pa ang club hunting, sinubukan ko munang hanapin si Ella to give her my gift. I thought about giving her a treat kit for her first day of class as a senior high student. Glancing around, I finally saw her sa hagdanan papuntang second floor with her friends, laughing.

  Shyly, I called her name and they all turned to look at me. Hindi ito ang usual niyang kasama na si Sam and Ynnah. They are all familiar naman but I rarely see them with her.

  Ella gave me a smile and my heart almost do a back flip because of how beautiful she looked. “Bridgette! Bakit?” She excused herself from her friends na nagpaalam na mauuna na, and jogged down papunta sa akin.

  “I have a gift for you. It's a box with some treats and all... I just feel like you need it for starting your first senior year.” Kinuha ko ito sa bag ko at inabot sa namumulang babae sa harap ko. Gosh, she's so cute.

  “Bakit may pa ganito? Importante ba ito?” she asked, sabay silip sa laman ng box.

  I nodded. “Para maging more special ang first day mo.”

  “Pero hindi naman kailangan magregalo. Nakakahiya na tumanggap ha.”

  “Nah, don't worry about it. I love showering you gifts,” I replied with a smile.

  Nodding shyly, she said, “Kailangan ko pang i-check ang classroom ko. Baka hindi na naman ako nasali sa listahan ng ABM. Thank you sa gift.”

  I was about to reply when she hugged me na ikinagulat ko. It was a brief hug but it's enough to create unexplainable eruptions in my stomach. She waved at me goodbye and I continue to wave back until she's out of sight. Smiling like an idiot, sumunod na rin ako para pumunta sa room ko. Damn, I need to impress her more para makatanggap ako ng hugs.

  The day passed by quickly and now it's time for the club hunting. Nakapwesto ulit ako sa writers area where Ella and some of the writers are present. Sila ang nag aayos ng forms while I'm the one accepting it from the applicants. Ilang oras pa ang lumipas at nag decide kami na ipagpabukas ulit. I ran as fast as I can sa room ng council dahil naiwan ko roon ang aking bag. After checking if the things are arranged inside, lumabas na ako. I almost jump in surprise to see Ella leaning casually sa wall beside the door. Her attention then shifted from her phone to me. Tinago niya ito at binati ako with a smile. Whoa, she's a little different today ah. Not in a bad way naman.

  “Hey, akala ko umuwi ka na,” I commented as I locked the door.

  She shook her head at me. “Hindi, hintay kitang matapos dahil may gusto akong sabihin sa'yo.”

  My heart raced at her seriousness. I hope I'm not in trouble.

  “What is it?” I asked, reluctantly.

  She took a deep breath first, which made my heart beat a little faster in anxiousness. “Gusto kita sanang yayain mag qwek-qwek sa merkado kasi-ano... sumama ka nalang kung gusto mo.”