This Is Not Strange

Chapter Thirty

Bridgette

Walking alone in the empty hallway of our school, I can't help but remember the events these past few days. Ella being dragged away from us, exposing our Principal and his kabet, putting the two of them in jail, plus Ella's weirdness to my presence.

  Her unusual behavior started the day na nakalabas siya. She's a little... Soft? And she's also showing more affection than noon. Ayaw ko naman mag assume, pero I can't help but wonder if she caught a love bug na rin ba sa akin.

  I arrived at our meeting place, the writer's room, para sa practice ko for the upcoming pageant sa press-con na gaganapin na sa next, next day. Tinupad nila ang pangako nila na ako ang isasali, with my partner Angelo, who's a HUMSS student na new member ng club namin. Him and I joined the same contest din kaya sabay kaming nagre-review pagkatapos ng ensayo.

  The room is messy with our gamit na nakalatag para dalhin mamaya sa venue. Today din kasi kami aalis para makasali na kami sa pag-blocking sa venue ng contest. Hindi naman ako nanlulumo masyado because I know na susunod naman sila ni Ella bukas. She told me pa nga na magbabaon na raw talaga siya ng plastic dahil wala na ang aalalay sa kanya if ever na mahilo siya. Gosh, that moment.

  Angelo stopped to wave and smile at me when he saw me enter the room. He's busy practicing his walk na pinapa-perfect talaga sa amin ng mentor. I put on my heels agad and joined him sa makeshift stage namin. We practiced for about three hours before kami pinayagan mag lunch and maghanda na for the short byahe papunta sa contest venue. Ma'am said na it'll be an hour away naman daw from the port of San Remegio.

  Angelo joined me habang papunta sa canteen ng school, he was busy rambling about the topics na maari naming ma encounter.

  “I hope na mas maging interesting naman ang topic nila. Like, how about sa places? Music? Arts?”

  I nodded at him, not knowing what to reply. He continued going on sa mga topics until he decided na nakakaumay na kaya inaya niya nalang ako. “Bri, libre nalang kita sa labas.”

  Since wala naman akong ibang kakainan, pumayag ako. He had a scooter bike na sinakyan namin papunta sa isang restaurant here. The place gives off this homey vibes dahil sa mga furnitures nito.

  Angelo lead me to a two sitter table and we took a seat in each chair. “So what's your order?”

  I look around to find if they have any lists of their dishes, but found none. “What's masarap ba? Ikaw nalang mag order. Surprise me.”

  He didn't complain naman, he gladly nodded and dashed off towards the counter. I guess he's a regular here.

  He then came back with a smile on his face. Angelo is gwapo naman. Tall height, black eyes, clean shaved palagi, matangos ang ilong, and medyo singkit. I've heard na marami raw admirers ito, lalo na at magaling siya sa pagsulat at pagkanta simula pa noong seventh grade. Pero even if same grade kami, I've never talked to him in the past kasi nasa kabilang section siya. Mabait naman siya and very approachable kaya madali lang din kaming nagkasundo.

  My thoughts were interrupted when he decided to talk again. “So Bridgette... Excited ka na ba sa pageant?”

  I nod and smile. “I can't wait nga na i-represent ang school natin. Ikaw ba?”