First Love

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I am currently in my last year in junior high school, 10th grade.

I arranged my books before going out in the classroom. I looked at my classmates glancing at me, probably thinking that I'm such a weird and snobby person. I wait for Mizuki in the school field because we're not in the same section this school year. That's why our dismissal isn't the same.

I stared at the Grade 12 students in front of their building gossiping something and glancing at me. I want to roll my eyes. It’s probably about the issue that a Grade 12 student has a crush on me. It's spreading like a wildfire here in the highschool department! 

I don’t know why it is a big deal to them.

"Hey!" Mizuki ran to me. "I’m sorry, did you wait long?" she asked. I shook my head, still staring at the Grade 12 students. 

Mukhang na kuryoso siya kaya tumingin din siya sa tinitingnan ko kaya tumayo na ako para wala na siyang masabi dahil pati siya ay iniinis ako sa lalaking may ‘crush’ daw sa akin! Hindi man halata ay mas palakaibigan si Mizuki kaysa sa akin kaya marami siyang kaibigan sa Grade 12, at pati ata ang lalaking naiisue sa akin ay kaibigan din niya.

"Let’s go, Mizuki."

She looked at me, wiggling her brows. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago naunang maglakad. Hindi na naman ako tatantanan nitong babaeng ‘to.

"My God! You're such a snob!" She tried to chase my footsteps so I fastened my pace more so that she couldn't reach me. "Alam mo, palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung bakit ka nagustuhan ni Andrei! Sobrang snob mo kaya!" 

I covered my ears.

Fuck it!

"Mizuki!" I heard someone calling her on my left side. In my shock, I accidentally glanced at the person who called her. They are a group of boys from Grade 12. I know because the person who called Mizuki is Lorenz, a varsity player in our school. He waved at me.

"Hi, Lucuesta!" he yelled. I kinda get annoyed with him sometimes because he’s so loud but he's kind naman. I just hate his vibes because he looks so jolly. 

"Hi." I greeted timidly.

I jumped a little when they loudly teased their friend after I said that and I already know that it’s Andrei, the one that they are talking about. I don't really know his appearance, we never really met each other so I don’t know why others really assumed that he likes me.

And he’s pretty popular with girls.

Kaya ‘yung dating sampung babaeng galit sa akin dahil sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan mas nadagdagan pa ngayon. Well, he’s handsome so I understand them and I heard that he’s intelligent too so that is a plus.

But having a love life is the least of my concerns right now.

Having a boyfriend is just a pain in the ass.

My goal right now is to be a Valedictorian. I want my Mom to be proud of me, at least once in my life. I politely excuse myself so I can finally go home and lay in bed.

Kinabukasan ay maaga ako gumising dahil may hahanapin pa akong licro sa school library namin. I went downstairs after I put my uniform on. 

I’m wearing a white shirt with a blue and white striped necktie partner with my skirt. I took out some cereal and milk for my breakfast but before I could sit down at our dining table, I heard my Mom and Dad’s footsteps.

I politely greet them. My Dad smiled at me meanwhile Mom just got straight in her seat. I sighed. The breakfast went silent like it used to. Around 6:20 when I arrived at our school. Dumaan muna ako sa classroom para ibaba ang mga gamit ko at dumiretso pagkatapos sa library.

I took the stairs after I didn’t find the book that I wanted on the first floor of the library. The second floor looks like a ghost town. There’s no people around here unlike downstairs.

And I’m grateful for that.

I went to the first aisle, but I didn't find it. I went to the second aisle, the third aisle, but I still didn’t find it. I glance at my watch and I only have 20 minutes left before my class starts. If I don't find it now, it will bother me the whole day. We have a library in the house but that book isn’t there.

Damn, I need to find it.

If I will be late… then I’m late.

I started to walk in the fourth aisle and finally! I found it. But the problem is the book is on the highest shelf but still I try to reach it, it’s too late to give up now. 

But of course I still can’t reach it!

I stiffened when I felt something on my back. I didn’t move as I stared at the toned arms taking the book out so easily on the shelf! How I wish I had a height like that.

"Here," he said.

"Thanks..." I almost whispered that in the ghost when I saw who the person who helped me was. He looks shocked too. He looked away and took some steps back, giving me space. Now that I got to see him closer, I get why girls hate me just because of the rumor that he likes me.

To be honest, I don’t believe in that. Sobrang imposible na magugustuhan ako ng isang tao dahil lang nakita nila ako randomly na naglalakad na parang may sariling mundo. People always backstab me that I'm thinking so highly of myself because I’m ‘snobbing’ them. Well that’s their term.

I am not really snobbing them...  or maybe I do because when they try to start a conversation with me, I always think that they are only making fun of me in the back of their minds. 

I got trauma, I guess.

That’s the issue with my circle of friends before. They always make fun of me because of my habits in reading and studying. When there’s really nothing wrong with that in the first place. Kaya ngayon iniisip ko na ganoon din ang iniisip nila sa akin. 

But I don’t care now.

I’m okay with Mizuki.

"Hey, okay ka lang ba?"

"Huh?" I looked at him and I just found that I’m zoning out in front of him, damn. "Y-yeah, I’m okay, sorry just thinking something…" 

"It’s fine," he smiled.

"Anyways, I gotta go. Thanks for helping me..."

He nodded. "Pleasure,"

I smiled and turned my back at him.

And that’s our first talk…