P >:(

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"Good morning, ma'am!"

"Good morning, manong guard." I greeted back with a smile.

Despite it being early in the morning, the loud chatters coming from the students couldn't be easily ignored. Some were excited to start the school year with their friends, habang ang iba naman ay naghahanap na ng bagong crush sa ibang seksyon.

I chewed on the gum in my mouth as I try to find my classroom. Kaka-transfer ko pa lang kaya hindi pa 'ko pamilyar sa eskwelahan.

Habang naglalakad ay nahanap ko na ang classroom ko at agad-agad akong pumasok sa loob. I was expecting a lot of people pero tatlong tao pa lang ang nandoon. Dalawang babaeng nakikipagtsikahan at isang lalaki na may suot na earphones habang natutulog. Nagpasya akong umupo malapit sa pintuan, para madaling makapasok kapag na late ako. While waiting, I took out my sketch pad and started drawing an eye. Ewan, go-to drawing ko lang 'yan whenever bored ako.

I've always enjoyed arts. The thought of my artworks being plastered on museums brings me so much enthusiasm, pero ayaw ng pamilya ko. Sabi nila, wala naman daw akong makukuha sa pagguhit, kesyo maging abogado o doktor nalang.

I come from a family of high achievers, my relatives have notable jobs such as businessmen, doctors, and lawyers. That's why when I opened about wanting to pursue arts, they strongly opposed to it. Saying that I would only tarnish our surname.

After that, I only considered arts as a hobby.

I snapped out of my thoughts and noticed the two girls from earlier. They were pushing each other, muttering 'ikaw na!'

I stopped drawing to turn at them. Pareho silang nagulat pero agad ding ngumiti. Lumapit silang dalawa bago magsalita.

"Hello! You seem to be new here!" one of them greeted. She smiled at me, displaying her gray braces. "You wouldn't mind if we sit next to you, right?"

"I don't mind." sagot ko, sabay iling. They both took a seat beside me. Nagkatinginan ulit sila, nudging each other to speak.

"Um, may kailangan po ba kayo?" tanong ko, I felt awkward with their stares.

"Hala, nagtatagalog naman pala!" the one with big eyes exclaimed, "Kinabahan ako sa 'yo! Akala ko required mag-english!"

I laughed at their remarks, as the one with braces hit her friend's shoulder.

The one with braces introduced herself as Keira Danice Lacaste. Her short hair only reached her shoulders, and her bangs were swept to the right. Her skin was tan, which greatly complimented her light brown eyes. Keira also has a beauty mark on her right cheek and it becomes noticeable whenever she smiles.

Her friend, Jai Azura Lopez, is the one with big eyes. Unlike Keira, Jai's hair was wavy and long, her bangs covered her forehead. Her big eyes and fair skin made her look like a porcelain doll. Jai has this jolly aura around her that instantly makes you want to be friends with her.

They told me that they've been friends since elementary days at nasasawa na daw sila sa isa't isa. Just like me, they also just transferred here. Tumawa ako bago magpakilala, "It's nice to meet the both you. My name is Gianne Zae Oliviero."

"Ang ganda ng pangalan mo! Nga pala, ano 'yang kinakain mo? Pahingi nga!" Jai excitedly cupped her hands, asking for what I was chewing.

I take out two Babble Joe gums and gave them one each, they happily thanked me and opened it like little kids. We talked and talked, and I instantly liked them. They were easily to get along with!

The room slowly started to get crowded as time passed.

Masayang nag-uusap kaming tatlo ng biglang tumahimik si Jai. Napatingin kami ni Keira sa kanya, nagtataka kung bakit siya tumigil sa pagtawa. Puno ng pawis ang kanyang mukha habang hinahawak ang kanyang tiyan. Seryoso niya kaming tinignan at nagsabi, "Natatae ako."

Pagkatapos nun ay agad siyang tumayo at tumakbo palabas sa classroom, hawak hawak ang kanyang tiyan. Agad agad siyang sinundan ni Keira na may dalang wet wipes.

Hindi ako nakapagsunod sa kanilang dalawa dahil sa gulat. Bakit biglang sumakit ang tiyan ni Jai? Bakit may prepared na wet wipes si Keira?

Habang nakatulala ay may lumapit sakin. Matangkad at kulay itim ang buhok. Singkit ang mga mata at mayroong suot na salamin. Complete uniform, which made him looked neat and clean. "Excuse me."

"Excuse me?" tanong ko, dadaan ba siya?

"That seat." he pointed at the chair I'm sitting on, "I want that seat."

What?

"Uh, sorry. I'm already sitting here eh." I responded, confused. "I also want this seat." I added. Does he want me to give up this seat for him and find another one?

He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Look. If you're doing this to get my attention, better stop now. I'm getting annoyed."

"Ha? Teka, sino ka ba? Bat naman ako magpapapansin sayo?" gulat kong sagot sa kanya, "Gwapo ka nga pero ang pangit naman ng ugali mo."

His eyes widened and his nose flared. Thick eyebrows furrowed as he blink repeatedly, shock evident on his face. But it was quick to change into annoyance.

"Ano?" iritado niyang sinabi.

He was about to say something but was then interrupted by another classmate, "Sorry for the trouble, we'll find another seat." The new guy's eyes disappeared as he gave out a gentle smile. He had black hair and was a tad bit shorter than the other one.

"What? No-" the rude one protested but was quickly dragged by the arm.

I stared at them as they walk further and further. They sat at the other side of the room. The kind guy placed both his and his friend's bag on two seats that were beside each other, as the other kept on complaining. I continued to stare and noticed a small crowd quickly forming around the two guys. They must be popular.

I turned away as I catch the rude guy's head turn to look at my direction. I pursed my lips and quietly waited for Jai and Keira to come back as I ignore his glares.

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