P R O L O G U E
"Ms. Yu, you're officially a student here in Malcolm University." binigyan ako ng isang ngiti ng principal. Humarap siya sa parents ko na nakaupo sa upuang nasa harapan ko.
"I'm really glad that you chose this school for your little achiever, Mr. and Mrs. Yu. I'm looking forward to seeing your daughter wearing one of our uniforms in this University." , ngumiti sina Dad and Mom sa akin before silently gesturing me to leave the room.
"May pag-uusapan lang kami ng parents mo, Ms. Yu. So, may you leave us for a while?" , iminuestra ni Mrs. Manuel ang pintuan ng office. Napatingin ako sa mga magulang ko at ganun din sila, hinihintay ang paglabas ko.
Tumayo na ako at bahagyang yumuko sa kanilang harapan bago lisanin ang office. Nang makalabas napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. Umupo ako sa isa sa mga benches sa labas lang ng office.
The hallway where I'm currently am is empty. Maybe because it's class hours. Inilagay ko ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang tuhod bago tiningnan ang sapatos na suot suot.
I miss dancing in front of many people. I miss gracing my body with the soothing music of Tchaikovsky as the only tip of my pair of pointe shoes was making me balanced. I miss practicing at the ballet hall in my former Art University. I miss dancing ballet. I miss dancing, my passion.
Some things really don't come to its own place due to circumstances that will leave you with no choice but to accept your fate that it's not destined for you.
Minutes after minutes I felt bored. I even braided my long black hair because of boredom but to no avail. I made a long sigh that was quick to be heard along the hallway-I didn't care. I'm so tired that I just want to lie down but am afraid to be seen by people and make fun of me.
"Oh gosh, please! I'm so bored." I glanced at the door of the principal's office and went back to my shoes again. Am I going to do this until my parents come out of that cave?
Maybe, strolling for a bit won't be bad, right? I think so.
I stood up and lifted my minimalist dark brown tote bag before I hooked it on my right shoulder as I started walking to nowhere. I walked for about 30 minutes around the university but I haven't seen a single peaceful place for me to relax a bit.
Instead I ran into a cafeteria. I took a glance at my watch and found that it's already 10:49 A.M almost lunch time. That's why I'm hungry.
I have no choice but to go inside to buy food. Maybe my parents will just text me if they can't see me outside the office. I'm just famished to just wander around all alone without food. I'll continue what I am doing if I finish eating. Maybe a diet lunch will do.
I ordered a vegetable salad and a broccoli juice. Due to my passion I'm used to eating diet foods even at breakfast. I don't even have a cheat day. I haven't tasted any single foods like what they call junk foods and street foods that I'm actually dying to taste but my parents don't tolerate.
As I was eating at the corner of the cafeteria hall. I heard multiple footsteps followed with different timbres of voices coming from a crowd of high school students entering with their expressions that screams of delight. I concluded that the teacher's recently dismissed them.
I drank my not-so-cold broccoli juice for refreshments when I heard my phone ring. It made the students glance my way and that made me stilled. I heard their whispers with each other while still looking at me.
I looked away and just stared at both of my feet-stood up-got my bag before accepting the call of my Mom.
"Cermie, where are you?" I heard the calm but scary voice of my Mom as I started walking with the eyes of students still fixed on me. Maybe they can tell that I'm new here.
"I'm at the cafeteria, Mom. I just finished eating." I heard my Mom's deep breaths as she hung up the call before I could say anything-it's always like this. I'm already used to it.
I continued walking not minding the awkward stares from the students. Just like me, maybe they're not used to seeing someone new.
I'm already close to going out when someone blocked my way from the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Excuse me. You're new here?" a girl started raising her eyebrows at me. She's wearing a school uniform but the difference is her skirt is kind of short for her.
She's with 3 other girls who were at her back looking at me the same way she looks. The students in the cafeteria stopped at what they're doing and watched us or more likely they're watching on how these girls in front of me treat me.
"Yes. May I help you with something? You seem bothered." I saw how her face crumpled and a laugh escaped her mouth immediately followed by the students.
They seemed happy with what I said. It's not even a joke.
"Ang arte mo, ha? Akala mo naman kinaganda mo." I innocently looked at her. What's with her?
"I'm sorry?" laughs filled the hall when I answered that.
"Hoi, wag mo akong artehan, ha?" She slightly pushed me, which made me step backwards as I got a hold of my bag preventing it from falling.
One thing's on my mind right now. I'm not glad to see this.
"Hoi! Tama na 'yan!"
"Huwag niyong kinawawa si Ganda, hoi!"
The girl smugly looked at me before glancing at my bag followed with her wicked smile. No.
"Maybe I can do something with your bag." She started reaching for my precious bag when a cold voice filled the four walls of the cafeteria.
"Ms. Miller. You can proceed to the guidance now. With your boon companion."
I saw the girls' hesitant faces. I felt odd when I saw how nervous they were. Inayos ko ang bag na nasa aking kanang balikat bago nilingon ang lalaking nag may-ari nang boses.
"Go, bago ko pa kayo maunahan. Expulsion at its finest." said the black haired guy.
I saw a tall good-looking guy accompanied with another tall lean guy at his back with glasses. They seem intimidating but because I'm used to socializing with big people they're not really affect me.
The guy who spoke has jet black hair, hooded eyes, pointed nose, and kissable lips which makes you think of your own dignity. I can't really point out the other guy he's with because his face is being blocked by his rounded glasses but he has a unique light brown hair that I always envy when I see people having that and for an additional information he's holding a thick book. He's a handsome nerd, I must say.
As I glanced at the book I saw the familiar cover attached on it. Silent Crime written by WL Knightly. That's a good book he has there.
"Hindi pa tayo tapos, bitch." habol ng babae. I was kind of offended by her sudden outburst. I didn't even do anything to her.
I saw the two boys walking my way. Magpapasalamat pa sana ako ng basta basta lang nila akong lampasan. That's not a good way to treat people. How rude.
Instead of thanking them I changed my mind and just walked out of the place. I think I need to be careful next time. I won't make my name be destroyed with those kind of people. People who lack manners.
What a great scene to start my day.
