"Come on, mosh", he said over the phone. I rolled my eyes over the phone.
"Seriously, what's so big deal with walking through an enormous black gate?" Referring to the black main gate of Sinclaire Academy–my new school.
"Mosh huwag ng maarte, dali just ask someone to snap a photo of you."
"Mali-late na niyan tayo sa klase natin e!"
"Mom's asking for it. Had a deal with her, so if you can't then that will left me with no option but to give your epic photos instead." Kainis! Nang-blackmail pa. Sa sobrang inis ko I ended the call. Linapitan ko iyong guard and asked him to take a photo of me. Then sent it to him. Wala pa mang limang segundo ay naka-receive na naman ako ng call sa kanya.
"Ano?!" Bungad ko sa kanya. Tumawa lang siya.
"Have a great year ahead, mosh."
"Ikaw huwag mo masyadong gagalingan, nakakabaliw raw 'yun."
"You make it sound like having a higher IQ is a curse. Mind you---" I ended the call. I looked forward. Whatever, Drix. Napangiti ako at huminga ng malalim.
"Today, I will be Reina Esguerra, fifteen years old, a normal highschool girl. Keep moving forward."
I repeated my mantra before I took my first step inside.
First day. Hindi mo aakalaing first day pa lang dahil mukhang magkakakilala na silang lahat. Well, good thing. I wouldn't want a loner come to me.
There. May bakanteng upuan sa tabi ng bintana. I pulled the chair and it uhm made a screeching sound.
Nice going, Rei. Natahimik silang lahat at tumingin sa akin. I shrug it off. I hope they take it as a sign not to come close to me. Keep distance. I am weird, guys. Ganon.
One week rolled in. I survived a whole week without talking to anyone. All because I am a nobody. I've felt some acts of bullying. I even saw those students who vandalized my desk.
So far, I am having a good start. I sip my milkshake here at the cafeteria.
"Ay sorry! Hindi ko sinasadya!", rinig kong sabi ng babae mula sa katabi kong table. Napaka-ingay nilang magba-barkada hanggang sa nagbabatuhan na sila ng mga gamit nila. And unfortunately, their empty bottle landed on my table.
Hindi ako umimik. I did not finish my food. I had never talk to anyone inside this campus–except my teachers since I have no choice. Because I believe, as much as possible I have to avoid humans. Rotting humans.
Today is Friday. Katatapos lang ng klase sa araw na ito. May kasunduan kami ni Drix na after the friday class, we will meet. Iba kasi 'yung impact n'ung after friday class. Since the long stressing week has ended… temporarily.
What to buy?, I mentally asked. Pinapalibutan ko ng tingin ang mga food tent na nasa left side ng school namin. Para siyang maliit na food park at maraming pagkain na pagpipilian.
I decided to go to the famous coffee shop, the Cafe Loca. Alam kong na-purga na sa kape 'yung lalaking 'yun dahil nasa siyudad siya but I know he won't resist his favorite bread.
I occupied the vacant table. As usual, the cozy and welcoming ambience welcomed me. I placed my order and then sat on the waiting area.
"Number 06, please claim your order here." I stood up. The next thing I knew was there are set of broken kitchenwares scattered on the floor.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry", ulit-ulit na sabi ng waiter habang aligagang pinupulot iyong mga bubog sa sahig. Hindi ko siya pinansin. Maya-maya napatigil ako. I've never seen something so handsome like this. Dinampot ko iyong knife sa may bandang likuran niya.
