Falling in Love with You in 16 Words

Chapter 2: Incandescence

Meg's POV

Mid-morning. Light rays penetrate the room. Dust motes dancing through them. And here I am staring outside the window of this new school building. It is located near the main gate.

Students are swarming in front of it, but there is just one guard. He's having a hard time checking their IDs one by one. Based on the students' facial reactions, they are annoyed, it is a
hot day, so staying there for a longer time is a big inconvenience. But for me, hmm, I wondered how I get to this point wherein I'm pathetically enjoying the incandescence of the sun touching my
skin.

First day of school.
Junior year, 13th section. Ha! Great.
As expected, my mom and Lola are not thrilled. I disappointed them; I know.

Who could've thought that their brilliant Meg, the consistent top student since elementary days, the pride of the family would end up in this section? Anong magagawa ko? Eh wala na kong gana mag aral.

Their high expectations ruined me. I followed their rules all my life. I am tired and bored listening to them. And now, I don't know who I am and what I want to be.

" Hey!" a voice snaps me out to reality. She taps my shoulder. Liningon ko sya.
" Bago ka? I never saw you before."
Her eyes are big, complimenting her round face. She has a friendly smile so I answered.
" No. Galing ako ng higher section".
" Talaga? Bat nandito ka?"
I just smiled in response.
" Giselle nga pala."
" Jane" I preferred to give my 2nd name kapag makikipagkilala. Family members ko lang natawag sa kin ng Meg.

We shook hands.

One guy approached us.
" Uy parang namumukaan kita galing kang Blueberry diba? Hala bat nandito ka?
" Long story eh, next time ko na lang ikwento, pagsettle na yung schedule of classes natin."
" Okay. By the way I'm Coby, but just call me Cee, di bagay sa personality ko ung Coby eh, gets
mo naman diba?"
Based on how he talks and moves, Yep, he's gay, but that's okay, I have gay friends. I am sure that we will click.

" You can sit beside me. Wala kang kakilala dito 'di ba?" He asked." May katabi na yan si Giselle eh."

Walang kakilala? Oo nga pala, it would be like my freshman year. I need to adjust again and it sucks.

" Sure, saan ka ba nakaupo?"
" Don tayo sa harap."

Aah, typical gay personality. Outgoing and attention seeker.

"Pwede ba dito tayo sa may likod?"

If we sat in the front row, we'd easily catch everybody's attention. I don't like that. Halata kasing madaldal si Cee, panigurado pag umupo kami sa harapan lagi kaming masasaway ng teacher.

"Sige, but promise me in some class, we'll sit in the front row, okay?"

We will move to a different classroom depending on what subject. Maybe Chemistry?
Livelihood? Values? Nako, basta.

" Deal."
Giselle cut in.
" Guys balik na ko sa upuan ko ha. Usap tayo later."

We waved to her.

Cee started to tell stories. He told me how he knows me. It seems he saw me when I went outside of our room in sophomore year. He was playing and talking with his classmates at that
time. And me, I might be trying to find a four-leaf clover or probably sitting on the grass and spacing out.

I am like that. I am weird, yes. I had a hard time fitting in. People misunderstood me. I met bullies. They took advantage of me because I am smart. I let them copy my homework, my test, and quiz answers, hoping that they will be my friends but they didn't. At least, I don't let them hit me. I admit, medyo creepy sila but not to the point that I'll be scared of them.
I find them repulsive. Why? Because I saw blade marks on their wrist. They said that it was a trend. Oh, come on, how on earth do they think that thing is trendy?
I saw two of them doing it while having a class. Then the other one accidentally cut a vein. My teacher panicked and called for help. That girl was sent to the clinic. But after that day, they continue doing it. Trend nga daw kasi. They called themselves Emo.