Eshajori | (QBMNG PREQUEL) 𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 🏳️‍🌈

Chapter 7

"How is she?"

I massaged my throbbing temples as I hurriedly got out of the elevator. I couldn't sleep last night, kaya nag advance reading ako sa Advanced Algebra and Trigo. I couldn't believe myself either. I'm not the studious type. I rely mostly on stock knowledge at sa bilis ng pick up ko sa mga lessons. Now, ever since I met Santillan, nabuhay yung pagiging competitive ko. I appreciate our healthy competition. For the first time, I wanted to do better.

Inabot din ako ng madaling araw. I am in for a massive headache due to lack of proper sleep. Early riser ako, kahit walang tulog, intact ang body clock. Mabagal lang kumilos kaya prone pa din sa tardiness.

"Hi, Ma'am. Have a nice day!"

I nodded at the receptionist who greeted me. Ang aga aga, ang taas ng energy niya. Part of the job, I guess. The guards and the bellboys as well. Kung makangiti. Puyat ako, now go away everyone!

'She's okay naman. Still kept to herself most of the time and loner pa din.'

I groaned when I saw the busy sidewalk. I actually had a fleeting urge to shoot down Monday like every person on this planet who despises this particular day of the week. Kung may personification lang talaga ang araw na 'to, baka nasakal ko na siya. Paulit ulit.

"Yeah? Why don't you befriend her, then. Don't worry, she can be feisty but she doesn't bite."

Nag madali na ako sa pag lalakad. Ill- tempered pa naman ang mga guards sa Ridgemore kapag ganitong araw. I feel them, though. Wala din ako sa mood kapag ganito kaaga at lunes pa.

'Can't pa. She's scary, eh. She lashes out sa mga student pag mag try sila i-befriend siya.'

And any minute now I might just lashed out on you as well. Why can't she talk in pure English or straight Filipino? Kailangan pa talaga pag samahin.

"That's just her defense mechanism so no one gets too close. At least try. She's a good person and she deserves a friend. I don't want her all alone."

She paused and I can definitely feel that she's thinking about it. I actually like this girl. She seemed friendly and ang light ng aura niya. For some reason, nararamdaman ko kung mapagkakatiwalaan ko ang isang tao. I can somehow read people like that. Though, last week ko lang naman nalaman na nag e-exist pala siya. She's also part of the swim team of Preston, just like Andrea. I figured that if there's someone who can look out on my bestfriend for me, that would be her.

'I did try to talk to her naman nung nasa swimming pool kami. She ignore me nga. It hurts kaya.'

I chuckled. Well, that's Andrea for you. Still, I worry about her. Everyone deserves a friend or two. At dahil nga nandito ako sa Ridgemore at malayo sa kaniya, I can't be that friend. A once in a while phone calls do not suffice. Kailangan may mata ako sa Preston.

"Alright, I understand. Just.. keep an eye on her, okay? She likes to act tough but she's a crybaby."

Buti nalang at hindi ako na-late. Nakalampas ako ng guard house na hindi kailangan makipag taasan ng boses sa kalbong guard ng school. The flag ceremony hasn't started yet at wala pa din si Santillan. Ang dami na mga nakapila na students sa quadrangle. I decided to wait.