Magic Feathers (PUBLISHED)

02

I woke up from a vibrating sound from my phone. When I checked it, it was 2 messages from the online writing group that I joined to but I didn't care to read it at that moment because when I looked at the time, it was already 37 minutes past 11. I have a classes in 12:30.

I got out of my bed and showered before I wore my uniform. I didn't saw my ID so I went to school without it and gladly, the guard didn't noticed.

I arrived at the school ten minutes late, and our subject at that time is Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao. I saw that she was in front of the class and our teacher was awarding her a medal.

Oh shit, I missed it! I missed her spoken word poetry contest which I promised her that I will do my best to attend. She won first place, she was definitely an achiever while I was just a typical student, the type of student who 'just pass'.

When I saw my classmates not being on their best behaviour and my teacher was busy on Nica, I got the chance to get inside of the room without anyone noticing it.

I took my phone from my bag and captured a photo of her at the front. Her hairstyle today suit her really well. And for a few months that we knew each other since the theater play, we got closer and closer. Should I tell her that I am a writer too so that we can have something to talk about aside from our studies? Hm, I guess so.

"Nica!" I called her.

She was entering our classroom again because she came from the canteen. She's holding a spicy seafood flavoured cup noodles using her right hand and a blue lemonade on her left hand.

"What?" She asked.

"Can I copy your assignment in Science? I forgot to do mine." I said.

I know that I did not sound like I was asking for her permission but more on just informing her. It was okay with her sharing assignments with our classmates. You know where she is doing her best? Recitation. Since no one can know what's running on her mind, that became her advantage, so, she still get higher grades than us.

"Yeah, you can get it from my bag."

I was so eager to write everything that is in her assignment but then, our science teacher didn't go to school. She just asked us to do a different activity and then she assured us that we are still going to the check our assignments anytime soon.

The last subject was English, the teacher asked us to team up with our seat mate because we are going to have a quiz bee. After twelve questions, there are only two remaining pairs, my seat mate and I, and she and her seat mate.

I wanted to be in the school competition so bad, so I didn't let her and her seat mate win. Although, at the elimination round per section, my partner and I didn't get a rank. But I was still happy because I get to experience it.

When we get out of the room where the quiz bee was held, I was shocked to see her looking for me.

"How is it?" She asked.

"It could have been better if it's you and Lea. We are very sorry for disappointing the section." I said.

"Losing is a part of every competition, France. You will never feel the real happiness in winning if you didn't had an experience in losing." She said.

Her words was so comforting and it made my mood lighter that it used to be a few minutes ago.

*

After such a long weeks studying for the first quarter examination, we had a break in school so I finally had the time to finish writing my poetry book, entitled Awakening Dreams.

Writing my first book took a lot of courage, determination and hard work. It was not an easy path to take ok but I am glad that I manage to survive it.

For almost seven months in holding this book, it reminded me of my late grandmother who used to tell me that when she died, she's going to be a dust and will always be at my side. And that was the inspiration of my book cover, a silver dust.

I was having my quiet moment when my mother knocked at the door of my room so I stand up and opened it. I prefer it locked so I can have my privacy, some people don't knock, though.

"I'm heading out to the supermarket to grab some groceries. Want to come with me?" She asked.

"Nah. I'm fine here." I answered.

"You sure?" She asked again.

"Yah. Uh, mom, can I have a friend come over here?" I asked.

I was hoping that I can bring Nica here if she wants and if my mom agrees. But for sure she will agree on me, it's a girl best friend of mine, not some sort of boys.

"How many and when?" She asked back.

"Just one female. Later, 3 in the afternoon." I said.

"Okay. I will be quick in getting groceries so that I can cook snacks before she arrives but if I didn't make it, there's a money at the top of the fridge, just order online. Okay?" She instructed me before she picked her wallet and get out of the house.

I sent Nica a message along with my address and asking if she can come over at my place before 3 in the afternoon and she replied quickly with yes.

I got myself out of the computer and took a hot shower before changing into a comfortable shirt and pants. After a while I heard a doorbell, she's so quick, huh. I get downstairs to open up the gate.

"Hello, welcome to our home." I said after she get inside and while I was closing our gate.

"Thank you. You're alone?" She asked.

"Yeah, but my mom is just in a grocery store nearby, she'll be here in fifteen minutes, I guess. Are you hungry? I can cook." I asked as I was guiding her through our house.

"No, I'm not." She answered.

I was thinking of some topic while staring far away and then she said something.

"Where's your room?"

Oh, room. Gladly I cleaned it before I think of inviting her here. Maybe she wants to see my personality so she asked for my room first.

"It's up there. Wanna check it?" I asked.

"Sure." She said.

I held her hand while we are going upstairs and I opened the door on the left, the center was mom's room and the other one on the right was my sister's room.

"Awakening Dreams." She read the text on my computer.

"Yes. My first book. How about you? Do you have a book? I found out that you are writing too." I asked.

"No, I don't have book. But I have an online account. I'm more on poetry than long stories." She said as she sat down on my bed, a little close to me.

I've tried writing poetry too and I had a hard time handling it. It was not my forte.

"Poetry is hard." I said.

"But it's beautiful."