Season of Love (Jewel Perez)

Chapter Five: That one smell I never forget

One morning, my alarm beeped loudly in my cozy room. I woke up as early as 5 AM to get ready for school that starts in 7:30 AM every morning. I washed up, ate breakfast and cleaned my teeth. Dressed up for my school uniform and went alone to the school. Before I could get outside the gate of my house, I met my father. I stopped, bowing down my head. He suddenly approached me and I looked at him. 

"Hanging out with those people are not good for your grades, do better." He said and walked away from me. I did not utter a single word to him and just headed out for the gate. I went straight to the bus who were coincidentally waiting for passengers. I quickly went in and headed straight to the middle of the bus, on the right side, and sat down beside the window. I put on my earphones and looked outside while the bus drove to my school. It's a minute's ride so I waited patiently to arrive while admiring outside. 

My father is a strict man. He is hard-working and currently the head of our company in food management. As the youngest, my father wanted me to inherit everything he owns and the rest of my siblings are from my mother. Both Mother and Father are business couples, however, father owns the biggest asset in the company more than mother have. My siblings and I don't have that typical war-like family just like I read in the books. They were all good and loving especially my oldest brother, Jasper who jokes around us. My older sister, Pearl is mature, kind-hearted, and gentle. She's like Mother too. My another old sister, Sapphira is a bit reckless old sister. She likes to prank us and even speak equally to mother. Sometimes, she never obeys father and mother's orders. She's like a rebellious kid. I admired my sister Sapphira because of how spirited she is. 

And, I, Jewel. The youngest of them all. My older siblings already graduated and I am the only one who hasn't. It felt alone having me the youngest in the family and also pressured by the expectations of my father. 

My sister Pearl told me to not care about the expectations of others and learn to love myself a lot more, but I couldn't help but to think of other people. 

After long minutes of thoughts, I finally arrived at my school. I looked at my watch, it's already 7:15 AM and in the few minutes, the first school bell will rang and it will begin our first subject in the morning.

Those people that my father mentioned are my friends. He didn't like my friends because of how reckless and not smart enough for me, according from my father. I sigh, feeling depressed all of the sudden I went inside the classroom.

Kaye suddenly approaches me and clings her arms into mine, entangling our arms. 

"Good morning, our Jewel of the day!" She said and I looked at him confused. 

"Uhh?" 

"SHHH!" Ella signaled Kaye and it made me feel suspicious. 

Ella is the pretty and smartest girl in our class who were rumored to also have crush on Ace. Well, that's how I heard it through those people when I was sitting in the bench last time. It doesn't matter to me anyway. 

"A-anyway! You should get ready Jewel, because you'll be the spotlight of our lives!" Kaye spoke with such glimmer and hope in her eyes. What does she mean by it? I didn't joined the meeting yesterday because my eyeglasses broke and I needed to buy a new one immediately. 

The school bell finally ring and we all sat down to our proper chairs. After 2 hours of lecture of 2 subjects, we finally have our recess time - my favorite subject in the class! 

I quickly went to the canteen which is just the next building in our classroom from BL 15, I went ahead and bought two Calamaris, one turon and a juice, also some Japanese pancake and one takoyaki for only 15 pesos for 5 pieces. It felt heaven eating these foods during the break. I suddenly had the craving to eat one more Calamaris looking at how delicious were the sauce are, I went again to the canteen and bought one more Calamaris for the last time. 

"Ate, isa pa po Calamaris!" (One more Calamaris, please!) I said with such excitement in my tone. The Ate who was selling Calamaris receives my payment and I get one stick of Calamaris for only 15 pesos. But my heart stopped when I saw a familiar veiny hands reaching for Calamaris too. I stopped, I did not dare to look who it was. This smell, this calming smell, the smell that did not irritate me or even trigger my asthma, it was my crush. Ace. 

It felt like my world is in the slow motion again, I could feel and hear my heart beating so loudly I hope and begged to God he could not hear. He's too close to me, and his scent really does gives me comfort which makes me blush more. His veiny hands, I could never forget those! Those were the hands who reached out for me. I went on in that same position, looking down and frozen until he finally left. There, I finally breath. I looked at his back. It looks so broad and wide as if he could cover me with those, protecting me.

AAAH!  What the hell am I thinking?! This is way too cliche! Yes! Too! Cli! che! 

I ran quickly to the bench and chomped onto my Calamaris. 

"Huh? Jewel, what's wrong? You're blushing really really red right now." Ella asked and I felt uncomfortable when she asked. Because I was one of those people who admires her crush and it felt betrayal for a friend whose as pure as her. An angel-like face with a golden heart. Also, she's smart too! She's the top of our class. 

I sigh and smiled at her.

"Nothing! The weather is just too hot." I said, even though the weather feels so comfortable and relaxing. 

I have Asthma, the same as my father. I inherited it from him. Smelling scents that are strong especially gases or perfumes triggers my asthma and I could not breathe. It felt like something was strangling me and my back hurt so bad. But his scent was different. It was strong, yes. But something felt comfortable. 

Just who really are you, Ace Martinez?