A Simple Etiquette (Serenity Series #1)

7

Friends

"Hello! Good morning. What’s your name?” A woman approached me the moment I sat on my seat.

I licked my lower lip. I fought mentally whether I’m gonna tell her my name or not.

“Grace. Grace Flamengco.” Half truth, half lie.

“Nice to meet you, Grace. Lily, by the way.” She offered her hand and smiled at me warmly. I just accepted it out of respect.

“And oh! Grace, I want you to meet my brother. Red, this is my new friend, Grace. Grace, this is my brother, Red.”

Who said we’re friends already?... Nevermind.

The man narrowed his eyes at me before offering his hand. I took it.

“Flamengco? What country are you from?” He asked.

“My asshole father is a Filipino. But I grew up here.” I said nonchalant. Nobody should know that I’m from that country.

He nodded and then I went back on my iPad to write down my notes.

They seem okay so I’ll let them be. But I couldn’t trust someone that easy. I should be careful.

“Good morning.” The prof arrived so I stopped writing my notes. She seems strict and terror. Shit. Here we go again.

Terror na naman?!

And I was right. Wala pa man din siyang tinuturo pero may pa recit agad! First year, first day at first class ko pa naman ‘to. Ganto na ko magreklamo paano pa kaya si Lex? Buti na lang talaga at nagbasa basa ako kahapon.

“Your index cards. Now.” Nilabas ko ka-agad ang index ko at sinulat ang mga pinasulat na information.

“Ms. Flamengco.” First year/day/class at ngayon? First recit sa Harvard. Great. Natawag ako.

“What is the focus of research in BCMP lies?”

I confidently stood up to answer her question.

“The focus of research in BCMP lies in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms in biology and disease, emphasizing molecular, structural, and chemical approaches to understanding form and function in biology.”

I was ecstatic when I saw that she seems satisfied and impressed at my answer. Recit well done, baby!

It started at 10:30 and ended at 12 o’ clock. My morning class is 10:30 to 11:45 while in the afternoon is 1:30 to 2:45.

I decided to go to the Annenberg Hall for lunch. Pagkadating ko pa lang ay marami na agad ang mga estudyante rito. Most of the students were busy having their lunch. And some are just chilling.

“Uhh…, can we?” I looked up then saw the Octavian siblings. Lily was pointing at the vacant seat next to me while smiling.

She has a light personality while her brother was uh…nevermind.

I just nodded and they sat on the vacant seat. I was just quiet the whole time since I don’t want to interact further.

I was almost done eating my food which is pesto pasta, grilled chicken, and pilaf when I heard a sound of women, squealing and whispering, so I got intrigued.

I looked up and adverted my gaze from where the women are looking. And I saw him.

“Here comes the boy. Mr. Popular.”