Private Fears in a Public Place

Chapter 3

Note

The classroom door remained sealed after our teacher had entered, the air pregnant with anticipation. Summoning my inner courage, I ventured forth and whispered, "Red, Blue, Green, In."

A hush fell over us, and the very walls of the principal's office seemed to hold their breath. "Where's the principal?" we inquired in subdued voices.

A sudden flash of uncertainty swept through the room as Mr. Principal finally made his entrance. He was busy cleaning his hands with a tissue, and then... He slipped and tumbled—

Suppressing our laughter was a herculean task, but we knew this wasn't the place for mirth. I glanced around the room, attempting to divert my attention from the urge to giggle.

None of us students dared to help him up, and the teacher refrained from intervening. "So," he began, trying to regain his composure. "What brings you all here?"

"Why don't you ask the new teacher instead?" someone boldly chimed in. Pretty cool, I thought.

The new teacher proceeded to explain everything, and Mr. Principal's response was to offer us some stern words before graciously dismissing us. The teacher still seemed a bit red-faced, and I approached him afterward to see if he was okay.

"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" he replied.

"Your face looked like it was about to burst earlier," I teased.

We all laughed, and to my surprise, his face turned even redder. What was going on?

"No, really, are you okay?" Torv asked.

I examined his expression closely. Teacher Alexander, a young, dynamic instructor, was someone I greatly admired. He had this unique ability to connect with students, offering both care and firmness. He wasn't just a teacher but a friend who blended seamlessly into our lives, unlike some other teachers who seemed distant. To me, he represented the ideal educator in our school.

"Why are you staring?" he snapped.

"Nothing, I just thought you're my grandpa."

"Wha—?"

"It's nothing!" I laughed and playfully darted away from him.

I sat beside Mike, grabbed some chips from him, and whispered, "Share some gossip."

"Afterward," he replied.

Perfect, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.

"This afternoon, inside OTOP." he added.

We entered Section A's classroom, only to find that we were mixed with another class. The classroom smelled less than pleasant.

I reached for my bag, intending to review my Filipino notes, but to my dismay, I found none. Just quizzes! The realization hit me: how was I supposed to cope with this? I had been filling notebooks with meticulous notes from the board, to the point that my ring finger had developed a hollow spot.

What if there was a quiz later, and I had to rely on my memory alone? I couldn't be bothered to think of a solution, so I rested my head on the desk and drifted off into a short nap. Yes, I needed the rest. Can you guess when I fell asleep? If I said early, it meant around a quarter to five in the morning. My mother had woken me up at a quarter to seven. Who wouldn't despise that?

And with that, I dozed off.

"Clementine, wake up!" I heard Torv's voice.

"I'm still sleepy—" I began to complain, but when I saw the others watching me, I stopped. "Never mind."

The teacher announced that he'd give us a sixty-item quiz, but I didn't care. I just wanted to sleep

"Wake me up before it starts," I instructed the person sitting next to me, Hadassah. She nodded and turned her attention to the teacher.

Minutes later, someone shook me awake. I rubbed my eyes and asked for the paper. "There's no need," he told me. "The teacher will provide us with a questionnaire."

When the questionnaire landed in my hand, I looked it over and realized it was surprisingly easy. I could practically answer however I pleased. It seemed like no one cared.

I found myself standing up, walked to the teacher's desk, and placed my paper in front of him with a polite cough to get his attention. He jumped a little, placing his phone down. I was the first to finish, and I couldn't help but feel confident about it. Confident that I would ace it. When I returned to my seat, I heard the teacher clear his throat again. I glanced at him, and he appeared serious, adjusting his posture as he reviewed my paper. It was then that I knew I had aced it.

Now, I couldn't help but think about my report card and my grades. Where would I study next year? What about the high school entrance exams? These thoughts swirled in my head as I realized how much I had to prove to myself and my family.

But instead of dwelling on doubt, I found a newfound determination. I could make it; I could achieve my dreams. I didn't need anyone else's validation. It was time to show everyone what I was truly capable of.

As I walked out of the restroom, I couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose. That note in my bag pasted in my Filipino notebook seemed to carry a message: "Just sleep, and I'll take care of your notes. You can review them when you get home <3."

That heart meant a lot more than I initially thought. It symbolized the appreciation and support I received from the people around me, and it fueled my motivation to strive for success, not for others, but for myself.