At Least He Was Once

PROLOGUE

NOTE: This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are all products of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Stella

"Hello! I am Stella Dawson Dela Freya, 12 years old. I like to dance, sing, draw clothes, read, and watch movies."

It was my first day as Grade 7 in Arellano High School. My new classmates clapped for me after I introduced myself. We were already wearing our school uniform. A green skirt, white blouse, green ribbon, and shoes.

"Ooh.. you're the daughter of Minerva Dawson, am I right?"

I smiled when my adviser asked about my Mom. "Yes po."

Pinaupo na rin ako pagtapos. I was also clapping for the others when they introduced themselves. Some are shy, some are funny, some are very confident. Hay... ano kaya ang mangyayari sa 'min sa future?

We met our subject teachers for the first four subjects. Ang MAPEH, H.E, Filipino, at English. Break time na ngayon at kasama ko ang best friend ko na si Giselle. Luckily, we became classmates again. Since kindergarden ay classmates na kami.

"What if we do pogi hunting here? It will be fun!" she suggested. We stayed inside the classroom at doon na kumain. Pretty sure, there are a lot of students outside.

"Ano ka ba! We're too young for that!" I laughed.

"No kaya! My Mom told me that a lot of things will happen when we enter highschool. Magkakaroon na raw tayo ng crush! She told me I should have one agad!"

I laughed because of her kwento. I just told her we can do it when we turned 13. Natuwa naman siya dahil 13 na siya sa December. My gosh!

Giselle and I decided to continue studying in public school even though our parents told us that we can study in private school that has aircon. For us, mas fun and mas exciting ang public school because we tend to meet a lot of people na hindi kagaya namin.

It's not like a bad thing, though. I like it kasi everytime we have groupings and then the family of our classmates will give us foods or they will make us feel at home. It's not like I don't experience it to people like me but... iba lang kasi talaga. Most of our rich friends kaya are surrounded by their maids. E the maids are not allowed to have fun with us!

Three boys entered the room. I remember their names. Cairo, Eron, and Rafael. They're the funny boys earlier in introduction. Si Cairo ay kilala ko na talaga because he was my schoolmate when I was in elementary.

"'Uy, hello! 'Di kayo bumaba?" Eron smiled at us while chewing his food. Umupo sila sa tabi ng upuan namin.

"No, e. There will be a lot of people kasi sa baba and it's so hot pa." Giselle answered.

"Conyo pala, pre," Rafael joked.

I looked at him when he laughed. He was wearing braces, has a pale skin, thick brows, almond shape eyes. Among the three, he's the most good looking. Amoy ko pa ang pabango niyang hindi ganoon katapang na bagay sa itsura niya.

When he saw me staring at him, nginitian niya ako. I smiled at him back because I don't want him to think that I am a snob.

"Penge ako ng ulam mo, Stella," hindi nahihiyang kinuha ni Cairo ang ham ko. Ngumiti siya bago 'yon isubo at nag like sign pa para sabihing masarap.