For Once

Chapter 1

First day of school. 

New school, new environment, new people. 

This feels like a restart of life. Different from my elementary classmates, I do not have friends who go to the same school as I did.

As I enter the room with heart racing, fear runs down through my body, and I am still able to pull off a calm face. I saw a girl standing beside her chair who looked at me in a fierce way. I did not mind her and started to find my seat. 

An aisle seat. A position I hate because the teacher can easily find you. You really need to listen just in case there will be a recitation because in this position, the teacher can easily spot me.

I looked outside due to their chattering noises. How good does it feel to have friends going in to a new school the same as yours? They looked happy teasing each other and laughing together for I don't know jokes they are telling in their group.

The bell rings and it is a sign that school has started.

Here I am. Sitting, stiff like a bamboo stick. Students in this school seems to be so rich that I feel like I do not belong. I would pass as a maid though, but dili ko mo sugot uy.

As usual, introduction of ourselves. They looked pretty and some of them were handsome. Our day ended just like that. 

I knew that it will be hard to adjust in this environment since I came from a public school, but I am certain that I can, and I will. We need this type of assurance to ourselves to feel better.

On the second week, I started to interact and have friends. My first friend is Adrian, he is a friendly guy who is playful and fun to talk with. We became friends because we became partners on an activity in our English class.

"Come closer, ayaw ka ulaw.", he said with an assuring smile.

I just moved a little and smiled because I am not yet comfortable with him but he is quiet smart. He just lacks self-confidence on his intelligence. However, in that way, he looked humble.

Starting that day, whenever Adrian and I pass by each other, one would wave or say hi. It felt nice having someone you know.

On the third week and few weeks after that, I had two girl best friends that I did not expect to have, AJ and KJ. 

"Lana, move your seat here. Let's eat lunch together."

I was shy at first but they were persistent on letting me join in their small circle. They are both pretty.

We talked about our favorites, hobbies, basic details of ourselves, and a lot more that we could think of. They are really fun to be with. I feel like I've known them for years and I hope our friendship lasts for a lifetime, or even beyond that.

One day, our section needs to join the other section for our math class because our gay teacher has requested it for him to teach in one sitting and a longer time. Well, even if it is not so very comfortable, we do not have the power to say it. School has democracy sometimes, but most of the time it is not.

Me, AJ, and KJ, sit beside each other with the same sequence. I am still on the aisle seat but it is better now that there is little to no space. I noticed a guy who seems serious solving the given math problems on the board. 

He suddenly looked in my way. He fucking saw me staring at him. KAUWAW! 

He raised a brow, I just smiled and waved at him, hoping that the heavens above would get me. Surprisingly, he smiled back and gave a slight nod. After that, he adjusted his glasses at the bridge of his nose and shifted positions.

Honestly, he looked attractive doing that. Like a wattpad character to be exact. I wonder if he is smart, rich, how tall he is, what does his voice sound like, or wh-

"Get a sheet of paper! All of you are so noisy. Seems like everyone knows the lesson already. Let's have a 20-item problem solving test in 15 minutes."

I got back to my senses when I heard that. 

15 MINUTES?!?!?!?! SERIOUSLY?!?!!?!??!??

Looks like we don't have a choice but to answer with all our stock knowledge. As I got the paper out from my bag, a hand appeared in front of me, very near to my face. I looked up and it was him, the guy I embarrassed myself out. 

"One paper, please." His voice sounds like a man. I repeat, a MAN.

I handed him two sheets of paper just in case that he would encounter some errors.

The test was hard if I must say. I almost didn't finish answering all the items, but I did. Thank God, I am sure perfect ko.

After a few minutes of collecting and distributing our papers, we began checking. I heard a lot of students whispering about how doomed they are. 

"Patay. Damo kaayo ko og wrong, i-check nalang na ang usa ka number bi."

Our teacher collected our papers again and arranged them.

"I will announce your scores whether you like it or not. You do not have a choice."

My heart suddenly started to beat faster and I began to sweat.

What if wala diay ko ka pasar? What if dili ko perfect? What if ma disappoint ako bestfriends nako?

A lot of questions and doubts that runs in my head.

"Let's start from the highest to lowest."

Here it is. I hope I got a perfect score.

"Azure, 20. Good job. This is a proof that you were listening...", our teacher announced and suddenly all of the voices surround me are silenced. I didn't even heard my score.

Unconsciously, I turned and looked at the man beside me. He adjusted his glasses and looked at my direction and raised his brow. This guy.

Azure, you are interesting. Who are you?