To Signify You

Ephemeral Trilogy

To Signify You #1
Francesca Valentina Havier & Gavier Yohan Herrera
HUMSS x HUMSS

To Please You #2
ABM x HUMSS

To Vex You
STEM x HUMSS

"Why HUMSS?"

"Rhiana, I told you— I'll be fine in this strand." I chuckled. She seemed so bothered that we wouldn't be in the same room now that we're entering our Senior High years, not even the same strand.

Of course, the STEM strand is looked up by both teachers and students, it is the priority strand of College Applications after all. Iana took STEM while I took HUMSS.

All our junior high friends that didn't go to the same University as us were shocked the moment that they knew, they kept on telling me how they thought I'll take STEM like how people would normally pick it over any strand.

"Yeah, but why? I thought if not STEM, you will take ABM. To start off, halimaw ka sa math! And you don't excel much in essays. You'd do well in the business field." She pointed out the obvious, raising her left eyebrow. "Well, hindi pa naman 'to college but I didn't expect this so it was really confusing and shocking. I have no bad blood with your strand, though."

"I like surprises," I shrugged.

"'Yon lang reason mo? Really?"

"Iana, you know how I love thrills. HUMSS seems like a strand that would lead me to the right path, a strand that would help me unfold my potential. This is my kind of fun," I explained carefully. STEM and ABM were just the strands that I couldn't picture myself in. Para kasi sa dalawang 'yon, walang bago. Maski sa TVL, GAS, ICT; those didn't click with me.

"I agree that I don't excel much when it comes to formulating essays but I can learn throughout the process. I am interested in the subjects that this strand offers, Iana. I think.. I want to study people. I want to study our society." I added. "That's what people overlooks. Studying the society. The society that serves as the backbone of everything. The society functions to keep our lives functioning as well."

And I just don't get why people underestimate this strand. There are future lawyers, journalists, teachers, writers and psychologists in my chosen strand.

"Wow. I get that," Iana nods as she thought about it. "Pero kasi, hindi ako sanay na hindi ka kaklase, my humanista." Her plump lips pouted a bit as she rolled her eyes. This friend of mine is really mataray, pero clingy.

"We can hang out during breaks, you know. Ito talagang si oa." Irap ko rin sakanya.

"Girls, mag-hihiwalay hiwalay na ba talaga tayo?" Waynona appeared. The three of us were friends since 8th grade, and actually hindi na kami masyadong close nung 10th grade but when we knew that the three of us were going to attend the same university, we reconnected.

Iana and I have been classmates since 7th grade habang si Waynona ay nahiwalay sa amin noong 10th grade. Kami naman ni Iana ay hindi na rin masyadong close that time because we had different circle of friends.

"See you," I waved at them. We all had different assemblies to attend. 2nd day namin ngayon at na-meet na rin namin ang mga section namin kahapon. My class looked like they were competitive but we had a fair share of fun kasi medyo maingay naman, but everyone was still adjusting and we barely know each other yet so it wasn't as noisy and chaotic as my previous section when I was grade 10.

"Girl, I'm so excited!" Bree, a classmate of mine squealed.

"Relax," naka-ngiti kong sabi. I am excited, as well. I can't wait to have fun this school year.