MOON

Chapter 4: All Alone

1 day left till weekend. I can't wait to stay inside my house all day and lock myself in my bedroom, watching anime, eating foods from the refrigerator, ignoring the world that's burdening my shoulders.
I can't wait anymore.

"Today we are going to read a poem. After reading the poem, we must comprehend the words expressed from the poem and further dig the meaning of each lines written. Now I'm going to hand you each copies of the poem and try to read it quietly." Mr. Irving, our English teacher, handed us stacks of papers.

When i was a child
We laughed and had fun
You were invincible
weaknesses, none
As i got older
my mentor you became
Patient and firm
sharing wisdom you gained
Now that i'm grown
it doesn't mean that will end
Still hero and mentor
but most of all, a friend

The poem is about our father.
Hmm, thought it was something else

"Who would like to share their thoughts and understandings about the poem?" Sir Irving ask.
Several hands shot up but sir didn't call a single one.
"Ahh" his brow shot up, "you there"
Everyone look at my direction. Sir's referring to me? Huh. I guess so.
I point to myself and he nod and gesture me to come forward.
Why is it always me?

I stood up reluctantly and walk to the front.
Okay. This is my chance to prove my worth.

"The poem talks about father. Although the poet is referring to his/her father, we can also relate to it. Just like I. When I was a child, my father always finds a way to make me laugh. Actually, when I opened my eyes for the first time, I see the vision of my father first. Then I smile, genuinely, when I saw his face, his smiling face that tells me the world would be fine, everything would be fine. We run around the huge field, I felt a blissful joy as my father tickles my armpit.
As I grow older, he has been my trainor. He teaches me how to be a noble woman, he scolds me when I deserve it. He's a walking fire, no water could cast away his spark. He's our strength, he's our hero. Without him, I could never learn. Without him, I could never see the value of life. And more than that, he's my very best friend." I say, holding my hands in my heart like a child.
I feel so dumb

Everyone applaud.

"Okay thank you so much for your indication Miss...?"

"Ashley" I said. "Paulino to be precise"

"Okay, thank you so much Ashley Paulino..for your PERSONAL indication" he said, quoting the word personal.

I don't know what's his point but what I do know is I'm actually good at explaining.
I'm fluent with it.

So long, anxiety...

"As expected of Ashley" I heard Armin speak to me as I took my seat.

"Oh" my eyes widen.

He smiles a bit. "Thank you..."

"I can't believe I'm seatmates with an intelligent person" he said.

"I can't believe you'd say something unexpected" I smiled widely

He chuckled unexpectedly.

He's actually appealing to watch when he smiles.

His dark brown eyes flashes the splendid color when it hits by the sunray. His red, rosy lips and pure smile added his beautiful features.

Handsome.
That's what I thought.
He's a handsome Arab.

I feel something weird in my stomach. Like, butterflies? It's not literal butterflies but I feel a thunderstorm inside my own stomach. That's when I realized... I realized..