My Yellow

chapter 1

Chapter 1: STAO at Singapore

Zoraine

After the SIMSAO national round, I'm preparing for the STAO. Pumapasok nalang ako minsan sa school talaga para mag review para sa walang katapusan na competitions.

SIMSAO bronze medalist ako, my school wasn't prepared for that. 3 days before the competition nalang nila ako napull out for review.

My classmates were teasing me, saying that uy baka malusaw na utak mo ha?

It's just a friendly joke, but sometimes I'm taking it seriously. Pagod na nga utak ko tas ganon pa sila.

"Zoraine, next month lilipad na tayo pa Singapore. I hope you'll enjoy there, 13 days naman tayo doon", my coach, ma'am Eriz said.

Aalis na naman pala ako ng Pinas. Baka hindi ko na makilala 'to pag balik ko.

Char, I'm one of the kabataan na sinasabing pag asa ng bayan. Doubt...

"You look pale, ate Zoraine."

A voice distracted me from staring at my paper full of solving. It's Lei, a 7th grade who also join STAO.

"It's just, I didn't wear any make up today." I simply replied, trying to cut the conversation so I can focus with my paper.

Tanginang science 'to, simula nung pinanganak yata ako puro nalang ganito laman ng utak ko.

I'm Zoraine Lyrese Bascon. Bakit Bascon lang? Bakit wala akong middle name? Simple lang, wala akong papa.

Ever since I've started attending school, lalo na nung nag grade 2 na 'ko, puro nalang ganito pinag kakaabalahan ko. Naikot ko na buong Pilipinas sa mga laban ko ah.

"Sup, Lyrese!" My friend, Ellie greeted me as soon as her eyes caught my presence. She's a childhood friend of mine. "Oh my gosh, you look so... stress. Natutulog ka pa ba?" Exaggerated niyang tanong sakin habang tinitignan ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

"I'm not. You're just not used to see me without makeup."

"Sus, dumugo nga ilong mo sa stress, e." Ayan, inungkat na naman niya yung nakaraan. But that time was just hot. Labas pasok ako sa may aircon, that's why.

"You know what, I can't stand seeing you like that. Para kang patay! Wala ka pa naman emosyon, palibasa nonchalant."

"Is that a joke or an insult?" After that question, she receive a death stare making her laugh.

"Both, maybe?"

Ba, naneto ah.

Pumunta kami sa room namin. Boys are just having their own world sa gilid not until Harvy saw me. "Para kang patay." Salubong niya sakin.

"Pag pinatay kaya kita, mabubuhay ka pa?" Pabiro ko nalang sinabi, and umupo na sa chair.

"Why is it so hot in here? Will you guys turn on the aircon naman?" I demand, kasi baka hindi ko kayanin init dito.

"Sorry. It's just I'm hot, Zoraine Lyrese Bascon", sabat naman ni Kirk. This guy really. "Okay, Kirk Willen."

"Ganyan pala mag usap yung mga walang papa?"