Time and Fallen leaves

Milo Yang

It's the second week of class, the next batch of student council applications hasn't been announced yet. Keen and Erin have gotten closer than when they first met. Despite Erin having an introverted nature, Keen somehow managed to find her soft spot. Erin once again saw Keeana in him, making it even harder for her to tell Keen what happened with his twin sister. Hindi niya kayang makita kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon ni Keen once he knew the truth.

Another face became familiar with Erin in the span of two weeks. Saki Nakamura always greeted him with a smirk every time they meet gazes, it's like he's mocking Erin dahil wala itong nagawa about Saki being a reserved member of the student council. Erin doesn't care anyways, he just found Saki amusing, Erin didn't know someone could be a very big example of complete arrogance.

Maya-maya ay nagpaalam si Erin na maghahanap muna ng cr during their free class. Keen insisted on going with her but Erin gave a firm no. Napailing na lamang si Erin habang inaalala kung gaano rin ka persistent si Keeana noon.

Dalawang katok bago bumukas ang sliding window ng student council office. The student from yesterday opened it with blue book on her hand.

"State your business please"

"I'm looking for Lilo" Erin's not even sure kung tama ba ang pagkakatanda niya sa pangalan nito. The name just suddenly pop up in her mind.

"You mean Milo? Do you have reservations?" The representative asked while scanning for list of names na nakalista sa log book.

"No"

Kumunot ang noo nito nang marinig si Erin, it's as if she's saying 'what are you doing here then?' The rep gave Erin a look as if giving her one last time to explain herself. Saka niya lang naalala na kailangan niya maging professional, no matter how annoying a person can be.

"I'm sorry, you'll have to request for an official appointment. If you want, pwede kitang i-assist ngayon, but the available date for an appointment would be next week"

"Tell him I'm Erin Lynch, the replacement student" doubt was visible to the student's small and defined face. Tila abot na sa bubong ang taas ng kilay nito. She's so done dealing with special people using their names to get away with proper process of how the council works. Ngunit wala na siyang enerhiya,Saki Nakamura already drained the annoyance out of her. And besides, Erin's face screams that she's not going to give up any second. She's a very patient person, kaya nito maghintay kahit gaano katagal pa yan.

Sumenyas naman ito kay Erin na maghintay at umupo muna sa isa sa mga upuan sa hallway. Erin needs to talk to Milo as soon as possible, kung hihintayin niya pang maka usap ito next week, who knows what will happen in the span of five weekdays. Baka may isang entitled protege nanaman ang biglang dumating, loosing the one and only chance of Keen.

O kaya ay baka bigla niya na lamang makita si Keen. In a bed where Keeana lied on. She shake the thought out of her head.

Maya-maya ay bumalik ang representative at binuksan ang pinto. "Come in"

Pumasok si Erin sa loob and her jaw almost drop in awe upon seeing the office. Erin expected the office to be just a regular unused classroom, where the seats were stacked on the corner of the room to create more space for the students. To her surprise, it looks like they exert a lot of money and effort building such office. The interior is sleek and modernized, it's like having a politicians' plenary hall of its own. They sure take the student council very seriously.

"Milo, she's here to see you"

"Thank you, you may leave us now" and with those words, tila nagmadaling umalis ang representative at bumalik sa kanyang post— hopeful that no student would look for anyone again. She is so done with her job.