We succeeded in starting a Sari-sari store after that Liga. I went to school as usual and mom told me she would go to the market to buy some goods we would sell. I was glad that we finally did it. When I arrived at school, it was five thirty in the morning. Naglibot muna ako para magpahangin. It's safe knowing that there are four security guards here. There were also a few students who arrived early, the same as me.
I just waited until the day fully shined brighter and students started to appear to and fro. Dumating si Faye, yung taga-open ng room at hindi na siya nagulat nang nakita ako. They already knew I was an early bird. Nag request nga sila noon na ako ang magdadala ng susi, pero dahil may tagasundo ako at kailangan kong umuwi agad tuwing hapon, I refused.
"Good morning 'early bird'," magiliw nitong bati.
"Good morning," I greeted back.
"May assignment tayo kay Ma'am Morgan diba?" tanong niya.
"Oo"
"Nagawa mo na?"
"Hindi pa," tipid kong sagot. She just nodded and didn't ask again. I knew Faye's moves because she took advantage of me before. First, she would ask you about the assignment and then magtatanong yan kung nagawa mo na ba tapos maghihingi ng pabor kung pwede bang mangopya. I'm not as idiot as I look.
Sumapit ang ala syete at tumunog ang bell, hudyat na magsisimula na ang flag ceremony. Marami-rami narin kami sa classroom. We went to the school gymnasium, I bumped into several groups of people and felt a relief when I stood on the line. Not to boast, but I am one of the tallest among the girls so I am standing second to the last. The girl next to me was Hana. She smiled at me, so I did the same.
The prayer was about to start when someone arrived and stood on the boy's line next to us. He was tall and thin, but I'm taller than him. He has an army cut, but he looks too soft for this kind of haircut. He has thin and cute eyes, making him look like a Korean celebrity, literally. If you ask me if I know him, definitely. He's popular because of his intelligence, and he was the top of our class.
"Ang aga mo ah?" sarkastikong sabi ni Hana sa kanya, they were friends. He chuckled.
"Ikaw rin naman ah," he said with a soft voice. I can't even identify if he is being sarcastic towards her. He glanced at me and smiled. "Hi Lucy!"
"Mmm," I smiled and nodded. My heart was pounding again, and I can feel my neck heating up. Clearly, I was blushing, but I brushed off the feeling and focused on praying as the opening prayer started. I cannot focus anymore when we were done singing the National Anthem and the principal stood up for announcements. Hana, my three friends, and some of my classmates teased me again. With whom? With this guy next to me. They were busy talking about me having a crush on him back when we were in seventh grade.
"Uy Lucy bakit ang cold mo na kay Chris?" nang-aasar na tanong ni Dani.
I'm used to them teasing me with Chris, so I'm not bothered anymore. I can handle it.
"Tanungin niyo siya." I acted cold and looked at Chris. He smirked.
"Yieeeeeee!"
"LQ yarn?"
"Bakit Lucy, nakahanap ka na ba ng bago?" tanong niya pabalik habang nakatitig sa akin ng diretso. If he thinks he could intimidate me with that look, he's wrong. I don't care if he's my crush, hindi ako magpapatalo.
"Hindi yun mangyayari Chris...dahil kahit maraming gwapo dito, ikaw lang ang laman ng puso ko."
The other sections turned their gazes on us as my classmates squealed, except for the boys. They scowled their eyebrows looking at me with disgust. Well, what do we expect?
I looked at Chris and he looked at me like he's having fun, or should I say...making fun of me. But instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt happy because in this way he will notice me. The flag ceremony ended and as we went back to our rooms, I lost track of my friends and mixed with other sections. Everyone was pulling and pushing each other here. I felt suffocated and I want to get out of the crowd, but I'm stuck. Nasa unahan pa ang ibang mga estudyante at nagsisiksikan. I don't have a choice but to wait. Then I felt a hand pushing me leading me to the guy in front of me and I put my hands on his shoulders to prevent myself from stumbling. The guy turned his head and my eyes widened with shock as I saw his face. It was him—the guy I met yesterday.
