Rainbow Behind Stars

Chapter 2

I wasn't used to interacting with people. From my entire life, I only used to stay inside of our house, reading books, watching cartoons, and anything that really became a hindrance to my socializing skill.

Not until I met this boy in our class na inakala kong suplado. Behind his snobbish aura, is someone who is a golden retriever inside. As I've said, I'm not good at socializing, but he wasn't hard to interact with. 

Nahirapan ako noon makipag-usap sa mga kaklase ko. From my past experiences, hindi talaga ako naging malapit sa mga kaklase ko, or maybe yes, but it wasn't as solid as what I want. I did once, I was with Estella when I was in grade 5 but then she left and was transferred to Cebu because her family decided to go back to where they really live. After she left, I wasn't able to have a friendship like her again, hindi na ako natuto pang makisama nang malala sa mga kaklase ko. We're close as a section, but never once I had someone from our class who I can talk with after school hours.

This experience with Zane was really something I never expected. But then, the introverted side of me finally disappeared when the boy beside me started to tell random stuff. I never felt comfortable sharing anything with him. Bukod sa mabait si Zane sa akin, there's something in him that proves his kindness behind his aura.

"Mukha ka kasing suplado, sorry ha?" Pagpapaumanhin ko rito,

"halos lahat, ganiyan tingin sa akin. Mukha ba talaga akong masungit?" He said, while pouting.

With his thick eyebrows, piercing eyes that draw attention— it all contributed to his snobbish aura. Ayan ang nagtulak sa akin sa mga haka-haka kong konklusyon, which were debunked because of our interaction.

"Ikaw nga rin, Keith. Akala ko masungit ka—"

"masungit naman talaga ako." Pagputol ko rito na agad namang ikinahagikhik nito.

Nang matapos na naming kainin ang lunch namin ay dali-dali kaming bumalik sa classroom to put back our lunchboxes.

We were still talking about random stuffs not until kuya Kai came to our room to excuse Zane. Dali-dali naman itong lumabas para kausapin ang binata. Mukhang interesadong interesado sila sa pinag-uusapan nila kaya naman ay hinayaan ko na lang ang mga ito at ibinaling ang atensyon ko sa iginuguhit ko.

Maya-maya, kasabay ng pagpasok ng teacher namin sa ICT ay siyang ikinasabay ng pagbalik ni Zane sa tabi ko, agad naman nitong napukaw ang atensyon ko.

Since it was our first day of class, we just introduced ourselves again and we stated our hobbies and what are our expectations for our subject, ICT. We just had orientation about the grading system and the breakdown of lessons that we'll be discussing for the whole year. 

Before the day comes to an end, Ms. Domingo asked us to stay still so that we can use the remaining time to have a nomination for our homeroom officer. 

"The table is now open for the nomination" saad ni Ms. Domingo,

Wala pa ring nagsisipagtaasan ng kamay at mukhang nahihiya ang mga kaklase ko na magbigay ng nominasyon. While staring at the front, I felt my seatmate was giggling beside me, the reason why it got my attention only to see him glaring at me and looking like he's planning something... and there he raised his hand and confidently stood up from his seat.

"Ma'am, I respectfully nominate Keith Elthon as our classroom president," he said which made my brow furrowed at him,

"Huy, bakit ako?!" Tanong ko rito nang makaupo na,

"bakit hindi ikaw?" pagbalik ng tanong sa akin.

I mean, this isn't new to me. Since I was in elementary school, I was used to being nominated as the president of our class, and because of those experiences, I got the ways on how to govern my fellow classmates properly. Pero wala na ito sa bokabularyo ko ngayong junior high na ako. Ngunit wala na rin akong nagawa at hindi na ako nakaangal dahil gusto ko rin naman at some point.