Saved by Time's Sand

Chapter 1: The Dilemma

Xierra's POV

The end of summer was always bittersweet. While I looked forward to the excitement of a new school year, the dread of making the right choices weighed heavily on me. Today was one of those days that made me question everything, especially since it was time for enrollment. As an upcoming Senior High School student, I was supposed to decide on a strand that would shape my future. But I was torn between two very different paths, and the pressure was mounting.

The school grounds were abuzz with students and parents, all bustling about with forms and schedules. I stood at the entrance of the enrollment hall, clutching my list of options like a lifeline. My heart raced as I thought about my choices. On one hand, I had always dreamed of becoming an architect, which meant choosing the STEM strand. On the other hand, my love for writing and politics made the HUMSS strand equally appealing.

"Anong strand kaya ang pipiliin ko?" I muttered to myself, trying to ignore the swarm of students around me.

My thoughts drifted back to the first choice—STEM. Architecture had always been my passion. I’d spent countless hours sketching blueprints and designing imaginary buildings. But the STEM strand also came with its own set of challenges, mainly the presence of my so-called “haters.” Amyria, Hera, and Stephanie were notorious for their elitist attitudes. They not only looked down on me but also on anyone they deemed beneath them. The thought of spending my entire senior year around them made my stomach churn. I knew they would make snide comments and try to undermine me.

"Minsan lang talaga ako sigurado sa sarili ko," I thought, feeling a pang of doubt. "Kung hindi ko kayang labanan ang mga pangungutya nila, baka hindi ako magtagumpay."

I recalled the day when Amyria had snickered at my presentation in front of the entire class. Hera and Stephanie had joined in, their laughter echoing in my ears. It wasn’t just their mean-spirited comments that bothered me—it was the way they made me feel like I didn’t belong. My confidence wavered with each of their taunts, and the thought of facing them every day made me hesitate.

On the other hand, there was HUMSS, which aligned more with my passion for writing and politics. I had a couple of friends in that strand—Feliz and Aki. They were warm, supportive, and shared similar interests. The idea of working on creative writing projects and engaging in political discussions seemed like a dream come true. But as much as I liked the idea, my lack of self-confidence made it a struggle. I worried that I might not be good enough, or worse, that I might let my friends down.

"Paano kung hindi ko magustuhan ang HUMSS?" I pondered, "O kaya naman, paano kung hindi ko kayang makipagsabayan sa iba?"

I tried to drown out the noise around me and focus on making a decision. The thought of my friends’ encouraging words was comforting, but the fear of failing under their expectations was paralyzing. I knew I needed to choose soon, but the indecision was eating me alive.

As I walked through the crowded hall, I noticed a familiar face. It was Feliz, waving excitedly at me. I forced a smile and approached her, hoping that her presence might offer some clarity.

"Hey, Xierra! Anong strand ang pipiliin mo?" Feliz asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Hindi ko pa alam, Feliz," I admitted, feeling the weight of my uncertainty. "Nasa STEM ako ngayon, pero hindi ko pa sigurado kung yun ang pipiliin ko."

"Why not HUMSS?" she suggested. "You’d be great at it. And we can work on projects together!"

Her enthusiasm was contagious, but I still had lingering doubts. "Sana nga. Pero may mga doubts pa rin ako sa sarili ko and I want to gather my thoughts more before deciding."

"Don’t stress too much," Feliz said reassuringly. "Choose what feels right for you. We're here to support you no matter what...You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself as it will just stress you more."

Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves. After chatting for a while, I felt a bit better, but the decision still loomed large. As I left the enrollment hall, I was no closer to a resolution, but I knew I had to make a choice soon.