Saved by Time's Sand

Chapter 2: The Unexpected Choice

Xierra's POV

As the first day of enrollment began, I found myself navigating the busy halls of our high school, feeling like a leaf caught in a whirlwind. The school was abuzz with students and parents, each hurrying to complete their forms and finalize their schedules. I had spent countless hours the night before weighing my options, but now that the moment was here, the decision seemed even more daunting.

I approached the enrollment table for the ABM strand, clutching my form with sweaty palms. The clerk at the table looked up from her paperwork with a smile.

"Hello! How can I help you?" she asked.

"Hi, I’m Xierra Oliveros. I’m here to finalize my enrollment for the ABM strand," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Are you sure Ms. Oliveros? ABM? I thought you wanted to pursue architecture?" A familiar voice made me look behind and there stood Mrs. Santos, my former advisor.

I smiled at her then nod. "Yes Ma'am. Maybe for a change haha, right now I'm also kind of interested in things that involve business because as you know my Dad is running a company" I simply answer even tho I'm sure that it is not quite my reason. Yes I'm interested in Business but not as much as I am with Architecture and politics.

"Really? Good for you then. Kahit saan ka naman mapunta ay sure akong you will excel. Anyways, Goodluck on SHS life" She then bid her goodbyes to me. I look back to the clerk in front of me and she then again greeted me with a smile.

"Great choice," she said, ticking off the box on my form. "ABM is a versatile strand with a lot of opportunities. Do you need any help with the forms or information on your subjects?"

"No, I think I’m good," I replied, though my heart was racing. "Thank you."

As I walked away from the table, I couldn’t help but notice a group of students gathered around the STEM enrollment table, their chatter rising above the general noise. Among them were Amyria, Hera, and Stephanie. Their presence was like a storm cloud looming over me. Just the thought of being in the same strand with them made me anxious.

"Bakit ko pa ba pinipilit?" I muttered to myself. "Maybe I should just stick with ABM and avoid all the drama."

My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. It was a message from Feliz, asking if I wanted to meet up after the enrollment. I sighed with relief, grateful for the distraction.

"Okay, I’ll meet you at the café after this," I texted back.

After completing the necessary paperwork for ABM, I felt a mix of relief and uncertainty. I headed outside to find Feliz, who was waiting for me at a nearby café. Her friendly face and warm hug were a welcome comfort.

"Xierra! I’m so glad you’re here," she exclaimed, her smile brightening the room. "How did it go?"

"It went okay," I said, taking a seat. "I ended up choosing ABM. It seemed like the safest option for me right now."

"That’s awesome!" Feliz said encouragingly. "ABM will give you a strong foundation in business. Plus, it’s practical and can open many doors for you since your family is in the business industry. Sure ako na proud pa rin naman ang Dad mo sayo no matter what."

As we chatted over coffee, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Feliz’s words were reassuring, and her presence was a comforting reminder that I wasn’t alone in this decision. We talked about our plans for the upcoming school year, and her excitement was contagious.

"I’m really looking forward to this year," Feliz said. "It’s going to be great, especially with you in ABM."

"I hope so," I replied, feeling more confident. "I’m just worried about how things will turn out."

"Don’t worry too much," she advised. "You’ve made a good choice. And besides, you’ve got us—your friends—to support you."

After our coffee, I headed back home, feeling a bit more at ease. The sun was beginning to set as I walked through the door, and the familiar smell of dinner wafted through the house. My mom was already in the kitchen, preparing a meal.

"How was your day, anak?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"It was alright," I said, dropping my bag on the floor. "I ended up choosing ABM."

"That’s good," she said with a smile. "I’m sure you’ll do great. Let me know if you need any help preparing for the new school year."

"Thanks, Ma," I replied, heading upstairs to my room.

Once upstairs, I quickly took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes. I wanted to be ready for the next day, so I spent some time preparing my things. I laid out my uniform, checked my school supplies, and made sure everything was in order. As I worked, my mind kept wandering back to Winston.

"I wonder what he’s doing," I thought, thinking about my brother. He was always so distant, even more so since Dad and Mom’s marriage had brought a new dynamic to our family. I wanted to reach out, to bridge the gap between us, but it always felt like an impossible task.  I knew he resented the disruption to his old family life, and I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider in his world.

He was a stark contrast to my own uncertainty. With his striking looks and brilliant mind, he was the star of the school. He is a year higher than me and choses Stem Strand which made him more charismatic as what I've heard from other girls

After preparing everything, I decided to relax for a bit before dinner. I wandered into the living room, where Winston was sprawled on the couch, absorbed in his laptop. He barely glanced up as I entered.

"Hey, Winston," I said tentatively. "I chose ABM for my strand."

He looked up briefly, nodding. "Good for you," he replied, his tone indifferent.

"Yeah, I guess," I said, feeling a bit deflated. "Well, I’ll be downstairs for dinner if you want to join."

He didn’t respond, and I knew better than to push him. I headed downstairs to the kitchen, where Mom was busy setting the table.

"Are you and Winston okay?" she asked, sensing my mood.

"I think so," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "We just don’t talk much."

"He’ll come around," she said with a reassuring smile. "Give it time."

As we sat down for dinner, the conversation turned to more casual topics. We talked about the upcoming school year, my mom’s plans for the house, and Dad’s work schedule. It was a comforting routine, but the thought of Winston’s distance lingered in my mind.

After dinner, I volunteered to wash the dishes. It was a small way to contribute and keep myself busy. As I scrubbed the plates, my thoughts drifted back to the day’s events.

"I made my choice," I mused. "ABM it is. I hope it turns out to be the right decision."

Once the dishes were done, I headed back upstairs to my room. I wanted to get a head start on my studies and prepare myself mentally for the new school year. I set up my desk, opened my notebook, and began reviewing my notes.

As I worked, I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty. The first day of school was just around the corner, and while I felt more at ease with my decision, there was still a part of me that worried about what the future held.

"Tomorrow is a new beginning," I told myself, trying to stay positive. "I just need to take it one step at a time and hope for the best."

With that thought, I closed my notebook and prepared for bed. As I lay down, I couldn’t help but think about the journey ahead. Choosing ABM wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned for myself, but it was a start—a chance to explore new possibilities and maybe, just maybe, find my place.

As I drifted off to sleep, I hoped that the upcoming school year would bring new opportunities and a sense of belonging. For now, I would focus on making the most of the path I had chosen and trust that everything would work out in the end.