Timeless Series #3: A Time For Us

Chapter 4: Unknown Girl

Chapter 4: Unknown Girl

I went out of the locker rooms, almost spacing out because I still couldn't fully grasp what was happening.

Paglabas ko, nakita ko muli iyong babaeng nakausap ko kanina, na siya ring nagbigay ng tubig sa akin. Who is she? Although I seem to be uncaring, kilala ko naman ang mga naging kaklase ko—at least their faces. I just don't bother to remember all their names because it can be a hassle.

But this girl? I don't remember her from my past. Yet here she is. And I'm back in my past self now, right?

"J-Julian..." Yumuko pa siya at halos hindi makatingin sa akin. "S-sorry sinundan na kita because Coach is worried about you," she said a bit hastily.

I looked at her, trying to remember, but nothing. I don't recall her from before. But she's probably a schoolmate. And she knows Coach?

"Who are you? I mean," saglit akong mariing napapikit, "what's your name?" I asked her a bit politely.

She looked up at me, and we locked eyes. I just noticed she has a cute, pretty face...

She seems to know me—probably because I play soccer with the school team. We're enrolled in the same high school, right?

But I feel like she really knows me... more than that? Maybe I'm just having a weird feeling...

I looked at her, and she smiled at me kindly... and cutely... even though she still looked shy. "I'm... Noelle Sarina Velasco..." she timidly introduced herself.

Even her name doesn't sound familiar.

I sighed and kept thinking. I still can't believe what's happening. Is this even real? Tsk.

For all I know, I might just be dreaming...

"Julian, ayos ka lang ba talaga? Uh, masama ba ang pakiramdam mo? Gusto mo ba na pumunta tayo ngayon sa school clinic?" she asked me again.

I looked at her again.

I really don't recall meeting her before. She's unfamiliar.

But right now, I think she's the only one who can help me? It's just a feeling.

Umiling ako sa kaniya at naglakad na kami paalis. I turned to her as we quietly walked side by side. "Uhm, your name is Noelle, right?" I asked.

She looked at me and slowly nodded.

"And, uh, you're not my classmate, right?"

She shook her head. "Hindi, uh..."

"Like I thought, we're only schoolmates," tahimik kong sinabi habang napapaisip.

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga, Julian? Malapit na lang dito ang school clinic natin... Baka gusto mong pumunta na lang muna doon..." she asked worriedly, her voice gentle.

I turned to her and smiled. I think her face turned a little red? The sun's hot on our faces. She'll probably get sunburned, while I'm already used to it since I'm an athlete.

I shook my head. "No need. And, uhm, what are you doing here?" I asked again. I'm not used to talking with girls, even though they often come up to me. I just never had time to chat.

"Uhm, I'm the new student manager for the soccer club..." she quietly said. She's really timid—and cute.

My eyes widened slightly. "Oh, really?" I was a bit shocked. I didn't know she was our student manager. What happened?

"Oh... I'm sorry, but I don't really remember..." Not that I try to remember people around... I sighed.

Parang hindi ko na nga rin maalala kung sino ba ang manager namin dati noong high school. Kaya baka nga hindi ko na siya nakilala. And since she's this timid, baka nga hindi kami nagkausap dati pa?