A Tale Of Euphony

prologue

The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm beams over the bustling halls of Maplewood High i stepped through the entrance on my first day as a tenth grader.

My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within me. After weeks of preparing, i was finally here, navigating the labyrinth of lockers and classrooms.

Between classes, the bell rang, and students poured out into the courtyard like a tidal wave. I stood awkwardly by myself, clutching my lunch tray, unsure of where to go. The noise of laughter and chatter surrounded me, i longed to be a part of it but felt like an outsider looking in.

I wandered toward a quieter corner, seeking solace beneath a large oak tree.

I saw my old friend there standing, i walked up to her and greeted her.

"Hey lyra, how are you? Kamusta ang bakasyon?" I asked her and she lifted her head to hug me tight like she hasn't seen me in ages.

She replied with, "I'm fine, ikaw? Mas lalo kang gumanda ah"

"Sus, 'wag mo akong biruin ha!" We laughed and i asked her to walk for a bit.

The shade felt comforting, but the feeling of isolation still clung to me. And then, in an attempt to gather my thoughts, i took a step back to find the perfect spot. But as my foot landed, i felt an unforgiving crunch beneath my sneaker.

“Oh no!”

I exclaimed, instantly turning to see what, or whom, i had stepped on.

"Oh? Anong nangyare Thalia?" Lyra turned to me concerned.

A boy stood there, his expression a blend of annoyance and disbelief. He was taller than me, his posture relaxed but his eyes cold, glacial almost. This feeling settled in my stomach as i realized that i had inadvertently stepped on his foot.

"I'm so sorry!" I blurted, the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.

I searched his face for some sign of understanding, a hint that he accepted my apology. But he only stared at me, unflinching and unyielding, as if i was invisible.

Without a word, he shifted his gaze elsewhere, the walls of indifference rising between us. Without even giving me a chance to explain or offer my hand in friendship, he turned and walked away, his silhouette melding into the crowd.

I stood there, a rush of conflicting emotions swirling within me. Did he think i did it on purpose? The way he looked at me, with those icy eyes, felt like a wall slamming shut in my face. I swallowed hard, feeling small, wishing i had just paid attention to my surroundings.

"Hoy! Thalia! Hayaan mo na iyong lalaki na iyon, napaka suplado non"

"Kahit na, kailangan ko parin hingin ang tawad nya." I said while ruffling my hair.

"Don't you worry, classmate lang natin yon, makakapag sorry ka naman sakanya ulit mamaya"

"Classmate natin yon!??"

"Oo, para kang timang!"

The recess bell rang again, and We drifted through the throngs of students, my earlier enthusiasm crushed under the weight of that moment.

I spotted my classmates huddled together, laughing and exchanging stories about summer breaks, reminiscing like they had known each other forever while i felt like an accidental tourist in their world.

That evening, a thought nagged at me. I could replay the encounter in my mind forever, but it would only hurt more each time. I finally pulled out my school planner, a way to channel my feelings, and began to write. I scribbled down my thoughts, not just about the accidental collision but also about the loneliness of starting anew, the fear of not fitting in, and the hope that tomorrow might be different.

Weeks passed, and every time i caught sight of the boy, whose name i learned was Orion, my heart would race, albeit out of trepidation more than excitement.

He sat with a group of friends, often isolated in his own world, his demeanor remaining largely unchanged. Each glance i dared to give him met with the same coolness.

But i didn’t give up. I began to find solace in the small connections i was making with other students.

A girl named Delia in my class, who loved talking about books, became someone i allowed myself to lean on. Together, we shared late-night study sessions filled with easy laughter.

One day, as me and Delia were heading to the library, i spotted Orion sitting at a table, absorbed in his work. This time, i felt a strange sense of courage welling up inside me.

What if i could apologize again, perhaps with a letter this time?

"Hey Delia, do you think it's worth the shot na mag sorry ulit ako kay Orion?'"

"Of course! Try mo, baka sagutin ka nya at patawarin ka na nun"

"Hindi naman ganoon ka sama yung ginawa ko pero nag eeffort talaga ako ng ganto!"

"Yung sabihin mo, attracted ka sakanya!"

"Attracted mo muka mo!"

After writing a brief note explaining my clumsiness and expressing my desire to start over, i approached him, my belly fluttering with nerves. I hesitated, glancing around for support, and Delia nudged me forward.

"Bigay mo na! Pag talaga yan hindi mo binigay lagot ka saakin!"

"Go, kaya mo yan. More fighting more energy more passion" Delia encouraged with a gentle push.

With his head bent over his work, Orion hadn’t seen me yet. I inhaled deeply and then exhaled, summoning every ounce of bravery.

“Excuse me, Orion?" i said softly.

He looked up, surprise evident in his expression, and for a moment, i saw a flicker of warmth beneath that cold exterior.

“I just wanted to say I’m really sorry about stepping on your foot that day,”
I said, my heart racing. “It was an accident, and I—I hope you can forgive me.”

His gaze flickered between me and the note in my hand, a hint of uncertainty crossing his face. For a heartbeat, the chatter around us seemed to fade into silence, and something unspoken hung in the air.

“I…yeah,” he muttered, breaking the tension with a shrug. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

A wave of relief washed over me, and as he took the note from me, i felt a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth, and perhaps a realization that he wasn’t so unapproachable after all.