2 minutes after sending her last message, Claire's phone let out a loud "DING!" She opened Caden's chat head.
Caden: "I'm in Class 9-A!"
Claire was so happy that she hit her head on the ceiling. She didn't mind the pain at all, she's classmates with her new friend this coming year!
Caden also was very happy. Sure, he was going to be classmates with his close friend, Claire, but also because he found a peculiar name on that class list.
"Oliver Silang"
-----------
Monday came. It was 4 a.m. Caden, with dark circles around his eyes from playing video games last night, was still very energetic despite his sleep time being less than the number of fingers on one hand. To adults, this doesn't matter, but Caden wasn't an adult, he was only 14 years old.
"You're lively today! Are you excited to meet your new classmates?" his mom, Louise said.
"Yes, mom. I already know some of them there. Plus, Claire's there."
"Oh, and who is this Claire? Is she pretty?"
"She definitely is. She was my friend during rehearsals last recognition Day."
"Okay then. But remember, put studies first before getting a girlfriend, okay?"
"Mom! You know I'm not interested in those things!" Caden exclaimed.
Caden's parents always advised him to put studies first over romance. Although it holds true since education is very important, it's also normal for high school students to fall in love. They're slowly becoming teenagers; they're getting exposed to these types of relationships. The ripening age of 13 to 14 years old is when children tend to start exploring worldly functions. They're not emotionally mature yet, but these relationships give them something to learn from. Romance is common in this age group, and they're barely out of puberty too.
"Anyway, I'm off mom." Caden said, giving his mom a kiss on the cheek.
"You take care honey!"
-----------
Caden always takes a tricycle to school. He goes out at around 5 a.m. because the exits in his subdivision are very prone to traffic jams the moment the clock hits 6 a.m. It's a 30-minute ride from home to school, so often times Caden is the first to enter the classroom.
Caden got into the classroom. It was cold from the air-conditioning. It was also dark since the lights weren't turned on yet. He thought this was very peaceful, so he didn't bother to turn them on. He picked a chair close to the window and sat on it. He folded his arms and slept, hoping to catch up on the rest he lost from staying awake with the moon.
His little nap was cut short, though, as 10 minutes after his arrival, Jake Delgado arrived. He turned on the lights and was surprised to find that someone had arrived before him. The sudden change from black to ivory prompted Caden to pick up his head from the slumber.
"Yo! It's you! You're Caden right?" Jake asked in a loud voice across the room.
"Yea. Sorry I didn't turn the light on. I thought it'd be colder in here dark." said Caden.
"I don't mind. But it seems I have competition now, huh?" Jake teased.
"What do you mean?" asked Caden.
"You see, I was always the early bird in this section last academic year. Although the guards open the doors in the early morning, they sometimes forget to. That's why I always had the key to the classroom. I had the power to lock and unlock our doors at will!" Jake explained.
"Cool. But I'm not really interested in being a class monitor. You can keep holding the key if you want to." Caden's voice was hoarse from the cold.
"Alright then."
Several more classmates poured in. Each taking a seat and talking to the people around them. Everyone was familiar with each other. Although it could be heard that some were missing their former classmates. Apparently, some of the students from 8-A last academic year were transferred to lower sections. Maybe some of them were blaming the new students for squeezing them out. Who knows. Caden was waiting for a certain person to enter through that door. He stared and stared, waiting for what felt like years.
"Hi Caden!" Claire waved from the door!
"Hey! It's you!" Caden said with glee.
"Is this seat taken?" Claire asked, pointing to the seat right next to Caden's.
"It's free."
Caden thought: "Fu*k. I completely forgot about Claire. I was saving that seat in case HE came."
It was almost 7 a.m. and class is almost starting. Our new adviser, Mr. Flores has come in and greeted us all. He looked warm, like the type of teachers that give away A's. Suddenly, the door swung open.
"Good morning, sir. I'm sorry I'm late. May I come in?"
Caden glanced at the late student. Who would even think of coming to school late on the first day of class?
"Excuse me, what is your name?" Mr. Flores asked
"Oliver Silang, sir."
"Okay, Oliver, pick a seat from the available ones. Did the guard give you a tardy slip?" Mr. Flores asked. The guards at school give you tardy slips when you come to school before 6:55 a.m.
"No, sir. The guard just gave me a warning since it's the first day."
"Okay, very well."
YOU ARE READING
Those Damn Dimples (BL)
RomanceA lot of Caden's later years were spent with the absence of his father, a man whom he had always wanted to feel by his side. He longed for his father, to feel safe in his arms when he's in peril. The man was always abroad, working. Caden had conside...
