Let It Be Me

1

"Thanks Manong Jack! Maaasahan ka talaga!" Mikaela wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead while fixing her skirt.

"Hay nako Mikaela, paano na lang kung magretiro na ako? Sino na ang magaantay sa makupad na tulad mo?" The 56-year old driver asked while laughing.

"You're still strong Manong Jack! Carry pa yan! Thanks again!" 16-year old Mikaela ran to her usual seat as the bus started to move again. She put her backpack on her lap and pulled one of her bus buddy's earphone out his ear to greet him.

"Good morning Trick!"

"Morning Ella. Here." Trick, or Patrick, handed Mikaela a nutella sandwich. This was their 'ritual' every morning, Mikaela always wakes up late so she doesn't have time to eat breakfast, and Patrick, who also happens to be Mikaela's best friend, brings her a sandwich every morning.

Patrick Rivero, best friend, bus buddy, and childhood friend of Mikaela. The two met when they were only 5, when Patrick and his family moved to the house beside the Manuel's and ever since then, they have been really close friends, just like their parents. Patrick's the only one who calls Mikaela, 'Ella', while Mikaela calls him 'Trick'.

"Did you hear the news?" Mikaela, whose mouth was too full to answer, just shook her head.

"Nads and James are official." Mikaela almost choked on her sandwich with Patrick's news. Nads, or Nadine, and James were 2 of their other friends and they've been rooting for them two for almost 3 years now, but the two never showed any affection for each other.

"Well, they were always good at hide-and-seek. I'm so happy for them! I can't believe na hindi sinabi ni Nads sa akin!" Patrick chuckled when Mikaela crossed her arms and slouched like a 5-year-old.

After a couple of minutes, the bus stopped in front of their school, and they got off, waving at Manong Jack before entering the building. When they got to their class, they were greeted by their group of friends, Julia, James, Nadine, Lester, and Katsumi. Nadine went straight to Mikaela but the five of them were surprised when she just walked passed them and went directly to her seat. Nadine gave Patrick a confused look. Patrick just mouthed 'Nagtatampo', and Nadine understood immediately. She ran to James and pulled him to Mikaela's seat.

"Bebe..." Nadine tried to make her voice as sweet as possible but it didn't seem to work. Mikaela is the youngest in their group (this is why they call her Baby, or Bebe) and she's the hardest one to coax.

"Be sorry na..." James tried to help out, but it was no use. Mikaela tried her best to stop herself from laughing. She wasn't actually mad at them, she was just upset that she wasn't the first one to know, since she and Nadine were the closest, after Patrick that is.

Mikaela was about to come clean and tell them that she wasn't mad but before she even had the chance to do so, their professor, Mr. Ortega, walked in with his usual grumpy face on. The whole class took their spots and greeted their professor a good morning, which Mr. Ortega unhappily replied to.

"Before we begin, student council members have an emergency meeting in 5 minutes in Room 241. I suggest you make your way there now, quietly." Mikaela groaned with Mr. Ortega's announcement. Their whole circle of friends are student council members, except for her. Student council meetings are held every Monday and Thursday after school, which is also the time when the soccer team has their practice. Mikaela is the captain of the soccer team, so she couldn't miss practice, so she can't join student council.

Patrick, who was seated beside her, gave her a kiss on the top of her head before picking his backpack from his chair.

"I'll see you at break?" Mikaela nodded and watched her friends walk out of the classroom.