A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter Three: Exploring

I reached the sixth floor, FINALLY! The struggle is real! This will be my everyday routine all throughout the school year?

No, no, no! I don't have to complain. This is what I want. This is not a major problem. I can do this. Yosh!

Fortunately, most of the students were in their respective classrooms. Only a few noticed me loitering, lost in finding where I am supposed to go to. Luckily, a security guard assisted me and I thanked him before I enter the Faculty room.

I finally met Mr. Neo. As soon I approached him, he welcome with enthusiasm. Honestly, I expected a male teacher who is strict and scary. But I guess he's not one of them. Thank goodness!

He guided me towards our classroom. He entered first. He told me not to wait for his signal to enter.

"Okay class! Guess what?" Mr. Neo asked the students.

"Whaaat?" the class responded in chorus.

"A transfer student will be joining your class. Are you ready to know who it is?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Clue. A She."

"She?" one student asked curiously.

"Don't tell us...." a student said.

Mr. Neo continued, "A star."

"Woooo! I think I know who she is!" a girl student said.

"Annika Sir?" a student asked.

As far as I know, the class became chaotic.

Mr. Neo signalled me to enter. "Ms. Madrigal, please?"

I entered the room. The whole class went nuts. They are shouting and smiling out of joy.

"Hello, class. I'm Annika Madrigal. Let's get along." I said calmly and politely.

"Hello Annika." The nearest girl greeted me. Basically, they are all greeting me simultaneously. I'm trying my best to greet them back.

"Class, calm down. The other class might be distracted." Mr Neo warned the class. "I know what you feel, but please not now. Please wait for the break okay?"

"Yes, sir." The class responded but now peacefully.

"Good. Please take good care of her. Okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Ms. Annika, you can take the seat beside Ms. Martinez at the back."

"Okay, Sir. Thank you."

"Class, I'm going. Please wait for your next teacher. Okay?"

The whole day went well... I guess. Since it's the first day of class, we just introduced ourselves to each other and to our teachers. Every break time, I got the chance to get to know my classmates. They are so kind and very approachable to me. My classmates kept on asking questions and I answered them as honest as I could. Just like in the talk shows.

The class were dismissed early. I said goodbye to my classmates and I tried to contact Lou or Suzy. But none of them answered. So I decided to walk around the campus.

Geez.. This Main Academic Building is so huge! Aside from classrooms, it also has laboratories, multimedia rooms, computer rooms and many more. According to the map that I saw, Elementary school students occupies the first three floors while the Junior and Senior High School on the remaining floors. Basically, once you promoted to a higher grade level, you also promoted to higher "floor" level. Aside from it have six floors, it is divided into "four wings" labelled as: North Wing, South Wing, East Wing and West Wing.

Wews. This will take forever so I went downstairs and explore the other buildings. My feet directed me to the Music and Arts Building. Maybe Suzy is still here, I'm gonna check first.

As soon as I went to the main door, a security guard didn't allow me and told me that only students who are taking "MA" are allowed. I insisted that my cousin is still there, but I failed. Therefore, I decided to move on.

After that, I reached the Main Library. I went inside and... WOW! This place is huge! I checked the "Reference Section" since it's the nearest from the main door. I saw students doing different stuff in their own. Maybe some of them are doing their assignments. Geez, they have assignments in the first day? That was insane. I browsed different books that caught my attention. Unconsciously, I read most of the books I got and I didn't track down the time.