Leaving the New and Different You

Can You Still Remember?

Chapter 2

Artemisia, Yana, and Corliss followed my way.

"What's up?" Yana asked nosily. I looked into her dark eyes, showing her the best frustrated face she'll ever see. "Didn't you guys tell me that I would be a remarkable soprano? Why? Why am I an alto?"

"Maybe there's a reason why," Artemisia explained. I raised my eyebrows, expanding the size of my eyes. "No. I'll talk to her. Explain to her that if she would not transfer me, I'll--"

"Don't tell me," Corliss's eyes were glistening, "you're going to quit?" She's always like that when she thinks my decision is a bad idea. And, yeah. She's about to cry. "Please don't quit!"

"I have to."

"Give me a hundred reasons why do you have to quit," she challenged, glaring at me. Seriously? Number one: I don't want to be an alto. Number two: I want to be a soprano. Number three: I don't want low voices. Number four: I'm not used to it. Number five: I aspire to be a remarkable soprano just like what you had told me before... Okay. I won't entertain her challenge. 

"I have 5 reasons."

She gave me a short laugh. "Can we now consider five as one hundred? It's not even a ten percent of a hundred!" she said loudly. "Fine! But I'll absolutely be a soprano!" I accepted my lost. Still, I can't be an alto.

 ♂  ♥  ♀ 

I walked straight to the faculty, searching for Mrs. Campbell. I saw her talking to the school librarian, borrowing a stack of songbooks. I made my way to face the librarian and I said, "Good Morning, Ma'am. Can I have a second with Mrs. Campbell?" I asked. "Oh, sure! No problem," the school librarian replied as I mouthed her Thank you.

"I need to talk to you, Mrs. Campbell."

"I know what you want. You want me to transfer you and become a soprano instead of being an alto?"

Yes! Exactly. "Yes. Can you please change my voice classification?" I begged sincerely.

"No. I can't."

"But why?"

"You would be the best alto in your whole college life."

"No. I would not," I told her.

"You would," she smiled. I can't believe it. Now, she's telling that I'll be the best alto in my whole college life. Argh. This is obviously a praise for recruitment, right?

"Alright. I'm pleased," I smiled wryly.

"We're going to have a meeting tomorrow morning. I'm expecting beautiful faces tomorrow," she giggled. "Just joking."

She walked away and all the words I had said went back. Did I say Alright. I'm pleased? I slapped my forehead using my palm. Ouch! I carefully rubbed my forehead, just to be sure that my one-and-only pimple placed right in the middle of my forehead is not bleeding. I sighed, allowing my senselessness to take its flight out of me. Stupid brat.

  ♂  ♥  ♀

When I returned to my classroom, I saw a bouquet of purple roses placed in my desk. I hurried and studied the letter bounded upon one of the roses.

Happy Valentine's Day, Av. I miss you so much. 4 days before our anniversary. Can you still remember?

I dropped my jaw. It was Steve's handwriting. How did he manage to know where I was? Wait! There's no such thing as our anniversary. I tore the fragrant paper into several pieces. Not a single person should see this. I put it in my pocket and I headed to the science laboratory. I searched for an alcohol lamp because I need to get this thing out of my sight. I lit the alcohol lamp until the fire touched the tip of the paper and it turned it into ashes. I'm over-acting, am I?

I headed back to my classroom and I sat on my chair, staring at the flowers. I forgot to throw them away. I opened the window beside me and I grabbed the flowers. When I'm about to defenestrate it, Artemisia spoke. "You're going to throw it away?"

I examined her, but I can't tell you what she was thinking. "Uhm... No! I thought it's a bit wet so I'm going to expose it with sunlight," I lied. I wish she would believe it.

She stole the flowers from my tight grasp. "Who gave you these?" she said, grinning.

"A secret admirer?"

"There's no letter? Just flowers?" she asked, one eyebrow elevated.

"Yes," I lied again. I remembered that I haven't told my best friends about Steve. I felt guilty. But there's no turning back. I already made a story. I had lied. 

In the whole class, all I can think of is guilt. I should've told them I once had a boyfriend. Damn it. 

  ♂  ♥  ♀

When I finally arrived home, I sat on the the plain white couch, planting both feet atop the coffee table. I stared at the pool just in front. I stood up and walked on our white floor. I went straight toward my bed and slouched. I feel tired and all I want to do is sleep.

It's 5 in the morning when I woke up. I went to the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the refrigerator. When I finished eating my apple, I took a quick shower and I wore my uniform. I checked on my watch, it's 5:45. Too early. I took my car's key, locked the door and I got inside my Chevrolet Cobalt. My car's purple, take note.

I arrived at exactly 6 o'clock. I secured the lock of the door and then I entered the main door and went upstairs. When I first stepped a foot inside our classroom, I recalled that we're going to have a meeting this morning. I dropped my bag on my chair and I made my way to the music room. I'm an early bird. Funny.

I sat on the floor, planting my head on my knees. I remembered how stupid I am when I talked to Mrs. Campbell. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I kept repeating to myself.

I wasted my time waiting for the first one to enter the room, but there's none. I felt sleepy and my eyes became heavy. Finally, I closed my eyes and dreamt of the new faces I will meet today.