"Look at her. She's so Manang with her look. Yuck!"
"I know right? Is our school allowing beggars inside? She needs to be reported."
"Gosh! What an ugly sight this is for a new school year start!"
Everyone was nodding, agreeing with the last comment she heard. She looked at the group of students humiliating her. Obviously, she was their topic. If not, why would they look at her with raised eyebrows? She was already used to these kind of insults.
They glared at her. Alyssa smiled at them, as if telling them that she haven't heard anything. But of course, she did. She just don't like arguments over silly things, rather silly people. Yes, she finds those bitchy girls silly. And trying to defend herself from the hurtful words she received from them would only be a waste of her time. It would only ruin her day.
She walked past those girls and looked for her room. For about 20 minutes of roaming around the campus, she finds herself standing outside her section.
Monteverde - Gr. VIII - Sec. A
That was in bold letters, posted in the room door. The list of students belonging in the section are also there. There were 38 of them. As usual, she's the last in the list. Blame her family name for that.
38. Valdez, Alyssa C.
When she realized that she was standing there, staring at the list and looking like a fool for like a minute or two, she decided to go inside and finds a seat. Everyone stared at her as if she could break something with every move she make. But she didn't mind them though.
Alyssa finds a cozy yet perfect seat for herself. It's beside the windows in the last row. Everyone else were seated too far away from her. As if she would care anyway. For a lot of times, she already tried to ask herself on what's the crowd's problem with her. But she always ends up with the thought that it doesn't really matter anyway.
She's pretty. Only that she acts and dresses up like a guy. But how would she know about those girly stuff if all her life she was surrounded with two guys; her Dad and her Kuya Nico. To add more to that, all the guards in their mansion are all guys. Of course, that isn't questionnable. Only her Yaya Bess and Manang Cencia are the girls in their house.
Yaya Bess, her nanny for almost seven years now, is already in her twenties. On the other hand, Manang Cencia, their cook and all-around helper, is in her late fifties already. She can't get any fashion-related things from them because everyday, they're wearing their uniforms. And she's hesitant to ask them about those stuff because as you see, she really finds it all too girly.
Back when she was 11, she started to read fashion magazines. But it never really helped her. Every time her Kuya catches her reading one, he would laugh at her making Alyssa's face look like a tomato in shame. She was homeschooled until her 12th year so she really is an alien to the outside world. No friends, a lot of bullies. That's her life.
Her brother is kind of a school heartthrob. He's famous, he has the face, and the talent. Girls flocked to him as if he was a god. He's the team captain of the basketball varsity team. But no one knows they're related. Well, how would someone know if she and her Kuya are rarely seeing in school? It's an elite university so it really is a big place.
The school bell rang indicating the start of the class. Their teacher, Mrs. Monteverde, eyed each one of them. The thick glasses made her look more strict even though she's still in her early twenties. Well, she really is strict anyway. Alyssa seated properly, afraid to be called by the mean-looking teacher.
"I guess I don't have to introduce myself anymore. Kilala niyo naman siguro ako? I've seen your faces from last year already but I'm not familiar with your names. Pero may lista naman ako so I'll just call you randomly. I'll be handling the same subject, Math."
Her introduction sent shivers to every student in the class. Who would not be afraid of her when she's so prim and she's teaching the subject that is popularly hated by teens?
"So, let's talk about the house rules. I don't like late—" Mrs. Monteverde stopped as she heard the knock from her door.
A pale girl stood outside the room, catching her breath. Mrs. Monteverde eyed her, as if shooting daggers with her look.
"Uhm..." the girl startled, obviously scared of the teacher's look. "I'm sorry, I'm late. Transferree po kasi ako at—" she tried to explain but Mrs. Monteverde stopped her.
"Get in." The teacher's voice sounded like a roaring thunder.
Immediately, the newbie went inside. She finds a seat as the teacher continued her lectures about the house rules. Alyssa was shocked when the girl sat beside her. She can't believe it. During her freshman year in this campus, no one ever dared sit beside her. Everyone else was avoiding her as if she's carrying some virus with her.
"Hi."
Now, this made her more shocked. For the first time in years, someone actually greeted her. Excluding the people in their mansion of course. She smiled at her.
"Hi din." In a small voice was all she said.
"Mika Reyes nga pala. Transferree ako." she introduced herself.
And that was their first ever encounter. From that day, Alyssa found a bestfriend. She never thought she could find one really.
"Ly, ang ganda pala ng Senior High Department kesa sa atin dati. Grabe!" Mika laughed.
Indeed, the Senior High Department has better facilities. The two 11th grader looked for their way to their classroom. Their both taking the Accountancy, Business and Management strand because both of them are the soon-to-be heiress of their family's company.
Alyssa disliked business-related courses really but if she won't take it, no one will manage their company in the future. Kuya Nico took Architecture and is not willing to take the future of their company so she's left with no choice at all.
She was catching her breath as Mika continued to run. She was running too because Mika's holding her left hand. She stopped just when she bumped into someone. Mika covered her mouth when she saw what happened. Mika knew it was her fault. Alyssa's things were scattered on the ground. The tower in front of her bent to help her.
"Sorry." Alyssa repeated this for several times as she continued picking up her things.
The guy stood up and so did Alyssa. He handed her the things he got. She looked at the stranger. He's tall. And before she could even find words to describe the guy, he spoke.
"Mag-ingat ka na sa susunod. Baka madapa ka na naman." His baritone voice was like a song in her ears.
That was the first time she saw him. And that was the first time she felt something strange in her system. What could it be?
