Miss All American

Chapter 2

If you’re new to this story. You can see Ariella Ferrera, she’s also from my epistolary— No Matter What They Say. Nauna talaga si Ariella sa kwento na ito bago doon. Matagal na naisulat ito.

Chapter 2

“Nice… Nice…” Mom said as she is examined the whole place.

We’ve been following her like obedient puppies since we got here. Today, we finally went to the university that I’m transferring to. The university looks nice, though.

“I prefer the other one, just a few blocks away from here,” dad told mom.

Wala naman akong prefer na school. I don’t know a lot of universities in the Philippines, but my mom has one in mind and we’re currently here.

“There are a lot of dormitory near this university, so I like this one,” mom said as we walk our way to the registrar’s office.

“Ask Tiffany if she likes it here, then.”

Tumingil sila sa aking dalawa, waiting for my answer. I only shrugged.

“This is fine.”

Mom looked at me a bit skeptical. “Make sure you socialize. I let you avoid therapy so that you can solve your own problem, as what you want. Don’t waste your years in here, okay?”

I groaned and avoided her gaze. But I nodded as a response.

The university is huge. It took us at least twenty minutes before we were able to spot the registrar’s office. It will take a while before I get used to the place and memorize my way.

“Late enrollee? Here are the requirements,” the registrar said as she handed us a piece of paper which contains the requirements.

May dala na kaming basic requirement kagaya ng transcripts or records ng grades ko, my CV, and such other things.

“We have all of these with us today,” my mom confirmed after reading the list of requirements.

“Okay. Here’s the form. Please fill all the necessary information, I’ll be back with you later.”

My mom gave me the form so I can fill it up. Looking at the papers scares me a lot. This paper holds my future in this school. I’m a bit excited of what this university has to offer to me.

The university is not as packed as I thought it would be today. I guess some don’t have Saturday classes and it’s Saturday today. I’ve seen some students in uniforms, but they’re not a lot.

What a perfect timing!

After filling up everything in the paper, I gave it to my mom so she can pass it to the registrar.

“The academic year has already begun, but here’s your schedule. You can start attending your classes on Monday. I will inform your professors.”

That made me more terrified than I am already. I can only imagine walking straight into a classroom, everyone eyeing me from head to toe, confused of why a blonde foreigner just went straight to class and sat on another student’s chair. The professor will announce that I’m a transferee from the United States and will spend my senior high with them.

Just like the typical scenes you will see in movies!

Nakasimangot ako buong araw. My parents didn’t sensed my mood dahil abala sila sa pagtingin sa university.

“I will ask someone to tour her around the premises so she’ll be familiar of the place once she start on Monday,” the registrar said and looked at the place.

Maybe she’ll just ask someone from here. I don’t know, but I don’t like this.

“Oh, no thanks-“ I was about to said but my mom cut me off.

“Yes, thank you so much! Tiffany will really need a tour guide. This place is huge and confusing for her,” mom said as she gave me a glare.

My shoulders fell. I don’t need someone to tour me around! I can do that by myself. If I get lost inside the university, I can always ask for direction, that’s an easy talk!

“You!” the registrar called for the girl that was about to walk pass by us.

She’s wearing a cheerleading uniform, and I instantly imagined things. Is she gonna be like one of those cheerleaders that has an attitude problem and students call ‘queen’?

I don’t like what’s happening already…

“Bakit po ma’am?” tanong niya sa registrar at napansin naman niya kami.

Napatingin siya sa akin. She gave me a small smile and I didn’t react to that. Dahil sa reaction ko ay awkward niyang inilayo ang tingin sa akin.

“Stop being rude! I saw you,” my mom slapped my hand a little.

“What did I do?” nabigla kong tanong habang hinihimas ang kamay ko na hinampas niya.

She just rolled her eyes and listened to the conversation between the registrar and the cheerleader.

“Can you show her around? Transferee siya.”

“I have practice for cheerleading today, ma’am.”

“Then make her tag along. After ng practice niyo, i-sama mo na siya at ilibot sa paligid. Parehas kayo ng strand.”

“Fine,” she finally said and turned around to look at us.

She didn’t smile at me again, but she didn’t look so serious.

“Let’s go?” she told me and looked at my parents and then back to me again.

Tumango nalang ako kahit nag-aalangan parin. Tumingin ako sa magulang ko at nagtanong.

“Will you come with us?” I asked my parents but I almost sounded as if I was begging.

My mom really knows how to ruin it for me.

“No, no. You two go along. We’re going to the mall, Tiffany. We’ll pick you up later. Make sure to keep your lines open, okay? Bye!” my mom said and looked at the girl beside me.

“What’s your name?” my mom asked the girl and I sighed.

“Ariella Ferrera po,” Ariella said to my mom.

My parents both nodded and said a lot to her before she let us go. Ariella said goodbye to my parents and made me trail along her.

“I don’t know how to start this, but here’s our university. You’re welcome here!” she started while we were walking our way to where I assume is the gym.

She said she still has practice and I have to endure watching them practice before she finally begins the tour.

“I still have an hour long practice for cheerleading. But…” she stopped and turned to look at me.

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap din siya. She looked at me from head to toe, just like what she did earlier when she first saw me.

“I don’t know your name,” she said and she gave me a smile.

She’s very welcoming, I can tell it from her aura and how she presents herself, but I just hate people, I find it hard to trust one. The last human interaction I had is with my parents.

It will take a long sitting down to tell the story, though.

“My name is Tiffany. Tiffany Mosheyev. I relocated from New York just a few days ago,” I introduced myself with what people typically does when someone asks for their name, they usually always share where they’re from right away.

“Hmm,” she nodded and gave me a warm smile again.

“I hope it doesn’t sound offending, but are your curls and blonde hair all natural?” she asked as we continue to walk our way to somewhere.

“Yeah,” I nodded, although I knew she wouldn’t be able to see it.

“That’s cool. I always wanted to be blonde, but it just doesn’t fit me. So I go with brunette hair.”

I always think that cheerleaders are usually mean and a snob. I guess she’s different from those in the movies… But I have to differentiate what’s in the movies and in reality.

I’m living in reality, finally. It’s scaring the shit out of me to be finally out of my comfort zone. Out of the place where I am familiar with. Far away from the people I know and I’m used to. It’s terrifying but this is what I want.

This is relatively close to restarting my life.

“Sorry, I’m late!” salubong ni Ariella sa kumpulan na mga tao sa loob ng gym.

Everyone immediately looked at us. Napaka dami nila at… karamihan ay maliliit.

Or is it the standard height for them… I don’t know. I’m 5’9, I think it’s because of my American blood.

“Sino kasama mo, Ariella? Ang ganda ah,” tanong ng lalaking cheerleader.

Tiningnan ko siya dahil sa tanong niya. He looks good too. Hindi gaanong rough ang features but he looks cute.

“Shh, nakakahiya ka!” saway sa kaniya ng isang kasama niya pero nakatingin parin sa akin.

“Hindi naman niya ako maiintindihan. Mukhang kano,” sabi niya habang napapakamot ng ulo.

Tumingin ulit siya sa akin at nang mapansin na nakatingin ako ay ngumiti siya. I gave back the smile because I don’t wanna look rude, unlike what I did to Ariella earlier.

“This is Tiffany Mosheyev. She came all away from the U.S. Transferee siya at inutusan ako ni Mrs. Montevidad na i-tour siya. Utos ‘yon at hindi pakisuyo!” nakasimangot na sabi ni Ariella.

Everyone introduced themselves to me and I greeted them back. Mukhang hindi pa talaga nila alam na nakakapagsalita ako ng language nila. That’s good, maybe, para alam ko if may sinasabi sila against sa akin.

“Sit here, Tiffany. We’ll make this quick so Ariella can start touring you around right away, okay?” sabi sa akin ni Maddie.

I nodded and gave everyone a small smile.

“I’ll be watching.”

Based on my observation. Erina is their captain and isa siya sa hindi ako masyadong binigyan ng pansin kanina. I’ll be sounding too bad, but she’s beginning to look like one of those cheerleaders you will see in movies. I bet people look up to her.

I’ve been observing each one for the past hour. Ariella is usually the one who makes the noise, kasi mas maingay siya kaysa sa cheer captain nila. Her voice is loud and cheerful, really suitable to be a cheerleader.

The guy who told me I was beautiful earlier is one of those who throw the cheerleader and catches them before they land on the floor. I don’t know what do they call those techniques but that’s that. His name was Rafe.

And most of the time, I catch several of them looking at my way after they perform a trick, as if they are asking for my approval. I avoid their gazes and will look at my phone, waiting for my mom’s call.

Nang matapos sila ay dumiretso sila sa bench at uminom ng tubig. Everyone has their own things and I assume their bags are in the locker room of this gym, where they can also take a bath, because they really need it.

“Anong strand mo, Tiffany?” Wenna asked me after they finished fixing themselves.

Lahat sila ay handa na umalis. I had to wait for another thirty minutes before they finally finished cleaning themselves up.

Sasagot na sana ako, buti nalang pumigil agad si Ariella para sumagot. That was close! Muntikan ko na sagutin si Wenna, tagalog ang tanong niya! They will find out that I can understand their language.

“Speak in English, Wenna. Foreigner ‘yan!” Saway ni Ariella dito.

“Sorry, I forgot,” sabi niya at muling tumingin sa akin. “What strand are you taking?”

“Same as Ariella, I think.”

I don’t know much about the strands they have in the Philippines, because in the U.S. we only have Academic, Arts and Design, Sports, Technical, and Vocational. The names they have for each strand is very difficult to remember.

“Oh, HUMSS! I’m taking ABM!”

I smiled at her as a reply. I don’t know what I should reply to that!

“Do we have the same schedule for minor subs?” sunod na tanong pa niya habang palabas na kaming lahat ng gym.

Naalala ko ang schedule na binigay sa akin. Kinuha ko iyon mula sa bulsa ko at pinakita sa kaniya.

“Oh, we have PE 3 together.”

Ngayon ko lang naisip… Wouldn’t it be too hard to me considering I don’t know much of the Philippines other than the language, some places, and the food. I don’t know their history and their law.

But, I’m restarting my life… And it’s a learning process, so it’s a challenge that I’m going to face.

“See you on Monday, Tiffany! Text me!” Ariella said and wave her hand.

The others said their farewell to me and I wave back. Ang magulang ko ay naghihintay sa akin sa labas ng gate at pinagmamasdan ako. I bet they’ll tease me to death and I’m bracing myself for that.

The tour took at least two hours. I lose track of time. But, Ariella isn’t the only one who toured me around. The others joined us, but some went home and doesn’t want to be involved with the tour. Including Erina and her group.

Nasa malayo palang ako ay nakikita ko na ang ngiti ng magulang ko. Napapikit nalang ako at hindi na sila pinasalita pa. Lumakad nalang ako ng diretso.

Narinig ko ang pag ngisi at halakhak nila.

“We still have to look for your dorm. Do you want to go home?” I heard my mom asked.

I shrugged and lazily stopped to look at them.

“Let’s just get this over with.”