That Should Be Me

The Tragedy

The Tragedy

Jane's POV

                I stood there in front of the school building, staring at it for who knows how long. The air was cold, and every time it blows it sends a chill down my spine. It never occurred to me how I got there. It happened like I just took shape at the very moment. Shrugging the uneasy feeling that suddenly crept inside me; I turned around and noticed students making their way inside.

“Hey, Jane,” an angelic voice called me.

                I turned and found a familiar face grinning at me. Instantly, the cold left my body and was replaced by warmth as I watched Jake walk towards me. He never fails to make me smile. He has that charisma that even the most antisocial person cannot ignore.

“Sup, Jake,” I greeted back when he reached me. “You know, I’m still cute as always,” he joked before slinging his arm on my shoulder, pulling me beside him.

                I rolled my eyes at him. Typical, Jake, I thought to myself. We made it to our classroom which would have been a lot easier if the female population of Azores High would stop shooting glares at my direction while we were walking down the halls. One even tried to trip me! I mean seriously, that was far from being reasonable.

                When finally we were safely inside, the first thing my eyes scanned for was a jet black haired head. I didn’t know why but it seemed like an impulse I cannot resist. Finally, my eyes landed on who it had been looking for. James, my insufferable but irrefutably striking, master was sitting on his chair; his head slumped on his desk like he was sleeping.

                Suddenly, as if fingers were snapped in front of my face, I returned back to my old self. What on earth was wrong with me? Why did I have the urge to talk to my annoying master? I shook my head none too gently, trying to shove the weird feeling inside. I sat down on my chair which was across him; the aisle the only space between us.

Out of nowhere, Jake’s chuckle ringed in my ears, signalling he was sitting behind me. “Hmm, what’s up with James? Kung ano-ano na naman siguro pinag gagawa kagabi. Malamang-lamang nag-teris yan.”

                Tetris? Though I had no idea what Jake was talking about, I laughed with him since it was pointed to my master. The most peculiar thing happened when our laughter died and the room fell silent. Everyone shuffled back to their seats as sunlight streamed through the glass window. What I didn’t expect was it to shine directly at my master.

“Uhm, could anyone tell me what’s going on?” I asked out loud which received no reply.

                Slowly, almost hesitantly, my master’s head rose; his gaze immediately landed at my direction. I stifled a gasp as his eyes pierced to mine. It was black. Obsidian black. He looked different, like he was glowing. It was that moment; I realized how striking he really was with his natural messy jet black hair and suddenly intriguing eyes.

Lithely, a lazy smile stretched across his face. “Hi, Jane,” he mumbled sleepily, and the most bizarre thing happened. My heart raced double time. It was pounding so hard that I was scared that it would be perceptible in the still classroom.

The clearing of throat brought me out of my trance. “Why didn’t you turn on the lights? May balak ba kayong magtipid?” It was Mr. Mendez. He flicked on the lights, and the room was illuminated; James no longer glowing. “Tsk. Teenagers these days.” I heard Mr. Mendez muttered as he made his way to his desk.

+++

“Okay, that ends our lesson for today,” Mr. Mendez declared, “be sure to do your assignment, okay?” Instead of a confirmation, there were a chorus of groans from my classmates.