April 2017.
In a few months, I'll be officially a senior high student. Among my chosen schools are: Saint Paul College, Spades University, and Basa na Burger University. I've taken the entrance exams to all except SU. Mama really wants me to get into SU. She's told me that the past four generations of my family finished their studies there.
In two years, I'll be taking college entrance exams. And after that, I'll be passing resumes, application letters, and lots of other stuff to get a job. Time flies by so fast, I can't keep up - and it makes me not want to keep up. I don't want to grow up just yet.
I am honestly pressured by other teenagers around me. I feel like I can't grow up yet because I haven't done anything that they're doing. They've already started getting into relationships, drinking, staying out all night, smoking, doing drugs, having sex, and other things I don't think I should be doing. I don't want to do all those, but something similar instead - something as adventurous, euphoric, and memorable, but safe.
I get off in front of SU. Being totally alien to this institution, I ask the guard for directions. He asks for my ID for security reasons, and tells me to write in the logbook.
"Kuya, wala nang space," I say.
"Wait lang po, miss. I'll just get a new one at our office. It won't take long," he smiles and takes off.
While waiting, a guy lines up beside me and leans over the security guard's counter.
Our eyes met when I looked over at him. I feel my cheeks heat up slightly. He looks like that handsome guy I saw four years ago, except taller and more skinny - and more handsome.
I look away quickly, trying to be as nonchalant about my kilig as possible.
The security guard runs back to where I am and points where I have to write my name on paper.
"Miss, punta ka kaagad sa guidance office pagkatapos. Sila na yung bahala sayo," he says. "Ikaw, sir?" he asks the guy beside me.
"Mag-eentrance exam po," he says. Dear God, he has a deep voice.
"ID niyo po. And kindly log in."
While he fishes for an ID, I thank the guard and rush off to the guidance office for the exam.
That guy was so handsome. Damn, I should have stayed longer to at least know what his name was. What a shame. The only miracle that could happen now is that we sit next to each other during the exam.
I smile to myself at the thought of him existing next to me.
I knock the wooden door to the guidance office, and I am greeted by a pretty middle-aged woman with a bob cut and red lipstick.
"Good afternoon, po," I begin. "I'm here to take the entrance exam."
"Senior high?" she asks.
"Yes, po."
"The exam starts at 2:30pm. But I would like to have your receipt."
I look at her in confusion.
"The receipt? Haven't you paid for the entrance exam yet?"
"Oh! I have," I give her my receipt.
"Thank you. It's only 15 minutes until the exam starts, why don't you wait there?" she gestures across the hall to chairs lined up against the wall. "Or you can wait in the canteen."
"Sure. Thank you."
As I was about to head for the school's canteen, I cross paths with him again at the doorway. And our eyes meet yet again. Time slowed down, but my heartbeat quickened.
His beauty was so mesmerizing, I almost slammed into the door.
