Freshman

Chapter 11: The Unrequited

9:54 AM

"Hey, Hash," I cooed to my friend, but her eyes were caught somewhere else.

"What?" She asked absently, still staring at the wall clock.

9:56 AM

"I've been meaning to ask for some advice," I played with my fingers.

"Oh yeah?" She nodded. "What advice?"

9:58 AM

"Something about-"

10:00 AM

"Alright class, you may now take your break."

The whole class rejoiced and quickly stampeded out of the classroom as if they were gazelles that were hunted down by hyenas.

"Yes!" Hasha cheered. "Let's go girl! I'm starving!"

"You're always starving," I rolled my eyes. "Hey, I have to tell you-"

"Wait a sec," she paused. "Yo, Michael!"

"Yeah?" Michael turned and gave us a once-over. "You two are going to the concessionaire, aren't you?"

"Yup," Hasha nodded. "You coming?"

"Nope, I packed lunch," he showed us his lunch box. "Jan and I will stay here."

"Alrighty then," Hasha smiled. "Let's go, Aria."

"Hey, hold–"

Before I knew it, I was inside the concessionaire. Just like any other day, the lunch rush called for a whole lot of students in the concessionaire.

Unlike the typical Western concessionaires or cafeterias, Filipino cafeterias especially in public schools, were more brutal and competitive than most. You'd have to fight your way in and out to get your preferred food.

The place was packed, and everyone had to push and pull each other to get through the door, which lead to spillage of beverages or sauces.

There were no lines that organized the place, the simple rule that we had to follow was pick and pay, that was it.

"Excuse me," Hasha squeezed in the crowd. "Excuse us please, hungry students coming through."

She made her way to a table that was selling pasta. Then, she got herself a small plate of carbonara and some iced tea, while I got myself the Filipino snack and viand called 'Palabok' and a bottle of water.

"Now our problem is how to get out of the concessionaire– hm...." Hasha tugged me and we came facing the crowd of people again.

Once again, we dashed through the students while scrupulously balancing our plates and beverages with utmost caution.

Finally, we got through the crowd of students, with our food still in one piece.

"Oh God," Hasha panted. "We made it!"

"Yeah," I exhaled.