The Nth Side: Aries

Chapter 1: Walking on Sunshine

CHAPTER 1

Walking on Sunshine

I'm walking on sunshine, woah!

I'm walking on sunshine, woah!

I'm walking on sunshine, woah!

And don't it feel good!

"Great timing, playlist," I mutter under my breath while the torturous May morning sun beat down on my head as I walk the final curb to reach our village gate. My mornings don't usually start this way, with me walking under 28° of heat. However, today was an exception, because I intentionally walked a hundred meters in search of a sentimental gift.

The little hope of retrieving the small piece of memory grows inside me when a glittery object catches my attention just as I turn around the corner. I immediately recognize what it is, because I have been walking with my head bowed down the entire time looking for it. I pick up my lost #4 charm and sigh as I realize that the hook has separated, preventing me from attaching it to my bracelet.

I grunt at the memory of the events that occurred yesterday, when I had the misfortune of running into an accident with a new neighbour. I murmur a curse under my breath as soon as my mind painted a picture of his face.

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I reach the school premises with my mind still preoccupied when a text stops my reverie.

I'll meet you at the gate. See you!

A smile forms on my lips as I read the message. I start typing when another I hear another beep.

Sorry, wrong send. Are you in school already? Good morning! :)

My eyes widen at what I read. I immediately feel a slight pang of jealousy upon realizing that the text was addressed to someone else and not me. I press the keypads of my cell phone deeply as I type.

Yes, as a matter of fact I am. Where are you? And who are you meeting by the way?

Send.

"Aries!"

My head quickly jerks up at the sound of my name. I turn my head towards the source of the shrill voice. I see my best friend, Donna Nicole, rushing towards me excitedly; her small figure almost disappearing among the throng of uniform clad high school students.

"Well good morning to you too, Doni!" I say sarcastically. "Aba, excited tayo ah! Kanina ka pa?" I ask her. My eyes scan the school lobby to check if more students have already come in.

"Of course. It's June 16, 2008! First day of school ata today—" she replies with a sheepish grin. I smile in agreement when I realize what she meant; even the tardiest of students come early on the first day of class (and with tardiest, I mean me).

"—and it's our last year, baby! Wooh!" Donna announces ecstatically as we make our way towards our classroom.

"Shhh, ano ka ba. First day ng senior year natin, gusto mo ba ng detention kaagad? Ma'am oh! Si Miss Gamboa, umagang-umaga, nag-iingay," I warn her jokingly, and pretend to look around for faculty nearby.

Donna just rolls her eyes at my gesture "Ay, best actress lang? If I know, iba ang hinahanap mo."

I immediately feel my cheeks redden at her statement, which makes Donna laugh out loud.

"Asuss, wala pa yun dito," she further teases, "That guy moves slower than a sloth, what did you expect?"

I sigh in defeat. Donna has been my best friend for years, and it's safe to say she can read my mind like an open book. How else would she know about me harbouring the biggest crush on someone for the past seven years?