Taming Gray

Prologue

Amber Faye Arcega

"Call me when there's an emergency Amber. Mag-ingat lagi at umiwas sa gulo." Mom said as I slipped off of the car.

"Yeah mom." I replied nonchalantly. I patted my uniform vest and positioned my book bag on my shoulder. Nasa senior year na ako kaya wala nang dapat ipag-alala.

"Oh shi–" I squealed and jump six feet from the ground. I glared at our car. Binusinahan lang naman ako ng loka-loka kong nanay. I admit, sa kanya ko rin namana ang craziness ko.

"See? If it wasn't me, you definitely got hit by a car. Kasasabi ko palang." Aniya habang pabirong umiiling.

"I hate you!" I pouted and started walking towards the school.

"I love you Amber." My mom yelled.

I looked back at her and she's beaming me a bright smile. Napapailing nalang ako. Iniisip ko minsan kung ilang taon na ang mommy ko.

"Yeah mom! Love you too." I replied.

Ngumiti siyang muli bago tuluyan nang pinaandar ang sasakyan paalis sa parking lot ng school.

I turned my back and look up at the high and large arch at the top of the gate that reads, Xavier International School.

Sa katunayan, hindi pa naman ako ganon katagal na nag-aaral dito. Kalilipat lang namin ni mama dito sa Manila 2 years ago because she was hired as a head accountant at Montellor Corporation, which apparently also runs this prestigious school.

My father is working as a mechanical engineer in Canada so I have no choice but to move in with my mom and to transfer to this school. Bata pa lamang ako ay nagta-trabaho na abroad si daddy, noong una ay sa Dubai, ngayon ay sa Canada. I think I'm in Grade 4 when he goes overseas for work.

Now, I am already a Grade 12 student. And hell yeah, today's the first day of my senior year.

Naglalakad na ako papasok ng school grounds nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ng dalawa kong kaibigan.

"Hey Amber girl!" Tawag ni Rob habang pakendeng-kendeng na lumalapit sa akin. Kasama niya si Mia.

"Hi Mia. Hi Robert." Bati ko. Pinigilan kong dumulas ang tawa ko nang makita ang pagdilim ng ekspresyon ni Rob.

"Oh my God! No! It's Rob! Not Robert! Ugh!" He hysterically demanded, which practically caught some attentions from the students.

"It's not! I wanna call you Robert." I teased.

If you're asking if Rob is a gaga? No need to state the obvious gurl! Every blood that runs his body is so gaga. He explored Narnia a very long time ago. I love my besties, though.

"I hate you!" He squeaked.

I laughed. "No. You love me Rob."

He crossed his arms and turned away. "Talk to your friend Mia."

Pareho kaming napatingin ni Mia sa isa't isa at tuluyan na ngang natawa.

"How's summer break Amber?" Tanong ni Mia sa akin habang naglalakad na kami papunta sa lockers namin. Swerte nga dahil magkakalapit lang ang mga iyon.

I almost jumped on my place because of excitement. "Sinama kami ni daddy sa Canada which turned out to be so freaking beautiful experience. Niagara falls and Banff National Park are my favorite spots. They are so lit!" Binuksan ko ang cellphone ko at ipinakita ang mga picture namin doon.

"We stayed there for almost a month, tapos the rest, dito na sa Manila kasama ni mommy." I continued. "How 'bout you my friends?"

Mia's face lit up as she remembers her summer break. "We went to Coron, and it was so beautiful too. You know how I love beaches, oh, not bitches though, it's beaches." She directed the last part to Rob that is still crossing his arms.