Flame Academy

PROLOGUE

I wore my bag and took one last glance on the mirror before going outside my room. Mommy handed me a bag containing my lunch for today. Imbes na magreklamo dahil binabaunan pa din ako kahit Senior High School student na ako, I just smiled and thanked her.

We went outside our house and she opened the gate. Lumabas na ako ng gate at ngumiti sa kanya. "Bye, Mommy!"

"Take care, anak!" She smiled and waved.

Dahil hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang school na pinapasukan ko mula sa bahay namin, nilakad ko na lang iyon. It only took me more than ten minutes to reach the gate and the guard greeted me good morning when he saw me. I just smiled and greeted him back while showing my school ID. After that, tuluyan na akong pumasok at naglakad papunta sa classroom namin.

While walking, I keep on smiling at every person I knew, which they will immediately return. I will greet them good morning or just simply wave at them. Mukhang sanay na din naman sila sa ugaling kong gano'n. That's my routine every time I go inside the campus after all.

"Good morning," I said the moment I entered our classroom. Binati din ako ng iba samantalang ngumiti na lang ang iba. My smile didn't vanish as I went on my seat.

My classmates are busy checking the ingredients we will use for our first class' activity. Tumingin naman ako sa orasan ng classroom at nakitang halos sampung minuto na lang at magsisimula na ang klase. Tumingin na din ako sa mga kagrupo ko at mukhang wala namang problema dahil kalmado lang ang leader namin. I opened the bag Mommy gave me and saw the spices our team leader assigned me to bring. Napangiti naman ako nang makita kung anong niluto ni Mommy para sa lunch ko ngayon. It's adobo, my all time favorite. 

"Buti na lang hindi ako late!"

I closed the bag and looked at Dereen who sat on the chair beside me. Medyo pawisan pa siya at hinihingal habang chine-check din ang mga ingredients na pinadala sa kanya ng team niya.

I took one tissue from my bag and handed it to her. "Wipe your sweats."

"Thank you, bes'!" she said and showed a wide smile. Tinanggap niya ang tissue at pinunasan ang mukha niya habang napatingin na naman ako sa orasan ng classroom namin.