Skin Deep

Chapter 1

Luna's POV

I brushed my hair and stared at my vanity mirror.Ganito na pala ako kapangit.I covered it up with concealer and powder but still, you know it's there.I sighed.I'm so used to this to the point na wala na akong pake sa itsura ko.

I stood up and remove some wrinkles from my long sleeve.Kinuha ko na ang backpack ko atsaka ako lumabas ng kuwarto.Pagkababa ko, nakita kong nakaupo na sina Mama at Papa sa mga upuan nila sa dining room.

"Goodmorning."

"Goodmorning"

Sabi ko ng walang gana.This is our typical morning if you ask.Just a few words spoken then that's it.

"Have fun on your first day okay?"

I chose not to say anything.Kumuha lang ako ng isang tinapay at mansanas atsaka ako lumabas ng bahay.Sumakay na ako sa kotse at nagdrive na ang driver namin.Makalipas ang kalahating oras tumigil kami sa isang matayog na establishment.I took a deep breath pero parang hindi ako makagalaw.

"Ma'am Luna.Nandito napo tayo sa school niyo"

Natauhan ako ng magsalita ang driver.The cars behind us started honking na mas kinadagdag pa ng inis ko.Lumabas na ako ng kotse at naglakad papasok sa gate.Kumuha ako ng map sa lamesa ng guard at hinanap ang principal's office.Duon daw muna ako dapat pumunta sabi ni Mama.Hindi naman ako nahirapan at nahanap ko kaagad ang office.Pumasok ako and a lady in her late 50's welcomed me.

"Sit down"

Umupo ako sa isang leather chair at pinatong ang paa ko sa table ng principal.She looked at my feet then back at me.Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"So, you are Luna Desiree Monticillo right?"

"Luna nalang"

"Okay, Luna.So, today is your first day and I want you to enjoy the rest of your stay here with us okay?"

I just looked at her.Am I supposed to enjoy school?May nageenjoy pa ba sa school?Probably the nerds but I'm not a nerd.

"Ito yung mga materials mo.You got everything you need."

She handed me a loot bag with notebooks, books, I.D and a whistle inside of it.Nagtaka ako kaya kinuha ko ang whistle.

"What's this for?"

I asked then showed her the whistle.

"It's for emergency purposes.Lalo na sa mga babae.You know rape, violence, killings are rampant nowadays"

I stared at the whistle.It's red in color.I scoffed.

"Is there anything funny, Luna?"

"If this school is labeled the best, we wouldn't need these stupid whistle."

Kinuha ko ang backpack ko atsaka ko ito pinasan.Hindi siyo sumagot.She was just standing there in front of me.Mukhang nabigla pa nag siya sa sinabi ko.I guess the truth really hurts.

"I gotta go"

Nasa may pintuan na ako ng magsalita ulit ang principal.

"Your classroom is at Room 437"

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at lumabas na ako ng office niya at hinanap ang magiging classroom ko and honestly, I am not here for it.Kung sanang homeschooled pa ako, marami pa akong magagawa.No rules, because I make my own.

I was able to find the room pero medyo malayo siya from the principal's office.I could care less about how far it is.Hindi rin naman kaexcite-excite kahit saan ako tumingin sa paligid ko.Man this really sucks.

Nang mahanap ko na ang classroom, binuksan ko na agad ang pintuan at pumasok.Everyone was looking at me.Pati narin ang teacher, naintriga.Natauhan narin siya at lumapit siya saakin.A huge smile is plastered on her face.

"You must be Luna!Am i right?"

"Yes.I am Luna"

"Great!I am Ms. Carol, Welcome to this class!Find a seat please."

Naglakad na ako papunta sa isang bakanteng upuan.Everybody's eyes are on me.Bawat galaw ko bantay sarado nilang lahat.Nasa last row ako sa pinakalikod.Mabuti nalang hindi na ako pinagintroduce cause I really don't want to.

"Going back to what i was saying, This year, mas marami pa tayong events na nadagdag so keep track of them and cooperate always.By the end of the school year, the Class that have the most wins, will be awarded"

Inexplain niya ang tungkol sa calendar ng school year.The hell I care.We used to plan 5 star vacations, ngayon wala na.We used to be happy, kicking and all but now, everything really has changed.

"We will also be having our pool of candidates tomorrow for the student council.Kaya mag-isip na kayo kung sino inonominate niyo"

"Any more questions?"

Everyone shooked their head.She started writing things on the board.Things that I seem to have forgotten since it's been a long time when I've been into an actual classroom with people in it.

"Hi Luna.Ako si Frida!"

Biglang sabi saaki ng seatmate ko.I looked at her from head to toe.She has curly brown hair, deep brown eyes, and is wearing a yellow croptop with red pants.What a flamboyant human she is.

"Hi"

I said boringly.Tinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa sinusulat ni Ms. Carol pero pinepeste parin ako ng katabi ko na si Frida.Umigting ng kaunti ang panga ko atsaka ko siya hinarap.I raised my brow at her.

"May kasama ka na bang maglulunch mamaya?Gusto mo sabayan kita?"

"No, thanks"

I said with authority.Sanay na akong mag-isa kaya naman kaya ko ring kumain ng mag-isa.No need for company or small talks.Just me.It's always been that way and I have accepted the fact that it will always be like that.No time for arguing about it.Just let it be.

"Sus.Nahiya ka pa?Sige na samahan na kita mamaya ano?"

I rolled my eyes.Hindi ko siya sinagot ang i just stared outside the window.Outside is the busy streets filled with honking car, running jaywalkers, street vendors and polluted atmosphere.Lahat sila may kanya kanyang galaw.Everyone is simply minding their own business.I wish this girl beside me can do that too.

--