Lupe and The God of the Turbulent Seas (Original First Draft)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Class, remain seated and be quiet." Mrs. Estrella said presciently. The ten-year veteran teacher knew that the classroom will erupt in chatter as soon as she steps out. Predictably, the students jabbered away; there's more excitement in the students' voices than usual when Mrs. Estrella was summoned by the school's principal. At the classroom's threshold, Lupe could glimpse a tall student with the adults.

    "You have a new classmate," Mrs. Estrella continued with her usual serious tone when she got back to her desk. "Iho, introduce yourself."

    A tall boy with confident gait stepped forward.

    "I'm Aiken Mikabel Magdamyan. Please, call me Aiken." The student said, giving a small awkward smile.

    Lupe was transfixed at the face she's looking at. Strong and well-defined jawline, bronzed complexion, full lips, and deep-set eyes. Aiken's sharp features were offset by his soft skin, full cheeks and deep dimples. His long black hair drapes down to his wide shoulders. To Lupe, Aiken seemed like a surfer god who just came out from the beach after catching some mad waves.

    "Have a seat, iho," Mrs. Estrella said, slightly breathless. "Our seating arrangements are in alphabetical order so you sit right there next to Ms. Magda."

    For maybe three seconds, Lupe caught Aiken's gaze and she seemed unable to break off the contact even though she tried hard to look away. It seemed to Lupe that she's being swept under a huge wave; she nervously inhaled some air as if she's about to dive under water as Aiken walked up to the vacant desk next to her. Lupe felt her cheeks burning; all the other girls were watching Aiken's every move.

    "Ms. Magda, would you be a dear and share your copy of El Filibusterismo with Aiken—I mean Mr. Magdamyan?" the teacher quickly corrected herself.

    Lupe could hear Aiken moving his desk and chair next to her. Any normal girl, any normal person really, might find that moment the right time to introduce herself. But fearing that she might get lost in Aiken's eyes again, she fought against looking at him.

    "Here." Lupe said coolly feigning composure, covering her face with her long hair, determined not to turn towards her new seat mate.

    Aiken mumbled something that sounded like "thanks". Lupe felt Aiken's left shoulder brushing up to her right shoulder. To her utter surprise, she felt a strong tingling sensation that seemed to shoot across her shoulder to her chest and straight up to her neck and temples.

    "Sorry." Aiken said under his breath apologetically.

    "It's alright." Lupe said quietly back even though she's unsure why Aiken was apologising.

    The rest of the morning seemed like a daze to Lupe. She doubted that she understood or would be able to recall anything discussed that morning. All she could remember were the number of instances that Aiken's shoulder brushed up against hers. Four. Neither could Lupe forget the soft and inviting fragrance that seemed to be wafting from Aiken; it smelled like gentle bath soap.

    "Sorry for the trouble." Aiken said, barely audible after the morning period, "I'll have my books tomorrow. For some reason the school misplaced them."

    "No trouble at all," Lupe said truthfully. "It's an honor."

    STUPID, STUPID girl! Lupe thought to herself. It was supposed to be "It's my pleasure!"

    Aiken seemed to not notice anything. Lupe, still stuck to her chair, hopelessly looked up at Aiken while trying to figure out how she could recover from her embarrassing slip-of-the-tongue.

"Later!" Aiken said, flashing a small grin after putting back his desk and chair in its original position. And then there it was, before even Lupe could realise it, she felt like she was  drowning in Aiken's gaze again.