The Gangster Princess

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Gangster Princess

"Well, nice to see you again, Ms. Lee."

"Yeah, ma'am," I muttered, already feeling the frustration building up inside me. This was the fifth time today I found myself sitting in the guidance counselor's office. I wouldn't be surprised if I got kicked out by the end of the day. It's like a broken record at this point.

"I don't understand, Aisha. Why are you like this? You used to be such a sweet girl," the principal said, her voice soft but laced with concern.

I could feel the bitterness rising in my chest. "Ma'am, you know how it is. When people push you to your limits, you change," I said, my tone cold.

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you have to act out this way," she said with a sigh, clearly trying to reach me, but I wasn't having it.

"Ma'am, just call my parents, okay? They'll handle it. I'm done talking." I heard the principal exhale sharply, the weight of her disappointment hanging in the air.

"Parang araw-araw na lang may nangyayaring ganyan sa 'yo. Lagi ka na lang may away," she said, voice full of concern, but I didn't want to hear it. I didn't care. Laging ganyan. Every school, same story.

"Whatever, ma'am. Call my parents. Sila na lang mag-usap," I said as I stood up and left the principal's office. Wala na akong pake. I hated this place. And I hated how they saw me like some troublemaker.

As I walked out into the hallway, naramdaman ko na naman ang mga mata ng mga tao sa 'kin. Laging ganito. Parang ako na lang lagi ang topic nila. Sigh.

Shit! I heard the sound of footsteps, and then I saw them - the same guys from earlier. Tense na naman ang hangin, and I could already tell they were looking for a fight. Sigh. These guys never gave me a break.

"Hey, sweetie, how's your day in the principal's office?" isa sa kanila ang nagsalita, with a smug grin. Ang lakas makatawa ng mga 'to.

"Yeah, whatever," I replied, my voice bored. I was too tired for their games. Honestly, gusto ko lang sana umuwi at magpahinga. But hindi, dito na naman ako, pinipilit makipag-away sa mga walang kwenta.

"Look at you. Still acting tough?" Another one smirked, trying to make me snap.

"Eh, ano? Hindi ko na kayang magpanggap," I shot back, giving them a hard look. I was done pretending to be nice to people who didn't deserve it.

One of the guys clenched his fist, getting ready to throw a punch. "Go on, punch me. I dare you," he taunted.

I narrowed my eyes and smirked. "Try it. I'll punch you back," I said, my confidence showing. They didn't know who they were dealing with.

Before I knew it, they lunged at me, pero hindi ako natatakot. I moved fast, dodging their punches one by one. And just like that, I knocked them all down. Mabilis lang. They were no match for me.

"Tss, walang binatbat," I muttered, wiping my hands. I didn't want to stay and drag it out. I knew they'd never win anyway.

"Ms. Lee!" The principal's voice called out. I didn't even need to look behind me to know that the guys ran off again.

"Yes, ma'am?" I turned around with a fake smile. Pagod na ako.

I saw my dad standing by the door, his face all business. I couldn't read him, but I knew he was disappointed. I couldn't avoid the reality of it. I walked towards him, trying to act calm.

"Let's go home," Dad said firmly, and I knew there was no arguing with him. So I followed him out to the car.

"Dad, sila nanguna, I just defended myself," I said, hoping he would understand. Pero narinig ko yung heavy sigh ni Dad. He was tired. I was tired.

"Aisha, how many schools have you been kicked out from? This is the tenth one, and you just transferred here!" he said, his voice filled with frustration.

"Ten? Well, hindi pa naman ako umaabot ng eleven, Dad," I replied, trying to joke about it, but I felt the weight of his words. His disappointment hit me harder than I expected.

"This is the last school, Aisha. Walang next time. Sana magtino ka na," he added seriously, and I just nodded, trying to hide how angry and tired I was. Hindi ko na kayang makinig sa mga sermon.

When we got home, Mom was already waiting for me in the kitchen. As soon as she saw me, she gave me a hug. "Ayy napaaga ang uwi mo, ha. Let me guess, kick out na naman?"

"You know it, Mom. Same old story," I said, letting her hug me tight. I loved her for being so supportive, kahit na alam niyang lagi akong in trouble. She never made me feel worse.

"Where will you go to school now?" Mom asked as she pulled back, looking at me carefully.

"Mom, Go University," I said, rolling my eyes. Not exactly the school of my dreams, but what could I do? Dad already decided.

"Oh, that's the one where students live in dorms, right?" she asked, a bit unsure.

"Yeah. Sounds fun, right? I might end up rooming with a thief or, worse, a mafia member," I said, trying to make light of it. Pero deep down, I didn't want to go there. Gusto ko lang makalayo sa lahat ng ito.

Ate Trinity walked in just then, looking at me like I was being dramatic. "Aisha, stop it. Hindi naman 'yan ang end of the world."

I just sighed. "I'm just so tired, Ate," I said before walking up to my room.

I flopped down on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I felt so drained from everything - from the fighting, from the constant disappointment. And as much as I hated to admit it, Go University seemed like my only option now. But there was something about it... something felt off.