The Gap Between Us (SSG SERIES #1)

Chapter 1: Class Representative

I'm Stacey Santiago. Sachi for short. I'm at my first year as a senior student. I'm 16. And I like the student coucil's president, Coen.

He's already in his last year as a senior student. Meaning, last chance ko na 'to para makausap siya. Kahit isang beses lang. Just one conversation is enough to satisfy this feeling.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Lahat ay napatingin sa pinto nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses. Ah. I forgot. Kaklase ko si Eliezer, the council's treasurer.

He might seem like a trustworthy person, but he's not a hard-working one.

"Pumasok ka pa. Tapos na first subject, tanga." rinig kong pag uusap nila ng isa ko pang kaklase. Tumawa si Eliezer at naupo.

Sana all. Sana all nakakausap ang council ng ganoon. Sana lahat kayang kaibiganin kahit isa man lang sakanila. I've never thought of talking to either of them. Someone so low like me, is definitely out of their league.

"Gayahin mo si Stacey, Eliezer. 'Di pa tumutunog alarm mo nandito na 'yan!" nagtawanan sila. Tumatawa si Eliezer. At pinag uusapan nila ako.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at nagkunwaring walang narinig. I'm used to it. My classmates are quite playful, but they aren't bullies.

"Is that so? Para ka palang si Kael." rinig kong sabi ni Eliezer.

Is he talking to me?

Nilingon ko siya at nahuli siyang nakatingin sa akin. Kael? Sino 'yun? I wanted to ask, but words aren't coming out. Nanatili akong nakatingin sa kaniya, with my confused expression. Maya maya pa ay mukhang narealize niya na.

"Ay. 'Di mo kilala 'yun?" tanong nito at agad akong umiling. This is it. I'm talking to one of the students council. It feels like a dream. What more if I'm talking to the actual president of the council? I might faint.

"Si Coen. Everyone calls him Kael. Akala ko alam mo."

"I didn't know about that.." mahina kong sagot.

"Wow. So you can talk." he smiled.

Wow. He's actually kind. I thought he would be bragging about his position, but it feels light talking to him.

"Eliezer! Nag patawag ng meeting ang halimaw. Bilisan mo!"

Sigaw ng isang babae sa labas ng room. Which happens to be the secretary, Natalia.

"Weh? Bwiset na 'yon. Aga aga."

Hindi ko ineexpect 'to. They talk to each other so casually. Akala ko, they use formal words like those professionals. Maybe I exaggerated a bit about these people.

"See you!" paalam ni Eliezer. I slowly raised my hand and waved a goodbye. Even though he didn't saw it 'cause he rushed outside.

"Were you talking to Eliezer?" tanong ng kaibigan ko na kakarating lang din. She's Coleen. A friend from junior high.

"Seems like it." I shrugged.

"Naks. You're 999 steps ahead to getting close to Coen nalang!" pagbibiro nito. Umiling at inirapan ko siya.

"Wow ah. Nakaka-motivate." I said sarcastically.

Nag simula na ang sumunod na klase at hindi pa din nakakabalik si Eliezer. Isa pang advantage nila. They can skip classes without any problems. Pwede nilang idahilan ang meetings, ganito, ganiyan. And the professors won't even talk about it.

"We need a representative for this class."

Natahimik ang lahat. Inikot ko ang paningin ko kung may interesado ba. Pero lahat sila umiiwas ng tingin sa prof.

"Someone who is responsible, hardworking, and ofcourse, 'yung kayang panindigan ang pagiging rep."

Wala pa ding tumataas ng kamay. Syempre kahit ako, ayoko din. I don't trust myself with these kind of things. Pero if I were given a chance to try it out, maybe I should go for it? Wala namang masama sa pag labas sa comfort zone, diba?

"Stacey, ma'am!" sigaw ng isa kong kaklase

"Lah ayoko!"

Tanga. Tanga tanga. Anong nangyare sa pag labas sa comfort zone mo girl?

"Give it a try!" pag hihikayat sa akin ni Coleen. Now everyone is waiting for my response. I sighed.

"S-should I?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Tumingin ako sa prof na hinihintay din ang magiging sagot ko. Dahan dahan akong tumango. Inanyayahan akong magpakilala sa unahan.

I guess it's for the better? To experience things like this.

"We need one more. Para may mag a-assist kapag may events. For sure, she can't handle all of it by herself."

"I volunteer po!"

Napatingin kaming lahat sa pinto at pumasok si Eliezer na halatang tumakbo papunta dito. Tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti. I smiled back.

"Fernandez. Can you be the class rep and a student council at the same time?" the prof asked.

"Basic." mayabang na sambit ni Eliezer at umagree naman ang lahat. Then it was decided. I get to be the class representative for this year, together with Eliezer.

It's a new experience. I'm afraid of what may come, but also excited to face it. At kasama ko pa ang isa sa mga taong hindi ko inaakalang makakausap ko manlang.

I shook my head. I'm overthinking things. I shouldn't be over flattered about this.

"Yes naman oh. Class rep! Baka mamaya si Eliezer na pala, 'di na si Coen." pang aasar ni Coleen. She whispered the last words, making sure that no one will hear it except for the two of us.

"Loyal 'to kay Kael. Don't underestimate the power of love."

"Wow, so you're calling him by his nickname now?" natatawa niyang sambit.

Kael is a nice name. But Coen is an attractive one. Kung maririnig mo ang name na Coen, you'll immediately know it's a handsome person. Or is it just me? Basta. Ang gwapo ng pangalang Coen. And Kael is a cute one.

"Why? Is it prohibited?" I asked sarcastically. Umiling siya at umayos ng upo.

"Hi ulit. I'm looking forward to working with you this year, class rep!"

Nag angat ako ng tingin kay Eliezer na ngayon ay nakangiti sa akin. He sure does smile a lot.

"Ako din. Let's do our best!"

Yup. I'll do my best this year. And the year after this. Til the day that I get to talk to you, Kael.