The Mayor's Girl

prologue

"Andito na po tayo, ma'am." The Grab driver announced, snapping me out of my train of thoughts. Kagigil naman to si kuya. I swear I'm trying not to make a big deal out of this but hilong hilo na talaga ako plus the nakakahilong lemon air freshener ng mga taxi. Nasusuka talaga ako.

I handed the driver an exact amount and got off the Grab car. I stared at the campus in awe. This is it. This is the life-changing beginning I have always wanted. This is the real world I have always craved. This is Manila.

I smiled to myself as the colorful banderitas swayed with the wind, the students happily chattered, the sun shining down on me. After I entered the gate, I was ambushed by a student. Attendant ata 'to or usherette. Basta yung nagguguide sa mga new students.

"Hi! I'm Nicole and I will be assisting you for today." Bingo. I was right. The name tag gave it away. May malaking banner na nasa ere. It said "Club Expo 2020". Cool, first day of class at kailangan ko na agad mag-engage sa extra-curricular activities.

"Hello, Nicole. I'm Yanne and bago ako rito.." I answered awkwardly pero nagsmile lang naman siya. Friendly naman siya.

This school is weird cause  it requires you to  join an organization or a club so that you can get your clearance signed. Parang tanga lang diba, akala ko tapos na tayo sa extra-curricular after senior high school.

I've never been that into clubs and whatnot. Buong elementary at high school life ko, I only joined one club and that was the dance troupe. I mean, I never really had a choice.  My mama enrolled me in a dance workshop way back when I was three. Just imagine learning how to kembot before you can even write. Although, I admit I'm not that bad at academics but extra-curricular stuff wasn't also the 'one' for me. I don't really know what's my 'thing'.

Nicole then lead the way to the rest of the booths and while introducing me to each club, natulala ako bigla. Ano nga ba yung gusto kong salihan? My mama isn't here to assess my dancing skills and activities naman eh.

In the corner of my eye, I spotted a booth with a shorter line. Para silang napag-iiwanan sa gilid. It kind of sparked my curiosity. I saw the banner and it said 'Debate Society'.

"That one. Gusto kong sumali sa debate society." I told Nicole and before she could even respond something large hit me in the face and the rest of my body.

I totally lost my balance and napaupo ako. Nakakabwisit, sisimulan ba naman ng kamalasan ang araw ko?

"Tanga, tabi." I heard a deep voice speak while hinihimas ko ang ulo ko kasi medyo masakit. Tumingala ako sa kanya at inirapan siya. Anak ng tokwa, ang pogi. Parang long lost twin ni James Reid. Ang ganda ganda ng mata.

"And debate society? Suicidal ka ba?" Dagdag pa niya na may kasamang ngisi na sarcastic. Minsan, kahit gwapo, bwisit rin noh?

"Can you mind your own business? At kung may tanga dito, ikaw yun." I helped myself up and brushed the sand off my hands. Kapal ng mukha. Nag-tss lang ang fake James Reid tsaka umakmang susuntukin ako kaya napapikit naman ako.

"Oh my god, sino ba siya?"

"Feeling nito ang galing na niya."

"Akala mo naman kung sino makapagsalita kay Jack."

I heard whispers around us. Sino ba 'tong pirated na James Reid na to? Ginagawang big deal ah tsaka wala pang suntok sa mukha ko ah. Good news ba to?

"Jack, please, wag mong takutin ang new student." Nicole stood in front of me at itinuro yung  class A na James Reid. She grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the Debate Society booth. "Di pa nga ako nakakapagsimula, Nicole." He shouted to us pero agad-agad akong pinaalis ni Nicole sa hindi gaano kaganda na pag-eeskandalo ni fake James Reid.

"I'm sorry. That was Jack Reid and close friend ko yun. Sometimes, may topak lang talaga siya like today but okay naman siya most of the time. You stood up to him and wala pang gumanon sa kanya ever since his kuya left the campus." Nicole tried to explained and gave me a weak smile. I just said I'm okay in response. Di naman ako ganon kabothered sa encounter namin. Kung totoo pa siyang James Reid, baka natunaw na ako.

Teka lang. Jack REID? As in James Reid's brother? I gasped so hard na I'm sure narinig ni Nicole yun. "Yep.. His kuya was effortlessly the best and the king of this campus. He's kinda pressured so he's acting out." She answered my thoughts after hearing my gasp.

Oh my gosh, di pa nagsink in sa utak ko na schoolmate ko ang kapatid ng ultimate crush ko at binundol pa ako nito. Di ko pa talaga naaabsorb yun. Teka lang, give me 30 seconds.

Teka lang talaga, naglalag pa utak ko. How, why, when, what the fuck. Naubos na words ko. Nakatunganga lang pala ako di ko namalayan may naghihintay pala sa sagot ko.

"Is she gonna sign up, Nicole?" Tinaasan ako ng kilay ng isang babaeng may katangkaran at may dalang papel.

"Yes." I answered without hesitation. I wanted this for me. Not my mama, my papa, my friends or anyone else.

She smirked and shared eye contact with Nicole.

"Hi, I'm Angel. Welcome to the club."