The Mayor's Girl

chapter 1

"Thank you." I said with a warm smile. Nakakahiya na hindi pa ako nagiisang oras dito sa campus ngunit may dalawa na akong friends.

"I like you, you know. Nobody stood up to Jack just because he's the 'king'. He looks so stupid while other girls worship him blindly." Angel ended her statement of disapproval with a 'tss'. Tumayo siya from her seat at nagtransfer beside Nicole na nakaupo sa mesa ng booth.

Ang layo nilang dalawa, you know. I'd never expect them to be friends. Si Nicole ay isang malagoodgirl na babae, yung hindi nakakabasag ng pinggan. Sleek black hair in a ponytail, white shirt behind a denim pink overall dress and a purple kanken. Angel, on the other hand, is different. Para siyang e-girl na nakikita mo sa Pinterest with her dark blue hair in a bun, black oversized croptop and straight cut jeans. Napakadifferent nila in terms of style pero ang ganda ganda nila. Nicole is more on the morena side habang si Angel parang si Sofia Andres pero e-girl.

"Debate Society is basically suicide, I get why Jack said that. We are always sent to seminars, competitions and contests." Angel stared at the applicant list hopelessly. "Plus wala tayong mentor, wala tayong budget." Nicole added.

Napakahopeless naman pala nitong club nato. But I chose this mindlessly. Walang thorough thinking. I only thought na I was a good speaker during my high school days. I even bagged a 95 in my Oral Communication class tapos terror yung teacher namin. She even approved of me. Ngayon, nganga ako.

I saw Jack and two other skyscrapers walking towards our booth. Hihingi ba sila ng revenge cause I talked back? Kakapal ng mukha.

"Uy, new girl!" One of the skyscrapers called me at itinaas pa ang kanyang kamay para kumaway. As they approached us, the same skyscraper pointed me and told me, "I like you, new girl. Di mo inurungan si kupal!". Tawa naman ang mga skyscrapers habang si Jack ay napa-iling nalang.

"Samuel but everyone calls me Sam." Ngiti naman ng skyscraper na tinawag ako at inabot ang kamay niya for a handshake. Half spanish to obviously. The accent, the name, the facial features. Nakipaghandshake naman ako. "Uhm, Yanne." I replied with an awkward small smile.

"Juan pala." The other skyscraper extended his hand and shook mine with a toothy grin. "I like you, Yanne, ah. You're not obsessed with Jack." Turo naman niya sakin at tumawa. Nginitian ko nalang siya na parang nagpipigil sa aking tawa.

"So since everyone is here, here are your forms for the upcoming YEC. Just like every year, we will represent the school again. Return this to me with the information needed by 5pm later. See you!" Angel announced while handing out yellow-colored papers. Wala pa ngang introduction sa club, may activity na kaagad.

Sam, Jack and Juan separated and went on their own way. Kami naman nina Angel at Nicole, we stayed at the booth kasi baka daw meron pa magsign up.

So far, ako palang yung nag sign up cause every single old student knows that you cannot afford this club if di ka talaga mayaman kasi you'll have to fund yourselves tsaka you cannot join the club if medyo slow ka sa class. Marami kasi talaga competitions, workshops and such. Madidistract ka talaga sa acaademic works. Parang nagreregret na ako sa desisyon ko ah?

While waiting, I decided to answer the YEC form and tanungin sila Angel what about it.

I grabbed my pen and started scribbling information down. "Ano ba 'tong YEC nato? Tsaka bakit hindi student council pinapadala?" I asked Angel habang nagsusulat.

"Youth Empowerment Camp. It's still unsure where it'll be located since the government's funds for the youth has increased unlike before. But we'll stay in, just like camping, a place for a weekend. We will be mentored, lectured, whatsoever." Angel answered with nonchalance while playing a mobile game. I just nodded habang patuloy akong nag-answer sa form.

"Wala pa kasing election for student council around this time kaya tayo pinapadala. This usually happens during June." Nicole explained it for me. I just nodded as a sign na nagets ko. Ayoko naman maging feeling close tapos tanungin paano sila naging magkakaibigan nina skyscrapers & co. I'll save it for the camp nalang. For sure, there is no better opportunity to know them better.

"Also, Yanne, ngayong Friday afternoon ang beginning ng camp and it'll end Sunday evening. Simula ka na magpack and think of what else you need." Nicole added and sneaked in a smile at me before returning to filling up her form. Nakalimutan ko Thursday na pala today. Di ko magets school ko, first day of classes is Thursday? Ano ba talaga?