aim for the stars

1

Loud voices were all I could hear. They were all talking, asking how each other's summer went. The crowd of students were conversing and trying to befriend each other, while I was sitting in the corner, observing them.

Hindi talaga ako sanay sa maingay. I prefer the peace and quiet, kaya ang mga malalakas na boses ng mga bago kong kaklase ay hindi ko talaga nagustuhan.

I really did want to talk to my peers, but I had no I idea how. Part of it was also because I was scared of what they would think about me.

Maya-maya ay dumating na ang bago naming adviser. He was a man who looked to be in his mid 20s. This teacher was also quite popular among the students, as he was quite good-looking. When he went in, the girls squealed silently.

"Good Morning, class. I am Israel Yohan Sanchez , your adviser for this school year and your Mathematics Teacher," he said, introducing himself. After that he said a few things about himself and about our classes.

Pagkatapos noon, kami naman ang nagpakilala. We had to say our name, age, birthday, and the things that we liked. Some looked nervous and some looked excited habang nagpapakilala ng sarili. And then it was my turn.

"I'm Estelle Ashanti Morales, 15, born in July 7. I like music and drawing," I said and sat back down in my seat.

Pagkatapos naming lahat na magpakilala, pinasulat sa amin ni Sir Sanchez ang buo naming pangalan sa 1/4 na papel.

Nilabas ko na ang papel ko at ballpen nang may kumalabit sa akin. "Hi, uhh... Pahingi naman oh? Hehe."
He said while smiling sheepishly. I stared at him awkwardly and gave him a piece after a few seconds.

"May extra ka pang ballpen? Pwede din humiram?" Tanong ulit nung katabi ko. Did this guy not bring anything with him at all? I handed him a black pen and started writing my name after that.

Pagkatapos naming ipasa sa harap ang mga papel, kinausap na naman ako nung lalaki. I think his name was Aaron or something.

"Hi." he said while smiling.

I smiled back awkwardly. Bakit niya ako kinakausap? Does he need something? I was a bit nervous.

Nilapit niya sa upuan ko yung upuan niya, "Anong pangalan mo?"

"Uh, A-Ashhanti." I answered while stuttering a bit.

"Ah. Okay." he said while nodding slowly. "Ilang taon ka na?" He asked again.

"15." sagot ko ulit.

Parang nadismaya siya sa sagot ko base sa mukha niya. He pouted and looked at me. Shit. Did I do something wrong?

"Yung sagot mo parang height mo din."

"Bakit?" I asked him.

"Parehong maliit at maiksi."

I just looked at him blankly, because I genuinely didn't know what to say. Should I laugh? Should I get mad? Ugh, how do you talk to people? At Hindi naman ako ganoon kaliit, matangkad lang talaga siya, he was a lot taller than your average high school boy.

"Haba-habaan mo naman yung sagot mo, oh!" Sabi niya ulit. 'I don't know what to say okay!' is what I wanted to say.

"I'm just answering your questions."
I said.

"Tanungin mo din kase ako." Sabi niya.

"What should I ask?" tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano ang sasabihin, it was not everyday that people talked to me kaya hindi ko talaga alam kung ano ang gagawin.

"Tanungin mo'ko kung.. hmm...Kung sino yung crush ko!" Sabi niya habang ngumingiti ng pagkalapad-lapad.

"Sino yung crush mo?"