Too Late, Ellie

CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1

"Congratulations, honors. Now, for the next section."

Umaalingawngaw ang palakpakan sa bawat sulok ng lugar na kinauupuan namin.

Recognition namin ngayon sa third quarter at isang hakbang nalang, mag grade ten na ako.

Kaso nakakalungkot, dadaan pa ako sa senior high. Gusto ko nang mag college e.

"Siguro si Ken na naman ang high honor sa klase nila."

I was busy taking pictures of my award together with my friends, when I heard some people mumbling.

I've been hearing that name ever since I've entered this school and he's always on top.

"Sino ba 'yong Ken na 'yan? Matalino ba 'yon?" I couldn't wait to ask Michelle.

Gulat siyang tumingin sa akin. "Oo kaya 'no. Hindi mo pa ba nakikita 'yon?" I shook my head to answer.

Wala pa akong masyadong kilala kahit matagal na ako rito dahil hindi naman ako ang taong nakikipaghalubilo sa kapwa estudyante ko dahil nga sa mahiyain ako.

I don't think maaalala ko kung anong itsura niya sa dami ng mga estudyante rito. Siguro naman nakita ko na iyon, hindi ko lang kilala kung sino.

But ever since I came here, I always hear his name every recognition and that he's always the highest honor of their section.

"Mamaya makikita mo," she assured me.

Tumango lang at nilibot ang tingin ko sa paligid. There, I saw Nathan, I was thrilled when I saw him taking photos for the students.

Naging kaklase ko siya for two years only and had a crush on him when we both separated in our sections.

Yeah, you heard the right thing. I don't know, ganun talaga ako, e. Always late.

Huli na palagi nang marerealize kong may gusto pala ako sa isang tao kaya, ito ako, hanggang tingin nalang sa kanya mula sa malayo.

Hindi katulad dati, lagi siyang lumalapit sa akin, nang-aasar, at nakikisama bilang kaklase.

"With high honor, Kendrick Luis Torres."

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa harapan nang marinig ang pangalan niya, ngunit natagalan pa bago siya umakyat sa stage kaya binalik ko ulit ang tingin kay Nathan.

"Ellie, he's here."

I shifted my eyes to a guy who's walking through the stairs. He's a bit of a chubby pero matangkad siya at moreno.

His smile never faded on his face until he reached the center to get his award.

They took a photo together with their adviser and he smiled very widely.

He looks innocent with that chubby face, but who knows, he might be naughty. I just shrugged at her and we headed back to our room after the program.

The next day, first sub namin ay dumiretso ako agad kahit maaga palang.

Pagdating sa room, konti palang kami kaya naisip kong maglibot muna sa buong classroom.

The room is in a very good arrangement and it's very neat.

Adviser kasi ng room na 'to ay science and math teacher kaya naman maganda ang pagkakaayos ng room.

Mas lalong nakadagdag sa ganda ang mga projects ng mga students niya na may kinalaman sa subject nito.

I was busy roaming around the room. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ganito pala kaganda ang room ni sir, masyado kasing maraming gawain lately, kaya hindi kami nakakapag pahinga.