This Is Not Strange

Chapter Two

Bridgette

I close my eyes as I drank the water from my water bottle. Sobrang nakakastress talaga ang first day of school. Palaging napapatakbo ang mga officers sa pag-ayos ng mga clubs, transferee, kasama pa ang papeworks. Naka absent ngayon ang President namin dahil hindi pa ito nakauwi sa pinagbakasyunan niya, kaya ako ngayon ang gumagawa sa hating responsibilities namin.

  After fixing my hair, I got out of our office and walk to the writers club area. May mga juniors na nakaabang at may mga hawak na silang registration form. I smile as I took a seat at the chair to start accommodating them. Our club hires new members every year para ipanlaban sa journalism and writing contests. Just like the dancing, drama, and singing club, our club helds an hour of screening by asking them to write an essay to see who passes. Some recruits are from teachers recommendation na makakapasok na agad, while the others need to attend an hour writing anything given to them para makasali.

  Napangiti ako nang mapagtanto na marami ang nag pa-register ngayon. Unlike last year na hindi nakaabot ng twenty. I am also a member of other clubs such as drama, math, science, and art, but writers club ang pinakafavorite ko. It's just fascinating how I can make a magic out of words.

  “Ito po ang form, Bridgette.”

  I look up to see two girls handing out their form. Kakilala ko ang kasama ng nagsalita because she's a year behind me. Always din kaming nagkikita since elementary dahil schoolmate kami sa old school ko at kilala naman ang pinsan niya sa club namin. I know her name, but we haven't personally talked before.

  “Finally, Ella. You said yes to joining the club na,” I commented, taking the form out of her hand. She looked surprised, but it suddenly fade and napalitan ito ng serious look.

  “Uhh... Wala na kasi akong choice. Mas mabuti na rito at makakapag practice ako sa pagsusulat lalo.”

  I smile and nod at her. I've noticed her a lot noon, she's always with her barkada na kakilala ko naman because Ynnah is my pinsan. I suddenly remember a note from before, and another smile formed into my lips.

  “Also, you don't need to take the writing essay we organized before joining. Nakalagay ka na pala sa suggested students ng mga English teachers kaya member ka na after giving a form.”

  She looked at me confused, but nod after. I can't tell if she's happy or not kasi her face is hard to read.

  “Okay, sige. Thanks?” She was unsure about saying thanks pero before I get to respond, she turn her back to leave with her friend. Habang naglalakad siya, I noticed a pin of Marceline and PB's face in her bag, which made me wonder something.

  “Si Ella ba 'yun?”

  I turn to meet our club teachers gaze and nod. “Siya nga, ma'am. Mabuti nga po at nag register na siya, last year pa siya inaabangan nila Ma'am Yen.”

  Ma'am Yen is one of the oldest English teacher in our school, naging subject teacher siya ni Ella last year at hindi na niya ito nakalimutan pa. She said na naintrigue raw siya sa way of giving opinions ni Ella in certain topics, which excites me to be able to work with her.

  “Tell them to meet us tomorrow para makapagbigay na tayo ng schedule of meets para this month. Thank you, Bridgette.”

   I nod and continue my work. After arranging it, I turn my phone on to see my friends messages. They all ask me to meet them at the oval, one of the huge oval shape field we have, to have a little chitchat. I checked everything inside the club room before I got out and locked it.

   The oval is not that far from our room kaya narating ko agad ito. They were sitting in the grass, forming a circle. I don't usually hang out with most of them, but my best friend is a little lonely whenever I'm busy kaya sila ang kasama niya, in which kapag free ako ay napapasama na rin ako sakanila.

  “Hello, busy VP.”

  Penelope is my closest among the ten people circling. She and I have been friends since diapers kaya siya lang ang nakakakilala ng malalim sa akin.

  “Hey, girls!” I greeted, taking a seat next to Pen.

  “Maraming nakapila sa writers club. Andami mong nainsipire last year.”

  I smile a little at Rea, last year kasi ay nakailang gold medal ako sa contests at pinagbigay ako ng speech sa recognition at events related sa English at writing.

  “It has nothing to do with it, ” I replied. I know naman na these kids joined to improve their writing skills kaya I have nothing to do with them joining.

  “Ayan na naman ang mga juniors, ang ingay ingay talaga.”

  Napabaling ang tingin ko sa isang groupo ng estudyante, it was Ella and her classmates. They were laughing as they pass the oval. I shook my head and turn my attention back to my friends.

  “Kakilala n'yo ba yung kasama nung Ella? 'Yung Sam? May nakalap akong chismis sa kanya.”

  I didn't spare a glance at Vivian. I honestly don't like her attitude because she loves spreading gossips, which is stupid. Hindi naman talaga sana siya kasama sa group namin, pero kaibigan niya kasi si Kelsey na malapit kay Pen.

  “I need to go. May aayusin pa ako sa bahay, ” I said, getting up to leave. I have no plans to sit and listen to their gossiping session. I have more better things to do. Pen shoot me a look and I just smile. After dusting my skirt, I turn to leave. I usually ride a bike na niregalo sa akin ni Lolo last birthday ko. Since hindi naman marami ang sasakyan and super lapit lang ang house namin, I choose to ride it.

  I saw Ella again on the way out and she's walking alone. The pin in the back of her bag still bugs me.

  I am wondering why does Marcy and Pb in adventure time bothers me so much? Its not like I am a crazy fan of the series, but there's something about it that stirs the curiosity in me.