Burning with the Breeze

2: First Day at St. Ignatius

CHAPTER 2
[ First Day at St. Ignatius ]

Aurora

"The hell, Roe. What's that?" Damon greeted me with his peculiar version of good morning.

I lifted the object I'm holding on once more for it to land on the terrace of our porch. I took a deep breath before formally facing my brother whose face I cannot paint right now. He is only wearing a towel to cover his lower body.

I rolled my eyes. "It’s a bike, Damon." I said sarcastically.

"Seriously? You could just take the shuttle," he laughed

And since when he became interested in my mode of transportation?

"You don't care," I said nonchalantly, not giving him any single look to deny his existence at this moment.

"That's such a hassle, Roe. You'll look extremely haggard when you arrive at school." He then proceeded near the stairs probably planning to go back to his room. "But yeah, you look haggard all the time so it's not a problem," he further bullied.

I gave him a 'shut-up-or-you're-gonna-die look'. "Well, of course, you're my brother. I took that haggard look from you."

"What?!" he exclaimed.

"Whatever, Damon!" I shouted. I then held my bike and placed it on its designated spot here on the porch.

I heard Mommy coming from the kitchen. She was probably disturbed by the shouting early in the morning. I heard her commanding Damon to go upstairs and wear decent clothes.

Serves him right. He is always fond of teasing me. Unfortunately, I learned how to tease him back using the words he throws at me.

A swarm of people welcomed me as soon as I stepped into the grounds of St. Ignatius. I can see students playing around the field, running towards their group of friends, gossiping on the bleachers, and some laughing while pointing at each other's faces.

I tucked my bag on my back. With the digital school map contained in the phone in my hand, I found the nearest parking lot beside the senior high school building where I can park my bike.

I felt so small by seeing all the cars stationed there. I roamed my eyes around to see any bicycle but I guess it's only me who has the guts to bring this little thing.

I laughed in my mind and shook my head. No wonder Damon teased me about having a bike earlier. Teenagers in this school would rather buy a car or ride comfortably in a shuttle.

I walked through the building holding still the digital map on my phone to find my classroom.

"Damn, bro. The Tigers are at it this early again."

"They're competitive. Their coach is competitive. What else would you expect?"

I heard some boy chitchat as soon as I passed by the room 202. I checked my room number again in my schedule before entering the door.

I stood at the doorway for a minute or two trying to calm myself down before meeting unfamiliar faces inside.

The boys that I heard who are sitting beside the window suddenly turned their heads at me. They probably sensed my presence. I smiled awkwardly at them, trying to maintain my composure.

One boy with sharp eyes turned a head at me and looked at me intently. He is wearing a leather jacket, and his hair is styled sideward. He's giving me bad boy vibes, but his facial features are soft.

"You're lost, Miss," he said.

He's handsome, I might say. His lips are full and naturally red while his eyes are fierce and sharp.