It's my second day in AU right now and I'm still adjusting to the new environment around me. We're on break time and I'm here at the cafeteria of the school sitting and eating my snacks.
"Uhm, hi! Claire, right?" I shifted my attention to who was speaking. Wait, is she my classmate?
"Hello. Yes, I'm Claire and you are?" I smiled at her and I think she's shy to talk to me.
"I'm Marie and we're classmates," she smiled also and I gestured her to seat in front of me because I have no one with me.
"You're so kind. I thought you were rude because you are rich," I looked at her while eating my snacks.
"No, I'm not like the others. I'm approachable and besides, I'm not rich, only my parents handled the money. Not me," I seriously said to her as I wiped my mouth with a tissue.
"Hmmm, you're so humble, Claire. By the way, why did you transfer here?" she asked while drinking water.
"I just came home from Canada. We have a house and take up there my 1st to 3rd year on college. But for my last year, my parents decided to take me back here in the Philippines because our company is here," I smiled at her as she covered her mouth.
"You're half?" she asked in shock.
"No, I'm a pure Filipina," she's intently looking at me as I spoke to her.
She's just keeping on staring at me the whole time, "You're such a beautiful girl, Claire. Do you already have a boyfriend? How to be you?"
"There are no women who are not beautiful, Marie. We have our ways to show our beauty, society is just judgmental. Besides, I don't have a boyfriend yet," I said as I fixed my things and took a tissue.
"Oh my gosh. As in? You're already at the right age," I turned to her.
"Yup, I still haven't. No boyfriend since birth. After all, it will just come. I'm not in such a hurry. Love isn't a joke," I told her seriously.
"Uh, yeah. Let's go, Claire. We still have our last subject," the two of us got up with our belongings out of the cafeteria.
We walked back to our room and I smiled because I already found a friend here at AU. She's jolly and a happy companion. I can't beat that energy though.
We entered the room and now seated beside each other. As soon as I sat down, our professor came for the last subject.
"For the last subject, we will have an oral recitation. I'll call randomly. This is also a random question regarding your course," I looked at our professor.
Woah, I didn't expect this one.
"Claire, I'm nervous," I turned to Marie and she was now holding her chest.
"Compose yourself and be confident, Marie. You can do it," I smiled at her and she gave me a thumbs up.
"Ms. Perez, Claire Althea," our professor called me.
I'm the first one to call. I immediately stood up and waited for his question.
"Okay since Ms. Perez is a transferee and I heard that you're an academic awardee at your previous school in Canada, how AB English equipped you as a graduating student in preparation for your career?" he said directly and I took a deep breath before I answered.
"As one of the graduating students of AB in English, I'm equipped with the right knowledge and skills for me to be an articulate speaker and will achieve high attainment of English proficiency in general. Earning a degree in English studies can cultivate creative minds with valuable skills that businesses need to thrive," I smiled in response to our professor and seemed to have another follow-up question.
"What skills will help you succeed in the future with regards to your course?"
That was the question I've been waiting for.
"First is the English skills, the ability to read, write and communicate well in English is necessary. Second, communication skills, the ability to present information in both verbal and written form. Third, writing skills, the ability to write with clarity. Fourth, reading comprehension, this skill is necessary because AB in English involves a lot of required reading materials that must read and understand. Fifth, analytical skills, entails literary analysis tasks, which is why we must have the ability to delve deeper and analyze the underlying meaning of each context. Sixth, interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate and interact harmoniously with other people. Lastly, creativity, the ability to come up with unique concepts that you might use in the near future," I smiled and looked at my classmates, impressed by what I said.
Our professor suddenly applauded and my classmates followed.
"Woah she's good."
"She's great."
"Wow!"
Those are the ones I heard all over the room and our professor spoke suddenly.
"You impressed me, Claire. You're great," I looked and thanked him.
"She's my friend, omg!" Marie suddenly shouted next to me and I laughed at her reaction, which was supportive.
"With that, you are all saved. Well done, Claire. Class dismissed."
Woah, really? I smiled at my classmates and they thanked me for saving the class.
While I was arranging my things, "Claire, you did very well. Omg!" I covered my ears because the strength of Marie's mouth was like a megaphone.
"No, I still don't have enough strength awhile ago on the oral recit," I laughed, her reaction didn't seem to believe what I said.
"Were you not ready? How about me right? Let's divide your brain and then give me half," I laughed at what she said.
"Come on, let's go down," I told her and we left the room at the same time.
As we went down, I remembered yesterday the commotion happened.
"Marie, can I ask? Is there an artist here? I mean, he's a man in a jersey," I asked her.
"Who among them?" she said laughing.
What?
"Nevermind," she looked at me and stood in front.
"Do you perhaps like them? You know, they look hot and also handsome. They're not boyfriend material, husband material is more appropriate to describe them." Smiling and daydreaming, she said.
"I have no plans to boyfriend one of them. I don't like playboys and study first, Marie. I'll get going to the parking lot. See you tomorrow, Marie, and thank you because you're my first friend here at AU," she was surprised by what I said.
"Of course, Claire. Thank you and take care, Claire," I smiled at her.
I walked to the parking lot and waited for my older brother.
As I walked, I felt as if someone was following me.
I was about to take a step but someone pulled me to the side.
"Who the hell you are?" I struggled to get out of his grasp and saw a passing car.
"Please be careful next time. You'll harm yourself."
Wait, his voice is familiar. There is an accent!
I faced him. No way, this can't be him!
"G-Gray?"