Meriedeth Salazar
"Meriedeth, I need to go somewhere. Get out of your room," I heard my brother said.
I was about to step outside my room when our gaze meet each other.
"Get out of your room."
"I'll get some snacks from the ref."
"Oh," he gave me a three-thousand peso bill, I raised my brow at him.
"What's this?"
"Allowance. Maybe you want to buy something."
I took the money from him. He left a few reminders before leaving. What will I do with this 3k?
I'm wearing my black jeans, black t-shirt and a black hoodie. I wore my rubber shoes. I brought my wallet and cellphone, also my headphones. I commuted on going to the mall.
I walked around the hallways of the mall. Looking at their displayed items while listening to some songs. I bought a chocolate shake from one of the stalls here, I continued walking around inside the mall.
Oh, there's a cool bucket hat, how much is it?
I finished the shake I'm drinking before entering the store.
Limited edition! Grab yours now!
Hmmm. Looks like it's really limited, there is only one item displayed. I grab it so I can check it but somebody was holding the other end, I looked at the person who is holding it.
His gaze is very sharp, he is wearing an all-black attire, black long sleeves, black jeans and black shoes. I felt him pulled the hat towards him but I pulled it back towards me.
"This is mine, Miss."
"I'm the first one who grabbed it, Mister."
"No, I'm first. So, let it go," he said sternly.
"No, you let go," I sternly said and raised a brow at him.
I just find this item interesting and somebody wants it too, I have a competitor. Tsk.
"This is mine, I will be the one who will buy it!"
"No, I'm the one who's buying it!"
None of us has any plans to lose. Somebody hold my hand and his, we looked at the saleslady.
"Ma'am, Sir. Maybe the product will be damaged. It's limited and we don't have any other stock. Sorry, po."
I looked at the guy, he really has no plans of letting go and his gaze are sharp as ever. Tss. I shoved it to his chest. I heard him gasped in disbelief.
"Just buy it, looks like you're going to cry."
I left him stunned. Tss. The incident back there stressed me out a bit. I really wanted that bucket hat! Why is it out of stock already?!
I went home bringing a box of pizza and some ice-cream. I just enjoyed myself in my room. But, I still remember about the bucket hat. It's annoying me!
The next day I woke up early because it's Monday and I have classes. Me and brother talked about a few things so it took me a while to leave the house.
When I arrived at the classroom, I raised my brow while walking towards my seat. Someone is sitting at my chair while chatting with Shelanie and Eryx.
While I was approaching I noticed that the one who is sitting at my chair is a guy. I can't see his face because he is not facing me and he is wearing a bucket hat.
Bucket hat.
Damn.
Eryx and my gaze meet each other. He looked at the guy and was about to speak but did not because the guy in front of him is still talking.
"It's really cool, this bucket hat is reversible! The designs are cool too!"
"Really?" Shelanie asked.
"Yesterday I was competing this with a girl! Her grip was really tight! She doesn't want to lose, Dude!"
"Really? What did you do? Why didn't you just give it to her? Be a gentleman," Eryx said.
"E, she looks like a tiger. It's as if she is going to eat you! No, not tiger, shark. She looks like a shark."
"Hey, that's too much," Shelanie rebuked the guy.
"Excuse me, Mister. Get out of my seat."
The three of them looked at me. At the same time when the guy looked at me, I was surprised to see who he is!
"You!" we both said in the same time as we pointed each other.
"Dude! She's the one I'm talking about who looks like shark!"
"Hey, Rovic! Don't be like that to Salazar!" Shelanie rebuked.
"Get out of my seat," I repeated.
Actually, I don't care if I look like a shark. The world is not going to change, why? Will you be rich? Will I be rich? Nope. Tss.
"She is our classmate?" he asked Eryx.
"Yep. She is. You can sit beside me."
"Tss. I want to sit here," he complained and stood up.
I sit at my chair, Shelanie asked something about our assignment. Our classes started when our teacher saw a new face behind Shelanie.
"Mr. Fajardo, introduce yourself in class."
Bucket Hat Guy took a deep breath and stood up.
"Rovic Estevan Fajardo," he smiled to our classmates and take his seat.
Our teacher just nodded and started discussing about the lessons. When lunchtime arrived I stood up and went out of the room. I'm having lunch all by myself at the rooftop. I also took a nap. Two minutes until the bell will ring I returned to the classroom.
I saw the three of them chatting with each other, Shelanie glanced at me. I saw her lips moved but I can't hear what she said because I'm wearing my headphones and music is blasting from it. So, I took it off and asked her what she said.
"Where have you been?"
"Uh, I just took a nap," I answered and took my seat.
"Ah, Rovic, about I told you," I heard Eryx said.
"Dude, I'm not interested about the swimming club."
"Even if you'll not join the club activities."
"I don't want to. Even if I know how to swim. I don't want to join, Dude."
I heard Eryx sighed. Haven't they found another member for their club yet?
"Did you hand out some flyers?" I asked Eryx.
"Kuya Wesley is the one who is in charge about that."
"Ask help from your club adviser."
"That's also a problem," I looked at Shelanie.
"Why? What's the problem about the club adviser? I mean, every club needs to have an adviser, right?"
"Their club adviser, transferred to a different school."
I did not utter a word. It's a mess.
"Did the not appoint someone?"
"Actually, Kuya Wesley talked about it with the other teachers. The problem is nobody is interested. They told us they we need to have enough members so we can have a club adviser," he sighed. "Why did Kuya Renz and the others have to go to college?"
"I'm interested about basketball no, Dude, I'm really sorry."
I looked at Bucket Hat. Our gazes meet each other, he raised a brow at me. I just ignored him.
It was time to go home and I was about to leave the classroom when our class president shouted.
"Guys! Wait! Don't leave yet! There's an announcement!"
I raised a brow and I looked at Shelanie who is staring at the class president.
"Miss Morales texted me."
"Who's that?" I whispered.
What do I care about who is she?
"Our physical education teacher, Salazar." I looked at Shelanie and she smiled at me.
"Oh."
"Bring your swimwear tomorrow. We are going to the pool area tomorrow. Don't forget about the swimming cap at goggles."
"That's all?" I asked, the reason why they all looked at me.
The class president nodded, I wore my headphones and went out of the classroom
"Salazar, Miss Morales was looking for you."
I looked at Shelanie, she was holding a small bag. It contains her swimwear.
"She was asking why you're absent during our class at the pool area."
I gulped because of what Shelanie said.
"Uh, there was an emergency at the house so I wasn't able to attend during the first session," as I gave out a smile.
Even if there wasn't really an emergency.
"It was cancelled because Miss Morales was absent. You were also absent during the second meeting."
"I forgot to bring my swimming attire, so I went home, when I arrived back. The class was done."
I was just at the rooftop having a nap and I purposely did not bring my swimwear. Well, I don't have anything to bring too.
"Next time you should prepare the stuff you need at night so that in the next day you will have no problems," I just nodded.
"I was not feeling well during the last session. I had a stomachache. I think I drank an expired milk," I lied.
I really don't want to go to the pool area! I don't want to get involve in swimming!
"Before drinking something, check the expiration date, Salazar."
"Yeah, I'll check it. I think I'm not feeling well today. I think I'm going o have a fever. I'll go to the clinic, Shela-"
"Where is Miss Salazar?"
We all looked towards the doorway where the person was asking. I gulped when I saw Miss Morales.
"She's here, Miss Morales," my classmate answered and pointed me.
Act it out—
"Miss Salazar, I'm expecting you to be present today at pool area. If you are not there, I'll call your guardian or parent," Miss Morales warned me.
"But, Miss! I forgot my swimming attire-"
"There is an extra swimwear from the swimming club. I'm expecting you, Miss Salazar."
I was left with no choice. I don't want them to talk to Kuya Marcus! He will kill me if he will know that I am cutting some classes!
Shelanie tapped my shoulder. I cannot do anything but tag along with her to the pool area. They said they used the indoor pool last session. Today, we are going to use the outdoor pool.
When we arrived there, most of my classmates are wearing their swimwear. I'm waiting for Shelanie outside the comfort room
I will tell Miss Morales that I'm not feeling well, that I feel that I'm going to have a fever. Something like that.
"Why are you not changing yet?" Shelanie asked went she came out from the comfort room.
"I'm not feeling well, I think I have fever."
"Seriously? Let's go, I'll accompany you to Miss Morales."
We walked towards outside, going to the outdoor pool. I'm the only one who is wearing our uniform while the others are in their swimming attire.
I find it awkward but I'm used to it.
"Oh, why is Salazar still wearing her uniform?"
"I'm not feeling well," I answered to one of our classmates.
"Maybe she doesn't know how to swim?"
"Maybe she is scared of the water. Hahahaha."
They laughed at me, I just ignored them. I sat down at the bench and listen to some songs. Nobody is swimming yet, our classmates are having some pictorial at the edge of the pool.
"Salazar," I looked at the one who called me, Shelanie sat beside me.
"I'm sorry about their behavior."
"Its fine, they are like that," I said and took off my headphone.
The boys are at the other end, checking the platforms that is used during competitions. The one where the swimmers will stand before diving.
We heard a splash like somebody jumped into the water and some of our classmates are laughing, especially the girls who were playing by h edge of the pool. One of our classmates fell into the pool near the center.
Something is wrong here.
I stood up, even Shelanie also stood up. Our classmate who just fell into the pool did not resurface yet.
"Hey, you pushed her too much!"
"E, the pool is reachable, duh."
"Reachable?! That's 10 feet!"
"Hey! Cheena doesn't know how to swim!"
I heard the girls from the other side panicking. I was standing there like a statue. I heard familiar voices shouting inside my head blaming me again and again.
I saw a small portion of Cheena's hand above water, asking for help. I found myself running towards the water. I heard Shelanie called me but I already made contact with the water.
The feeling of being surrounded by body of water. My body still remembers the action I need to do when I need to swim. I kick under water and swim towards my classmate.
Everything was happening too fast. Eryx helped me out when we are near the edge of the pool. Our other classmates helped to get Cheena out of the water.
I went out of the pool, Miss Morales quickly came towards us. Our other classmates are following behind her.
"Cheena is not breathing!"
"Give her a damn CPR!" they were stunned when I shouted.
"What?! You'll not move?!" one of our classmates went near Cheena and performed a CPR
When Cheena became conscious they immediately call an ambulance. Miss Morales panicked earlier, also our class president.
"Meriedeth's attitude is ugly"
"She should just calm down."
"She's mad—"
I can't stop myself from facing them. Just hearing them say those words, makes my blood boil.
"Wow, so I have an ugly attitude? You fools are playing around a swimming pool without knowing how deep it is! Dumbass!"
After saying those words, I left them there.