Older folks would often claim the best part of their lives happened during their high school days. Those were the best days of their youth, apparently. As early as being on the fourth grade, naririnig na itong sinasabi sa mga bata mula pa lang noong nasa elementary school sila. Anyone could tell as well that Matt's classmates back then would be imagining already how cool their school life would turn out in high school. Once, he had a classmate who had a crush on this girl telling everyone how much of a campus power couple they were going to be when they finally reach high school. How ironic nga lang that he would claim he couldn't ask her out pa dahil nasa grade school pa sila but he had these fantasies na of dating her. The girl didn't like him though, not to mention that he was still on the fourth grade that time; she was a graduating sixth grader.
Somehow, Matt shared the sentiment, probably. Not particularly excited about the "cool life" though — he didn't even know what that meant. All he had in mind was reaching high school would mean another step forward to college, to his dream job of becoming a nurse.
To become an adult.
The words 'high school' had this certain ring of maturity, which made it sound more interesting. Even the enrolment process had to be done by the incoming freshman themselves, all on their own. Matt was even willing na sumama paluwas mula sa Tagaytay City with his mother para lang maasikaso yung enrolment kahit pa he hated travelling. Siguro ay sa ganitong context ginagamit yung sinasabi sa teledrama sa TV na new chapter ng buhay. He knew he had been ready for this next step for a long time.
Kaya nung mismong first day niya in high school, Matt didn't expect himself na kakabahan pa rin pala siya. He woke up early at 3 AM at maaga din siyang kumilos despiting having all the time for himself before his first day as a high school student. Naglakad lang siya sa araw na ito papasok sa school dahil hindi pa siya marunong pumara ng tricycle sa lugar nila, which took him around twenty minutes bago siya nakarating sa kaniyang baging papasukang school.
Pagpasok niya sa entrance gate, he immediately noticed the entire campus wasn't as huge as his previous school in elementary. Buildings stood tall surrounding the rectangular lot, with basketball court in the middle. The court only had a roof so tanaw mo agad pagpasok pa lang iyon mga board kungsaan naka-display yung attendance sheet ng bawat section at kung saan ang designated room nila. He was not surprised na hindi pa ganoong ka-crowded sa campus. After all, since the school was persistent on "encouraging independence" from parental care e walang choice ang mga nanay ng mga incoming freshmen but to send them na lang kahit hanggang sa gate. Also he guessed ay dahil medyo maaga pa naman and many students weren't really fond of going to school that early. Not for Matt though, who hated arriving on time or worse, late.
Nang makuha ni Matt iyong room number ng class niya, he asked a volunteer sitting from the information desk, a girl who was probably from the student government, kung saan ang naturang classroom. She was sitting there together with a teacher na babae, at tatlo pa na student. The teacher casually remarked na ang puti niya daw. He just smiled and thanked them after pointing to this building behind them. "Sa second floor ang room ng star section," the volunteer further clarified before assisting another student.
As he climbed, he realised na mukhang silang mga bagong estudyante ang magbibinyag sa building, sa mismong room, at sa mga gamit na nasa loob dahil nga bagong-bago itong building. The walls of the building were newly-painted in dirty white and light yellow. Nung sumilip siya sa isang room na kanyang nadaanan, makikitang green na green pa din ang blackboard nito.
Kaso nang marating niya ang room nila, he was utterly surprised na halos puno na ang classroom. Bakit ang aaga ng mga tao? Late na ba ako? Matt checked the time on his watch and saw na 6:07 AM pa lang naman. 6:30 AM pa ang first class.
Their class looked like it had more or less seventy students, which to be honest was a new sighting even for someone like me who grew up in a public school. Matt's class when he was a sixth grader only had maximum of fifty students. Not to mention that he had to settle for a seat sa likod ng klase because all available seats at the front were in awkward spots between six students.
Luckily the room was wide enough to accommodate all of them. Eventually, Matt would learn na privileged pa silang mga nasa star section sa lagay na iyon. Umaabot sa eighty pataas ang population ng kada section sa first year at hindi lahat ng mga estudyanteng iyon ay may mauupuan. When a female teacher, presumably their adviser, finally arrived, one could already feel her domineering presence as if she held a higher position in the campus, with her motherly yet stern authoritative voice when she talked. She wasn't particularly scary, though; just strict-looking. Above all, straightforward siya magsalita. It was obvious she knew what she was capable of as a teacher. Matt loved this kind of teacher.
The first half of class was allotted by Matt's adviser to discuss house rules, class schedule, and assignments for the class, which by the way was general science. She told them that being the morning class, matatapos sila ng 12 noon. Some subjects wouldn't even have an hour long period. This was a new setup for him since he was used to have classes for an entire day in elementary. Kaso unavoidable and understandable naman yung ganitong setup for a small high school with a huge population, lalo na ng mga freshmen.
She then went back to faculty room when the bell rang for break time. The tension in the room, which was usual during every first day of school calendar, gradually dissipated.
As Matt roamed his eyes around, all those unfamiliar faces and those indecipherable conversations became more apparent. They all looked like they were having fun as the stuff their food while gossiping, bragging, and just living their lives as high school students. He couldn't help but wonder how long it would take to get to know all these people in front of him as he had a terrible brain when it comes to remembering names. Earlier, they just introduced ourselves and it seemed like majority of them already knew each other. Most likely kasi magkakaklase na sila before sa elementary. The course of events felt a little bit frustrating. Na-overlooked pa niya yung fact na since bagong salta lamang sila dito, he literally didn't know anyone, from his neighbourhood to the class he was in right now.
Their adviser returned soon after the break time was over. Suddenly, this seat turned lonelier. Their room looked uncomfortably bigger. Silence grew louder despite the booming sound from their advise's microphone and speaker. Matt never felt more alone since they moved in this place far from what used to be their home. He never liked seating in the back of the class.
To his relief, Matt got an assurance naman that be wouldn't be staying here for long since their seats will be arranged before the end of the class today. It was easier for him to befriend people who would sit beside him after all. It was just unbelievable, he had never felt something like this before. He had always started his previous school years already knowing his classmates. He didn't have a choice though, he'd never have a say anyway on where his family would reside.
After more lecturing about how a high school student should properly act like one, their adviser then took the liberty to start election of their classroom officers. Matt was visibly baffled. He was visibly baffled wondering why'd they be doing this On their first day in class. He literally was feeling alone earlier just because he didn't know anyone. He rolled his eyes wondering what was this obsession of teachers making them elect people to represent them in class on the very first day.
Matt continued his rambling on his head but it was clear the entire class was very much on it. There seemed like two factions already, though. Most of these people probably came from two different elementary schools. Only two students, both girls, were nominated to be the president. It was annoying because even after that introduction, as he read those names written sa board e wala pa rin siyang kilala sa kanila. Why would he have to vote for someone na literal na hindi niya kilala? This was what Matt thought as he contemplated how else he would vote. They would know pa naman if hindi siya bumoto since tinatally nila sa mga present yung number of votes. The last thing he wanted to happen was to draw attention to me, he pondered as he held tight this Harry Potter notebook. Cedric Diggory's face looked particularly more interesting.
Then it happened.
Their class adviser was now asking who didn't vote. To get over it, Matt raised his hand, which warranted him all these curious gaze from every person in the class. It felt terrifying. He wasn't bothered of all the eyes on him, by the way; it was because he was seriously considering to confess how ridiculous this election would be.
"Why didn't you vote?" their adviser calmly asked. Matt recognised the disinterest on her face which made him reconsider his next action. He glanced at the board where those names were written then back to her as he deadpanned told her that he barely knew anyone from those candidates, so why— "puwede po ba ako na hindi bumoto muna?" Luckily, he managed not to sound sarcastic. He held off his too critical commentary when he realised it wouldn't help his case in the long run. The second last thing he wanted to happen was for him to make a bad impression sa adviser nila. Matt figured he shouldn't try drawing unnecessary attention, especially from their adviser.
She made Matt to go back to his seat and told him to still vote anyway. He didn't push it na and just intended to vote randomly. From his seat though, he noticed this guy from the front sitting in the middle of other five students. The said guy looked baffled from what he did.
As they proceeded to vote for vice president, with Matt doing it begrudgingly, biglang nangibabaw ang "ayieeee" sa kanilang klase. Their howling particularly targeted this someone who appeared to have a crush on on their president. He was nominated as vice president against some other girl. It was also the guy who was bafflingly looking at Matt earlier. He realised the school he came from had more alumni compared to the other school. He liked women in power more though so he voted for the other candidate. His win was inevitable nga lang regardless whether Matt voted or not, anyway. The guy came from the bigger faction, after all.
When the elected officers returned to their seats after they were made to thank everyone for voting them, Matt was pleased for once since they would finally proceed to finalising their sitting arrangement. After this ay uwian na rin. The seat assigned to him was that one from aisle ng first column second row and he just couldn't be any happier. Sometimes, he would take my time to appreciate how his surname starts with "B". Either in alphabetical order lang naman usually ang sitting arrangement o kaya nama'y by height– from the shortest to tallest. He wasn't the shortest but with him being as tall as 1.60 m for a 12 year old Filipino boy, and with most of his classmates still shorter than him, most likely ay sa dulo siya mapapapuwesto. Kaya iba ang kanyang galak kapag ina-alphabetical order nila, gaya ngayon.
Classes went by as smoothly as it usually did. Matt blamed their overwhelming population as to why he couldn't say he already knew all of his classmates. He did know though those within his vicinity.
He was sitting next to this guy named Claude. They instantly clicked when he learned Claude also watched Fushigi Yuugi and how the latter would tell him that he fancied Chichiri. Both also loved pop music kaya naman they instantly became inseparable. Outside of school, they would often meet to go para lang mag-customize ng mga Friendster accounts nila with all those pictures ng mga anime na pinapanood nila o mga playlist ma automatic na nagpi-play pag mga visitor ang profiles nila.
They eventually learned dahil sa paggagala nila just to look for the cheapest computer rental na mas marami ang mura sa neighborhood nina Claude. This would lead Matt to be a usual visitor na rin sa bahay nina Claude, especially kapag gusto nilang dumiretso na sa mga computer shop after class. Sinusundo rin minsan ni Matt si Claude sa bahay nito kung may school activities later that day. Eventually, Matt would be acquainted na rin sa family ni Claude, lalo na sa nanay nito who'd often feed Matt pag hindi pa ito nagla-lunch.
Claude was welcome din sa household nina Matt. Mas preferred nga nung una na tumambay kina Matt lalo na kapag mas trip nito na makipagkuwentuhan at gumala lang. He was also the first friend ni Matt na nakilala ng mga magulang at kapatid nito dahil na rin sa dalas ng pagtambay ni Claude kina Matt.
Kaya nung nagkakilala ang mga nanay nina Matt at Claude, it was inevitable na mabilis silang nagkagaanan ng loob despite both of them only knowing each other dahil sa mga anak nila.
Matt wasn't as snob as he appeared to be din naman. He, together with Claude, would also bond with those boys sa first two adjacent rows where both Matt and Claude sat. Matt wouldn't consider them friends just yet though like he considered Claude that time.
They were fun din naman for Matt, especially since they also watched High School Musical like him. At times, all high school students just need on common interest to break the ice and somehow, it worked for them. They were all getting along.
One of these guys nga pala sa row nila was actually their vice president. He sat on the fourth seat from the aisle, or Matt's seat, so they didn't talk as much as he would with Claude.
Matt just noticed him when he saw Claude pulling him towards their grouo. It was during one of their Araling Panlipunan class. Their class was divided into seven groups to do group quiz. They were allowed to group themselves kaya obvious na silang magkakalapit na rin ang naging groupmates.
When Matt looked around, he saw Claude persistently made sure their vice president would be in their group. From what Matt heard, he was their class valedictorian sa elementary so it surely was the wisest move for them to get the highest score.
Their class' topic that day was about Spanish colonisation in the Philippines which they had started discussing already. However, their teacher added questions here and there that they yet to cover. At one point, the entire class just audibly gasped when the question given was literally the topic that will be discussed after their activity.
Nevertheless, the class was in high spirit. Matt was quite pleased his group was doing great and might even get the highest score. Their closest competition is the other group behind them that got the class valedictorian of the second faction.
During the activity, Matt did see their vice president in action. He mostly got dates and names correct that other members – Matt included – would just nod in agreement as he watched this another guy, Brian, wrote whatever their vice president would dictate sa likod ng illustration board. One question though had almost left them in a slump.
"Nakalimutan ko na yung dalawa pa."
Napakamot na lamang ng ulo ang kanilang vice president sa pag-amin nito but he was noticeably feeling guilty as if he let them down. They had to enumerate the five ships Magellan had when he started his last voyage. They would still get three points sa sagot nila but a 8-point score will be credited to a complete answer and for Matt, that was just too unbearable to miss. He knew though, it was that moment he could finally be useful.
"Santiago at San Antonio, bilis!" Pabulong ngunit may diin na dikta nito. They made it sa 12-second mark and got full mark. They were the only team who got them right and complete.
In the end, their team indeed got the highest mark para sa quiz nila. Matt was particularly delighted especially when he had his own contribution sa score nila.
Matt had just bought his bananaque at pabalik na sa kanilang classroom nang may umakbay sa kanya out of nowhere. He turned to his side to see their vice president who also had his own bananaque on his free hand.
"You saved me earlier. Nakalimutan ko talaga yung dalawang barko. I never thought kailangan memorised pati pangalan ng mga barko." Umiiling-iling pa ito habang kumakagat.
Matt tried to calm himself. It would look weird if he would overreact on this arm across his shoulders, he figured. "Gusto ko din naman makuha yung highest score. I saved us for that." Sabay kagat din sa sarili nitong pagkain. Matt wondered if he sounded too serious para sa eight points sa quiz. "Also, I wouldn't mind telling Mr. Lopez na nagrereklamo ka sa pinapa-memorise niya."
The vice president just snorted as he laughed at Matt's joke. "You wouldn't dare, lalo na't narinig ko kanina lang na sinusumpa mo yung mga date na pinapamemorise niya for the long test sa Friday."
Ngumisi lamang ito bago lumayo nang saglit upang itapon ang stick ng bananaque. Matt just followed him to copy the same gesture while thinking kung ganoon ba kalakas ang pagbulong niya kanina.
"Hindi naman, I just heard 'date' at 'memorise' kaya nahulaan ko kung anong iniisip mo." He placed his arms back on Matt's shoulder bago ito huminto sa bulletin board.
This made Matt curious as well sa mga announcement sa bulletin board. Nothing was particularly interesting sa mga nakapaskil so he settled on criticising why that board looked almost dilapidated. He only just noticed it later na siya na pala ang tinititigan ng kanilang vice president. He was even smirking at him as if he knew what was in his mind. Nagkusa na si Matt to lead the way back sa room.
"You're easy to read pala no, Matt." The other guy beside him comment
"H-Ha?" Matt felt his voiced faltered a bit but he actually wasn't surprised. He knew he was an open book.
The vice president finally let Matt go from his arms then faced him as he talked. Matt slightly turned his head while still making sure na nakatingin pa rin siya sa daan nilang dalawa. "I could tell earlier na nagulat ka na alam ko ang pangalan mo and you're wondering din how you're gonna get my name without me knowing na hindi mo alam even my surname." His smirk widened then laugh softly.
Napangisi lang din sa Matt sa mga sinabi nito. He was good. Almost. "Well, hindi ka ba napapangitan sa board na ito? If ever tumakbo ka sa SSG, never let this board look like that."
As Matt sat back to his seat, He subconsciously found himself turning his head to the fourth seat of our row and saw their vice president sporting a silly smile while talking to those in front of his seat. He looked way friendlier than he did when he was looking baffled at me nung first day of class.
The other guy was wrong about one thing. Of course Matt knew his name, their vice president named Arthur John Castillo.