"Lunch?"
I looked at Amber who enthusiastically invite me and approved her idea. I saw how she pursed her lips in hesitation like she was contemplating to ask me or not what had happened yesterday.
I closed my notebook and textbook and put them inside my bag then I immediately hung loosely my bag on my shoulder.
"Why not leave your bag?" I shrugged with her suggestion and went near her.
"Whatever, " she paused. "Let's go? I am so hungry. It is so hard to deal with our subjects given that we need to prepare for our college entrance exam," she retorted and attempted to cling to my arm but I voluntarily shove her.
"Yeah, let's go," I agreed while fixing the strap of my bag.
"I want to go outside. Let's eat not in Talisay."
I nodded.
We both went out of the classroom. We need to have our lunch now.
Our last subject teacher dismissed us late and our lunchtime became limited before our class resumed.
We started walking and I can sense that students from our department looking at us. I even heard them murmuring and I can barely hear what they are talking to. I silently wished and prayed the spotlight would stop but even when we got outside of the school for us to buy our meals, students from other strands based on their uniforms are also looking at us. Some have concerned eyes while others were just utterly curious and hated me since I was involved with the school president.
I heaved a deep sigh and didn't bother the attention. Amber poked my elbow, probably noticing how the atmosphere had changed but didn't dare to talk.
Amber and I walked silently, not this usual one since Amber was keep on talking but she's now silent. I don't know but at the end of everything, they tend to conclude or judge someone based on what they see and hear, not based on facts. I just wish that someday that what had happened to subside.
When we reach the stall outside, we immediately fall in line and students who chose to eat here was buzzing and having their channels of gossiping.
"I want sisig," Amber murmured beside me while looking at the menu posted before the counter.
I peered at her and like me, she was ignoring all the stares poking at us and acting like they are not around. I'm glad I met Amber. I'm thankful that despite everything Amber made me feel that our bond was right and treated each other as a true friends.
I don't know if I didn't meet her. I don't know if I can survive in my school life even if we came from different backgrounds and opposite.
"Let's order it. I want it, too."
After ordering, we tried to look for a table and the only vacant table was at the end of the left part of the stall.
"There," Amber said referring to the vacant I saw. It was a six sitter table and the three chair was still vacant but no one dare to sit there. Of course, who would dare? The three men who are part of the student council who's wearing their free dress STEM strand uniform, white polo with a digital print in front and back partnered with black slacks. Of course, I can't deny that they are girls' apple of the eye.
I saw Robin waving his right hand holding his spoon who sat across Joshua and invited the two of us with his hand gesture to dine with them.
Before I could react, Amber confidently walked towards them and I have no choice but to go with her though, fuelled students' assumptions.
This time I want to completely ignore them. I want a peaceful meal.
When we reach their spot, Amber put her tray on the table as I did before she pulled the chair near Robin and sat beside him. I was about to sit on the vacant chair beside Joshua but halted when Asher pulled the chair away and swiftly pulled the strap of my bag making me sit on the chair beside him.
I suddenly felt my cheeks redden and my eyes widen. That's not all, Asher get my bag that is hung on my shoulder and place it on the chair I was supposed to sit on if she didn't pull it.
I heard someone at our table clear his throat followed by a taunting fake cough.
I lifted my chin and I saw Amber suppressing her smile. I raised my eyebrows and started eating.
"It's new that you eat outside," Robin began the conversations and Amber enthusiastically answered him. Joshua, even join the conversation while Asher and I remained silent but it's not awkward.
While digging on my food, I suddenly notice how beautiful the digital print in their polo, a collage about their strand in which Isaac Newton who's holding an apple under a tree, planetary motion, some mathematical equation and all embedded in a gothic style. In the back part was a theme based on Ohm's Law, "No resistance can drop our potential." Below it was calligraphy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
I bitterly smile that somehow, I went to ABM strand.
"Are you okay?" Asher huffed enough for the two of us can hear.
"Yeah," I sparingly answer him.
"Thanks for not distancing yourself from me." When I moved my sight to him, I saw his calm demeanour. I looked like a tomato because my blood was rushing to my cheeks.
I recall how I acted on the day of his confession for some reason. I was deafeningly quiet, and it didn't occur to me that my long-standing admiration had been returned. I had the impression that I was something rare and magical. So, rather than responding or acknowledging his admission, I bolted. I had a nasty feeling about myself.
I cleared my throat trying to compose the word, "Hmn, I ran away that day. I'm sorry."
"I understand. I'm not in a hurry."
I was about to respond but halted when Robin speak teasing us. "Are we not involved in this table?"
After we ate was Amber and I were immediately separated into three, and we immediately went to our next class. At five o'clock in the afternoon, the class ended peacefully. We went to the respective groups to do the group cleaning duty.
While busy sweeping the floor, a human figure stepped her foot on the broom, I raised my head to see Gelou with her piercing eyes.
"What?" I lazily asked.
"Are you stupid enough to involve him in your slut behaviour?" said irritably but calmly. I sighed and just looked at him. "How dare you?"
"Remove your foot on the broom, it will break," I murmured ignoring her litany.
"You are testing my patience, will you?"
I don't want trouble. I am also tired of being involved in troubles or causes of trouble.
Somehow, I reminded myself to calm down. I've been in a lot of trouble. I want to have peaceful life since graduation is approaching.
I am very grateful when someone suddenly called Gelou from another STRAND.
"Lucky you," she smirked and walked towards the girl.
I continued to sweep and finished quickly. I put the cleaning materials I used in the stock corner.
"Did Gelou hurt you?" Sheldon suddenly asked me out of nowhere. He is also holding rags.
"No issue."
He nodded and reminded me to be careful which I found odd. I'm still not used to him treating me kindly. He suddenly changed and he was no longer the Sheldon I knew who is the number one bully and guilt tripper.
I shrugged my thoughts and decided to go home after getting my things on my chair.
Amber bid her goodbye and I was left alone in the hallways.
I was just turning in the direction to the exit of the school when I was surprised because Asher accompanied me on the walk and the rest of the students were staring straight at us.
He smiled at me and I notice someone shrieked from behind. It was a girl from lower grades based on her uniform.
"Don't smile," scolded him but he just smiled wildly made me roll my eyes and continue to walk. He went after my pace.
We took the road where we often pass.
As usual, we stopped by the area where we usually ate. We decided to eat dirty ice cream.
"Two mixed mangoes and strawberry ice cream, uncle," Asher said to the vendor before asking me I want another food.
"I'm good with ice cream only." He nodded.
Out of nowhere, not far from us, my eyes caught a child holding a toy and its remote controller and a woman who I think was his nanny. The woman is busy buying Japanese corn while her hand clasping with the child's hand but the child as he tries to free himself from the grip on her hand. But before he could escape, his toy sprang up on the road and suddenly a large vehicle passed by it and the boy did not hesitate to run to pick up his toy.
Another vehicle appeared out of nowhere.
I cautiously gripped the hem of Asher's polo with terror in my eyes. I let out a gasp, and it seemed as if someone was trying to strangle my throat until I stopped breathing. I gathered my strength to flee or hide, but my feet were firmly planted on the ground.
I overheard Asher say something I didn't understand, and his facial expressions were too hazy for me to interpret, but I knew he was worried and attempting to calm me down.
I tried to clear my eyesight by looking at the youngster I had been looking at previously, but it was not clear enough. All I saw was the nanny rushing towards the child, and the folks standing around me were moving their bodies for no apparent reason.
When I felt him hugging me while he was on the phone, I cried out his name, "Asher." Their talk is difficult for me to understand. His holding and touching of my back were all I remember.
"Child." My voice shook as I said, "A child." My body trembled, and a hot liquid ran through my eyes. I pressed my face against Asher's shoulders, unconcerned about becoming wet.
Then, I felt like I can't breathe properly. My cry started to tremble.
"Please," I looked up at Asher begging. "You are safe. I will not leave you," he whispered and cried endlessly.
The next thing I knew, everything went blank.