MARICON
"I'm too shy to approach anyone here, Ate Kelly."
I frowned and looked around me. Almost all of the students are busy enrolling with their friends while some are nervous to take the test.
Me? I'm clueless. I'm not even nervous nor excited because I am certain that I won't get accepted.
Ate Kelly chuckled on the other line. "Just ask anyone. They won't judge you, I swear."
"They all looked so intimidating," I uttered under my breath.
"Bakit kasi hindi ka nagpasama sa Daddy mo? For sure, he will accompany you."
"I'm not a child anymore, Ate Kelly. Nakakahiya naman kung may kasama pa akong magulang para lang dito."
Muli siyang tumawa sa kabilang linya ng telepono. "Just tell me the direction, please?" I added.
"Nah. Goodluck and try to interact!"
My eyes widened when she immediately ended the call. Hindi niya man lamang ako hinintay na makapagsalita!
I pouted and scanned the whole school consciously. Bakit nga ba ako napunta rito?
Why am I so marupok? Ugh, I hate it here! I just need to know that guy's name and I'm out. Si Daddy kasi!
I sighed and looked at my phone. I tried calling Ate Kelly again but she won't answer my calls. Talagang pinaninindigan niya na makipag-interact ako, ah?
"Excuse me."
Humarap ako sa taong humawak sa balikat ko. She's a petite girl with jet-black hair siding on the right while the ribbon of her hairband is on the left side. Maputi rin siya at matangkad. Lalong higit sa lahat, she looks... Intimidating.
Prim and proper. That's how I can describe her.
I let out an awkward chuckle. "Yes?" I asked shyly.
She gave me a half smile. "Kanina pa kasi kita tinitingnan. You looked stressed. May problema ka ba? Are you lost? Bago ka ba rito?" Sunod-sunod na tanong niya.
I pressed my lips together and nod my head shyly.
"Are you a transferee?"
I nodded.
"Magt-test ka ba?"
Muli akong tumango.
She plastered a smile on her face before tapping my shoulder. "You can speak to me. I'll help you," she added.
I blinked a few times before clearing my throat. "I am Maricon," pagpapakilala ko.
I offered her a handshake that she gladly accepted.
"My name is Psyche," sagot niya naman.
"Uhm... May I ask kung saang classroom pwedeng mag-test for entrance exam?"
She smiled at me and gave me a simple nod. "Alam mo naman kung saan 'yung cafeteria, hindi ba?"
Tumango ako. "Nadaanan ko na kanina," sagot ko.
"Mula cafeteria, diretsyuhin mo lang 'yun. Then hanapin mo 'yung Classroom 4-A. Doon din sa hilerang 'yun."
Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag. "Thank you," I stated.
"Gusto pa sana kitang samahan pero baka hinahanap na ako ni Chase. Hindi pa naman puwedeng maghintay 'yun," saad niya at luminga-linga sa paligid.
"Oh. I'm sorry for interrupting you. Baka kanina ka pa hinihintay ng boyfriend mo," I apologized.
She laughed and looked at me like I said the dumbest thing ever. "Heck, no! Hindi ko 'yun boyfriend," pagtanggi niya.
Mahina naman akong tumawa. "I'm sorry."
She tapped my shoulder once again. "I gotta go. Let's see each other when the class starts!"
Tipid ko siyang nginitian. "I don't think I'll pass though."
"You will. And in fact, you looked smart. We'll get along pretty well."
Ilang segundo akong natigilan. I looked smart?!
I scratched my head as I scrunched my face up in mock confusion. "Hindi naman."
"Sige na. Aalis na ako. Goodluck sa test!"
I nodded as she bid her farewell. Ilang sandali pa ay naiwan na naman akong mag-isa.
Pursing my lips, I growled. "Do I really need to take that test?"
"The test was really hard, Ate Kelly. I swear!"
She chuckled. "That was just an easy peasy exam compared to the midterms and finals."
My mouth gapped in disbelief.
"May mas mahirap pa roon?!"
Muli siyang tumawa sa kabilang linya. "That's just the beginning, Maricon. Of course, may mas mahirap pa."
"Alright, I get it. I'm really not suited for this school."
"Come on, girl. Feel ko you'll pass."
I pouted and toyed my hair. I just dyed the lower part of my hair into pink yesterday. It looks good, though.
"You're bluffing again, Ate Kelly. That's close to impossible."
"Trust yourself and you'll pass. Ipagdasal mo nalang 'yan," she remarked.
"Bakit ko naman ipagdadasal na pumasa ako? I don't want to be here in the first place." I scoffed and shook my head lightly.
"Oh, right. Paano mo nahanap 'yung exam room? I bet you did not ask anyone. Ikaw pa ba?" Muli siyang tumawa sa kabilang linya.
Napailing naman ako at bumuntong hininga. "I talked to a girl. She taught me the directions."
"You did? That's great! Is she nice?"
"Kinda. She's pretty and she looks like one of those intimidating geeks without glasses."
She laughed. "Am I prettier ba?"
"No," biro ko.
"Matapos kitang i-tutor the whole summer, hindi mo man lamang ako bobolahin?"
"I'm just kidding." I nibbled on my bottom lip, still walking at the school's corridor.
"Of course, you are! I'm still the prettiest in Avalon, you know?"
"But you're not in Avalon High anymore," I stated.
She sighed. "Whatever," pagsuko niya.
"That girl looks popular too. I think she's a model like you," I said, trying to remember the scene earlier.
"Really? What is her name? Baka I know her," she asked.
"She said her name is Psyche."
"Oh, si Psyche pala. That's Chase bestfriend. She's popular nga," sagot niya.
"Chase?"
"Yep! He's handsome. Go and hit him up."
I shook my head. "I like someone else."
"Anyway, what pushed you to took the test ba? Buti napilit ka ng Daddy mo," dagdag na tanong niya.
"I just like someone here," I answered casually.
"Ugh! Kids these days talaga, oh."
I laughed. "You are just a year older than me, Ate Kelly."
"I'm still older than you. Ugh, kids," she said in a sing-song tone.
Napailing ako. "Suit yourself, Ate."
"So who is that lucky guy, huh? Baka I know him," she asked.
"I don't know his name, though."
"Is that even possible? You liked someone without even knowing his name?" she exaggeratedly asked.
"That's why I took the test. To know his name."
"Why don't you ask your father? He knows everyone."
"He's the one who told me to took the test in exchange of the name of that guy." I exhaled an agitated sigh and pouted my lips.
"Your father is really smart, huh?"
"I wish I am too," I said, almost a whisper.
"So, nakita mo na ba ulit 'yung guy?" she asked, trying to divert the topic.
I frowned. "Not yet. I hope I'll see him today."
"Uh, I'll hang up na pala. Zev is already here," she remarked.
I nodded even though she can't see me. "Alright. Take care," I stated.
"Likewise. Keep looking at him, malay mo, siya na pala talaga 'yung forever mo, right?"
Mahina akong tumawa. "Fine," pagsuko ko.
After that, she ended the call.
Ilalagay ko na sana sa purse ang cellphone ko nang makitang lumipad na ito sa hangin. My eyes widened while staring at my phone on the floor. I covered my mouth with my hand while looking at it, screen cracked.
"OMG!" Gulat kong saad.
"A-Ah I'm sorry, Miss."
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa taong nakabasag ng phone ko. "Bakit kasi hindi ka nag-iinga— OMG!"
My mouth fell open when I saw his face. I immediately plastered a smile on my face. "Hi!" bati ko.
He looked at me confusedly before handing me my phone. "I'm sorry, I did not saw you," he remarked.
I smiled shyly. "Ayos lang!"
"I'll just buy you a new one."
I dismissively wave my hand. "Kahit number mo nalang.... Ah I mean, kahit huwag na!"
"Are you sure?" he asked.
I nodded aggresively. "Oo naman."
He shrugged. "Alright. I'm sorry again."
"It's fine."
He looked at me weirdly as he shove his hands into the pocket of his jeans. He looked so handsome doing that!
"I gotta go," he remarked.
Akmang aalis na siya nang may maalala ako. "Oh wait!"
Taka siyang tumingin sa akin. "Yes?" he asked.
"What's your name?"
His forehead creased as he looked at me from head to toe. I smiled awkwardly.
He cleared his throat before answering me. "Do I know you?" tanong niya.
"We met on my father's office. Does the name, Mattheo Alferro ring a bell?"
Ilang saglit siyang natigilan bago tumango. "I know him but I don't know you."
Ouch ha.
"That's fine. I'm Maricon by the way."
He nodded before turning his back again and started to walk.
"Hey, what about your name?" tanong ko.
"Chase," he answered as he stopped walking.
My brows furrowed. "Should I chase you? For what? Can't you just tell me your name?"
"Silly," rinig kong bulong niya.
I blinked a few times. "Silly is your name?"
"Chase. I am Chase Pascua."
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