MARICON
I stomped my foot out of frustration as I crumpled a new piece of paper. It's been an hour since I started trying composing my own lyrics but I ended up with nothing but dissapointment.
I massaged my temples as my lips drew in a hard line. Why is it so hard?
Naputol ang pagmamaktol ko nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng kuwarto ko. "Pasok, Dad."
Agad namang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa si Daddy na mukhang galing sa trabaho. His forehead immediately creased upon seeing my current state.
"What's happening?" he asked as he sat on the chair across my supposedly study table.
"I'm trying to compose a song," I answered.
His face lit up as he flashed a smile. "Really? That's good!"
"But it's hard." I frowned and put the guitar on my bed.
"Of course, it is. Walang bagay na madali, anak."
I pouted. "Some people are smart enough to write a composition within a short amount of time. Sadly, I'm not one of them."
"You have the talent," he stated.
"But I'm not smart."
Ilang segundo siyang natigilan. See? Even him, he knew that I am not smart. I bit my lower lip and looked away.
"You are."
My brows snapped together as I looked at him confusedly. "I'm not," giit ko.
"You really are, anak." His mouth curved into smile as he shrugged his shoulders.
Taka ko siyang tiningnan.
"Huh?"
"Welcome to Avalon High, Maricon."
"Just... Just how did I got here?" I whispered to myself while holding at the strap of my bag.
I blinked a few times and looked around me. All of them are busy talking with their friends. While me? I don't have anyone to talk to.
Napailing ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Ilang minuto pa ay nakarating na ako sa tapat ng classroom na papasukan ko.
Avalon High has a lot of sections. But unlike to a normal school, the students were divided not with their intellect but with their parent's social status.
That's why I am here. Infront of the first class.
I bit my lower lip before opening the door, already expecting to enter a whole new world.
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong classroom nang makapasok ako. The room is almost full of students. Pero may ilang minuto pa bago magsimula ang klase, ah?
Napangiwi ako. Punctuals.
I also inspected the interior of the room. So that's why a lot of students are dying just to study here, huh? The room is too modern. Walang blackboard or whiteboard katulad sa normal school. Ang tanging nasa unahan ay ang napakalaking flat screen tv.
So that's why Ate Celeste suggested me to wear a UV light protection glasses. Alright, I get it now.
"Maricon!" My brows immediately furrowed when someone called my name. May nakakakilala sa akin dito?
I scanned my eyes to the room and there I found the one who called my name. It was Psyche. The girl that I met during the Admission Test.
I smiled awkwardly to her. She waved her hands and instructed me to go to her direction. Agad naman akong sumunod kahit na pinagtitinginan na ako ng iba pa naming kaklase.
Anong problema nila?
"Hi," pagbati ko kay Psyche.
She smiled at me. "I told you, makakapasa ka!"
I scratched my head before giving her a simple nod. "Sinuwerte lang," I answered.
"Why don't you sit with me?" she asked.
Agad naman akong tumango. "Of course!"
"Here," she stated before pointing the chair beside her.
"Puwede bang doon ako sa may bintana umupo?"
Ilang segundo siyang nag-isip bago marahang tumango. "My friend told me to reserve a seat for him but sure, you can sit there. Mapapakiusapan naman 'yun."
"Thank you." Tipid akong ngumiti bago naglakad papunta sa upuan na katabi niya at tapat ng bintana.
I constantly tapped my foot on the floor while waiting for the class to start. Why am I so nervous? Hindi naman ako palaging kinakabahan sa mga ganito pero—
"Where's my seat?"
Tila naestatwa ako sa aking kinauupuan nang may marinig akong pamilyar na boses. Agad akong nag-angat ng tingin kung sino ang nag-salita.
My eyes widened upon seeing him. That's him! He's my classmate!
"I met a new friend, Chase!" Psyche exclaimed before looking at me.
Muling nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang ibaling niya ang tingin sa akin. He tilted his head a bit while looking at me. Mayamaya pa ay tumango lamang siya at muling bumaling ng tingin kay Psyche.
I pouted. Hindi man lamang ba siya magh-hi? We already met each other before! Don't tell me hindi niya ako natatandaan?
"Where should I seat?" He asked Psyche.
"Ah, my friend wants to sit there so I already gave your spot to her. You can sit here." Itinuro ni Psyche ang upuan sa tabi niya kung saan ako dapat uupo kanina.
"Uhm... You can sit here if you want! Lilipat na lamang ako," I suggested.
Sa halip na sagutin ako ay agad siyang umupo sa itinurong upuan ni Psyche.
I pursed my lips together, still embarrassed because of what happened. Why is he so snob? Ayaw man lamang niya akong kausapin o tingnan!
Psyche looked at me. "He's just shy," she stated and jerked her finger in the direction of Chase.
Tumango na lamang ako at ngumiti. "That's fine," I remarked before looking at Chase once again.
He is already busy reading a book. I sighed. He likes something that I hate. Books.
Napailing na lamang ako at tumingin sa paligid ko. My lips drew in a hard line while looking at my classmates gazing on me from time to time.
My brows furrowed. Why are they looking at me?
"Uhm Psyche," pagtawag ko sa aking katabi.
"Hmm?"
"Bakit nakatingin sa akin 'yung ibang kaklase natin kanina? Did I do uhm... Something wrong?" I asked warrily.
"Maybe because they are intimidated by your presence," sagot niya at tumingin din sa mga kaklase namin. Agad naman silang nag-iwas ng tingin.
My forehead creased out of confusion. "I looked intimidating?"
She nodded.
"But you all looked intimidating to me," I uttered.
She chuckled. "That's why you belong here with us."
I let out a harsh breath. I certainly don't belong here.
Natigil ang pag-uusap namin nang dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob ang sa palagay ko ay teacher namin. Even her, she looks intimidating.
Everyone here looks so intimidating to the point that I felt suffocated because of my surroundings.
"Good morning," the teacher greeted.
Tatayo na sana ako para bumati pero walang ni isa na bumati sa kaniya pabalik. My forehead creased. Hindi ba sila babati sa teacher namin?
"Alferro."
My eyes widened when she suddenly called my surname. Taka akong tumingin sa teacher namin. She raised her eyebrow on me when I met her gaze.
"Me?" I asked and pointed at myself.
Psyche nudged my arm so I looked at her confusedly. She smiled awkwardly before mouthing, "Say present."
My mouth gapped before nodding.
"Present, Ma'am."
She nodded before calling the next name. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. I looked at Psyche before giving her a thankful smile. She just shrugged her shoulders and smiled at me.
She likes smiling, huh. Such an unexpected act for someone who has an intimidating aura like her.
"Bishop."
"Present," Psyche answered.
Napatango naman ako. Psyche Bishop. Such a nice name.
I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling while waiting for the teacher to call Chase's surname. Ilang saglit pa ay tinawag na rin siya.
"Pascua."
"Present," Chase answered in a serious tone.
Pascua. Sa susunod, Pascua na rin ang gagamitin ko. I shook my head and laughed out of embarrassment.
Natigil ako sa pag-iimagine nang muli akong tawagin ni Psyche.
"Hmm?" I asked her.
Kumunot ang noo ko nang magtawanan ang mga kaklase namin. I blinked a few times as my lips pouted. Why are they laughing at me?
"The teacher said that you should go infront and introduce yourself," Psyche whispered.
My eyes widened. Bakit kailangan pa ng ganoon? I'm shy!
"Uh..." She nudged my arm once again. Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata kaya't wala akong nagawa kung hindi tumayo at sumunod.
I walked shyly infront before facing my classmates.
"Kailangan po bang mahaba?" tanong ko sa teacher namin.
She sighed and shook her head. "Anything's fine."
Napatango naman ako at muling humarap sa mga kaklase ko na tila nag-aantay ng pagpapakilala ko. Bakit kailangan ko pang magpakilala samantalang mukhang kilala na naman nila ako?
I let out a harsh breath before flashing a smile.
"I am Maria Corazon Alferro. Nice to meet you."
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