Days have passed by quickly. Even though I'm already used to transferring from one school to another, I always find the first day exciting. I set my alarm at 5:00 A.M. so I won't be late. I took a shower and take out my newly pressed uniform. The one thing I never miss is wearing a uniform on my first day. I have transferred to five different schools so far. Every school has different rules, different uniforms, and different goals. It's luck that I always end up in the best class. I prepared everything for today. Notebooks, paper, pens, markers, mechanical pencils, erasers, scientific calculator, iPad, correction tape, scissors, folders, bond papers, ruler, glue, and even an envelop. I always bring a first aid kit along with my comb and hand lotion. So you can imagine that my backpack isn't small. I always make sure I am ready for everything.
So, Life? Throw me anything you can today and challenge my first day! I am super excited. But before I left the room, I remembered something.
"Oh, I almost forgot my baby!" I ran back to my bedside table and grab the book I was reading. That's right! The Sidney Sheldon's book! Ever since I was a kid, I always have had this bad habit of multitasking. I am one of those people that can't focus on one thing. The possibility of me losing interest in something will be heightened if I don't do anything extra. I am also a procrastinator. But if something does pique my interest, I will give my all to learn it. My goal isn't to be the best, I just need to learn a lot of things.
I ate breakfast and hop into the car. Mom bought a new Toyota car for our service. My uncle is still the driver. Honestly, I was surprised that my uncle Danny didn't tease me about that guy. He always got scolded by Mom for teasing me but he never stopped. though. I can imagine just how itchy his mouth is right now. When we arrived at the school gate, the guard opened the gate. The students can be dropped inside the school. I was surprised to see that the school ground was really big. It wasn't fully paved nor cemented though.
I put on my eyeglasses before I get out of the car. My cousin just happily got out after waving goodbye. I looked at myself in the rearview mirror. I looked weird. To make it even weirder, Mom brought me this Korean-style lunch box which I needed to carry around. It made me look like carrying a big water jug. What a look killer. When I was about to step out my uncle finally spoke.
"You look really funny." Then he laughed.
"It's your fault, remember?" I gave him an angry look. But he just laugh.
"Your Mom said so. Also, say Hi to that handsome guy from before. Maybe he can help you look more like a lady."
Have you ever had an uncle that can easily ruin your day? Well, I have one. I didn't reply to him and just stepped out. He then turned the car around and honked. I looked around to see any sign of the familiar faces that I enrolled with. I found no one. I saw a teacher from the distance and greeted her. Then, I asked her where the Grade 7 classrooms are. She pointed at the building near the canteen so I can only go there.
I found my way to my classroom and waited for it to open. I realized I was too early. It's only 6:20. The school looks spacious and the building wasn't very high. Only two-story. But I prefer this rather than the tall ones. I am afraid of heights. While I was looking around, someone approached me and said
"Ni hao! Are you a new student here?" I was shocked.
"Ah, Ni hao! Well, yeah. I am new."
"Wait, you aren't Chinese?"
"Nope. As far as I know, I was born and raised here in the Philippines."
"Oh, I see! Lol! My name's Kexin. You can call me Xin!"
"Hi, I'm Sophia. "
"Have you watched 'The Legend of the Blue Sea'?"
"Nope."
"Well, you look like Steffi Cheon!" Before I could say anything, some of her friends came forward and said hi. Xin looks somewhat familiar though.
"Ah Xin, we're you the one that took some pictures during enrollment?" She was stunned when she heard me. She looked guilty.
"It's okay. You just looked familiar, I know that's for the school publication too." I gave her a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I thought that you are his girlfriend though, and you look perfect together." Then, she gave off a devastated sad look.
"What? Who?"
"You know. Drake Anderson. Mr. Popular"
"That's his name?"
"Yeah. Wait! You're not his girlfriend?"
"Nope. I don't know him. Also, I am only 13."
The teacher arrived and opened the door. I greeted her and went inside. Since it's the first day, we can pick random locations. I sat in the centermost part of the classroom. That is the third row of the third column. Also, It's neither cold nor hot in there. My classmates look smart too.
The bell rang signaling everyone to line up on the ground. Now, there are more students. After the flag ceremony, the school has prepared a presentation for the freshmen so it was quite fun. The one playing the guitar got me hooked the most. I haven't seen his face because he's wearing a mask though.
"Mei Mei, Look! That's Drake! You know him." She exclaimed. The nearby students looked at me with awe and jealousy in their eyes. As for the boys, they looked behave. Xin was grabbing my arm like an obsessed fangirl. She likes Drake. I looked closer to confirm.
"Give a round of applause to Drake and his band!" The teacher on the stage announced.
No matter how much I tried to ignore the happenings, Xin is just too noisy. Also, when Drake took off his mask. The crowd grows even louder. Almost all his fans were shouting. Drake looked at our line. Our eyes met. Then, he smiled. For some reason, that smile made my day. I smiled back at him. As I thought no one realized, Xin was observing me. When Drake looked at me, her mind was in a frenzy. She felt like I lied. Drake took the microphone from the stand and spoke.
"To all the Grade 7 and transferee students, Welcome to Panglao High! Let's soar higher and take an extra mile towards our dreams. I'm Drake Anderson, the current Student Union Vice President. Panglao High?"
"Soar high!" the students exclaimed.
Right now, I feel proud. It seemed as though, the guy was influential.
Drake Anderson is a Grade 8 student. He is famous because of his looks, talent, and brains. Aside from being one of the Student Union Officers, he is also the leader of the school's band and the valedictorian of their batch. Knowing his real capabilities, I feel rather amazed. He is way too perfect. After speaking, he got down the stage and steal a final glance at me. He looks dashing. No wonder, the girls we're like ants swarming around that granule of sugar.
"Is he nice to everyone?" I asked Xin. She looks really surprised.
"Nope!" She exclaimed.
"Are you sure? I mean you guys seemed to like him though" I responded.
"Well, yeah but he isn't nice to everyone. He easily gets annoyed. But he is talented, smart, and handsome. So he's quite the catch." Xin said.
"Oh"
I remembered back when we first met. He did sound cold. But his tone changed quickly. Did he just do that for political reasons or something? Maybe, to curry favor? But he doesn't look like someone who cares about that. Also, he sounded friendly. Well, let's just wait and see. We'll meet during lunchtime though.
"Hey Sophie, do you like him too? If he's your crush. I'll give up " Xin said in a low voice. It looks like she was about to cry. Are girls supposed to be this sensitive?
"Ah, I can like him as a friend and an idol you know~"
"Then, he's your crush?! The world is so unfair!"
Now she's getting on my nerves. But she is cute. So I can't bring myself to hate her. Thankfully, everyone thinks she's just acting. It seemed like they knew how crazy Xin is.
The classes started with introductions. Well, I felt no pressure. I was elected to be the class treasurer while Xin was elected as the president. The teachers also introduced themselves and the subjects they will be teaching. When the clock hit 11:30 the teacher dismissed us. I take my lunch and waited for noon to meet with Drake. I was swiping through my iPad when I saw "Guitar Chords" on the screen. I forgot that I downloaded one yesterday. So, I was really looking forward to it.
The bell rang.
I waved goodbye and walked towards the Acacia tree near the entrance of the school. When I got there, I saw Him~ Drake Anderson. He looked like he was tuning the guitar. Aside from the guitar that he was tuning, there is also another guitar he has placed beside him. I walk towards him feeling a bit nervous. The guitar he was tuning was a bit smaller than the other.