The first day of class went by so fast and it was time for him to go to his part-time job. He went to look for his locker to leave some school stuff. He was amazed that the locker rooms had their own shower and changing station.
"Well, what do I expect from a well-known university" Talin spoke to himself.
Most of the boys ogle over his developed muscles and biceps.
Instead of his usual polo shirt and green pants, he was now wearing fashionable clothing. To his old schoolmates, the way he dressed changed. With his crew cut fade men's hair he was now putting on a white t-shirt and classic black pants.
In no time, he walked towards the main gates of the university and waited for the school bus to arrive. While waiting, Anatalia approached him.
"Hey," Anatalia shyly said.
He just gave the girl a cold shoulder.
"Erm, I'm Anatalia Vasquez one of your classmates do you remember me?"
"No." Talin responded while walking out as he got to the school bus.
"There you are! Just where the hell have you been and what are you doing here huh?" Anatalia's friend Dina came up nowhere.
"Don't tell me you're still stalking the fat prick?"
"No, I just wanted to check if my driver's here," she said trying to cover what she did trying to get the attention of her crush.
"Yeah right, let's go hang out with my friends," said Dina, forcibly taking away her friend's arm and walking first.
Anatalia stopped and faced her, "what are you talking about? I need to get home I still have piano lessons, my mom will get mad at me if I don't take it seriously"
Dina looked at her friend and sighed deeply.
"I'll go now," Anatalia said while both of her hands were waving in the air.
"Me too. Join our party tomorrow with my friends, will you Ana? Dina said.
"I doubt that. As far as I can remember I need to join my dad in meeting our company's excellent staffs."
Dina's brows suddenly furrowed. "What the heck Ana! Within this week okay? We're gonna have some fun together."
..
"Beep! Beep!"
"Talisay station!"
The bus stopped at the nearest waiting shed of the convenience store that Talin's been working at. He walked two minutes to his workplace. He used to do this kind of thing every time he worked out and went home from high school. And he always put in his mind that he needs to do that to lose weight and regain his self-confidence. Whenever he's depressed he always goes for a jog or walks. It's his way of relieving himself from stress. Whether it's raining or a sunny day, morning or afternoon, and even dawn.
He arrived at the store and logged in. He saw Andero and Iko working overtime. They stood up at the same time and then smiled at Talin.
"Hi" Talin greeted his workmates.
"Hello, how was your day?" Iko asked
"It's fine, thank you, anyway is my assigned area still the same?"
"Uhm, yea maybe next month you'll change work and you'll be assigned at the counter."
"Oh okay," Talin responded.
When the whole day was over, he went home very tired and immediately fell asleep. He didn't bother to eat dinner because he ate some sandwiches that his mom prepared for him.
The next day came. After waking up, Talin went to the bathroom and prepared the school uniform that he was going to wear. He finished taking a bath and went out of the bathroom covering a towel on his lower body and quickly changed. He grabbed his bag and looked at himself in the mirror. He sprayed some perfume and went downstairs heading for breakfast. Aiming for his last step on the stairs, he saw his brother and mother waiting for him.
The family quickly ate breakfast, the brothers immediately went out to go to their different schools and their mom went to her workplace. While waiting for the school bus to arrive, he saw Gayo not far away from him biking towards his direction.
"What's wrong with you? Do you have a problem? Weren't you in a hurry for school?"
His brother looked at him sadly.
"Something's been bothering me for not telling you and I'm afraid mom will be disappointed about this," Gayo worriedly said.
"You're right Tal, I should've taken my projects and exams seriously. How am I able to tell mom about this? she's been dealing with so many problems these days"
"I'm having a hard time learning trigonometry and precalculus Tal, math is bullshit"
"I'm taking remedial exams next week, please help me study"
He blinked twice while clenching his jaw, processing what his brother had just said.
"How am I supposed to help you with that Bro? I don't even have time for myself to study" Talin replied.
"I feel so sad right now. I disappointed you and mom. I need to review or I'll end up repeating my grade level next year. I'll focus on my studies from now on."
"Fine, I'll hand you the notes that you needed to read and I'll test your learnings."
"Really? Deal! Thanks bro, but if I don't learn on the first try of a topic please don't screw the deal" Gayo added.
The chat ended as Wellington U's school bus arrived.
"Let's continue talking on Snapchat Bro, I gotta go" Said Talin as he waved his one hand in the air.
After finding a seat on the bus Talin straight away texted his brother, words to comfort and inspire him.
"On Sundays I don't do much, that's my free time I'll help you study trigonometry and precalculus"
"Don't be nervous about telling mom okay? Wait for me to come home from work and I'll be your backup. I'll put my phone on silent now, bye."
Talin looked out the window and sighed heavily.
Time passed by quickly and he didn't realize that he had already arrived at his school. When he arrived at his classroom everyone just ignored him. He didn't even bother to glance at his classmates.