Welcome to Natalia’s High School Manual! Natalia has been living her whole life following the invented rules on her manual to avoid any unnecessary and chaotic events in her school. Together with her bestfriend, Nerdy Nathan, witnessed how the two of them together with their newfound friends survive the challenges of high school life while having a roller coaster ride of emotions because of friendship, stress, and of course, love.
View MoreNATALIA CARTER –that’s my name.
First of all, I want to clarify some things. This is not a diary. You can call it a journal or whatever it is that you want, just please... Spare me the word “diary.” That kind of name was for the girly girls, like some of my classmates. They talk and write to their diaries like it’s their secret keeper or like their life depends on it.
Second, as I’ve told earlier, my name is Natalia, not Nathalia. Remove the H, please. I’m not your typical student, though I can’t also say that I’m unique. I’m just a normie teenager, and believe it or not, my story wasn’t just like the others. I’m not a nerd that falls in love with the bad boys. And here’s the reason why.
My bestfriend, Nathan, is the nerd. Not me. Our parents are best of friends that’s why they named us very likely to each other. Another reason why, bad boys in our school are definitely not hot. Like, gosh. They often went to school without taking a shower, wearing the same clothes every other day, and ruin our school properties.
Those bad boys... Their different from Tyler Smith’s group, our classmate since middle school. And yep, believe me, he’s the type of bad boy that you often read on different love stories. But I swear, I’ll never fall in love with that guy. His eyes were like the vampires. It does nothing but glare at people.
Nathan is the only friend I have. And I’m the only friend that he have, as well. Basically, we’ve known each other ever since we were a kid because of our parents. After a week from now, our summer break will be ended and classes will start to begin again.
Nathan and I will finally be a high school students! Yay! But please note the sarcasm. Being a high school student wasn’t easy, that’s what they say. But I wanted to correct them. Being a high school student is a disaster, I just didn’t know why everybody is excited... Oh well, except me of course.
“Nat! We need to buy you some new shoes!” I heard my Mom calling from outside of my room.
“I don’t need a new one, Mom!”
“I don’t care. I’m still gonna buy you a pair. Jessica told me that she’s gonna buy Nathan, that’s why I wanted you to have something new too,” she stated, knocking on my door.
I just sighed before opening my bedroom door. There she is, standing in my way looking at me like I was some kind of a freak.
“What now, Mom?” I asked.
“Come on, Nat. You’re old enough to fix yourself. Look at you! You look like a mess. Would you mind combing your hair?”
“Fine, fine. But, do we really need to buy a new shoes for school? I mean, I thought we are on a tight budget right now.”
“That’s not your concern anymore. Just fix yourself so that we can go now.”
“Alright...” I answered, bored.
She motioned me to get inside of my room and start fixing myself. I just nodded before closing the doors again. The reason why I don’t want to spend some money on a new stuffs because that was against the rule number one of my manual, stating, “Don’t show off. Stay low key.”
If you’re wondering what is that manual, it’s a compilation of some rules that I’d created myself. Those rules keep me safe all these years. I survived middle school because of that manual and I’m hoping that my high school life would be as peaceful as possible with the help of it, of course.
Nathan often wondering why do I need to follow all those rules and restrain myself from all the fun. But my answer was very simple. I don’t want to be like him. If his own definition of fun is being dragged on by the bullies at school hallways because he didn’t let them copy his assignments, then I rather enjoy myself at home than join in that kind of fun.
Through the many years of studying, I already came up of almost a hundred rules on my manual. And now that we are going to be a high school students, I’m planning to create another one. A manual containing new and fresh rules for me. Everyday during after my classes, I’ll try to come up with one rule to be added on my manual. In that way, I can summarized what I’ve learned in school that day.
“Nat! Where are you? We need to go now!” I heard my Mom shouted from downstairs.
I quickly grabbed my comb before trying to fix my messy hair. It didn’t do. So, to make the long story short, I picked up a scrunchies and tied it in my hair. I looked at the mirror, not bothering to put a powder on my face or anything. I’m fine with my looks. I’m contented and happy for who I am, and I believe that that’s already enough. And that is what makes my manual’s rule number two: “Be yourself. Love your looks.”
I ran downstairs, surprised to see my bestfriend and Aunt Jessica sitting on the couch in our living room. Nathan waved at me, and of course I did the same.
“Hey, Nat!” I greeted him.
“Hello, Nat.”
“Your nicknames are so cute! I’m glad we named you two after each other.”
My Mom laugh at Aunts Jessica’s remark. Now I know why she’s rushing me earlier. That it’s because Nathan and his Mom were already waiting for us here.
“Come on, kids. Hop in,” Aunt Jessica told us as soon as we got outside of the house.
She opened the door before Nathan and I got inside. Mom sat in the passenger seat, next to Aunt Jessica. They are blabbering about some random stuffs the whole trip while Nathan and I are just sitting quietly besides each other on the backseat.
“Hey...” Thankfully, he finally opened his mouth.
“What?”
“I think Mom and Dad are going to have a divorce soon,” he whispered melancholically.
“What?!” I nearly gasped in disbelief.
“Shhh. Please lower your voice. I can feel it. Even if they didn’t told me about it, I know that it will happen someday.”
I just stare at him, scrutinizing his emotions through his eyes.
“Are you okay?” I worriedly asked.
“Yeah. Don’t mind me. Though I’m a bit sad, but I know you wouldn’t leave me like what my Dad’s going to do soon.”
“Of course I won’t,” I promised, before I offer my pinky finger. He accepted it, and we sealed our promises.
My third rule was, “Never state a promise to anyone.” I neglected it, for I knew in my heart that I’m going to rephrase it later as soon as I got home. Rule number three is gonna be, “Learn to keep your promises.”
• RULE NUMBER 01: Don’t show off. Stay low key.• RULE NUMBER 02: Be yourself. Love your looks.• RULE NUMBER 03: Learn to keep your promises.• RULE NUMBER 04: Always be open for exceptions.• RULE NUMBER 05: Never befriend anyone of they didn’t talk to you first.• RULE NUMBER 06: Avoid being late.• RULE NUMBER 07: Always list down the important details.• RULE NUMBER 08: Never listen to Nathan’s nonsense statements.• RULE NUMBER 09: Never date a guy.• RULE NUMBER 10: Never speak any foul words.• RULE NUMBER 11: Never believe in anyone.• RULE NUMBER 12: Learn to apologize and forgive.• RULE NUMBER 13: Learn how to wait patiently. There’s always a next time.• RULE NUMBER 14: Never deny your bestfriend.• RULE NUMBER 15: Never lie to your Mom.• RULE NUMBER 16: Learn to
GRADUATION day. Today is the day that we all been waiting for, when we can finally be a college student... More like having another responsibilities but still, another journey where in we can proudly say that we survived high school, the most scary and unexpected part of our lives.“Ready? Come, I can’t wait to march and get my diploma on stage,” Nathan stated, before attempting to touch my hair.“Don’t! Do you know how many hours my Mom spent on my hair?” I asked him, and he chuckled.“You really wanted to look pretty, huh?”“Of course. This is the last time that we are going to see some of our classmates. Might as well leave a good impression on them.”“Whatever. You know that no matter what happens, you will always look beautiful for me,” he answered, before pinching my cheeks as he noticed that I am blushing. I p
“JUST follow me.” The two of us knocked on the door, before it swing opened, revealing my mother who immediately gave us a warm smile plastered on her face.“Hi, Nats. Why are you home so early? No celebration for the results of the exam, eh?”“Mom don’t listen to Nathan’s nonsense words,” warned her.“What are you talking about?”“This is not pure nonsense, Aunt. I’m here because I wanted to tell you something...”“And what is that, Nathan?”“I don’t want your daughter to be my best friend anymore. I want her to be more than that... I love your daughter, and I want her to be my girlfriend. So please, would you allow me to court her, please?” Nathan stated, making me and my mother gasped in shock.“You want my daughter to be your girlfriend?” my Mom asked him, and he immediately nodded, as
FEW days passed by. Today will be out final exam, yet I haven’t got the chance to talk to Nathan... Nor he ever did something to show signs that he wanted to spend some time with me as well... Alone. During our review sessions, I tried to act fine, knowing that the squad will keep on nagging us about our situation. But then, as time passes by, Nathan already realized that something is wrong, making him chase after me every single time that he will see me walking on the hallways of Jackson High. I tried my best to avoid him, but to no avail. He just keeps on following me, and I have no other choice but to talk to him just like what happened this morning.“Nat... Do you want us to have a great lunch together after the exams?” he asked me.“Uhm... Maybe. It depends how hard the exam is, Nathan.”“No endearment this time?” he asked me, and I shook my head in disapproval.“Nat is not an endear
WHEN the dance ended, the students came in circle around the bonfire, before the organizers have us two strings, one with the color of red and one with a color of blue. They wanted us to give the red color strings to the people we wanted to thank, and the blue one to the people we wanted to apologize to. The reflection began to start, and of course, Becca gave both of her strings to Scott, the same way that he did. Nathan and I chuckled to himself, watching the two of them nearly kiss. Nathan gave me his red string, while I gave him the blue one.“Thank you, Natalia. Thank you for being my best friend. And for not giving up on me. You made my high school so memorable.”“Aww... Here. Take my blue string. Sorry for everything. For not listening to you... For being too stubborn all the time. I’m always glad to have you as my best friend, Nathan.” He hugged me, and I di
TWO days passed by. We ran out of activities to do during our retreat, so the organizers decided to have a campfire night later on, during our last night in the retreat. Everything went fine, or so I thought. Because it seems like Freeda and her squad was unable to bully me became Nathan is always around, as well as Scott to Becca. I guess they will have to find a proper time to do something towards us.“Ready for the campfire later tonight? I heard that there will be dance and reflection in front of the bonfire later on,” Scott explained, sounding very excited.“Really? That would be great. Let us enjoy our last night together, alright?” Becca added, before taking a fries from my plate.“Well, seems like the two of you will be enjoying that bonfire activity later on,” Nathan mischievously answered, teasing them.“Let’s see. Maybe you will too, with Natalia.”“You&rsqu
AFTER we went home, Nathan left me in the doorstep without saying another word. I stood there, feeling sorry for myself because I didn’t even ask Nathan if he already forgive me or even thank him for taking me home. I sighed, before turning around to get inside. But just as I was about to, the door opened up.on it’s own, revealing my mother behind it who looked so surprised to see me.“Natalia... Dear, why are you home so late? It’s nearly six in the evening... We still have a dinner in your Aunt Jessica’s place.”“What?! In Nathan’s house?”“Yes. I forget to tell you about it yesterday. You two should spend some time together. So Jessica and I decided to have a sleepover there.”“But Mom...” I trailed off, thinking that she wouldn’t understand our complicated situation even if I try to explain it.“Come on. Just change your clothes and pa
“SCOTT! What happened? Have you two been captured as well?” I stood up, before asking him. The officers of the booth pushed them inside, together with us. Becca is frowning, as if she can’t believe that she needed to stay here with us.“Yes. I’m sorry for not answering your calls. I was about to follow Nathan to get the foils but then, those students catch me as if I’m doing something illegal.“Well, that’s how they go. Anyways, how long does we have to stay here?” Nathan asked the other students, and they chuckled.“Two hours at most, if you don’t have a friend to bail you out.” The four of us frowned, before sitting on the ground. We sat there, quietly. It felt awkward, being together again after a couple of months of being enemies with Becca. Scott tried calling some of his basketball teammates, and thankfully, one of them bail us ou
NATHAN came over my direction, glaring at me as if I was the one who did something wrong. I bit my lower lip, before wiping away my tears, not wanting him to see me being weak and vulnerable. After all, he is not my best friend anymore.“What’s your problem?!” he asked, as if questioning me.“Did you really come here just to ask me that?” I asked him back, my voice slightly breaking out.“Yes. You’re making a big deal out of picking colors for our booth. You are making me look like a bad person.”“Because you’re being one, Nathan! Why are you acting like a jerk all of the sudden? Is this because–”“This conversation is over.” He was about to walk away when I pulled his arm, not wanting him to go without finishing our conversation. He pulled his arms away from me, retrieving it while glaring upon my direction.
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