Chapter II: New Girl

June 13, 1983. It’s the first day of school and I was supposed to come in early to check in first with the school registrar for my brief orientation and list of class subjects.  I wanted to kick myself for not pushing my older sister Mica to hurry.  This was our first day in our new school and it would be unpleasant if we came in late to our class.  At 13, I felt nervous like an incoming kindergarten pupil. 

Mica and I were transferred from an exclusive girls’ school to a co-ed semi-private one.  My Nanay (Mom) decided to transfer Mica as she had issues with the faculty of our previous school. And decided without telling me she included me in the process.  

 “I want you to keep an eye on your sister. If she is all alone in that new school, who knows what she will do next?”. Nanay told me without bothering to ask me if that’s ok with me.  I was speechless. I was looking forward to seeing Mona, my best friend, and my section peers. We planned on doing so many things. And I was not able to say goodbye to all of them.

I stumped my feet and said,” How could you do this to me? And since when did I become my sister’s keeper? Heavens - she’s three years older than me!”.  Nanay threw a saucer at me and I kept my mouth tightly shut after that. Never mind getting my temple hurt by that literally flying saucer.

Mica had always spelled trouble for us. She was the prettiest of us sisters (I have two other older sisters Becky and Bree who were both working students and busy watching over our family muse). Her height, body, her brown, flawless skin, and dimples. She was always the popular one: boys kept chasing her.  She was on the varsity volleyball team. And she gained fanboys everywhere she went. I was the youngest, the short one with fair skin and common features.  Our relatives would jokingly refer to me as “Latak (Leftover)” and marveled at how pretty Mica was over her other three sisters.  I really didn’t care. I just wanted to smack them if given the chance. I think Mica was so conceited from hearing those remarks. She was always tardy.  And Nanay would always scold me if I left for school without waiting for her. It takes her forever to wake up and take a bath.  Nanay decided to give our transportation fare to her so I will not be able to leave without her.  I thought she did not really care about me as she kept hearing Mica was the prettier one. As I wasn’t as pretty, I was safe and will never cause trouble. I thought this was really unfair.  Mica was so popular she went out with the most popular boy in the exclusive boys’ school just across ours.  Noel was the team captain of the volleyball team. They met while having snacks with their respective teams in the cafe near our school. It was an instant connection. They were the power couple then.  Everywhere they go, people would look at them and say “What a cute couple!” Mica would always watch Noel’s game. And vice versa.  Noel would also be nice to me, as Mica’s little sister who kept tagging along. He would buy me snacks while they hang out in that school cafe with their circle of friends. I really liked Noel.

When Mica transferred to our new school, she did not seem bothered at all with having to move.  She even prepared all her clothes and shoes ahead. It was already late when I learned why - she broke off with Noel just before transferring. I marveled at how indifferent she looked then. Not once did I see her cry over the break-up. Upon my prodding, she told me in secret that the reason she broke off with him was because of a rumor that he got someone pregnant. And that girl also studied in our school. Apparently, she fell hard for Noel and followed him everywhere, even spending time at his house. What juicy news indeed.  Mica got my respect for that, albeit grudgingly.  Noel tried making up to her, in vain. Mica never bothered taking his calls and ignored the letters he sent through her friends.   And that was why, Mica looked forward to moving on, and meeting new guys at our new, co-educational school. It was like going to the next phase of her life. A life without Noel, in a new, strange place.

“Nia, let’s go!”, shouted Mica.  We were almost late in leaving the house and it’s the usual Manic Monday. I put on a simple blue blouse and cream pants with blue shoes.  I wanted to come in pink (my favorite color) however, this blue blouse was the only new thing in my collection. Mica had on her white blouse and blue jeans with sneakers.  We did not have the school uniform sets yet: Mom told us to buy our sets only that day.  Anyways,  it was the first day: some would be in civilian clothing.  I was an emotional wreck. I should not go through first-day jitters anymore.  I wanted to emulate Mica and be cool.  I stole a glance at her.  Indeed, she was a picture of nonchalance and seemed to be all keyed up. Talk about someone brimming with confidence.

The school registrar was a motherly, bespectacled middle-aged lady. She gave us the list of our subjects and room numbers, then shooed us off.  Mica guided me to my 2nd-floor classroom and she ran up to the 5th floor to look for her own room.  I tentatively went inside and saw around 50 students seated, some were chatting, and the room was pretty lively. I checked on an empty chair in the middle and sat down.  Most of the students wore their class uniform and a number came in civilian clothes. My head was bowed down and could not look around. I saw at the corner of my eye that someone sat next to me.  It was a very pretty, dark, unsmiling chic girl who was also in civilian clothes. ‘I think she’s also new here.’ I thought.  She looked at me and said” I’m Charm. What’s yours?” I was taken aback, then replied, “I’m Nia. I’m new here.”  She smirked and whispered, ‘I know. I heard all those stupid girls talking behind you. They call you New Girl. They totally ignored me.” Behind me, some one tapped lightly on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a boy with light makeup and eyeliner looking at me. “Hi, I’m Val. I’m also new here. Welcome to the world of the unknown.” He raised his eyebrows theatrically and sniggered. I almost laughed at him hysterically, but I clapped my hand on my mouth.  “Hi, Val. I’m Nia and this is Charm.” So, now there were three of us.  At least, I think we can survive this, I thought to myself. The teacher came in and the class officially started.  I can breathe in easily.  I made two friends. I smiled to myself, ‘Not bad.’ The class was becoming lively with conversations about summer, new places, fashion, that new wave song from Tears for Fears. We were asked to write down the assignment for the next lesson and I groped inside my bag for my solitary pen.  Nothing.  I checked out the bag again and again. No pen.  I looked around and whispered to Charm “Do you have a spare pen?” She shook her head. I sighed. Then I saw a hand with a pen come near me and I looked at its owner.  A tall, lanky, ridiculously cute, clean-cut boy was smiling at me while offering his pen. He was seated behind me near Val.  I took it, smiled, and mouthed “Thanks!”. I was able to jot everything down in my notebook and looked around for the boy who lent me his pen.  Apparently, he went back to his old seat and was now about 2 rows away from me. I tried catching his eye, but he did not look my way.  I thought of how I could return the pen to him, as I was shy and could never go around the room.

Soon, the bell rang signaling the end of class.  I packed up my bag and exited. I waited outside the room. The other students piled out of the room noisily.  I patiently waited for the boy until he stepped outside. I handed over his pen to him and he stopped. He slowly took the pen and asked, “You don’t need it anymore?” “Yes. Thank you so much. You saved my life,” I smiled widely at him. He grinned back. “I’m Lance Javier.” I was a bit rattled, recovered, then replied “Oh, I’m Nia Zamora.” He shook my hand. “Nice to meet you, Nia.”  I nodded and said “Bye. See you tomorrow.” “OK.”  I hurriedly went down to the ground floor and searched for my sister. I saw her surrounded by guys and some girls. I inwardly groaned. ‘Here we go again, the popularity formula strikes!.’ Slowly I made my way to her and tried to catch her eye.  Mica saw me then waved to her newfound friends. She pulled me away and said “Let’s go now. I’m starving.” I tugged at her and said, “We need to buy our school uniform sets first.” Mica rolled her eyes.