ANDRIETTE
"You're late again," Adhaya whined upon I entered our classroom. I lazily sat beside her and put my earphones on my ears.
"Hey, kausapin mo naman ako!" dagdag niya pa. I rolled my eyes before removing my earphones.
"What?"
"Matapos mo akong iwanan dito kahapon, 'yan lang ang sasabihin mo?" She glared at me and pouted her lips. Napailing naman ako.
"Alright, I'm sorry," pagsuko ko.
She giggled and rested her chin on her palm. "Treat me for lunch later."
I rolled my eyes once again before I nod. "Fine," I answered.
"Nakauwi ka naman ba ng maayos kahapon?"
Tumango ako. "May kaunting aberya lang but that's fine. Nakauwi pa rin ako."
"Sayang hindi ka nag-stay kahapon. Hindi mo tuloy napanood 'yung commotion," pagkukuwento niya.
I gave a half shrug. "The hell I care."
"Alam ko namang wala kang pakialam. It's just that I thought that you're involved."
My brows arched an inch. "What do you mean?"
"Doon kasi sila nag-away sa dinaanan mo paalis. Akala ko tuloy kasama ka sa nag-aaway," she replied.
Oh. Is she referring to the two guys from yesterday?
Sabagay, mukhang magka-away nga sila.
I shrugged before I put my earphones again. I rested my chin on my palm while watching the students across our window. Buti na lamang talaga at wala pang nakaupo rito kanina.
I glared at her when she removed my earphones. "Ano na naman?"
"Hindi pa pala kita naipapakilala sa classmates natin."
Tumayo siya at pinilit din akong tumayo. I heaved a sigh before standing up. Hinila niya ako papunta sa unahan.
"Guys, listen!" she yelled. Tumigil naman ang mga kaklase namin sa mga ginagawa nila at takang tumingin kay Adhaya.
Well, Adhaya is kinda famous here. She's actually the Student Council Vice President. Hind ko pa nga malalaman kung hindi ko nakita sa school website namin kahapon. I'm actually used to it. Adhaya is someone who doesn't like to brag her achievements— she keeps them lowkey.
"She's our new classmate— and my bestfriend. So please, treat her nice or else, ako mismo ang makakaharap niyo, alright?" My brows furrowed. Anong problema niya? Napaka-seryoso niya naman biglang magsalita.
Mukhang nagulat din ang iba naming kaklase dahil sa biglang pagseseryoso ni Adhaya. Well, she's always nice. Akala ng iba, anghel na siya sa kabaitan. But that's not true. May tinatago rin siyang kasamaan sa katawan.
I know her too well. She's my bestfrienf afterall.
"Introduce yourself, Dri," she commanded. I nod at her before facing our classmates.
"Good day, I am Andriette Flynn. I came from Erres High School, an all girls school. I am seventeen years old," I introduced myself shortly. Nagpalakpakan naman ang mga kaklase namin na sinagot ko lamang ng simpleng tango.
"Wala ka na bang idaragdag, Miss Beautiful?" tanong noong nasa may dulong lalaki. From his piercing to his annoying smile, alam ko na agad kung anong klaseng tao siya.
I suddenly remembered the guy yesterday. Parehas sila ng aura. Mukha nga lamang mas desente 'yung kahapon.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like your number," he answered. I let out a harsh breath. Ugh, men. Bakit ba hindi pa rin ako nasanay?
"Sorry, I don't give my number to strangers."
Natawa naman ang iba naming mga kaklase. The guy was taken aback so he raised his head and cleared his throat. Tsk, napakayabang.
"I'm Andre. Oh 'yan, hindi na ako stranger. Anong number mo, Miss?" he asked playfully.
Tiningnan ko naman si Adhaya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. Mukha namang nakuha niya ang ibig kong sabihin kaya't siya na ang nagsalita. "Andre," banta niya.
The guy named 'Andre' pouted before winking at me. Hindi ko na siya pinansin. "Can I seat now?" tanong ko kay Adhaya.
She sighed before nodding at me. Agad naman akong pumunta sa dati kong puwesto at tamad na umupo. Like what I did earlier, I put my earphones on my ears. Mas nilakasan ko pa ang tugtog dahil napakaingay ng mga kaklase ko.
Mukhang medyo mahihirapan akong mag-adjust dito. Sa Erres kasi, puro chismis lang ang maririnig. Mas kaya ko pang itolerate. Pero dito sa bago kong school, may mga nagtatakbuhang lakaki at nagsisigawan pa sila habang nagbabatuhan ng papel. Damn, para silang bata kung umasta.
I rolled my eyes again when Adhaya nudged my arm. I shot a brow up while looking at her. Sumenyas siyang alisin ko ang earphones ko kaya agad na kumunot ang noo ko.
"Why?" I mumbled.
Hindi niya ako sinagot at sa halip ay humarap na sa unahan. Unconsiously, my gaze landed at the front. I tilted my head when I saw a familiar face. It is the guy from yesterday. The guy named, 'Moore'.
"I said, I want that spot," seryosong sabi niya. Tiningnan ko ang likuran ko dahil baka hindi naman ako ang kinakausap niya. However, I found no one on my back.
"Yes, you," sagot niya nang ituro ko ang sarili ko.
Inalis ko ang suot kong earphones nang biglang lumakas ang tunog nito at hindi ko naintindihan ang sunod niyang sinabi.
"What?" pagmamaang-maangan ko.
"Hindi mo ba ako narinig? I want that spot," pag-uulit niya.
I leaned back on my chair and crossed my legs. "And so? Nauna ako rito. May iba pang upuan, oh," I pointed at the chair on the other side of the room. "Kita mo namang may nauna na, ipagpipilitan mo pa."
Hindi ko maiwasang umirap habang nagsasalita. Akala ko pa naman ay magkakasundo kami kahapon dahil pinatakas niya ako. Mukhang nagkamali ako ng akala.
"I repeat, I want that spot. Taon-taon ay ako ang nakaupo sa parteng iyan ng classroom." He fixed the rim of his glasses before looking at me seriously.
Gosh, he's too immature!
"Wala akong pakialam kung taon-taon ay dito ka nakaupo. Nauna ako rito kaya ako naman ang uupo rito ngayon," giit ko pa. I etched a smirk before crossing my arms.
"Aalis ka d'yan o ako mismo ang magpapaalis sa'yo," pagbabanta niya.
I faked a smile. Mukhang naghahanap ng katapat ang lalaking ito, ah? Mukhang nerd pero napakasama ng ugali. I shook my head before standing up.
"Fine, here's your... spot," sabi ko bago hinila ang upuan ko. Gusto niya pala 'yung 'spot', eh. Bahala siyang umupo habang walang upuan.
Ipinuwesto ko ang upuan ko sa likod niya bago ako tamad na umupo. Damn! Hindi ko tuloy katapat ang bintana! Napakapanira ng lalaking 'yun.
"Any problem? You want that spot, right? Iyong-iyo na," I remarked sarcasmly. Tiningnan niya muna ako ng masama bago pumunta sa itinuro kong upuan kanina at hinila iyon.
Serves him right.
Padabog siyang umupo sa harapan ko at muli akong sinamaan ng tingin. I shrugged my shoulders before faking a smile. Nang tingnan ko naman si Adhaya ay tiningnan niya rin ako ng masama.
Fine, ako na ang masama. The hell I care. Ikamamatay ko ba kapag nagalit sa akin ang lalaking 'yun?
Wala pang ilang minuto nang dumating ang homeroom teacher namin. Agad naman akong umayos ng upo. Ayaw ko namang makaaway ang teacher ko sa first day of school. Baka bukas, puwede na. Just kidding.
The corner of my mouth quirked up upon seeing our teacher. Is this a coincidence? Tumingin naman ako sa lalaki sa aking harapan. Mukhang nabato rin siya mula sa kaniyang kinauupuan.
"Good morning, class," she greeted.
Hindi na siya nagpakilala pa at agad na umupo sa table niya. Of course, kilala na niya ang mga kaklase ko. Ako na lamang yata ang hindi pa.
Honestly, she looks young. Siguro nasa mid-twenties pa lamang siya. Kung hindi siguro siya naka-uniform ng pang-teacher, aakalaing estudyante rin siya rito.
Her curvy body was accentuated by hee fitted and short uniform. Naka-bun din ang buhok kaya animo'y singkit ang mga mata niya.
I admit that she's pretty. Kaya naman pala patay na patay ang isang estudyante sa kaniya.
"We met each other again," nakangiti niyang sabi sa mga kaklase ko. Kita ko rin ang pasimpleng pagtama ng paningin niya sa lalaki sa aking unahan.
"Any new student?" she asked casually.
I lazily raised my hand. Her gaze landed on mine and I saw how her eyes widened and her body stiffened. I smiled evily. Naaalala niya pa rin pala ako.
That's nice.
She cleared her throat before asking me. "May I see your student record?"
Napatingin naman ako sa mga kaklase ko na mukhang naghihintay din. I hesitated at first but at the end, I marched infront to give her my student record.
Agad niya itong binuklat at binasa.
"Andriette Flynn," pagbasa niya sa pangalan ko. "You don't have a middle name?" she added.
"I am using my mother's surname, ma'am."
Napatango siya. I heaved a sigh and crossed my arms. Hindi niya pa ba ako pauupuin?
"So you're from an all girls school, huh? That's nice," komento niya. Hindi naman ako sumagot at sa halip ay nagpatuloy lamang sa pagtitig sa sahig.
"You're a black belter in taekwondo? That's interesting. You came from an all girls school yet you know this kind of things?"
I can't help but to stifle a smile. My Mom enrolled me in a taekwondo class when I was five years old. Thanks to her, I can protect myself from those bullies when I was young.
"And you have some pretty good grades. High enough to enter to this school. Good," she commented once again.
How I wish hindi siya makarating aa dulo ng record ko.
"But why, Miss Flynn?" tanong niya bago humarap sa akin.
"Bakit ka naexpell?" she added. The room became silent while waiting for me to explain myself.
"Oh, here's the reason!" she exclaimed when she reached the end.
"First, cuts classes fifty three times. Your school tolerates that?" tanong niya. I secretly rolled my eyes.
"Second, tatlong beses pinatunog ang fire alarm. Seriously, Miss Flynn?" I can't help but to smile. I can still remember kung paano nagpanic ang mga estudyante at teachers dahil akala nila may sunog sa school.
Yes, that's too immature. I was just bored that time and sadly, 'yung fire alarm ang napagtripan ko. Too bad, nahuli ako ng isang teacher.
"Third, hindi ka palaging nagsusuot ng complete uniform." Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago ako nginitian.
"Himala, naka-proper uniform ka?" I shrugged my shoulders. Gusto niya yatang hindi ako mag-uniform bukas, eh.
And the list goes on.
"So Miss Flynn is a rule breaker, huh? I didn't expect that." Nagtawanan ang iba kong mga kaklase dahil sa sinabi ng teacher namin. Hinayaan ko na lamang silang magsaya sa simpleng kaligayahan nila.
Instead of answering her, I flashed a half smile. Her face harden upon seeing my reaction. Akala niya siguro ay matatakot niya ako sa simpleng palabas niya.
Magugustuhan niya kaya kung sabihin ko ang sikreto niya?
She folded her arms on her lap before looking at me. "For the last time, Miss Flynn. Bakit ngayon ka lamang natanggal sa school niyo kung matagal ka nang pasaway?"
I raked my fingers through my hair before smirking at her. "Because they can't afford to lose a student like me. I brought pride and honor to their school. Bakit naman nila ako paaalisin? Too bad, they replaced our Principal and voila, I was expelled. Satisfied? If yes, can I sit now?"
"But a rule is a rule, Miss Flynn. Is that an enough punishment for someone who often break the rules?"
Muli akong napairap. Bakit ba siya tanong ng tanong?
"Atleast I did not made out with my student..." I said clearly and the classroom went deadly silent.
I shot a brow up to our homeroom teacher before I took a sight of 'Moore'. His jaw clenched while his hand turned into fist.
Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa teacher namin na ang sama na ng tingin sa akin. She set her palms down flat on the table. "Watch your words, Miss Flynn," pagbabanta niyang muli.
"I'm just joking, Ma'am. Mukha namang hindi niyo gagawin 'yun. Someone who is as prim and proper like you won't do such thing," I deadpanned sarcastically.
Bumaling naman ako ng tingin sa lalaking kanina pa nagtitimpi sa sarili niya. "Right, Moore?"
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ANDRIETTE"Yah! Why did you do that?"I rolled my eyes at Adhaya while we're walking. "What did I do?""The scene earlier! Bakit mo naman biniro ng gano'n si Miss Maisie?"I etched a smirk. Oh, right."Just move on already. Biro nga lang 'yun."She sighed. "Hindi magandang biro 'yun, Dri."Napailing naman ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.The cafeteria was almost full when we entered. Muli akong napairap dahil sa lakas ng ingay sa loob. Hindi ba nila alam na nasa school sila at hindi nasa palengke?"H'wag na lamang kaya tayong kumain? Wala na tayong mauupuan," reklamo ko. Umirap siya at tumingin sa paligid.
ANDRIETTE"What are we doing here?""Hindi ba sabi mo kanina, ililibre ako for lunch?" Adhaya asked. I lazily nod my head."You said you'll treat me pero ako pa rin ang nagbayad kanina." She pouted and crossed her arms."I'm sorry, okay? It's just that I'm too pre-occupied a while ago," I explained myself.She sighed. I thought she's going to be mad at me but she smiled. "That's why we're here! Sasamahan mo ako."
ANDRIETTE"Dixon Morris?!"I covered Adhaya's mouth with my hand. "H'wag ka ngang maingay," saway ko."Tama ba ang dinig ko? Nakilala mo na si Dixon?"I nod my head. "What's wrong?""Kung kaaway mo si Claude at nakilala mo si Dixon, ibig sabihin...""What?"
ANDRIETTE"Nakalimutan mo na yatang masamang pumatol sa babae, Moore."I jerked my head towards the direction of Dixon. Hawak nito ang pulso ni Claude at seryosong nakatingin."H-Hey," saway ko.Tumingin sa akin si Dixon bago ako nginitian. Inalis niya ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ni Claude at ibinulsa ang kaniyang mga kamay."Mind your own business, Morris," Claude remarked, still fuming mad.
ANDRIETTEI am staring at my wrist watch while silently walking at the corridor. I rolled my eyes when the bell rang. Late na naman ako.Ugh, whatever. Bahala na!I rolled my eyes when I felt an arm on my shoulder. Alam ko na agad kung sino siya dahil siya lang naman ang kayang magtangkang umakbay sa akin."Ano na namang kailangan mo, Dixon?"He laughed. "Chill, wala akong gagawing masama."
ANDRIETTE"Hindi ba puwedeng hindi ako sumama?" I whined."Hindi na nga sasama si Keith, pati rin ba ikaw?" I secretly rolled my eyes as I went inside our car."Bakit mo po pinayagan si Keith na hindi sumama? Parehas lang naman naming ayaw sumama," pagdadahilan ko pa.I picked a piece of lint from my dress before pouting. Kita ko namang tumingin sa akin si Mom at marahang umiling.Tahimik lamang ang naging biyahe na
ANDRIETTE"Anong sabi ng pusit noong nagalit siya?"I propped my chin on my hand while boredly looking at Alexis. I yawned before I answered, "What?""E'di, pushit!"My expression darkened as I cringed. "Hindi nakakatuwa," I stated.She laughed mirthlessly before pouting. "You're mean."
ANDRIETTE"I won't."I blew out my cheeks, trying to calm myself. I shut my eyes together and inhaled a large amount of air.Nang mag-mulat ako ay kapwa ko silang tiningnan ng masama. Claude raised his brow while Dixon gave an apologetic smile."Bibitiwan niyo ako o magkakasakitan pa tayo rito?"Claude sighed before letting go of my wrist. Tiningnan ko naman si Dixon na