Chapter 2: New Student pt. 1

Jacob Valdez sent you a friend request.

Accept / Delete

Hmmm Jacob Valdez? Who is this guy? Meh I should just check it later at home, who knows what my professor will do when I get caught using a phone at class.

Our professor just gave us a whole translation. Even it took hours I still couldn’t get it; I need brain cells. Why did I even stayed up late watching dramas? What to do? I just shut my eyes and just put my head on my desk.

“...so how does the. s ha...ppen? so... t. he" I really can't understand anything that my professor is saying. My eyes just gave up on it. Aack!! Oh well! I am sleepy now. I'm just going to nap a bit. I don't think my professor would catch me since my seat is at the back side of the class.

"Psst hey... psst Dianna what are you doing?" I hear Maxine whispering beside me.

"Max gahd I'm really sleepy. My eyes just can't keep up with the lesson." I whisper back at her.

"You stayed up all night? Dianna, you keep on doing these things. Look at your face, you're basically a panda or a racoon." 

"The drama was so good to watch, I had to stay up for it."

"Then what time did you even sleep?"

"5 am"

"What the-"

"Ehem" and that was our professor. Maxine reacted loudly that she was heard, nice going Max

"Please avoid speaking while I'm having a class" 

"Anyway, this kind of~" blah blah blah gahd, why is his voice like that? Sounds so lethargic, it is the kind that makes you want to listen to a lullaby.

"Psst Dianna" whispered by Max

"What? I swear if we get caught again by sir."

"Eh well. Seriously? 5 am? How many hours of sleep did you get? Did you even sleep?"

"Kinda like that, I guess"

"Wow the determination, I applaud you girl. But you looked like a zombie. A while ago you were energetic in telling your lovey dovey first kiss with Blake. For real are you sleepy because of the professor or the drama you watched?"

"Tsss"

"Just kidding pfft"

"Max let's just talk later, okay? I bet sir is-"

"Ms. Zandoval and Ms. Magno! Last Warning!" Called it, relax Dianna, just a few more minutes

Lunch

"Phew finally sir's time is done, no more lecture" It's a bit frustrating why does he teach like that? Lullaby voices, it really makes you sleep.

"You watched drama all night, that just added up to your drowsiness." Maxine giving me a nudge on the shoulder.

"Bess come on let's all hurry, I don't want to wait in line, there might not be any food left with all of your talking." Ella runs while pulling all of us, completely dragging us haha. We just let go of her hand she went zooming towards the cafeteria. Yes, school cafeteria, our school has those, one of the few things I am thankful for. Our food is served in trays and quite good delicacies if I'm being honest wow. Well, it is included in our tuition, so it is a no choice for us, unless we bring our own food at school. The food just tastes so great here... top quality as the others says, well I'll admit, the food is second to my cooking. A little bit of bragging from time to time, just give me my moment readers.

"Hmmm... Beef stew, rice, Mashed Potato, Lasagna, and our drinks is either milk or orange juice in a carton" Maine can't hide the excitement of all the wonders of the food being offered today.

See! Our lives here are just going well, if you are asking how in the world, I got into this school is because of my good academic grades. In my last school I was one of the top honored students that's why I got myself a scholarship in this prestigious school it was hard for my parents since we just live in a normal life. HR is the course that me and my friends took for university, and I want to become a health service manager one day. And of cour-... Why are the students besides us are so noisy? What are they even saying? I'm giving a background check of myself here!

"Do you hear what they are saying? They're making too many noises." I whispered with a glint of frustration from their noise.

"Them? The table beside us, right?" Maxine replies in a provocative way that she even points at the other table. Of course, I quickly put her hand down because it is embarrassing. "Ah because there is someone- Wait don't tell me you guys haven't heard the news yet?" Maxine replies with confusion.

"What news?" says Ella

"Is it today, Max?" Maine quickly hops on the conversation

"What do you mean today? Just spill the beans already!?" Ella is getting all worked up with the tension around us.

"You guys really don't know? Even you Dianna? No clue at all?"

"I got nothing Max" I said with a soft reply with a sip of my milk.

"That's why we're asking you Max, now spill it."  Ella is not in a good mood; I could tell you that.

"Guys we have a new transferee coming to this school. HR is also his course, but I'm not quite sure what class is he going to be in." Maxine says it in a calmly manner, like for real? She hyped us for that. What's the big deal with this transferee though? A star? Son of a governor?

"Eh? So what? Rich kid? Son of a mayor? President? Friend of a star?" Ella replies with more confusion than me. Well, she read my mind like an open book. Great minds do think alike haha.

"Handsome?" We all looked at Maine surprisingly when she said that. Come to think of it, is he handsome?

"They have like a huge company in the US, almost all other companies are in it and their shares are incomparable. I think his brother is also coming here as a transferee soon.

Ahh so that's why there are a lot of talks about the guy, sounds interesting.

"He has an older brother?" Maine just keeps asking so suddenly that it gets us so bad.

"Hey, don't tell me Maine, you already like the guy even without seeing him yet? Just focus on your studies haha you are still our baby." Max just loves to tease Maine. We were all surprised with Maine's answers, but we all have our own preferences so yeah, no big deal.

"Hahah sure study I'll do that. But guys, there's only like 5 mins for our lunch, we might be late if we don't get back now." Oh, my gahd, we were focused on the story telling and chit chats that we might be late. We didn't even finish our lunch yet. ARGHH!

We quickly gobbled up our lunch. Ourr next subject is History, I don't like it, but I have no choice. The professor is also a terror ugh. School is school.

End of Lunch Break

We went out of the cafeteria and on our merrily skipped to class. Who wouldn't with a full stomach right?

"The food was so good; I think I'm going to explode" While Ella's holding her tum tums.

"I agree on that" Followed by Maine. And here comes Maxine hurrying and pushing us so we could go faster to our classrooms.

"Yeah, you guys are full, too heavy for me to push haha"

"Eh why are you pushing us then? You're the one struggling not us haha" Jokingly I smile to Max while sipping my milk.

"I'm already used to struggling with people" Maxine replies

"Wow strong woman? hahahah" As Ella flexes her imagination muscles hahaha.

I want to go to the restroom first so I could fix my make up, I feel like my face is haggard. Girls treat yourself with self-care. Love yourself. No, I'm not a BTS army sorry hahaha. We should be beautiful, like me. Jk just give me this chance to motivate myself.

"Hey Bess, I need to go and fix my make up first. You guys go on ahead, okay?" And I ran towards the stairs because below it is the restroom for females. As soon I turned the corner, something hard hit my head. Not too hard, looks like a chest of someone. We both fell because of the impact of me running.

"Mi-Miss are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?" Wait, what did he say? Why is this happening? Even though he is talking, my head just automatically cancels it. All I know is that in these seconds I have been staring at him. Wait what am I doing? His eyes just get me, but where have I seen those before? Familiar? ARGH, erase that from your mind Dianna.

As I looked away from him, my face was feeling warm. Am I blushing?

He stood up first from the fall that happened.

"Miss are you okay? Your face is red, are you sick by any chance?" As he reaches his hand to help me get up. Wow he's a gentleman. Plus, points maybe?

"No no no, I'm fine" Yet I shoved his hand to get up on my own. I got up and just went on my way to the restroom and closed the door behind me as I enter from the embarrassing moment that happened. I looked at the mirror to see that my face is red. Why am I red?

"Okay Dianna, you are fine. I'm okay. You just bumped into someone" While I put my make up back and trying to remove the stain and smell of the milk on my polo shirt.

"Argh! Why is the stain not removing? I have to get going before I get late."

I ran out of the restroom and as I went to the classroom, I passed by from the place that the incident happened with the guy from earlier. I didn't even ask his name.

Dianna what are you thinking right now?! I need to hurry now.

As I went through the corridor the professor looked at me as I pass him by. I didn't greet him, and I just went in the room through the backdoor to avoid being seen by the other students. Phew I went by fast, good grief. Hehe little flex over here.

My friends greeted me with uneasy eyes, staring right at my polo.

"Ey what happened? Why is your polo wet, on your chest and it's milk?" Maxine was just helping me with removing the stain

"OMG Don't tell me you're a mom already? who's the father? hahaha just kidding'" I want to slap Ella right now, grrrrrrr.

"Well, I bumped into someone as I turned on the corner of the stairs, then we both fell to the ground and the milk spilled on my polo." They just all nodded from my explanation because they all know that I have some clumsy moments like running and then bumping to people.

"I'm just going to close my coat, so it won't show" Yes you heard me guys, we have school coats

"Good afternoon class" says our professor as he enters the room, we greeted him back. But our adviser also came in? I wonder why? Maybe another announcement, I guess.

"Good afternoon my children, you can all sit down now. Sir can you please allow me to announce something to the class." Awwwww our adviser is so sweet. We love him so much.

"I just have an announcement to make, you guys probably heard about the transferee coming from the US. The family of the transferee is also a big partner of our school, for they handle all the scholarships and other funded projects of students. That's why a lot of you guys are lucky."

"Wow their influence is big huh, even here Bess, even your scholarship is held by that family” Maxine whispers while the announcement is made.

"Yeah, looks like we have to be careful of that transferee" I replied to her. huhu Why do I feel like I'm afraid of something when I shouldn’t even be?

"We all know that it is from our same department. And I'm glad to announce HE IS IN OUR CLASS!"

Suddenly the class went outburst with mixed feelings, some are happy, scared, anticipating, some are anxious like me hehe.

Seriously? Our class? We are so lucky; we have another handsome guy. The shouting of people in the room just turned it into a zoo.

"Okay okay calm down kids, even I was shocked that we have a new family member. Should I call him now?

"Yes sir!" Everyone shouts in unison like in a choir, it's like an idol is about to come in.

"You may come in please."

The student walks in and stands beside our adviser, a lot of girls were falling head over heels for the guy. Talk about romantic excitement. B-but why does he look familiar? White, smooth skin small, curved eyes, pinkish lips, looks kore-. Hhaa? HE'S THE ONE I BUMPED INTO EARLIER ON THE STAIRS!!!

My eyes widen from the realization as I look at him hard. My mind wants to doubt, but I'm facing reality right here. Yes, it is him. I was surprised that he looked towards my direction, and I just looked right at the window to avoid contact" Will you introduce yourself to the class please?"

"Hi guys, I'm Joshua Valdez, I came from the States at Cali...short for California. And I hope we get along quite well. Thank you"

So, Joshua is his name, okay...

"So, Mr. Valdez this is your first time here, right?"

"Yes sir"

"He still has a cute smile" Maine silently utters what she said, but me and Max heard it, or maybe it was just me?

Wait 'still? STILL Why did she say sti-

"Did you meet someone here already or have some familiar faces?"

Sir! Why did you had to ask that now? Gahd I'm busted on this one. Please don't look at me I beg you. I covered my face with a book pretending to read. What am I even doing now?

At the corner of my eye, I see people started looking towards my direction. Oh no, don't tell me.

"Me sir" Maine raises her hand and I was surprised and looked at her myself

"Maine?" I replied

"Ah Ms. Maine? Do you know each other?" Asked the adviser. Phew I thought it was going to be me, but why Maine?

"Yes sir, I know Maine, we are friend’s sir." 

"Childhood friends to be exact" says Maine. W-What? Childhood friends?

We just looked at Maine and she just smiled after.

"And also, the girl Infront of Maine sir, I bumped into earlier after lunch time." Please don't

"You mean Ms. Zandoval? Dianna, can you face forward please?" Shit

I could feel the tension from the gazes of people ...."Yes sir?"

"Mr. Valdez says here both of you saw each other. Is that correct?"

"Y-Yes sir" Why am I stuttering? Dianna focus!

"Was it fate?" Asked our adviser.

I gave him a quick reply "No sir"

"Then did you guys planned to come into class with your coats closed?"

And we looked at each other's closed coat. I am lost for words, did he also got spilled milk? I didn't know he got wet as well. I hope not please, his family holds my scholarship. It's already embarrassing from the start.

"Well sir we 'literally' bumped into each other, and milk was spilled on our polo shirts. Sorry for the disturbance sir."

"Wait what? He's the one you bumped into Bess?! Seriously?!" Maxine whispers in a hard tone.

"Yes, Max shhhh it’s embarrassing" I can’t handle the pressure I am having already.

"That's fine, we all have our first day embarrassing moments. And I hope Ms. Zandoval apologized for what happened. I still remembered she actually sat in the teacher's seat on her first day" Our adviser giggled with the others

"Sir!!! Don't remind them. huhuhu." I forgot to even apologize to him what happened, I was in a hurry from that moment. Why was I in a hurry? O yeah! I might get late coming back for class. Still, I shouldn't have left him there hanging. What are you even thinking Dianna? I'm doomed.

"All is well sir, thank you so much."

"You can sit beside Ms. Maine. Would that be okay with you Maine?"

"Yes sir" And Joshua just goes straight to the desk beside Maine, as he passes me, I just looked in front to avoid eye contact

"Hey Shua, how have you been?" Shua? Nickname? I guess so since they are childhood friends.

"Doing fine, I hope you are as well" I hear them laughing at the back and I took a little peak of them two. And I looked forward again, why am I even looking there?

"Of course, why wouldn't I be" Maine returns the reply with a smile to Joshua, that they are really childhood friends huh? Oh well, I can't do anything there, good luck to the-

"Ms. Zandoval? Right?" I was surprised that I heard my name from behind, don't tell me he called my name? I instantly looked at him and answered.

"Yes. you can call me Dianna instead. Nice to meet you" I'm just trying to call myself while facing my possible end at this school.

"Sorry for what happened earlier, I didn't see that there was a person around that corner." Gahd, why does his face look like a puppy that is already cute but looking even cuter that you can't just resist.

"O-Okay, it's fine really, I should be the one saying sorry, I'm the one who bumped into you by running in the hall." I just faced forward where our teachers are, I can't handle all this pressure giving to me.

"Bess why is your face red? And your ears as well are red." Max simply whispers that into my ear

"You fine?" Asked Main

 "Yes, I'm good thanks guys." Cool down Dianna don't worry too much.

"Okay class have fun with Mr. Zandoval and with your history class, thank you again sir for the time."

"No problem, sir." Says our professor "Okay class, fun is over, please get your textbooks and turn them to page 132."

"Awwww" everyone reacted inside the room. Where's the fun in that?

"Don't expect me to go easy on each one of you, especially you Mr. Zandoval. We go for quality education here and not hierarchy, no offense towards your family. But I doubt that your family is like that."

Why does our professor say that with a straight face? He is cool sometimes, literally making my nose bleed. History professors are scary.

"Okay can someone tell me about the 'Asian Financial Crisis' based on what you know?" For real? What kind of question is that? Asian Financial Crisis, uhmmm. Looks like the cat got our tongue on this one, just kidding of course I know this. Looks like no one is answering, well time to stand up and-

"Yes Mr. Zandoval? You are raising your hand." Wait what in the world? He gets to answer first.

"According to the Corporate Finance Institute, The Asian Financial Crisis is a crisis caused by the collapse of the currency exchange rate and hot money bubble. The financial crisis started in Thailand in July 1997 after the Thai baht plunged in value. It then swept over East and Southeast Asia."

What did he just say? He literally went first over me, he even said it the way I want to say it. Impossible. W-Wait, did he smile at me? Did he smirk? Why does his stare look like something different? No no no don't assume Dianna. You know yourself that's bad.

"That is correct, splendidly said Mr. Zandoval. Please give him a round of applause." The clapping of my classmates was intense as if he won a Grammy Award.

"I hope everyone can be competitive like Mr. Zandoval, good luck to everyone especially for the coming exams."

"Aww exams again." Again, the class was in unison.

"That's how the life of a student’s goes, I also faced those hardships. Well good luck class."

No choice of course, We just listened to the other lectures given to us. At different times I would hear that Joshua and Maine just talk behind me. Then suddenly I receive a tap from the side, it was Ella and Maxine.

"Eyyy Bess, what's wrong with you? You kept on looking behind you? Are you okay? Max is literally confused about my attitude right now while holding my shoulder.

"Yeah, that's right, don't tell me you are taking a liking on Joshua? You even saw each other before lunch, bump rather. Then both of your clothes are spilled with milk and then closed coats, scripted?" Ella giving me a devilish look as if she solved a mystery with her liking.

"What are you saying? We just had an accident that's all and nothing else. Nothing else happened between us, okay? The end." I whispered in an angry tone at them so the back wouldn't hear.

"Let's just talk later, okay? It's already the last subject." I just said that as my excuse to remove all the topics that lean towards me, fortunately it worked. Life of a student is hard ugh.

Dismissal

"Yes, finally classes are all over. I can go home" As Ella stretches her arms from the stress of sitting down the whole day.

"Yeah, you're right. These things are really stressful Bess." My bag is a mess, I must fix all my stuff before I go home. But of course, nothing better than going to take some street foods first.

"Can Joshua come along with us?" Maine suddenly questions us. It's already awkward for me, why is this happening? And why does he seem familiar? Did we meet before? Past lives maybe?

"Of course, why not. as the saying goes the more the merrier right?" Ella happily accepts him joining us.

"No problem here, don't have a reason to say no" Maxine follows. "You Bess?" Everyone looks at me again, and I feel the pressure

"It's fine" that's all I could say, and we all left. Joshua just smiles at me, is it weird? Or is it just me? I remembered also on my phone I got a request. Jacob Zandoval? Joshua Zandoval? Are you just one guy?

"Bess let's go, you'll get left behind and we won't wait!" Maxine shouts from the door and I came back to reality again.

"Yes, Bess here I come" I'll just check it later at home after we eat outside. Yummy food is waiting for me.