CHAPTER THREE

"Okay, here we are. Roselake High School!" I heard my dad announced as I started to wear my bag and tied my hair. I looked outside and observed the surroundings. Cheerleaders doing their runs, varsities hanging out, students who only god knows what they're talking about, girls doing their make-ups and giggling at each other, boys laughing at their jokes and couples sucking each other's faces, ew.

As I keep on looking outside I can't  help but feel so nervous, I feel like I'm going to throw up my breakfast. "Remember, honey, if you feel any--" My dad cut off my mom, "Lisa, she'll be fine. Right, bub?"

"Bub? Elle, did you hear me?" I did but I just can't take my eyes off of the couple. Jeez, he just grabbed her left boob. Ouch! Wait, is that even allowed? High school is really weird!

"I told you, Robert. We shouldn't have forced her to study in a normal school. Look, she's having an absence seizure, Rob!"

"Lisa, love, calm--"

"Oh god! Elle! It's mom! Can you hear me, honey?!" I heard my mom's belt clicked and I snapped my head at her. "Guys, I'm fine. I'm not having any episodes. I can hear you two very well."

I heard my dad chuckled and my mom glared at him. "Then why haven't you answering us? You scared me." 

I looked back to where I was looking awhile ago, "Look at those two…" I pointed. "Is that even allowed? They're sucking each other's faces! Yikes! And look, I feel bad for the girl's b-boob, that must've hurt!" I told them and my dad started laughing. I looked at him with a confused face then I looked at my mom who's trying not to laugh. "Really, guys?" I said in an annoyed tone.

"Elle, it's kind of normal. This is pretty much high school." My dad told me still laughing but then mom slapped him on the chest.

"Normal? Really? Sucking faces and grabbing boobs in public are normal?"

"Honey, I'm sure they're a couple, and there's probably a permission from the girl for the boy to do that grabbing thing. And it's not sucking faces, it's making out, normal for a couple. Being a couple in high school is pretty normal, just don't get caught by the school officials doing that, though." My mom explained. "Funny you mentioned that, mom, when you just said earlier that I should stop watching Netflix because they're not real, right? Because what you said sounds like a usual scene I see in a Netflix show." They both just chuckled.

I unlocked my door and went outside. So, did my parents. I decided to tease them, "So, now I'm in a real school, in high school, that means I'm allowed to be in a relationship and make out too?" I wiggled my eyebrows at them. My dad rolled his eyes and my mom laughed at him. I laughed at dad's reaction.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez? Ms. Hernandez?" A woman caught our attention. I saw students looking our way and I lowered my head, feeling a bit conscious.

"Ms. Davis. Hi! Good morning, I hope our daughter's not late." My mom greeted a woman in an office attire. So did my dad. There are two other women and a man behind her. They all shook hands.

"No, not at all. Just on time. Ms. Rachelle Hernandez. I'm Ms. Davis, principal of Roselake High School. And these are, Dr. Anna Lim, our school's physician; Mr. Smith, our school's guidance counselor and Ms. Lesley, your homeroom teacher. Welcome to Roselake High School, Ms. Hernandez!" I smiled at all of them and shook their hands. "U-uhh. H-hi. Just call me, Elle, please. Thank you and nice meeting you all." I said nervously.

"Okay, Ms. Elle… Last week, your doctor has briefed us very well and we did the same thing with your classmates." I nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "So, rest assured, you're in good hands. We also know about your case, so don't you worry because we'll guide you throughout the school year." I just nodded and gave her a smile. But soon I found my hands tightened the grip on my backpack when I saw students whispering at each other while looking at me.

"Let's go, Ms. Elle?" I looked back at my parents and I saw my mom trying to hold back her tears. I went to her and hugged her. "I told you, we could've just scratched this whole idea." I teased. "I'll be fine. Love you, mama." My mom kissed me on my forehead and mumbled her I love you's and take care's. I hugged my dad and whispered, "Don't worry, I won't suck a face unless it's a Harry Styles or a Tom Hiddleston. Love you, dad." He sniffed and chuckled. "You deserve this, Elle. Live your life how you've always wanted to live it. Love you too, bub." My dad said as he hugged me again.

I started walking away from them, looked back one more time and waved at them. I sighed and looked at Principal Davis and to the people behind her then back to Principal Davis. "Lead the way, ma'am." Ignoring the stares from the students, I just lowered my head and followed Principal Davis.