Chapter Two

I felt that everyone was staring at me as I walked inside the campus. I lowered my head as I entered the building, only occasionally looking up to avoid other students.

I glanced at the classrooms, at the facilities, and I was genuinely impressed. Everything looked modern and expensive.

I heard students whispering. I became even more self-conscious.

All of a sudden, I bumped into someone. My shoulders hurt a bit.

I lifted my head. The guy looked back at me.

"I'm sorry," he said. Then he looked at me from head to toe.

He was cute. He was tall, thin, and fair-skinned. I blushed.

"I-It's okay," I stammered, averting my gaze.

"Are you okay?" he asked me again, chuckling. I gulped.

I'm so embarrassed.

"Seth!"

A girl came. She had long hair and was wearing makeup. She was pretty.

She took his hand then shot a look at me, wincing. My chin dipped down.

"Oh, hey babe."

Babe?

Oh. It's his girlfriend.

I didn't know why my stomach churned. I took a step back from the two of them, my gaze still down. I didn't want them to see that I was blushing.

"Who is this girl?" she asked, her voice a little sharp.

"Oh, I don't know. I just bumped into her."

I raised my head a little.

"Sorry," he said again.

I nodded without looking at him.

"Let's go, Jessa," he said then he walked away with the girl.

I watched them disappear from my sight.

His name was Seth.

I reluctantly entered my classroom. My heart picked up speed.

With my head hung low, I sauntered to the farthest seat at the back. I sensed that they were whispering about me again. I removed my backpack and sat quietly.

How did Angelo survive this place?

I tried to listen to other people's conversations. They were talking about the movies, the malls... And all sorts of stuff I wasn't familiar with.

I started sweating. I felt like an outcast.

Like I didn't belong there.

There was only one mall in the province where I came from. And it wasn't as fancy.

I sighed.

This isn't going great. How will I make friends here?

Someone sat next to me.

"Hi," she greeted.

I was startled. She has brown curly hair and long eyelashes.

"H-Hi," I muttered, waving my hand a little.

"I'm Sofia." She introduced herself to me, reaching her hand out for mine.

"I'm Celine Joan," I said, then I shook her hand. "People call me CJ."

"CJ?"

I nodded.

"Are you a new student?" she asked. "Did you come from the province?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

Sofia chuckled in disbelief. "Well, you're oozing with the vibe. And your outfit stands out."

I bit my lower lip. "My Tita ordered the wrong size. She'll get me the right one later."

She smiled. "Let's do it now. So you wouldn't be the center of attraction."

"I don't have extra cash on me..." I answered shyly.

"Just text your Tita and tell her that I'll take care of it. Then you can just pay me back tomorrow. How's that?"

I was embarrassed. We just met and she was so eager to help me out. Maybe this wasn't such a bad place after all.

"Oh no, it's alright. It's just for the day..."

Sofia grimaced. "Are you sure? People will look at you the entire day."

Before I could answer, the door swung open again. Seth came in, holding hands with the girl earlier.

So we would be in the same class. I suppressed a smile.

"Seth Balisacan," Sofia said immediately. "The school hottie together with his best friend. Power forward of the basketball team. The girl next to him is his current girlfriend, Jessa."

"Current? Wow. How do you know him so well?"

"They're popular even in the college department. Better steer clear away from them, though."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. I'm just an average student. I'm out of their league."

Sofia smiled. "No, that's not what I meant. They're playboys. It's normal to have a crush on them, but you should be ready to get dumped."

I cringed. "Really? Then who's Seth's best friend?"

"It's Angelo. He's not here yet."

I blinked twice. My heart jumped upon hearing his name.

"Angelo?"

The door opened again, and our teacher entered the room. Her hair was in a bun. She looked pleasant.

"She's our class adviser. Miss Cecilia Arayon."

"Oh, okay" I said, then I shifted in my seat, temporarily forgetting that Sofia just mentioned the name of my best friend.

ANGELO'S POV:

Dammit! I'm late!

I was running towards the school gate when I saw the guard locking it.

"Wait, Kuya!" I yelled. The guard shook his head in disappointment, but he still let me in.

I was panting, and my head was throbbing like crazy. I feel like I'm going to vomit.

But I have to make it to class today or I'll be dead.

I rushed to the bulletin board and searched for my class.

41 - Mahogany.

I climbed the stairs until I reached the third floor. My hair was still wet, and now I was sweating all over.

"No running along the corridors Mr. Villamor!" Our prefect, Mr. Cruz, yelled.

"Yes, Sir!" I answered, yet I didn't bother stopping.

I don't want my allowance to get cut!

I finally reached our classroom. I opened the door.

"Sorry, I'm late, Miss Arayon!"

She used to be my Chemistry teacher last year. She was one of the nicest teachers here in this school. Great.

"You are fifteen minutes late, Mr. Villamor."

I scratched my head then I smiled guiltily at her. My charms would work on her. It works on everyone.

"Sorry, Miss. I needed to do something for my Dad," I lied.

She only shook her head. I walked and sat down beside my best friend, Seth.

We exchanged low fives. He looked okay. Meanwhile, my throat was dry. I was still hungover.

Miss Arayon continued discussing our class rules. I looked around. Most of the people inside were my previous classmates.

Okay. Cool.

I saw Myka. She was pouting at me. I ignored her calls earlier.

And then... I saw her.

Her face was slim, and she was wearing eyeglasses. Her hair was shoulder length, her bangs extended just below her eyebrows.

She looked different from what I could remember.

CJ?

My eyes widened. She was staring right back at me.

I turned and faced the board. I could hear the blood rushing through my veins.

It's impossible for her to be here in Manila... Especially in this school. Maybe I was wrong. It couldn't be CJ.

I tried to listen to Miss Arayon to distract myself, though it didn't work. I wanted to look at her again. I wanted to see if it was her.

But I couldn't do it.

I was afraid to be right.

And if it was CJ, what would I do? What would I tell her? Or should I even talk to her?

I stopped replying to her letters to forget about my old life.

Seth tapped my shoulder.

"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning. I shook my head.

"I'm hungover."

CJ can't be here. She can't be here in this place.

CJ'S POV:

I was astonished. That guy who just entered and sat down beside Seth is definitely Angelo!

"That is Angelo Villamor. The basketball team captain. His current girlfriend is Myka."

I winced. "Current? So you mean he's also like Seth?"

Sofia nodded.

"Are you sure?" I answered. "Angelo isn't like that."

Sofia's eyebrows curled against each other.

"You know him?" she asked, eyeing me. I nodded.

"He's my best friend."

Angelo turned his head my way. He looked at me, his mouth falling open. I was about to smile when he immediately looked away.

Why?

I shook my head. Maybe he was surprised. I could understand.

I became excited. We'll talk later.

As soon as the bell rang for recess, the students immediately packed their stuff to leave the room. I was watching Angelo as I packed mine.

"Let's go to the cafeteria, CJ," Sofia said.

"Y-Yeah. Just a sec," I answered, then I got up and walked toward Angelo.

"CJ?" Sofia muttered, surprised.

"Angelo!" I called. I stopped in front of him.

He was surrounded by Seth and two other girls. One of them was Jessa.

"Oh, the girl from this morning," Jessa uttered.

Angelo was just staring at his desk. Did he hear me?

I felt strange. Look at me, Angelo.

"You know her?" Seth asked, surprised.

"Angelo, how have you been? It's me, CJ!"

I reached out for his hand. He flinched and then pulled his hand away.

What's going on?

"Who are you?"

I was startled.

"Angelo... It's me. CJ. Your best friend."

"I don't know you," he said bitterly. He lifted his gaze and shot a cold and indifferent look at me. I felt like I was punched in the gut.

"Let's go," he said and got up from his seat. He walked away, leaving his friends behind.

"Wait, Angelo!" Seth yelled and followed Angelo out.

Jessa and the other girl, who I believe was Myka, glared at me.

"Who are you? Why are you acting as if you know Angelo?" Jessa hissed.

I bit my lower lip.

Why did Angelo deny knowing me? What happened? Did he have an amnesia like in soap operas?

"Don't kid yourself, new girl. Stay away," Myka said then left with Jessa, leaving me heart-stricken.

What happened to Angelo?

What happened to my best friend?

I came to Manila, hoping to finally be with him again. I wanted to go back to the way we were before. So I could survive this new place.

But he's become a different person.

A totally different person even I don't recognize.