Kabanata 7

MARIA

I was busy watching some vids on my phone when suddenly my mom told me to read books instead of doing dumb things like these.

"Kapag hindi ka makapasa sa school na ito eh ipapaaral kita sa public. Read more books instead of watching videos na hindi naman nakakatulong sa school mo."

I just stayed silent and stopped what I was doing. I had a lot of things running on my mind. A new school, new classmates and a new life? I can't accept that so easily. This might be a culture shock to me. Well, maybe this won't be that hard though...

"Anak, bakit ka naman nakatulala diyan? Mag-aral ka na ngayon! Last grading was the worst. And you had a A- sa Geometry sa last school mo?" Mom recalled. I had no sleep at that time because my mother told me to socialize with her friends. I told her that I was gonna study, yet she was the one wanting me to greet her friends.

I just looked at the window and ignored my mom. Her nagging was the death of me.

As we got to the school. She was the only one who got nervous. Seriously? The entrance exams in every school is just soooooooo easy.

I got out of the car and started to prance my way into the campus. It was a very large campus compared to my old high school. It was very grand and clean indeed.

I saw my mom talking to a woman about her 30's. She smiled and pointed at me. I walked towards her and heard the lady say that I was a bit early for my entrance exam. With all that being said, I had to take the entrance exam right there, right now.

It took me 45 minutes for the exam to end and as always I passed, with an above average IQ test.

"I am honored to have you as a student in our school. We value students like you as our own children. We envision in developing not just only on the academic tracks on our students, but also on their other extra curricular activities," and after all of the lady said, we got out of the office and bought our books. I told my dad that I wanted to take a small tour on the campus.

The things that amazed me on schools are the fields, it was wide and full of fresh air despite this school was in the city. It has more green trees and spaces for kids to run.

I opened my phone to check on what was happening at home. My real home. I saw that Oz was having a great time with driving his new car, my old friend is always on top of each class and so on.

I wished to go there again. Malibu, my home. The only home I can consider. Not Cebu, not this rachet place where everything matters and everything has a big problems to fix.

When I walked back towards the testing room, I saw my mom calling for me and telling me that we should go and get me measured up. Since I was the last one to enroll here and got a high IQ test result, they enrolled me at the star section.

"This looks like a fresh start in your new life here in Cebu 'nak. Hindi ba hon?" My mom said in joy.

"Yes, I'm truly proud of her." My dad replied. I looked at him and smiled. I was the little daddy's girl ever since. Now hearing him say that he's proud made me shout for joy inside.

The seamstress had my measured up and told me about the uniform that I'm going to wear.

"Miss, this is the uniform that you're gonna wear everyday on a school day." I looked at the paper she showed and...

"What the actual fuck?!"

Yup, that's what I said. The whole uniform is just major barbie style. Pink and blue checkered skirt one inch above the knee, white blouse and knee high socks with a pair of black shoes?

I saw the headmaster's face in awe. She looked as if she never saw that one coming out of my mouth.

"Maria, watch you mouth will you? Nakakahiya ka talagang bata ka."

My mom excused me and my dad just so to talk with the headmaster.

"Mom, of all the schools that you wanted me to enroll in you picked the one that was out of a barbie dream house show?!" I exclaimed my confusion and disappointment towards my mom.

She then sighed and composed herself. "Anak, this school is one of the best schools I've heard here in cebu. It may not be like your school there in California. But I want you to practice your skills and academics. I know you are a talented young lady. So please, be mindful of the words you blurt out of your mouth."

I looked at my mom and saw her eyes. I have the same eye shape as hers while my eye color came from my dad, honey brown. I then looked at my dad, he only smiled at me and I diverted my eyes towards the campus. I was amazed by this school's campus. And I would thank my mom for letting me get into this.

So I told my mom I was sorry and we continued to talk to the principal or headmistress of this school.

"Miss Johnson, welcome to our school." She said and I nodded. After the talk, me and my family went towards the exit. Then I saw him.

Who did I saw? It was that emo guy whom I recognized sitting at the benches infront of the bookstore. And damn he is looking really good. He was wearing a plain white shirt and denim fitted jeans. His hair was tidy and he looked so handsome right now.

I'm exaggerating too much. He's just handsome. Like ever girl would like to have him as a simple boyfriend and yeah. I felt my cheeks heat up so I walked fast.

I  heard my mom told me that we would visit somebody but I just continued walking towards the exit door.

As I was buckling up my seatbelt, I saw the emo guy again but he's got company. A tanned looking fellow and a girl. The girl was pretty, long locks of hair growing out of her scalp and wearing a dress and sneakers. She hugged the emo guy and I don't know, does he have bad taste with girls? I mean, he could do so much better.

"Are you ready anak?" Asked my mom.

"I'm good." I said as my dad turned on the car and started driving. 

As we passed by a lot of buildings, I couldn't afford to say thanks for mom from letting me migrate to a whole new country. Maybe because I was really mad at her for doing this