Reason 1: I Was Fascinated With Her Tantalizing Smiles (1)
I'm a transferee. It's hard, especially since I'm new to our school. I've received a culture shock of the ways they do things in the school. On the third day of school, I cried. Literally. I don't know. I'm not used to it. I'm not even sure if I can last studying for two years in the most prestigious school of the region.
Everything is new to me. The way they do things are different from my former school. And I only chose to study here because of the ABM strand offered.
"Rae, let's group up. We have to pass this project tomorrow. Let's interview that store," Marie, a friend of mine way before I chose to study in this school, said as she packed her bag and headed out of the room. She's taller than most people, and her voice is booming in my eardrums. To me, she's like a walking microphone.
It's the third day of school. The school is big and it'll take a few minutes for us to take a whole loop around school. However, we won't even a minute to reach the gates. After all, our room is situated right next to the gates. We can leave school faster than most students.
"Wait up," I replied as I grabbed my books. Our other friends in our newly formed circle are also arranging their stuff to follow Marie.
We took a tricyley to reach the city center and to interview our chosen store.
Third day of school, and we already have a group project. I'm so nervous. We have to present the data we gathered today tomorrow at class.
The thing is, I don't know how to use a laptop or computer. I'm just a Grade 11 ABM student who did not study IT for TLE in Junior High. So I'll depend on my group mates for reporting.
We reached the store. It was owned by the auntie of Lisa, a group mate of ours and a member of our transferee friends circle. Lisa came from a school here in the city, but managed to transfer to our new school after passing the entrance examination. She's taller than Marie, has curly hair, and had a mature aura with a slight naughtiness.
As I came from a district far away from the province's capital, I'm not used to the extravagance of life here in the city. I also almost fainted from shock when I learned that the rooms of the Junior High School department have air-conditioning. I mean, in my district, only a select few rich families can have air-conditioning in their homes. In this school, only the Senior High School department cannot have air-conditioning because we have new rooms that are still not suited for the machine.
The store had air-conditioning. And we sat on a comfy chair under the cold air while waiting for the store owner for our interview. And while waiting, our group chatted and got to know ourselves much better.
"So you already know Marie since Grade 7, Rae?" Joana, a girl who also came from Marie's former school, asked as she stared at me and Marie. Joana's physical qualities can be said to be on the lower side of the spectrum. She's not so tall and she's skinny. But she has an attractive face. It excludes the gentleness of a girl, in contrast with Marie's dominant temperament. Maybe that's why they became best friends.
"Yup. Rae is still as cheerful as ever that intends to befriend every creature that comes her way. She also almost got lost in Ayala without me as a guide," Marie said with an indifferent expression while the others were stopping themselves from laughing. I stared at her, wide eyed.
"Traitor! How dare you tell them that!" I complained, and we started another round of bickering.
As we talked and waited, we forgot about the time. As I glanced at the window nearby, I almost paled.
"Guys, what time is it?" I asked with a pale face. The others instantly glanced at their phones and watched to answer my query.
"It's already 5:30 PM, Rae. Why are you asking?" Jean, another student who came from Lisa's former school who followed her to our new school, asked in confusion.
I almost fainted due to shock (I'm still not mentally enhanced during the first few weeks of school).
"I h-have to go home. O-or my parents would s-scold me harshly," I explained while trying not to stutter much.
Back at my former school, I'll be at home by 4:30 PM. This can be explained because the school is only of walking distance from home. However, as my new school is situated in the province's capital, it takes thirty minutes riding a jeepney for me to reach home.
If I leave now, I'll reach by house by six o'clock. I won't be scolded as long as I explain my circumstances to my parents.
I was raised to be a good person, and to be honest, I have the instinctual fear of my parents' scolding. They don't hurt me physically and they only scold me when I've done something wrong. But I knew that when my mother nags at me, I instinctually submit and does everything she says. It's not bad, but my mentality is super lacking to oppose them from the start.
But the thing is, I can't leave now.
What if the people in my group won't give me grades because I left before we even managed to interview the store owner? I still don't know their nature, as we only got to know each other for three days. They might hold a grudge against me.
Thinking about my grades that are threatening to fall apart even though I'm only three days through school, my tears unconsciously fell.
I can sense the dumbfounded looks my classmates are giving me as my tears fell. They should be feeling indignant that I'm trying to go home while not even managing to help with the project.
"Oh, we almost forgot that you live the farthest from school, Rae. It's alright. You can go home ahead of us. You can be the reporter of the data tomorrow," what Jean said made me cry even harder. Jean! You're a good person! I tried to stop my tears, and I also have to stop my snot from falling down my nose. That is, of course, embarrassing if it ever fall.
"
Lisa and Jean comforted me while Joana and Kate are silently watching. Marie, on the other hand, does not have the slightest kindness towards me.
"Heh, you're still so weak hearted, Rae. Crying in a public store just because you can't get home early," I glared at her because of what she said.
Because of my puffy eyes because of the recent crying episode, I look extremely scary. Kaye and Joana who are both watching can't help but look away with twisted expressions. Lisa tried to stop herself from laughing while Jean glared at her inconsiderateness. Jean! You're the only kind person here!
I hesitantly stood up and picked my bags, prepared to leave. Jean almost pushed me out of the store because I'm so hesitant to leaving.
"Don't think about us, Rae. Go home. And report for us tomorrow," Jean said as she closed the door of the store.
I stared at the door of the store, dumbfounded. What just happened?