CHAPTER 3

Chrisnah's Point of View

"Aish." I tried to suppress the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Michael's words from earlier echoed in my mind, and my heart pounded like a drum in a parade. Why does this flamboyant guy always have to stir up trouble?

My heart's relentless pounding made me wonder if it might just leap right out of my chest. "Hey, why so quiet!" Michael’s sudden exclamation snapped me from my thoughts.

“Oh, my heart!” I blurted out as Michael's voice sliced through my reverie. Really, why does he always have to speak out of nowhere?

I glanced at him. He was gazing at me, his eyes wide with confusion. Sighing deeply, I tried to maintain my composure. “Can you please close your mouth for just one minute?” I asked with a poker face, my tone as icy as an arctic breeze.

Michael looked puzzled but didn’t press for clarification. Instead, he exaggeratedly pretended to zip his lips, his finger making a comically dramatic motion across his mouth. It was both irritating and bizarre.

“Why are you sitting next to me? Isn’t your seat up front?” I leaned over my desk, my curiosity piqued.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he maintained his silence, his lips zipped tight. I felt my patience thinning.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!” I snapped, gently tapping his shoulder. I had to restrain my irritation as I glanced around the classroom, noting that our assigned teacher hadn’t yet arrived.

Michael finally turned to me, his phone in hand. With a grin, he showed me a timer set for exactly one minute.

Seriously? This guy was actually timing how long he’d keep his mouth shut. Exhausted already, I waited for the timer to end. When the beep finally sounded, Michael exhaled dramatically.

“There you go, girl! The one minute you asked for is over! Can I speak now?” His voice was loud, filled with a melodramatic flair. I frowned but found it impossible to suppress a small laugh.

The way he was acting—like a playful child—was oddly endearing. He had a charm about him, despite his absurdities.

“You’re already talking, silly.” I said matter-of-factly, unable to keep a smile off my face. Michael’s face lit up with a radiant grin, and for a fleeting moment, I couldn’t help but smile back.

His smile was like a sunburst on a cloudy day. This guy was incredibly good-looking. And why on earth was I noticing this?

“What was your question again, girl?!” Michael’s high-pitched voice pierced through my thoughts. Was it obligatory for him to speak so loudly, as if addressing an audience in the next room?

“I asked why you’re sitting beside me when your seat is up front.” I reiterated. Michael looked ahead, then back at me, his expression suddenly serious.

“Nothing,” he shrugged. “I saw you alone earlier and thought you were a loner, so I decided to keep you company.” He gave me a silly smile, his eyes twinkling. “And I found you cool and somehow... interesting.”

The unexpected compliment made me raise an eyebrow. I was used to solitude when separated from my batch friends, and honestly, I preferred it. It kept my world quieter. But Michael’s arrival had shattered that silence.

“And also...” Michael’s voice wavered, and he fidgeted nervously. He hunched over slightly, fingers twisting together in a manner that made him look like a flustered child. His cheeks turned a soft pink.

What on earth was happening with this guy?

“And also?” I prompted, my curiosity getting the better of me. Michael glanced at me shyly, his hair falling into his eyes as he pushed it back.

“And I think you’re beautiful.” His voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried a weight that struck me like a lightning bolt. His cheeks were now a deep crimson, and he couldn’t meet my gaze. But his smile? It was there, soft and genuine.

The impact of his words hit me like a tidal wave. My heart, which had just begun to calm, started pounding again—faster, harder. It felt like an anime scene where everything slows down, and sparkles fill the air.

Why did it feel so different coming from him? The usual compliments had never made my heart race like this. My cheeks were burning, and I instinctively touched them, feeling the heat radiate from within.

“A-ah...” My voice faltered as we locked eyes. The classroom seemed to dissolve around us; everything was bright and vivid, and the noise faded into a distant hum.

Before I could react further, the classroom door swung open with a creak. “Okay class! Sorry I’m late.” Our homeroom teacher’s voice snapped us out of our daze. Both Michael and I jolted, quickly looking away from each other, our faces flushed with embarrassment.

My heart was still pounding hard as the teacher began the day’s lessons. The earlier encounter replayed in my mind, and I found myself biting my lower lip. What just happened? Why am I blushing?

...

The hours dragged on, each minute stretching into what felt like an eternity. By the time school was over, I had barely spoken a word to Michael. Yet, he remained by my side, an ever-present shadow.

I gathered my belongings, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and prepared to leave. Just as I was about to walk out, Michael’s voice called out to me.

“Chrissie.” I turned, raising an eyebrow as I met his gaze. Michael looked like a flustered fish, his fingers fidgeting uncontrollably. He seemed unable to look me in the eye.

“What now?” I asked, my tone tinged with impatience. My brothers had been waiting for me for ages, and I was eager to leave.

“Uhm...” His voice trailed off, and my eyebrow arched further. What was his problem now?

“What? Can you hurry up? I’m getting impatient.” I maintained my poker face, a skill honed over years of practice.

He finally looked up, his cheeks bright red. “I just wanted to say that I’m so glad to meet you. I hope we can be friends.” He said this with a shy, almost pleading expression, his hand nervously pushing back his long hair.

I was taken aback. His words had a sincerity that touched me unexpectedly. I’d never had someone—aside from childhood friends—ask to be friends so directly. The thought of someone genuinely wanting to befriend me made me feel warm inside.

“I thought you were going to say something else,” I said, my smile slipping through despite my efforts to hide it. I tilted my head sideways, so Michael wouldn’t see how genuine my smile was.

Michael’s blank expression was endearing. His innocence and earnestness were disarming. I turned away, trying to conceal my smile.

“Make sure to entertain me in your company, or I’ll unfriend you,” I said, a wide grin spreading across my face.

I heard Michael’s surprised gasp behind me, his voice a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “Really?! Omg!!! I’m sure I’ll entertain you in my company because I’ll bother you every day, Chrissie! Kyaaahh this is so fun like o to the m to the g!!!”

Suppressing a laugh, I shook my head slightly. This guy was impossible.

“You’re so noisy. I’m leaving now; my twin brothers are waiting for me!” I called back, still facing away from him.

“Just hug them for me when you see your handsome twin brothers! Bye, Chrissie! See you tomorrow, xoxo!” Michael’s voice echoed down the hallway as I made my way out.

I chuckled softly as I stepped into the crisp evening air. This was the first time I had encountered someone like Michael—someone who had stirred emotions in me I hadn’t felt in a long time. His presence was unexpected, and our brief but intense interactions had left me feeling a mix of confusion and exhilaration.

As I walked home, the orange sky painted with the hues of the setting sun, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my third year of high school would be nothing short of extraordinary. And deep down, I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold next.

The Next Day

The school was eerily quiet when I arrived early that morning. My siblings had dragged me along for some urgent library work they needed to finish, and before I knew it, I was at school before the bell even rang. Kuya Clive was a bundle of frenetic energy, rushing through the halls with a sense of urgency that only made Kuya Crane, ever the picture of calm, look even more laid-back in comparison. Typical.

As I entered our classroom, my brows knitted together in confusion and concern. Michael was standing at the front of the room, his head bowed, his bag slung over his shoulder like a heavy burden. The boys in my class were gathered in a raucous circle around him, their laughter piercing through the air as they pointed and snickered.

What on earth is happening here?

One of the boys, his voice dripping with mocking amusement, declared, “So this one’s a drag queen!” His friends burst into raucous laughter, their cruel amusement echoing off the walls.

“Damn, did you just notice? He’s been flaunting that ribbon since yesterday, and his lips are practically glowing red with lipstick,” chimed in another, causing another wave of laughter to ripple through the room.

I watched Michael from across the room, his posture tense and his shoulders hunched. He remained utterly still, his hands clasped together in a futile attempt to shield himself from the laughter and derision. His silence was a heavy weight in the room, and I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t defending himself.

Isn’t he going to do anything?! This is blatant bullying! Why isn’t he standing up for himself?

One of the boys, his voice laced with venom, shouted, “Hey, gay! Did you know it’s forbidden to be gay here at SCU?” His words were met with a renewed burst of laughter from his friends.

A surge of anger welled up inside me. My fists clenched involuntarily as I watched the scene unfold. I wanted to step in, to deliver a swift and just retribution, but more importantly, I was frustrated by Michael’s passive acceptance of the abuse.

“Hey, gay, are you just going to stay silent? Are you mute or something?!” another classmate sneered, his arrogance palpable. If I remembered correctly, this was the child of one of the teachers here.

Is this really the teacher’s child? Where’s the decency in parenting that should have taught this kid some manners?

“Looks like this gay is mute!” he continued, turning to address the entire class. His cruel words were met with another round of laughter, while I was struggling to contain my rising fury.

The teacher’s child sauntered over to Michael, looming over him with a smirk. “He’s gay and mute. Worthless!” he taunted, moving to push Michael aside. But before he could lay a hand on him, I moved swiftly.

I grabbed his arm with a fierce grip, my eyes blazing with indignation. The laughter ceased abruptly, and the room fell into stunned silence as everyone turned to witness the confrontation.

“C-Chrisnah,” Michael’s voice was barely a whisper, and I could hear the shock in his tone.

I tilted my head slightly to give him a brief glance, my expression softening just a fraction.

“Stay still,” I murmured, and he nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. I turned my full attention back to the boy whose arm I still held firmly.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked, my voice a chilling whisper. The boy’s bravado faltered as he recoiled, clearly intimidated by my tone.

Normally, I wouldn’t be the type to jump into such confrontations. I’m not exactly a troublemaker, and I don’t usually get involved in every instance of bullying. But something about this situation, about Michael’s silent suffering, drove me to act.

I despise seeing my friends bullied. It’s a territory I won’t tolerate—only I get to mess with Michael, no one else.

“Oh, so there’s nothing wrong, huh?! Why are you acting like this?” I demanded, releasing his arm with a sharp jerk. My gaze swept over my classmates, who were still frozen in shock.

“What’s wrong with all of you?! This guy hasn’t done anything to you! Why are you bullying him?!” I shouted, my voice echoing with anger. The room was filled with an uneasy silence; not one of them had the courage to respond.

“What’s wrong with being gay?! Is it wrong to be true to yourself?! Is it wrong to express who you really are?!” I demanded, my voice rising. I reached out and took Michael’s hand in mine, squeezing it reassuringly.

Michael’s eyes widened in surprise, and I could tell he hadn’t expected me to take such a stand. I pulled him closer, positioning him beside me.

“So what if he’s wearing a pink ribbon?! So what if his lips are bright red with lipstick?! What’s the big deal if he’s gay?! Is he stepping on your humanity?! Has he done anything to harm you?! It’s so easy for you to judge and laugh at others without understanding their struggles. Without knowing what he’s been through just to survive in a world full of judgmental, toxic people.” I gripped Michael’s hand tighter, my frustration boiling over.

“You know what? Being gay isn’t ugly or wrong. We’re not the problem; society is. You’re the ones who think you’re perfect.” I declared, my gaze rolling heavenward as if searching for answers.

The classroom was enveloped in a heavy silence after my impassioned outburst. These students had known me since elementary school. SCU was a comprehensive educational institution—primary, secondary, and tertiary all in one place—so most of the students had been together for years.

They knew me well enough to recognize when I was angry. I wasn’t a gangster, but they knew I had a reputation for being fiercely protective of those I cared about.

After a few moments of oppressive quiet, I turned my attention back to the teacher’s child.

“And you.” I said firmly, causing him to step back in fear. Typical—tough in bullying but scared when confronted. “Between you and Michael.” I gestured between them. “You’re the one who’s truly worthless. Maybe your mother should teach you some manners before you judge others.” I gave him a sardonic grin.

“You must be starved for attention.” That was all I said before I took Michael’s hand and dragged him out of the classroom, leaving behind a sea of stunned, open-mouthed classmates.