At least

I'm very nervous today. My mind has not been at ease since the morning. All kinds of bad things are going through my mind. Now is the moment of truth. I look up at the notice. Suddenly, a big smile spread across my face. I did it, I came first in the exam again. I was worried my grade will fall but it didn't. I'm saved from my mom's wrath.

What a good way to start the day, except that I got up late, had to rush to school, and I didn't do my hair properly. I stay up all night reading a novel. What can I do? It's addictive. But I'm still a little sleepy.

When I entered, I saw Irene scanning her results. She is very serious about her result. I sometimes wonder how I got first in the exam. She is serious about her studies, always studying. And I study just the day before the exam.

I approached her and asked, "Irene, how did you do?" Even though we don't speak often, we always consult each other when we have a question that we can't solve. We also make sure to ask about each other's exam results. It's a bit of a competition between us. Before I joined the school, she was always in first place. However, over time, I managed to take her spot.

She looked at me and said, "As usual, second place." I nervously laughed and replied, "Oh, I see..." I was unsure of what to say next since she seemed so guarded, and I'm not great at keeping a conversation going. I wished her the best and then left to head to my seat.

Then I saw Maipakpi, I went to her and asked, " Why didn't you come yesterday? I felt so lonely. Hmph, " I was late for school when I tried to dress up, it was already past school time," she answered. I said, " Do you know what happened yesterday?" And I start narrating the whole story about yesterday. After listening, she patted my head and said, "Don't worry, everything is okay."

I felt refreshed talking with her. We have known each other for not long ago but I can trust her more than Mary. Maipakpi looked unsure about telling me and said, " Well, Laija, when Mary knows you like Tyler, she has been going around telling everyone around you like him and that he wouldn't accept a girl like you." I was not surprised at all because she likes to shame me the most. I said to Maipakpi, " Wow, I didn't know that making fun of me had become his habit."

Before the conversation could continue, the teacher walked into the classroom, and the class began.

In the recess time, Jane and Thaja tried to reconcile Mary and me, but it didn't work. We didn't even say a word. When we were walking down the hallway, we saw Victory, Mary went to her. She started talking with her. And I was shocked at how far she could go to annoy me cause she hated Victory as long as I know.

I didn't pay any notice and left them behind. I was going towards class. Then suddenly I heard someone calling my name, I didn't know why, but I felt chill down my spine I looked back, no one was there. I was confused and lost in thought.

A girl called me from behind. I looked, and it was Pakpi. She looked at me and asked, " Did something happen? You look lost." I smiled and said, " Nothing happened." She was carefree and a little annoying. She wouldn't keep anything inside her heart, but the problem is her temper. You know, there is a type of person in class who thinks everyone fears him or her. Yeah, she is that type.

The school bell rang. As soon as she heard it, she grabbed my hand and pulled me to class. Always fierce, she is never calm. The next class is history, my favourite.

As the teacher taught history, it felt unrealistic, mythical, and adventurous. I asked, "Sir, is history real? Did it happen?" Mr. Mani replied, "We study history because it happened. If it didn't, why would we learn it? We've been learning it for so long, and you ask that now?" I know it was a silly question, but it came out before I could stop it.

I learn so much about history today, I wish I could see it with my own eyes. I don't have the luxury for that. That next period was physics. Oh god, I hate this subject. I would often be scolded by the physics teacher. I hate it so much that I don't even know the name of the physics teacher.

I felt my eyes growing heavy during class, and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep. In my dream, I felt uneasy as a woman was calling out to me, but something was holding me back from getting closer to her. Suddenly, I opened my eyes and saw the teacher standing next to my desk. He scolded me, I just listened silently.

As the school year was coming to an end, Jane reminded me that tomorrow was the day of our trip. I had almost forgotten about it and hadn't prepared anything. She started telling me about our destination, but one place caught my attention the most: an ancient monument. Just hearing its name filled me with excitement.

When the school ended, I went back home and I told my mom about my result. She looked neutral. She didn't even praise me. I knew tomorrow was the day of our trip but my carelessness and laziness got the better of me and I didn't prepare anthing.

While writing in my diary, I found myself lost in thought. My biggest struggle is overthinking, and despite my efforts, I just can't seem to stop it. Today may not have been the best day, but it felt peaceful to me. Even though some might not consider it peaceful, I do. At the end of my reflections today, I wrote: "At least today was peaceful and free from stress."