It's You, Ever Since (UAAP Series #1)

Chapter 42

"Congratulations, Axel!" Coach Arnold said. The head coach of the UST Tiger Cubs said to me, our moving up ceremony just finished. I am finally done with my Junior High School. Onto the next!

I've already decided to just continue my senior high school here in UST. I'm already familiar with the system of our coaches. Hindi ko na din kailangan pang mag-adjust sa mga nasa paligid ko.

"Thank you, coach." I said and gave him a smile.

Mom prepared a mini celebration for me at the house. She invited some of our relatives over.

"Ano na, Axel? Lipat ka na ng Ateneo!" Ivan said. He is my closest cousin. He also plays basketball, but in Ateneo. He had been telling me to transfer there every time the school year would finish, but I always tell him that I have already committed to UST. So he can't really appeal anymore.

"Ewan ko sayo! Decided na ako sa UST." I said to him and he said that he will make me change my mind. Lol as if he can. Baka siya pa ang maisama ko sa UST.

.....

Ghad, I'm late. Shit. What a way to start the school year.

Ang haba ng pila dito sa elevator. Totoo nga 'yong sabi ng seniors ko na laging mahaba pila dito sa elevator ng SHS building. Kung maghahagdan ako, mapapagod lang ako lalo eh tumakbo na nga ako halos papunta dito.

Sabihin ko na lang na mahaba pila sa elevator. Maiintindihan naman siguro ng teacher namin 'yon. It's not like I'm lying. It's a valid excuse.

Hingal na hingal akong pumasok ng classroom namin. Napatingin pa lahat sa akin.

"Sorry ma'am. Ang haba po kasi ng pila sa elevator." I immediately said to her,

"It's okay, but next time hindi na pwede ma-late ha." Our teacher reminded me. I just nodded and tried to look for a seat, but the only vacant seat available is beside this girl. Katabi niya si Daphne.

"Uhmm... may naka-upo na ba dito?" I asked her, pointing to the seat beside her. I think she is new here because I had never seen her before.

"Wala pa naman." She said, I sat down and took out my face towel to wipe my sweat.

"Hi! Good morning. I'm Kiera Yvette Tolentino. You can call me Kiera for short." She said, nagulat pa ako. Introduction na pala ng pangalan namin. Ganon ba ako katagal na na-late at ako na ka agad ang magsasalita?

"Hello! I'm Axel Blake Reyes. My nickname is Axel." Tumayo kaagad ako pagkatapos niya mag-salita.

Daphne and I toured her around and outside the campus. Bagong recruit pala siya ng girl's volleyball team. Tahimik lang siya madalas o baka nasasapawan lang ng ingay ni Daphne.

.....

I was shocked to see Kiera at my parent's friend's house. I did not expect na sila pala yung family friend na tinutukoy nila mommy.