Throughout high school, Rae has only really liked one person. However, after finding out that he has a girlfriend, she did her best to stay away from him. But can she still ignore it when his presence is just too strong around her? Will she be able...
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THREE SCHOOL YEARS AGO Part 1
Ilang beses akong napalunok sa kalagitnaan ng pagpapakilala ko sa aking sarili sa harap ng buong klase. Lalo rin akong pinagpapawisan kapag nakikita na maraming hindi nakikinig sa akin.
Naibsan lang ang kaba ko nang makabalik na ako sa aking upuan.
"Ang cute ng name mo!" Nag-peace sign ang seatmate ko na si Aira. Alphabetical kasi ang pagpapakilala kaya nauna siya sa akin. This is the first time we've talked since entering the classroom half an hour ago.
"Yours, too!" excited na sambit ko at napalakas iyon konti. Lumingon tuloy sa akin ang lahat. Namula kaagad ako dahil sa hiya.
"Sorry po," paumanhin ko.
Nagpatuloy ang introduction ng kaklase naming nasa harap na. When I glanced at Aira, she was giggling. Napangisi din tuloy ako.
"Sabay tayong mag-break?" bulong ko sa kanya.
"Sige ba!" sagot niya agad.
Look at that, I may have met my first high school friend!
Nanahimik na kami bago pa ulit mapuna ng guro. Pareho naming itinuon ang aming atensyon sa harapan.
Kung kagaya ko na maraming halatang kinakabahan, mayroon naman 'yong mga makuwela at kaagad na napapatawa ang klase. I hope I'll get along with everyone!
Lagpas kalahati na ng klase ang natapos nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. The teacher opened the door and went out for a while. Maya-maya, isang lalaking student ang kasunod niyang pumasok.
Nakatutok na ang lahat sa bagong dating. I'm sure he's taller than most of the boys in our class. Ang blanko ng expression niya at parang estatwa lang na nakatayo sa tabi ng ngpapaliwanag na teacher.
"One of your supposed classmate has opted not to attend this school. So, our admin decided it's best if we move one student from the other class—"
This guy's eyes are sad. It's like he's here but his mind is somewhere. He's looking at everyone but at the same time...
Nagulat ako nang magtama ang mga mata namin. He stared back and for some reason, I can't avert my eyes!
"Please introduce yourself since you're already here in front," pahayag ng teacher namin. Doon lang nahinto ang titigan namin sa isa't-isa. Oh my God, what was that?!
"I'm William Mercado."
That was all he said. Nag-abang pa ang lahat pero wala na talaga. Pinapuo na lang siya ng teacher at dahil ang nasa likuran ko lang ang bakanteng seat, automatic na doon siya.
Uh, he's a bit scary.
***
Kagaya ng napag-usapan, si Aira ang kasama kong nag-recess at kahit ngayong lunch break din. Pareho pala kami na walang friends sa school na ito. May dalawang galing sa grade school ko dati pero hindi ko naman sila kilala at nasa ibang sections pa.
