Eliz's Point of View
Kring!
"Argh!"
Kring!
What the heck?
I stared blankly at the ceiling while still lying in bed as if my mind was still lingering in the world of dreams.
I glanced at my alarm clock and realized that I was late, as usual. First day of school and I’m late. Whatever, they won’t care. It’s only one time anyway. Besides, it’s not really the first day of the school year; classes started a few months ago, so I’m just a bit late.
"Miss Eliz, breakfast is ready downstairs," I heard from outside my room, probably one of the maids.
"Got it. I'm coming," I said with no enthusiasm. I headed straight to the bathroom because I felt sticky. I didn’t even change my clothes last night when I got home.
I didn’t spend much time in the bathroom because I was running out of time. I just took a half bath since I had my hair rebonded yesterday.
"Good morning, sweetie," Mom greeted.
"Morning," I replied, sitting down and eating quickly. "Where's Dad?"
"Oh, that Ahrvy. Don’t bother looking for him, he’s probably locked himself in his office again." Mom left the room grumbling and headed to the kitchen. It’s tough when someone works hard but lacks time for the family. But it’s only Mom who seems to be worried about it.
I noticed I was eating alone. Where’s my annoying sibling? Usually, she’s up earlier than I am. Shanize is the complete opposite of me, but of course, I’m the prettier one.
As I was about to leave, I glanced at our spacious garage. Should I use the car Dad gave me for my 18th birthday? Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve seen it up close because I celebrated my birthday in Japan.
I have a license, so why not? It wouldn’t hurt to show off my car. Dad spent billions on this car, and it’s just sitting there gathering dust.
I grabbed my wallet, where I kept the car keys, but my phone vibrated at the same time. Who would call this early? And only a few people have my number—oh...
"What?" I answered, bored, as I opened the car door and started the engine.
"Wow! Not even a hello or good morning?"
"Really, Nathan? What do you want? Spill it." While talking, I signaled our guard to open the gate. On the other hand, I was still frowning while talking to my annoying cousin.
"Where are you? Classes are about to start."
"I'm close," I said as I started driving out of the garage.
Oh, nice car. It’s so easy to drive, unlike the other cars. It’s like carrying a piece of paper.
"And how close is 'close'?"
I rolled my eyes and glanced at my phone. Should I hang up on Nathan? How can I drive if he keeps bothering me?
"Close to leaving. Got it?" That was my last response before I ended the call. He shouldn’t worry about the souvenirs because I might just feed him an entire box of chocolates.
Because my dad's friend owns the Driving Academy here, I got my license without taking a driving test. I know it sounds crazy, but I can drive safely.
Returning to the Philippines might have been a good idea after all.
I quickly walked into Cortejo Campus. My grandfather, Sevastian, owns it, so he enrolled me here. I didn’t really want to attend because people would think I’m special since I’m the owner’s granddaughter. But it’s also good that I’m studying here; they say they can keep an eye on me 24/7.
"Who's that girl?"
"Another transferee, she’s probably weak."
Why is it always like that? Just because someone is new, they’re weak? The person who said that probably thinks they’re so beautiful, but they look like a geckos. Criticizing others when they are worth criticizing.
"She’s pretty, dude!"
"But she looks familiar?"
In the distance, I saw my very kind cousin. We grew up together, so I know everything about him. He even had a crush on me when we were in second grade, even though he knew we were cousins, so I hit him hard. Family stroke, right?
"Yow, cousin!" Nathan greeted me. He hugged me, but I immediately pushed him away.
"I just missed you. Can you believe you were in Japan for five years?" he said, taking my bag. This is one of the things I like about him; he’s such a gentleman. His future girlfriend is lucky.
Smart, kind, caring, and rich. What more could you ask for? Go for Nathan, for only 50 pesos—joke, his fangirls might get angry if I sell him.
As usual, Nathan talked a lot about what happened at school while I was away. I just ignored him, and we entered our classroom together—we were classmates.
***
"So class, we have a transferee here. Ms. Cortejo, please introduce yourself."
I stood up and the students started whispering. Whispering, but I could hear them? Wow.
"She looks familiar."
"I think I’ve seen her somewhere."
"Is she the one flirting with Nathan, my love?"
My love?
Yuck! Where do they get these terms? Disgusting. Kids these days are different, my love? My spouse? Sweetie?
"I'm Eliz Cortejo. I studied in Japan for five years and transferred here because... I miss it here," I said, forcing a smile. Gosh, I don’t want to say that my grandfather owns this school. But for sure, they’ll find out. They don’t recognize me here because they’re new to the school.
I saw different reactions on their faces. Some didn’t care, some were amazed, and some looked like they wanted to kill me. Well, that’s how it is. From what I see, they think I’ll be their rival for the hearts of the boys here. Sorry, not sorry, I don’t have any crush or interest in anyone on this campus.
"Are you related to our Mr. Sevastian Cortejo?" Miss Morinette asked, looking at me.
Tsk, so nosy. I don’t want to say it.
"Maybe, can I sit now?" I asked, and Miss nodded.
Good, I dodged that. But there’s something else I need to do. I passed by the girl who said I was flirting with my COUSIN.
"What?" she asked, annoyed, as I stopped in front of her.
"I just want to say, I don’t flirt with my cousin," I said, and her mouth dropped.
Tsk, as if Nathan would go for you. Duh~ My cousin doesn’t like flirts and clowns! The feeling of turning your face into a coloring book because of too much makeup? Can you even feel your face?
I went to my seat and quietly listened to the class.
Blah, blah... So boring.
I regret following my grandfather's order to study here. I also noticed that some students weren’t paying attention anymore.
I glanced at the wall clock and noticed that there were only five minutes left until the last subject of the morning ended.
"Class, dismissed." My classmates' faces lit up when they heard that. Of everything Miss said, that was the only thing that registered in my mind.
The bell rang, signaling lunchtime. But I was still stuck in the classroom with my cousin.
"What now?! I’m hungry!" I exclaimed, crossing my arms.
"Wait—here!" he said, showing his phone.
"That’s why, your bag is like a snake’s den, so messy. Maybe there’s already a python in there? It might bite you." I said as we continued walking.
The cafeteria is quite far from here; we have to pass through the garden. There’s only one cafeteria here, but trust me, it’s huge.
"So, you’ll be studying here?" Nathan asked, and I sighed. What else?
"As if Grandpa would allow me to go somewhere else," I said lifelessly.
Grandpa is too strict when it comes to me. I can handle myself because I know martial arts and how to handle a gun, but fighting isn’t my specialty. Sometimes, though?
I mean, in elementary, I often got into fights because bullies were rampant at school. Instead of staying quiet, right? I can’t stand seeing someone being bullied.
"Hey, wait a minute, okay? I need to ask my friend something," he said, pointing to a guy near the garden with some other boys.
I nodded and continued walking. I had only taken a few steps when suddenly...
"Ayyy!" I screamed as someone tripped me.
Luckily, I quickly balanced myself, put my hands on the ground, and tumbled. Whoo! Good thing I still remember that move. I learned it in gymnastics.
"Nice moves!"
"I like her now, bro!"
I thanked God for my quick reflexes because I was wearing a mini skirt. I should’ve worn pants. Wrong, Eliz, very wrong.
"Nice one." I heard someone say behind me.
I saw ah—handsome, tall, and—bad attitude. He’s the one who tripped me! Duh~
"What?!" I asked him.
He didn’t speak, just stared at me. For sure, he knows me. From his looks, he must have a position here on campus, or he’s close to the owner of this school.
"Don’t talk to me because I don’t talk to strangers, huh?" I said and turned away, but he grabbed my arm.
I just looked at him, our gazes locked.