“Good morning. It was nice bumping into you again.” someone said that made me look on my side
Vladimir was standing there while smiling widely. I knew already that he just finished jogging since some sweat is still trickling on his face. He sat down beside me and watched the sunrise.
“Good morning. I didn’t know that you also go jogging in the morning.” I said
“I don’t normally go jogging but since I have to be in good condition for the training I decided to exercise.” he said
I smiled and watched the people passing by. I saw Ace with his group of friends stretching on one side of the oval. I already predicted that he will start ignoring me now.
“I need to go home now.” I said to Vladimir
“Then let’s both go. I will also walk home so let’s go.” he said standing up
Awkward silence envelopes both of us as we walk home. I wanted to break the awkwardness but I don’t know what to say. We haven’t really talked to each other after the intramurals.
“I will see you around again.” he said when I arrived at my community
“See you around too. Go home safely.” I said
He waved his hand and continued walking home. I turned on the faucet and watered the plants in Nana’s garden first before I entered the house. I cooked rice in the rice cooker and put the soup that she prepared on the burner before adjusting the heat to low. It would be cooked by the time that I am done taking a bath. I fried some eggs and sausages for my lunchbox before eating breakfast.
“Good. I was on time.” someone said as I was locking the front door.
“Ouch!” I said touching my forehead that I bumped onto the door due to shock.
“Did I surprise you?” Ace asked who was standing near the gate.
“Isn’t it obvious? I am clumsy but I don’t just bump my head on a door without a reason. Why are you here? I already have too much Ace dose for today so leave me alone.” I said, still holding my forehead.
“Well, it was still early so I decided to drop by and walk you to school.”
“I’m not a little girl who cannot find her way to school so you can leave now. I won’t be lost, don’t worry.” I said
He shoved a helmet to me instead of leaving and then proceeded to the parking lot. I would have shoved and thrown it back to him if he wasn’t older than me.
“Hop on! I am on duty today so I have to arrive at school early.” he said as he turned on his motorcycle.
“I can walk to school and you don’t need to give me a ride.” I said and returned the helmet to him.
“I’m not doing this because I want to. My mother asked me a favor to give you a ride to school.” he said coldly
“Well, tell her that I am fine on my own.” I replied back.
“Do not make me repeat myself. If you don’t want to ride with me then tell that to her yourself this afternoon. Do as I say for now since the time is ticking and I don’t have much time.” he said
I cannot see his full face because he is wearing a helmet but I can see how serious he is by his eyes. I would have annoyed him even more but I am not the kind of person who would make fun if school matters are at stake. I put on the helmet hesitantly before getting on his motorcycle. He is driving slowly, maybe because he knows that I am wearing a skirt. I am holding on to his shoulder lightly as I need to keep a distance between us.
“Thanks for the ride even if you really didn’t have to.” I said as I got down and returned his extra helmet.
I walked away without turning back since I know that he will not be able to follow me because he still needs to park. My friends were standing by the main gate when I arrived there. They were looking at me with full interest which made me wonder why they are like that.
“If you will ask about what you saw yesterday again then don’t bother speaking.” I said
“You already explained that yesterday so we will not talk about that. What was that about?” they asked
“What was that about? I don’t understand what you’re saying.” I asked back while frowning
They pulled me to the lawn in front of our classroom because senior students who are on duty are now standing by the main gate. They looked around suspiciously before speaking which made me curious about what they were going to say.
“Are you and Nathaniel on speaking terms finally?” Jessica asked softly
“Why do you have to look around and whisper as if we are talking about something forbidden?” I said
“We can’t afford to have Nathaniel hear what we are talking about. So are both of you speaking again?” May said
“Why do you keep on asking that question?”
“We saw him in the parking lot of your house and then you got down from his motorcycle. We all know that you have been treating each other coldly for some time now.” Jessica said curiously
“Huh?! That jerk is just doing that as he treats me as responsibility for now. You know that he can’t say no to his parents when they ask him for a favor.” I said
“At Least he is talking to you now. Isn’t that good news?” Jessica whispered again
“It’s not good news and stop whispering.” I said
“You haven’t told us why you suddenly acted cold to each other.” May said
“There isn’t really a particular reason. We just drifted away from each other one day. We also have different priorities so it happens.” I said while shrugging my shoulders.
“That explains why you have been ignoring each other.” They said and nodded their heads.
“Let us stop talking about him since he is not really that important.” I said
We sat down there while enjoying the sunrise silently while waiting for the bell to ring. Since today is Thursday, we will be having a school mass because we are studying in a Christian school. I think I have forgotten to mention that the name of our school is St. James High School and it was established when the Spaniards colonized our place.
“I want you to follow the seating arrangement when going to church.” Our adviser or homeroom teacher announced.
“Oh please! Not this again.” I whispered to myself when I felt someone pull me by the hand. I was thankful that my reflexes were working perfectly fine that moment so I did not stumble.
I felt two heavy arms on my shoulder as soon as I regained my composure. Maybe you can already guess who has their arms around my shoulder. Yeah! My two giant seatmates were the ones who pulled me as if I’m a light feather that they can just drag around. I pushed both of them to give me space and then went on my way to church. I feel suffocated having them stand beside me especially if they stand too close which we cannot avoid.
“Don’t you dare pull funny tricks because we are inside the church?” I warned both of them.
We know that we should behave ourselves but there are still some moments where we have the urge to talk to the person beside us. Poking and pinching are also present especially if someone is sleepy. I felt someone tapping my back when we sat down so I looked back and saw my friends grinning. May and Jessica are waving their hands frivolously. The two people beside me also waved their hands and smiled at them. Vladimir was also right behind me and Daniel was beside him as expected.
“Peace be with you.” Allyson said before pinching my cheek.
“Ow! That was painful! You’ve been doing that a lot of times already.” I said
“Peace be with you too.” Jackson also said before pinching my other cheek
I slowly clenched my hands and lips before punching both of their arms. I was aiming for a second punch but they immediately held my hand.
“Let go of my hand!” I hissed at them in a soft voice
“Nuh-uh!” Allyson said
I started pulling from both of them but they are both too strong for me. I stopped struggling as I breathed deeply. Our classmates in front of us are starting to look back and other people also started staring so I am starting to feel uncomfortable.
“Let go of my hand now!” I said in a firm voice
“Mmmm okay.” Jackson said before letting my hand go
“Peace be with you.” Vladimir said behind me