The morning light slipped through my window and hit me right in the face. I slowly sat up, still tired.
My eyes, head, and back all hurt like hell. No surprise I'd stayed up way too late last night playing games.
I groaned and let my body fall back into bed, trying to steal a few more minutes of sleep. But then, something caught my eye.
I peeked at the calendar hanging on the wall... and my heart dropped.
Today was the first day of school.
Without thinking, I shot up from bed like I had been electrocuted. I jumped out of my room, ran through the house like a maniac, and dashed into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
As I rushed past the kitchen, I saw my mom.
"Why didn't you wake me up, Mom?"
I shouted in panic.
She glared at me and said,
"You're already a grown man. Why do I still have to wake you up like a kid?"
I checked the time and I nearly screamed. I only had five minutes left before the flag ceremony started.
I grabbed a piece of bread, still half-wet from the shower, and ran to the nearest tricycle station.
"Manong, please!"
I begged the driver.
"Can you take me to Forstus North High School? I'm almost late. I'm seriously begging you!"
He chuckled at my desperation.
"Sure, kid. I would buuut…. I'm almost out of gas. Even if I wanted to help you, we wouldn't make it in time."
I sighed in defeat. That was it. I was already late.
When I finally arrived at school, I joined the other late students standing in a row. A teacher walked over and started scolding us.
Her name was Ms. Kolala.
"First day of school and you're already late? Really?"
"Is this what your parents taught you? Is this what they paid your tuition for?"
I wanted to argue, to say something back, but I knew I had no right. I had no excuse.
While Ms. Kolala kept talking, I saw my best and only friend since Grade 3, Lucas.
The moment I noticed him, he noticed me too. We locked eyes, and I quickly changed lanes to stand beside him.
"You're something else,"
I whispered.
"This is exactly why I told you not to play games all night. Now my image as a responsible student is ruined."
Lucas snorted and said,
"Shut up. You're the one who kept asking for 'one more round.'"
I sighed in defeat.
He was right, after all. I gave him a light punch on the back as payback.
After Ms. Kolala's endless lecture, we were finally allowed to head to our classrooms.
To my surprise, Lucas and I were classmates again.
"Dang, you're still my classmate?"
he groaned.
"What a cruel fate."
I laughed and punched him again.
Inside the classroom, I noticed a few familiar faces—classmates from last year. But we weren't really close, so I didn't bother saying anything.
Lucas and I found two empty seats near each other and sat down.
Soon, a woman entered the room with a warm smile.
"Hello, students. Well, well... new faces as usual,"
she said.
"I'll be your homeroom teacher from now on."
" My name is Ms. De Luna Cruzan, but you can just call me Ms. De Luna..."
"Today, we only have one subject introductions. So everyone, let's take turns and introduce ourselves, starting from the front."
One by one, the students stood up to introduce themselves. Some were quiet. Some sounded normal. A few made jokes and got everyone laughing.
I didn't really care. I just laid my head down on the desk.
I peeked at Lucas.
He looked like he was about to pass out from fear. He was next in line, and I wasn't any better.
But then, a voice caught my attention.
It was soft, calm, and confident. Her English was smooth, almost like it was her first language.
Her tone matched her movements so well that it felt like she was performing instead of just talking.
Everyone clapped after her introduction including me. It was that good.
Then I suddenly realized it was my turn.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice Ms. De Luna nudging me.
"Marcus, you're up next, dear."
My heart pounded like a trapped bird in a cage. It felt like every single eye in the room was staring at me.
I stood up, legs shaking. I coughed a little to clear my throat.
But when I opened my mouth, the words refused to come out properly.
What came out was a mess.
"M-my name is... err, Marcus."
Then I slammed my head on the desk in shame.
Some students laughed out loud. Some laughed in secret. Others didn't care.
But that girl the one from earlier she looked at me with concern. She tried to laugh too, maybe to make things less awkward.
Our eyes met for a short moment.
Eventually, the introductions ended, and it was recess time. With nothing else to do, Lucas and I passed the time playing mobile games.
"Hey, Lucas. Let's get something to eat at the café. I heard it got renovated,"
I said.
Lucas clutched his stomach and groaned.
"Go without me, Marky. My stomach's killing me."
"Suit yourself,"
I replied, heading off alone.
I didn't plan on eating much anyway I was saving up for a new video game.
Instead, I walked around the campus to kill time.
Then—bang! I bumped into someone.
It was her.
I quickly apologized.
"Sorry! I wasn't paying attention!"
She smiled kindly.
"It's alright. And also, don't stress too much about your introduction earlier. It was nice that you tried."
Then she and her short best friend walked off toward the café.
I stood there for a moment, confused.
I'd been here for three years. How come I never noticed her until now?
When I got back to the classroom, I saw Lucas snacking.
"Hey, Lucas. Give me one of those Lemon Squares. Sharing is caring, right?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Bullshit. You didn't even buy lunch, that's why you're being stingy."
I laughed and changed the subject.
"Anyway... you know that girl who spoke before you?"
Lucas shrugged.
"Nah, I heard she's a transferee. Why? You interested?"
I tried to play it cool.
"Not really. Just curious."
Lucas gave me a teasing grin.
"Whatever, man. Just don't cry later, alright?"
"What do you mean...?"
I asked, but the bell rang.
School ended just like that. Lucas and I walked home together, chatting and laughing as usual.
When we reached Caramo Street, we parted ways.
"Bye, Marcus. Let's play until midnight again today!"
I gave him another punch.
"Shut it. I'm not falling for that trap again."
That night, I collapsed onto my bed, completely exhausted.
And so, the first day of school ended.