Katrina's P.O.V.

When I told Jeo that I don't feel frightened communicating with anyone anymore because of her, I'm telling the truth.

Why? because she's the only person besides mom who's really patient with me when it comes to adapting into this country's language and culture. She's like mom who never fails to remind me that it's fine to make mistakes and take my time in making progress, as long as I'm still gaining knowledge from it.

Don't push yourself too hard, okay? there's still a room for improvement. You just have to keep trying and trying!

After that 'not-so-serious' talk with her, we became more closer. Even though we've only known each other for a weeks, there's this special connection between us.

The connection is so special that we find it comfortable to voice out our worries, struggles, and other personal things to each other.

So special that I found myself looking forward to seeing her every day.

Moving out of your comfort zone to try and discover new things wasn't a bad idea at all.

Especially if that leads to meeting someone like Jeo.

*timeskip*

I just finished taking a bath. It's already 6:00 in the morning and I still have an less than an hour left before the class starts. Our teachers advised us to bring a few things today: painting materials for our first art class, sports uniform for physical education class, printed music sheets for music class, and lab gowns for our 'perfume-making' activity on our chemistry class.

Basically, today's classes are just pure M.A.P.E.H. and Chemistry class. 

When I first came here, I didn't know that the music, arts, physical education, and health classes are are combined to become just one subject.I was so amazed by the discovery, given that our music, arts, physical education, and health classes are separate subjects, and they're hard to pass too.

"Kat, baby, baba ka na! breakfast is ready!" mom called.

I immediately wore my uniform and comb my hair upon hearing mom's announcement, making my way downstairs to eat breakfast with them.

"Magandang umaga po, Mommy and Daddy!" I greeted them.

"Magandang umaga to you, too, my big baby!" said Mom.

"Magandang umaga, Kat!" said Dad.

I smiled at them.

I appreciate their efforts at incorporating Tagalog into our daily conversations to nurture both my skills and my understanding. It really helped me get a hunch about the language; I can now converse with a lot of people, and I became more aware of the things happening around me.

We sat at the table to eat peacefully. I dig in to Mom's pancakes, and oh boy, I love Mom's pancakes so much that it got me wondering how she cooks pancakes this perfectly.

"그래서 필리핀 수업은 잘 진행되고 있나요? 설마 선생님을 힘들게 하는 건 아니겠지?" (So, how's your Filipino classes? Don't tell me you're giving your teacher a hard time?) Dad spoke.

"아빠, 너무 걱정하지 마세요. 잘 되고 있어요!" (Dad, don't worry to much. It's going well!) I said. I'm telling the truth kaya po! Jeyjey told me that she's not having a hard time teaching me because I'm a fast leaner kaya po! 

"Paanong hindi magiging well eh magaling ang teacher niya! 'Di ba, Kat?" Mom interjected.

"Opo, yes po! Teacher Jeyjey is very magaling! she taught me very well!" I answered immediately.

I heard mom chuckled upon hearing my answer. "See! you're very magaling na student din, Kat! You two are very magaling that's why you're learning Filipino language quickly." she said, causing me to smile.

"그렇군요. 앞으로도 열심히 해요, 얘야!" (I see. Keep up the good work, dear!) Dad exclaimed, encouraging me to never stop doing my best.

Smiles and laughter filled the table. Our stomachs and hearts are full with love and encouragement to keep going.

*timeskip na naman haha*

We're here inside our Chemistry Laboratory, waiting for our teacher to begin our perfume-making exercise.

I'm excited! I can now produce my own perfume using basic ingredients like flower petals and oil. Is it possible for me to produce a fragrant perfume? Let's see what happens!

"Good morning, class. I would like you to divide yourselves into 8 groups, 4 members each. After forming a group, start working and just follow my instructions." Sir Rico instructed.

Jeo and I locked gazes right away.

"How about we team up, hmmm?" Jeo said.

"Okay, po!" I said, and she smiled.

Signe and RJ joined us, and thus our group was complete.

"Seems like each student has their respective groups already. Let's start now." said Sir Rico.

"Pour 1 cup of the carrier oil into the bottle first. Then, add the flower petals after. Lavender and Jasmine are the ones that produce the best fragrance. You may pick any of them or mix them together to see how they smell." (I just did a quick research about making perfumes at home so I may or may not have missed an important info hehe)

We followed the directions. I put a cup of the carrier oil into my bottle and then added petals of the Lavender flower. I hope I'm doing what's right to produce a pleasant-smelling perfume lol.

I just sat there after I finished mine, waiting for Sir Rico's next instruction.

"Anong flower nilagay niyo guys?" curious Signe asked.

"Jasmine sa 'kin, mukha namang mabango eh. Amoy sampaguita nga HAHAHAHA" RJ joked.

Oh, I recognize sampaguita! Those are the flowers on sale in front of the church!

"Sa 'yo, Avery? anong nilagay mo?" Signe asked while inspecting my bottle.

"Nilagay ko Lavender petals po hehe. It looks pretty eh." I answered, smiling.

Jeo chuckled and teased, "Ikaw ha, gusto mo pala sa magaganda." 

Of course I am! pretty girls likes pretty things! >_<

"Opo. You're maganda eh." I answered innocently.

I saw her cheeks blushed upon hearing that.

Is she perhaps feeling kilig?

Or maybe she's feeling embarassed by the sudden compliment? Katrina, you dumb cat! >_<

"Ah I mean, you're all maganda! Signe and RJ are maganda, too! We're all maganda!" I reasoned out. I might have scared her