CHAPTER 1

Today is June 9, 2010 and today is the first day of classes.

I am now in senior high which means this year would be my last year

in High school and after this year, I would be in college. I opened my eyes

and went up from my bed. I headed to the bathroom and brushed my teeth.

I was still thinking about what would be the big thing that would happen today.

When I was done brushing my teeth, I heard a knock from the door as someone spoke.

“James can you move fast? We’re going to be late for classes!” the voice said.

The voice I heard was from my older sister Lauren. “Can’t you wait? I just woke up you know!”

I said as I hurriedly did my thing. “Okay! I’ll wait for you in the car.”

She said as she came down running. After I took a bath, I hurriedly changed

into my school uniform and rushed to the dining table to grab some bread and kiss my mom.

“Drive safe sweety!” my mom exclaimed. “I will mom!” I said as I ran to the garage.

“What took you so long James?” my sister asked. “None of your business.”

I said as I started the engine. It took us 30 minutes to reach the school.

I dropped off my sister at the College building and after which, I sped off to my building.

I parked my car in the parking lot as I observed the other students coming in.

“James!” a voice called. I turned my back and saw my friend Bret.

“Yow dude! Wazzup? Long time no see dude?” I said as I patted his back.

“Well I hate first day of classes. For the fourth time in our lives, we would introduce

ourselves and say those blah blah blahs again!” he said.

“Hah! Were just the same! I hate doing those!” I said as I removed my hands after I patted him.

“By the way, what section do you belong?” he asked. “Remulla” I said.

“Oh gosh! We’re the same! Hahaha!” he said as he hugged me so tight.

“Stop it you idiot! You’re being too gay today!” I said as I struggled to get his hands off me.

“Just kidding!” he said as he laughed so hard. I fixed my uniform after what he did.

“Let’s go to our class now idiot!” I said. “Okay.” He said.

We went in the school gate and there we saw our previous classmates and

chitchatted with them for awhile. The bell rang and Bret and I ran to our classroom.

We arrived there just in time. We were lucky enough to have Mrs. Peralta as our adviser.

She’s a motherly teacher and hopefully, she would understand and tolerate my behavior.

“Good morning Mr. Reid and Mr. Jackson” she greeted. “Good morning Ma’am!”

we said in unison. “Okay take those seats at the back.” She said. We headed to the

back part of the room and seated on the empty seats. Everyone around us greeted

me and so as Bret. Well, if you might ask why those people knew me, it is because

I’m the school heartthrob. Well I’m not saying this to flatter myself but – it’s true.

Now back to the scene. While Mrs. Peralta was talking about something, I grabbed

my phone from my bag and texted my girlfriend, Ericka.

[“Babe where are you?”]

When I was supposed to return my phone in my bag, a girl came in the room.

“Oh Ms. I’m sorry I’m late. I was looking for this room when suddenly, the bell rang.”

She said to Ms. Peralta. I didn’t mind her and I just placed my phone in my bag.

A moment later, Mrs. Peralta stayed in her table as she asked the girl to come in

and introduce herself to us. “Hi guys! My name is Ann Li. I’m 15. Hope we’d be

good friends guys!” I heard her say. “Okay, Ms. Li, take the seat beside Mr. Reid, Mr. Reid

please raise your hand.” Mrs. Peralta said. I raised my hand and I saw the girl approaching

towards the seat beside me. “Hi there!” she said. Honestly, I was sort of irritated.

I don’t like those people who get near me and think were close. A lot of girls do that

and I’m not expecting this new girl to do it as well. Why, because she looks different.

But this doesn’t stop me from being irritated with her. I just don’t like her presence.

And so I turned my back to see her and I spoke, “Hello. I’m sorry but I don’t make

friends with anyone.” I know I was being rude but this is the only way I could push her back.

“Oh I’m sorry.” She said as she faced down. Mrs. Peralta continued to explain her

guidelines in her class. I didn’t bother to listen because I already knew what she wants and

she doesn’t want. I was able to look at the way where the girl was and I saw her still

in the position where I saw her awhile ago. “What have I done?” I said to myself.

“Well, who is she? I don’t care. I’m Robert James Reidl, the school heartthrob.

And this girl? She’s nothing to me.” I said to myself as I released the thought of saying

sorry to her. The bell rang and we started to move out the classroom. I noticed the

new girl all alone. Honestly, I sort of felt pity for her. My phone rang and it was

Ericka who called. “Hello?” I asked. “Babe! I can’t meet with you today, I have an

appointment. I’m so sorry.” She said. “Okay.” It was all I said because of frustration.

I love Ericka so much but there are times that I cannot understand her.

I placed back my phone in my bag and walked to my next class. I noticed the

new girl walking all alone. I wanted to apologize but my pride keeps on stopping me.

“Dude!” a voice called. “Oh! Bret!” I said as I ran towards him.

“So what’s our next class?” I asked him. “Economics” he said. We walked

through the hallways going down the second floor to the next building.

Girls were giggling every time we pass through them. “Hi James!” a girl

said from the corner. I gave her a nod and continued walking until we reached

our next classroom. Stuck in the door was a note which says fall in line and find

your height. My classmates started falling in line and so I did as well. The teacher

came out from the room and instructed us with some things. We are asked to

get in the room one by one. When it was already my turn, I found the new girl beside me.

It means I’ll be sitting beside her again! “What?!” I said to myself.

“Okay Mr. Reid and uh, Ms. Li. Take those seats in the corner.” Mr. Cordero,

the teacher, said. My eyebrows went up with irritation. Was it destined to

be sitting next to her? Oh no!” I said to myself again. And so I went in the

room so as she. We went to our seats and waited for the rest to come in.

The girl beside me was so quiet. She didn’t even bother to talk to anyone.

Well probably because of what I did to her awhile ago. But every time I look

at her way, I would feel sorry for her. Thoughts were coming in my mind and I

didn’t even realize that I was actually staring at her. “Is there something wrong?”

she asked. “Huh?” was all I was able to say out of humiliation. I turned my back

and didn’t bother to answer her. “Shoot! Why did I even do that?” I whispered to myself.

The teacher came in and introduced himself, though we already knew him and his

gigantic body and his fierce eyes and so as his frightening voice. He was by the way

known to be as a terror teacher, but who cares? I don’t give a damn.

And so he started with his short introduction with himself. After his intro, he

asked us to get a piece of paper and write what we expect on his class.