Questions about Jordan and Benj swirl in my head as I sit there. What was with their reactions? And where did he even go? I feel the pressure of sitting in his spot like I've been unofficially drafted into the "boys at the back." The last thing I wanted was to get labeled as annoying, rebellious, or mischievous. My dad would freak out. And honestly, that's not me either.

I thought about asking Mrs. William if I could switch seats, but nah, the embarrassment hit me first. I just got here at CNHS, and let's be real—it wasn't exactly a warm welcome. But at least one person was friendly—Ysha. She was like a walking ball of joy. I don't know anyone here, not even in this town. So, for now, sticking with Ysha seemed like my best bet.

Kanina pa nag-dismiss si Mrs. William, giving us a death stare before hitting the exit. Hindi ko na narinig magsalita si Benj sa tabi ko. The boys behind us—Carter, Kyle, and Junel—kept their boy-chismis. Maya't maya'y tumatawa pa ang mga ito habang nagbubulungan. Ysha, as usual, rolled her eyes while I tried to control my laughter habang pinapakinggan ang usapan nila.

"So, Beau, baka pwede kang magpa-shot diyan after class. Pa-welcome party ka naman!" malakas na sabi ni Junel, na sinang-ayunan naman nina Carter at Kyle.

Mabilisan ko silang nilingon. Nakita kong seryoso nga sila sa kanilang imbitasyon.

"Boys! Huwag niyo ngang dinidemonyo 'tong new classmate natin!" mabilis na awat ni Ysha, sabay tingin ng masama sa kanila.

"Oh, nakikipag-friends lang naman kami. Nangingialam ka na naman!" sagot ni Junel, mukhang sanay na sa bardagulan nila ni Ysha.

"Chill, Ysha. We're not going to let him be the next Jordan."

"Carter, watch your mouth!" awat ni Kyle nang marinig ang pahayag ng katabi nito.

"Who's Jordan?" tanong ko, walang pag-iisip sa sensitibong pangalan. Agad akong nag-sisi sa aking curiosity nang maramdaman kong nagbago ang mukha ni Benj.

Biglang dumating ang second period teacher namin, si Mrs. Valeriano, kaya kahit papaano'y naputol ang tension. Nang matapos kaming mag-greetings at pinaupo niya kami, muling bumalik ang kaninang naupos na tensyon.

Sa mahina ngunit mariing tinig, nagsalita si Benj, "If I were you, I'd better stop being curious before you regret it. Curiosity kills the cat, Montero."

Napayuko ako nang marining ang tila pagbabanta sa tono ni Benj. Yeah, Benj could become a problem if I get in his way. Honestly, I should just steer clear of the whole "Jordan issue." All I want this school year is to graduate and keep my head down—no more trouble, especially after everything I went through at my last school. If Benj wants his space and prefers to handle his issues on his own, then fine by me. I've got enough on my plate without adding his drama to it.

"Let's leave his issues alone, Beau," bulong naman ni Ysha na sinigurong hindi maririnig ni Benj ang sasabihin.

The class went by smoothly, and from recess to lunch, Ysha was right there with me. I couldn't help but wonder—where were her friends? Did she make any during her 11th grade, or has she been flying solo since the school year started? It's hard to tell, but it seemed like she might be alone too. I guess we were both just trying to understand this new world together.

For me, Campside felt like stepping into a whole new universe. Not that I'm a stranger to new places—I've moved so many times, it's practically a yearly routine. Every couple of years, I find myself packing up and adjusting to a different world all over again. Meron pa nga hindi umaabot ng isang taon. Sa loob ng isang school year nakaka-dalawa o tatlong school ako dahil sa trabaho ng papa ko. 

I knew this whole new world was just temporary. I didn't want to create any drama in this fleeting chapter of my life. All I wanted was for things to be peaceful and smooth, just like the schools I'd left behind. I kept telling myself, 'Just make it to college, just get through graduation, and then I can finally live life on my terms.

"Huy, ang lalim ng iniisip mo, mga six feet. Okay ka lang?" Bahagyang siniko ako ni Ysha habang naglalakad kami sa Samonte Park palabas ng gate. 

Mangilan-ngilan na lang ang taong naroon. Most of them ay nagsiuwian na. Most students were eager to rush home, treating school like a suffocating cage. But for me, school was my refuge. Home, on the other hand, felt like a trap—suffocating and heavy with sadness. I often felt caged there, longing for the freedom and comfort I found within these walls. 

"Beau! Huy!" Hindi na nakatiis si Ysha. Nahampas na ako nito ng malakas sa kaliwang balikat dahil kanina pa nito tinatawag ang atensyon ko. She had witnessed one of those many episodes—'yong bigla na lamang ako matutulala at mapapatitig sa kawalan dahil sa halo-halong isipin: academics, ma-attitude na classmates, expectations ng teachers, sitwasyon sa bahay. 

"I'm okay. May iniisip lang," palusot ko haabng sinasabayang maglakad ang babae patungo sa Gate 3. 

Tinignan ako ng makahulugan ng babae. She half-smirked, her eyes radiating warmth as if she were ready to listen to my litany of complaints about this cruel life without a hint of judgment. That was Ysha's vibe—a ray of sunlight in a cloudy sky, a comforting presence, and a haven I could always count on. 

Maybe, just maybe, she could potentially be a great friend. 

"You know, we just met, kaya I am not going to ask you to tell me." She smiled and managed to tap my back gently. "Kapag okay na ako, and I have proven my worth as your friend, remember, I am always ready to listen." 

Nginitian ko ito. It was the first time someone had shown me that kind of genuine respect, patiently waiting for me to share my story. 'Yong hindi pwersado at may pag-iimbot. Tipong sinasabing 'Take your time, you don't have to tell me yet. But when you do, I am all ears and won't judge you for whatever it is.' 

That was Ysha—the ray of sunshine who became my instant friend within just one day. From our very first meeting, it felt like we clicked effortlessly. Our laughter flowed naturally, and we vibed in a way that made the chaos of school fade away. It was as if we'd known each other forever, sharing unspoken understandings and dreams while navigating the ups and downs of teenage life together.

"Thank you," tipid kong sabi nang marating namin ang bus stop. Ysha was going South kasi taga San-Isidro ito and I was going North-West.  

"Thank you saan?" maang-maangang tanong nito habang suot ang nakakalokong ngiti. 

"F—for keeping me company." 

"Walang problema. Happy to be your welcoming committee!" Inilahad pa nito ang mga bisig na parang isang tour guide na nagwe-welcome sa guest. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang biglang tumigil na ang bus na sasakyan nito na nasa kabilang side ng kalye. 

"Bus mo!" inginuso ko ang tumigil na bus. 

"See you bukas, Beau! Ingat!"

"Ingat rin!" Kumaway ako habang pinapanood itong tumawid ng kalsada patungo sa naghihintay na bus. 

Nang makasakay ang babae'y nagawa pa nitong kumaway mula sa loob ng sasakyan. Ilang saglit ay tuluyan nang nakalayo ang sasakyan nito at binalot na ng nakakabinging katahimikan ang bus stop. 

It was past six, and dark clouds gathered in the June sky, signaling the start of the rainy season. Madalang na rin ang mga sasakyang pa-Santiago. Kung may dadaan man ay punuan na rin, it's rush hour. Maski sa probinsya'y kinukulang ng sasakyan at nagkakatraffic twuing uwian ng mga empleyado at estudyante. 

I leaned back against the freshly painted bench of the waiting shed, the smell of new paint still hanging in the air. A bright sign nearby proudly announced it as a project of some town official, like it was something to be proud of. For now, though, it offered a quiet shelter. The sky, heavy and bruised, stretched above, and I could hear the low growl of thunder rolling in from the disputed western seas. 

The storm wasn't far off, and neither was the tension. There was a charge in the air, something more than just the coming rain. 

Ilang minuto rin akong naghintay sa ilalim ng waiting shed hanggang sa mamataan ko ang paparating na ordinary bus. Eksaherado kong iwinagayway ang kanang braso upang parahin ang sasakyan. Sa wakas ay napansin ako ng driver ng bus at marahang itinabi ang sasakyan. 

Pahakbang na ako palapit sa pintuan nito nang mapansin kong tila may bababang mga kalalakihan. Bahagya akong napaatras. Napansin ko ang pamilyar na mukha mula sa pababang grupo—sina Junel at Benj. 

Benj shot me a warning glance as he walked down the bus steps, his eyes saying everything he didn't. Get out. Now. My pulse quickened, but I tried to play it cool, stepping back and pretending to mind my own business, letting the other two guys pass. I could feel the weight of their stares, the tension tightening in the air around me. My feet itched to run, but I forced myself to stay still. One breath. Then another. When the last one finally stepped off, I bolted for the bus, desperate to leave this place behind.

But just as I reached the top step, a strong hand gripped my arm, yanking me back down. My heart slammed into my chest, panic flooding my veins.

Kaagad akong napalingon. Ang lalaking huling bumaba ng bus ang humila sa akin. Nanlilisik ang mga mata habang pahigpit ng pahigpit ang paghawak nito sa aking braso. 

"Sasakay ba?" untag ng kundoktor na nasa tabi ng driver. 

Sabay kaming napalingon ng lalaking may hawak ng braso ko. Sasagot sana ako pero nauna na nitong pinisil ang braso ko bilang banta. 

"Hindi muna, kuya!" sigaw nito saka ako pasimpleng hinila palayo sa bus. 

"Perez, hindi siya kasali dito. Huwag mo 'yan idamay!" sabi ni Beau na tila naglalaman ng seryosong banta sa lalaking tinawag nitong Peres. 

"Eh, kung gusto ko siyang idamay? Tutal classmate mo naman 'to!" mariing sagot ni Perez. Sumisinghot ito na tila nanlalaban na ang sipon sa kanyang ilong habang tagaktak ng pawis ang buong mukha nito. 

The guy seemed nervous, his sweaty palm slick against my skin. He was trying to act tough, standing a little too straight, like he was in control. But I could feel it—his fear, the way his grip tightened then loosened like he wasn't sure what to do next. 

Was he scared of Benj? Of Junel? Or was something else making him jumpy? Whatever it was, it was crawling beneath his skin, and it was only a matter of time before it showed.

Nakaalis na ang bus, muling lumalim ang mga kuko ni Perez sa aking braso. There were five of them. Junel, Benj, and may I, were outnumbered by these rugged troublemaker-looking students. I couldn't get into trouble. I did not fear from the situation and the possible bruises or cuts I may be getting from these guys, I fear for my father's reaction towards this. 

"Huwag niyo nang sayangin ang oras namin. Ayaw niyong magsalita, heto na lang!"

Before I could even think of a way to get myself out of this mess, the biggest guy in their group stepped right up to me, his fist already swinging in my direction. I saw it coming—it was like slow motion for a split second—but my mind was too distracted, and his punch was too fast. My body tried to react, but I was a beat too late. The force of it hit me square in the jaw, sending a sharp jolt of pain through my head.

Sinubukan kong umilag mula sa kamao nito ngunit huli na ang lahat nang maramdaman ko ang pagdapo ng kamao nito sa kaliwa kong pisngi. I barely saw his fist coming before it slammed into my face. The pain exploded across my cheek, sharp and instant, like my skull had cracked open. 

"Oh, f*ck, Jayson, what the hell! Wala 'yang kasalanan!" sigaw ni Junel na tila pumalag na nang mamataan ang pagkakasuntok ko. 

For a moment, everything spun—my mind fogged over, trying to process what just happened. A punch. A hard one. My breath hitched as I stumbled back, my heart racing, realizing that I was in serious trouble.

I didn't know these guys. I didn't even know how I ended up here, standing in front of them, fists clenched but trembling. My legs felt heavy, like they could give out at any second, but I was rooted in place. My chest tightened with each shallow breath, my brain scrambling for a way out, any way out.

I swallowed hard, tasting blood, and every second that passed seemed to stretch. They were just standing there, started reacting as trouble triggered their ego. And I could feel it now, that rising panic clawing at my throat, the realization settling in—I was in way over my head.

###