"Laura.. hija..gising na."

I whimper a bit stretching my feet to the end of my bed. I sat up and removed my eye mask then gaze at my door where my lola is non stop knocking.

"Yes, maliligo na po muna ako.." Sigaw ko pabalik. I started fixing my bed and do some morning stretch.

Then I grab my shower towel, and robe then went straight to bath. I enjoy bath so much! Except that I need to do it fast now. Since I woke up late than my usual time.

When I finished I put on my robe and wrapped the towel on my head. I went back to my bedroom and started getting dressed with my school uniform. I dried my hair,put on my socks then my shoes and went down with my bag already at my hand.

I saw lola preparing my breakfast which made me smile.I walked towards her and kissed her cheeks

"Good morning.." I greeted with a smile

"Good morning apo." She greets back then put a plate of rice in front of me. I put some bacons and eggs to partner with my rice.

"Andito na po ba service ko lola?" I asked lola while we are both eating.

"Naku apo kanina pa.." Sagot niya ang I nodded, rushing a bit. When there's no much food on my plate. I stand up drink some water and bid goodbye to lola then rushing outside our house getting inside the car.

"Okay na Laura? Wala nang nalimutan?" Ganong ng driver namin.

"Yes po.." I replied getting comfortable with my seat. The engine starts and the car leave the garage. Bahala na yung mga maids sa pagsasara ng gate so the driver can drove off immediately.

I looked at the time, 6:55am. Our flag ceremony starts at 7:15am. I still need to brush my teeth.

It took us 5 minutes para makarating sa school. I immediately jump out of the car and start walking fast. Getting late isn't really my thing. I just got late today because I had a Skype call with my mom.

As I entered our classroom I immediately put down my bag and search for my tooth brush and tooth paste. I went to the sink inside our classroom and and brush my teeth fast.

The sound system for the flag ceremony is already set up and blasting music sa flag pole. As I finished I thought wala nang ibang tao sa classroom except me.

But I'm not surprise as I see my friends still chilling inside the classroom.

"Tara na?" I asked and they nodded, standing up form their seats and we went down to attend flag ceremony.

After the National Anthem and Panata ag Panunumpa. Ifs the exercise that no one in our class barely do. Except Ali.

"Si Ali oh, parang ewan.." Jax said while pointing at Ali who's energetically dancing the exercise.

"Sssh! Walang paki alamanan." Saway ni Ali sa amin. I chuckled a bit while doing the exercise lifeless. It should be moving feet and the arm. But I only move my arm and not my feet anymore.

After those things, some teachers have their announcement. But us six doesn't really care. Its for the lower grade after all. So we have nothing to do with it.

"Bakit kaya hindi pa tayo papuntahin sa classroom natin kung para sa grade nine yung announcement?" Tanong ni Gwen, I sigh thinking the same thing.

"Hindi ba parang ang unfair kung sila lang ang nasa initan?" Ali ask looking at us..

"May point si Ali, tsaka kung ba taga pakinig na din.." Lory said covering her face with a towel to block the sunlight hitting our faces.

"Pero hindi naman tayo grade nine, grade ten tayo 'no." Tobi replied..

"Kahit na." That's the only thing Lory replied pero natahimik na sila.

Because it's Lory.

"Let's just wait, ugh." I grunt trying to find a spot where there's at least any shade to hide. But no, it's an open field, we all suffer here.

"Ayan! Sa Wakas!" Gwen shout as the class in front of us starting walking, it means we can go back to our classroom.

"Bibig ni Gwen Grabe.." Ali said pointing at Gwen..

"Bakit ba? Hayaan mo sila? bwiset ang init dito!" Lagtataray ni Gwen making us chuckle a bit.. Ali could just laugh and shake her head.

We went to the second floor of the main building cause that's where our classroom is located. As we arrived there me and Ali drink some water while Gwen and Lory would fan theirselves with their towels then there's Tobi and Jax who basically wipe their faces non stop.

"Kapag talaga galing ka sa mainit papawisan ka ng todo." Ali said as she's trying to catch her breath.

It's a morning sunlight tho it's already that hot. We are in the Philippines, that's why.

"Yes.. super.. ang init!" Jax made her last word longer expressing that she's suffering from the hotness of the surrounding.

"Bakit kasi kailangan pa nating sa open field mag flag ceremony? Why not sa gymnasium or sa may mga lilom?" Lory asked still not done dealing with her sweats.

"Malayo kasi ang gymnasium.." Ali replied? Lory wiped her face for the nth time. Before aggressively putting her towel down.

"Kaysa naman sa ganiyan ka init!" She hissed, Ali just shrug her shoulders already used to that kind of behavior of Lory.

My eyes widened as I saw our terror teacher entered the classroom. I immediately tap Tobi's shoulders since he's sitting on the arm rest of the armchair.

Almost all of us fixed ourselves since it's the terror teacher. That one teacher who basically gets annoyed by everything. Gets annoyed by noise, by mistakes, and even gets annoyed even you're looking beautiful.

"Ms.Elazar.." I saw Ali's hands turn into a fist as her surname was once again called.

"Saan mo nabili 'yang headband mo?" The teacher ask, Ali slowly reach for her hairband.

"Binili po sa akin ni Mama." Ali replied.. looking down. I examined our teacher's face. She have that one annoying face of her again.

"Mama mo? Ahh okay.. we'll start our class now." Ali's head immediately snapped up since our teacher just let it pass.

Her expression looks so amused and surprised. Even Gwen is surprised that our teacher didn't say anything except that.

It feels like our eyes were talking as us six looked at each other. Jax looked in front since we will be in trouble if our teacher caught someone looking at the back or even their seat mate.

-

Recess came and we started leaving our classrooms. This is just a fifteen minutes recess so we have to squish in our chitchats.

"Kala ko talaga kanina may mapapatalsik na guro." Ali said while we are walking to go to the canteen.

"Huh? Bakit naman?"Gwen confusedly asked.

"Kasi.. kung may sinabing masama si maam, siyempre mag susumbong ako kay mama. You know my mom, a dragon and tiger. So susugod si mama, hindi niya kaya galit ni mama. Or pwede naman na mag sabong nalang sila. May kasama pang demandahan." Ali explained, I finally understand what she means even I'm only silently listening to them.

"Ay sayang! Dapat pala may sinabi na masama si maam kanina..." Tobi joked making us laugh.

"Oo nga! Mag sumbong ka na kaya Ali, malay mo." Lory added..

"Hindi pa malakas ang pruweba natin, we need something major para magkasugudan dito." Ali replied rolling her eyes. I chuckled a bit then we entered the canteen.

I got some spaghetti and a biscuit cracker. I'm not that hungry but the spaghetti looks good tho. I just hope it taste good as well.

I take the first bite and I am surprised it taste good. Sometime there are things that our canteen sell that looks like It's not even edible.

"Si Ali yung naka ubos ng kwek kwek. May bibili pa sana na grade seven kaso wala na.." Tobi was laughing and talking at the same time while pointing at Ali's food.

"Hindi ko inubos 'yon, kaunti nalang talaga.." Ali defended and put a whole kwek kwek in her mouth. Its not the chicken egg so it's fine. It's just a quail egg so it's really like just a bite size.

I was silently eating my spaghetti when my phone suddenly beeped. Even Lory and Jax's attention were caught by my phone because they are just sitting beside me.

It's a text.. from dad.

I opened my phone, the text immediately flashed on the screen. As I read the text a chuckled a bit. I turn off my phone not opening the text since I have already read it from the notification. I put it back inside my skirt's pocket and continue eating.

"Hindi mo babasahin?" Jax asked and I shook my head..

"It's just from dad." I replied covering my mouth since I know I messed up some sauce on the side of my lips.

I grab my hanker chief which is just on the table and wipe the side of my lips. I put down my hanker chief as I'm confident that there's no sauce on my lips anymore.

"Bakit hindi mo binasa kung galing sa dad mo?" Jax confusedly asked, my nose scrunch a bit before shaking my head.

"He just texted me saying na susunduin niya daw ako mamayang hapon, uwian. That's it.." I replied and Jax nodded.

The fifteen minutes feels just like five minutes and the bell rang once again indicating that classes will start again.

Gladly it was just English and Science after recess. English is a bit my thing but in terms of Science.I'm still trying to get well to it. But Gwen is, she's just so whipped when it comes to Science.

Morning class ended, and in our school when it's lunch break we need to go back to our houses. But it's only for 2 hours. At least it's a long period of time. For me.

Me and my service arrived back at home. I went straight to my room and removed my skirt and blouse which leaves me to shorts and sleeveless shirts. And remove my shoes and socks.

I change my notebooks to afternoon classes then go down stairs for lunch. I usually eat silently. Well, because I have no one to talk to. Lola is basically a silent person as well.

But I'm surprised that she suddenly speak..

"Nag text naba ang daddy mo sayo apo?" She asked, I sigh and nod.

"Anong sabi?" She asked again, I pursed my lips and let go of the utensilsz

"Susunduin daw po niya ako mamaya after school.." I replied looking down at my food.

"Ayos 'yon apo, paniguradong kakain kayo sa labas ng daddy mo.." Lola said happily smiling while her hands are clasp together.

I forced a smile and nod. Now I lose appetite. But if I say that to lola she will scold me. So I tried my best to eat. Masarap naman yung luto ni lola eh. I actually like it.

When I finished eating I decided to go to school early. So I went upstairs to take a half bath then put back on my uniform. New pair of socks then my shoes and my bag which now contain my notebooks for the afternoon.

Our classes in the afternoon starts at 1:30pm. At 12:45 I was able to arrived at school. Among of our squad it was only Ali and I who's already here. Tho some of our classmates are already here.

I put down my bag and looked at Ali's direction who is now busy writing something to a yellow pad paper.

"What's that?" I asked her looking at the paper.

"Para sa English.. the essay." She replied and I nodded.

"But isn't it like.. bukas pa? Kanina lang 'yan binigay so you can do it to your house naman." I said paying attention to what she's writing.

I heard her sigh..

"Maaga pa naman, I have nothing else to do, so.." She pointed at her paper and I nodded. My mouth formed an 'o' shaped.

"I remember, you don't like rushing things nga pala, so incase na may ibigay pang assignment this afternoon wala kang masydong gagawin.." I said and she nodded.

"Exactly.. that's my thing." She said now focused once again to her papers.

Little by little our friends started arriving. Starting from Tobi, then Jax, Gwen, and last is Lory. Before class could even start Ali is already done with her essay. So when our teacher arrived she's just fixing her stuffs.

On our supposedly TLE time, our teacher isn't here so that means it's free time. Basically what happens here is we go into our own set of friends and it will look like we are having groupings but we are just really chit chatting.

"Anong nilalaro mo Jax?" Gwen asked, looking at Jax phone watching whatever she's doing.

"Nag lalaro ka ng four pics one word?! Nasaang taon ka Jax Gabriella?" Gwen joked, we started laughing at Gwen's accent since it's sounded a bit weird.

"Boring kasi, wala akong magawa sa phone. Ano games niyo?" Jax asked looking at our phones. All of us are holding our own phones while we are sitting on the floor.

Yes we sit on the floor, it's just feel better and comfortable specially when we move our chairs so we can have more space.

"Wala ako.." Ali immediately replied pulling her phone away.

"Naku! May tinatago si Ali sa phone niya." Tobi said with a smirk on his lips.

Ali's eyes widened "What?! No! Wala akong tinatago!" Ali defended,

"Wag masyadong ka defensive bhie, napapaghalata." Gwen joked making us laugh.

"Wala nga, bahala kayo." Ali said pouting then looking back at her phone.

We basically wasted our one hour free time by just staring at our phone screen. Our last subject teacher came and of course did his job.

Gladly it's Wednesday which means I'm not a cleaner. Its basically Ali who's a cleaner now. I texted my service to not pick me up. Since dad texted me nga that he will be the one picking me up. We still waited for Ali to finish cleaning before started walking to reach the gate.

We were laughing and joking about things. Trying hard not to laugh to simple things that we are giving meanings.

As we reach the gates, I bid goodbye to them since I'll be the left here alone waiting for dad to pick me up. I put down my bag and sit down on the chair here in the waiting shed. I pull out my phone from my pocket and checked if dad sent me a message.

But there's none, I plug in my earphones and play some music. I watch on how other vehicles enter and leave the school gate. Some students who are basically being a chaos and higher grades who looked so professionals.

30 minutes passed and there's still no sign of dad picking me up. I look around, there's almost no students inside the school and just teachers who's still doing some works or some are just chit chatting.

Until my phone beeped. I immediately checked it but just got disappointed as i read dad's text.

He was stuck in a traffic. Still few kilometers away. I sigh and didn't reply. There's no vehicles for me to ride.

I'm already stressing out but not showing any emotion. I started walking and pass by a cafe. I texted lola saying that I'll be eating outside. Gladly she let me. I entered the cute cafe. I pick a seat near the door. A waitress gave me the menu. I ordered a simple cake and caramel Macchiato.

It'll do for my dinner. Since I don't feel like eating heavy meal. I once again pull out my phone and was about to plug in my earphones when I hear voices from the cashier.

My brows furrowed and put down my earphones. Eavesdropping isn't really my thing. But I'm a bit curious about this one. I looked at the cashier, there's a boy standing, talking to the manager. He started clasping his hands together as if he's pleading but the manager just continuously shake his head.

Then the boy looked down and his shoulders dropped, he grab a folder from the counter and face his back making me panic so I hurriedly grab my phone as if I'm using it. As I saw the boy's face my eyes widened. He looks... fine.

I immediately return my gaze at my phone when I saw the guy walking towards my direction. I didn't look at him as he pass by me. But I got startled when I hear something dropped. I looked at my side and saw a notebook on the floor.

I immediately anticipate that it was his so i pick it up and chased him. When I went out he still there just standing looking at somewhere. I hesitantly walked towards him. I'm a meter apart from him when he looked at me making me freeze.

"U-Uhm.. you d-dropped this." I said stuttering reaching forward his notebook with my both hands. He looked at it and smiled.

His smile looked so good.

"Thank you.." He said still a smile plastered on his face. He finally reach for the notebook. He took his backpack from his back when we were both startled as more notebooks dropped from it.

I fix my skirts before squatting and picking up his notebooks. He as well started picking up. When I saw the last notebook I stopped picking up since I don't want to happen to us the things that happen in the movies where while the girl and boy is picking up some papers they would accidentally touched each other's hands.

My brows furrowed when he stopped as well.

"You get that na.." I said and he nodded shyly nodding picking up the notebook then scratch the back of his head.

I blow a big amount of air.. gosh!

Hindi nga kami nag kahawak ng kamay, nagkahiyaan naman kami.

"Here.." I handed him the five notebooks I picked.

He smiled and reach for it..

"Thanks.." He replied and I nodded. I watch him put it back on his bag but avoiding the hole.

When he finished he once again looked at me and chuckle

"Salamat ulit.." Ani niya and I nodded.

"I'll go inside na..you're welcome." I said and he nodded.. as I turn back I heard his stomach growl. I slowly turn my body to him.

"You... want to eat?... My treat.."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•