One - Claudine
One.
Two.
Three.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath. Just relax Claudine.
I keep telling this to myself since I arrived 10 mins ago. Yet I’m still here outside our classroom and can’t make my feet move to go inside.
No one knows that I’m back after disappearing for 3 months. I bet no one even expected that I would come back. So if I go inside, I will surely get so much attention. And I don’t like that.
I was surprised when someone messed up my hair. When I turned around, Romnick was standing in front of me.
“Glad to have you back Ulap!” he said, smiling at me. The way he’s looking at me, it feels like he is really happy that I’m back. It made me smile.
He started going inside the classroom but when he realized that I’m still standing outside, he stopped walking and motioned me to go inside.
I bit my lip. I am not yet ready but I can’t miss my class anymore. My eyes widened when Romnick pulled me inside.
“Nick!” I squealed. The classroom instantly went silent. I could see the shock on their faces, especially my friends.
“OMG CLAUDINE!” I don’t know who shouted it. My friends came running to me and hugged me.
“It’s really you!” — Lou
“I miss you Cloud!” — Synth
“Don’t disappear like that again!” — Shey
“I’m so happy you’re back!” — Cathay
They all said simultaneously. It made me tear up. I miss them so much.
I was expecting them to ask me questions but they never did. Instead they told me everything that I missed that summer and made plans about what we should do now that I am back. I know I hurt them when I suddenly disappeared but they still understand me and give me time to tell them everything.
“Oy Jethro!” My heart stops when I hear his name. I looked up and saw him talking and laughing with friends. It’s been 3 months. I missed him. He didn’t know that I was back. I wonder what would be his reaction if he sees me?
I never left my eyes on him. I watched him put his bag down, strengthen his uniform and greet our classmates. I waited for him to look at our side.
And when he did, his eyes found mine.
His smile disappears.
And then nothing.
Like I wasn’t here.
He then called my friends, with a smile on his face.
It feels like cold water splashed on me. He was not surprised. He knew that I’m back. And he pretended like he didn’t see me.
— Lunch
During the entire class I tried my best to focus on each lesson. I know he can feel me looking at him, but he never looked my way. I expected him to be mad at me and prepared myself for it. But it never crossed my mind that he would pretend that he didn’t see me. And how did he know that I am back?
“Laki ng problema natin ah.” Masungit kong tinignan si Romnick. He just laughed and sat beside me.
I’m done with my lunch and told my friends that I needed to be here in the library to make up for the classes that I missed. I chose this place so I won’t get distracted but my thoughts won’t let me focus and now here’s Nick. Great!
“Lubayan mo ko. I need to focus.” I told him then I looked at my module. Ah, this is the reason why my mind wandered somewhere prohibited. It’s this freaking math equation that I can’t understand!
“Sungit mo naman po. But I can help you with that.” Nick said playfully and pointed at my module. I stared at him to see if he’s serious. I know he’s a math geek. He always aced quiz bees and always won 1st place in this subject.
“Sure ka?” I squint my eyes at him.
“Ayaw mo ata e’. Sige.” he stood up and was about to leave but I stopped him. He looked at me with questioning eyes. I know he is just teasing me.
“Please po, help me.” I said, rolling my eyes and it made him laugh. I shook my head but I’m smiling.
“Thank you Nick, I don’t know what I’d do without you!” I sincerely said after I answered all the questions. Really, he explained it better than our instructor.
“Sus wala yon! Next time may kapalit na yan.” He said and messed up my hair. Kinurot ko nga siya sa tagiliran. “Aray!” he shouted too loudly.
The librarian instantly shushed and glared at him. I put my hand in front of my mouth trying to stifle a laugh.
And then like a magnet, I felt this urge to look up and my eyes met his. My laugh instantly fades.
He stares at me, longer this time.
They were cold, indifferent. So distant.
Then he left.
