A Plan Changed Everything

IVY’S POV

I was walking to the school where I transferred. Honestly, I didn’t want to move schools, but I had no choice. My grumpy aunt kicked us out, saying we were just freeloaders and not helping at all at her house. But truth is, my parents are the ones working and feeding her.

(Back to reality, walking to school…)

“Oh! I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean to!” I smiled at the girl I bumped into, trying to show her it was really an accident. Wow, I just got to this new school and I’m already bumping into people. Ugh, Ivy! Pay attention! Stop daydreaming!

The girl said it was okay, so I kept walking. Then I remembered... I don’t even know where my classroom is. Great! I’m lost! And I’m also late! So, I ran back to the girl I bumped into. So embarrassing—bumped into her and now I’m gonna ask for help.

“Uhm, ate! Wait, can I ask where Grade 11 – Diamond is?” I asked with a smile. Always smile—you don’t want people to get mad.

“Grade 11 – Diamond? I’m going there too. You can come with me,” she said kindly.

“Really? Thank you so much!” I said, smiling again. Ivy, why are you so sweet today? This isn’t like you!

“You’re new, right? I haven’t seen you around before.”

“Oh, yes! I’m a transferee.” In case you’re wondering, I’m already in Grade 11. I transferred in the second grading, so I don’t know anyone here.

“Ahh, that explains it. I’m Anna, by the way! And guess what? I’m also in Diamond section. So, we’re classmates.” She smiled.

“Really? I’m Ivy.” I reached out my hand to shake hers, but I guess she didn’t notice. So, I just made my two hands shake each other so it won’t be awkward.

We arrived at the classroom, and I went to the entrance to greet the teacher. Of course, I was late already. Can’t exactly enter from the back door, right?

“Good morning, Sir!” I said with a smile.

“Good morning. Who are you, and what are you doing here?” He looked scary, but he had a slight smile.

“I’m Ivyanna Francesca Ramos, Sir. I’m a transferee.” I smiled but my voice was shaking.

“Oh, a transferee. But still, why are you late, Ms. Ramos? You’re 30 minutes late, and I only have 10 minutes left in this class!” he said angrily.

“I’m really sorry, Sir! I got lost. I promise it won’t happen again,” I said sadly.

“Okay. Come in, Ms. Ramos. Since you're new and there's only 5 minutes left, please introduce yourself to the class.”

“Okay, Sir. Hi! Good morning, Sir and classmates! I’m Ivyanna Francesca Ramos, but you can call me Ivy. I came from CvSU, and I’m 16 years old. I hope we can all be friends!” I smiled.

“You may sit.”

I looked for an empty seat and found one next to a guy at the back. I asked if I could sit beside him and he just nodded. Then the next teacher came in.

“Good morning, class! You, dear, are you new here?” she asked while looking at me.

Of course, I stood up and answered.

“Yes, Ma’am, I’m a transferee. I’m Ivyanna Francesca Ramos.” I smiled.

She nodded and I sat back down. The teacher started her lesson, and at first, I tried to listen. But I remembered how I got lost and how the first teacher scolded me. So I got distracted. Ugh! First day and I already got scolded. If only I wasn’t so shy, I wouldn’t have gotten lost and I would’ve arrived on time! Lesson learned: don’t be shy, just ask.

“Hi, Ivy! How are you?” someone asked with a smile.

I was surprised. I didn’t realize it was already recess. I think that was Anna.

“Hi, Anna, right? I’m okay… Oh! And thank you for helping me earlier and for bringing me to the classroom. And sorry again for bumping into you. Promise, it was really an accident.”

“You’re welcome, Ivy! Don’t worry about it. It was nothing,” she smiled.

“Oh, Ivy, aren’t you going to recess?”

“I want to, but I don’t know where the canteen is.”

“Perfect! My friends and I are going there. Come with us.”

I just smiled and followed her. While we walked, they asked me lots of questions—about my old school and why I transferred. Since I’m new, I had to try to be friendly even though I didn’t really feel like talking.

“Ivy, these are my friends—Eva, Sofia, Miles, and Kareen. And if you want, they can be your friends too since we’re classmates.”

“Hi, everyone! I’m Ivy,” I said with a smile.

They waved and smiled back.

“Ivy, why did you transfer schools?” I think that was Eva.

“Ah, my aunt kicked us out, so we had to move. And this new place is near where my mom rented a house.”

“Ah, okay,” they all said, nodding.

---

Fast forward… We got our food and ate at the canteen. After eating, we went back to class and sat down. Then Anna tapped me on the shoulder.

“Ivy! Do you want to hang out later? Just at the coffee shop next to the school. I promise, it’s near!” she said excitedly.

Even though I didn’t feel like it, I agreed. I’m new and I need friends. She clapped happily.

Honestly, I think I’m lucky if Anna becomes my friend. She’s not just kind, she’s also really pretty. The type of girl who looks good even without makeup. Her hair is long, her skin is fair and smooth—like even mosquitoes would be scared to bite her! Her lips are pink and cute. She looks like a main character in a K-drama or Wattpad story. She’s just perfect, mygosh!

“Hey, excuse me. Your arm is on my notebook.”

I looked down and realized my arm was on it.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t notice. Really, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk. Please move,” the guy beside me said with a glare.

Wow, he’s so mad. It was an accident! People like him… Ugh. But of course, I just said that in my head. I’m not looking to get punched today.

The teacher came in and asked if I was a transferee. I just answered yes.

---

Fast forward again… It was dismissal. I totally forgot about Anna’s invitation. HEHE. Sorry, I’m forgetful.

“IVY! IVY!” Anna shouted.

“Oh, what? Why?”

“Did you forget? You said you’d come with us to the coffee shop,” she said sadly.

“Oh! Right! Sorry, I forgot,” I said awkwardly.

“It’s okay, I’ll just call the others,” she smiled.

“Ivy! Let’s go. They’ll follow us later.”

I smiled and nodded. I just followed her. We arrived at the coffee shop, and soon her friends came too.

“Let’s sit here,” Anna said.

“I’ll get the menu,” Miles added.

We sat down and Miles placed the menu on the table.

“Ivy, what do you want? Drinks? Food?”

“Uhm, I’ll get matcha latte and pancakes with honey syrup. That’s all.” I pointed at what I wanted.

“Okay! We’ll order now. Just wait here,” she said with a smile.

“Here’s the money for my order.”

“No need! It’s my treat. You’re our new classmate and new friend, so this one’s on me. Come on, girls, let’s order,” she smiled again.

I just nodded and smiled. Of course I’m not saying no to free food! My motto in life: if it’s free, I’m in. LOL!

They came back, and soon our orders arrived. We chatted and laughed while eating.

“I have a question,” I suddenly said.

“What is it?” said Anna. “What is it?” said Kareen. “What is it?” said Eva. “Hmmm?” said Miles. “What is it?” said Sofia.

“Is that guy in our class always like that?”

“What do you mean ‘like that’?” Miles asked.

“Grumpy and quiet. I just leaned on his notebook a little and he snapped at me!” I said, still annoyed.

“Ahh, that’s Liam. He’s really grumpy and doesn’t care much about people,” Anna answered, smiling like she was crushing on him.

“So his name’s Liam. We don’t really talk because he’s so quiet. I’m scared he might punch me. HAHAHA.”

They all laughed. It was true though—I was kinda scared of him.

“Don’t worry. He’s actually nice, it just doesn’t show. And it’s your first day, so maybe he’s not used to you yet,” said Miles.

I just nodded in agreement. We kept chatting until we finished eating and needed to go home—it was getting late. We all said goodbye.

I walked home. It was close to where we lived. On the way, I bumped into someone again!

“Oh no! I’m so sorry!” I quickly said.

“Tsk. Look where you’re going next time!” the person said.

I looked up. Oh no… it was that guy again—Liam.

“Watch where you’re going. Don’t just space out!” he said and walked away.

I already said sorry and he’s still mad? Ugh! So annoying! I really want to punch him in the face!!!

“Calm down, Ivy. You bumped into him, so don’t get mad.”

I walked home. Almost there.

“Ma! Pa! I’m home!” I called out.

“Oh, Ivy, how was your first day?” my mom asked, smiling.

“It was okay, Ma. I made new friends! By the way, where’s Papa?”

“He just left for his new job.”

“Ahh, okay. I’ll go change my clothes now.”

“Go ahead. Dinner is almost ready.”

“Okay, Ma.”

I went upstairs to my room and changed. The house isn’t big, just enough for the three of us. It has two rooms upstairs—one for Mom and Dad, one for me.

I went back down. “Ma, what’s for dinner?”

“Come get it here in the kitchen. It’s adobo—your favorite,” she said happily.

“Yes! My favorite! I’m gonna eat a lot tonight,” I said, excitedly getting food.

We ate and talked while eating. Afterward, I cleaned up and washed the dishes.

Then I went to my room and did my assignments. I need to be hardworking—no laziness allowed (next week na lang LOL).

When I finished, I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I remembered how grumpy Liam was earlier and I just got so annoyed I started kicking the air and fake punching him.

So irritating! First day and he’s already mean to me. I didn’t even do it on purpose! I imagined punching him in the face—but just in my mind! I don’t want to get known as a violent girl LOL.

Eventually, I fell asleep.

---

Next morning...

I woke up to my alarm. Good thing I set it last night. I don’t want to get scolded by Sir again for being late.

I got up, went out of my room. My parents were still asleep—it was early. Same as yesterday. I hurried, took a bath. I’d rather be early than be scolded again.

I left the house quietly. When I arrived at the room, Anna smiled and waved.

“Good morning, Ivy! You’re early!” she said.

“Hi Anna! Good morning! Yeah, I don’t want to get scolded by Sir again, so I came early,” I smiled.

“Right, he scolded you yesterday. Just ignore him—he’s always like that.”

I nodded and sat down. Mr. Grumpy wasn’t here yet, so I rested my head on the table. I was still sleepy, and class hasn’t started yet. Time to nap a bit.

I woke up when I heard a loud chair being pulled. I sat up. It was him.. Liam!he just arrived.

Ugh, did he do that on purpose to wake me up?! So annoying! I’m still sleepy!

“Ugh, annoying,” I muttered.

“Good morning, class!” our teacher greeted as he walked in.

We all stood up. “Good morning, Sir,” we said and sat back down. He started teaching. Honestly, I didn’t even know what subject he was teaching. I couldn’t understand anything.

“Blah blah blah…” That’s all I understood from what Sir was saying.

I got curious what subject this was, so I tapped Liam.

“Hi, can I ask something?” I asked with a smile.

He just looked at me and went back to his notes.

“Just a question, I promise—”

“Ms. Ramos!” someone called.

“Ms. Ramos! Can you answer my question? You look busy there.”

“Sir? What was the question again?” I said, surprised.

“You’re not listening to me, Ms. Ramos!” he said sternly. “Okay, I’ll repeat my question. I ask this to everyone to hear different opinions: Do you think a successful career can replace the happiness that love brings?”

“Honestly, Sir, I haven’t experienced romantic love, so right now, I believe a successful career can bring the happiness that love gives to others. All the effort you put in to succeed will pay off, and you’ll finally enjoy things you couldn’t before. But maybe, if I experience unconditional love, my answer might change. That’s all, Sir.”

“Thank you for your answer, Ms. Ramos.”

I smiled and sat back down. I didn’t bother asking grumpy guy anymore. He doesn’t answer anyway. I’ll just ask Anna later.