The Loser's Club

- Heisha's P.O.V -

Waking up in a new atmosphere is not my cup of tea. I barely slept last night because I'm not yet comfortable with my bed, sinabayan pa ng namamahay kong sarili. I breathed out a sigh, and now it's time to prepare for school.

"Hey, tama na ang pagtulala baka mamaya mahanginan ka dyan. Sige ka ikaw din." Narinig kong sabi ni Zenith, my roommate.

I only arrived at the Chester High Dormitory yesterday because, honestly, it completely slipped my mind that classes start today.

Unlike most students, I’m over the whole "school" thing. If it were up to me, I’d be out there actually experiencing life, traveling the world, and seeing everything there is to see.

But of course, my mum would never let that happen.

My parents come from two totally different worlds. My mum is a doctor, and my dad is a firefighter. Somehow, those worlds collided and created a "wonderful" child—that’s me, by the way.

The problem is that my mum is dead set on me following in her footsteps to become a doctor. Don't get me wrong, it’s a great profession, you get to help the sick and meet all kinds of people. But it’s just not for me. If I had to choose, I’d much rather be a firefighter like my dad.

Despite how I feel, my mum continues to insist on the medical path, while my dad just stays silent. So, here I am at Chester High, starting a journey I never really wanted.

I sighed, palagi na lang ang nanay ko ang nagdedesisyon para saakin.

"Huy! Nakikinig ka ba saakin?" Si Zenith ulit na ngayon ay bihis na.

Zenith Wren, was a complete contrast to the chaotic energy of the dorms. Her eyebrows were perfectly straight and elegant, framing eyes that looked incredibly bright and full of life, hidden behind a thick fringe of lashes. With lips the color of roses and skin as pale as fresh snow, she stood out like a painting.

Her hair was a deep, ebony black, falling around her face in a way that made everything else seem dull by comparison. I’ve only been here a day, but I’m already convinced she’s the most beautiful girl on campus. And no, I don’t think I’m even exaggerating.

We quickly get along.

I look at her appearance, mukhang si Zenith ang mauuna saaming magka jowa. I smile at the thought, but seriously she looks good in our uniform.

"Ano titingnan mo na lang ako ng ganyan?" She asked with a dissatisfy looked in her face.

I sighed and stood up, walked to my closet and wore my uniform. Nang nakalabas ako ay nakaupo na siya sa couch at inaayos ang bag niya.

"Ready na ako." Sabi ko at walang ganang kinuha ang bag ko na nakapatong sa may lamesa.

"Tara na, hindi puwedeng ma late tayo sa unang klase natin. Anong una mong subject?" Tanong niya.

Tumayo na siya at ako naman tiningnan sa phone ang schedule ng klase ko.

The academic load here is eight subjects, but the schedule is… unconventional, to say the least. We only have two subjects a day, but each one is a massive three-hour block. Since we only meet for each class once a week, my Fridays are technically free.

Well, "free" with a catch. During orientation, they claimed Friday is a mandatory "Cleaning Day." I’m still not sure if they’re actually serious about that or if it’s just some weird Chester High tradition, but I guess I’ll see for myself when the day comes.

On the other hand, my first subject of the day is...

"Creative writing. Ikaw?" Tanong ko at isinukbit na ang bag sa balikat.

"General Mathematics. Tara na." Sabi niya at nagpatiuna na sa paglabas ng kuwarto.

As soon as we stepped out of the dorm, the sheer beauty of the campus hit me. The place was buzzing with life—students rushing to their respective classes, while others were just lounging around the quadrangle, soaking in the morning.

It’s actually a pretty decent setup. The air felt clean, and the rows of trees lining the paths were a nice touch. It almost made the school feel peaceful.

But that feeling didn't last long.

Not far off, I spotted a guy surrounded by a group of other boys. Even from a distance, I could tell something was off. He looked stiff, cornered, and completely uncomfortable. It wasn't exactly the "friendly" high school scene the brochures promised.

"Heish, tara na male-late talaga tayo sa ginagawa mo eh." Reklamo ni Zenith ng huminto ako sa paglalakad.

"Wait, tingnan mo yun." Sabi ko habang tinuturo ang kinalalagyan nung lalaki gamit ang nguso ko.

"Saan?" Nakakunot noo niyang tanong at tumingin sa direksiyon na tinuturo ko.

"Ayun oh. Oh my gosh!" Bulalas ko ng makita na binuhusan ng tubig na nasa bote yung lalaki. Hindi man lang nagreact yung binuhusan.

"Hala! yung binuhusan ng tubig, yun ba yung sinasabi mo?" Tanong ni Zenith.

Tahimik lang akong tumango. Then I start to walk, not in the direction of our building in the quadrangle where the boys are, and then I feel a hand on my wrist.

"Heish, tara na male-late na tayo. Hayaan mo na sila dyan. Huwag na tayong makialam, ganito talaga dito masanay ka na. Tara na." She said then pulled me and started to drag me away from the quadrangle.

Muli kong tiningnan yung lalaki. Wala na siya at yung lalaki naman na nagbuhos sa kaniya ng tubig ay kasalukuyan ng tumatawa kasama ng mga tao na nasa bleachers. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako dahil hindi ko alam kung paano hindi makialam.

Back at Jacksonville High, before I transferred here for my senior year, I was already a marked girl. People called me a "meddler," though I prefer the term observant.

Let’s just say I was a constant source of stress for my parents. Whether it was getting caught in the middle of a brawl—even if I was only there to break it up—or racking up detention hours for talking back to teachers, I was always in the thick of it.

But honestly? I never spoke up without a reason. If I was difficult, it’s only because I refuse to stay silent when things don’t add up. I have my reasons, even if the school board didn't want to hear them.

Anyway, my mum expects me to be a good student this school year. Which I promise I will be.

Huminto kami sa grade 11 building at tiningnan ako ni Zenith habang nakangiti na akala mo wala ng bukas.

"Bakit?" Takang tanong ko.

"Wala lang, excited lang ako sa first day. Sa wakas malapit na akong makaalis sa school na'to, kunting panahon na lang." Sagot niya.

I just frowned. "Mas excited ako kung may klase tayo na magkasama."

She knows already where her classroom is, but me? I don't even know where the cafeteria is! Kaya naman sinamahan niya akong hanapin ang classroom ko.

"Goodluck sa first class. Puntahan nalang kita dito pag tapos ng klase. Bye-bye." She smiled and left me in front of my classroom. As I enter, there are a few students who stare at me but they immediately mind their own business.

I make my way to a vacant seat beside the window at the very back of the classroom. Good thing that this seat is not yet occupied. While trying to relax on my seat the boy who was at the quadrangle a while ago yung binuhusan ng tubig, he enter the classroom.

I noticed the way everyone was staring at him. As the poor guy kept his head down, navigating the rows to get to his seat, I scanned the room. Some faces showed a flicker of sympathy, others were wearing nasty smirks, and a few were busy whispering behind their hands.

God, I absolutely hate that.

I watched him finally sit down and immediately bury his face in his desk. The seat next to him was empty, and a part of me really wanted to go over there and sit by him, but... I also really didn't want to give up this perfect spot I’d found.

• • •

- Earl's P.O.V -

Until when will I endure all of these things?

Ano bang nagawa ko bakit nila ako ginaganito? Hindi naman ako masamang estudyante, hindi ko naman sila pinapakialaman. Bakit ba saakin 'to ginagawa ni Mason?

Dahil ba weird ako sa paningin nila? Ano bang masama sa pagkahilig ko sa pagbabasa? wala naman akong ginawa sa kanila pero hanggang ngayon hindi parin ako tinitigilan ng grupo nila Mason.

Simula ng pumasok ako sa Chester High hindi na natahimik ang mundo ko. Nasanay na lang rin ako sa mga pinag-gagagawa nila saakin, sanay na akong ma bully, sanay na ako sa mga tingin ng mga tao dito, sanay na akong walang tumutulong saakin at hanggang tingin na lang sila, I became numb from everything that I've experienced.

"Hello." I heard someone talk, a girl's voice. Nag-angat ako ng paningin, re-assuring if the voice is really talking to me.

Sinalubong ako ng nakangiting babae. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko. Totoo ba 'to? Someone's speaking to me. Am I imagining things? Muli kong narinig ang boses niya habang nakatingin saakin.

"B-Bakit..." The words came out not as a question but rather as an expression of disbelief.

"Nandoon yung upuan ko, tabi tayo." Sabi niya habang hindi nag-aalis ng tingin saakin.

Teka, gimik nanaman ba'to nila Mason? Maybe, so I shall refuse I know that no one will talk to me, I'm not that stupid.

"Pinadala ka ba nila Mason? Sorry pero dito yung napili kong upuan."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Who's Mason? Siya ba yung nagbuhos ng tubig sa'yo kanina?" She asked concerned was visible in her voice.

Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin. Tama ako isa lang rin siya sa mga nandito na hanggang tingin na lang.

"Tara na doon, wala akong katabi eh please." She said then grabbed my arms and made me stand up.

"S-Sandali lang." Protesta ko habang hinihila niya ko papunta sa upuan niya.

The students inside saw everything as they whispered to each other, some just stared. Binitiwan niya ako ng makarating kami sa upuan niya. Tsaka siya umupo sa puwesto niya at itinuro ang katabing upuan. Hindi ko namalayang umupo ako roon.

"Good, d'yan ka na uupo simula ngayon, okay?." She announced.

I can't believe this girl. Alam ba niya ang ginagawa niya?

"H-Hindi ka ba n-natatakot na mabully?" I stuttered while looking at her.

She has long, wavy, orange hair, a mole on the left upper cheek near the lower side eye, she looks average at first glance, pero hindi tulad ng iba, hindi nakakasawang tingnan ang mukha niya.

"Mabully? Seryoso ka ba diyan? Bakit naman ako mabu-bully? Dahil ba kinausap kita, sinong bubully saakin? Yung Mason na sinasabi mo?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong habang nakapangalumbaba sa lamesa. Tumango naman ako bilang sagot.

It seems that she's not a friend of Mason.

"You know what wala akong pake kung bully-hin nila ako. Edi isusumbong ko sila sa guidance office."

I look down, staring at my hands resting on the table.

"Guidance counselor will do nothing," I said almost whispering.

"Oy! Ano bang tinitingin-tingin niyo diyan ha? Mind your own business!" Narinig kong sigaw niya sa mga estudyanteng nakatingin pa rin saamin.

I sigh knowing that Mason will eventually know this and she will be in danger very soon. I should warn her now.

"Wala saaking nakikipag usap dahil natatakot silang baka ma bully rin sila ni Mason. Kaya this is a warning to you, I don't want you to experience what I'm experiencing at the hands of those bullies." I said with a gloomy voice.

"My name is Heisha Moriel, and you are?" Hindi ko alam kung narinig ba niya ang sinabi ko dahil imbis na mag-alala, she's asking my name instead.

"Earl... Earl Warren. Narinig mo ba yung sinabi ko? Baka ma bully ka pa nila Mason kaya hindi ka dapat nakikipag usap saakin."

She exhaled and looked at me with a serious face. "I hate violence, Earl. I can't stand seeing someone being bullied. Hindi naman ako natatakot kay Mason, stop worrying okay? Now that we're friends palagi ka ng sasama saakin." She said and flustered a kind smile towards me.

She's not afraid.

She hates violence.

She can't stand seeing someone being bullied.

And now we're friends.

"Bago ka ba dito sa Chester? Because your face's not familiar." Tanong ko.

"Uhuh, bago lang ako kaya nag aadjust parin ako hanggang ngayon." She answered and looked outside the window.

That's why she's not afraid of Mason. Hindi pa niya kilala ang lalaking iyon at kung ano ang kaya nitong gawin, naisip ko.

"Heisha, si Mason malaki ang kapit niya sa school hindi mo pa siguro alam ngayon pero isa sa big sponsor ng school ang tatay niya." Nag-aalala kong kuwento sa kaniya.

"Ah kaya pala ang tapang niya. Tss, pathetic." She scoffed and looked at me again. "Earl sabi ko diba don't worry I can take care of myself more than you think so, okay?"

Kahit ganoon pa ang sinabi niya at hindi ko maalis ang pagaalala. Kung alam lang niya kung gaano kasamang tao si Mason. Hindi ko alam kung anong pinapakain nila Mr. at Mrs. Clemente sa anak nila at ganoon kasama ang ugali.

Our conversation only stopped when the teacher arrived. I sighed, I'm so tired that my anxiety is getting worse because of this girl.