CHAPTER 1: The Day It All Began

[Feigh]

"People often misunderstand people. But I disregard that thought. Maybe I was just the one who was misleading them.

I was on the verge of crying at that time, but I managed to control my feelings. It felt so fortunate, then, that my ally came to aid me. That ally of mine is the rain. It serves, for me, as the manifestation of my mourning.

As the days passed, the burden I was carrying became too heavy to bear. It felt like I was trying to carry all the baggage in the world.

"I often give other people the wrong impression about me," I thought to myself. Which caused me to further ask myself, "Why? Why was I pretending to be like this and like that? Why was it hard for me to express my real self?"

I tried to smile and free myself from all of these chains. But it looks like I can't do it. My face reflects that I am still pretending to be something that I am not. Even just reminiscing about its ambiance led the atmosphere here to be this gloomy, causing this curve on my lips to fade.

I wanted to meditate and relax. But why is it that I can't? Was it because that ambiance still haunts me? Or was it because of my urge to change what had already happened?"

I heard the crowd's cheer after my self-composed monologue, causing me to end up smiling upon leaving the stage. 

When I finally got off, my classmates also congratulated me, "Job well done, Alvarez!" 

They had also finished their performances earlier and were just happy that everyone was able to share their self-composed pieces.

"Gotta go first," I excused myself from the crowd and was about to leave when...

"Hey, Feigh Alvarez!" I turned to the person who called me.

"Hmm?" I was a bit surprised when I saw Zy Enriquez. He is the ingenious columnist of our school magazine, which is North High's The Herald.

People call him "the mighty Zy" because, aside from being able to maintain his academic standing, he is also the school's pride, especially in terms of Science and Mathematics competitions.

A lot of girls, both within and outside the campus, are into him. But I couldn't understand why. Was it because of his intelligence? Or was it because of his tall height, slender figure, two-block haircut, siren eyes, bulbous nose, defined lips, and cold aura? 

"I just want to give you this," he said while handing me a paper bag, still wearing his cold eyes and poker face. 

"What's this?" I asked him as I reached the paper bag. But to my surprise, he ignored my question and just left!

"H-hey!" I tried to call him, but he didn't even look back.

"Now, I can tell that that guy is really hitting on you," someone uttered with a familiar voice.

"Oh, I was about to go to your room! But it looks like--" I mumbled in frustration before deciding to face him. 

"Better luck next time, little sister." Arg. Here he goes again with his 'li'l-sis-thingy'.

By the way, meet my very own brother, Dominique Alvarez. He is two years older but way more childish than me.

Oh! Before I forget, he calls himself a detective wannabe. I agree with that because he is indeed just a "wannabe." I mean, when you ask him to make a deduction, he's way faster than fake news and rumors to jump to conclusions.

Even though he's a failure in terms of making deductions, his looks can still be his redeeming asset. I mean, who would not admire someone who has that short shaggy haircut, down turned eyes wearing a pair of glasses, a Greek nose, a sharp jawline, and thin lips?

"You should say that to yourself, big bro." I intentionally put an emphasis on the word "big bro" to counter his "lil sis" remark.

"Enough with this nonsense! I'd rather take my recess than listen to your mumbling." He changed the subject, then immediately walked towards our destination-the school cafeteria.

After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at the front of the cafeteria. He miraculously opened the door for me, making him a gentleman for a second. I immediately went inside while he followed right after me. Then, he signaled me to find a vacant seat for two, so I went straight to the nearest empty table while he, on the other hand, excused himself to go to the counter. 

While I was waiting for him to return, I couldn't help but look at the paper bag I was carrying. Out of curiosity, I opened it and then slowly groped for whatever was inside. There, I realized that it's just a journal. What else should I expect from a journalist, by the way?

"What's with that face?" I closed the paper bag and faced my older brother, who was now carrying the food he ordered.

"Nothing," I muttered while helping him arrange the food on our table.

"You can't fool me, lil' sis. I can tell that you're disappointed in that guy's gift for you," he said mockingly before finally sitting in front of me.

"Acting detective again, huh?" I sarcastically replied before taking a big bite of the burger he bought. I heard him chuckle, so I wished he would choke.

When we finished eating, we decided to part ways because our rooms were in opposite directions.

"Your third period is about to start. So you better head to your room now," he said while looking at his watch. I nodded in response so he immediately walked toward his classroom. I followed him with my eyes and only started walking when he was already a few meters away.

When I passed the hallway where the lockers were lined up, I decided to stop by to find my own locker. When I found it, I immediately opened it and placed the paper bag inside. When I realized that all my stuff in the locker was so disorganized, I decided to arrange it a bit. I was about to close it when someone suddenly spoke. 

"What will Zy say when he finds out that you only placed his gift inside your locker? Oh! I forgot. You don't care about other people's feelings, right?" What she said made me mad so I angrily closed the locker. It made a loud noise that startled the person next to me. When the noise finally disappeared, I decided to face her.

As I suspected, it was Jiana Martinez. She was my former friend and my classmate ever since I transferred here. And even before I came here, she was already popular because of her beauty and social status. I mean, I could agree that she's pretty because of her captivating facial features. She had a small v-shaped face, an arched brow, tantalizing almond eyes, a straight nose, and perfectly cupid-bow lips. Aside from that, she is slim and tall, like a model.

"And why does it sound like you're jealous because he gave me a present? Oh! I almost forgot. You've been madly in love with him since then, right?" She then looked so mad after hearing my statement. Too mad that she became speechless. She was left with no choice but to glare at me. 

When she finally left, I let out a disgusted sigh. She had never changed-- still that spoiled brat that I used to know.

I took another deep breath before entering the room, trying to gain more patience. I immediately went to my seat where I noticed a yellow sticky note attached to my armchair. There was also a printed message written on it, which I immediately read. It says, "Haven't you remembered anything while doing your monologue upstage?" At the bottom, there was also a large letter "w."

After reading, I immediately moved my eyes in both directions, hoping to catch the person behind it. But sadly, no one seemed suspicious.

"Hey, bestie!" I immediately crumpled the sticky note I was holding when my seat mate, who had become my best friend recently, suddenly rushed in my direction. He was smiling when I faced him.

By the way, he is Wandough Benitez in the morning but becomes Wyndie Benitez at night. His name was really weird, making me question what his parents were thinking when they named him that? I mean, his name doesn't suit him. His features are way too cute. He had a small face, curly curtain hairstyle, a straight brow, monolid eyes, a button nose, and heart-shaped lips. 

"I'm going to have a heart attack because of you!" I scolded him, but he only laughed at me.

"You're really cute when you get angry," he said to my face while still smiling from ear to ear. "That's why it's always fun to tease you," he added while still grinning.

After that, our lecturer entered. That's why we immediately take our seats.

I tried to take notes while our lecturer was discussing. But I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing when I remembered the sticky note. Who attached that to my armchair?

"Bestie! You were zoning out. Do you have something more important than our lecturer's discussion?" Wandough whispered, yet the whole class could clearly hear him. Luckily, our lecturer did not mind; instead, she only kept writing on the board. This made me wonder if the rumor about Wandough was true.

In response to his question, I just shook my head.

"Okay. If you don't want to share it with me, then don't!" He was pouting while saying those words. For real? Is he so fond of acting cute? When he's already way too cute. No. I can't handle this anymore. 

Irritated, I turned my back from him which, I guess, allowed me to notice that Zy's chair is empty. It could mean that he either had some personal agenda to attend to or was simply excused for his extracurricular activity. But it's probably the latter.

"Okay, that ends our lesson for today. Class is dismissed." I didn't realize the time, and I was surprised that the class was already over. I stood up on my own and just said, "Thank you and good bye, Miss."

When our lecturer finally left, my classmates also started packing their things. I did the same. 

I was ready to leave. But...

"Hmmpp. I don't like you anymore! You've been selfish ever since Zy gave you a paper bag." His arms were still crossed as he tried to pout his lips. As if I would be shaken by him acting cute. But as much as I try to restrain myself, I can't help but laugh at his face. 

"Finally! You gave in to my cuteness," he said while pulling me out of our room.

While we were walking in the hallway, I decided to ask him, "Why didn't you congratulate me earlier?"

"I was just around the corner. I even witnessed how Zy suddenly walked out after giving that paper bag to you," he answered.

"Really?" I laughed at him.

"But you know? When I was about to approach you, your big brother suddenly appeared! So I was left with no opportunity to greet you at all," he pouted.

"Poor you!" I tried to console him.

"That's why, in order for you to make it up to me, you have to accompany me to my Oppa's classroom." His narrowed eyes were shining while mentioning the word "oppa."

"And who would that be, this time?" I teasingly asked him.

"Shhh..." He placed his fingers between his lips. "I'll tell you when we get there."

When I heard his statement, I was left with no choice but to silently accompany him.

A minute had passed by before we arrived at our destination. It was the third room on the second floor. We stopped near the door where I was able to read the room's sign board. And guess what? I found out that he's new oppa is still a junior!

"He's the oppa whom I'm talking about!" He gleefully said while pointing to the guy sitting on top of the teacher's table.

From the build of that guy, I can say that he is way more mature than his current grade level. Maybe he stopped a few times. 

I looked closely to see that guy's face. And I can say that he's pretty decent. He has a classy side-part haircut, arched brow, hooded eyes, bulbous nose, and wide lips. 

"Isn't he handsome?" His tone was filled with excitement when he asked me. 

"You're even more handsome, if only you were straight," I whispered. 

"You're just a killjoy!" He said while sounding a little bit offended. Then suddenly, his eyes widened. "Wait, don't tell me that--" His voice trailed off as he slowly covered his mouth in awe. 

"W-what?" I stuttered while trying to avoid his questioning gaze. 

Beep. Beep. Beep. 

Fortunately, my cellphone saved me. So I immediately grabbed it from my skirt pocket. Then I quickly read whatever message was there.

Nique: "Where have you been? I've been waiting here at the gate for almost an hour."

After I read it, I immediately typed back. To Nique: "I just got a last-minute appointment. I'll be heading thereafter!" After sending my message, I immediately hid my cell phone and faced the person in front who was now bored waiting. 

"Your brother?" 

I nodded as a response. Then, acted as if nothing had happened. "So, how did you find your new oppa?"

"Hmmp..." He crossed his short arms before continuing to speak. "Before I answer your question, could you tell me first what your beloved brother had texted." He tried to roll his eyes, but he did not succeed, so I ended up laughing at him. 

"Nothing," I muttered while trying to hold my laughter. "He just told me to enjoy your company." 

"Ennk. I know that's not what he texted," he said with a hint of dismay. 

"It looks like you know already, so why are you still asking?" I sarcastically retorted. 

"I just wanted to test your honesty. But it looks like you've failed." He sounded disappointed so I faked a smile.

My cellphone beeped for the second time. When I swiped the screen, my brother's name appeared again. Nique: "So you're really planning to make me wait here for another set of hours?"

"Go ahead. Your brother is really eager to go home." 

"I'm really sorry," I said while bidding him goodbye in a hurry.

He only nodded, so I immediately rushed to leave. But, because of my hurry, I bumped into someone.

"Sorry." I hastily apologized. But the person I bumped into did not even hear me. He continued walking as if no collision had happened.

I stopped at my spot when I realized how familiar he was. It's like I've seen him before. Sadly, his bangs covered his upper face which made it difficult for me to recognize what he actually looked like. His black hoodie also gave him a mysterious aura. I glanced towards his direction, but he was nowhere to be found so I decided to continue walking, instead. 

••W••

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, songs, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.