2 Chapter 2: Home

"Nali, someone is looking for you," my body jumped a little when Night call me. I push the bridge of my glasses 'cause it's slipping down.

My movements were slow as I get out of my seat.

Noe looked at me, confused, "Do you know him?"

I shook my head without looking at her as a sign of saying no.

Since my seat is at the back row and near the window, it's kinda far from the door.

As I get closer, my eyes were fixed on the guy near the door. Not on Night, but on the guy whose looking for me. It feels like I'm getting blown by the wind every second I get nearby the door.

Every step I take, I see every part of his face clearly.

Round eyes... I can't distinguish the color of his eyes because of our distance.

Pointed nose...

Thick and slightly furrowed brows...

Full, a little red, and slightly open lips... Looks so soft.

His black hair was neatly fixed, it suits him perfectly.

"Your name is Inara Araceli?" my fascination on his face comes to an end due to his question.

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Brown."

His brows furrowed completely, now it's like a connected line, "Huh?"

My whole body froze when I realized what I just said. It was supposed to be said on my mind only. Stupid, Nali. Brown, that's the color of his round eyes.

"I-i uh... I mean, yes. T-that's me," my voice is shaking. "Do I know you?" I asked, convincing myself that I am not nervous.

He smirked. He f*cking smirked.

"You don't remember me?" he asked.

I slowly shook my head. "No, I'm sorry. Did we meet before?"

A smirk is still plastered on his face. Amusement is very evident on his eyes.

"Well..." He trailed off. "I have your ID, he added then lift his left hand that's holding my ID.

"OMG, where did you find it?" I muttered while stretching my right hand to get my ID back.

He placed it on my palm. "On the street. Carrington Street to be exact," he responded.

Carrington Street?

My eyes grew wider when I remember what happened earlier. Right! I bumped into someone earlier.

"It must have fell when I collided with someone earlier," I explained. Wait. Why am I even explaining? "Anyway, thank you," I thanked him and smile afterwards.

Shock was all over his face but it's only for a while. Maybe I'm just seeing things.

"No worries. I got to go, so bye," he said while slowly rubbing his nape.

I smiled again.

He began to walk the other direction far from our room.

"Thanks, again!" I shouted tho he didn't look back and just continue walking.

I turn around, I was surprised when I saw all my classmates were looking at me. They watch me and the guy I'm talking to earlier.

I gave them an awkward smile. Gosh, this is embarrassing.

Their eyes are still fixed on me when I started walking towards my seat.

"Do you know that guy, Nali?" Aly quickly inquired.

Come to think of it, I don't even know his name. Well, it doesn't matter now.

I shook my head. "He's just returning my ID."

Noe face us, "How come your ID is with him?" she confusingly asked.

"I think it fell when I bumped into someone. I was running that time, so..." I just shrugged.

"Right," Aly start off. "Where did you go this time, huh?"

"Aling Cely's eatery," I wear my ID after answering her.

Calais City Academy

Inara Araceli D. Ferrer.

Grade 12- STEM

Section B

I look pretty decent in this one unlike the one issued last year. I didn't wear my glasses when we took this photo. With my heart-shaped face, long black straight hair, deep set of eyes, pinking lips, and narrow nose... I must say I look good here.

"That always happened when you go there. You always forget to check the time every time you go there." Noe said, as a matter of fact.

"It's true," Aly agreed. "Why do you always do that? You're always looking outside when we eat there. Are you waiting for someone passing that street?"

I shrugged and choose not to answer their questions.

They might think I'm weird if I tell them that I always think how enchanting the road is. They're my friends since grade 3. But... I'm scared to see their reaction if I tell them unusual things about me.

I know they would understand me. But, I'm still sh*t-scared. There's always this feeling inside me that makes me scared... There's always the doubt... The what-ifs..

Our second subject ended without doing anything but talk. In the middle of our third subject, the student representative of grade 12 STEM enters the room.

"You can go home now. The meeting will last 'til the last subject. So, the dean announce that students can go home early," he announced.

I was happy to hear the announcement .And Aly, not so pleased about it.

"They should have let us go home earlier. What a waste of time," she complains.

I laugh at her remarks. Same old Alyzeah Eden Angeles.

Noe linked our arms so the three of us can walk together.

"Let's go to the mall," she smiled sheepishly.

"Pass." my words came faster than flash.

I get my phone and text the family driver to let him know about our early dismissal.

Me:

Manong Jude, we were dismissed early. You can fetch me now, I'll wait outside po.

Seconds later, I received our driver's reply.

Manong Jude:

Alright, hija. I'm on my way.

"Same," Aly said.

She removed her arm from ours and stopped walking, "Oh come on!"

My gaze met Aly's. We then look at Noe at the same time.

She looks like a puppy. Hahaha.

"You look like the mall, Noe," Aly tease her.

"Excuse me," she said as she crossed her arms. "I'm too pretty to look like that!" she rolled her eyes.

"I've got things to do. Next time, okay? " Aly conciliate to ease Noe's mind.

"Me too. My sister will come home today."

She got no choice but to accept our reasons. We reach the gate and saw our services waiting for us.

We bid our goodbyes shortly.

I open the door to the back seat and look at the school entrance again.

It's him. The guy who returned my id earlier. He looked at my father's car briefly. His attention were averted when someone calls him. His classmate, I guess.

The car starts moving. I looked at the driver when I remember something.

"Manong Jude, is Ate already at home?" I asked.

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, "She's not home yet, Nali. Your brother is there at noon but immediately go somewhere."

I just nodded.

After 30 minutes we reach the front of our village.

Catalina Village.

We passed through some alley before we reach our street.

I can see our house from here. A two-storey modern house with earth tone colors.

There's no car parked at the garage. I'm the only one at home.

Well, it's nothing new. The days they are not home are more than the days they are here.

We're family but it feels like we are not. I'm home, but it doesn't feel like I am... I wonder what a real home feels like.

When we reach the garage, I opened the door.

"Thank you, Manong Jude," I said, smiling.

He smiled back. I closed the door and enter the house.

"I'm home," I announced tho there's no one to welcome me. Nana Linda is the only one at home.

She came out from the kitchen. "You are early today."

"There's a meeting po."

I put my bag at the sofa then sit beside it. I lean my head then closed my eyes.

Now, I feel too tired from too much running earlier.

I stay like that for about 10 minutes.

Then, my phone rang. I fetch it at my skirt's pocket to see who's calling.

Ate Raine calling...

My brows furrowed.

"Hello, Ate?"

"N-Nali..."

She's sobbing, I got alarmed. "Hey, what happened? Are you okay?" I asked. Nervousness rise within me.

She continues sobbing, "N-Nali... Grandpa is..."

-----------------------

Please vote and leave a comment.

Thank you for reading. :)

HIJA(for girl), HIJO(for boy)— is used to address someone younger than you.

Pronunciation:

Hija- [ih. ha]

Hijo- [ih. ho]