20 MEMORY: Announcement

I wasn’t used to reading announcements on the school board but this morning, I took a peek after hearing Yana’s name from one of the onlookers.

It seems like the Student Board would be accepting representatives from second-years starting this year.

The school had only been nominating juniors and seniors in the past, so they might have realized they needed extra hands. And just as I thought, Yana was nominated by the faculty.

Knowing her, I had no doubt she could make it. But knowing how awful the workload could be, I couldn’t help but to worry. It made me think about my sister who had been a Student Board member during her time. I didn’t want Yana to be like her, thinking of nothing but school and duties. I didn’t want her to lose the remaining time for herself.

But maybe the truth is, I don’t want her to lose time for me.

I suddenly felt ashamed at how selfish my thoughts could be. Instead of thinking about myself, I should know how Yana felt about it, more importantly.

“The head of the faculty told me it would be a nice opportunity,” Yana said to me in the classroom. “Especially if I want to build up my credentials for college. It might help me get a scholarship.”

At first, I only thought of her as an achiever. Someone who wants to reach the top because she can. Someone who likes to be challenged. Someone who wants to be the best because it makes her proud of herself.

A scholarship, huh. Is that why she’s so determined?

“So, that means you’re going to grab the opportunity,” I thought aloud, getting distracted by our classmates goofing around at the blackboard. One of the guys was teasing the other by writing 'Carlos loves Julianna' on it.

Yana didn’t seem to notice though. Or probably she was too preoccupied to care.

“Yes,” she said. “I think I can do it. I want to try, even if it's going to be extra work for me.” And then winced at the last part.

We became quiet for a moment, but it wasn’t the awkward kind of silence. It was like we were letting each other breathe. And I wanted to make her feel I was breathing with her.

“Yana, just let me know if you need help with the campaign,” I told her. The week-long campaign for the nominees would start the next day.

“Thanks, Rin. And hey, let’s go home together, okay? I missed walking home with you.” She touched the back of my hand and I could feel she meant it.

At that moment I realized how I missed her too. So much. I just couldn’t let out the words as easily as she could.

I wanted to tell her so bad.

I wanted to tell her: I miss you too, and I can’t wait.

That night I started making the campaign material Yana and I had talked about this afternoon.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if students were really paying attention to those flyers being handed around the campus. I didn’t even know if they were interested about the Student Board elections to begin with. All I was after was for them to vote for Yana.

If by popularity alone, I was pretty sure she had already secured a large chunk of upperclassmen. It was the freshmen who needed a little bit of push. She was new to them, after all.

I wanted them to know who Yana was. How kind she was, and reliable, and supportive. A pen in hand, I scribbled:

She’s somebody you want to be around. She stands beside you, and doesn’t leave you behind. She brings out the best in you.

She inspires me to work hard and be kind. She makes school look fun that I find myself enjoying it more and more each day.

With her around, I feel like I could do more, and be more of myself. And be proud of it.

I stopped right there, seeing that it was getting too personal. This isn’t about me, I thought, and laughed at myself. Yet, at that moment it felt like I could go on and on, and it would still feel right.