Chapter 4

Grade 9, St Augustine section.

Nanginginig na ako sa sobrang kabado. The teacher was already talking to the class. Every one of them looked so intimidating, they're friendly looking and are like those friends that are ready to hear your problems but they have this aura that makes me shiver. Pero may mga gagong mga tao talaga sa likod na walang takot na kumakain ng mangga.

"Let's give a warm welcome to each and one of you! Welcome to Hellviana Le'vioure International!" Mrs. Mitchelle Nova Mae, our Grade 9 St. Augustine advisor proudly announced. It's finally official, I am now a student at Hellviana Le'vioure International. The best school in Bohol and one of the most exquisite school in the country.

Junior high has officially started, excited na ako sa mangyayari. Kung may mangyayari.

"Hey." A voice called out, napatalon akosa gulat. collecting myself, I turn around and saw Damien.

"Hey, it's been a while." He chuckled. Hindi ko inexpect yon. Nag mature na nga si Damien, the cute and bubbly personality of his was gone. Nawala na ang Damien na palaging biglang yayakap sayo without any reason, ang Damien na palaging naka pout ang lips kapag nalulungkot o may ipapa gawa sayo pero ayaw mung gawin. His eyes were surprisingly cold. Kahit naka ngiti siya para may tinatago siyang madilim na lihim. Grabe nga talaga siguro ang nangyari sa kanya.

He also grew up, puberty must really love him, now he is taller than me. Nag bago rin ang mukha niya, parang na stre-stress siya, kitang kita sa mukha niya ang puyat at walang tulog. Marunong na rin siyang manamit, may class at theme ang pananamit niya, hindi na kung anong unang nakitay, yon ang susuutin. His hair is still the curly hair I remembered, at putcha maputi parin siya hanggang ngayon habang ako kasing itim na ng uling.

"Too long." He didn't even gave me time to react. He immediately hugged me. I take it back, wala paring nagbago sa kanya, nagka-eyebags lang, tumangkad, at pumayat.

"This is nice. I see both of you are happily united." Thomas chirped. I quickly felt the tension between them. Yung nakita ko ang mukha niya, agad nag flashback ang mga sinabi ni Hazel, ang mga ginawa niyang kagaguhan. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Woww, nawala ka lang ng ilang taon, ganito na ugali mo?" Aniya sabay tawa. nabigla ako sa pagtawa niya. Hindi ko pa nakita si Thomas na nag bibiro o tumatawa, siya yung tipong tao na palaging seryoso ang pagsasalita noong bata pa kami. He wants a serious conversation, no jokes, sarcasms, e.t.c.

"Okay boys, I see you warming up to your new found friend but I need to do my job and teach you." Biglang sinabi ng aming teacher. Hindi namin namalayan na nagsisimula na pala ang klase. I smiled and mentally thank her for saving me for the continuation of the awkward reunion.

"And Damien, I know who you are and your capabilities. Alam kong alam mo na tong topic nato. Matalino ka, kung matutulog ka lang ulit dito sa klase ko you can leave this class." She asserted, agad nag bulongan ang iba naming mga kaklase.

"Sana all!!" Sigaw ng isang babaeng kaklase namin. Tinignan ko siya parang pamilyar sa aakin ang boses ng babae. It hit my brain, siya nga! The famous "Iron Mayor", the one and only Stellaris Marie Asombrado Vatinor. Mayor of this batch for almost 2 consecutive years, she was famous even before the new HLI building was constructed.

"Pahingi katalinuhan Damien." One of the students sitting at the back sneered, still munching a manggo. That person was Jonah Cajes Leikeze, the class "clown" or the class energizer, parte siya sa basketball team, magaling daw siya rito, he scored numerous points and helped the school's basketball team recognized.

"Thank you for the offer ma'am pero wala naman akong magawa sa labas at mapapagalitan na naman ako ng Principal. I'll try not to fall asleep nalang po ma'am" Baling ni Damien sa teacher namin.

"Kung makikita kitang natutulog, labas agad ha?." Hindi ko alam kung warning ba iyon o isang banat ng teacher namin. Tumatawa naman siya, baka banat lang talaga. After that conversation, she collected herself and began her discussion.

"Okayyy... Chapter 1 of our Science 9 is all about Genetics." She began. I heard a couple of groans pero parang sanay na yata si ma'am, she continued and ignored all the sighs and groans by the students.

"Jusko heto na naman tayo sa mga sperm cell, egg cell nayan. Pagod na akong marinig yang sperm cell, egg cell nayan! Yes I know my sperm cell ako and I'm happy to have them pero kaylangan talagang i discuss to?!" Biglang banat ng isang kaklase namin na nasa likoran ko. He was talking softly almost a whisper. That person was Ronnie. Ronnie Autida Meroda, famous for his looks and charms, parte rin siya sa basketball team. He and Jonah are apparently best buds since childhood, kagaya lang pala namin ni Damien and Jacob.

Natawa nalang ako sa sinabi niya at nagpatuloy sa pakikinig kay ma'am at sa discussion niya about Genetics.