Chapter 2

Malkiel was and will always be a firm believer of destiny and chances. As his eyes locked on Serenity, he knew that there was a slight chance even a little for them to be together. He was an idiot, that he knew, but he also knew that from the moment he laid his eyes on her, she was the one he wanted to spend his eternity with.

I need to know her name

He thought. Still, he needed to look good in front of her so he did what he did best, playing the drums. It was Kenzo's idea to hold a mini stage in their classroom and right now he wanted to tap and give him a hug. He couldn't believe that for the first time, Kenzo's weird ideas would turn out so good.

They played the song that they had sung last night during their gig. Kenzo said they should start their new year with their new classmates with a bang. All of them thought it was stupid but still decided to do it just to make Kenzo shut up.

They were seconds away from ending the song when the students outside their classroom scattered and ran away. The four of them looked at each other and played their loudest until the end.

If they were going to get caught then might as well end it on a good note.

"Do you seriously need to be told over and over again that you cannot hold your mini concert inside the classroom? Not only did you disturb the other classes but some of your classmates found your little stunt annoying"

"Annoying? No way everyone loves us and they all like our songs"

"Koa Ezekiel Tuazon did I not say that I didn't want to hear another word from you?"

"Then can I..."

"Kenzo Seraiah Kim do not even dare"

Their homeroom teacher, Ms. Emily was trying her hardest to keep the four of them in check with her nagging. She was called when the other teachers found out about their little concert. Immediately they were told to stop and stand outside, hands stretched upward. Koa and Kenzo were trying to negotiate or rather talk back to her but their charms were of no use to their strict homeroom teacher.

Drystan was calmly raising his hands as he let out a small yawn. He too regrets being dragged by Kenzo but what's done is done.

The classroom was organized and their instruments were placed on the corner along with the full drum set. Their classmates were already seated and were only waiting for Ms. Emily to finish her lectures with the four of them.

But, Malkiel's attention was not on them, nor was it at Mrs. Emily's lectures; rather, he wanted it to end early so he could take his seat inside.

He was never that eager to study, his mind was always on his drums and their songs. He hated being cooped up inside the classroom but now, he didn't want to admit it but he was now looking forward to this new school year.

After all, "she" was his classmate.

"Malkiel, do you have anything to say now?"

It was at that moment that he turned to Ms. Emily and saw that the three were also glancing at him. They found it slightly unusual that he was keeping quiet naturally when Kenzo started talking back to their teacher, Koa and he followed suit like it was their daily routine.

"I would like to know when we can start class"

Ms. Emily almost gapes at him, Malkiel, not the four of them having an interest in class was an odd occurrence. She cleared her throat to gain her composure.

"All right, I'd be lenient today since it's the first day. But, that's only for today"

Malkiel didn't even wait for the end of it and decided to just enter the classroom, on the far left side of the room, second to the last seat, there "She" was. He scanned the room and saw that the seat beside her was vacant.

He counted himself lucky and decided to sit beside her. Before he could even say hi, a smack was sent to the back of his head. When he turned around he saw Kenzo laughing.

"Were you that eager to study now?"

"Who are you?"

Koa and Kenzo sat in front of them while Drystan sat beside Malkiel. Koa looked behind him and saw a girl sitting behind him. He stared at her which made Malkiel feel uneasy.

"You're new, aren't you? Haven't met you from before"

Koa with his Cassanova-like smile offered a hand to her but before she could answer, Ms. Emily entered the classroom.

"Was this why you were so eager to get inside?"

The four of them knew she was referring to them. Koa shyly scratched the back of his head.

"Just trying to get acquainted Mrs. Emily"

Ms. Emily couldn't do anything but let out a sigh. She swore that someday these four boys would be the death of her.

"You didn't need to, it is a mandatory activity for everyone to introduce themselves. We'll start with the lady on the last seat near the window. Stand up, state your name and which organization or club you are in"

Malkiel could've sworn he heard the girl mutter a quiet cuss while the girl sitting next to her was holding her laughter. He thought he must have heard them wrong but as a matter of fact, he wasn't.

Quincey who had won the right to that seat by playing rock-paper-scissors cursed under her breath, she hated doing introductions like this and she hated the fact that Galene who was sitting beside her was enjoying this moment.

"Quincey Laverine Ali, just transferred from Jouska High"

"Oh so you're one of the transferees, well Quincey welcome to Clandestine High, next"

Serenity watched as Quincey distastefully sank back to her seat while Galene stood up with a full fake smile on her face.

"The name is Galene Astraea Fuentez, also a transferee from Jouska High, nice to meet you"

Quincey and Serenity both groaned when Galene smiled, it was a habit of that friend of theirs to make first impressions last. And in this case, they both knew that she wanted to make good impressions again. That was something that the two of them couldn't do.

The next three students on the last row simultaneously introduced themselves before they proceeded to the next row. Malkiel started internally warming up when it became Drystan's turn.

"Drystan Zael Valdez, member of Phoenix Harmony"

The sudden cheers from within the classroom particularly from the girls overwhelmed Serenity. She knew that their popularity was no joke just judging from the earlier act. She doesn't even know if there is anyone besides her, Quincey, and Galene who doesn't know them.

Malkiel stole a glance from Serenity before standing up.

"Hi, Malkiel Atlas Quintos, also a member of Phoenix Harmony"

The cheers grew louder at this moment but Malkiel's attention was on the next speaker beside him. Serenity breathed in lightly before standing up.

"Serenity Vanya Soriano, I also just transferred from Jouska High"

"Oh, so you're the third student, okay I'd like to welcome the three of you to Clandestine High"

"Thank you ma'am"

Her name fits her.

Malkiel couldn't stop thinking as he smiled to himself. He glanced at Serenity and found her looking straight ahead.

"Koa Ezekiel Tuazon, Phoenix Harmony, nice to be your acquaintance"

"Kenzo Seraiah Kim, also from Phoenix Harmony"

Everyone's screams became louder as the last two members of the band introduced themselves. Ms. Emily didn't even bother quieting the whole class for she also knew that she wouldn't be enough to contain them.

After a while, the cheers had died down and the whole class had finished introducing themselves. Ms. Emily laid out the house rules while emphasizing that stunts like a mini concert inside the classroom would earn everyone a three-day suspension from school. She gave the last instructions as their homeroom teacher.

"Lastly, Ms. Ali, Fuentez, and Soriano, Clandestine High have a mandatory rule about school clubs and organizations. It is mandatory for everyone starting from their Sophomore year to be in one. Since the three of you had just transferred, I could give you a week to make up your mind."

A club?

Serenity looked back and saw Quincey gazing outside through the window, a clear indication that she didn't care. Galene just stared back at her and mouthed...

"What now?"

Serenity shrugged her shoulders. They were in a bit of a bind now. Jouska High didn't have anything like mandatory clubs so they didn't even bother. There was one thing the three of them hated, and that was being robbed of their free time after school.

Serenity let out a sigh and sat properly, out of habit she glanced to her right side and saw that Malkiel as he introduced himself earlier was staring at her.

Malkiel, having been busted, abruptly turned his head ahead but was unconscious that the tip of his ears was turning red. Serenity had to blink twice if what she was seeing right now was real.

Can't believe there is a man who blushes.

Serenity smiled to herself as she thought.

But why would he blush? Was he shy that I caught him staring?

Serenity finally decided that it wouldn't harm her if she became acquainted with some of the popular boys in school. So she reached her hand and tapped Malkiel on the shoulders. Malkiel felt as if he was electrocuted for a few seconds, he turned and saw that Serenity was looking at him.

Not glancing, she was looking at him properly. Serenity held out her hand toward Malkiel.

"I'm Serenity, nice to meet you"

For a moment, Malkiel felt dumb as he froze in his seat. Serenity was smiling at him with her hand held out for him to take. He would stutter, he silently thought and true enough he did. As he took Serenity's hand, he felt like he was the main character of a romance novel or movie.

"I...I'm Malkiel"

"Hi, hope we can be friends"

And that was their start.

The beginning of the wonderful days ahead of both of them.