Chapter 2: New School

I stopped walking when I reached the gate of Gen. E. Aguinaldo University. It was simple and only three floors high. However, the field was wide, and many students were scattered in every corner.

The school ranged from pre-school to college, and students from almost five barangays participated.

After glancing around, I sighed and took a step forward, just when someone grabbed my arm.

I turned around in surprise to see my neighbor's smiling face.

"Hey Annie," he said, waving his hand.

He looked foolish.

"Get your filthy hands off me," I said firmly, pulling my arm away. He laughed at my reaction.

"Still the same," he whispered while still laughing.

Annoyed, I left him and continued walking. I needed to find the registrar so I could enroll. I had heard that the entrance process started early, and I was a week late.

"I know where the registrar is. Do you want me to accompany you there?" he appeared again.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I replied. I noticed that the students were looking at me as if they had just seen someone unusual.

Well, maybe it was because I dressed differently. They wore blouses and long skirts, while I was wearing ripped jeans and a crop top with my navel exposed. There was no uniform here, so this was what I decided to wear. This was also my style in the City.

"If you want, I can give you a tour," he offered, following me like a persistent dog.

"I can handle myself," I answered coldly.

"You know I can-!"

"Will you please shut up and leave me alone?" I couldn't help but get angry and confronted him. He laughed, drawing everyone's attention. Even the man behind him seemed surprised when I shouted.

Geez, I hate this attention! Is it the first time they've heard someone scream?

Annoyed, I turned my back on him and continued walking, but the whispers of the students did not escape my hearing.

"Who is she?"

"I think she's new here."

"Why did she yelled at Daniel?"

"Yes! She looks like a City resident."

"She looks rich."

I ignored what I heard and kept walking.

When I found the registrar, I immediately filled out the registration form and paid the cashier.

"This is your class schedule. You're a week late, so you'll need to adjust and borrow notes from your classmates to catch up," the registrar clerk said, handing me my class schedule. Her careful look at my clothes did not escape me.

"And FYI, in case you haven't noticed, Miss Smith, just because this school doesn't have a uniform doesn't mean you can wear whatever you want. There are suitable dress codes that the school follows, so hopefully tomorrow, you won't be wearing that kind of dress. This is a school, not a bar," she said with a sigh.

Tss!

"I'll try. Thanks anyway," I replied rudely and then turned my back on her.

While walking, the students continued to stare at me. There was a mix of chaos and silence.

"Hey Annie."

"Shit!" I startled when my annoying neighbor suddenly appeared beside me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I couldn't stop shouting at him.

The professor in the classroom beside us looked at me.

"Is there a problem, Miss?" the teacher asked.

"No, sir," I said and then glared at the annoying man who was just laughing beside me.

I passed him, but he continued to follow me.

"I'm sorry if I surprised you. Are you in the Diamond section too?"

"None of your business!" I glared at him.

He smirked and played with the hem of his jacket. That was still what he was wearing. I think he was too proud to be a varsity player.

"Did you know we have the same schedule of classes?"

"So what?"

"Nothing. I just wanted you to know that you can be with me wherever you go," he said, the annoying grin still on his lips.

"I don't care!" I was so angry that I went straight to my room.

Our teacher and the students were surprised when I entered.

"Sorry for being late. I'm Anne Smith, a transferee, and I'm enrolled in this class," I quickly introduced myself. Our stunned teacher, who didn't yet understand what I was talking about, just stared at me.

"Oh..ah, new student. Hi, so you're Anne Smith. The principal told me about you. Please take your seat, Miss Smith, so you can catch up with the class," the teacher said, still looking confused. He then looked around and searched for an empty seat.

"Ah, there, beside Mr. Sarmiento," he said, pointing to my annoying neighbor who was sitting in the back. He was the fourth one sitting there, and that was the last vacant seat, so I had no choice but to sit next to him.

"Hey Annie. You can be with me anywhere," he said with a smile.

I just glared at him and sat down in the first row.

"Ah, Miss Smith, don't you want to...ah, never mind. If you are comfortable there. Okay, let's start our class," the teacher said, looking perplexed. He seemed so confused that he didn't know what to do or that he was always like that.

Our class went well, and somehow I was able to adapt even though I was a week late.

After the second class, we had a fifteen-minutes break and another class before lunch break.

Classes resumed in the afternoon with four subjects.

That day ended as if nothing had entered my brain. My friends often came to mind. If they were with me, our class would probably be chaotic. Aside from being famous, Bryce, Glenn, and Jake were also smart and loved to argue.

But they're gone. And it's my fault.

I was walking home when I felt my annoying neighbor's presence again. Earlier in class, he was quiet and didn't bother me, but in all my subjects, he was always beside me.

"Hey Annie. Let's walk home together," he said, smiling again.

"It's up to you," I said to end the conversation.

"Are you going to your grandparents today?" I turned to him.

"How do you know about that?" I asked in surprise.

"From your aunt. She said you were going to the waterfront later."

And why would Auntie tell him about that? Are they close? Well, at least they're neighbors, so they might be.

"Because your aunt and I are close," he said proudly as if he had already guessed what was on my mind.

"Tss! So what if you're close? And why does it matter to you whether I go to my grandparents or not? We're not close, and I don't talk to strangers," I said angry and then passed him.

"I told you my name is Danny, and I'm your neighbor and classmate."

"So?"

"Well, that's enough reason for us to be close, isn't it?"

I glared at him. "Can't you see that I don't want to be close to you or anyone here?"

"You know what? It seems like you really need a friend now because I heard that your aunt asked you to forget the painful memory that happened to you and-!"

"Enough! Don't you dare talk to me again!" I was very angry and left. I noticed an old man who was confusedly staring at us. Maybe he wasn't used to seeing someone fight in front of him.

When I got home, I immediately locked myself in my room. I just told Aunt Abby that I wasn't feeling well, so I couldn't accompany her to the beach and church.

I needed rest.

But no matter how hard I tried to close my eyes, that nightmare wouldn't let me sleep.

I got out of bed and went out onto the terrace of my room. I looked up at the darkening sky.

"I'm sorry, guys. Wherever you are now, I hope you will forgive me."

I whispered loudly as my tears flowed.

"Sammy, forgive your sister. I'm so sorry, little bro." I cried even more when I remembered my brother. His innocent face and his funny laugh.

"~ Hush now don't you cry...there will be a better day...I promise you... ~ We can work it out...but only if you let me know...what's on your mind! ~"

I stopped crying when I heard the guitar playing and someone singing from the house next door.

I immediately wiped away my tears and peeked at the other house from the side of my terrace.

It's him again!!

My sadness was replaced by annoyance when I saw that annoying guy sitting on the railing of his terrace, playing the guitar.

He seemed to be practicing a song.

But in fairness, he had a good voice.

It would have been nice if he hadn't ruined my day. He's really Annoying.

Annoyed, I went back to my room and changed my clothes.

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