EP 1 : First Day of school

I knew from a young age that there's something wrong with me. I might be insensitive because I can't love, but I do feel other emotions. I just don't know what it feels like to love. Anyway, I'm Mathy, that's what they call me, but my real name is Mathylla. They call me Ylla at home, but at school and with friends, they call me Mathy. You might be wondering why they prefer to call me Mathy, but let's start with why I was named Mathylla.

My parents, Mama and Papa, met at the math library. Mama said Papa used to go there not to study, but to sleep. Their love story is interesting because math brought them together. Bella, my mom, is intelligent but shy. On the other hand, Papa Mathew was always failing, rowdy, and often sleeping in class. Papa had a huge crush on Mama and stalked her, knowing everything about her – her likes, whereabouts, activities, and even her schedule. Papa would cut classes just to see Mama, especially in the math library. Papa was probably obsessed with Mama, but there was a significant gap between them, even in school. Papa was known for being rowdy and failing in math, while Mama was the smartest, especially in mathematics.

Mama was also known for being extremely shy and not friendly. She only had one friend, Ninang Rose, whom she had been friends with since elementary. Papa, on the other hand, was friendly and kind but often involved in trouble. Mama was annoyed every day by Papa's constant following and bothering, especially during their high school days when he was always seen sleeping in the math library. One day, everything changed when people noticed that Mama was teaching Papa math, and he started getting better grades. It seemed like a miracle that Papa passed the mathematics subject, perhaps because Mama was an excellent math teacher. That's where everything began – they became a couple in grade 12 and got married at the right age. That's when I came into the picture, and they named me Mathylla. You probably know where my weird name came from now.

I learned all of this from my close Ninong Jery, Papa's best friend who took on the role of my dad. Yes, I don't have a dad due to an accident during Mama's childbirth. But I never felt like I didn't have a dad because Ninong has always been there for me, like a father. He's the one I ask about Papa and how Mama and Papa became a couple. Despite the vast differences in their lives, Ninong explained everything to me. I'm not close to Mama, so I don't ask her. She rarely talks, and when she sleeps, she hugs a picture of Papa.

I don't like being at home because it's just the two of us, and I feel like a fool hoping that Mama would talk to me and treat me like a daughter, not just someone in the house. Sometimes I wonder if we would get along if Papa were alive. Ninong said I inherited Papa's traits and mischief, but fortunately, Mama's my mom, so I didn't get Papa's stubbornness in math. Instead, I'm known at school as both rebellious and smart – the result of two opposites.

I passed by Ninong's house, and it was already nighttime.

Mathylla: Hayy!!...(sighs) school again tomorrow. I just enrolled this afternoon, and it's tiring to deal with it. I wish I enrolled earlier. Time flies so fast. It feels like yesterday when I was a kid, and now, I'm entering grade 10 tomorrow. (sighs)

PapaNinong: Hey!! (taps my head) You really got your dad's laziness. Go home now, and we'll go to your school early tomorrow. If you don't wake up early, you'll hear from me. And by the way, what was that I heard earlier? (Ylla bows her head) What's that about?

Ylla whispers: He's not here anymore.

PapaNinong: What!? What are you whispering about?

Mathylla: Nothing. I told them to accept my enrollment form because my grades are high. It would be a waste if they don't accept me, right? So, don't worry, Papaninong, I'm sure they'll accept me.

PapaNinong: Hey! Be thankful for your mom. You inherited her intelligence. And don't ever use it for mischief and pride. Follow your mom.

Ylla: I don't want to be like her. She doesn't help herself to forget and doesn't care about others, even her own daughter.

(Papaninong falls silent)

PapaNinong: If your dad were here, things would be different.

(Ylla leaves, suddenly remembering something)

Mathylla: Oh, Papaninong...

Papaninong: What is it now?

Mathylla: Why did you say earlier that we're going to school early tomorrow? Are you going to study too?

PapaNinong: Crazy kid. I'll just take you there. We'll pass by your school, that's why we're leaving early. It's my responsibility since your dad entrusted you to me. As for my job, we're leaving early because I'll just pass by your school. So, I'll always take you. And about our vehicle, don't you remember that your dad has a car?

Mathylla: How could I remember when I haven't even seen it?

Papaninong: Oh, right, hehehe... I had it fixed

(7:15 am)

PapaNinong: What time is it? That kid will really be in trouble with me. Where is she?

Sam: Oh, it's her, for sure. She's probably still asleep.

Alarm clock: (Ring²) (ring²)!!!...⏰

(7:27 am)

Mathylla woke up and turned off the alarm clock.

Mathylla: Ugh, what time is it?

She grabbed her phone and checked the time.

Mathylla: Whaaaahh... It's 7:28! Sh*t! I'm late! I'm dead with Papaninong.

Mathylla hurriedly got dressed in her uniform, grabbed her bag, and rushed out.

Mathylla: Hurry! Hurry! (Running)

(She stopped running, catching her breath and exhausted)

Mathylla: Haaahooo..., haaahoooo...

PapaNinong: (taps her head) Darn kid, I told you to wake up early! It's the first day of school, and you're late for the flag-raising ceremony and your first period. You even involved Samantha in your bad luck!

Mathylla: We'll deal with that later, Papaninong. We might be late for our first period. Let's hurry.

Sam: What did you do last night? I told you to sleep when you left the house. What time did you wake up, and where did you go?

Mathylla: I'll explain at school later. Let's hurry; we're late.

The three quickly got into the car, and Jerry drove fast.

Sam: Look at yourself, Mathy. You didn't even take a bath, your uniform is wrinkled, and you didn't even comb your hair!

Mathylla: Forget about it. Didn't you say that studying is more important?

Sam: Yes, I did, but it doesn't mean you neglect yourself!

Mathylla: Okay, sorry...

Sam: Sit properly.

Mathylla adjusted her seat, and Sam suddenly faced her, fixing her uniform, hair, and putting on perfume.

Mathylla: (WTF is this feeling? Why is my heart beating so fast? It's like there are butterflies in my stomach. What is this? Maybe I'm just nervous. Yeah, I'm just nervous because we're late.)

Sam: There, you look like a student now.

Mathylla: Uhm... Thanks.

Sam: You're so weird, hahaha...

(Mathylla bowed)

Papaninong: Oh... Ylla, Sam, we're here. Fix yourselves. (They got out of the car)

Mathylla: Yes, sir.

Sam: Bye, bye, Uncle.

Papaninong: Sam, take care of this kid, okay?

Mathylla: I can take care of myself, and I'm not a kid anymore!

Sam: Okay, Uncle. We'll wait for you here this afternoon.

Papaninong: Okay, see you later. (Leaves)

Sam and Mathylla: Okay, bye, bye...

Sam: Let's go, kid, hurry up, we're late.

Mathylla: Stop calling me a kid! It's embarrassing.

Sam: Kid! Kid! Kid! Hahaha...

(Mathylla chases after Sam, annoyed.)

(Class: A1)

Teacher: These are the rules in our school; remember them. And there's one rule you must follow because if you don't, you'll regret it. Room rules: 1. Don't be late! Since I'm a mathematics teacher and your adviser, if you're late in my class, I'll give you a math problem, and you solve it. No calculator, only your mind. If your answer is correct, you can sit, but if it's wrong, you'll be absent in my class.

Students: I won't be late.

- Good thing I'm not late.

- I'll wake up early.

- If I'm late, I won't attend.

(Narrator: Sam arrives at her classroom)

Teacher: Oh, we have an award winner. I just mentioned that being late is not allowed in my class, and here you are. What's your name?

Sam: Uhm... I'm Samantha F. Hamens, ma'am.

Students: Samantha Hamens! She's the famous Taekwondo player! She's so pretty in person!

Teacher: Oh, you're Samantha Hamens, the famous Taekwondo player. Admired by many, but even if you're the daughter of the president, you still need to follow the rules in this school. Do you see what's written on the blackboard?

(Sam reads the rules and is surprised and nervous)

Sam: I hope she noticed... Mathy, I need your help, hurry... I'm getting scared!

(Mathylla enters the room and holds Sam's hand, making a gesture)

Sam: I hope she noticed that... Mathy, I need your help, hurry... I'm getting scared!

(Mathylla enters the room and holds Sam's hand, making a gesture)

Mathylla: Good morning, ma'am. (bows)

Students: Who is she?

- She looks cool.

- She's beautiful but also tough.

Kean: Oh, guys, a new target for teasing, hahaha.

Bully boys: Hahaha...

Trena: I might enjoy this school year.

Sheila: This is exciting!

Anie: That's her; I can't be mistaken.

Dyen: What a beautiful day! My crush is in the same class.

Jae: I just noticed her, but why am I interested in her?

Teacher: Good morning, maybe you'll regret saying good morning because you might not have a good morning.

(Teacher repeats the question for the two students)

(Mathy tightened her grip on Sam and pulled her towards a seat, making her sit.)

(Everyone was surprised by Mathylla's actions, including the teacher.)

Sheila: Hahaha, she's weird, but I like that.

Dyen: WTF, are they a couple? This hurts...

Jae: She really caught my interest.

Trena: Oh, that's sweet, hahaha.

Anie: (I wonder what's going on between them?)

Sam: (Damn, he's so reckless, not thinking. I feel like I'm going to die of embarrassment here.)

Teacher: Oh, she's brave...

(Mathylla interrupted Ms. Castro before she could finish speaking because she was getting annoyed and might lose control. She quickly answered the math problems given by Ms. Castro.)

(Everyone was shocked by what Mathylla said, even Ms. Castro was extremely surprised by her response.)

Trena: What did she say?

Jae: She's smart and brave; she impressed me there.

Sheila: Is that right?

Dyen: I don't know; she said a lot of x², and I'm getting dizzy.

Anie: Wow!...

Sam: Hmmm... there she goes, starting again. I'm safe now, hmm.

Teacher: (laughs loudly) Hahahahahahaha... I said so much, and all of it is... WRONG!!!

(Teacher's thoughts: I've been saying that no one will be able to answer that because they don't know where it came from, hahaha)

Sam: Huh!? What? How? Oh, yeah, she's probably lacking sleep; maybe she can't focus.

(Mathylla: I know!!... - Mathylla's loud response to Ms. Castro)

Teacher: What? If you knew it was wrong, why did you answer?

Mathylla: Just for fun. Is it not allowed, ma'am?

Teacher: (Why does this kid get my attention? She's weird. She's really testing me.)

Teacher: Behave according to my instructions if you don't want to be under guidance on the first day of school.

Mathylla: Do you really want to know why?

Sam: (Uh-oh, she's irritated; this won't end well.)

(Sam holds Mathylla's hand, and Mathylla looks at Sam.)

Mathylla: (She's worried, trying to control the situation. Calm down, Mathy, calm down.)

(Mathylla looks at Ms. Castro and says...)

Mathylla: I answered the math problem you gave just to answer it. Yes, I knew it was wrong, but I thought you wouldn't say anything so as not to reveal the mistake. I'm sorry, ma'am, if I speak like this; it's just how I explain things. I know the right answer, but I intentionally made it wrong to avoid trouble because I'm really sleepy. Yes, ma'am, I know where that question came from because that question is more suitable for third-year college students. We're only in grade 10, and you know that nobody here can answer that except you. But I'm here, and I answered it.

(Everyone is stunned.)

Teacher: (claps) Fine, sit down. I respect that you became my student, brave and intelligent, but I just want to tell you that "wisdom is better when there is respect."

Mathylla: (surprised and thoughtful) That... that's the same thing my mom always says. Something's wrong with that.

Teacher: By the way, what's your name?

Mathylla: Mathylla, ma'am.

Teacher: That explains it, a weird name with a true meaning. Oh, by the way, it's already time for your second period. Your schedule is in the group chat; check it there. And, Samantha and Mathylla, don't be late for your second period!

Mathy and Sam: Hahaha, yes, ma'am.

Teacher: Ms. Castro, because I'm only 21, and there's not much age difference between us, you might be wondering why I became a young teacher. So, I'll just tell you; I became a teacher quickly because a friend gave me what rightfully belonged to her.

Mathy: That's why she looks so young and beautiful. We might get along well.

(Ring!! Ring!!!...)

Teacher: Okay, class dismissed!

Students: Goodbye, Ms. Castro...

(2nd period)

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***