Chapter 17: Better

A bunch of teenagers lined up on the field as soon as the bell rang. I struggled to look for my section when a male student just about my age approached me. He smiled at me, and I just answered with a nod. I saw the pin on his chest and the word ‘president’ written on it.

“Transferee?” he casually asked before I nodded again. I’m not really into talking with strangers, but he seems approachable. “You want me to lead you to your line?”

“Uh, no thanks.” I timidly smiled at him. His lips formed a smile again before he glanced at someone who yelled at him.

“You can be in our line for now. The admins don’t want students scattered here.”

I nodded, completely understanding what he meant. I follow him towards his section, and I saw a few students who are the same age as me. They didn’t bother to question me when a student led the flag ceremony then followed by the school hymn. It finished after the Dean was done with his speech. I looked around and saw if I could ask someone for my class section. I wasn’t informed about this.

“Hi.”

I glanced at my back when a woman approached me. She has long hair, petite, reddish cheeks, lips tinted with pale red, and brown eyes. She looks intimidating with her winged eyeliner. She’s wearing our uniform, but her skirt is shorter than mine. I smiled and was about to walk past her when she harshly grabbed my arm.

“Michelle!”

The guy I was with shouted at her. She let go of me, but her eyes were glaring in my direction. I just felt someone behind me as he checked my arm.

“Are you okay, miss?”

“Who is she?” That Michelle asks. I mumbled my thanks to the guy as I moved away from them.

“She’s a transferee. I’m just helping her find her classroom.”

“Don’t be too good to her, Harold. You don’t need to always help them.” She rolled her eyes at me before leaving with he friends. The students were already dismissed, leaving me with Harold, the president.

“I’m sorry for that, uh…” He trailed off, doesn’t know my name.

“Sharmienne.”

“Nice to meet you, Sharmienne.” He smiled, showing me his white set of teeth. “I’ll help you look for your room. Will you follow me?”

“Where?”

“Office.”

We walked down the long hallway. He also gives me a little tour of this school before guiding me to a room. A teacher approached us instantly when she saw us. Harold greeted her and glanced at me.

“She’s a transferee, ma’am. I saw her in the field earlier. I hope I can help.”

“Sure, Mr. Villegara.” The teacher nodded at me. “I have every student’s file here. Come in.”

We entered the room. I immediately eyed every table there is. Three tables on the left, one big desk in the middle, and two on the right, near the glass window. An air conditioner is near the left corner, just beside another door. I also glance at the portraits and medals here.

“This is the office of the Senior High Department.” I heard Harold say when I felt him beside me. I saw his name and picture on the right side of the tall cabinet. His face, together with the other officers of the student council.

“You’re a student officer?” I asked, just to start a conversation. He nodded and showed me the pin on his uniform. I read his name below it: Harold Maverick Villegara.

“Yeah, since last year. I am a STEM student. You must be a HUMSS student?” His eyes darted to the blue color tag encircling my sleeves. He also eyed the blue blazer I am wearing. He has a red blazer and a red tag on his sleeves.

“Yes.”

“Miss Golieza?” I heard the teacher call me. We went back to her table, and she handed me an identification card. It has my name on it. “Your room is on the second floor. Don’t worry, Mr. Villegara will assist you.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I muttered politely. She dismissed us after, and I found myself walking with Harold again. I muttered ‘thanks’ to him when I saw my classroom. He just smiled.

“I’m sorry for how Michelle acted earlier. She’s just being bratty that time.” He scratched his nape in front of me.

“No worries,” I mumbled before I bid goodbye to him. He just waved his hand before I entered the room.

A pair of eyes lingered on me. A teacher smiled at me and said that I need to introduce myself in front. She knew I was the transferee.

The day went normally, with my classmates trying to approach and befriend me. It was very uncomfortable being surrounded by them, but I still tried to interact. It’s so hard to communicate. Short replies, quick looks, and simple gestures were my only answers to their questions.

I got my subjects too, but I have three lacked ones. Also, an additional class so I can maintain my subjects with them. This is important even though I don’t have the drive to continue this. I need to do this, or else all my family’s efforts will be in vain. Maybe my grades will make my mother proud, even though I am not smart to obtain the good grades that she expects me to have.

Everything felt smooth until someone caught my eye. It was already past four in the afternoon, and my class ended when I saw my sister at the exit gate just in front of the parking lot. It was her, talking to a guy who was leaning on a black car. I was a few meters away from him when the guy leaned forward and kissed her. I was stoned in my place and didn’t know what to do. Should I confront them?

I covered my mouth when the next thing I saw shocked me. Carmienne pulled the guy closer to her, and they kissed freely as if no one was watching them. I gasped and was about to go near them when I heard Denver’s voice behind me.

“Don’t do what you’re thinking, let them.” He held my wrist and pulled me out of the scene. I was too stunned to let Denver grab wherever he wanted. My mind has too many questions.

I’m sure it was my older sister. I know every detail of her. Even her back, I can still recognize it. I was too thunderstruck that I didn’t know how to react.

Maybe she’s dating that guy? She’s kind of liberated since she studied at Clivette. Also, she’s a model who’s always linked with other guys.

I just realized that I’m already inside the car when I felt Denver buckle the seatbelt for me. I can feel his breath on my jaw as he did that. He’s too close to me. I heaved a sigh when he moved away.

“Sharmienne.”

“Yes?”

“How’s school?”

“Good… until I saw my sister.” My eyes gazed at him. He was biting his lips as he nodded slowly. I always see him do that, maybe his mannerisms.

“It’s normal, my wife. She’s not young anymore.” He suddenly chuckles while starting the engine.

“I know… I’m just surprised to see her here.”

“Maybe work? Stop worrying, will you? If you want, you can call her later to confirm things.”

“Okay.”

“So… back to what I am asking?” He arched his brow and gave me a sideways glance. “No boys?”

“H-huh?” My eyes stared back at him. He pursed his lips. “Of course, none.”

“Really?”

“Well… I met the student council president earlier. He guided me to my classroom.”

“Then… did you make friends?” he asked.

“I tried… but I don’t have the same vibes with them.”

My lips still crept its a smile, but it faded immediately when I realized something. It’s really hard to interact with people. It’s my weakness.

“You’re very reclusive, my dear wife,” he uttered softly, which made me smile with the endearment he used. Why is he like this?

“I don’t know how to be with them. I’m very 'choosy' with people, I guess.”

“It’s better than being fake, though.” He smiled warmly at me. “It’s better if you’re like that.”

“You accept me?”

I asked. I’m waiting for him to answer as he parked the car near a restaurant. He glances at me with the sexy smirk he always has.

“Of course, my reclusive wife.”

He smirks at me, and all I can do is avoid my gaze. Somehow, it warms my heart to know that he’s like this. Maybe it matters what opinions he has about me. It felt like just his perception of me was enough. I don’t know why, but all I think of is him.

I’m comfortable when I am with him. I can be my own self when he’s with me. And the thought that he accepts me for who I am made a huge impact on my heart, especially on my feelings for him.