Chapter 3: The New Girl

It was the first day of school at Libangon National High, a public school in one province in Southern Isla. The school had been living for decades, shedding light on those students who cannot afford to go to expensive private schools in the city. As expected, enrolment for this year skyrocketed and the number of students doubled.

“Okay, settle down,” teacher Greg instructed his new students. He was a man in his thirties, charming, intelligent, and possessed a charismatic appeal. He was wearing his Monday uniform and his hair was fixed in a clean cut. The teacher wrote his name on the board, then smiled to himself as he heard the students exchanged whispers among them. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you can see on the board, my name is Gregor Lopez, but you can just call me Teacher Greg or Sir Greg. I am your new adviser.”

The students looked at him with eager eyes. He even noticed a couple of girls batting their lashes at him. With his chiseled jaw, long nose, and a pair of thick eyebrows, one cannot help but admire his masculinity. Skimming through his list, he called their names one by one. Each student raised a hand as he checked their attendance.

“Quinto, Charlotte.”

“That’s me, Sir.”

The teacher looked up and glanced at her. Charlotte stood up, flipped her hair, and blew him a kiss. But the teacher only flashed her a grim expression, discouraging the young lady. She gracefully retreated to her seat and was embarrassed and rejected.

“For our first activity—”

A knock on the door stopped Teacher Greg from speaking.

“Good morning, Sir,” greeted a middle-aged woman who was standing by the door. By the looks of it, the woman came from a well-to-do family, judging from the coat and the pair of earrings she was wearing. In this area, it was easy to identify those who had the money, given that the place was just a small town. Everybody knew everybody.

“Good morning. What can I do for you, Ma’am?” Teacher Greg asked as he strode towards her. The room erupted into a murmur.

“I’m Mrs. Rivera and this is my daughter. We were told that she’s under your advisory.”

Just then, a tall girl with pixie-cut hair emerged behind the lady. She was already wearing the school uniform of Libangon National High. Teacher Greg glanced at the girl, then they both stared at each other for a moment. The teacher was quite awestruck by the girl’s demeanor. She didn’t flinch when he tried to burn her with his inviting glances.

‘Funny how my heart flutters when I saw her,’ he said in his mind. He shook the idea away. “So, you are the new student,” he said. “It’s good that you’re here. The school informed me beforehand.”

The student pressed her lips together as she flashed a knowing look at her new teacher. Then her mother embraced her. “See you later, honey,” said Mrs. Rivera as she kissed the girl on the forehead. Then she extended her hand to the teacher. “I’ll get going now. What may I call you, sir?”

“Sir Greg,” he replied, shaking Mrs. Rivera’s hand. It felt delicate under his grasp. The new girl stared at her mom’s back, who’s already walking away from them.

He was still gawking at his new student. When she turned to look at him, she was flustered as to the way he was behaving. The rest of the students behind them were already getting restless as well as they talked in whispers, but Teacher Greg seemed to have lost his composure.

“S-sir, shall I go inside now?” she squeaked, snapping him back to reality.

“Oh, of course. Come in,” he said with a sense of embarrassment in his tone. The girl followed as the teacher led her in front. The students looked at her. Some of them flashed a smile while others gazed at her with disregard. Greg nodded at her and she nodded back.

She stepped in front and scanned the room with a friendly face. “Hello everyone,” she said in a small but clear voice. The boys leaned on their desks as they stared at her. Teacher Greg guessed what’s on their minds. Perhaps they thought that this girl was one of the cutest girls they have ever seen in their entire lives. Her small round face complemented her blonde pixie cut and her school uniform emphasized her slender fire. Teacher Greg was thinking the same way. “I’m Steffy Rivera, and I’m from Manila. I’m half Filipino and half Spanish. It’s nice to meet y’all.”

“She’s half Spanish!” the boys remarked, still whispering among themselves. Just then, another boy, who was taller than the rest, raised his hand with an embarrassed look on her face.

“Yes?”

“I’m Brandon,” he said almost shyly. “You look so pretty.” The students erupted into hooting and giggling. Steffy flashed them a heart-melting smile.

“I’m just curious about why have you transferred here,” Brandon continued. “Well, the company assigned my parents to this area and I have to go with them since I’m an only child.”

“What are your parents’ jobs?” another one asked. “My dad and mom work as—”

“Are you smart enough?” the girl named Charlotte interjected. “Transferees like you shouldn’t be in this section. This is Special Science Class. You need to take an exam to be admitted here.”

Steffy’s expression turned sour, and yet she replied, “I don’t need to take the exam.”

Charlotte scoffed, “For real? And do you think you’ve got what it takes to become a member of this elite section?”

Teacher Greg raised his eyebrow. ‘What elite section is she talking about? There is no such thing as an elite section!’ Sir Greg said to himself as he amusingly took a glance at Charlotte. Meanwhile, the room was suddenly silent now. The teacher let them continue to see what the new girl would do.

“The school principal placed me in this section. I think, with that alone, you already know the answer.”

Almost instantly, the room erupted into another loud cheering. Teacher Greg could not suppress his smirk. “Who do you think you are?” Charlotte asked.

“I told you I’m Steffy. And as you all know; I am a transferee.”

“You’re making it sound like I’m dumb!” The teacher decided to step forward. “Okay, everyone, cat fight’s over. Charlotte, take your seat now, and Steffy, you sit beside—”

Upon scanning the room, he realized that there was no vacant seat anymore. Just then, two boys who were sitting at the back volunteered to get Steffy a chair. She returned their kindness with another sweet smile.

Charlotte sat back in her chair and was fuming with bitterness and anger.