what's the name?

Chapter 4

The flag ceremony concluded, and we trudged back to our respective classrooms, drenched in sweat as if we had just taken a shower in it. The humid air clung to our skin, making us feel sticky and uncomfortable. I pulled out my towel and wiped my face and neck, trying to alleviate the clammy feeling. As I settled into my seat, I could feel the sweat trickling down my back.

A few moments later, our teacher walked into the room. Before she began her lesson, she instructed the janitors to sweep and mop the area outside our classroom, ensuring a clean and conducive learning environment. It was our advisor's subject, Filipino, and it was our first class of the day. After three periods, it was finally break time. But the thought of navigating the crowded canteen filled me with dread. Just the sight of it made me feel overwhelmed. It was a chaotic scene, with students jostling and pushing each other to get to the food stalls first. The air was thick with the aroma of various dishes, but also with the unpleasant scent of body odor.

One of my classmates approached me. "Want to buy food?" she asked. "No, I'm good," I replied. "Aren't you hungry?" she persisted. "No, I'm full. I'll just eat later at lunch," I said, hoping to dissuade her. She simply nodded and headed towards the canteen. My stomach growled in protest. I rarely ate breakfast, and the lack of food was starting to take its toll. But the thought of braving the crowd at the canteen was enough to suppress my hunger. I decided to just take a sip from my tumbler. With only two more subjects before lunch, I figured I could handle it.

After the remaining lessons, I finally made my way to the canteen. To my relief, it was significantly less crowded than it had been during break time. I could count the number of students on one hand. I approached one of the food stalls and ordered a serving of rice with a dish. Then, I returned to my classroom and began to eat. One of my classmates invited me to join them at their table. I gratefully accepted, eager for some company while I ate. We chatted and laughed as we enjoyed our lunch together.