Roses at the Bed of War

"Claire, would you like to continue your studies at Florentino Gregorio Integrated School? I think it is the best school for us." Patricia asked her. She is her best friend. They both live in Novo Casiano. They grew up together and wanted to be with them as much as possible. It was their graduation day! Patricia cannot stop asking Claire about the next school where they will continue their seventh grade. " I think it is the best school for us," she replied with a big smile. " But, do you think I would pass the interview and the entrance exam? You know well that it is difficult to enter Florentino Gregorio Integrated School," Patricia continued. " Pat, I know you can do it. I'm with you," Claire assured Patricia. "You know me well. Patricia, the over-dependent friend of Claire Dela Paz, the valedictorian of the class. I am confident I could join FGIS with your help, Miss Brainy!" Patricia responded to Claire with a big confident smile. They shook hands and hugged each other to show how happy they were with their plan. "Patricia, we passed! Finally, we can enter the same school. Hopefully, we can be assigned to the same section," Claire said to Patricia. “A big thanks to you, Claire. I also passed because of you," Patricia replied as she hugged her friend tightly to show her gratefulness for her dearest friend by giving her time to assist her in preparing for the entrance interview and exam before being admitted as a student of FGIS. Unlike Claire, Patricia is an average student. She needs to study more to understand the lesson. Claire has been a consistent top of the class since kindergarten. Despite her intelligence, she stays humble and friendly to everyone. There were no circumstances where she asked for a favor. Claire refused to help. She knows her friend's character as a helpful person to her and anyone who needs help. On the first day of class, Claire and Patricia hurriedly went inside their classroom as the bell rang. They were assigned to the same class. They chose to sit in the back corner of the classroom. The teacher will make the seating arrangements for the students as soon as the class starts, generally by the middle of the week. Little by little, their classmates began to come. Some familiar faces came from the same school before. They smiled at each other as simple greetings while they were still strangers to every one. A teacher entered the class. Everyone was silent, observing the teacher's facial expression. Claire and Patricia know that FGIS is known for its strictness towards students. The teachers are known because of their credentials and experience in teaching. That is why it is considered one of the best schools in their province. Novo Casiano is a small town, but FGIS is considered their treasure. That is why being part of it is a great experience and an outstanding achievement already—no wonder it has one of the most difficult entrance exams in the province. " Good morning, class. Welcome to Florentino Gregorio Integrated School or FGIS," greeted the teacher. "I am your class adviser. My name is Bettina Ignacio," she introduced herself. "I am not biting class!" she smiled as she continued to speak, upon observing the seriousness and the silence among the students. That time, they saw the friendly face of their teacher. "Okay, class, before we start, I would like to know if everyone on my list is present. As far as I know, there should be 40 students for this section," Mrs. Ignacio announced. She mentioned the students' names to know if they were present. Mrs. Ignacio was already in the middle of her roll call when she was interrupted. "Good morning, mam, and to everyone. Sorry for being late. I am also part of this section." A tall teenager with a smiling face entered the class. Everyone looks in his direction. "Oh my gosh, Claire! He is so cute," Patricia giggled to Claire. She cannot stop herself from talking and mentioning their cute classmate of them. She is talking about Darius Escobar. Claire was silent. She cannot openly admit what she suddenly felt when she first saw Darius. He is a total stranger to her. She cannot remember any encounter with him before. He must be new to their place. Claire started to have the curiosity to know more about him. She remembers his voice, his eyes, his wavy hair. " Claire, are you with me? I have been talking to you, but your mind is rounding somewhere else," Patricia disturbed her daydreaming. "Huh? What did you say?" Claire stammered. She hopes Patricia never noticed her. She is not yet ready to talk about Darius. "She is so pretty!" Darius lauded his cousin. "Who are you talking about? Do I know this lady?" asked Francis." You do not know her. I just saw her today. She is my classmate. Her eyes are beautiful, and her straight, shiny hair looks so attractive as well," he continued. He had a glance at Claire as soon as he entered the class. He tried to come closer to her, but he felt shy. Darius is new to Novo Casiano. His family transferred there last month. They decided to stay in their farmhouse after their house renovation. He is the youngest of the siblings of the known Eduardo Escobar. Their family-owned extensive lands across the country. His father decided to live in Novo Casiano because her grandmother lived there. His father grew up in Novo Casiano but relocated to another place when his parents separated. From then on, he lived away. Eduardo Escobar told Darius to prepare his things. He said they were going to travel to the province. Darius was surprised. There was no hint of the reasons for their sudden trip. When they were inside the car, his father said he had to prepare for an entrance exam. He was reluctant to ask his father. He took a deep breath before he got his voice to ask his father. "Dad, where are we headed to? And why do I need to prepare for the entrance exam?" he asked. He wanted to ask questions, but he hesitated to request more. He knows his father as a strong-willed man. His words are as strong as iron. He was a former official in the military. It was his first time stepping into Novo Casiano. He knows that his grandmother lived there, but he cannot remember when they visited with their father. He does not know why their father kept them away from Novo Casiano. Traveling to Novo Casiano was a surprise. Much more when his father said they would live there, and he had to study there. "Darius!" Rosita called him outside his door. She knocked for almost five minutes, but Darius was not answering. Darius awakened at last. “Ouick Darius! Your service is outside. You will be late for school.” Rosita said. He quickly moved as he can. It is so shameful to be late again. Darius does not want to get attention again. He should not be late, or else he will be teased as slowly as the turtle. When he came to their service, his cousin was already waiting for him. They soon reached the school, but at precisely the time of the flag-raising ceremony. He does not know where he will line up, but he sees their class adviser. He lined up with the boys. Darius saw Claire with Patricia. While Claire did not notice him. Opposite of her, Patricia quickly noticed Darius. “Claire, I saw him!” Patricia excitedly tapped her shoulder. “What is it?” asked Claire. “Hmm. Our handsome classmate.” Patricia quickly replied. “Where?” She suddenly moved her head to look around. As she looked back, she saw Darius looking at her. She felt shy. He caught her looking at him. Then she blushed. Darius did not stop himself from smiling. “Oh my! What a shame! He saw me looking at him.” Claire said to Patricia. “So, what is wrong with that? Unless…. Hmmm. Don’t tell me…?” Patricia was like surprised. “Hey Patricia, don’t think something else, okay!” Claire reprimanded Patricia. “I am not used to it you know. “Okay. Okay. No comment. I will not say anything more.” Patricia decided to stop teasing Claire. They went straight to their classroom right after the flag-raising ceremony. They decided to sit where they were on the first day of class. It was also the same with Darius. They kept themselves busy until their class adviser entered the classroom. “Good morning, everyone,” she greeted with a smile. Today, we will have a new seating arrangement. Mrs. Ignacio started to call names according to their family name initials until she called Claire. “Claire Dela Paz you are next,” she said. Claire exactly sits at back of Patricia. She was happy, as well as Patricia. They will not be seated far from each other.