THE UNTAMED LUNA

TO A NEW SCHOOL

"From now on, things will get busier for you. Enjoy your time at school and have fun with your friends," my mom added, as if preparing me for the challenges that lay ahead. She made all my favorites. Fried rice, crispy dried fish, medium eggs, and coffee, I started devouring the food. I have been so hungry lately.

"No worries, Mom, I can eat all of it." I told Mom to assure her.

"Eat slowly; we have another bowl of fried rice," Mom said. When she notices that I ate two bowls of fried rice already, she thinks that it was too much for me. This is a nice way to start. I'm trying to help myself gain more confidence, but to be honest, I felt nervous at that time.

"Thank you, Mom. You always know exactly what I need." I said, and kissed her cheek before saying goodbye.

"I can take you to school," mom offered.

"Thanks," I said.

As I gather my belongings and prepare to leave, my Mom and I set off towards school, which is conveniently located just an 8-minute drive away from our home. Along the way, we passed by my father's workplace at the college school, where I hope to be accepted next year if I can maintain my high grades. With this in mind, I remind myself to remain focused and dedicated to my studies.

Finally, we arrived at the school, which is so big and stunning that it was like a college school building. Glancing at the watch in my left wrist, I realized that I had arrived a bit early. Taking this opportunity, I began my steps going to the entrance of the gate, after bidding farewell to my Mom as her car left.

I make my way inside, then I notice the occasional subtle glances from passersby, adding a touch of curiosity to the start of my day.

I've already registered online, so all that's left is to walk by the registration office and grab my schedule. Then it hit me, I seem to attract a lot of male attention, and honestly, it's not something I enjoy. Dating has never really been my thing. I have my goals and my career to focus on. My mom had me when she was just 20 and had to pause her college journey to take care of me. She often says it was the best decision she ever made, but she also doesn't want me to give up on my dreams. I can't help but wonder if she ever felt torn about it. She's never really mentioned it, but I still find myself curious. According to her, I'm her whole world, and she wouldn't exchange me for anything.

"How blessed I am" I said to myself.

An older woman with glasses on a chain was at the front desk. I came to her for a nice morning greetings.

"Hi, I'm Abby Jezz Urdanzo, and I am new here." I told her with a smile.

"Welcome, Miss Urdanzo" She extended her hand for a shake. So, I held my right hand out to her.

"I have all your papers here. This is a map of the campus; you will need it. This is your class schedule. You must keep it and, lastly, the key to your locker with a number imprinted on it" a woman said. First, I look at the map of the huge school with a little trepidation.

"Xyler is here; he can show you to your locker and your first class." She points to a boy, shorter than me, who is filing papers. He pushes up his glasses and stares at me. His cheeks turn a rosy pink.

"Oh, OK, sure." He stutters as he looks at my schedule. He first shows me to my locker, which I open using the key I was given. After that, we headed to my first class, TLE (Technology and Livelihood Program). He leaves me there at the door with a little shy wave. I went inside and greeted my new teacher. He is about 50 years old and has messy white hair like Einstein. Maybe it's a look he's going for. I told him my name, and he handed me a heavy book and told me to go ahead and take a seat in the front. I hesitate because I don't like the idea of everyone staring at the back of my head. I reluctantly sat down as I looked through the book.

The room fills with students, and I get a lot of stares. I'm sure they will be surprised by a new student in January. After the bell rings and the class settles down, the teacher announces my presence. I want to sink under the desk.

"We have a new student. Miss Abby Jezz Urdanzo, please give her a warm welcome." I hear a few hellos and mumbles. And then the torture is over. I'm glad he didn't make me say something about myself. That would be so embarrassing.

The guy next to me gave me a big smile and a wink. What does that wink even mean? I just smile back and then face forward.

After class, I take out my map and schedule, trying to make sense of all the hallways and arrows. Before I can turn the map the right way up, the Wink Guy appears again, grinning like he’s been waiting for this moment.

“Need some help?” he asks, leaning casually against the locker beside me.

I hesitate but nod. “Yeah... I’m completely lost.”

He chuckles softly. “You need to head to the other wing,” he says, pointing at my map. Two big rectangles represent the school’s wings, connected by a massive multipurpose hall.

As we start walking, his hand brushes the small of my back, it was a light touch, but it makes my shoulders stiffen. I don’t like it. I quicken my pace just enough that his hand drops. He notices and clears his throat, awkward now.

“I can, uh... come back after your class, show you to your next room if you want?”

“Thanks,” I reply quickly, “but I should probably figure it out myself. I’ll learn faster that way.”

He smiles, trying to hide the disappointment. “Alright then, Jezz. I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, see you.”

He waves and walks off down the hall. Nice guy, I guess... but I don’t want to give him the wrong idea. I’m not here for that.

Taking a deep breath, I enter my English classroom. The air smells faintly of old books and chalk dust. I’ve always loved English stories, poetry, the way words can twist your emotions. If I’m going to survive this school, it’ll be here.

Someone up front is shoving a table across the floor, the screech echoing like nails on metal. I try to step around him, but the table jerks unexpectedly, and his elbow catches me square on his shoulder.

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t see you,” he blurted, spinning toward me.

“It’s okay, I...” I stopped, as if my mouth was suddenly shut.

He has a brown eyes, and obviously it makes me feel more intense. For a second, I almost forget how to breath, as if the whole room blurs and I experiences beating my heart so fast.

He’s still looking at me, and I can’t look away. Neither of us says a word.

His breath hitches slightly. His smell is sweet as honey but distracting. Since when do I notice that to someone?

“I’m really sorry,” he says suddenly but softer now, almost shy. “Did I hurt you?”

His voice is low, a little rough around the edges. All I hear is the fluttering of something, tweet, tweet... like my thoughts screaming like birds escaping from their cage.

I shake my head quickly. “No, I’m fine. Really.”

He glare at me for a second longer before nodding. “Okay... good.”

Someone clears their throat behind me. We both jolt slightly and take a step back. I suddenly remember where I am.

“I’m new here,” I blurted out, too fast, but not too loud.

He blinks, then smiles slow, he is so really charming. “Yeah, I figured. You’ve got that lost-but-brave look.”

I laugh awkwardly. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Maybe,” he says, shrugging, still smiling. “I’m Marvin, by the way.”

“ Abby Jezz,” I reply, trying not to sound breathless

.

“Well, Abby Jezz,” he says, sliding the desk back into place, “Welcome to your English class.”

I can’t help but smile, even though I feel my cheeks getting warm. “Thank you..”

As I walk to my seat, I can still feel his eyes on me... and the ghost of sweet scent in the air.