Tracers of Time

Hidden Feelings

Looking at Ryan, Tracy's mind wonders why he's acting different than what she would expect him to behave specially that they are now classmates. His looks give out meanings that she couldn't comprehend.

Ignoring these questions, Tracy introduces herself to the class. After a few introductions, Mr. Benson begin his lessons for the day.

During lunchtime, Jared and Tracy meet with Diane and Grace at a nearby McJobee fast food restaurant. They were Tracy and Jared's best friends who are now both in first year high school at Glenwood High.

Meeting them energizes Tracy and Jared's mood after a thrillingly first school morning schedule for the school year.

While diving in to their favorite spaghetti and fried chicken combination from McJobee, laughter filled the air from Tracy, Jared, Grace and Diane's table. When suddenly, a group of boys enter the premises.

They are mostly no-good boys from highschool. Among them is Ryan, the only grader from the bunch, looking unusual again when he sees Tracy watching them set foot in the restaurant.

Christopher, one of them from highschool, walked towards Tracy, Jared, Grace and Diane's table, smirking.

"Hi Girls! Wazzup?! Can't hide your nervousness around us, huh?!" - Superciliousness of Christopher toward Tracy's group.

Annoyed and irritated, Tracy throw deadly gazes at Christopher who laugh mischievously in return.

"Hi little drumstick! Still mad at me for trying to get your money last vacation? Hahahaha" - Christopher mocking Tracy.

"Nope. I was just recalling how my big brother Prince and his friend Jonas beat you up until you peed your jeans that day, dumb a*s!" - Tracy's response bravely.

Hearing this, Christopher's face become enraged. The thought of him being no match to Prince couldn't take by his pride. Slamming his hands to the table where Tracy is seating, gathered more attention from the other customer dining inside the restaurant.

"You are just a lucky girl who almost runs out of luck. Once you're big brother Prince moves out for college, I will surely make your life miserable, drumstick!" - Furious threat from Christopher.

"Bring it on! Cowards like you who only pick up on smaller kids like me should be the one who needs to get ready, ugly face!" -Tracy replied.

"Grrr.. Y--O--U!!!!" - Because of his anger, Christopher was about to slap Tracy. Tracy, on the other hand, closed her eyes and prepared herself to receive the slap from Christopher when suddenly a hand forced to stop Christopher's slap.

"Don't you dare!" - Scary threat by Ryan. His eyes were irritated with anger.

"Hmmh! What are you doing Ryan?" - Grumpy asked Christopher.

"I said, don't you dare hurting her, Christopher!" - Saying this, Christopher notices Ryan's seriousness in his eyes and move a step back.

"Woah! What's with the change of attitude, man?! I thought you liked it when Tracy's hurting. Didn't you told me that before?" - Christopher asked Ryan confused.

When Ryan heard Christopher's questions, he couldn't answer. Because he knew that even he himself could not answer these questions. Wondering how he felt, Ryan just sighed, looked at Tracy and walked out of that place motionless.

When the group saw Ryan exiting the fast food restaurant, all the other group members left including Christopher who looked at Diane who also looked at him before leaving.

Confused by what happened, Tracy just looked at Jared who was also wondering what Ryan had done while Jared was carrying a glass of soft drink that he would have thrown at Christopher if he continued to slap Tracy.

After finishing their lunch break, they both return to their respective classes.

Upon entering the classroom, Tracy was surprised by Nathan's greetings at the door.

"Welcome back! How's lunch?" - Smilingly greeted Nathan to Tracy.

"None of your business." - Tracy's response annoyed while walking towards her seat after looking at Ryan who is looking at the window opposite to her direction.

Many questions were troubling Tracy's mind. One of them is Ryan's defense of Tracy there at McJobee and the change in his attitude towards her.

Tracy didn't expect this because Ryan's hatred for Tracy has been strong ever since. Not a day goes by that he didn't bother Tracy at school.

Once in Grade 4 on the first day of school, Ryan took Tracy's bag and threw it on the main road. Tracy was afraid to cross the road then so she just cried and cried until Diane and Grace, who were both still in Grade 5 at the time, helped her. That's also where Tracy's friendship with Grace and Diane began. Diane and Grace, on the other hand, taught Tracy and Jared bullying, which caused Tracy's frequent visit to the Guidance office.

"Hey, I have these chocolates you may want to try?" - Offered Nathan to Tracy when they have already seated on their seats.

Tracy was still lost in her thoughts when Jared response to Nathan instead.

"Oh, chocolates! Yum! May I have one, bro?" - asked Jared to Nathan.

"Sure!" - And Nathan offered the chocolates to Jared which Jared happily receive and immediately put a piece of it to his mouth, savoring the bittersweet taste.

"Hmm.. This is so good. Thank you, Nathan! I could eat these everyday. But Tracy likes savory foods more than sweets, right Tracy?" -Jared said.

Tracy snapped back to reality upon hearing Jared's question and slightly nodded.

"Oohw! Okay." -Nathan responded.

The rest of the afternoon classes went fine. The students of Glenwood Elementary School cheering louder as the school bell rang to end the first day of classes.

While waiting for the bus to leave, seated besides Jared at the window side. Tracy saw Nathan with Principal Young going inside the car and left.

She changed her views and saw

Ryan standing at the entrance of the school, waiting for their car to come to him. Ryan’s father was a politician, influential and powerful. He donated most of the school buildings and gave a big sum of money for school activities. Ryan is his only son after having two daughters before Ryan. Both of his daughters are now in college.

Tracy's family was just a small medium business owner selling fruits, vegetables to canned goods. Even though Tracy was just a child now she already knew the state of their lives. They are not poor, nor are they rich.

A few moments later, the bus that would take him to their house started.