The Girl Named Pam

CHAPTER 1: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

The parents wake up early to wake up their children, the streets are busy, the tricycles are full of students, it's the most awaited time for students! The first day of school.

Well, except for some students like Jake.

Jake is still sleeping in his bed, drooling. He slept late last night knowing that it was the last day of summer. He played online games until 3 am.

While he's sleeping like a baby, a bucket of water splashes on his face. Jake shot upright, gasping for air. "PUTA—" The curse died in his throat as he registered the stern figure before him: his mother.

She stood with her left hand firmly on her hip and the empty bucket dangling from her right. " Jake! Bumangon ka na kung hindi lalanding 'tong tabo sa pagmumukha mo! " she hissed.

He hung his head, wiping the water from his face at the front of his shirt. " nakabangon na nga ikaw ba naman buhusan ng tubig" he muttered under his breath as he begrudgingly made his bed.

His mother slowly turned, already halfway out the door. "Bilisan mo d'yan at kumain ka na! " She barked.

" Opo, Ina! " Jake sarcastically answered.

Jake went downstairs into their kitchen. Jake's mom, Teressa, stared at him as he slowly sat down. Jake's father Roberto saw this and smiled. " Teressa, 'wag ka masyadong matigas sa anak natin," he said gently.

Teressa's voice rose, tinged with anger. " Kaya 'di 'yan nagtitino sa pag-aaral, 'yang anak mo eh! Kasi kinokonsinti mo! Last year na niya ngayon! Gusto kong maka-graduate itong anak natin at maka-pasyal tayo sa stage! " (That's why your son doesn't take his studies seriously! Because you spoil him! This is his last year! I want our son to graduate and for us to walk on that stage! )

Jake just kept eating while his parents argued. A few minutes later, he pushed his plate back. " Tapos na po akong kumain," he announced.

His parents looked at him, their argument forgotten, a perfect look of shock on both their faces. "Bilis, ah!" they said, simultaneously.

Jake said his goodbyes and decided to walk. Jake's school is only a 10-minute walk away from their home. After a few minutes walking, he slapped his forehead after he realized that he left his phone in his room and decided to get it back.

He turned to head back, but as he did, he slammed directly into a girl who was walking behind him wearing a hoodie and cap.

As they bumped into each other, the girl fell to the ground and the hoodie flew off, revealing a striking beautiful face. Jake was momentarily stunned, the world seemed to stop a beat.

" Aray!" the girl said, looking at the small trickle of blood on his hand.

Jake snapped back to reality, his voice panicked. " Okay ka lang, Miss? Sorry, Miss, dadalhin kita sa hospital! " (Are you okay, Miss? Sorry, Miss, I'll take you to the hospital!)

" OA mo naman! Galos lang naman 'to," the beautiful lady said, rolling her eyes a bit. (You're being overdramatic! It's just a scratch!)

He realized she was right. "Oo nga, 'noh," he conceded, quickly pulling a bandage from his backpack. He carefully cleaned and applied it to her scrape.

"My mother is a nurse, so I always have things like this," he explained as he finished dressing the wound. "There. That'll do it."

Jake looked at his watch, he was seriously late. He said goodbye to the lady and sprinted to the direction of the school. Jake stopped running. " Wait, di ko nakuha name niya," He ran back, but the girl was nowhere to be found. Giving up, he turned and ran toward school again.

Jake arrived at his campus and was now running to find his classroom. As he was running he saw his mother "WHATT THE–" Jake ran faster.

He burst into the classroom, breathless. Their teacher was busy writing on the whiteboard. His best friend, Stevie, gave him a wide, welcoming wave. Will, another classmate, saw him come in but didn't seem to care, barely sparing him a glance.

Jake slowly walked toward Stevie and sat down. The teacher turned from the board just as he settled into his seat. " Ikaw, Mr. Late! Since late ka, ikaw ang maunang mag-introduce ng sarili mo! " (You, Mr. Late! Since you're late, you'll be the first to introduce yourself!)

Jake was shocked by this. He looked at Stevie with his eyes widened, but Stevie lowered his head and laughed. The whole class is now looking at Jake. He stood up," I'm – "

The class adviser cut him off. " Introduce yourself in front of the class. "

Stevie laughs even harder, holding his mouth with his hands.

Slowly, Jake walked in front of the class, silence filled the room. " Hi, my–name is Jake Sarcos. " He said as his hands shook.

During recess, Jake and Stevie bought snacks from the canteen and walked back to the room. Stevie couldn't stop teasing him. " Yan kasi, first day of school late kaagad! " (That's what you get, late on the very first day!) Jake explains his reason, but Stevie doesn't seem to believe him.

As they entered their room, they saw Will asking their classmate if they knew anyone named Pam. When Will noticed Jake, he looked at him and his jaw tightened. Jake simply smirked and walked over to his seat.

" Bro! Si Will nagtatanong tungkol sa babae? SI WILL?? Eh puro naman 'yan aral, ah! " (Bro! Is Will asking about a girl? WILL?? He's a total bookworm!) Stevie asked Jake as he sat down next to him.

" Ewan ko, at wala akong pake," (I don't know, and I don't care), Jake replied, stuffing his mouth with a handful of chips.

" Bro, 'di pa ba kayo bati? " (Bro, are you guys still not okay?) Stevie pressed. Jake didn't answer and stuffed Stevie's mouth with chips. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of the next class.

After Class

It's already 4 pm and the classes are now over. Jake and Stevie went home together laughing, spending time together.

As soon as Jake went home, his mother was waiting for him, sitting in the living room. Jake opened the door and saw his mother. From the stare of his mother, he already knew he would be scolded.

" Bakit ka late kanina? " (Why were you late earlier?) his mother asked immediately.

" May nabangga kasi ako kanina ma kaya tinulungan ko muna kasi kasalanan ko rin naman yun " he answered and mano to his mother. Jake's mother still stares at him sharply.

Then Jake put his hands in his waist and said," Eh ikaw bakit nasa school ka? " (Well, what about you? Why were you at school?)

His mother frowns, seems like she's ready to throw hands with Jake, so Jake runs straight to his room and locks it.

A week passed quickly. It was time for the classroom election. Will won the Class President position with a vote of thirty against one. The single opposing vote belonged to Jake, who had nominated Stevie.