CHAPTER 1
1598 Words
“Kaishaa! It's already noon! Are you still going to school?!” mom yelled as she enter my room.
I groaned, burying my face deeper into my pillow.
“Five more minutes” voice muffled almost inaudible “Let me sleep a bit more mom i wuvv you”
Mom sigh followed by the soft sound of door closing.
---
When I finally woke up and got to my senses, I immediately checked my phone only to see it was already 10:32 AM.
Fudge! My first class starts at 7:00 AM. “Sh*t.”
I sat up so fast and got dizzy.
Head throbbed—not from studying all night, but from scrolling through t****k until 3 AM.
“Kaisha dear, Don’t you have class today?! If yes don’t even think of skipping class cause I’m telling you…” mom paused with a warning look as she shouted down stairs “you won’t like it getting me mad at you honey ”
“ah yes mom!” Pause. “just late.” Very late. I murmured so mom probably didn’t heard it.
I rushed through my morning routine—if you could even call it that.
Toothbrush. Quick shower. Minimal effort outfit.
Still managed to fix my hair though.
Because let’s be honest— If you’re going to fail, at least look good doing it.
By the time I got to campus, my first class was long over.
And my Second class? Halfway done.
I scanned the room for an empty sit when my friend Menchie wave at me gesturing me to sit beside her.
“Wow,” Menchie said as soon as she saw me sneak into the room. “Nice of you to join us.”
My best friend since high school. We we’re both serious in our study back then. I remember telling her back then that after we finish college, we’ll rent or own a house for the both of us to stay while we travel together. Like a vacationest house. We aren’t achiever but we’re hardworking enough to maintain high grades.
As I enter college, I met a lot of people, experience things I haven’t before; party, late night rides and more. Less worry, more fun.
Menchie and I remain friends but, I somehow forgot what my priorities are, I’m losing direction. Procrastinating. Time mismanagement just like today.
I grinned, sliding into the seat beside her. “You just miss me, admit it” I said and pout to fake kiss her.
She rolled her eyes and chuckle “stop, we’re about to have a quiz you know? Hope you atleast reviewed your notes last night” sarcastically, Menchie tidying up all her notes back into her bag.
.“…what?” still smiling foolishly “oh dang it! I forgot”
Scrolling too much last night through social media made me forgot about it.
I smile awkwardly, and hurried to prepare for the quiz.
Well good luck to me and my stock knowledge.
And just like that— my day was already ruined.
---
Fast forward thirty minutes later
---
“Last 2 minutes, finalize your answer everyone.” Professor Dela Cruz said as he stare at his wrist watch. Probably hungry like we all are as it’s almost lunch time.
I stared at mine. Lot of blank and unsure answers. At least it’s not completely blank right?
Our professor collected all our papers and checked the attendance sheet,
“Miss Lopez” looking at me and back to the attendance sheet.
“Yes sir?” I said shyly.
“You’ve missed three classes already.”
I smiled nervously. “Traffic sir”
“Every time?” Sir Dela Cruz stared at me
“…Yes sir” I answered while smiling awkwardly.
The class laughed so I laughed too.
Because that’s what I always do. Make everything a joke.
So no one sees the problem.
I can see disappointment in Sir Dela Cruz’s eyes but he didn’t say much and proceeded to dismiss the class.
---
Fast forward 2pm afternoon class
(After class, at our usual spot—the benches near the canteen)
---
“Milk tea?” Kyle suggested feeling the hot weather “buy one for me too” Jessy and I said at the same time so we both laugh.
Menchie sighed. “almost whole day of one quiz after another. I’m so exhausted’”
“Correction,” I said. “They had a quiz. I had a realization.”
“What realization?” Jess asked confused while putting lip gloss.
“That I should’ve stayed in bed.”
We then erupted to laughter. except Menchie.
“You’re not taking this seriously” she said quietly with a hint of concern.
I shrugged. “come on, chill. It’s still prelim”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?”
She looked at me—really looked at me.
Like she was trying to understand something I didn’t even understand myself.
“The point is…exam’s around the corner Kai ”
“Relax babe,” I said lightly. “I’ll make it up next time.”
“ and beside, we have you mench” Jess joined in as she put her arms around menchie’s arm “you’ll let us borrow your notes to review right ?” Jess continued with a pleading look.
Menchie just sighed looking defeated. We’re all friends anyways and got each others back. Its not like we’re taking advantage of Menchie, in fact, we have scheduled group study for exam nextweek.
---
We walked to the milk tea shop just outside campus.
The usual place.
The usual noise.
The usual routine.
We entered the shop and settled at the high chair and narrow table facing the glass window showing the view from outside.
Outside, bleachers and tables lined the shop, shaded by alternating trees that offered a reprieve from the sun—a perfect hangout for students. There, I noticed someone sitting alone, earphones plugged in as if to drown out the noise of his surroundings. His laptop was open and his notes were place neatly across the table. He looked focused and calm, as if the rest of the world don't exist.
“whatchu lookin’ at?” lost in my own thoughts, Jess sudden whisper startled me “hmm is he your type?” looking at me with a wide grin and eyebrow going up and down teasing me.
“What? Of course not! ” I shot back.
“are you suuure?” she smirked. “you’ve been staring at him for a long time now since we’ve arrived.”
“yea, I’m sure. Uhmm Jess? what shade are you wearing by the way?” changing the topic
“You look so pretty with that blush on”
“ohh. Really? I knew it, this shade really suit me” checking herself in the mirror feeling happy with what I said “you should buy too, there are other shades too. I bought it from …”
Menchie joined in the girly conversation as Jess forgets about the guy I’ve been staring a while ago, she keeps talking about make-up while Kyle went to get our order.
I casually throw glances at the guy outside as I sip my bubble tea. Is he taller than kyle? He looks cute.
I was so busy throwing glances at him while pretending to listen to our conversations when he suddenly look back straight at me making me choke on my drink .
“ohh --*cough cough* “
“Hey! Kaisha!” Kyle said, setting the drinks down. “Are you dying over pearls?”
Jess burst out laughing. “Maybe she’s dying over him.”
“I said shut up,” I coughed, grabbing tissue.
My eyes watered as I tried to recover.
When I looked outside again—he was still staring.
No. Not staring. Watching. Like he was trying to figure me out.
Then slowly—he removed one side of his earphones.
And smiled.
Not a wide smile. Just the kind that happens accidentally. Small. Dangerous. The kind that makes you suddenly care about your posture.
I froze.
Jess followed my gaze and gasped dramatically.
“Oh my gosh. HE’S SMILING AT YOU.”
“He is not,” I hissed.
“He literally is,” Kyle said, turning around shamelessly.
“Don’t look!” I smacked his shoulder.
Menchie can’t help but look at the guy too. She adjusted her eye glasses and stared at guy like he’s trying to recognize him .
“Oh,” she said softly.
My brows lifted. “You know him?”
She nodded once.
“He’s from CSC.”
Kyle paused. “Wait… you’re CSC too, right Menchie?”
“Yes. Treasurer”
Jess leaned in. “So he’s like… officer guy?”
“Also a Student assistant for Professor Dela Cruz,” Menchie added. “He helped me last semester. I borrowed his notes when I missed a class.”
“Borrowed?” I repeated.
“yeah, we borrow each other’s notes when needed”
I looked at her slowly.
“You borrow notes from other men now?”
She kicked my shin under the table. “Ow!”
Looking at my shoes, now with dirt, I leaned down to dust it off my when Jess piped up. “Kaishaa, look, fast!” she said, nudging my arm.
“wait, alright stop nudging me”
When I finally look outside, the guy had already closed his laptop and started walking toward the shop.
- Writer
