My Paradiso

Chapter 2: Back Seat

Chapter 2: Back Seat

The classroom buzzed with morning chatter as students trickled in, their voices bouncing off the concrete walls and plastic chairs.

Marcus slipped through the door quietly, eyes scanning for the least noticeable spot.

He found it—in the very back, right by the window.

He walked over and sat down without a word.

His backpack landed on the floor beside his seat with a soft thud. Morning light streamed in through the window, and in the glass, Marcus caught a faint reflection of himself.

He stared.

Tall—5'11. Lean, but not athletic. His dark hair hung slightly over his face, just enough to cast shadows beneath his eyes. His features were plain, forgettable. And the way he sat, shoulders hunched and eyes downcast, probably didn't help. He looked more like a background character than someone meant to be seen.

Maybe even a little creepy, he thought grimly.

He looked away and pulled his head down to the desk, arms crossed, pretending to sleep. It wasn't that he was tired—he just didn't want to talk.

Didn't want to explain he was a transferee. Or that he came from La Patria College in Santiago City. Or that he used to dream of becoming a chef when he was a kid, back when life had flavor.

That dream felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, he was here—BSHM student at Quirino State University—just trying to get by without drawing attention.

Then he felt it.

A presence beside him. The seat on his right shifted.

He opened one eye, barely.

Celestia Rivera.

Of all the empty chairs in the room, she had chosen the one next to his.

She dropped her bag, stifled a yawn, and leaned back in her seat like she owned the air around her. Her friends were clustered a few rows ahead, already deep in some conversation.

Celestia, though—she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there.

She tilted her head, resting it gently against the wall by the window, eyes half-lidded. As if she'd chosen the back seat for the same reason Marcus did—not to be seen, but to disappear for a while.

For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.

And Marcus, still pretending to be asleep, couldn't help but wonder what someone like her was doing hiding in the shadows too.

Celestia shifted again in her seat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Just as Marcus was about to close his eyes again, another girl approached from the front row—bright-eyed, loud enough to carry.

"Ay, Celestia! You really left me with them?" the girl half-whispered, half-laughed as she sat sideways on the desk in front of Celestia.

Celestia opened one eye, smirking. "You were too busy flirting with that nursing student yesterday."

Aira Mendoza—Marcus had heard the name a few times around campus. Friendly. Talkative. The kind of person who made everyone feel like they'd known her forever.

"That was one time," Aira rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I finished Queen of Tears last night. My God, my heart. Have you watched the final episode?"

Celestia perked up a little. "Yes! I watched it last night too. I was crying the whole time. That rooftop scene—ugh! I can't even."

"I swear, if he didn't confess, I was gonna throw my phone."

Celestia laughed softly, a sound that somehow felt louder in the quiet corner of the room.

Marcus listened, motionless, unsure if they noticed he was awake. He wasn't trying to eavesdrop—it was just that their voices filled the space he usually kept empty.

"She really carried that whole drama, though," Aira continued, twirling a pen between her fingers.

"I kinda relate. Minus the chaebol boyfriend, of course."

Celestia chuckled. "Don't worry. Yours is probably in disguise somewhere."

Aira suddenly noticed Marcus, her gaze flicking to him briefly. "Oh, hey. You're new, right?"

Marcus lifted his head a little, caught off guard. "Yeah... I'm Marcus."

Aira smiled. "Cool. Welcome to the chaos. I'm Aira. This one's Celestia, but you probably already know that."

Celestia glanced sideways, offering a polite nod. "Hi."

Marcus nodded back. "Hi."

Before anyone could say more, the classroom door opened. Their instructor walked in, a middle-aged man with a clipboard and serious eyebrows.

"Alright, settle down," he said. "Let's begin."

Aira gave Celestia a wink before slipping back into her seat. Celestia straightened up, pulling her notebook out with a practiced sigh.

And Marcus—he found himself sitting a little less slouched, the dull weight in his chest not quite as heavy.

Maybe, just maybe, the back seat wasn't so lonely after all.

Authors Note:Hello,Im kinda lazy editing all the dialogue kaya diko na na Italic lahat,also keep in Mind,This is my first time so please take care of me.