A life undercover

My life has been dedicated to my family. Each achievement and medal I have won, all was to my family. My life's purpose was to make them proud. But even with all my wonderful remarks or how well I participate in activities, they never quite meet my mother's eyes. Like a stone not thrown far enough to venture the wide sea. No matter how far I wanted to go, I never seem to get there. Until one day, like always, I would start my mornings waking up even beforey alarm. Usually, five minutes before my alarm. I woke up and got ready. Brushed my teeth and took a bath. Everything was going according to plan. At 7:00am, my best friend texted me that she would be late; as usual. Nothing was out of the blue. I got into the bus and tried to look for my usual seat; in the middle, by the window. As I got to my row, l was greeted with a kind and quite sported young man. He was the literal opposite of me. He had long hair, as a guy, it was against the dress code. He was also quite loud and dressed against the dress code. He didn't have sleeves on! I groaned in disappointment. I am a bit of a perfectionist so it really threw me off. "Can you move? That's my seat." I said in annoyance. I expected him to answer back with an attitude or even with perseverance to guard the seat. Instead, he stared at me with his blue eyes. It made me shiver in disgust. I cringed by the sight of him staying in the seat. He suddenly stood up and offered me the seat. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was yours." the man answered. I was flustered with disgust as I thought if he was messing with me. A feeling lingered in my stomach that he wasnt joking. How can he be so soft while looking like a gangster? Such a mysterious guy. "I'm a transferee from the Philippines, so I'm actually new here. My name's Jade" he smirked with his hand out for a handshake. Yuck, his hand looks dirty. He has long black hair that he put in two braids. He also had dark brown skin and he clearly works out. Huh, I never actually expected that someone from the Philippines would look so; should I say, privileged? I muttered to myself in desbelif. When we arrived at school, I huffed as the cold air parted from my lips. I looked to the sky as it started snowing. As I stepped off of the bus, someone suddenly pushed me and I fell to the ground. I was furious and dazed. "Ugh! What kind of rough housed person would be that energetic at 8am in the damn cold!?" I exclaimed as I fixed my blouse and my black pants. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! It's that I'm absolutely excited! It's my first time seeing snow!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Aren't you even going to help me up?!" I growled. I mean, man to man, what did he expect me to do? Just slide it off? No way. He was bugging me for an hour straight! "Oh yeah sorry bro" he said with a nasty dumb smirk on his face. I wanted to slice it off! He offered his hand to me to help me up. A cold wind suddenly rushed through his hair. Huh? Why is my heart beating so fast? His smile looked so perfect. His braids swayed in the wind as his eyes smiled at me. I'm not even talking in my normal sense right now! I grabbed his hand as I stood up. I noticed a small tattoo on his wrist. It was a flower. "Did you realize that tattoos are strictly f*******n in this school?" I growled. "Oh this? Yeah, I asked the principal if it was okay because of certain situations, and she agreed to let me show it in the school's premises." He chuckled. That's weird, he should be treated the same as normal students there. I rolled my eyes unconsciously. "What's wrong? Im sorry if I did something." He said in a silly and happy tone. "No, it's nothing. I should formally give you a tour around campus." I said to him. I guess he wasn't that bad after all. He's just a bit too kind and free for my liking. As I asked for a hall pass to help him around, he suddenly reached for a pouch in his bag. He showed me an anklet with shells around it. "Here, take this. I made it myself from the shells of Boracay Island in the Philippines." He said with a warm smile. I was surprised with the gift and was also amazed by his craft. It wasn't something that I would wear as everyday casual clothing but I accepted it. "Thank you. Now, let's keep moving." I said trying not to smile. He smelled like the beach with a hint of vanilla, probably form his perfume. He didn't smell like the other people in the school. "Can I smell your shirt?" I asked. I blushed as I realized what I said. It must've slipped out of my mind! "Oh sure bro. It smells like vanilla right? Astig no?" He smiled. He pulled his shirt and let me take a whiff of his scent. Oh my God! What did I just do! I didn't want to seem like a weird guy! "Oh I forgot to ask your name." He changed the subject. "Oh yeah, my name is Calvin. I think we're in the same section. I read the papers on the principal's desk. I'm actually the president of the school." I added. I could tell that he noticed me get nervous about the shirt smelling situation. He actually tried to get out of the situation without it getting weird. He is so peculiar. "What does astig mean?" I asked. "Oh it's a term in filipino that when arranged backwards, is 'tigas' which means cool or hardcore." He explained with a smile. "Huh, your culture is really interesting, tell me more about it." I asked respectfully. I can't believe that I'm actually into his culture. I didn't even thing we would be this good as friends. With this personality of his, he would make so many friends. I'm actually glad that I was his first here. I got a good impression on filipinos because of him. "What's your favorite subject? Mine's English but I believe its called literature here." He added. "Oh mine's math and biology. I love to solve equations and learn so much more about our world." I explained. I have never felt anything like this before. Just by his question, I feel so happy answering him and telling him the things I love. Is this what having a friend feels like? If it is, I have missed half of my life! We were gone the whole morning session but it only felt like 30 minutes! "Shall we go to the cafeteria?" He asked. I can't believe that someone like him would like to hang out with someone like me? I'm usually alone all the time, other than my best friend. I suggested him to go meet her after lunch. I grew close to him quickly. Sooner or later, I tried to find my best friend, Kayla, who is an upcoming singer-songwriter. She has a free spirit who loves to socialize with everyone. I don't even remember how we became friends at this point. "HEY GUYS!!! Who's the new guy?" Kayla exclaimed excitedly. "Hello!! My name is Jade, well you can call me jade but my real name is Jason." Jade answered reaching for a dap. "You never told me your name was Jason?" I stated jealousy. "Oh yeah! I kinda forgot cause it was so quick. Hahaha" he laughed. "So, where are you from? I can tell you're into surfing!" Kayla asked. "How'd you know? Hahaha. I'm from the Philippines. I live by the bay in Boracay." He chuckled. "Knew it! Surfing is so cool! I bet you'll love the nearby beach! We should go there sometime, just the three of us." Kayla suggested. "Sure! I'd love to surf, it's been a while." Jade smirked. Jade reached into his bag and gave Kayla one of his anklets. Kayla was absolutely happy with the gift. He also showed his necklace made of leather and a shell in the middle. I didn't know why, but something about their relationship made me jealous. With them talking together, I felt as if I was left out of everything. I mean, he was my first friend so that's probably why I felt that way. In the middle of my thoughts, the bell suddenly rang them we went to our classes. During mine, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't focus anymore. I can't let this slide. I can't let my family down. I asked my teacher permission to go to the bathroom and brought my water with me. "Why am I this way? What's wrong with me?" I wispered to myself. I drank my water until I vomited. Why did I do that? I'm not sure anymore. I knew I liked the pain of vomiting but I knew it was wrong. My curly hair rolled on my face as I bent down to the toilet. The door suddenly opened. "Hey bro? You okay?" A familiar voice yelled. I sat by the stall. I was so sick. I coughed in pain. "Hey bro, I heard you from the outside. I was supposed to go to the restroom then I found you here." Jade wispered "Wanna talk about it?" He asked. How did he know? What's with filipinos these days? "I'm fine. Don't worry." I reassured him. "If you're actually okay, you wouldn't drown yourself with your water." He said in a serious tone. He sat down beside me and talked me through it. I told him about my family and how hard I've tried to make them proud of me. He listened to every word I say. I couldn't even notice how quickly time went by. My perspective of people changed since that day. "It's going to be okay." Jade wispered as he patted my back. That was weird yet comforting to hear someone who was so different yet so similar. I felt calm and safe around him. I swear I don't like him but I feel real with him around. "Finally, a friend who hangs out with me for who I am, not because of my grades." I thought to myself. I went home, still thinking about him.