OWNING MR. HATER

Chapter 2: Maldita Mode Activated

The second day of school started the way I expected — with me cursing my alarm clock, dragging my half-asleep body to the bathroom, and questioning every life decision that led me to this moment. Kung pwede lang mag-drop out at magtayo ng sari-sari store sa tapat ng bahay namin, matagal ko nang ginawa. But no — education is key, sabi nga nila. Susi nga lang siguro sa kahirapan, pero hindi sa mental peace.

By some miracle, I made it to school, though not without the usual struggle of finding my ID, untangling my earphones, and realizing too late na may toothpaste stain pala yung uniform ko. Perfect. As if my reputation as a low-key maldita wasn’t enough, ngayon mukha pa akong batang hindi marunong mag-laba.

Pagpasok sa classroom, doon ko na-realize — being late on the second day was a new low, even for me.

"Miss Acson, you're late," our Biology instructor announced, his tone sharper than the broken zipper of my bag.

"Sorry po, sir. Overslept," I mumbled, the classic excuse of students who stayed up too late scrolling through random reels and pretending to study.

He gave me that look — the one teachers have mastered after years of disappointment — but thankfully, he just sighed and waved me to my seat. Napabuntong-hininga ako habang naglalakad. Another day, another lecture na papasok sa isang tenga at lalabas sa kabila.

I slid into my seat at the back, the usual corner I claimed since Grade 7. The "leave me alone" zone. Dito, pwedeng mag-emote sa bintana, mag-doodle ng future resignation letter sa notebook, at magdaydream about marrying a rich businessman para maka-graduate nang walang stress.

Pero kahit nasa comfort corner ako, wala pa ring takas sa reality. The room was buzzing with second-day energy — ang energy kung saan halos lahat ng tao ay nag-a-adjust pa sa bagong classmates, bagong teachers, at bagong tsismis. I swear, the corridors were more alive than the actual classrooms. Every turn, may mini-reunion. Every restroom, may conference meeting.

Speaking of restrooms — it’s always been my sanctuary. My safe space. Kaya ngayong lunch break, doon ako dumiretso, hoping for a moment of peace away from the forced small talks and awkward group introductions.

Except peace was a luxury I could never really afford.

The restroom door creaked open and the unmistakable shrieks of my two best friends-s***h-certified life narrators, Daphne and Lora, pierced my temporary silence.

"BESHEHHH!" Daphne’s voice bounced off the tiles.

"Ano na namang drama mo?" Lora followed, her tone half-concerned, half-ready-for-chismis.

Hindi ko na rin naman tinago. Sa kanila lang ako may energy magkwento.

"Wala namang bago," I sighed, leaning against the sink. "Second day pa lang, pero feeling ko isang taon na agad ang pagod ko."

"Eh kasi naman, besh," Daphne started, pulling out her powder for an unnecessary touch-up, "masyado kang anti-social. Hindi ka makaka-graduate nang walang konting landi sa buhay."

"Landian ka dyan," I scoffed. "Goal ko this year, maka-survive nang walang kaaway, walang chismis, at walang unnecessary drama."

"Good luck dyan," Lora snorted. "Sa pagmumukha mo pa lang, mukhang may nasagasaan ka nang tatlong freshmen."

Fair point.

The thing is, I’m not intentionally rude. I just don’t have the energy for shallow conversations or pretending to be friendly when I’m not. If that makes me a maldita, so be it. Life’s too short to waste on fake smiles and forced laughter.

"Any cute guys so far?" Daphne wiggled her brows, forever our designated scout for potential crushes.

"Wala," I answered flatly. "Puro bata tingin ko sa kanila."

It was a lie. There was one guy who caught my attention — just for a split second — pero wala pang mas nakakairita kesa sa kanya. Mayabang ang aura, parang palaging nanalo sa raffle kahit walang ticket. Pero hindi ko na rin binanggit. No need to give my friends ammunition.

Lunch break ended without incident — no clashes, no mortal enemies. I almost convinced myself na baka nga this year would be different. Maybe I could actually have a peaceful school year.

Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

Afternoon Surprise

The afternoon classes dragged on like a teleserye na puro flashback scenes lang. I doodled half of my notebook cover, tuned out half the lecture, and fought the urge to crawl under my desk for a quick nap. But the real plot twist came after the final bell rang.

As I gathered my stuff, the classroom chatter gradually faded, replaced by a different kind of noise — that subtle shift in the air when someone enters the room and somehow, everyone notices.

I didn’t even have to turn around to know it was him.

That guy. The one I bumped into yesterday. The one with the smirk na mas nakakainis pa sa mahabang pila sa photocopy station. The one who, for reasons I couldn’t comprehend, had main character energy kahit wala naman siyang ginagawa.

He didn’t say anything. He just walked in, scanned the room, and settled into the seat directly across from mine.

Perfect. Just perfect.

I pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the absolutely riveting activity of adjusting my pen cap. Pero kahit anong gawin ko, I could feel his presence — yung tipong kahit hindi ka tinitignan, ramdam mo pa rin.

What was his deal? Bakit may aura siyang parang gustong magpasuntok pero gwapo naman enough para pagbigyan? And why, of all the empty seats, doon pa siya naupo — right within my peripheral vision?

"Tangina," I muttered under my breath. "Second day pa lang, may leading man na agad ako."

It wasn’t kilig. It was pure irritation, I convinced myself.

But deep down, sa ilalim ng layers ng inis at sarcasm, may maliit na boses na pabulong lang.

"Well, this year just got a whole lot more interesting."

And that was the beginning.

Of what — I wasn’t sure yet.

But I had a feeling that whoever that guy was, he was about to become the highlight — or the headache — of my entire school year.

To be continued…