"We all do crazy things for love." She shrugged, a smile plastered on her face.

"Yes we do..." I couldn't help but agree.

"How about you? What's the craziest thing you've done for love?"

       "Keep this up and we're kicking you out."

       I smirked at the Principal's remark. Is that a challenge I hear? Because if it is, then I am so down for it! I can't wait to leave a school that doesn't even support a student's individuality! 

      "Young Lady, you've only been in this school 3 weeks. 3 weeks! Please don't make us regret taking you in despite of your previous records—Reika De Juan are you even listening?!"

      I looked up from my phone and faked a clueless expression by opening my mouth and blinking twice. "OMG sir, I am so sorry but I really couldn't hear you. My bullshit filter was on."

       If the Principal has a heart condition, siguro inatake siya ngayon. If the Principal was the incredible hulk, siguro ako na ang inatake niya at binalibag kagaya nang pagbalibag nito kay Loki sa first Avengers film. Either way, the Principal looks so mad as hell so I guess i'll have to plan my Marvel Movie Marathon again since it seems like i'll be suspended again... or kicked out again? 

      Nalibot ko na ata ang lahat ng high school dito sa Wilkinson city. Gosh! Where can I find a school that will accept my individuality and not try to box me into a fcking robot?! 

       Before the principal could even breathe fire towards me, someone suddenly knocked on the door. 

       "Ako na po." I stood up and smiled innocently to the principal whose face is just as red as a tomato from all the anger he feels against me. I guess that's my bad. 

       I opened the door and as expected, I saw my savior in the form of a 70 year-old man in blue tracksuit, white bucket hat, and silver cane. 

      "Hey Gramps." Nagmano agad ko but he just crinkled his nose and made his way towards the principal's office, even sitting on the visitor's chair without being asked. He even placed his cane forward and held on to it with both hands. I don't know if he does it to support his flimsy back or it's just his habit. 

      "Good Morning, Attorney Magno." Mr. Principal immediately stood up to show courtesy on the former mayor of this little city. 

      "Let's skip the formalities." Grandpa paused just to let out a little cute cough. He then smiled gently and tilted his head a bit. "What did my sweet grandchild do this time?"

      Lumapit agad ako at tumayo sa likuran ni Lolo. I pouted and looked down on the floor, looking all innocent and stuff. I'd like to smirk and be all evil and shit, but i'm not like that.

      The principal took a deep breath, as if it's gathering it's courage to tattle on me. This is the second time that he called grandpa this week, hindi pa ba siya nasasanay? Oh well, after this maybe it's an all new school for me again.

       "Attorney, aside from not following our dress code, your granddaughter keeps on bringing out her boombox in school premises and plays obnoxiously loud music out loud. She also slapped one of her classmates."  The Principal said in a formal tone. The poor guy can't even look at my grandpa's eyes.

       All of a sudden grandpa stroked his white beard and nodded. "I see. But can I ask you a few questions?"

       "Sure, attorney." The principal said quickly.

        "What is my granddaughter wearing?" Grandpa asked in a knowing town.

         "School uniform?" The principal answered, confused.

          "So what's wrong with it? Is her skirt way up above the prescribed length? Did she, in any way, alter or wore it incorrectly? Is she not wearing her ID or neck tie? Is she not wearing the right shoes?"

          "Her uniform is okay but for a student to wear dark thick make-up, that is not--"

           "Mr. Principal, with utmost respect, I have read your student's handbook page by page from cover to cover before suggesting this institution for my grandchild. I never stumbled upon any clause or paragraph suggesting that wearing make-up is not allowed. Instead, I read that your school enhances your student's individuality and character."

           I looked at the principal waiting for him to say anything but he just gulped. He was about to speak when grandpa did.

         "About this boombox? What is--"

          "That was not a boombox." I quickly chimed in just to set the facts straight. "That was a bluetooth speaker that looks like a boom--"

          "Reika, the adults are talking." Grandpa said gently without looking at me.

          "Sorry po." I quickly apologized and smiled as I gestured to seal my lips shut.

          "Where did Reika use these speakers? Near classrooms or areas where classes are being held? Where silence must be observed?"

            "We caught her using it in the cafeteria and oval sir. We received complaints that she was playing loud annoying music."

            I gestured to unseal my lips right away. "Punk rock is not annoying! It's a form of self-expression! I just wanted to introduce great bands and great music, and FYI some of my classmates sang along to Simple Plan songs with me yesterday! There was--" I immediately closed my lips shut when Grandpa turned to look at me with a bored expression. 

           "Sir, the slapping incident was serious. The student she slapped isn't coming forward because he's too scared--"

           "Have you asked my grandchild why she slapped her fellow student?" Grandpa asked and turned to face me again. "Child, why did you do it?"

           I sighed as I lowered my head. "He said some really mean things to the guard who was just doing his job. Oo nga at sa pader ako laging dumadaan para wag akong masita ng guards. Oo nga at naiinis rin ako minsan sa kanila... but at the end of the day they're just doing their jobs and following orders, and we couldn't hold that against them." Pag-amin ko.

***

          Pagbalik ko ng classroom, nagtinginan agad sa akin ang lahat. I know what my classmates are thinking... they all know I was from the principal's office and maybe they're already taking guesses on what my punishment could be. Well, I don't know too. Nag-usap pa kasi si lolo at ang principal. 

         Siguro kung hindi dating mayor si Lolo ng lungsod na'to, siguro sa simula palang di na talaga ako tinanggap ng skwelahang 'to dahil sa mga kalokohan ko "raw" at dahil 2 months nalang kasi at graduation narin, pero dahil sa reputasyon ng lolo ko, tinanggap parin ako. Nagagawa nga naman ng power at connections. Buti nalang talaga at hindi naman ako bully or mean girl. I'd like to believe i'm a rebel... a rebel with a purpose.

         Pagdating ko sa upuan ko na nasa dulo ng classroom, nakita kong bumalik na pala ang seatmate kong parang paminta, si Riley. 

         Nakakainis, nag-enjoy pa naman sana akong mag-isa. Nage-enjoy din akong hindi pinagseselosan ng mga babaeng may crush sa kanya. Transferree na nga tapos katabi ko pa yung pinaka-pogi sa classroom, yan tuloy instant backstab marathon agad sila sa akin.

        Naupo nalang ako at kinandong ang backpack na iniwan ko sa upuan ko. Niyaka ko ang backpack ko gaya ng nakagawian sabay patong ng paa ko sa likuran ng upuang nasa harapan ko. Pero siyempre, hindi ko hinayaang dumampi ang sapatos ko sa skirt niya. That would be rude and annoying. Eww.

       "Balita ko, may sinampal ka raw," sabi sa akin ni Riley. Nakahalumbaba habang nakatingin sa direksyon ko. No wonder crush na crush 'to ng lahat, lalakeng-lalake kasi yung hitsura niya. Matangos ang ilong, makapal ang kilay, mapupungay ang mga mata, mahaba ang mga itim na itim na pilikmata, tapos may may pagka-defined pa ang panga.  Balita ko nga siya raw ang laging pambato kapag may contests na papogian ang labanan, and he always wins! 

        Gwapo kaso mukhang gwapo rin ang hanap. Ewan ko ba pero parang may something talaga lalo na pag nagsasalita siya. Minsan ko rin siyang nakitang sumulyap sa pwet ng isang basketball player na dumaan habang nasa flag ceremony kami. Kapwa kasi kami nasa likod ng linya tapos dumaan bigla sa gitna namin yung basketball player kaya yun.... spotted.

        "Bastos yung bibig eh," sabi ko nalang. 

        "Wala ka pang 1 month, na principal's office ka na." Natawa siya sabay iling. No wonder crush na crush siya ng lahat, lalakeng lalake tapos sobrang neat ng dating eh. 

        "Almost 1 month na ako pero minsan lang kitang nakikitang pumasok. Tinatamad pumasok?" tanong ko nalang sabay tingin sa kanya pero bigla kong napansin ang mga mata niyang mukhang namamaga ng konti.

        Tumawa lang siya nang marahan. "Libing kasi ni Mommy."

        Agad akong natameme at napatitig sa mukha niya. All of a sudden I realized his smile... he's smiling but I could see pain in his eyes. 

        My phone suddenly vibrated from my pocket so I carefully fetched it out of my pocket.

Grandpa:

You're not expelled yet but you have to do some community service.

I'm not happy that you hurt someone, but I am proud of your heart

Do good, kid. Continue being who you are but please stay out of trouble.

 I want you to graduate high school this year.

         Sa tuwing nakakatanggap ako ng mensaheng ganito mula kay Lolo, laging abot langit ang tuwa ko... pero sa pagkakataong ito ay medyo mabigat ang nararamdaman ko.

        Lumingon akong muli kay Riley. Nakahalumbaba parin siya pero sa pagkakataong ito ay nakatingin siya sa direksyon ng bintana at mukhang nakatanaw sa kalangitan. 

       Hindi ko alam anong sasabihin para gumaan ang pakiramdam niya. I'd love to give him a playlist I don't think he likes punk rock. Baka rin mas lalo lang siyang malugmok kung ibibigay ko sa kanya ang angsty playlist ko.

      At dahil wala talaga akong maisip na sasabihin, nakinig na lamang ako sa teacher.

      "Alright, choose your partner," sabi ng teacher kaya agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Ito talaga yung ayaw ko sa lahat eh! Wala pa naman akong close!

     "Wala kang partner?" Lumingon ako kay Riley, nakahalumbaba parin siya habang nakatingin sa akin.

      Umiling ako at ngumiti. "Ikaw?" pucha ang awkward talaga kapag ganito!

      "Matalino ka ba?" tanong niya sabay tawa. Pucha, gwapo pala talaga siya.

      "Eh ikaw matalino ka?" ganti ko nalang sabay taas ng isang kilay ko.

      "Hindi pero ayoko lang talaga ng nagpapabuhat," tahasan niyang sambit. Feisty, I like it! 

       "Don't worry, ayoko nang binubuhat," paniniguro ko.

        "Good, mas gusto kong ako yung binubuhat," humagikgik ito bigla sabay palo nang marahan sa braso ko. Napatulala ako sa ginawa niya. Paminta nga ata talaga ang isang 'to! I wonder what keeps him from coming out though? I mean we have gay classmates too!

****

          I don't know how it all happened but next thing I know, Riley and I have become close friends. Oo nga at mas dumadami ang mga irap na natatanggap ko at may na-diskubre pa akong vandal sa cr na nagsasabing malandi raw ako pero imbes na mainis natatawa nalang ako. Ayoko rin naman sa kanila. 

          Gaya ko, transferree rin pala si Riley sa Academy kaya wala rin siyang masyadong kaibigan. Siguro ito rin ang rason kung bakit nagkasundo kami. We're both strangers. Strange strangers who found friendship in each other.

         I've noticed how Riley can suddenly be blunt with his words but when it comes to actions, he is a true gentleman. He would always assist me every time we're in the laboratory, he would always teach me every time I keep having trouble with the lessons, and I can feel the care in his every little gestures. I also like how he doesn't complain every time I listen to punk rock songs! And instead of questioning my choice of clothes and make-up, he even encourages me to try new shades of black and even outfits!  And most importantly, he makes me happy.

         Riley and I have only been friends for a month but I feel like I've already known him for a long time. Oo nga at may mga kaibigan ako sa Filimon Heights pero iba si Riley.  

        Iba ang nararamdaman ko kay Riley.

        Iba na ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

END OF CHAPTER 1

THANKS FOR READING!

VOTE AND COMMENT <3