Gleaming City Lights

03: Rival

gleaming city lights chapter 3— Rival

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"Welcome to Legazpi City Science High School!"

The court was filled with loud applause. I smiled. Ngayon ang first day of classes and oo, naipasa ko rin ang interview. I don't know how it happened but I just answered all the questions given to me. Ngayon ay isa na akong ganap na "Citinista" o estudyante ng LEGASCI.

I walk to the hallway looking for my classroom. Madali ko naman itong nahanap dahil sa mga signage na nakalagay.

'STEM 11 - Faraday'

I smiled to myself. I remember Faraday's Laws of Electromagnetic Induction. Nag-advance study na ako sa mga subjects na maaari naming pag-aralan ngayong senior high school kaya may idea na ako sa mga ituturo. I also discovered that HUMSS strand is suited to those who wanted to become a lawyer, journalist, writer, etc. Nanghinayang naman ako dahil gusto ko talaga ang pagsusulat. I followed Levi's advice to take STEM because I'm now aware that Dad does not want me to become a writer. He said once at lunch that we, his children, should always be the best in everything. Na dapat daw ang mga anak niya ay business men, lawyer, doctor, engineer at kung ano pang matataas na propesyon. Minaliit niya ang mga teacher, public workers, writers, animators, at iba pa. I realized then that I couldn't go against him. He's my biological father. Siya ang nagpapaaral sa'kin kaya dapat akong sumunod sa kanya.

Pumasok na kami sa aming classroom nang dumating na ang aming class adviser. Sir Tolentino then asked us to introduce ourselves in front of the class. Dumapo naman ang matinding kaba sa puso ko.

I played with my fingers below the table. Sa gitna ako sa unahan nakaupo. A girl wearing glasses and medium-length hair is seated on my left. While a boy with a bright smile and messy hair is on my right. Nang makaupo ako kanina ay agad akong kinausap ng lalaki. His name is Jadiel Zolarez and he's also a transferee like me. His favorite color is sky blue, he loves yakult and sunny days, he hates eating ampalaya, loves swimming and biking too. He also told me that he has five younger siblings, one twin girl, two boys, and another little girl. Halos buong talambuhay na niya ata ay nakuwento niya sa akin kanina. He's really talkative but really kind.

"Ikaw ba lodi, ano'ng mga hilig at ayaw mo?" He raised a brow with a smile. "Ay wait gagi, ano nga pala pangalan mo?"

I smiled shyly. "My name's Firstia Soleil po."

"Gagi palagi ba may handaan sainyo?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Po?"

"Fiesta kasi pangalan mo!" Then he burst out laughing. My brows are still furrowed. I don't understand. Bakit siya tumatawa? I didn't make him laugh or do anything at all.

"Shut up, you jerk."

Natigil sa pagtawa si Jadiel at sabay kaming napatingin sa babae sa left side ko. She wasn't looking at us when she said that. Nakatutok ang tingin niya sa kanyang cellphone at may tinitake siyang online exam doon. I saw how she got a perfect score.

"Pinansin mo rin ako," I heard Jadiel whispered. "Ang aga-aga ang sungit mo naman, Ma'am President! Kalmahan mo lang!"

Mas lalo kumunot ang noo ko. Jadiel then explained why he called her 'Ma'am President'. Siya raw kasi ang President Student Council dito sa LEGASCI. Two years na raw ito sa posisyon. Napahanga naman ako dahil doon. She's so cool! Being the president of the greatest organization in this school is insane.

"I know some of you here are already familiar with me, but to the transferees, I'm going to introduce myself on your behalf."

Napanganga ako dahil sa lubos na paghanga nang si Ma'am President na ang magpapakilala sa harapan. The way she talks in front of the whole class is so damn good. She has that distinct Australian accent in her voice, her diction is clean and perfect, and her posture is perfect too. She's standing straight while looking at the whole class like she's scanning everyone of us. Wala ring bahid ng kaba sa kanyang mukha. Parang normal lamang ito sa kanya.

"I am Meyalie Sapphire Roselei. I've been the Legazpi City Science High School Supreme Student Government President for two consecutive years. I'm hoping a peaceful and cooperative section this school year. To the old students, I'm sure all of you here knows who and what I Am. To the transferees, welcome to LEGASCI. It was a pleasure meeting all of you."

Lahat kami ay pumalakpak pagkatapos niya magsalita. Wow, she's so good.

When it was my turn, my hands started to shake and my heart was beating loudly. Nanginginig akong tumayo at pumunta sa unahan.

"Please introduce yourself to your classmates." Sir Tolentino gave me a smile.

Tinago ko sa aking likuran ang nanginginig kong mga kamay. I then looked in front and saw that all of my classmates were looking at me. Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

"Go lodicakes! Kaya mo yan!" My eyes went to Jadiel who's giving me a thumbs up and a bright smile. Meyalie also looked at me with an encouraging smile on her face.

Napapikit ako bago huminga ng malalim. You can do this, Firstia. You can do this. This is just the beginning. Maraming beses pa ito mangyayari.

"I-I'm... M-My name is..." Oh please Papa God. Let me get through this. "I-I'm Firstia Soleil V-Velasco po. I'm a transferee. T-That is all po."

I bit my lower lip before going back to my seat. Napatakip ako sa mukha, Oh my God, I'm embarrassed. Nakakahiya na ang ikli lang ng sinabi ko samantalang ay ang hahaba sa aking mga kaklase. It's so embarrassing that I stuttered.

"Miss Velasco," Napatingin ako kay Sir Tolentino. "Velasco ka pala. Are you familiar with Levi Velasco,"

"H-He's my brother po."

I then heard my classmates whispering.

"May kapatid pala si Levi?"
"That's why she's pretty. Nasa genes nila,"
"She must be really smart."
"But why did she stutter kanina. I bet she's nothing like Levi."

Napakagat ako ng labi. They're comparing me to Levi. Sikat ba siya rito? Everyone knows him. Even Sir Tolentino. So I guess, yes. He is popular here.

"So you're Levi's sister huh." Bumaling ako kay Ma'am President nang magsalita siya. "I'm guessing you are my rival too?"

Rival? Oh my God. Siya ba ang Valedictorian ng batch nila?

"H-Hindi po ako nakikipag-compete po."

Her lips formed a small smile. "Good. I won't be easy on you if you are."