I'm On Your Side

1 | The Universe Has, Once Again, Failed Me

By the looks of her mouth moving, it looks like she's chewing on gum.

It reminds me of the times I would eat gum right after having lunch at school and feel this sense of confidence as I walked in the school hallways with gum in my mouth.

This one time, I was scrolling on TikTok and I saw this tip for getting a stronger jawline: you basically just chew on gum for a long period of time, and eventually, you'll get a strong jawline (don't ask me how this was on my FYP). It made me realize that there were many benefits of chewing gum.

But then, of course, my mom had to fuck it up for me and tell me that chewing gum actually makes you fart.

Farewell to gum, I guess.

I didn't really stop eating gum because of that, though.

I stopped eating gum because COVID happened and I didn't really have that confidence when I ate gum after lunch. I'd say it's most probably because I was at home and not in front of complete strangers, so my parents knew when I was at my most vulnerable (they knew my weaknesses) and chewing gum didn't help that.

I wonder if that's why this girl is chewing gum. Those are the only two reasons I can think of why someone would chew gum. Well, also to get rid of bad breath. But still―those are the only three reasons I can think of.

I look up at the sound of the door opening again and notice that the girl who's chewing gum has already seated herself.

Wow.

I've been that invested in my thoughts that I didn't even notice that the girl already sat down. I look down at my iPhone, unsure of what to do because while I can go on my iPhone, I also want to take a break from electronics and focus on what's going on around me (not like I'm not―I'm actually very observant, I just want to pay more attention I guess).

I scoff because quite frankly I'm rarely like this: not going on my iPhone. I mean, when I'm at home and trying to write or just have free time, you'll always find me with my iPhone. Like, if only I could be like this ―not going on my phone―when I have the urge to go on my iPhone then I'd probably be writing my fifth chapter by now.

No cap.

A set of who seem to be siblings appear at the lounge and look around the room before seating themselves on the very first couch you see when you enter the lounge.

After a very tedious observation, I decide not going on my phone was a poor choice and pull out Wattpad on my iPhone since I can't exactly watch TikTok's with the sound on (I mean I can, but my anxiety says ✨no✨). I go to my reading list, hoping I'll find some good reads, and when I'm just about to click on "How to Save a Life" the door's bell rings again and a set of three girls, followed by two boys appear.

They all seat themselves in the lounge and I, now, feel the most agonizing I've ever felt. Like, screw the pain I felt when Mason arrived: this is more excruciating! The three girls have decided to sit on the same couch as me and every once and then, I swear one of them looks at me. Like, mind your own fucking business! I distract myself by attempting to read Chapter 1 of "How to Save a Life" when my eye catches the time.

5:59?! Damn. Time sure passed by quickly.

Suddenly, I realize the session's supposed to start at six. I look around the room frantically and debate (again) on asking the lady if the class is going to start when the door swings open and a young, petite lady steps in. I quickly look back when she makes eye contact with me.

"April, class already started. Where have you been?" the lady demands. The lady doesn't make any attempts to be quiet as she hands April a paper.

"At least I'm on time, right?" April smiles, sheepishly and the lady grunts.