the peregrine

31

• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 •

As the torch was lighted, everyone shouted in joy as it indicates the start of this exciting day.

And by just looking at the way I dressed for the occasion, I am one of those excited people for today.

Our team, class 5, decided to be really extra for today. Instead of just wearing a simple blue hachimaki that indicates our team, they decided to wear blue happi coats over our p.e. uniform.

They said it's to "catch the attention of everyone, even the elders", and I'm not gonna lie, all eyes are on us even though we still haven't started our cheer.

"Bonnie, ang ganda mo sa sinusuot mo." a classmate complimented as some of them huddled close to me.

"Hoy hoy, lubayan niyo si Bonnie." saway naman ng aming class president, sinusubukan din niya akong ilayo ako mula sa mga tao.

"Luh! Ikaw hah, president, protective much? ayieeee." stated another when they noticed how his arms were wrapped around my shoulder.

Sinimulan naman nilang kutyain ito, ngunit may halong inggit ang boses ng iba. Tumayo lang ako doon, sinusubukang ngumiti upang hindi magmukhang nangyayamot sa mga tao rito.

"Ano ba kayo, guys? She looked uncomfortable kanina, kaya inilayo ko lang sa inyo." pagrarason naman ng president. He has been trying to get close to me all the week long, and it's getting kind of annoying.

Hindi ko na iyon pinagtuunan ng pansin at nakinig na lang sa kung ano ang pinagsasabi ng emcee sa harapan ng lahat ng nandito sa school grounds. They said a few words before officially opening the class cheering contest after they made everyone settle down

The cheering contest passed by quickly. And all I could remember when we were performing was when they kept shouting my name, as if I would turn to towards them and smile.

𝘛𝘩𝘰 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯.

Nagpahinga muna kami sa ilalim ng mga malalaking tent provided for each class. And since magkatabi ang amin sa Class 4, it didn't took a minute to spot Keith who was excluding himself from people. Nakaupo pa ito malapit sa aming tent.

When he noticed that I was looking at him, I waved a hello and a smile. Even though he didn't return the gesture, I can tell he was a little pleased when he saw me since he grinned a little.

I grabbed a plastic stool chair and placed it right beside Keith who was all alone. Mukha namang hindi niya inasahan ang ginawa ko at napatingin sa akin.

"What? Is something wrong with my face?" I jokingly asked but he answered with a serious shook of his head.

"If you're worried about yesterday, yes, I forgive you for making that girl cry."

Nag-iba naman agad ang timpla ng kanyang mukha na nagpatawa naman sa akin. Alam kong ngayon, may ilang mata ang nakamasid sa amin dahil magkatabi kami at nag-uusap, ngunit hindi lang namin iyon gaano pinansin.

"Is your dad gonna be here?" he asked out of the blue, that made me look at him with a surprise since he remembers I have a dad.

"Uhhh...maybe later. I don't know, he's always busy." I answered before leaving him there when I got suddenly called for an errand.

After the cheering contest, there was a dance presentation from the third years before a race of all clubs.

Kaya nang matapos ako sa aking ginagawa, bumalik ako sa kung saan umuupo si Keith. He was surprised that I came back but suddenly crumpled his forehead when I told him about watching the race.