WHEN FOREVER MEANT UNTIL (WHEN SERIES #1)

Chapter 6: The Introduction

Zayden's POV

"Okay, class, we have a new student joining us today," sabi ng professor habang nagsusulat sa whiteboard. "Please introduce yourself."

Napalingon ang buong klase sa direksyon ko.

Here we go. (btw, he shift course kaya magkaklase na sila totally.)

I adjusted the strap of my bag and cleared my throat. Kailangan kong mag-ingat. I've already seen Shayla twice in random moments. Sa bookstore at sa ilalim ng puno. Hindi niya pa rin ako nakikilala-and honestly, I wasn't ready for her to know yet.

Kaya pag tinanong ako ng prof kung anong pangalan ang gagamitin ko, I made a decision. A small lie to buy me more time.

"Hi, I'm Skyler," I said. "Skyler Reyes."

Technically, hindi ako nagsisinungaling. Skyler is my second name, and Reyes is my mom's maiden name. I've used it before, lalo na nung gusto kong maglay low. My legal surname is different-yung alam ni Shayla. So she wouldn't connect it... not yet.

I smiled slightly, acting casual. "A shiftee."

"Alright, Skyler, may available seat doon sa bandang likod, tabi ni Miss Perico."

Agad akong tumango at naglakad papunta sa tinuro niyang upuan. Pero pag-upo ko, halos mapalunok ako.

It was her.

Si Shayla.

Nakatitig lang siya sa harap, hindi man lang ako tiningnan. Naka-headphones pa siya, obviously not paying attention. But being this close again... my heart started racing.

"Hi," I said casually, trying to sound like I was just being polite.

She gave me a sideways glance, eyes narrowing a little. "Ikaw na naman?"

I chuckled under my breath. "We keep running into each other, huh?"

"Maybe the universe is punishing me," she muttered, but there was a slight smirk on her lips. She didn't even realize how familiar she sounded. That sarcastic tone? That's so her.

I wanted to laugh, but I held it in. Lala... ang sungit mo pa rin pala.

Before I could say more, a girl sat beside Shayla, placing her iced coffee on the desk loudly.

"Girl! Ang pogi ng bagong student!" bulong niya kay Shayla pero dinig ko pa rin kahit kunwari nakikinig ako sa prof.

"Ugh, hindi ko siya bet. Mayabang vibes," sagot ni Shayla na hindi man lang tumingin sa akin.

Ouch.

"Pangalan niya Skyler," bulong ng girl ulit. "Bagay, no? Parang Korean oppa ang dating."

"Baka nga." Then Shayla shrugged. "Basta 'wag lang siya maging groupmate ko, okay na 'ko."

Natawa ako sa sarili ko habang nagkukunwaring nakatutok sa notes. So that's your defense mechanism, huh, Lala? Sarcastic, uninterested, borderline annoyed. But I knew better. That's how she always was with people she didn't trust right away.

And I get it. I lost that trust a long time ago.

The professor began the lesson, but I couldn't focus. Ang ingay ng utak ko. I kept stealing glances at her. Her profile, the way she twirls her pen when she's bored, yung mahinang pagbuga ng hininga kapag naiirita. She hasn't changed much.

Pero mas lumalim ang mata niya. Parang may dala na rin siyang pain. Siguro pareho lang kami.

After class, tumayo na agad si Shayla, ready to leave. Pero biglang humarang ang best friend niya-yung babaeng nakaupo sa tabi niya.