Somewhere In Between (Between Shadows #1)

01

Habang inaayos ko ang bag ko, may tumapik sa desk ko.

"Hi!"

I looked up.

A girl with chin-length hair, cute clips on both sides, bright eyes, and a friendly smile

"Transferee ka, 'di ba?"

"Yes. Verity Eloise. Call me Elle."

"I'm Athena Elira, Lira na lang." She held out her hand, almost formal pero endearing. "Welcome sa Saint Helena."

Napangiti ako. "Thanks."

Umupo siya sa desk sa harap ko. "Don't mind the stares. Sanay sila na walang bago. Ganyan talaga pag may bagong mukha."

"I've noticed," sagot ko, half-laugh.

Before we could talk more, dumating ang professor namin. Class started, orientation, reminders, introductions. All basic.

Pero throughout the class... Nararamdaman ko pa rin 'yong mga tingin.

Like I was some kind of exhibit. Kahit hindi naman ako nag-a-acting na special. Even some boys kept sneaking glances. I pretended I didn't notice, pero nakakailang.

Lira leaned back and whispered to me, "Don't worry. After a week or two, magsasawa rin sila."

"Let's hope," I replied.

Break time.

Lira invited me sa canteen. Sumama ako. Mas okay nang may kasama kaysa magmukha akong parang 'lost puppy.'

Pagpasok namin sa canteen, mas lalo pang dumami ang tingin. Some groups stopped talking. Some pretended not to stare pero halatang curious.

"Uy nakita mo?"

"Bagong student."

"Parang artista."

"Tol, crush ko na ata."

"Akin na—hoy wag mo akong unahan—"

I looked straight ahead, pretending I didn't hear.

We found a table sa corner. I grabbed a sandwich and pineapple juice.

"San ka galing?" tanong ni Lira habang nag-oopen ng yogurt.

"Manila. Lumipat kami kahapon lang."

"Why? If you don't mind?"

"Family matter. It's complicated."

She nodded. "Gets. Kuwento mo na lang if comfortable ka."

I appreciated that, hindi siya prying, hindi pushy.

While we ate, I couldn't resist glancing around the canteen.

Normal students. Normal energy. Halos lahat kilala ang isa't isa. Small town vibe.

Then, my eyes stopped.

Not on a face.

Not on anyone specific.

But in a presence.

A tall figure leaning against a concrete post sa likod ng canteen. Arms crossed. Head slightly bowed habang may kausap na group of boys. Hindi ko makita nang buo ang face niya, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Quiet. Pero lakas ng dating.

Parang siya 'yong type ng tao na kahit walang ginagawa, ramdam mo.

I didn't know why, pero napatingin ako, longer than I meant to.

Then as if he felt it, he lifted his head... konti lang.