Geline's POV
5:00 AM.
I woke up early—not out of excitement. Honestly, I've never been excited to go to school. I just hate waking up and overthinking the day ahead. Still, there's something nice about being up before everyone else. Everything feels quieter. Calmer. Almost makes you want to crawl back into bed.
The house was still silent. I didn't bother fixing up too much—just tied my hair into a loose low bun, threw on an oversized shirt and sweater. No slippers. I've gotten used to moving around quietly.
When I reached the kitchen, someone was already there.
"Nine," I greeted, flat.
"Ange," she replied, focused on the pan. "Breakfast's ready in five."
I nodded and sat at the bar. Grabbed a glass of water.
"I heard someone leave," I said eventually.
"Didn't attend the first day yesterday, now that chick wants to familiarize herself with the school," she replied casually.
I nodded again. Silence returned.
That's just how we are. No small talk unless needed.
I ate in silence. Eggs, garlic rice, hotdogs. Basic. Comfort food. Mornings don't give me social battery, so I kept my mouth shut.
After eating, I went back upstairs to shower and get ready. My apron and tools were already packed for lab later. TVL life—always hands-on.
I wore my uniform and stuffed the course blouse with our program logo inside my bag. Fitted slacks. White sneakers. No makeup except a little lip tint so I wouldn't look dead. I checked myself in the mirror.
Same tired eyes. Same ugly face.
I've stopped caring.
Let them stare in disgust.
At School Grounds
When we got to campus, it was still calm. Second day vibes—juniors still figuring out the place.
I walked straight ahead. Headphones in, no music playing. Just didn't want anyone talking to me.
Dain was walking beside me, just as quiet. I could feel the stares. We didn't flinch. We're used to it—"snobs," "suplada," "feelingera."
"They think they're better."
But honestly? This is just our face. Dain's got that blank expression. I look cold by default.
We're not mean. We're just... not friendly. Not unless we care about you.
Down the corridor, we passed a group of Grade 11 girls. They looked at us, no one greeted. One girl looked like she wanted to say hi but backed off. I didn't break my stride.
Neither did Dain.
Room 206. Grade 12 - Molave. Still early. Only Althea was there, seated up front.
"Geline! Dain!" she beamed.
I smiled. "Hey, Thea."
"Yo," Dain greeted with a grin.
"Damn, you guys are early," she said, patting the empty chairs behind her. "Come sit. I've got tea."
We sat behind her. I took off my earphones while Dain dropped into her seat.
"What's the tea?" Dain asked.
"Sir Ledesma's doing a wine glass demo today. Posted it in the group chat."
"I should've brought an extra cloth," I mumbled, checking my bag.
"I gotchu," Dain said, handing me a microfiber cloth. "Told you today was gonna be a banger."
I chuckled. Dain's one of the few people I trust. Quiet, but lowkey hilarious.
"By the way," she added, "Rein texted. She's gonna be late."
"Classic Rein," I smirked.
Rein has her own brand of chaos, flirty, unpredictable. But she's my girl. All of us we're different, but we click.
And when we're together? Loud. Nonstop laughing, teasing, storytelling.
But apart?
It's like mute button was hit. We don't talk to strangers.
TVL Class, Mid-Morning
"Class, settle down," Sir Ledesma announced.
He stood at the front, holding a wine glass, silverware set, and a white napkin. Always looked professional.
"Today, we'll do a live demo on formal table setting. This will be graded as part of your formative. Observe closely."
I took out my notebook. Dain did too. The room quieted.
While he explained the placements of cutlery and glassware, I wrote minimal but clear notes.
"Angelaine," he called.
I frowned slightly, then stood up. Someone whispered behind me, "She's that quiet one who looks like a snob, right?""
The corner of my lip twitched. I ignored it.
'Tsk, papansin'!'
I walked up front, posture straight, hands steady. I arranged the items as shown. I could feel all eyes on me.
Didn't matter. I don't shake. I'm in my zone.
After a while, he nodded. "Good. Clean and aligned. Great composure."
I nodded and went back to my seat.
"Char, great composure daw," Dain whispered.
I smiled faintly. "Natural. Ako na 'to."
Lunch Break
Finally, a breather.
We sat to the same table yesterday at the cafeteria. It was already getting crowded.
I opened our group chat and texted:
[Where are you guys? Dain and I are starving.]
A few minutes later, Rein walked in with that Japanese-looking girl from yesterday. People stared at them like they were celebrities.
'Show-off. Pa-special entrance pa talaga.'
But I can't blame them. Rein's really beautiful. Model vibes, if only she's a bit taller.
"You haven't ordered yet?" she asked as she neared. "Bwesit na opaw na 'yon, di kami pinalabas agad."
"Well, sa inyo na yon. Kami pinalabas agad pagkatapos ng demo," I replied flatly, with a touch of smugness.
Rein grinned. "Missed your foul mouth, Ange. So sharp, Sometimes I wanna stitch it shut."
Then Shan, Nine, and Max arrived.
'Isa pa tong mga to. May pa-grand entrance pa.'
Some people stare at them, some minding their own business.
Finally complete.
"What do you want me to get?" Rein asked.
Max stood up to help with the trays. Shan got up too.
"I'm coming. I want to choose. The food sucks if you guys gonna pick for lunch," Shan said.
"Same. I'll go too," Dain chimed in.
"Me too. Don't wanna be stuck with Ange. She's no fun. Baka pagalitan lang ako."
"Wow. Rude," I scoffed. "I'll go. No point staying."
We all headed to the food stalls. Embarrassing, honestly. They were loud, bumping into each other, bickering like kids.
People stared.
"Quiet." A sharp voice cut through the noise.
Everyone fell silent.
I turned to Max, the owner of that voice. Even a tough guy would flinch at that tone. She gave us all the look.
'This is why I don't mess with her. Her stare alone could kill.'
We picked our food quietly and returned to our table.
"What'd you guys do yesterday?" Shan asked, grabbing fries from Dain.
"Wow, the nerve. Didn't want fries earlier because it tastes bad, now you're stealing mine?" Dain.
"Any hot guys in your strand?" Rein asked, scanning the crowd.
"None so far," I said. "They all look like kids."
"No hot guys here. Just babies," added.
"Maybe they're avoiding y'all. Because....." Max said dryly, "they're just not into ugly girls."
Everyone gasped playfully.
"Wow! That came outta nowhere!" Shan exclaimed, fake-offended. While munching Dain fries.
"That's Max for you," Dain chuckled.
"Cold-blooded since when?" Rein smirked. "But Max got a point. I saw a bunch of hot guys earlier near the parking lot. Looked like a basketball team. They wear Jerseys."
"Hala, sayang," Shan whined. "They could've fallen for me."
"Fallen for what? Your butt?" I teased.
Laughter erupted, catching attention from nearby tables. Some stared. Some whispered. Some sneered.
We didn't care.
"Let's go to—" We all looked at Rein, who suddenly stopped talking, like she just saw something.
"Speak of the devil. There they are," she said, nodding toward the cafeteria entrance.
We all turned at the same time.
Three guys walked in, one after another, like a scene straight out of a teen drama. Just like how stories describe it, the room goes quiet, and your eyes are stuck on them.
The first one entered—tall, serious, wearing a lab gown. He looked like he didn't care about anything around him. Then came the second one—kind of cocky, had earrings, wore the school uniform but left the top buttons undone. The third guy had a sling bag and was holding a book, but his body was big and built. Nerd meets gym rat.
"Shit," Nine whispered. "They look imported."
"Damn," Rein said. "I didn't see them yesterday."
"Are they new?" Shan asked while chewing on fries she stole from Dain.
"Nope," Someone replied. "That's just how STEM guys are. Always in the other building. They rarely come to the cafeteria."
"Hmm…" I thought about it for a second.
I just stared for a bit, then went back to my food.
"The one in the middle," Rein added, "looks like my ex. Ew."
"Everyone looks like your ex," Max shot back.
"No, I'm serious. But he's hotter," Rein laughed.
"Wanna go up to them?" Nine asked.
"Hell no. I don't have the energy," Rein replied instantly.
"Look, he's looking," Shan whispered.
I didn't look. But from the corner of my eye, I saw the first guy—the serious one in the lab gown—like he was checking us out.
"What are their names?" Dain asked, clearly curious.
"We don't know," Nine said while eating the last hotdog on her plate.
Back to Class – Afternoon Period
Our last class was Theory.
I stared at the whiteboard, half-listening to the lecture about hospitality management protocols. My notebook was open, but the page was still blank. My mind wandered.
Dain, sitting next to me, was doodling something. Probably another chibi with a knife. Typical.
The room was quiet except for the professor's voice. I let my eyes drift toward the window. The sky was grayish-blue. Peaceful.
I was starting to zone out when I felt a tap from behind.
A note was passed to me.
"You always look like you're plotting murder. Do you even smile?"
It was written in messy handwriting.
I didn't bother turning around. I grabbed my pen and wrote a simple response:
"Fuck u"
Then passed it back.
Whoever it was didn't reply anymore.
Dismissal
The day ended like usual. We left as a group, quietly walking toward the gate. The crowd was thicker now. Students were everywhere, laughing, taking selfies, waiting for rides.
Rein was busy scrolling through her phone, probably checking messages from her online flings or plotting something ridiculous again. Max was quiet, Nine was low-key observing everyone around her. Shan was humming some catchy tune. And Dain—well, Dain was just beside me, still munching on whatever snack she hadn't finished earlier.