CHAPTER 3

I am walking like a lifeless being. I thought this was my chance but I was wrong. I wiped my tears away. I don’t want to look weird walking in the hallway and crying like a stupid girl who was not given a star in the class.

“What?! You hoped for nothing!” Ali shouted

There’s no reason for hiding. I told my friends about the incident a while ago. When I passed the application form, the Dean’s giving me like a ‘sorry’ look.

“Good morning, Dean. I’m here to submit my application form.” I am so happy walking towards him and my heart is much fluttered for an unknown reason especially when he took the papers from me. He checked the papers before looking at me.

“Thank you for the effort, Miss Lorenzo. I am glad that you have a great dream and I believe that opportunities always come by. I will reserve your papers in case an unexpected turn of events happen.”

I am not getting his point, “Sir, can I ask what are you meaning?”

He sighed, “The exchange students for Vancouver, Canada is complete. There are already five of them and now, they are fixing their passports. I’m sorry, Miss Lorenzo. You can still apply next time.” Then he smiled.

Although the news is absolutely sad and heart breaking, I still smiled at him.

“Thank you, Sir. I’m happy because I tried and like what you’ve said, I also believe that there are a lot of opportunities out there and one day, I’m gonna grab them.”

He smiled at me too and I have decided to bid my goodbye for now. I went off his office and started taking the way for my first class.

My best friends hugged me and I did the same. They patted my back and as we were in the class, I tried my hardest to control my tears.

“It’s okay, we have so many chances in life and I’m sure, the next time you’ll apply we will be with you and we’re going together abroad.” Wen

“And we’ll get a lot of boyfriends for you and Ali.” 

I pouted at Vina who never forgot to mention the ‘boyfriend’ thing whenever we have conversations like this. They comforted and I feel so lucky for having them.

The class started and I was not in the mood to listen until it finished. We were about to go out of the room when a second year student barged in.

“First year, kindly proceed to our classroom. We have an important meeting for an upcoming event, we will be the organizers so your presence is a must.” Then he left

My friends and I looked at each other, “Snacks no more.” Wen said while shrugging her shoulders.

We have no choice but to attend. We need to be responsible in every activity because if we’ll not, a punishment might be given to us. Our clearances will not be signed by our professors. For us, students, the best way is to be obedient.

We searched for seats and we found four vacant seats at the back. Glad it’s in the back. We walked towards there but I stopped when I realized that I will be seating near to the second year student who sent me a friend request, messaged me, and congratulated me.

“What’s the problem?” Vina asked me when she noticed I’ve stopped.

I looked at her, smiled and answered her, “Nothing.” I continued walking and I badly want to bad mouth when my friends allotted a seat for me where there is only another second year student which is his friend and sitting in between us. 

I quietly sat on the chair and our senior president started the meeting. My friends kept on babbling something but I chose not to join them. I am not really in the mood. I am even thinking what to say to my family and my aunt who was already expecting me to be in Canada. This is frustrating.

I started to be uneasy when the man whose between us, left and went outside. Now, there is no barricade for us. He can clearly see me and I can clearly see him.

“You’re quiet.”

I was a bit startled when I looked at him. He’s trying to talk to me, right? Because he has no other seatmate. He’s the last in this row. I awkwardly returned my attention in the front.

“I don’t feel like talking.” I answered without looking at him

“Why is that?” he asked with his eyes still in the front.

I did not expect that he’ll response. The class is so loud knowing that they’re fighting over a theme that will be utilized in the activity.

“I lost my chance. I’m not going to Canada.” After that I looked down. 

I can sense that he was a bit shocked and he even looked at me, I can see on my peripheral vision. I don’t know why I told him, we’re not that close to tell stories like this considering that I looked like a devastated woman now.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but if you don’t mind, what happened?” 

He’s now talking to me like we’re friends. Then I remembered my three friends, I’m glad that they are laughing beside me and not noticing that I’m talking to a second year student. And knowing them? They would just teased me with this especially, Vina.

“They’re completed.” I lifted my head up and I hope I did not. I saw him staring at me, his attention is not on the meeting. This is so awkward. What if someone noticed us?

“That’s sad but you can still apply next time.”

I looked at him for a short period of time and I nodded while facing the front.

“See? The first year at the back agreed. I don’t know why the rest of your classmates won’t agree on this theme.” Said the president to me

My eyes widened and my face heated up with the embarrassment. I don’t remember myself agreeing to any of this, I don’t even know how they’d gone far. I am not attentive to the meeting. I can see in the corner of my eyes how the person I was just talking to, bowed his head and laughed a bit.

Then I saw the written theme on the board.

Enhancing future educators in the vast field of the industry.

“We will be giving various activities, group and individual to test their skills and ability in the different area of our lives.” He added

I slowly stood up, they are all looking at me and I guess they are waiting for my opinion on the theme where I unknowingly agreed.

“The theme has a great idea however I think that we have to emphasize what we’ll enhance and we can also change the subject since the activity is for all, not only for the future educators. That is only my opinion. We didn’t have to follow it since—” my explanation was hanged when they clapped and agreed with my opinion. My face is so red, right now. I am not used to so much attention. I prefer a low key life.

“Impressive.”

I saw him smirked and I uncomfortably avoid to another direction.

“This is your fault, you kept on talking to me.” I muttered but he just laughed.

His classmate came back and sat again on the empty chair between us.

“Why are you laughing, bro?” I heard his classmate asked

“Nothing.” He answered

We stopped talking from each other. I turned to my friends who we’re just looking at me like I did something. I gave them a questioning look.

“Nothing. We just heard you muttering something so I guess you’re talking to us, right?” Vina

I nodded at them and even smiled, “Y-yeah. I was asking you if… if my opinion was good.” I hope they buy it

“Of course. We didn’t even know that you’re listening to him.” Wen 

I bit my lower lip because I feel like guilty for nothing. I’m relieve that they did not listened too.