What if?

Chapter 32: HIM

Nick

We are now near the announcement board to see if I passed or what. "Hey, why is there a teacher there?" I asked Michael after seeing the teacher talking to the students who are in front of me in this lie. "Oh, that is the teacher who is going to inform you where you are going to get your interview and then announce the results after your interview." Michael explained. "s**t!" I burst out after hearing what Nick just said. I almost forgot about the interview thing. "Why didn't you tell me about it earlier?" I asked Nick for his reason. "I just wanted to tease you." Nick answered and continued walking as if there was nothing wrong. Unbelievable! I looked at John to see his reaction. I think he knows this too but decides to not remind me about it again. 

When I turned to look at John, he was looking down. "He definitely knows." I said to myself. We just continued to walk until we were already in front of the teacher. "Good morning." Nick and John said to the teacher. "Good morning." I also said as soon as I heard them say that. "Good morning. Why are you here?" The teacher said to them. I think she is talking about Nick and John. "We just went here to walk Michael, he is my brother." Michael said to the teacher. "Him? Whaa! I heard the news, it is good to have you here." The teacher said as she turned to look at me and smiled. I just smiled back because I didn't know how to respond to her. "Where will he be interviewed then?" Michael asked the teacher. What is wrong with him? He is talking as if they are close. "It is on the right of that room. Please bring him there so he will not get lost." The teacher said softly. 

We started walking in the direction that the teacher instructed us to go. "Hey, why were you so casual with the teacher a while ago?" I asked Nick because I was curious. "She was our homeroom teacher in 3rd grade and we are close." Nick said. "How close?" I said as I stopped him from walking. John also stopped walking. "I don't know, but it is not enough to let her know personal things about my life." Michael said. "Fine." I replied and let go of him. We then continued to walk. "We are here." John said as we got to the place where I will have my interview. "We are going to stay here and wait for you so don't worry. Just be honest when you answer the questions too." Michael said and sat on the bench. John also went to sit with him. 

I got inside the room and saw students who were also waiting inside to be called. "Wait, don't Nick and Michael have classes?" I asked myself. I went outside to see them. "Michael! Don't you have classes?" I shouted to let him hear. "What?!" Michael said. s**t! "Just go to your classes, I am okay here." I shouted back again. "We are okay. We can wait." Michael answered. "It is okay, teachers let us skip classes." John also shouted. "Okay!" I said and went back inside. 

I think that the reason why they are allowed to skip classes is that they are smart enough not to attend classes. "Whaaa, I feel so jealous." I said to myself. "Hi. Are you also here for the interview?" The guy said. "Yes." I replied. Dude what is wrong with him? All the new students are gathering here to get the interview though. "Thanks." He said and then walked out. "What the hell? Ugh! All I have to worry about now is the interview to finally get in here." I said to myself as I shake my body to calm. 

They are calling the names one by one. Until my name is called. "Travera?" The teacher said. "Here!" I said and went to the teacher's direction. "Wait, are you Nick's new brother?" The teacher said. New? "Yes." I replied. What was that? Am I a toy that the teacher should say new? '"He is not a toy." I heard someone say. I turned to look at who the person who said it. In my surprise it was the guy who asked me a while ago. I turned to look at the teacher and he was looking down. I think she was ashamed to what she just said to me. 

I went inside the interview room. "Please sit." The interviewee said. I sat down as I was told. "You are a Travera right?" The interviewee said. "Yes that is right." I answered. Why are they sticking their noses in my family? "Sorry for asking you questions. Actually we heard the news already." One of the interviewees said gently. I understand why they are like this now. My family is well known though. I think they have high hopes for me. "I understand." I answered. "Okay then. Let us have your interview. Now, we only have one question for you to answer. Are you ready?" The interviewee asked. 

I inhaled deeply and answered. "Yes I am ready." I answered the question. "What makes your life going on?" The interviewee said. I think they know my story too. I don't know why they are asking this to me but one thing I know now, they just want to know their students more. "I have been through a lot since I got in this world and everything that happened was surreal not until I met Nick and the Travera family. But my family and my brother trusted me so I gained trust in myself because of that I was able to start a new life. They are the reason why I keep going on." I answered the interviewee's question. 

I saw them smiling after I answered. "You may go to your class now." The interviewee said. "Thanks!" I said and got out of the interview room. "Sorry." I said because I bumped with another student. "It is okay." He said. I looked at him and remembered that he was the one who asked me a question and also said something to the teacher. He got inside the room after replying to me.

I made my way out of the room and saw Nick and John. "Finally you are out." Michael said. As if I have been there for a very long time. I remembered being there for at least 20 minutes though. I walked in their direction. "Let us go, and see where my room is." I said to Nick. I am really excited to get in my room. "What did they say to you?" John asked. "They said that I can go to my class now." I answered John's question. "Really?" John asked again. "Yes. I hear it clearly." I answered. "Great! We are classmates." Michael said and walked. John also followed him.

I am here now spacing out. "Hey, how would you know?" I asked. Their answers. If they say it like that it means that you are in the highest section." Michael said. Whaa! This is great. 

We went to one of the buildings and stopped. “Why did you stop?” John asked Nick gently. “Why does Michael keep on delaying things?” I said to myself trying to manage my emotions since John is with us. “Kidding! Let’s go.” Michael said without even feeling a little shame. Gosh! I really want to hit him. 

“Good morning!” Michael and John said as we entered the first room on the ground floor. I looked at the teacher and students and also said my greetings. “Good morning.” I said softly. I am shy and I think that they can see it since my face is hot right now. “Calm.” Michael whispered to my right ear. After Michael said that, John and he started to go to their seats. Now I am here standing alone. s**t!

“You are new right?” The teacher asked. “Yes, I am, teacher.” I said formally. “Great! Let’s wait for one more and introduce yourself, okay?” The teacher instructed. “I wonder why she only needs two? Why not wait for everyone to come here.” I said to myself curiously. 

“Good morning!” I heard a boy’s voice on my right. I turned to face him because his voice seemed familiar. “You?” I burst as I saw the owner of the voice. He is the same boy that I met at the interview. Guess we are destined to meet today though. After I burst he just glanced at me and turned his eyes on the students.  

“Okay! Since the two of you are here, I want you to introduce yourselves briefly.” The teacher said with a wide smile. Seems like she is a kind teacher. “Hi! My name is Jake Barcelona, I am new here in this country since I used to live in Canada for 10 years. My mother is a Filipina so is my father. I hope you will take care of me. Nice meeting all of you.” The boy ended his introduction. He did not even smile at all. What the hell is his problem? I hope I will not get in touch with him. “Any hobbies or skills?” The teacher asked Jake. “I just like music and have no skills.” Jake answered. “Is he mad?” I asked myself. 

“Great! How about you?” The teacher asked gently. “Hello everyone, my name is Nick Travera, I am the adopted brother of Michael. I like listening to music and I am not good at any sports.” I said shyly. I was so shy that I could feel my ears red. “Okay! Thank you for your introductions, you may sit wherever you like.” The teacher instructed. 

Jake started to walk towards the seat that was vacant on the right side. There were only 2 vacant seats, one beside him and the other on the left. I looked at Michael, I know he can’t let me sit with him since he is together with John and there are only two seats per desk. I sat in the left seat. I would rather sit by myself than sitting together with Jack. “Hey! Are you okay there?” Michael asked softly. “I am.” I replied to him. He then nodded as a response and looked back at the front. 

“Okay all are set right?” The teacher asked the whole class. “Yes, teacher.” The whole class replied to her. I, who is new here, also answered. I looked at Jake’s direction. He was only looking down at his notebook and drawing something. “I wonder why he was transferred here to the Philippines. I think he is a smart boy though, judging by the way he acts and speaks, like Michael but he is only annoying in a different way.

“Today is just for orientation and I will discuss your subjects and goals this school year. After I discuss it here, you can do whatever you like. You can also find clubs you would like to join if you want. Besides, it is better to do that today because maybe the slots will be full tomorrow.” The teacher said to the whole class. The teacher looks so beautiful when she smiles. You can see the kindness in her. I wonder what her name is. “Before I start, I will introduce myself first since we have new students in this class. My name is Teacher Krystal, if you have questions, feel free to ask me.” The teacher said gently. So her name is Krystal. It matches her face though. 

It is not that I like her, it is just that she is really good when it comes to comforting her students so that we will not be scared of her. I wonder if Jake thinks like that with her. I turned to look at him again. “s**t!” I exclaimed. He was looking at me when I looked at him. “s**t!!! This is so embarrassing.” I said to myself. How could I let my guard down? I am so stupid. Why do I even keep on looking at him?” I asked myself.