Linked Hearts

STOMACH IN, CHEST OUT, and ignore the noise. I have to make sure that I'd be the one to stand out araw-araw sa eskwelahan namin kung saan lahat ng estudyante ay palaban. I flipped my auburn wavey hair that fell up to my shoulder as I continued walking past the students who kept on taking glances at me from head to toe. I could hear some girls admiring my outfit of the day — a dark pink leather jacket with a white tube inside, a leather skirt for the bottoms, and lastly, a high-knee cut for my shoewear. My name is Claire Saddie Dela Vega. I am very well-known at school as 'Claire' and I built myself quite a reputation — the leader of the cheerleading team, a top achiever in class, and the muse of our school, Evergreen Heights High. Maganda ang reputasyon ng Evergreen Heights High kaya naman kilalang-kilala ito sa amin. The teachers could teach well, maganda din ang ambiance ng school grounds, classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, and music room. Ang maganda din sa Evergreen Heights High ay napapalibutan ito ng mga puno kaya naman presko ang hangin sa paligid. Malawak ang school grounds kung saan kadalasan ginaganap ang mga school events kagaya ng Sports Fest, Foundation Day, Graduation Ceremony at JS Prom. The only problem with this school is the students who kept bashing me. My achievements and social status made some bitter and made others inspired. Alam ko na may sinasabi ang iilan tungkol sa akin kapag nakatalikod ako kahit na wala naman akong ginagawa na masama at kahit na hindi ako nanghihila pababa. Sure, I am quite competitive but I'm not the type who would drag others down. Kulang nalang yata ay ang mainis sila na humihinga pa ako. I never stepped on others just to get what I wanted. I am not that low. I tried not to pay attention to those haters and only focused on other people's kind words. Sabi nga nila, we are not everyone’s cup of tea which is true. But honestly, not paying attention to other people’s remarks and unkind words was never my strong suit. As much as possible, I was trying to not let their words get through to me. But there’s this part of me who wanted my name to be cleaned from the false accusations and prove them wrong. Aminado akong may attitude ako but who doesn't? People tend to forget that humans have both negative and positive personalities. Humans are flawed. Very flawed. And this trait is one of the traits that I didn’t want to have, so I am trying my best to get rid of it. Mabuti na lang, mayroon akong isang matalik na kaibigan na hindi nakikinig sa sinasabi ng ibang tao tungkol sa akin. As long as may kaibigan ako na ganon, I guess, I’m all good. Her name is Jessica Abad. Siya ang bestfriend ko since first year highschool. We were both in our last year of highschool at ilang buwan nalang, matatapos na din kami sa highschool, sa wakas. Sadly, magkakahiwalay na kami ni Jessica dahil after ng graduation, pupunta siya sa Canada para mag-aral ng college. Lihim akong napa buntong-hininga dahil dun. Lost in thoughts, I heard Jessica's voice calling my name which made me stop in my tracks and turned around to face her. “Claire!” As usual, her brown eyes glimmered in joy as she kept on waving her arms up in the air at me. Napakamasayahing tao ni Jessica at bihira mo lang siyang makikita na nakasimangot. Unlike me, Jessica is very simple. Kagaya ngayon, her long brown hair was tied up in a bun and she was wearing a simple t-shirt and simple jeans. Pero kahit na simple ang suotan niya, kayang-kaya niyang dalhin ng walang ka effort effort. “Jessie!” Hinintay ko siya hanggang sa nakarating na siya sa tabi ko at sabay na kaming naglakad papunta sa classroom namin. While we were walking, I could feel that the people’s attention was on us and I was loving every bit of it. Hindi ko napansin na napapangiti na pala ako, kung hindi pa sinabi sa akin ni Jessica. “Hoy, ngingiti-ngiti ka nanaman diyan na parang loka loka!” Jessica remarked as she nudged me by my shoulder. “Ganyan talaga ‘pag hindi kumukupas ang ganda at kapag sikat ka.” I responded with a shrug and slightly smirked. “Sus, pustahan tayo. In future, kukupas din ‘yang pagiging sikat mo.” I looked at her in disbelief. “Ako? Kukupas ang pagiging sikat? Can't see that happening.” “Aba! Baka nakakalimutan mo na mag-aaral ka sa Starlight University sa college. Balita ko, mga tao dun ay puro sikat. Puwede mong mahanap ang katapat mo at malaos doon.” “So? I don't care. Mahihigitan ko pagka-sikat nila, you'll see,” sabi ko. “I’ll be like Bridgette Florence. Model na, fashionista tapos popstar pa. Single but successful. Hindi na kailangan ng boys.” “Hindi ko ma-measure ang level ng self-confidence mo, bestie,” sabi niya. “idol mo talaga ‘yun, ano?” “Of course! Who wouldn’t love that celebrity? ” Natawa nalang siya ng bahagya. We were having a great conversation as we laughed until we reached the second floor and began walking through the hallway. Habang naglalakad kaming dalawa, may dalawang estudyante na tumakbo who "accidentally" bumped into me. I stumbled a little but was able to regain my composure quickly. “Whoa, watch where you're going!” I called out to that student. Alam ko na sadya 'yun dahil naramdaman ko kung paano niya itinima ang balikat niya sa balikat ko. Buti't hindi ako lampa kaya hindi ako napatumba agad. “saka, hindi ba, against the rules ang pagtakbo sa hallway?” “Ugh, look at her. Pabibo nanaman.” tinignan ko ng masama ang nagsabi 'non saka siya nanahimik. Akala ko, okay na pero biglang may isa pang nagsalita, and the others followed. Were they ganging up on me? Definitely. It has always been this way. Pero marunong akong lumaban dahil nasanay and immune na ako sa ganitong sistema. I marched up to the group of students who gave nasty remarks and folded my arms together under my chest. “Excuse me? Are you talking about someone who only follows the rules and regulations?” “Ano ka? Tatakbong presidente? Why do you always have to show-off kapag may chance?” narinig kong sabi ng arch nemesis ko mula sa likod ko. I spun my heels to face her. “Penelope…” She faked a smile. “If you think that, that will make you rise, you are wrong. As long as nandito ako, hindi ka agad-agad makaka-akyat.” then she flipped her long blonde hair. I rolled my eyes at her. Kung may long-time friend ako, mayroon din akong long-time rival and that is no other than Penelope Vazquez. I must admit that she's not that bad. She got the beauty and brains at the same time, the bitterness in her heart. Thankfully, she's not going to Starlight University kaya hindi ko siya makakasama kapag natanggap na ako. No Penelope, no problem. Until then, I have to endure her. Kaya lang naman siya ganyan sa akin ay dahil kay Carl, ang taong gusto niya, na ako ang gusto for a very long time. Carl is fine but he's not my type. If she wants Carl, she can have him. “Okay, Penelope, it's too early to fight. Saka, imbes na mang-away ka diyan, bakit hindi mo nalang sawayin ang mga estudyante na tumatakbo sa hallway? Tutal, tambay ka naman ng hallway, hindi ba?” She stepped closer and glared at me. Pero hindi ako nagpatinag at pumirmi lamang sa lugar ko habang binibigyan siya ng masamang tingin. “Don’t you dare boss me around,” sabi niya ng mariin. Biglang tumahimik ang paligid, at ramdam ko ang titig ng mga estudyante sa aming dalawa. “Then do yourself a favor, and be a great and reputable student,” sagot ko ng seryoso. “kung tama lang ang ginagawa mo, tingin mo, ica-call out ko ang atensyon mo?” “Wala kang karapatan. Hindi naman ikaw ang presidente o ang hall monitor, hindi ba?” pangbawi niya. “Well at least I am trying to be a good student,” sabi ko. “hindi kagaya mo na hinaharass ang babaeng kinakainggitan mo.” “Excuse me? Me? Jealous of you?” she laughed sarcastically. “Don’t make me laugh, Claire. Ano ang dapat kong pagselosan sa’yo?” — she looked at me from head to toe. — “I’m like, a hundred times better than you!” “Oh, sorry, I should have been more precise,” I smirked at her and continued. “You’re envious of me because I am the girl who Carl loved the most.”