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*ding… ding… ding…* My favorite sound was the bell, it meant that I can give my full attention to reading. Today’s lunchtime was quite a delight for me, there were no distractions in my surrounding. My classmates usually flocked in my seat and have their chitchat. But since they were busy cramming their essay, they’re all facing their paper with pen in their hands.

We had to write down the things we’ve understood and lessons we’ve learned from the reading assignment. It was easy since I love reading, anyways.

 Right now, I’m reading ‘The Emperor’s Desire’(My Ma owns this book). She kept her books in their closet, but I discovered her secret stash about three months ago. 

People assumed that I’m a genius. A usual perception for people who loves reading. Well, I’d like to think so too, but my grades would beg to disagree. All of them were barely hanging on the passing mark or very slightly above it.

I flipped another page eager to discover what happened next. Only to be welcomed by the Emperor declaring his love for his sister. I wasn’t able to hide my disgust and said, “Ugh! I’m about to vomit. It’s so disgusting!”

“Umm… I’m sorry” said the raggedy-looking girl sitting next to me. She was scratching her scalp, completely ruining her ponytail. I knew her since we’ve been seatmates for quite some time now but I never got a chance to interact with her.

She had dark hair that looked slightly greasy in a low ponytail, dark eyebrows and lashes, with almond-shaped eyes that seemed to lack any kind of expression. Although her appearance looked disheveled, she actually looked pretty.

“Oh! I didn’t mean- I’m not talking about you. I meant the emperor,” pointing at the book I was reading. She eyed the book then back to me, still with a blank expression. “But you’re reading the ugly duckling?”

Only then, I remembered that I disguised my book with an ‘Ugly Duckling’ cover. So, I made a lame excuse.

 “Yeah. This is another version of ugly duckling where there is an emperor,” I calmly closed the book, and before she could answer, I already changed the topic. “So, do you want to have lunch together?”

 And that’s how I met my best friend Cali.

--

“Lin, look. Should I wear the blue headband or red?” Joseph said, alternating the headbands in his head to show me how they looked like.

“Red. It looks trendy and I like the flower design. ”

“Lin, do you think I should learn piano or violin? I like both, though,” Drey said.

“Violin. You have small hands plus violin is cheaper.”

“Lin, can I borrow your Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase?”

“Sure. I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

“I wonder if I have a chance with Joseph?” Annalyn asked.

“Nope. He just asked me what color of headband he would use.”

A usual scenery during lunchtime. My classmates and even students from other sections and grade levels came to me. If I collected a consultation fee for each person who came looking for me, I wouldn’t have to be frugal with my allowance.

“Hi, little girl. I’ll allow you to have lunch with us.” A girl with heavy makeup came up to my desk. She wasn’t alone. She’s with two more girls with the same get-up as hers. If I would predict their ages, they would be around the same age as my brothers.

“No, thank you. Already have a company,” I politely declined. Cali moved her desk closer to mine so that we can have lunch together.

“I see,” She scanned my best friend, who’s beside me. Then she spoke again “Surely, you want to be with a more presentable lunch mate,” she said with an arrogant look. It made my blood boil a little.

This wasn’t the first time people looked down on Cali. There were number of times I caught students giving her a second look and some side glances. The worst ones were like this girl in front of me— those who blatantly insult her.

Though Cali had improved a lot than when we first met— I encouraged her to practice basic hygiene, it was still apparent that she came from a below-average family. You can tell from her worn-out backpack, school uniform that was too big for her and its color has already faded, and her unpolished shoes.

“Oh, since you always eat with your brothers, you can tell them they can come with us,” she spoke again, finally showing her real intention.

Did she honestly think that I wouldn’t take notice of her sly ways? I’ve read too many books with girls like her.

“Sorry. I’m really not comfortable with strangers and so are my brothers.”

“Hey, how come a little girl like you is so impolite?” one of the girls at her back said loudly. By this time, my classmates had taken notice of our conversation.

I calmed myself down before I answered, “Weren’t you people were the ones being impolite here? The first offer may come out of goodwill. But if you kept on insisting, you’re just a nuisance.”

 “You!” shrieked the girl who insulted Cali. They walked out of our classroom with red faces.

“I wonder if their faces were red out of anger or embarrassment?” asked Cali rhetorically.

“Both, I guess.”

It was always me who got angry whenever someone insulted Cali. Just like today, she kept her cool and mouth tightly shut.

She took out her lunch box and sat on her chair. “You know, I’ve noticed that you’re really good with talking back. How’d you that?”

I smiled at her. “Read tons of books and you’ll know what to say after that.” Though, I must say that I should be the one asking her how she managed to keep calm all this time.

After that eventful lunch, my mind felt tired afterward. I couldn’t help but doze off during our Math and English period.

Just when I was about to start another battle inside my head whether I’ll sleep or be an upright student, the bell rang.