CHAPTER 03: First Day Of School

         FIRST day of school, it was a total hell. First, Nathan and I got late because of that very simple and unacceptable reason... We woke up late. Our school bus didn’t wait for our lazy ass and it just left without even asking our parents if we are ready or not. Aunt Jessica was left with no choice but to drive us all the way to school.

“Bye, Mom! See you later! Love you!”

          I almost cringe as I saw how Nathan kissed his Mom’s forehead. I find it sweet but I didn’t let him see that, of course. Aunt Jessica waved at me and I did the same. 

          Nathan and I got inside of our new school, Jackson High. I was fascinated by the towering buildings and stuffs, causing my adrenaline to hyped up that fast. I excitedly pulled Nathan, him looking shocked at what I just do.

“Look!” I pointed at every little pretty things that I saw. 

          Thinking that Nathan and I will spent almost half of a decade in here makes me feel really excited. Nathan just looked at me in disbelief, amused at my reaction.

“I thought you weren’t excited, Nat?” he asked.

 

“Rule number four, there’s always an exception! Look! I can’t believe that we are going to spent a fair amount of time in here, everyday! For almost five fuck–”

“Watch your language!” he put his index finger on my lips, breaking down my sentence.

         I scratched my head unconsciously. I was ashamed of what I just did. I almost curse, and that was all the way in my manual’s rule number ten... Never to speak any foul words.

“Sorry... I whispered shyly.”

          He just smiled at me before we continue to roam around our new school. We didn’t have that much time because the opening ceremony already starts for this school year. And because we are freshmen, missing some of their important announcements would have a big impact on our lives in here.

“We will continue scanning this place tomorrow, Nat. I promised. Stop pouting, please.”

         I was dumbfounded when I realized that he noticed what I was doing. Yeah, I was partially sad because we were late and we haven’t had enough time to saw everything today... But that’s fine. As long as I’m with my bestfriend.

          We fall in line in front of our flagpoles, waiting for the national anthem to be sung by everyone. After we finished everything, our principal, Mr. Eliseo Jackson, started his speech about some random announcements while also welcoming all the freshman students this year. 

         Honestly, I didn’t know anyone in our batch except Nathan. The rule number five on my manual was, “Never gets too attached to anyone, except Nathan.” After a few moments, I tried to revised it on my brain, silently thinking about it. Finally, I found a perfect replacement for that. Rule number five is going to be, “Never befriend anyone if they didn’t talk to you first.”

          After Mr. Jackson’s lengthy speech, Nathan instantly went to me from the guys’ line. I saw him talking to some of them but it didn’t bother me that much because I know that I’m the only real friend he has. Yes, he often talks to everyone as a form of “fun” but he only labeled them as acquaintances, not friends.

“Hey...” I greeted him.

“So, are we going to get our schedules or what?” he asked.

“Of course we are. I don’t wanna be late for our classes. Lesson learned, don’t be late, Nat... And oh, I’ll add that to my list. Rule number six, avoid being late.”

“Well, it’s better to be late than nothing, right?” he asked, chuckling to himself.

“I don’t really know how did you survived middle school.” I rolled my eyes on him.

“It’s called, ‘go with the flow techniques and skills.’ Do you know what does it mean? Or do you want me to define it for you?”

“No thanks,” I whispered as I scribbled something into my hand using my pen.

“What are you doing?” he asked curiously.

“Uhm... Writing? Isn’t it obvious?”

“I know you’re writing, Nat. I’m just wondering why do you need to use your hands instead of papers and why are you writing in the middle of our conversation.”

“It’s for my manual, you know. So that I wouldn’t forget about the rules that I came up earlier. It’s better to be safe than sorry. And also, I got rule number seven, ‘Always list down the important details.’ That one was good, right?” I asked.

“Maybe. Though I’m not that fond in listing down the you know, important stuffs.”

“Rule number eight, never listen to Nathan’s nonsense statements.”

“Whoah. That’s bad.”

          I laughed before dragging him behind me into the school office. I already saw it earlier, and I’m pretty sure that it was in this way. My sense of direction wasn’t that bad after all, because after a few minutes, we finally reached our destination.

           Nathan and I lined up behind those students who arrived earlier than us here in order to get their schedule sheets. After some minutes of waiting, I finally grabbed a hold of my schedule copy. Nathan also got his.

          We put our sheets beside each other, trying to compare which subjects do we have the same class. But to my dismay, nothing. Literally nothing. Nathan and I doesn’t have a same class together, even just one. He looked at me with his worried eyes before saying anything.

“What now?” he asked.

“I don’t know...” I trailed off, feeling nervous.

“Are you gonna be alright there alone? Don’t worry, I’m gonna meet with you during every lunch breaks and such...” I just nodded, trying to look tough in front of him.

“Of course I can take care of myself!” I tried to smile confidently towards him.

“Then good. So... I’m going to my classes now. Good luck, Nat.”

“Thanks. You too.”

          He glanced at me once more before he started to walk away towards the opposite direction. As he vanished into my sight, I felt my heart throbbed in nervousness. How will I go through the day without my bestfriend now?

“Well I guessed it just you and me now, my manual,” I whispered to myself.