• RULE NUMBER 01: Don’t show off. Stay low key.
• RULE NUMBER 02: Be yourself. Love your looks.
• RULE NUMBER 03: Learn to keep your promises.
• RULE NUMBER 04: Always be open for exceptions.
• RULE NUMBER 05: Never befriend anyone of they didn’t talk to you first.
• RULE NUMBER 06: Avoid being late.
• RULE NUMBER 07: Always list down the important details.
• RULE NUMBER 08: Never listen to Nathan’s nonsense statements.
• RULE NUMBER 09: Never date a guy.
• RULE NUMBER 10: Never speak any foul words.
• RULE NUMBER 11: Never believe in anyone.
• RULE NUMBER 12: Learn to apologize and forgive.
• RULE NUMBER 13: Learn how to wait patiently. There’s always a next time.
• RULE NUMBER 14: Never deny your bestfriend.
• RULE NUMBER 15: Never lie to your Mom.
• RULE NUMBER 16: Learn to
NATALIA CARTER –that’s my name. First of all, I want to clarify some things. This is not a diary. You can call it a journal or whatever it is that you want, just please... Spare me the word “diary.” That kind of name was for the girly girls, like some of my classmates. They talk and write to their diaries like it’s their secret keeper or like their life depends on it. Second, as I’ve told earlier, my name is Natalia, not Nathalia. Remove the H, please. I’m not your typical student, though I can’t also say that I’m unique. I’m just a normie teenager, and believe it or not, my story wasn’t just like the others. I’m not a nerd that falls in love with the bad boys. And here’s the reason why. My bestfriend, Nathan, is the nerd. Not me. Our parents are best of friends that’s why
SUMMER is ending, and that’s a fact. The moment that our new school year begins, it will be the end of our happy days and the start of our doom days. No more lazy stuffs, no more late night sleeps, and no more fun. That’s the meaning of summer’s ending for me. But the fact that we’re going to be a high school students hyped up everyone. They’re hoping that maybe it could be a new and fresh start for everybody. But their wrong. It could be the best, yeah. But it could also be our worst nightmare.“What are you thinking about?” Nathan asked me all of the sudden. We are currently walking in the park, him holding the leash of his dog while me licking a stick of popsicle.“Nothing... Just, you know. Thinking about the upcoming school year.”“Why? Are you excited?”“Nope. You wish.
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
HOW I wish Nathan and I would have the same classes together. Ever since our teacher started our class, I couldn’t bear to listen out of frustration. I badly wanted to see him, for I wasn’t used to being alone. I nearly jumped off of my seat as soon as the bell rings, indicating that classes were over and it’s time for us to have some lunch. That’s when I remembered Nathan’s promise. He’s gonna be there, he said. My rule number eleven was to never believed in anyone. But I break that one right now. For I knew that Nathan’s promises wasn’t meant to be broken. I was walking down the hallway when my gaze saw someone at the corner of my eyes. Tyler Smith and his gang. I didn’t know that much about him, and I don’t want to know either. He’s mysterious, yes, but I’m not a detective so I don’t care.
TODAY is the last day of the first week of school. It wasn’t that much but, it felt nice knowing that I could have some free time during the weekends. The passed few days gone very well than I expected. No problems and communication to any my classmates. As long as I stay low key, they wouldn’t mind me.“So, one of my friends told me that what if we change our hairstyle? Like some Hollywood actors or whatsoever,” Nathan stated, almost making me choke on my own food. We are currently at the Cafeteria, eating lunch together like what we always do. I’m very thankful to my bestfriend because he always finds some time to join me during our breaks. Even though he have some new friends, he still didn’t abandon me. Though sometimes, I felt surprised to the words coming from his mouth.“Where the heck on Earth did you get that worst idea? From your friends? Natha
FOR some reasons, I didn’t enjoy weekends like how I supposed to be. Maybe it’s because of the fact that I wanted to give this bracelet back to Freeda, hoping that I could make friends with her or something. But it wasn’t that easy, right after knowing that Tyler is following her around like some creepy stalker. “Hey, Nat! Did you even understand what I’m saying?” I came back to my senses, my mind suddenly focus onto the reality when I heard Nathan snaps his fingers. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” “I thought you wanted to watch some movies over my house later?” “Uhm... Maybe next time, Nat. I need to do something.” “And what exactly is that something, huh?” “Nothing...” He stared at me, causing me to become uncomfortable. That look in his eyes is urging me to tell him the truth. “What I mean is... School works, Nathan.” “Really? But our teachers doesn’t
JINX. I don’t know if that’s the proper word to describe my day... Or my whole life, maybe. Today is supposed to be the day I’ve been waiting for. It’s Freeda’s birthday, and she wanted me to come. Mom already let me go, just because I lied. I told her that I need to go there for a school project. And maybe that was the reason why I’m on my bed right now, laying with an aching head. Karma strikes that fast and bad. Now I got to add another rule on my manual, and that is, “Never lie to your Mom.” After denying my bestfriend, lying to my Mom, and wanting to be popular instead of being a goodie-goodie student, I can now conclude that I’m a sick person. And yes, that statement is both metaphorical and literal. I’m sick, literally. “Nat? Why aren’t you waking up? Are you going to school or what?” I heard my Mom shouted from the other side of the door. “Mom... I’m not feeling well...” I tried
IT’S been two days since I got this stupid fever. And ever since that day, I haven’t gone to school. Mom wanted to bring me to the hospital on my second day but I begged her not to. That’s why yesterday and the other day, Aunt Jessica came here to check me up. Luckily, she didn’t pursue Mom to bring me to the hospital. I don’t like going to school but I feel like I’ve missed a lot about it. I wanted to tell Aunt Jessica that I like to see Nathan, but every time that I tried to, I remember the last day that I saw him. He looked furious, and I don’t want him to visit me here looking mad. I feel guilty, not having a chance to apologize to my bestfriend. Also, I’m wondering what happened to Freeda’s birthday party. Did she tried to find me? Did she got worried when I haven’t gone to school? Or does she even care? I can’t help but to think about it. Maybe she’s mad at me becau
• RULE NUMBER 01: Don’t show off. Stay low key.• RULE NUMBER 02: Be yourself. Love your looks.• RULE NUMBER 03: Learn to keep your promises.• RULE NUMBER 04: Always be open for exceptions.• RULE NUMBER 05: Never befriend anyone of they didn’t talk to you first.• RULE NUMBER 06: Avoid being late.• RULE NUMBER 07: Always list down the important details.• RULE NUMBER 08: Never listen to Nathan’s nonsense statements.• RULE NUMBER 09: Never date a guy.• RULE NUMBER 10: Never speak any foul words.• RULE NUMBER 11: Never believe in anyone.• RULE NUMBER 12: Learn to apologize and forgive.• RULE NUMBER 13: Learn how to wait patiently. There’s always a next time.• RULE NUMBER 14: Never deny your bestfriend.• RULE NUMBER 15: Never lie to your Mom.• RULE NUMBER 16: Learn to
GRADUATION day. Today is the day that we all been waiting for, when we can finally be a college student... More like having another responsibilities but still, another journey where in we can proudly say that we survived high school, the most scary and unexpected part of our lives.“Ready? Come, I can’t wait to march and get my diploma on stage,” Nathan stated, before attempting to touch my hair.“Don’t! Do you know how many hours my Mom spent on my hair?” I asked him, and he chuckled.“You really wanted to look pretty, huh?”“Of course. This is the last time that we are going to see some of our classmates. Might as well leave a good impression on them.”“Whatever. You know that no matter what happens, you will always look beautiful for me,” he answered, before pinching my cheeks as he noticed that I am blushing. I p
“JUST follow me.” The two of us knocked on the door, before it swing opened, revealing my mother who immediately gave us a warm smile plastered on her face.“Hi, Nats. Why are you home so early? No celebration for the results of the exam, eh?”“Mom don’t listen to Nathan’s nonsense words,” warned her.“What are you talking about?”“This is not pure nonsense, Aunt. I’m here because I wanted to tell you something...”“And what is that, Nathan?”“I don’t want your daughter to be my best friend anymore. I want her to be more than that... I love your daughter, and I want her to be my girlfriend. So please, would you allow me to court her, please?” Nathan stated, making me and my mother gasped in shock.“You want my daughter to be your girlfriend?” my Mom asked him, and he immediately nodded, as
FEW days passed by. Today will be out final exam, yet I haven’t got the chance to talk to Nathan... Nor he ever did something to show signs that he wanted to spend some time with me as well... Alone. During our review sessions, I tried to act fine, knowing that the squad will keep on nagging us about our situation. But then, as time passes by, Nathan already realized that something is wrong, making him chase after me every single time that he will see me walking on the hallways of Jackson High. I tried my best to avoid him, but to no avail. He just keeps on following me, and I have no other choice but to talk to him just like what happened this morning.“Nat... Do you want us to have a great lunch together after the exams?” he asked me.“Uhm... Maybe. It depends how hard the exam is, Nathan.”“No endearment this time?” he asked me, and I shook my head in disapproval.“Nat is not an endear
WHEN the dance ended, the students came in circle around the bonfire, before the organizers have us two strings, one with the color of red and one with a color of blue. They wanted us to give the red color strings to the people we wanted to thank, and the blue one to the people we wanted to apologize to. The reflection began to start, and of course, Becca gave both of her strings to Scott, the same way that he did. Nathan and I chuckled to himself, watching the two of them nearly kiss. Nathan gave me his red string, while I gave him the blue one.“Thank you, Natalia. Thank you for being my best friend. And for not giving up on me. You made my high school so memorable.”“Aww... Here. Take my blue string. Sorry for everything. For not listening to you... For being too stubborn all the time. I’m always glad to have you as my best friend, Nathan.” He hugged me, and I di
TWO days passed by. We ran out of activities to do during our retreat, so the organizers decided to have a campfire night later on, during our last night in the retreat. Everything went fine, or so I thought. Because it seems like Freeda and her squad was unable to bully me became Nathan is always around, as well as Scott to Becca. I guess they will have to find a proper time to do something towards us.“Ready for the campfire later tonight? I heard that there will be dance and reflection in front of the bonfire later on,” Scott explained, sounding very excited.“Really? That would be great. Let us enjoy our last night together, alright?” Becca added, before taking a fries from my plate.“Well, seems like the two of you will be enjoying that bonfire activity later on,” Nathan mischievously answered, teasing them.“Let’s see. Maybe you will too, with Natalia.”“You&rsqu
AFTER we went home, Nathan left me in the doorstep without saying another word. I stood there, feeling sorry for myself because I didn’t even ask Nathan if he already forgive me or even thank him for taking me home. I sighed, before turning around to get inside. But just as I was about to, the door opened up.on it’s own, revealing my mother behind it who looked so surprised to see me.“Natalia... Dear, why are you home so late? It’s nearly six in the evening... We still have a dinner in your Aunt Jessica’s place.”“What?! In Nathan’s house?”“Yes. I forget to tell you about it yesterday. You two should spend some time together. So Jessica and I decided to have a sleepover there.”“But Mom...” I trailed off, thinking that she wouldn’t understand our complicated situation even if I try to explain it.“Come on. Just change your clothes and pa
“SCOTT! What happened? Have you two been captured as well?” I stood up, before asking him. The officers of the booth pushed them inside, together with us. Becca is frowning, as if she can’t believe that she needed to stay here with us.“Yes. I’m sorry for not answering your calls. I was about to follow Nathan to get the foils but then, those students catch me as if I’m doing something illegal.“Well, that’s how they go. Anyways, how long does we have to stay here?” Nathan asked the other students, and they chuckled.“Two hours at most, if you don’t have a friend to bail you out.” The four of us frowned, before sitting on the ground. We sat there, quietly. It felt awkward, being together again after a couple of months of being enemies with Becca. Scott tried calling some of his basketball teammates, and thankfully, one of them bail us ou
NATHAN came over my direction, glaring at me as if I was the one who did something wrong. I bit my lower lip, before wiping away my tears, not wanting him to see me being weak and vulnerable. After all, he is not my best friend anymore.“What’s your problem?!” he asked, as if questioning me.“Did you really come here just to ask me that?” I asked him back, my voice slightly breaking out.“Yes. You’re making a big deal out of picking colors for our booth. You are making me look like a bad person.”“Because you’re being one, Nathan! Why are you acting like a jerk all of the sudden? Is this because–”“This conversation is over.” He was about to walk away when I pulled his arm, not wanting him to go without finishing our conversation. He pulled his arms away from me, retrieving it while glaring upon my direction.