CHAPTER 2

Julia's POV

I'm standing in front of several unfamiliar and unknown people, which seem to be my new classmates, and I simply can not help but just be anxious. I haven't even had the chance to adjust to new surroundings, and it is even more unfashionable in our old school to introduce ourselves in front of everyone. Well, basically, I'll introduce myself since I'm new to this school and this sort of environment.

I was born and raised in Davao City, but my parents recently moved to Butuan City. As there is terrible stuff going on there, we moved to Butuan so had to put up with introducing ourselves to my new classmates.

I remember the new looks of my future classmates as I observe. I noticed that there are people who are really paying attention, and there are those who are merely looking at their cellphones or chatting with their friends and squad.

Couples are also involved; they're basically extremely affectionate, but I'm certain they won't stay long.

You'll also see others who seem tired. I scowled at the thought that they're already sleepy at the start of the day. Anyway, it was still too early, and when I do so, I'll be sleepy as well.

I also noticed a man in the back who kept on staring at the woman in front of him. I am particularly drawn to the man due to his thick, curly hair. A hairstyle that resembles Naruto's but is curly.

I enjoyed observing my classmates, As I stared at the man next to the thick-curly haired man,

I guess his surname is Anderson, as per Mrs. David. I'm not sure why, however, there seems to be some other figure with this guy. I sense something strange inside of myself, as well as the fact that he appears to be sad.

I'm not sure, but I believe I feel the same way he feels. Even though the situation is different, we all go through the same pain. I'm sure he'll go over everything.

When he glanced at me, all I did was smile at him, hoping that my smiles would catch him. I could tell he was only avoiding his sight, but I could tell he was smiling.

He is, however, adorable when he smiles.

"You may sit down, Julia," Mrs. David remarked. "You can seat beside, Queen Esther Cortez. That's the only seat left," Mrs. David said and the place where I will sit is in front of Anderson.

When Queen waved at me, I smiled and strolled over to my seat to arrange my things, "Hello, Julia! I am guessing you already know who I am. You know, you're quite lovely. How to be like you?"

I let out a small chuckle. She is very beautiful, and I see my best friend Lyn in her, "Not a chance. Actually, you're rather beautiful too though."

She's really beautiful, I swear. She's a brunette hottie, and the man behind her teases her all the time, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like her. I sense something like that in his eyes that says that he wants her to pay more attention to him.

This guy obviously loves her. I am not an expert, but I know how to feel.

Mrs. David abruptly called Queen again and told her, "After all, you'll be Julia's seatmate, therefore you'll take care of her. Assist her in knowing the rules and giving her a tour of the campus."

Queen smiled and nodded "Ma'am, yes! It's really no problem!"

"Thank you very much, Queen. Till next time, class!" Everyone bid goodbye to the departing teacher at the same time, the thick-curly haired man approached Queen,

"Queen! Do not encourage Julia to follow in your steps. Perhaps, I may discover she's already kicking and punching anybody."

Queen was taken aback and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! What a shame! Isn't it correct someone had a would on his lip last Tuesday? What's that person's name again?"

The curly-haired man turned around, he said, "I am not punching and kicking anyone, and I am not fighting either. Promise! I've just hit on something."

"Whatever. I wasn't even asking."

"It's up to you, you're a real prick," the curly-haired man replied, turning to me and saying, "Welcome Julia. My name is King, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's also great to meet you, King."

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

"This is the gymnasium?" As we strolled around the Junior High Building, I asked.

"Yes. This is where the basketball players always train," Queen responded, pointing to the field. "Especially now that the Championship match is approaching and the practices are intensifying. The PE Hall for seventh through tenth grades is located on the opposite side of the gym."

"There's also a cheerleading team at school," she added as I was about to walk away.

When I just heard that, I smiled, but it faded as soon as I remembered the unpleasant incident before.

"I'd want to ask," she continued, "what clubs have you previously joined?" Could it be you're a member of the Science Club? Or dance club? Cheerleading?"

I stopped and pondered. I was going to say my clubs, but I just shook my head. I really don't want to bring up the issue of the past.

"I didn't want to be a part of all that, so I didn't. I'm a timid person."

As though she doesn't believe what I'm saying, she chuckles "Please, don't be such a liar! When I mentioned cheerleading, it was as if someone else was with you. Wasn't it the whole time you were part in that as well?"

"Actually, yes," I admitted, blushing slightly. "But it's not all." In addition, "I am one of the Team Captains. My boyfriend is the team captain for the basketball team. He claims to be my ex-boyfriend now."

"I told you so! It'll be a pity if you don't proceed. Talk to Kate Collins if you want to join the team. She's also the Team Captain here, which is crucially significant now they're recruiting new people."

"I don't want to join it," I remarked, shaking my head. "I'll only remember my ex-boyfriend there and I am moving on,"

"Also Queen, I hope this stays between us," I said and she giggled. As I walked through the gate, I added, "I don't really want to bring up about it though."

"Sure! My lips are sealed," She acts like a zip-your-mouth approach, "Where do you live? I'll give you a ride into your home."

"Oh, you're already driving?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yes, indeed. When I turned eighteen, my father got me a car. Let's get started. I already have a driver's license, so let's go."

"I appreciate that, but I'm fine. I'll be picked up by Mom. I still haven't figured out how to get home."

"That's all right. Take care! I'll see you on Monday!" She said her goodbyes and walked away.After hearing the familiar horn, I went inside the car. "Hi, mom!" I kissed her on the cheeks.

"Hello there, sweetheart. How was the first day so far?"

"It's fine, and I've made some new friends," I said, nodding. "Where is Shan?" I asked my Mom, looking at the back of the car and the back of the car at the same time.

"He was left at home. Your father is there and Shan appears to be napping, so I put him to sleep first. I don't want Shan to feel tired tonight."

I rolled my eyes and recalled my argument with Mom yet again. We were on the verge of a fight solely because we were going to have dinner with our new neighbor tonight.

I don't want to go with Shan because he is only three months old, so staying at home is better.

I can not do anything no matter what I am doing. She is my mother, and I have no resentment towards her.

I am used to arguing with my Mom since I am the one that is responsible for what I have done. She has lost trust in me.

She went on to say that her new friend had a son too though. I don't mind if it looks hot. But it's fine; at the very most, I may have started a new friend.

We got out of the car as I didn't even realize we'd arrived at our destination. "Get dressed, and get Shan ready, because we're going to meet Jonalyn at six o'clock at night," Mom said as I headed inside.

I walked into my room and changed into a formal dress. I also added some makeup on my face, and after that, I fixed Shan's outfit.

Our houses are just next to each other, so we were able to get in to their house that fast, "What's up, you've got a grimace on your face? Can you at least smile?" Mother said to us, and Dad couldn't help but smile.

"Oh, good you have come," Aunt Jonalyn and her husband appeared. My Mom was welcomed cheerfully by Aunt Jonalyn, and the two embraced, "Judy, please take my warmest greeting. My hubby's name is Jonathan."

"It's nice to finally meet you. This is Immanuel, my husband."

Dad greeted Jonathan and Jonalyn, saying, "Great to meet you." I observed Uncle Jonathan glancing at Shan with me as they exchanged pleasantries.

"Are these your children?" Uncle Jonathan had asked. He continued to smile at each of us.

"Yes. Shan is our youngest child, and Julia is our eldest," I greeted the two of them and waved as Mom introduced us.

"Good evening, Uncle and Aunt. It's great to finally meet you."

"This young lady is quite sweet. It's also a pleasure to meet you. My son is upstairs, and I also have a two-year-old daughter."

"Come on, let's go inside and see if the food on the table seems to be warm," Uncle said, yet we all followed.

The elegance of their home. Our house has the same design and type as ours, however it is more lovely and spacious here. "Baby Shan would be in the room first, so he can rest; it also has air conditioners."

I followed Aunt Jonalyn into a bedroom. The room was also big, and I noticed a kid sleeping. "Just lay him down on the bed," she said and I agreed.

After putting Shan to rest in the single bed, I went downstairs and stayed with my parents in the living area. Aunt Jonalyn eventually joined with their son on the drop. Once I realized that he must be my classmate who is Anderson, I was flabbergasted.

"This is John, my son," says the mom. Aunt Jonalyn welcomed us and her son, "Here are the Avery family, John. These are a lovely couple, your Aunt Judy and Uncle Immanuel are here to greet you. lovely daughter -"

"Julia," John interrupted his mother. Before he said my identity, I was caught off guard and my heart skipped a beat. Did he remember me?

"Did you guys know each other?" Uncle Jonathan asked from the dining room as if he had overheard our conversation.

"Not by a long shot. She is just a new classmate who arrived earlier," He replied with a shrug as if he didn't really care.

"It's extremely lucky that my daughter already knows someone," says my mother. They all chuckled as Mom muttered as if she'd been very pleased. I sighed and subconsciously rolled my eyes.

"Come on, let's eat," she says. We entered the dining room and took a seat. Aunt Jonalyn prayed first, then began to eat.

We continue to discuss academics and everything until they bring up a topic relevant to their life. They talked about themselves, which is completely bland and uninteresting.

John suddenly tapped me on my shoulders, I immediately turned my attention towards him, "Are you willing to go out with me? Let's go for a stroll and I'll show you around the town." I nodded and advised him first to seek permission from my mother, as she might not allow me to leave.

"I hate to intrude, but I'll just ask for everybody's permission if it's okay for us to just go out," John said, drawing everyone's notice to him. "I mean, since it's just 7:00 p.m., I can just go around and show her out. Is everything all good with it?"

My Mom and I exchanged glances, and he turned to my father, asking for his approval. I saw he nodded, and Mom agreed as well.

"Alright, as long as you don't have much more than ten p.m., you should be good. It's a curfew, too," Aunt Jonalyn concurred.

We immediately stepped away from the dining table when I realized I needed to check on Baby Shan, "Let me check on Shan. He is in your sister's room."

"Sure, I'll come along with you. Faith is the name of my sister." When I heard her name, I smiled. Faith is a truly lovely name.

We headed upstairs and into his sister's room together, where I found the two of them still sleeping. Faith, in particular, has a charming look.

Aunt Jonalyn told us that she is a gifted child. She is only two years old, yet her acts are the same as a five-year-old as if she has matured as a two-year-old.

I saw John glanced at me when I looked at him. When we both stared, there seemed to be some kind of electricity flowing, which I find weird.

Everything seemed to freeze on until Shan started to cry, at which point I realized what had happened. I pulled him up and carried him to a comfortable position "Shhh. It's okay, honey; I'm here."

He didn't stop crying so I look over John, "Come on, John, I'll take him to my Mom first, he seems to be thirsty."

He smiled and nodded, "That's all fine. I'll be waiting for you."

We left the room, but I noticed how sheepishly he smiled as he walked away.