Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Fern

I was busy scanning my notes in a way that I can review it easily if there will be a quiz. I can't imagine that the first day is so tough already. Our recent three teachers discussed all the first lessons of their subject. They will be sending us online assessments for the said discussions. Good thing that my classmates are easy to talk to and approachable. They have already created and added me to the group chat exclusively for our section. I also knew some of their names based on the introduction part a while ago on the Business Math subject. This is the typical first day, so boring. Last one subject is remaining before the break time. I chatted with Sera again about what her first day was like but she didn't reply. She's also offline too.

I got my highlighter and was about to highlight a certain word on my notes when suddenly someone grabbed it. I glanced at it and saw the cutie guy holding my highlighter. 

"Why so serious? You should at least relax and breathe!" He smiled, making his eyes smile too. He handed me the highlighter again and I just put it back on my bag.

I just leaned on my chair, sighed and looked at him, "It was so boring. I can't do anything rather than picking up my phone, read--"

"Then eat." I stopped and looked at him getting a snack from his bag. It was a biscuit rather. "Eat this, it's my favorite biscuit." he said and held my hand, putting the biscuit on it.

"I will just buy it later, you should have it." I replied and offered to get it back.

He just smiled, resting his chin on his hand and placing his elbow on his desk. He started to look at me intently. "You're beautiful."

My eyes grew wider and chuckled. "You're changing the topic. You should get this and eat it yourself. It's your favorite, don't bother giving it to me." 

"I have many supplies of that in my house, eat it now." he simply replied and just looked at me smiling.

 I just shrugged it off and started to eat the biscuit he gave. Oh, it's sweet. I glanced at him again and smiled, "Thank you."

"No problem, gorgeous." I almost rolled my eyes because of his words. If only Patry is like this, I'm sure I'll be very happy and not be sleeping thinking of those words again and again.

I saw his brows creased and crossed his arms, "You're always ordering at the tea hub and also at the pizza parlor?"

I just gave him a nod. "The tea hub is our favorite spot with my bestfriends and the pizza parlor is just a few walks from our house."

He slowly nodded and offered his hand, "I'm Fern Hugo Javier."

"I heard it a while ago. I remember your name." I replied and shook his hands. "Kira May Lucas here."

He scratched his head. "I'm a working student. So I'm sorry if I get to sleep and not be able to wake up easily when the teacher comes." 

I finished the biscuit and smiled, "No worries. I'll be the one to wake you up everytime. Being a working student is a tough responsibility and I'm sure your parents are proud of you." 

He smiled and leaned on his chair. The classroom became quiet as our teacher entered and put his things on the teacher's table. As usual, another subject equals another lesson. I just spent the entire time writing some notes and listening to the teacher. I glanced beside me and saw Fern looking so sleepy again. Maybe work and discussions make him so sleepy?

Time passed until our vacant time came. I poked Fern's arms and try to shake him. "Wake up, it's eating time."

He immediately sat straight. He looked at me then faintly smiled. "Okay, gorg." 

We headed to the canteen and to my surprise, I saw Patry talking with his friends walking and was about to pass me when he caught my gaze. I smiled and waved at him.

His friends also stopped and looked at me and Patry. They smiled at me while I saw Patry looking at Fern beside me and back at me then rolled his eyes. He walks away and his friends follow. I saw them exit the canteen and I just sighed. 

"You know him?" Fern asked me. I gazed at him, smiled while nodding. We bought our foods and find a table. He started to ask about Patry and I just laughed it off.

"Is he your brother?" he asked again.

I shook my head and replied, "My best friend's brother."

He nodded and looked at me intently. "There's something I want to know but I'm not going to ask you about it now."

Looks like he caught my stares a while ago. But I'm definitely sure that he's also doubting it. It's somewhat impossible for me to like someone who is younger than me. He just looks like my brother, well he looks mature but not that obvious to say he's older than me. Anyway, he's Patry, he's pretty hot, and I like him. Too hot and cold to handle.

"By the way, Fern," I started. He looked at me. "What do you do everyday? Do you have work later?"

"My employer gave me the weekdays to spend my time learning and the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, they are my working days."

I gasp, "So you mean. . ."

His smile seems faded, "Yes, kinda tiring. But, I have no choice."

I sipped on my soda and leaned on my chair. "You live with your parents? Or independent? If you don't mind?"

He chuckled and ruffled my hair which made me pouted. "I live with my Mom and two siblings. I'm the eldest and my Mom doesn't have work because she has some heart issues that prevent her from doing so. I just let her stay at home with my brother and sister. Definitely, I'm the one who insists on being a working student to help my family sustain and survive."

That's really tough. Should I ask about his father also? No.

He leaned on the table and looked at me which made me stop, "He left us when I was 8. I don't care about him anymore, that's a given right?" he laughed and I just stared at him.

People sure have different issues in life and all that we should do is to be sensitive. Maybe some people felt complete, some did not. That's the reality and we should at least respect it.

"Hey, Kira..." My gaze switched to Sera who just came and held her food in a tray. I smiled and gave her a space to sit beside me.

She gazed at me then looked at Fern and back at me again. Okay, I know what she's thinking.

"Fern, meet my best friend, Sera. Sera, he's Fern. My seatmate." She nodded and began to eat her food. Fern also nodded and smiled at Sera.

I was about to finish my meal when Fern stood up and scratched his head. "I gotta go and leave you girls here. I have something to look at in the Library."

"Okay, see you in the room later." I replied and smiled at him. He smiled back and winked at me then turned his back on me.

Sera poked me. "What was that? Have you known each other since then?" She's referring to Fern's actions. I can tell that we have looked like close friends since earlier for being so comfortable.

"He's the cashier boy in the tea hub and the pizza parlor near our house." I replied and her eyes widened. 

"That is so amazing! He's so responsible at this age." She replied and took a bite on her sandwich.

I wiped my mouth and nodded. "He's so kind too."

She began to eat her food and I just let her eat peacefully. I roamed my eyes and it automatically stopped when I saw Patry entering the canteen again with his friends. The butterflies in my stomach began to rumble when I saw his sly smile. If the time comes that he will not be annoyed by me, can I ask for his wide smile? Oh, I should buy a camera! So I can capture some photos of him and stare at him when I get home.

"You know what, Kira? I wonder sometimes if Patry's studying because I saw him at our house, always playing games." I heard Sera stated.

I smiled while still looking at Patry. Now, he's sitting a lil too far from our table. "Did he excel in class last year? Included in the top list?" 

"Yes, seventh. And please, have pity on your neck." I immediately turned to Sera and to my surprise, I heard a crack on my neck. "Aww!" I groaned and massaged my neck.

She laughed and wiped her mouth using tissue. "I told you! Don't be so exaggerated and just focus first on loving yourself, okay?"

I slowly turned to where Patry was but then I only saw his friends. Where did he go?

She heaved a sigh and I gaze at her. "My schedule changed. We can't be together later when classes are over."

"It's okay. I can handle myself." I gave her a smile and drank my water after.

We hugged and parted ways when the vacant time was over. I returned to my classroom and saw Fern who's sleeping again. Some of my classmates greeted me when I entered the room. I talked with them for a few minutes before returning to my seat. We talked about our past schools or where we came from, introduced ourselves, and shared so much laughter. They're so kind as well. I think as the time goes by, I'll be comfortable with them. Mostly now in senior highschool, teachers might be grouping us for some activities related to the subject matter. It's good for us to develop more social and communicative skills. In the business industry, we might be talking about how to communicate with some of our investors, employees, employers, even bosses, or co-workers. Senior highschool really is a stepping stone to college.

Our teacher came and didn't notice Fern as he continued to discuss the subject matter. I am hiding my laugh and trying to derive my attention, to be honest. Two subjects have passed and until the last subject, Fern's still sleeping. Last row seems to be the safest haven for the sleep-deprived students. 

"Goodbye, class dismissed." The last subject teacher said and left the room.

Everyone began to stretch themselves and left the classroom to go home. I also fixed my things and prepared myself to go home. I almost jumped when my eyes caught Fern who's now awake and looking at me.

"You should have just talked at least! Don't scare me like that!" I said while laughing. 

He pouted, "You should at least wake me up a while ago. I think I missed the lessons." 

"Yes, you have missed it all."

He scratched his head and got his bag. I also stood up and walked towards the door to leave the room. I noticed him following and walking beside me while we made our way towards the gate. 

"I have a question to ask, Kira." he said which made me look at him. "Hmmm?"

"Is it right to be a working student? You see, I work in two working areas at a time and I can't prevent myself from sleeping during class hours. I think I'm just wasting my time here."

I stopped and smiled at him. "You know, if you can't handle two or more responsibilities at a time, it's okay to rest. It's always your right to say 'no' to anything that might be bothering you in consequence. You're a human, not a robot. You should at least prioritize your health because it might affect your future."

"So you're saying that I should stop studying?"

"No, I'm saying that you still can rest in class hours. I'll be the one to help you with notes and we'll be reviewing together. Don't be too hard on yourself. I know your family expects so much from you. It’s the reality." 

He gave me a wide smile and to my surprise, he hugged me. I just tapped his back and laughed. He moved away and clung his arms surrounding my shoulders.

"Gosh! You're taking advantage of my height!" I squealed and he just laughed it off.

He offered to accompany me back home but I declined. I'm really sure he has many things to deal with in his home and I don't want to be his burden as a friend. Yes, I have a friend now! I'm going to tell this to my parents. Your daughter is friendly and nice at school! LOL.

I decided to ride a tricycle and get on the way to my house. We safely reached and gave a tip to the driver who was very kind. He left and I was about to unlock my gate when a strong blow of wind passed my back. It triggered me to look on my backside and roamed my eyes, making me see nothing but a peaceful path. I unlocked the gate and locked it again when I'm inside. 

Maybe the weather's nice, so the wind is blowing that strong?