Above Cloud Nine

Kamilla's POV "Hey! You're so bad! I am not done with you yet! hey!" I shouted as I chased someone who got my last bill for this day. That was the last fifty-peso bill that I am reserving for myself. For my fair. For my meal and everything for today. And yes, it was gone right away because it was snatched from me just now. I tried to keep up my pace like that of the thief but he's faster. Sometimes, I am hating how short my legs are, most especially at this kind of epic timing. I almost gasped for air but the one I am chasing is already gone from my sight. I tried stopping myself from crying but I feel like today is totally unlucky. Earlier, I only got five out of ten items on that quiz that our teacher gave us. I never reviewed anything and she surprised us with that. Remembering all the unfortunate events that I've been through today, I want to collapse or vanish for good. One girl came into my mind from all of these thoughts. I can't help but to raise my eyebrows. I think even her name annoyed all of my senses all of a sudden. Elizabeth Rose Guirre. Our transferee who came all the way from America. She's half-Filipino, half-American. From the very first time our teacher introduced her to all of us, everyone was in awe. She stood in front, oozing with confidence with the way she dressed and smile to all of us. One thing that intimidate me was her face. I can say her beauty is striking. I can compare it to Gal Gadot, the one who played the role in the movie, "Wonder Woman". "Hello everyone. I am so happy to meet all of you here. Thank you for the warm welcome. Hope I will be friends to all of you." She said, never letting her smile fade away from her beautiful face. I rolled my eyes as I mimicked what she said using my mouth. There's something in her that really caught my attention but I don't exactly know what is that. I don't think she's kind or what. For me, she's plastic and a 'too-good-for-everyone' type of girl. I knew a lot of people trying to be kind and yet the truth is, they are mean and evil deep inside. I think she has that attitude. A part of me doesn't like her at all even if she appeared to be very kind to my other classmates. In fact, after her introduction, a lot of my close friends flocked to her and shook hands with her. They look very excited in welcoming Elizabeth that they forgot that I am also existing. I am not really used to being left out, but I think it is slowly happening now. I sighed as I wiped my tears using my hands. Irritated and sad at the same time, I almost stomped my feet as I am nearing one of the benches to the mini-forest that's located at the heart of our school. It's the only place where I could destress. It's the quietest place for the record. This is only the place where I find my solitude if I am sad or I am not in the mood for anything. Our mini-forest has many trees that surrounds the concrete benches and tables. There are also students who loves to hang out to this place because the coolness of the trees produces a calming effect. However, it is never taking effect on me right now. sat down to one of the vacant tables feeling disappointed and down. I bit my lip as I tapped my cheeks with both hands looking at the many students going to and fro. I decided to get my book inside my bag and I started to scan some pages. However, no matter how I try to study or know what I am reading, I am ending up with a problematic sigh. "Hello." Somebody greeted me as she stood in front of me. When I looked up, I saw Elizabeth Rose smiling that made me avoid her gaze. "Oh, hi." I awkwardly smiled at her. I remembered how I hated her a bit a while ago. Oh my goodness what a coincidence! I can't help but to feel guilty from what I am thinking about earlier. "Can I sit down here? I am sorry this is the only vacant seat that I found here." "Of course, yes. I don't mind." I nodded as I answered. She smiled as she followed what I said. She slowly sat in front of me, never losing her sight to my face. "Do you like to be alone?" "No, not really. I just wanted to stay here for a while before I will go home." I can see that her smile suddenly faded a little. She looked down and awkwardly smiled again. "I'm so sorry. I guess I bothered you." "No. I'm sorry you seem to misunderstood that. Of course I'd love it when someone will hang out with me. It so happened that most of our classmates went home already." I can't help but chuckle. The way she's telling me this made her cute for me. "Oh? Is that so?" She said as she glanced at her wristwatch. "I am also here because I am waiting for my father to drive me home. Would you mind if I wait for him, here?" "No, not at all." I smiled at her. I suddenly felt guilty because I thought of bad things against her. But I guess, she's really kind-hearted. "Oh, it's already four in the afternoon. Do you still have to go somewhere?" "W-Well, I am still studying here." "Oh, I see." I saw her smile as she roamed her eyes around the place. She looked really amazed from what she could see in the mini-forest. "I'm sorry I never had a chance to welcome you here in our school. By the way, my name is Kamilla Rae Feliz. I am happy to finally meet my new classmate." I smiled as I offered my hand. She chuckled a little and it made her more charming in my eyes. "You know what? You're a bit funny. You don't have to be too formal if you make friends. Just be yourself." She accepted my hands and we did a cute handshake. She giggled as we did it. I can't help smiling, too. "I am Elizabeth Rose, but to tell you a secret, I prefer my close friends to call me Rose." "I am not your close friend so I guess I will call you Elizabeth." I smiled as she jokingly frowned in front of me. "Now, I am pleased to request to you that from now on, you'll be my close friend. Will that be okay?" "Deal." We continued the handshake like silly, little children. A few moments later, a car honked beside us. The bench where we are sitting right now is near the pavement of the mini-forest where cars slowly passed by. "Kamilla, I have to go now. Oh, by the way, what's your phone number?" She said as she smiled. I was able to give her my phone number right away. She bid goodbye as she waved her hand while inside their family car. "See you tomorrow, Kamilla!" Her voice still resounded meters away. It made me laugh a little. No wonder she's loved by many because she's really fun to talk to. I heaved a sigh when I couldn't see their car from a distance anymore. I slowly got up and packed all my books and placed them inside my backpack. Now, I have to go back to reality. I guess six kilometers is not a bad distance. I will just sing and dance along the way until I reach home. I am really sad because that thief doesn't know how to find a real victim. I only got that last fifty-peso bill and yet...argh! I almost scratch my head vigorously as I frown. Life is really unfair. I walked slowly until I noticed I had been walking for more than twenty minutes nonstop. I felt really tired, hungry and sleepy at the same time. I stopped when somebody honked at me while I walked beside the road. It was a beautiful car. The glass window slowly goes down and I realized it was Elizabeth Rose Guirre, my classmate. "Oh my! Are you just going to walk all the way to your house?" "Y-Yes. It's a great exercise, you see." I smiled at her but all I can see is the worried look on her face as she talked to me after she opened the window in full of their car. "What? It's already late. C'mon. I will just tell father to drop you off to your house before we go home ourselves." "Really?" My tired eyes glistened. "Yes, please get inside now." She said as she smiled. She even went outside the car and opened the door for me. I shyly went inside the car, gathering every strength that I have within me. The truth is, I don't really want to because it is too awkward. "Oh, there you are, dear. I saw Kamilla going inside the car so I also bought some for her." As Rose's father get in the car, he presented what he bought from McDonalds for takeout for all of us. He ordered three hamburgers, some pasta and drinks. The sight of my favorite food made the sore and pains go away. "Thanks daddy! You're the best! Good thing you also ordered something for Kamilla." "Thank you so much for the food sir, thank you too, Elizabeth." I slightly bowed my head down that made both of them chuckled. We started eating the food that's on our lap while the car starts to move. I am so happy I got to taste these foods again. It's pure heaven after starving for a long time while walking a while ago. "It's a pleasure, dear. Oh, before I forgot, where do you live by the way?" "I live at 24th Lily street, Quezon City. How about you?" "Seriously, Kamilla?" We only live ten houses away from you! I am very happy to know this!" "What a coincidence! How could it be? I am not seeing you that often." "Well, we just moved in to our house after many years. It has been taken care of by my nannies." "Oh, I see. I am glad to know this. Oh, and thank you once again." "Not a problem. We're already close friends, right?" I nodded as I smiled. She's really amazing. The way we express ourselves to one another, it's like we've known each other for a long time. "By the way, why did you decide to walk for six kilometers going to your house? I think the road is really dangerous because there's a lot of criminals and thieves around, you can never be so sure." She said, feeling curious at the same time. I look at Rose for a minute as if gathering all the strength deep within me. "I actually have my reason why I only walk all the way to our house. A while ago, a thief stole the last fifty-peso bill that I intend to reserve as my fare and allowance as I go home." "Oh my! Is that the reason why you looked so sad a while ago?" "I'm sorry. I was too disappointed that you even noticed. Sorry for making you think of something else." "Oh please. It is not a big deal. I was just worried when I joined you in the mini-forest." "Yes. That's the exact reason.That's why I looked mean and stressed while talking to you a while ago. Please forgive me, Rose." "Good thing you came just in time." I added. I can see her glistening eyes as she faced me. She held my arm and hugged it as she smiled sweetly. I can't help but to feel happy deep inside, too. "It's okay, dear. I am happy to meet new friends and I am happy to know someone like you. Close friends?" She said while offering me a pinky-white promise. I know this day is the start of something better ahead for the both of us.