Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 7

Hello Hooray

Emmanuel:

I'm with my cousin the whole day. Visited some sites somewhere in SF. How about you?

How have you been? How's your application for your new school? Hope everything's fine.

When can I call?

Michaela, can you answer my calls?

Are you busy? Message me so I could know please.

I miss you.

Emmanuel KT Demetriou was the only student who stayed beside me.

I was then a bully. Bata pa lang ay hindi na lingid sa kaalaman na hindi ko tunay na pamilya ang kumukupkop sa akin.

At first, I was the one who was being bullied. My schoolmates knew very well that I was just a bastard and an orphan or some sort. Hinayaan ko iyon kasi totoo naman at kahit puno ng tapang at hinanakit ang puso ko sa mga panunuksong iyon, hindi na ako lumaban. They were too many. If ever I fought back, I'd be only outnumbered in the end.

But suddenly one day, I remembered a late transfer student.

Unlike the other boys in my class, the new boy was way too serious, smart, and tall than the other kids. Huli na kasi nang nalaman namin na mas matanda pala siya sa karamihan sa amin. He's already nine years old while I was only seven.

The bullies didn't stop from maltreating and sometimes, harming me. But not when the day came and I saw the new boy standing in front of me just like a shield, protecting me from all the students throwing papers at me when I tripped and bumped into the class president accidentally.

Simula noong araw na iyon, tinatak niya sa isip ko na kailanman ay hindi tama ang p*******t sa kapuwa.

"Are you fine with bullies? Are you fine with people harming other people?"

"No. O-Of course not."

"But you support them, Michaela."

"Huh? I-I'm not!"

"Yes, you are. You support their bad behavior by letting them do that against you."

"Talaga? Ga-Ganon ba 'yon?"

"Yes."

"But... I don't wanna fight..."

"Protecting yourself is different from fighting them back."

Unti-unti nga akong nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na tumayo para sa aking sarili. Nagkaroon ako ng yabang kasi alam ko, he had my back. Ngunit sumobra na ata ang tapang ko sa puntong may pagkakataong ako na ang naghahamon ng away.

Ever since then, Emman became my savior, but my guidance as well. We were grade six when his admirers became more persistent and expanded. Even the girls from higher years were leeching on him. Doon nagsimula ang pagtatampo ko sa kanya dahil pakiramdam ko ay nauubusan na siya ng oras sa akin.

That's when I met Natasha. Naging kaklase namin noong grade six. Emman was there, too. But I figured his company and circle became more tremendous in both girls and boys. Noong nakatungtong na sa junior high school, he apologized to me. He said he had reasons but he didn't bother to explain and elaborate it for me.

Ayos lang naman. Ang mahalaga noon ay pinakilala niya na rin kami ni Natasha sa mga bago niyang kaibigan. Nga lang, hindi tulad ng dati ay mas tutok na si Emman sa aming dalawa ni Natasha.

Mas lalong naging matibay ang pagkakaibigan namin hanggang sa nakatungtong na sa senior high.

Aaminin ko, grade 10 pa lang ay natuto na kaming uminom at manigarilyo. Inalok kasi kami ng mga bagong kaibigan na nakilala namin.

Ako, mas natuwa sa yosi. Samantalang si Natasha ay sa alak. Si Emman ang tanging nanita sa amin at sa huli, napagpasyahang humiwalay na sa grupong iyon. Nagbago na kami ng circle hanggang sa nakilala namin sina Letcher, Frederick, Crane, Cezar, Denise, Monique, at iba pang mga kaibigan din nila.

Kasabay ng pagtuklas namin sa bagong grupo ng mga kaibigan ay ang paga-out ni Emman sa amin na hindi siya straight.

If there was someone who's affected by it the most, I think... it was me. He's attracted to both men and women. How's it even possible?! And heck! He announced his relationship with Cezar! Bagay na naging ugat pala kung bakit kami napalapit sa kanilang grupo.

Ngunit hindi rin naman iyon nagtagal dahil lumipat na ng ibang eskuwelahan si Cezar nang natuklasan ng magulang ang relasyon nito kay Emman.

Hindi ko ito masyadong napagtuonan ng pansin noon. Hanggang sa ngayon ko na lang natanto ang munti kong mga pang-aaway kina Cezar dati. Mga gabing iiyak ako tuwing hindi nakakasama sa gala namin si Emman kasi may hiwalay na lakad silang dalawa. Bumalik iyong nararamdaman kong paninibugho noong mga panahong lumayo sa akin si Emman bago pa man nakilala si Nat.

Ewan ko ba. Pero nakatulong din ang pagsulpot at pamemeste ni Cleo sa buhay ko. At least I had a diversion even if it was just a mere distraction.

Unti-unti kong natanggap ang gender orientation ni Emman. Naging open-minded ako sa ganoong mga bagay hanggang sa nanumbalik na lang ulit ang pakikitungo ko kay Emman.

All those times, ako lang pala talaga ang kusang lumayo dahil hindi ko pa tanggap. Ako lang ang lumikha ng sariling guni-guni na nawawalan sa akin ng oras si Emman, kahit noon, pero sa huli, ako pala talaga ang salarin tuwing nagkakaroon ng gusot sa pagkakaibigan namin.

I realized how selfish I was when it comes to my friends, especially with Emman. And thus I blamed myself and promised not to do that again.

Kaya naman, nang nabalitaan ko ang pag-alis niya, lubha akong nilamon ng takot at kalungkutan.

Horror crept into my system when he offered to meet me one last time before his flight. It was f*****g tempting. But as much as I would like to, I declined right away because I was afraid... I'd give him a hard time leaving me because... I was selfish.

And now, I think I'm doing it again. But in different context and angles. Iniiwasan ko ngang maging makasarili, pero sa huli, nilalayo ko pa rin ang sarili sa kanya dahil lang takot nang mangyari ulit ang dati.

Like a paradox, I'm distancing myself from Emman to prevent my selfish interest from surging. But at the end of the day, ignoring him like this is also a very selfish antic of me.

Emman's name flashed on my screen for the nth time. Kinagat ko ang labi at mariing napapikit.

Masyado kong kilala ang sarili. Alam kong sa oras na sinagot ko iyon, wala nang preno ang bibig at luha ko. I was tired crying for the past nights. And just like the previous missed calls, I turned off my phone after that.

Dumating ang isang package para sa akin kinabukasan. Pinababa ako ni Mom para sabay naming tignan iyon na sinunod ko naman. Nitong mga nakaraang araw kasi ay nagawa ko na rin namang makihalubilo ulit. Iyon nga lang, may agwat at ilangan pa talaga. Wala akong gana sa mga araw na nagdaan.

"From your school? Probably your uniform!"

Mas excited pa sa akin si Mommy kahit tipid na ngiti lang ang sinukli ko.

I sat on one of the couches as I watched her opening the package and smaller parcels for me. Tama nga siya dahil naroon na ang tatlong set ng uniform ko, ID, at isa pang accessory.

It was a stainless steel wrist device. Nakalimutan ko kung ano ang tinawag doon ng mga nag-asikaso noon sa Damgeen pero sa pagkakaalala ko, it was something about meter and tracking. I wasn't really attentive that time.

I chose the stainless steel. May iba pang option para sa materyales tulad ng rubber, woven, at wooden ngunit ito ang pinili ko. It was color black. Ganoon daw kasi ang sa seniors samantalang asul naman sa juniors. The strap was thin and an inch wide. Hindi pa man naisusuot ay alam kong maganda iyon sa palapulsuhan.

The golden musical symbols engraved on it looked aesthetic and special, animo'y partikular na tatak at branding talaga ng eskuwela.

The digital device in the middle was rectangular, kasingnipis at kasinglapad lang din ng mismong strap. But on top of that, I don't know how to use it. Ni hindi ko alam kung ano ang tawag doon. At mukhang naka-off pa.

Naghanap ako ng crown na tulad sa pangkaraniwang wristwatch pero wala. Kumunot ang noo ko. What the hell is this?

"Tara sa kuwarto mo at subukan mo na itong uniform!" si Mommy na sa mga sandaling iyon ay binubuksan na pala ang packaging ng uniform.

Nakahalukipkip lang si Hilary sa gilid namin, pinipilit na magmukhang hindi interesado ngunit bakas naman ang kuryoso sa hitsura.

In the end, I just let Mom guide me towards my room. Naghintay siya sa may kama habang pumasok na ako sa walk-in closet, dala ang isang set ng uniform.

The school uniform was composed of white top with above the elbow-length sleeves, royal blue sleeveless blazer with Damgeen golden patch on the left chest, and gray high-waisted plaid skirt, knee-length iyon na ipinagpasalamat ko dahil nakapag-stereotype na akong short skirt ang uniporme doon.

I put it on and overall, I was contented. I tilted my head and moved from side to side to examine it.

I raised my brow as I stared at my reflection. Not bad. Fashionable and gallant, but not overdecorated.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. Still decent for a high school uniform.

Mom was the happiest as I prepared for my fast-approaching first day in Damgeen. And the next thing I knew, I was one of the crowds walking towards the big gates of that school on its first day.

"Damgeen! Damgeen! Read all about it!"

Napatikhim ako nang muntik nang masangga ng namimigay ng pamphlet ang dibdib ko! Bastos!

"Sorry, Miss! Ito, o? Latest edition, free of charge!" ngisi sa akin noong lalaki.

I rolled my eyes and just passed by him. Hindi ko kinuha ang pamphlet na free of charge daw, e halata namang libre iyon!

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa crossbody bag ko habang binabaybay ang kahabaan ng daan patungo sa gate. I looked at the banner hanging on both sides of the gate. It was a gigantic royal blue banner with golden cursive "Welcome Home, Superstars!"

I scoffed and resumed walking.

The crowd was packed and wild. Lahat ay excited at karamihan ay may kasama. Dahil adjustment week pa naman, wala pang naka-uniform. But then I was wrong. May iba atang excited nang magsuot kaya hindi na napigilan sa first day!

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok sa school grounds ay agad namangha ang diwa ko. I almost forgot that I hated it here the way my eyes glimmered in amusement.

Moderno ang looban ng Damgeen. Panay asul, ginto, abo, at puti ang makikita sa paligid. Malalayo ang agwat ng bawat gusali at halos hindi ko matanaw ang hangganan ng lawak nito.

Sa gitna ay may matayog na obelisk. Kaninang nasa labas pa ng gate ay tanaw na agad iyon. Sa tuktok noon ay mukhang logo ng DHSM. Malaking G-clef na ginto at pinalilibutan ng limang espesyal na bituin. Sa paanan ng oblisk ay bakal na bakod na, pinapalibutan ang rebulto ng mga tanyag na girero ng musika.

I hold back my breath as I took a glimpse of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Chopin on some of those structures! Are you kidding me?!

"Dali! Baka maubusan tayo ng seats!"

Sa pagkamangha, hindi ko na halos napansin na naestatwa na ako sa harapan ng totoong mga estatwa. Kung hindi ko pa naramdaman ang palakas na palakas na bungguan ay hindi na ata mababalik ang ulirat ko!

Napalunok ako at sinundan na lang ang grupo ng mga estudyanteng may bitbit na violin case. Dahil tuloy doon, saka ko lang natanto na ako lang ata ang halos walang dala na pumasok. Only my crossbody bag, the necklace, and the device on my wrist.

And speaking of... I narrowed my eyes on the device. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang nakitang bukas na iyon sa wakas! How did it happen?

It was still in plain pitch black but it displayed "000" with digitalis-tic font. Three zeroes. Hmm?

Sinubukan kong silipin ang suot ng ibang mga estudyante. At gaya ko, ganoon nga rin ang naka-flash sa kanila. Wala nang iba. Nakatulong din iyon para malaman kung anong level na ng estudyante. Kapag tulad ng akin na itim ay senior high, probably grade eleven or twelve. Kapag asul nama'y mula grade seven hanggang ten.

Sa auditorium dumiretso ang lahat ng estudyante. We were instructed to proceed to that area for the general assembly and orientation. Bagong salta man o matagal nang estudyante, required na pumunta.

Another thing I noticed is that everyone was so disciplined to come. Hindi naman kasi ganito sa amin kaya nakakapanibago. Kung ako nga lang, gugustuhin ko pang tumambay sa quadrangle nila na nasa harap ng auditorium.

The broad quad was surrounded by the school buildings, most especially, by salingogon trees with low cylinder topiary plant underneath each one of it. Sa pagitan ng mga puno ay may tig-iisang bench.

Napanguso ako. Para ang sarap na lang magmuni-muni sa anino ng mga puno. Ngunit hindi pa man tuluyang nakakapasok sa entrance ng malaking bulwagan ay nagpintig na agad ang tenga ko.

"Sino 'yan? Senior? Hindi pamilyar, a?"

Ako ba?

I tried peeking at the direction of the voices and I confirmed that the rubbernecks were really gawking at my way.

"I guess so. Black, e. Pero imposibleng hindi man lang pamilyar ang hitsura nyan."

"Transferee?"

"Huh? Bawal, a?"

I pulled my eyebrows into a crease as I strode my way to the entrance, losing the voices of the random rubbernecks. What the heck was the meaning of that?

Iniling ko na lang ang pagtataka, naghanap na ng bakanteng mauupuan. The auditorium was enough to cater thousands of students. Ito ang isa sa malalaking bulwagan dito sa Damgeen ayon sa nabasa ko, hindi ko nga lang sigurado ang seating capacity.

Elevated iyon. Nasa pinakamataas na bahagi ang dulong hilera ng mga upuan kaya naman nasa baba ang entablado, kaharap ang limang hanay ng hile-hilerang mga upuan.

I found myself an available seat at the second column. Nakakahiya kasing lumayo pa dahil tulad kanina sa bukana, pansin ko ang kuryosong mga tingin sa akin ng mga estudyante.

Nasa bandang gitna lang akong row at agad na hinarang ang naka-tuck in na buhok sa aking mukha. Maging ang mga katabi kasi, papalapit pa lang ako sa silya, sobra na kung makatitig!

Baka ngayon lang nakakita ng maganda?

My lips twitched inwardly. At nagawa ko pa talagang magbiro, ha? Malaman ko lang talaga dahilan ng mga matang iyan, dudukutin ko iyon isa-isa!

The stage was incredibly spacious. Para bang kaya pang magpatayo ng dalawang bungalow house? I wish I was just exaggerating but unfortunately, I was not. It also looked majestic with its heavy looking royal blue stage curtains with golden linings almost at the end.

Umusbong ang labi ko. Kung gaano kakintab ang ulo ng kalbong dumaan sa harapan ng stage ay siyang kasingkinis din ng sahig noon. Ilang minunto pa ang lumipas at hindi pa rin magkamayaw sa pagpasok ang mga tao. The seats on my other side was already occupied, too. Isang lalaking weird ang katabi ko sa aking kanan.

Ilang sandali pa, hindi ko na napasin na agad ding napuno ang buong lugar. At saka na lumabas ang isang babae sa gitna ng entablado, inanunsiyong magsitayo na ang lahat.

The *doxology has began. But the whispers at my back also started.

"Minus one? Nasaan 'yung worship band last sem?"

"Baka nag-disband na? Rinig ko hindi nakaabot sa quota iyong pianist nila, e."

"Naku! Sayang naman."

"At least may pag-asa na 'yong Times New Roman. Mas bet ko iyon."

Kamuntikan akong nabulunan.

Damn. Must be one of the downsides of eavesdropping, huh?

Pagkatapos ng national anthem, pinaupo na rin agad para sa opening remarks ng principal. The circle shape of spotlight followed the prim man as he walked with proud gait towards the lectern.

He stood with pride and glory screaming in his air. At hindi rin nagtagal, nagsimula na ito sa hindi ko inaasahang paraan.

"Hello hooray, superstars!" may tonong sambit ng principal sa mikropono gamit ang malalim niyang chest voice.

I gaped by that abrupt *hail.

"Let the show begin, we've been ready!" sagot naman ng mga estudyante.

I blinked repeatedly as I witnessed the principal and the audience exchanging melodies, as if they've been chanting it their lives. Gleeful and very, very priceless.

"Hello hooray, superstars!"

"Let the lights grow dim, we've been ready!" ang mga estudyante ulit.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang natantong pamilyar ang kanta, bahagyang binago ang *rendition.

Muling kinumpas ng principal ang kanyang mga kamay habang kinakanta nang taos-puso ang sunod na linya. Samantala, ngingisi-ngisi naman sa akin ang babaeng katabi sa kaliwa, mukhang napansin na ang hindi ko pakikilahok.

"Ready as this audience that's coming here to dream!"

After a very long time, I felt so small. Muling sumagot ang mga estudyante. Naitikom ko na ang bibig nang tuluyan.

The echoes reverberated inside the auditorium. Nagsimulang magsitaasan ang mga balahibo ko.

"Loving every second, every moment, every scream!" palakas nang palakas na kanta ng mga estudyante. "I've been waiting so long to sing my song!"

Kahit ang mga hindi naman ata talaga nakantang mga katabi sa kanan ay sumasabay sa palitang iyon.

I must admit, I feel so ashamed and out of place... I know the song. But because I can't remember the exact lyrics clearly, I chose to just keep my mouth shut. Isa pa, bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya.

Pinanuod ko na lang sila at nakuntento. Doon tinuldukan ang munting salitan ng linya ng mga tao. Everyone applauded, shouting their hearts out. Kahit hindi nagkaroon ng participation ay pumalakpak na lang din ako kalaunan.

"Hello hooray, superstars!" ang principal ulit sa normal na nitong disposisyon.

"Hello hooray, Maestro Madrigal!" sagot ng mga estudyante, sabay-sabay at puno ng kagalakan.

Kinalas ng pangunahin ang mic sa stand at naglakad patungo sa gitna ng entablado. Pagkarating ay lumapit pa lalo, sinusuyod ng mga mata ang lahat ng taong nasa harapan.

From this vantage point, his smile was vivid even in that distance.

"Another year, another melodic high school experience prepared for all of you. Especially, to those people with great perseverance and dreams to reach and fight for."

Napatikhim ako nang malinaw pa sa ulo ng kalbong nasa harapan ang pagsulyap ng punong-guro sa gawi ko.

I don't know if my illusions were tricking me, but there's something in his gaze that tells me it was meant for me. Nakumpirma ko iyon nang napasulyap din sa akin ang katabi na kanina pa mapanuri ang mga titig sa akin.

"Grade 11?"

My lips parted when I realized she's talking to me.

Umiling ako. "Grade 12."

Pagkakataon niya naman upang malaglag ang panga sa kung anong kadahilanan.

"Hindi ka naman pamilyar. Paano nangyari 'yon?"

Halos irolyo ko ang mga mata.

"I don't know. But I think I get that a lot."

I lowered my eyes on her wrist and noticed she was wearing a black device, too.

She narrowed her eyes at me suspeciously. "What's your name?"

Napangisi ako at bumaling na lang sa harapan, bahagya pang napapailing.

Never in my life I did the first move to introduce myself unless I was in between the devil and the deep blue sea. Pero kung ganito at may problema sila sa akin, sabihin na lang nila hindi iyong pati ako, binubulabog! Wala rin kasi akong alam! Leche.

"b***h," I heard the girl murmured under her breath before turning to her other side.

I gritted my teeth and just controlled my temper. Tinuon ko na lang ulit ang atensiyon sa principal nang mukhang malapit na itong matapos sa opening remarks.

By listening, I realized a few things. Students address the higher-ups as 'maestro.'

Maestro Madrigal is the principal for Senior High School division and aside from that, I was startled to conclude that he's the husband of Damgeen's president. In that sense, he's the owner of the school himself!

"You looked surprised," a deep boyish voice echoed on my ears.

Bahagya akong napabalikwas nang biglang nagsalita ang wirdong katabi sa kanan.

Paano ba naman kasi, bukod sa naalala kong namimilipit ang kanyang boses kanina habang ginagawa nila ang hail na inspired sa kanta ni Alice Cooper, taklob na taklob ang mukha dahil sa malaki niyang shades! Mukhang tirik na tirik ang araw sa mundo nito, a?

"Rookie?" he smirked.

Napakurap-kurap ako. "Huh?"

Ano nga ulit ang pinag-uusapan namin?

Umayos siya sa pagkakaupo at napapitik pa ng daliri, animo'y may maling nasambit.

"I mean, bago ka?" the weird guy corrected.

I pursed my lips. I tried looking at his wrist but it was covered because he's wearing long sleeves.

Bigo, muli kong binalik sa kanyang mukha ang tingin at tumango, medyo may pagdududa pa rin.

"Oo," tipid kong sagot.

Marahan siyang tumango. Ang kaninang mala-anghel na ngiti ay nasapawan ng mas nakakalokong ngisi.

"Grade 12," he said more than asked.

Hindi ako sumagot at tinimbang lang siya sa pamamagitan ng tingin. I don't know what's up with this man but I don't feel any bad vibe in his air. But whenever I tried surveying his eyes behind those dark lenses, I got lost in the end.

Hindi kalaunan, napatikhim na lang akong humarap sa entablado, kuryoso na sa palaisipang misteryo sa paligid ko.

Mayamaya pa, pinapakilala na ang principal ng Junior High School division para sa orientation proper, nang biglang nilahad ng lalaking katabi ang kanyang kamay sa harap ko.

"Dante," aniya.

Mula sa pagkakatitig sa nakabitin niyang kamay sa ere, nilipat ko ang mga mata sa kanya.

Kung tutuusin, sakali mang ikukumpara ito kay Rave Jackson ay mas magaan pa nga ang loob ko sa isang ito. So eventually, I managed to extend my hand, too, and took his hand for a handshake.

"Michaela," I introduced with a fraction of grimace.

"Michaela..." A furtive smirk was plastered on his lips. "What an interesting girl," he added tauntingly before releasing our hands.

Hindi na rin naman nasundan iyon. I lazily leaned my body on the chair and crossed my arms as I listened merely to the new principal at the stage.

Nagsisimula na ang mismong orientation kaya umaasa akong may matututunan talaga. Lalo na sa hiwagang naririnig ko sa paligid tungkol sa akin, akala mo hindi welcome ang isang tulad kong maganda rito.

"Welcome to all the talented people out there, especially those who are marking their first ever year here at Damgeen. And without further ado, let's discuss about the important arrangements and notable cultures we exclusively have here at this community."

I put my right elbow on the armrest and rested my cheek on my fist. Patagal nang patagal ay inaantok na ako sa nangyayari. Hindi talaga ako para sa mga ganitong pagpupulong.

"And for those who didn't know what the device you're wearing is for, let me discuss about it then," sa wakas ay sabi ng JHS principal na nakapagpagising sa aking diwa.

Napamulagat ako sabay silip sa itim na nasa palapulsuhan ko. At the corner of my eyes, I noticed the guy named Dante glanced at me. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at nakinig na lang sa pangunahin.

"Here at Damgeen, we call that technology the PLARAmeter. PLARA stands for personality, learnings, ability, rendition, and application. Five core qualities and traits that every musician should possess," she said as the terms flashed on the LED screen one by one.

Kumunot ang noo ko at muling napasulyap sa device na kung tawagin nila ay plarameter. Naalala ko na! Iyon nga ang tawag nila noon sa admission. Nawala lang sa isip ko dahil hindi naman masyadong interesado.

"Personality includes perseverance and modesty. Two main qualities that each one of you must have. Especially modesty. The propriety on how we act, communicate, socialize, and perform. Flaunting too much pride, proudness, and vanity may sometimes be good. But most of the time, it destroys us."

Natahimik ang buong bulwagan.

"Una ang personalidad sa PLARA dahil bukod sa talento at kahusayan, ugali ng tao ang pinakamahalaga para sa tagumpay ng bawat indibidwal. Mapaordinaryong tao man, politiko, negosyante, mag-aaral, empleyado, artista, at mga girero ng musika."

She smiled. She scanned the whole auditorium with her critical eyes before proceeding with the next part.

"The word itself, Learnings. Innate talent without adequate learnings and knowledge about your craft is not enough to pursue a specific career with millions of competition around the environment. In this area, we will then measure your commitment and activeness inside and outside your classrooms. Be it academic and music, as long as it is related to your class standing, participation, contribution, and also your leadership."

Kung titignan, hindi naman talaga ako pariwarang estudyante. Wala man sa highest standing ng klase, kahit papaano ay nakakahabol at nakikipagsapalaran din.

Emman was always there since day one. He also played a pivotal role in my academic life. Dahil matalas ang isip ng isang iyon, I always believe that he's polymathic. Kaya naman ang maging behind ng dalawang taon ay isang malaking palaisipan pa sa akin.

"Ability... Dito na papasok ang kalidad ng bawat isa sa inyo sa larangan ng musika."

The JHS principal smiled sweetly as she slowly paved her way at the other corner of the stage, left hand at her back, and chin raised upwards.

"This is one of the pivotal parts of your school year at Damgeen. Your talent, skills, abilities, capabilities, and other opportunities when it comes to music will then contribute a large scale on your merits and score on your PLARAmeter. In this area, ability will be graded during extracurricular activities the school and the organizations have for you. And aside from that, your progress. Each one of you has different styles, preferences, genres, and medium, and we respect diversity in this community. We promote equality and respect at Damgeen so diversity must be recognized in a way that we value our differences or as we may call it as... our uniqueness."

After that, I felt a slight tap on my shoulder abruptly. Mabilis tuloy akong napabaling sa katabi at bumungad sa akin ang makahulugan niyang ngiti.

"My seatmate is unique. I recognize you," he said.

I glared at him. "What makes me unique, sir?"

Based on the twitch of his lips, I could assume that he's a tad amused with my response. Naparolyo ako ng mga mata hindi pa man tuluyang nasasagot ang tanong.

"Being able to enter Damgeen on your last year level is enough to make you one," Dante answered quizzically.

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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ:

Alice Cooper - Hello Hooray

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April 16, 2020