Into Her Book 1: Clyde Hernandez

08

08

The next few days feel like hell for me. The moment I step out of my room, I would always bump into my sister since her room is just close to mine. Whenever the timing is with me and we would open the doors at the same time, I would always receive a glare from her which clearly shows she doesn’t care if I am her sister anymore. Then once we are in front of our parents, she will go back to that lovely sister then back again to being a mean one once we are out of the house.

It was a real hell facing her everyday in that routine. I even did self control already just so I wouldn’t go insane with all of her transitions that I also need to ride on so our parents wouldn’t be suspicious of us. They think from the beginning that we are on good terms since that is how Gen insisted to show them which is why I can’t act rebellious and suddenly cut that act. I don’t want anyone to be in trouble as well anyway.

If it is a hell in the house because of Gen, it's no different in the school. Every time I walk into the school hallways, students would whisper with one another about me. The group community is filled with information about my life which I don’t know where they actually found. It was like my life was suddenly opened to everyone without my permission.

The news about Gen and I being sisters are slowly dying down as well. It’s actually taking longer than I thought it would because Kim, Kaori and Hayde say that a single news about other people usually died down after a day. If it's news about the 3 Aces then it will remain for a week but it’s already my 2nd week and the news is still up. I’m not even sure if they have any plan on forgetting that anymore.

“It’s already been a week,” I commented, letting out a sigh as I put down my phone.

“Yes, it’s already been a week but you already faced hell.” Hayde says without any hesitation. I gave him a look but he just shrugged his shoulders instead.

“I think the right term should be, it’s already been a week but you already messed with Clyde.” Kim butted in this time, putting down her makeup kit. “Seriously, are you not gonna apologize to him?”

“Why would I? It’s his fault why I did it to him anyway.” I defend.

In just a week, I was indeed a big talk of the student body. First was because of what I did to Clyde. Second was because the fact that me and Gen are sisters which also affected her since some kept using it against her. Lastly, they want me to apologize to Clyde for splashing water on his face and humiliating him. Can you believe that?!

“You are as hard as a stone, aren’t you?” Kaori commented this time as well, setting aside her pencil for now. “Didn’t you say you want to be out of the attention already? Then do what they want. It will definitely get the attention away without any worry!”

“If he apologizes to that girl first then I might do so.” The three of them let out a groan, shaking their heads. “What I did to him is nothing compared to what he did to that girl. If he isn’t such a rude guy who bullies anyone he thinks is weak then he wouldn’t get that from me.”

“Okay! We get that he was wrong. But he is Clyde, whatever he does or says is right for everyone in this school. That is why the best thing you should just do is just end all of this so the three of us can be at peace too!” Kim suddenly pointed out which made me feel bad for them.

Since everyone in the school knows and has seen me being with the three of them, they became a target and center of attention as well. Even though they didn’t really do anything to that so-called King-Bee, they are still being talked to because I hang out with them. It does make me feel bad and even though I don’t want them to be involved with this, but it’s just hard to not stand with my morals!

“Look, we understand what you are trying to say. We totally understand it all but,” Hayde let out a deep sigh. “If you keep on being stubborn but at the same time wanting to be not the center of attention, then we don’t get it anymore.”

“Just doing what they want is what you should do now, Bella. As your friends, we are really worried about you.” Kaori reaches for my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “We don’t want to keep seeing you being in a hard position when it’s only been a week since you came here. I don’t want you to end up like the others who choose to transfer to a different school because they end up not handling things here well.”

“Fine,” I said in a weak voice, giving up that made them cheer instead. “But! I will only apologize for your sake, okay? I also don’t want to keep putting the three of you in a tight spot because of me.”

“Whatever you say! Just go and do it so we can end this whole thing already. Okay?” Kim says before she suddenly went back to her usual self. She put her elbow into the table, chin on top of her palm, before gazing in front of her where Bryce and EJ are standing while talking to other students. “That way there won’t be any hindrance between me and my baby EJ.”

Without any hesitation, Hayde and Kaori threw their papers on Kim which made her squeal a little due to the impact. I ended up laughing hard because of it while she gave the two a glare. But certainly, her squeal does get attention because I saw Bryce and EJ glances towards our direction. Those two actually look much more decent than their rude friend who is thankfully nowhere to be found today.

“You and your pure imaginations,”

For the next few days of the week, things remain slightly the same. The news about me and Gen being sisters died down before the week ends but the information about me didn’t end just yet. Everyone is still pushing me to apologize to Clyde through social media. I will! I’m just finding the right timing.

That guy is always surrounded by people which makes it so hard for me to find the timing to approach him. Whenever he goes, there are students watching what he does and admiring him. I know that if I approached him publicly, it will attract so much attention which is the opposite of how I want things to be like for me. I can talk to him when there are fewer people but it’s very much impossible for him.

“What’s going on here?” I questioned softly upon arriving in the living room.

Manang Julia knocked on my door while I was doing my school work saying that mom and dad were asking for me downstairs. I was actually scared on my way because I have this thought in my head that something must have gone wrong for them to have me called. When I saw Gen in the living room looking worried, I actually thought it's because our parents found out about the fake sisterhood relationship that we keep showing.

“Bella, we have something to tell you.” Dad suddenly said which really developed fear inside me.

Did they find out what happened in school? The whole thing with Clyde? Do they want to send me back to Ilocos already because of it? Or maybe they want me to transfer schools so things wouldn’t be much worse than it already is. What is going on? Why are they looking all so worried?

“Dear, have you talked to your uncle or your lola today?” Mom carefully questioned which made me confused.

I shake my head in response. “I tried to call tito but he won’t pick up. Is there something wrong mom?”

When I arrived back from school, I tried calling tito so I could talk to lola and ask how she is going. I also had to talk to her for some advice since I needed it as well as her comforting voice to help me fix things up. That school is corrupting my peaceful mind. That is why I had to call but tito didn’t answer my calls no matter how much I called him. It just keeps on ringing so I gave up thinking that they might be busy with the shop since he usually puts down his phone whenever it happens.

“This afternoon we received a phone call from you tito, Bella.” Mom started as I attentively listened because it’s about my family already. “Your lola is in the hospital.”

“What?”

The only thing that I felt in my entire body is weakness. Fear started to get me that caused my weakness and almost got me falling to my knees. If it wasn’t for Gen who immediately caught my arm, I would be on my knees already with a confused mind. What is going on?

“W-what do you mean she is in the hospital? W-what happened?” I questioned in panic.

“Your tito said that she fainted earlier while entertaining a customer in your shop. The last time he called us, your lola was still being checked by the doctors and we recommended they go in order to get a proper check up.” Gen made me sit on the couch before letting mom occupy the empty spot next to me. She reached for my hand and held it gently. “That is why you tito can’t answer your calls, Bella.”

Fainted? Did she overwork herself again? The last time she fainted was because of heat during the summer but we managed to solve it right away with the help of mom and dad who happened to be visiting me that day. The doctor says that it was over fatigue as well which is why the shop was closed for a week so she can rest.

I stand up in panic, not in the right mind anymore. I tried walking out of the main door but dad stopped me before I could even do so. His grip to my wrist became tighter the more I tried to loosen up from his hold. He guided me back to the couch when I lost my strength.

“C-can I go to Ilocos to see her, please? Please dad?” I pleaded but he let out a sigh.

“I will allow you, but it’s your tito’s request to not let you come there. He wants you to stay here and focus on your studies instead of thinking about your lola since he is there to help her as well anyway. I already made some calls to have them guided too, Bella, so you don’t need to worry too much.” Dad tried reassuring me but I just can’t help but worry.

My lola is not young anymore, she has her own maintenance to take in order to lower down her blood pressure and many more. I am always worried about her which is why I was so hesitant to move her even knowing that tito wouldn’t let her do things on her own. I just can’t help it because she was the one who basically took care of them right after tatay saved me until my real parents found me. The last thing that I want is to be ignorant of them.

After another hour, tito called me right away when lola woke up. I wasn’t able to talk to her that long since she looked really tired too. Tito told me that she fainted due to fatigue as well as because of her blood pressure since it suddenly rises up. I was just glad that lola was fine but when tito told me that mom and dad insisted on paying the hospital bill since the doctor insisted for more testing, I suddenly felt the need to do something to do in return but I don’t know how still.

“What do you plan to do now?” Hayde asked with worry before sipping to his drink.

I lean into the solo couch backrest with a heavy sigh escaping my lips. Although I already received an assurance from tito that lola is fine and is now home, I still can’t help but worry about her more. I think I might stay like this until I see with my own eyes personally that she is really better now. Mom and dad allow me to go but it’s lola and tito who are strongly against it.

When I asked tito why they won’t allow me, he said that it’s because they don’t want me to feel pressured to come back in there. They know clearly that despite more than a month of stay here, I am still adjusting with my family’s lifestyle and the environment of my new school is an addition. In short, they don’t want to hold me back to a better opportunity that awaits me in this city and with my real family.

I could do what they want me to do, adjust and settle here because sooner or later I will really have to do it anyway. The longer I stay here, the more I will adjust and familiarize myself with their lifestyle in order to survive. I can also add the fact that my treatment is still ongoing which helps me start to recover some of my childhood memories. Once those memories are all recovered, the possibility of adapting is even higher but I’m just not sure how long it will take. Still, adapting will happen even if I come there to visit them for once or not.

“I’m not sure. I’m actually more worried about my lola right now than what to do in order to repay my parents' help.” I answered honestly.

“But didn’t tito already say that you don’t need to pay it back?” I nodded my head in response to Kaori’s question. “Then why are you still insisting on paying back?”

“It’s because they already gave enough to me and already helped my family back in Ilocos too much now. Even though they are willing to help, they aren’t their responsibility in the first place but mine. If there is someone who should help them, it is me since it was me who they looked after and fed to all these years.” I explained.

It’s not really about having the feeling of being responsible because of all the things they have done for me despite not being their own blood related family. It’s about being thankful because they accepted me and treated me like their own. For the past few years, the only thing I have in mind is how to help them rise from the life they have now to an even better one where they are fully comfortable already. I swore to myself that I will be the one who will help them have that comfortable life but here I am having it all on my own.

“But what will you really do? You are a student. It’s not like some establishment will actually accept a student from RIS knowing that everyone who goes comes from wealthy families.” Kim asked me again as that idea popped into my mind right away.

“There! You are right! I will work!” They all look at me in confusion before glancing at one another. “Look, before my parents found me, I already mentioned that I used to work at my lola’s craft shop, right? I deliver and assist the customers on a daily basis especially if I don’t have any class.”

“Wouldn’t it be hard? Since you are studying and are still adjusting with your whole new life, you add the school environment too.” Kaori worriedly asked.

I shake my head in assurance with a smile plastered on my lips. “I managed to keep my rank and get a good grade while helping in my lola’s craft shop, right? Entering as a part time worker here wouldn’t be that hard.” I confidently said.

“Okay… let’s say you already settled your mind with how you will repay your parents kindness to your lola. How are you so sure that tito will allow you to enter for a part time job and become a working student?” Hayde pointed out, pulling me into that reality again. I must have jumped into that part again. “Because I’m pretty sure he won’t agree unless it is a work that won’t bother you in your studies that much.”

“I agree! Besides, where will you work anyway? Just like I said earlier, no establishments actually accept RIS students because of family backgrounds.” Kim argued, adding another reality into Hayde’s words. “It’s not like you can hide the fact that you are not one of the Santiago’s when you need to pass a resume that has your full name in it and background.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure! But what I’m sure of right now is that,” I eyed each of them with my lips pressed into a thin line. “The three of you are not that much of a help for this one.”

They let out a chuckle, agreeing with me.

“You can’t blame us! We are just pointing out the facts!”

Looking for a part time job will be easy but getting my parents approval to work part time, I’m not so sure about it. Maybe it was because of the past incident that they are so careful around me. Every action I make and places I go, I need to inform them and be picked up and dropped off in that location by our family driver.  I can’t really blame them because I also have some fear of being in the same incident again after years.

I purse my lips, thinking about how I should plan to settle this. My eyes looked around the coffee shop where most of the students of Rydell hang out after class. That is why there were some students here when we first arrived. This shop is just located outside the RIS campus. That is why we can access this place easily.

My eyes stopped into a poster pasted into the wall. I fixed myself before standing up as if I was hypnotized by it. I walked closer without even minding my friends' calls for my name as I stopped in front of the wall where the poster is pasted. A smile slowly forms into my lips as I read the poster’s content countless times.

WE ARE HIRING!

Full Time or Part Time

Waiter/Waitress

I found the perfect job for me!

“Bella!” I jumped a little to my spot when Kim suddenly appeared next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. She glances briefly at the poster before looking back to me in confusion. “What are you doing?”

I gave her a knowing smile that made her look at me weirdly. I turn to my back to face the rest of our friends. “I know now where I will work!” I announced confidently.

“And where is that?” Hayde questioned despite the confusion.

I pointed to the poster with the smile still plastered on my lips. “There.”

“Don’t tell me… you are planning to work as a waiter?” Kim asked in a moderately slow manner. I nodded my head as her eyes widened in return. “In here?!”

“Why? What’s the problem with it?”

“Bella, this place is a place for RIS students to hang out.” Kaori repeated something I already knew.

“So?”

“So that means if you work here, they will see you and you will serve them! A RIS student serving a fellow RIS student, does that make sense?!” Kim pointed out, raising her voice a little.

“Look, if I work here, there will be a lot of advantages. The place is near the school and there will be no hassle needed anymore to get here! So what if I serve my fellow students? Is that even a big deal?” I argued. Kim was about to argue back but I beat her to it. “As long as I have a decent job where I can do it part time then it’s all good. What is much more important is to help my lola, okay?”

They weren’t able to argue with me about it already because there is no use anymore. For the past week of being with them, they already noticed that if I am determined then no one can stop me. They know as well that I cherish my family and friends more than anything else. That is why I am more than willing to do anything just to help them so they just let me already.

I talked with the shop manager who is actually so nice to get along with. It will be just the two of us if I ever work there since it’s only a small one anyway since it’s only an after class hangout place. She told me that I just need to get my parents consent letter since she was a little hesitant to accept me knowing that I study in RIS based on my uniform but I explained to her my reason so she gave up! The sooner I hand her the consent letter, the sooner I can start as well.

“I’m still shocked that you really are planning to work here.” Kim says when we walk out of the shop door with drinks in our hand as take outs.

“For my lola, I can work anywhere!”

But my good mood just had to be ruined!

The next thing I knew I bump into someone hard that causes me to loosen the grip on my drink. What’s even worse is that I fell on my butt to the floor because of the impact from that hard body I bump into. I groaned in pain as I felt the impact of my fall and when I thought I will receive any help from my friends, when I look up, I only saw them looking to the side with eyes wide.

I ended up helping myself up since they are too busy looking somewhere. “Hey, why aren’t you gu-”

“You just really know how to ruin my day.”

When I looked to my side, my eyes immediately widened upon seeing a familiar face. It was Clyde, Bryce, EJ and Jerome. And the one I bumped into… is no other than Clyde. Just great.

“It’s you again, clumsy girl.”