Still, June 1, 2009

Dylan

Every corner Dylan walked into seemed to be filled with either rich inbreeds high-fiving each other or exchanging snooty looks. The students at St. Michael’s Catholic School looked like they had stepped out of a high-fashion catalog, their uniforms impeccably tailored and their appearances polished to perfection. In stark contrast, Dylan felt like a fish out of water, making him stand out like a sore thumb. He wandered down the immaculate hallways, the polished floors reflecting the overhead lights, trying to locate his section’s classroom. He had been assigned to III-12, with their class advisor, Mr. Darwin Milagros, a religion teacher.

Dylan peered around the halls, still unable to find his room assignment. The walls were adorned with vibrant artwork and motivational posters, but none offered the direction he desperately needed. He scratched the back of his head, feeling like a lost street dog amidst a sea of properly groomed poodles. His anxiety grew with every step, the unfamiliar surroundings amplifying his sense of displacement.

“Are you lost?”

Dylan turned around and was greeted by a male student with a big smile on his face. The boy's uniform was immaculately pressed to perfection, and his presence exuded confidence. “Uh—I guess so. I’m looking for the classroom for III-12,” he replied.

The boy extended his hand for Dylan to shake. “My name is Justin Mercado. I’m the Public Relations Officer of the Student Council. I’m here to help transfer students.” Justin smiled from ear to ear, his friendliness putting Dylan somewhat at ease. He nodded towards the stairs at the end of the hall. “The classrooms for third-year high school students are located on the third floor. III-12 is the last classroom, room 312. Do you need me to accompany you?”

Dylan shook his head. “No, that’s okay. I can manage, but thank you so much for the offer and the directions. I appreciate it.” He smiled gratefully at Justin, who returned the smile with genuine warmth.

“Okay, well then, if you need anything, you can come to the Student Coordinating Body booth located at the quadrangle and ask for assistance,” Justin said, pointing towards an archway that led to a big garden. The garden was filled with various booths for school organizations, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Dylan nodded. “Okay, I will do that. Thanks again, Justin.” Even though he had no plans of going there, he appreciated the effort to make him feel as welcomed as possible. Maybe not all the students here are snobbish, he thought to himself.

“Okay then, see you around,” Justin quipped before heading towards the archway that led outside.

Dylan took a deep breath before he walked up to the first flight of stairs. This is it…a new beginning. The thought filled him with excitement and trepidation, as he ascended the stairs to face the it is that he needed to experience.

EJ

After saying hello and catching up with his friends from other sections, EJ made his way to room 312. He still had fifteen minutes before class was set to begin, but he wanted to get there early to scope out who his new classmates would be for the year. As he stepped into the classroom, he took in the neat rows of desks and the large window that let in the morning light, casting a warm glow over the room.

His eyes were drawn to a boy sitting by the window, engrossed in a book. He was new to EJ’s eyes, and EJ couldn’t help but wonder if he was a transfer student. The boy looked up from his book and smiled at EJ, and for a moment, EJ was struck by how the boy’s dimples mirrored his own.

“Hi,” the boy greeted warmly as EJ chose a seat on the opposite side of the room.

“Hi,” EJ replied, offering a small smile. He turned his attention to the blackboard at the front of the room, where the day’s lesson was already scrawled in neat handwriting. Opening his planner, he began organizing his schedule, jotting down the dates and things that he needed to remember. He was so focused on his planner that he barely noticed the rest of the room.

“What’s your name?” the boy asked, his smile still in place as he looked across the room at EJ.

“Eric James Medina, but you can call me EJ for short,” He answered, glancing up briefly from his notes. “You seem new to SMCS.”

“I’m Dylan Mendoza, and yes, I am a new student” the boy said, his eyes bright. “I just transferred here from Albay.”

“That’s pretty far,” EJ remarked, his eyes flicking back to his planner. “How are you finding the city so far?”

For a moment, there was a heavy silence between them. EJ glanced up again and saw that Dylan’s smile had faltered, replaced by a look of sadness and uncertainty. It was as if he was carrying a burden that made it hard for him to fully embrace his new surroundings.

“You okay?” EJ asked, genuinely concerned.

Dylan looked down at his hands as if searching for the right words. “This place…is not going to be easy for me to navigate. Everyone here seems so…put together, so perfect, while I feel like I’m just an outsider looking in.”

EJ was moved by Dylan’s words. He looked around at the classroom, noting how everything seemed perfectly in place—the rows of desks lined up neatly, the clean, white walls adorned with colorful posters of school events and achievements.

He was about to respond when the door opened, and more students started to come in. They entered in groups, chatting among themselves, and it seemed like they all belonged together, their uniforms pressed and their hair perfectly styled.

“Hey, EJ,” called out Kevin Ortaleza, someone he recognized from the previous year. Kevin offered a friendly wave and a small smile as he took a seat beside EJ, blocking his view of Dylan, who now seemed to blend into the crowd of students.

“Hey, Kevin,” EJ greeted back, his smile a bit forced. “How was your summer vacation?”

Kevin launched into a long story about his vacation, describing the amazing places he’d been and the fun he’d had. EJ listened politely, but his mind kept wandering back to the conversation he’d just had with Dylan.

“It was okay,” EJ replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. “Neither good nor bad.” He turned his attention back to his planner, trying to focus on the tasks he had to complete. He tuned out Kevin’s rambling about his summer adventures and concentrated on jotting down reminders of what was needed to be done for the rest of the month.

The first bell of the new school year rang, and the students began to gather their things in preparation for the start of class. EJ glanced up as the classroom door opened, and their class advisor walked in.

“Good morning, boys,” Mr. Darwin Milagros said, his voice strong and clear. He surveyed the classroom with a stern but kind look. “My name is Mr. Milagros. I will be your class advisor and your Religion III teacher this year.”

The students responded with a respectful chorus of greetings.

“Before we get to work, let’s begin the day with a prayer. Who would like to lead us?” Mr. Milagros asked, his eyes scanning the room.

A thick silence fell over the classroom, and not a single student moved. The room was so quiet that the ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to echo loudly. Mr. Milagros sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly.

“Come on, everyone. You’re third-year high school students now. You know that we start every class with a prayer.”

Still, no one made a move. Mr. Milagros’s eyes swept over the students, searching for a volunteer. EJ hoped he would stay unnoticed, but that was not to be.

“Ah, Mr. Medina,” Mr. Milagros said, his eyes landing on EJ. “Our future class valedictorian, why don’t you lead the prayer for us?”

EJ muttered a quiet curse under his breath but forced a smile onto his face. He stood up from his seat and walked to the front of the class, his steps feeling heavier than usual. As he faced the classroom, he saw the relief on his classmates’ faces. His eyes met Dylan’s once more, and the small, tender smile Dylan gave him seemed to offer a flicker of comfort in the sea of anxious faces.