CHAPTER 7

I woke up from that incredibly weird dream. Is that a damn wet dream? About that guy? I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't accept it either! I couldn't believe that I was kissing that guy in my dream. Like hello! I never dreamed of having a wet dream for a guy like him. And thanks to Alice's loud mouth, I woke up. This is the first time her blabbering has been useful. "Good morning! You look fresh," she said to me with a smile. Is this girl bored or something? "And what's with the noise?" I asked her. "Guess what? The enrollment has been rescheduled! Let's go to school today," Alice said to me as if there was something exciting about enrolling. I looked at my wristwatch. "It's only seven in the morning. You're too excited for nothing." "Hey, this is nothing. Don't you have a crush yet? I haven't seen Andrew for so long, gosh! I miss him," she said with a giggle. "Miss him." I just shook my head while choosing my outfit. Maybe I'll get ready around 9 in the morning. "Okay, let's go enroll. But our van isn't here," I told her. And considering the vastness of this place, I don't have to think twice to know that the school is far from here. "There's a tricycle driver at the corner, the fare is only fifty pesos! I know the one driving there, he's my cousin, Christian." "A tricycle? Isn't that dangerous?" I asked. Alice laughed, and I had no idea why she suddenly found it funny. "It's safe, don't worry. And my cousin is not a reckless driver! Go ahead and freshen up, madam, and let's not leave yet. It's crowded in line," she said. I probably don't need to guess that they don't have online registration. I should expect to deal with manual processes here in the countryside. I went out to have tea. I just wanted to sip a cup while thinking and reflecting on why the hell I had a lustful dream about that guy. I've met a ton of handsome guys before, but! I've never had, a considerably, wet dream for a guy. I just shook my head and went to the kitchen. Mom was there, arranging food in our fridge. She looked tired, and I know we're all adjusting. "Do you need help, Mom?" I asked her. She refused. "No, my child, I can handle this. Oh, by the way, the WiFi installer will come later, so worry not." I smiled at what I heard! I knew it, I never really paid attention to those things before. As if a simple WiFi could make me happy. But now I realized that only when you have nothing, you can appreciate everything. "Thank you, Mom! Finally, I'll be able to catch up with my brother and Daddy," I said, trying not to show too much excitement. "Your breakfast is ready, as Alice said that your enrollment is today. More adjustments, there are no private schools here. But I swear the school you will attend is good. It's where your dad studied." I smiled. "It's okay, Mom. I know we won't stay here for long." She weakly smiled. "I hope so too." I ignored her. I needed to be optimistic! I needed to think that this scenario wouldn't be my endgame. I wouldn't let myself get stuck in this situation and life. We would regain our status and our previous life. I swear, especially those who stepped on us. They better watch out! After taking my daily dose of tea, I quickly took a bath in the well and got ready. And being the picky bitch that I am, I carefully chose what to wear. I don't want to look too different and stand out too much. I chose to wear a white shirt and jeans, tied my hair in a ponytail, and put on my shoes. This is my simplest get-up. When I stepped out, Alice was already waiting for me. She was wearing a bright pink blouse and a skirt. "Girl, you can't come like that," I said to her. She gave me a puzzled look. "Huh? Why?" I pulled her into the room and dressed her properly. When I saw that her outfit looked decent, we went out. "Wow, your clothes are so nice! Branded, original, and made of cotton." "I'm allergic to other fabrics, so I'm really picky with my clothes. Hurry up, where's your cousin?" I asked her. It's so hot now outside. "There he is, at the corner. Damn, he didn't even answer! I swear, that Christian better be prepared," Alice said, as if she was about to confront a bandit. She ran towards a guy on a motorcycle. The guy was fair-skinned, not bad-looking at all, with a slightly Asian look. But his fashion sense was so outdated. It runs in their blood, maybe? "Hey, Christian! Did you forget to pick us up earlier? It's so hot, and you made us walk with Krystal!" Alice complained. I felt embarrassed as we caught the attention of other passengers and the driver. "Why, are you a chick that I should pick up? Who's that with you? Oh shit! Cousin, why do you have a goddess with you?" the guy named Christian asked me. I cringed. Goddess? What the eff? "Stop it, Christian! I've told you that she's off-limits. But well, don't expect that girls will fall for you. You look like a radish slapped on the face." "For real, just get on! Hi miss, what's your name?" Christian asked me. "Krystal Miranda," I said with a restrained smile. "Just your name alone is heaven. By the way, my name is Kristianoff, not Christian." "Christian, damn it! It's so hot! Can we go now?" "Are you my boss?" Christian asked Alice. What I did was to get inside the tricycle that Christian was driving. Since this kind of vehicle was open, I have a nice view of the farmland. I saw the simple life in the countryside. Trees were everywhere, plants everywhere, and houses were scattered around. We spent 15 minutes traveling before we reached a huge school. I didn't expect that this would be a school in the countryside, and most importantly, a public school. The school buildings were quite impressive, there were five buildings, each with at least five floors. The facilities were extensive and complete. I was shocked and my jaw dropped. Then, I realized that it wouldn't be bad to study in the said school. "Our school is beautiful, right?" Alice said to me, now sitting beside Christian and extremely proud. If I were her, I would also be proud. Imagine, this school looks prestigious. "Yes, it's beautiful, but how?" "Didn't I tell you before? Many business owners live here. Even the Lopez family funds schools like this. All children of farmers here are scholars, it's their way of giving back to our farmers." I was delighted to hear this. Imagine, farmers were the least fortunate because they were constantly oppressed by the government. How could we belittle the farmers when our plates were full of crops and ingredients that were made from their blood and sweat? I felt guilty as a rich girl before, and I didn't appreciate them. But it's nice to see this. "It's really amazing!: "Let's go, the line is long. You go ahead, Miss Beautiful," Christian said to me. Alice pinched him. "Stop that, Christian! I'll punch you. Stop acting like you are as handsome as Andrew!" "Bite me! I even look better than that guy!" Christian claimed. "Take that back! I'm getting fed up with you, Christian," Alice said with frustration. I, on the other hand, was amused watching them. "What? He won't like you, Alice. Guys like Andrew go for the beautiful ones when they're facing them, not when they turn their backs," Christian said, clearly provoking Alice. "You beast!" As we walked towards the registration office, we immediately noticed the line. I was wrong, the registrar was computerized. The line was just long because I forgot that there was almost no proper cellphone signal or internet access in this area. Only they have proper access to these school grounds. As we walked, many men were looking at us, especially at me. I started feeling uneasy. Some girls were whispering and looking at me too. Like hello? Did I do something wrong to them? Are they gossiping about me or something? "Just ignore them, Krystal. That's what happens when there are jealous people!" Alice said loudly, making sure they could hear her. "Let's go next in line." After the quick registration, I was given some important guidebooks, section assignments, schedules, and more. We were on our way home when I saw something I shouldn't have seen. Alice and I hid like ninjas behind the guardhouse. We ran away from Christian, who was now talking to a high school student, and Logan. "Why is he here?" I asked Annoyed. "Logan is Andrew's cousin. Oh no, I'm losing points to become Andrew's wife!" Is that really her problem? "You know what, let's just take public transportation instead of getting caught here. You said it yourself, that Logan Lopez is a dangerous guy." Alice and I exchanged glances and nodded. We walked slowly in circles when someone grabbed our arms. Okay, I felt like I was in a horror movie facing him. My instincts were telling me that I was in danger. "Leaving again so soon? Maybe you'd like to accompany us first?"