I woke up in such a good mood today, I swear. I dreamed of Isla, my love, but the weird part? I was a boy in the dream. Oh my god, this is definitely because I've been binge-watching too many GL series. But then I thought, what if it actually came true? Like, what if I suddenly woke up as a guy? That's... impossible, right?
I stood up and headed to the cabinet to get my uniform. While reaching for my polo, I saw the necklace I've been planning to give Isla after our game next week. I smiled. This is it. I'm really going to confess.
I took a deep breath like I was about to dive into the ocean, closed the cabinet, and headed straight to the bathroom. Showered, dressed up, and went out of the room to eat.
At the table, the first thing I saw was my sister. Her eyebags were so intense, she could probably audition to be a panda. I smacked the table to wake her up.
She looked at me with her face still marked by sleep.
"You good? You on your period or something?"
"Lack of sleep, duh," she replied.
Lack of sleep? She's the one who had the electric fan the whole night. Meanwhile, I was the official mosquito buffet.
"Why me? I'm the one who got eaten alive by mosquitoes," I said.
"Well, maybe stop snoring like a dying tractor. Buy nasal strips already."
"I can't fit that in my budget right now," I said while sticking my tongue out and grabbing a plate.
She threw a slipper at me but missed. Obviously, I'm fast.
"Tinola's ready!" Mama shouted from the kitchen. I immediately ran back to the table and sat down. I snatched the drumstick instantly.
"Where's your brother?" Mama asked.
"Probably still asleep," said my sister.
"Wake him up. He's gonna be late again."
"He's in senior high but acts like he's in elementary," I added.
Mama gave me a slap. I didn't argue. I just stood up like a fake obedient child.
When I opened my brother's room, I froze. There were gifts everywhere. For who? Girlfriend 1? Girlfriend 2? And then... I saw a condom.
I smacked him with a pillow. He woke up, but his brain clearly didn't.
"What's this? Why do you have a condom?"
He immediately covered my mouth. "Shush! Quiet down."
"It's just a joke gift."
"Who gives this as a gift? To you?"
"It's just for fun, I swear. It's nothing."
I glared at him. "Fine. Just don't get anyone pregnant."
I left his room without another word. People in heat really think their excuses are convincing.
I sat back down and kept eating. That's when I noticed I still had my favorite cap on, and it was tilted on my head like I was trying to look cool. Then I realized—Dad was already there.
"Lazia, loosen up that cap. Might be squeezing your brain too tight," he said.
I quickly took it off. "Yes, sir, haha," I laughed nervously, trying to act normal even though I clearly wasn't.
After we finished eating and my brother took his usual spa-day-level shower, we finally boarded the bus. It was packed, sweaty, but manageable. I preferred this over suddenly being bombarded with a math quiz my brain would never survive.
Let me introduce myself. I'm Lazia Silvano, Grade 10 student. Probably graduating this year, even if my life's a hot mess. Proud lesbian. I've had many girlfriends, boyfriends? Never. Not interested.
My mom, my sister, and my brother? They've known I'm a tomboy since I was little. Certified chick magnet. But my dad? Not yet. He kinda suspects it, but he doesn't want it to be true. He says he still wants grandkids. Sorry, Dad. Even our cat has a better chance of getting pregnant than me dating a guy.
My sister Faith is in college. My brother Khai is in Grade 11. We all go to the same school, so we leave together. Mama doesn't want me traveling alone. Kidnapping cases are rising in our area. Even though I act tough, I admit I'm still scared. I don't wanna be dragged away randomly one day.
When the bus stopped, because it was super crowded, someone shoved me straight into the glass window. My face smacked right onto it. Yup. I had my first kiss—with a bus window.
Did my brother help me? Nope. He laughed.
So when we got off, I punched him on the shoulder.
"Don't you dare talk to me later," I said as I stormed past him.
Before entering the gate, I grabbed my glasses and checked myself in the reflection, fixed my hair.
There. Still pogi. Day continues.
"You look handsome today, Lazia," said the security guard.
"Of course! Takes one to know one, bro," I replied and strutted into the building.
"Lazia!" someone called. I turned around.
ISAMARA.
I melted. She looked like a sunrise. You want to keep looking, but stare too long and it starts to hurt because she's that bright.
Her hair? Flowing like it had its own fan.
Her eyes? They looked like they had their own universe. One look and you're stuck.
Her smile? It could mute an entire room.
No effort, no filters, but it's like heaven made her just to ruin my life in the most beautiful way.
It's so hard not to stare. So hard not to fall.
And then she ruined the moment by flicking me in the mouth.
"Your mouth's wide open. A fly might get in."
"Ah, thanks." Crush is caring. Bye.
"S-so what's up?" I asked, trying to sound normal.
She handed me a parents' permission slip. "Training later, don't forget."
I took it but didn't stop staring.
She's fair but not pale. She glows even without light.
Her eyes are slightly narrow but super expressive. Like, even if she doesn't speak, you just get her.
Her nose? Perfectly straight like it was drawn by God mid-giggle.
Her lips? Pink even without lipstick. When she smiles, these tiny dimples show up.
I was so deep in admiration that someone bumped into me. I dropped the slip.
Instead of apologizing, the jerk said,"Stop blocking the way."
Excuse me?
I immediately yanked his hair.
"Ow!" he yelled and turned to me, mad. "You looking for a fight?!"
I yelled back, "Wanna go?!"
He smirked. Wow. The audacity.
"Just admit you have a crush on me—"
POW!
I punched him in the face. Clean hit. Don't test me.
Isla pulled me back. "LAZIA!"
"You piece of sh*t," I yelled, shaking. "I thought your face was the worst part. Turns out your attitude's even uglier!"
"You got no manners," I added, dodging Isla's hand trying to calm me down.
"At least I'm pure-hearted," the jerk replied.
OH. HELL. NO.
I was ready to swing again but Isla stopped me once more.
"That's enough, Lazia!"
"Get inside, Zayde!" a teacher yelled from the hallway.
People were staring. It was so awkward. But I was proud. At least I didn't let that swamp creature step on me.
What's up with that guy anyway? Why do people like him? He looks like a crocodile pretending to be human.
"Learn to calm down," Isla whispered while pulling me away.
"I'd marry a plant before I ever end up with him," I muttered.
But I added quietly, "...but if it's you, I'd say yes."
"Huh? What was that?" she asked, looking at me.
"N-nothing. I said, I'm here now," I said, pointing at my classroom.
"Okay! I'll head to ours. Good luck, Laz!"
Time stopped.
Literally.
Her voice sounded like anime background music with flower petals floating around.She said Laz. That's a nickname. That's official now. OMG.
Even if I get yelled at by our adviser today, at least I got a "good luck" and a nickname from Isla. What more do I need? A diploma?
As I reached my table, Aria was already looking at me like she smelled gossip from five feet away.
"Lazia, how embarrassing. You really had to start a fight right in front of your crush?"
"So what," I said while fixing my bag. "At least she knows her future wife knows taekwondo."
"You're crazy. What if she doesn't even like you back?"
"Stop being negative. Our story's MMK-worthy. Mark my words."
"You're the only one in this school brave enough to fight Zayde. Aren't you scared?"
"Scared? Please. His face alone is already a loss."
POW—Aria laughed. Like, full-on game show winner laugh.
Then the door swung open. Our terror adviser.
Silence. Like a ghost walked in. We all stood.
"Lazia Silvano," she barked, sounding like she hadn't had coffee for a month.
"Ma'am?"
"Stand one hour outside the building with your hands up!"
"What?"
"You're graduating soon but you're still pulling nonsense. Out!"
"But why just me? What about Zay—"
"OUT."
I rushed out before she snatched my soul. I stood like a failed WiFi signal under the blazing sun. My arms were up like I was signaling planes.
I prayed my brother wouldn't see me. If he did, it would be saved in his brain forever and reported to Mama during dinner.
Good thing it was class hours. If not, a student would probably come up and say,
"Hi! We're from the journalism club. What crime did you commit?"
If I see that guy again after school, I swear I'll break every bone.Fingers, toes, ego. All of it.
It was already afternoon. I couldn't even go home early because of training. I was so tired I felt like steamed veggies left under the sun. My skin was practically grilled tilapia.
Promise. This is my last fight. I'll be a better person. For real. Maybe. Almost.
It's fine. As long as I see Isla again, all my exhaustion fades. She's like a powerbank to my 1% battery.
I changed into a sleeveless tank top, spandex shorts, tied up my hair. Full-on action star tomboy look. Then suddenly, some basketball dude came up to me.
"You single?"
"I like girls."
Boom. He walked away like I just shot him with my gaze.
I went straight to the gym. Isla was just sitting there, looking cool. So composed. She's the kind of girl who could sit calmly even with a fire behind her.
She's one year older than me. Grade 11. But yes to older women, always. I still call her "ate" though, pretending to be respectful, while internally screaming "MARRY ME!"
As I approached, she handed me another parent slip.
"Before your temper flares up again."
"Thanks, ate Isla."
"Just Isla. You make me sound old. We're only a year apart."
Permission to feel butterflies, granted.
"Oh okay… Isla hehe."I got shy. Pretending I wasn't shaking from joy.
Coach whistled. "Warm up!"
We started stretching. I was doing gymnastics-level warm-ups but couldn't focus. Isla was right in front of me. So pretty. Especially in serious mode. I was dying.
"Ouch."My bone made a sound. Like a broken Lego.
"You okay, Laz?"She rushed over. Concerned crush alert. Our eyes met.
OH MY GOD. THAT WAS DEEP.
I looked away fast. Girl, don't tempt me. I'm not ready to be sued.