Princes In School?!
I wake up to the sound of my alarm, my Mom wailing like a siren, Tili's – our maid – heavy footsteps and my cat Tobias on the brink of clawing my whole face.
Erika
Ah. What a lovely morning.
He skids away and out the small entrance under my door, most probably disappointed he didn't get to mark my face.
I let out a heavy yawn and stretch my joints.
This is a typical morning for me.
My Mom owns the third largest food franchise in the country and not a morning goes by peacefully. There's always something going on, whether it's good or bad.
My cat Tobias I believe is possessed by a disembodied spirit of a dead shrewd gardener who once labored here in Thelda Manor, from what I've heard he was quiet, didn't like mornings and absolutely hated kids.
Tili on the other hand is the only normal one. And that's a big relief.
Tili knocks on the door. It's her morning routine.
I hop off the bed and dash to the door to open it. She stands there beaming like a child. Her cheeks are high and puffy.
"Good morning Erika, here's your breakfast. Now hurry up, your mom will be driving you to school," she says gently with a sweet smile.
She hands me the tray with all my favorite breakfast snacks.
Erika
Why so sudden? We agreed I'd take the bus to school. Isn't she suppose to go to work early?
"Oh no dear. She wanted to surprise you by driving you on the first day of your senior year! So exciting!" She squeals.
Erika
Correction, I'm a Junior...
...next year, I'll be a senior..
I grab a piece of sausage from the plate and take a minimal bite.
"It's all the same, you're in Senior High! Two more years left and you're off to college!" She squeals.
Erika
Ugh.
Is that why she decided to take on a banshee's role this morning?
I chuckle and eat the sausage whole.
"Hey, your mom's really stressed. She was looking forward to drop you off at the university, you both dreamed of going there didn't you?" She says.
I took a handful of scrambled eggs this time and shove it in my mouth. I moan at the taste.
"Now go finish your breakfast and prepare, I'll try to calm your mom down," She says quickly.
Erika
Wait, what actually happened?
"I'll leave her to tell you. Now make haste!" She hissed and closes the door.
I stand pondering for a few seconds when my alarm snooze for the first time. I hurry to finish my breakfast and then to the bathroom.
An hour and a half later, I'm all set.
I leave my room and hand Tili the tray back.
We make our way down the stairs but not before locking my room door. Tobias is nowhere to be found, as expected, he's somewhere lurking in the dark and sinister corners of the manor.
Thelda Manor existed from the time of my great-great grandmother Thelda. It's old but renovations are done once in a decade to preserve the house.
My Mom, Tili, Tobias and I are the main resident of this house. We have few laborers, three more maids and a gardener. My mom likes it that way. And surprisingly, I do too.
She says a few company meant fewer problems.
I enter the dining hall and find everyone in their seats. It's tradition every morning to eat breakfast as a whole, but my mom seems to be missing from the scene.
Our trusted maids, Ana, Klara and Niña greet me with a smile. Fabian, our gardener stands briefly to acknowledge me. He's way too formal but I don't mind.
Just then mom comes out from the kitchen holding a bucket of coffee vanilla ice cream and two scoop-like spoons.
I couldn't help but snicker.
Her beige suit compliments the ice cream design.
Theodora Mansser
Let's go. We'll eat this on the way. I don't want you to be late.
She days, looking agitated.
I shake my head and grin uncontrollably.
I guess Tili couldn't calm her after all, since she resorted to food.
The maids and Fabian keep quiet and eat.
I bid them goodbye and follow mom outside the driveway where she usually parks her red Mazda.
She slides inside the driver's seat and I shotgun.
We don't have a driver. Mom drives to work on her own and I take the bus to school, mostly. I haven't got a license yet, but we plan to get it this year.
I settle myself and place my bag at the back. I pull the seatbelt down then hands me the ice cream bucket and the spoons.
Erika
What funked you to bring the whole bucket?
She starts the car and maneuvers. The gates open automatically and we're off.
She groans heavily as we were driving.
Erika
What happened this time?
I gently take off the lid and scoop a decent amount. I give her the first scoop.
She takes it and moans lightly, nodding her head.
Theodora Mansser
I asked Amanda to move the Board Meeting this lunch.
Theodora Mansser
And she did.
Theodora Mansser
The dimwit had the audacity to only tell me now that they declined my re-schedule.
Theodora Mansser
They're expecting me within the hour.
I sigh and give her another spoon of ice cream.
She turns to me briefly after taking the second spoon.
Theodora Mansser
You don't like?
I shake my head and smile.
Erika
I want, but I think you need it more than I do.
I smile and scoop another.
Theodora Mansser
Don't be ridiculous. I know you're nervous
Erika
I'm more excited though
Theodora Mansser
That's good then?
Erika
You shouldn't have troubled yourself about today. You know ice cream in the morning is terrible right?
Theodora Mansser
Nonsense! You've been dreaming of Solaire University since you were five!
Theodora Mansser
I want to see you off!
Erika
Wow, it's like you don't want me to return home.
She laughs and playfully pinched my arm.
Theodora Mansser
I'm just happy, that's all.
Theodora Mansser
All the big things, the big deals to you is ten times bigger to me. You know that right?
I smile, touched. I peck her on the cheek and we swerve a little to the left.
We arrive at the university thirty minutes later.
We park inside and for a brief moment stay still.
We didn't get to finish the ice cream.
Mom holds my hand and caresses it. She kisses the top of my hand and smiles gently.
Theodora Mansser
Have a great first day at school. Call me if you need anything and I'll come whenever.
I smile and hug her tight. I kiss her again on the cheek and we both laugh.
Erika
Mom, you're so corny.
Theodora Mansser
I know. Oh! My baby's all grown up!
I shake my head and roll my eyes.
I grab my bag from the back and swing it over my shoulder. She starts the car once again and I wave goodbye as she drives away.
A high pitched buzzing sound.
Before I could dodge, Free mounts me from behind, her arms around me.
Free
Ekaaah! I can't believe it! We're finally here!
She screams and the I wince.
She hops off my back and throws an arm around my shoulder.
Erika
You'll ruin our uniforms!
If there's one thing that could calm such an exorbitant hormone like Free, it's the condition and decency of how she wears her clothes.
She lets go and we stall for a moment fixing each others' ribbons. She takes out her phone and begin to take selfies.
Free
First day of Senior High! Finally! Juniors of Solaire University! Hashtag Juniors! Hashtag SolaireU!
She squeals into her phone and posts the picture on her Myne profile.
It's a social media app where you can post photos on your feed and share them with friends. There's a chat message feature too and several filters for photo taking.
Free has a huge following, though.
Erika
What time is the Welcome Assembly?
She says, still glued on her phone.
Erika
Any word from Lara? I haven't received any texts from her this morning.
Free
Should we go look for her?
Free
We still have a couple of minutes.
I nod and link arms with her.
We still have a few minutes before the Welcoming Assembly starts. We stroll the area near the campus auditorium to watch out for Lara.
Free
Oh yeah, I saw your mom's car. She dropped you off?
Free
Paps dropped me off. He got a paint job on the Mustang.
Erika
Ohhh! I wished I could've seen it! He'd been working on that car the whole summer
Free
How about a "First Day Party" at my place? Nana's planning a barbecue.
We see Lara heading towards us.
We notice the other students give her a second glance.
Free
Wah. Everywhere she goes, she's a head turner.
Free praises, slowly clapping her hands.
Lara gives us a wave and then hurries to meet us.
Free
Too bad her brain could only function so little.
Her comment sends me laughing.
Lara reaches us just when the bell rang, signalling us for the Welcoming Assembly.
She gives us a hug and we link arms with each other, Lara between Free and I.
We head inside with the rest of the Juniors.
Erika
Nothing much. Free and I were only talking about how many brain cells you've got left after your summer classes.
Free
AND the entrance exams.
Congrats by the way!
Erika
Yah! That too! I'm surprised you're still on your feet!
She pouts and slaps both our arms.
Lara
But I think I lost half.
Free
Anyways, why no call or text since last night?
Erika
Yeah, and you look like you could use some rest. Are you not feeling well?
I place a gentle hand on her forehead but her temperature is already normal.
Lara
Ugh. I overslept. We were full last night.
Lara
Mr. Benigns had us whip up a miracle of a hundred and forty Jackpot Rice Bowls within the hour.
Free
Hah? How crude! Orders like that need atleast a days head start!
Erika
What happened after?
Lara
We managed, although we're ten minutes late.
Erika
Well I hope Daniel gets paid at a reasonable price.
Free
He shouldn't have to pay the rent this month.
Lara
I thought so too, but you know he'll never take it when an opportunity like that comes.
Erika
He's too kind for his own good.
We take a seat with the rest of our class as we are divided into sections.
The three of us managed to stay in the same class, which relieves me.
The auditorium is massive and packed.
Lara
I can't believe we're actually here. Do you remember when we used to save pictures of this campus from the gallery site?
I nod and the three of us chuckle.
Free
Or that time we try to sneak in from the east entrance?
Erika
We almost got through. Only if it weren't for your damn skater skirt getting caught on the rails.
She tries to reach for me and claw me but I dodge.
i stick my tongue out when the lights dim.
First there was a traditional dance performance, it was beautiful.
Then the Dean introduces himself and gives a brief history of the school.
He proceeds with the rules and regulations and all the important stuff.
He lost me when he starts to tell stories of his experiences.
I wake up just in time to head for homeroom.
Lara excuses herself when she received a call from her mother.
We walk out the auditorium and follow her.
We wait for Lara to finish her call and stand at a respectful distance.
Free
Princes of LEON are also attending this school.
Erika
Yeah, I heard you the first time, but who are they?
Free
For a daughter of someone who's connected to a lot you're clueless.
Free
LEONHARA Holdings Inc.
Erika
Ooh, I know that name. They're that Joint Business Tycoons right?
Free
And as it turns out they're in the same space as us.
Erika
So what's so special about them?
Free sighs exasperated and shows me her phone.
She scrolls down and shows me photos of the alleged Princes of Leon
Free
That's what special about them.
I'm not gonna lie, they really look like Princes.
One of them though, looks fairly familiar.
Free keeps scrolling and showing photos of the four guys when something catches my eye.
I tap Free's shoulder lightly but she didn't budge.
Erika
Hey, your Princes are here.
I said and she snaps her head to me.
I turn her head to where we left Lara to finish her call but found not only Lara but four boys beside her.
Erika
I know right, it's like straight out of a telenovela.
Free
and that jasmine tree beside them whoop! Perfect position.
Erika
And the wind blowing?? Wahh.
I'm getting goosebumps.
Free
I'm not even jealous, I'm proud.
Erika
We need popcorns from now on.
Comments
patato joice
ang chaotic naman ng morning ni fl hahaha
2021-05-04
2
nekobites
the mother and daughter moment is so sweeett demmet i got kilig from it WWAAAAAHHHH UWU SANAOL
2021-04-07
5
elkie barbara
ahaha, I like that her friends are very supportive.
2021-03-25
5