Chapter 3: Impressions
It turned out, Franco was my new block mate for the entire year. Not to mention our seats were
arranged alphabetically.
As the teacher arranged our seats.
“Briones, Franco. Castello, Saphira.”
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“Hi Seat mate! Good thing we’re already friends now.”
“Ahhh. . . I guess so?”
“Ohe on Saphira, being friends with a poor chap like me will not give you a virus. . . .”
He must have seen the change in my expression when he said those words basing on the sudden
panic on his face and his change of demeanor.
“Oh shit! Sorry, I did not mean it like that.”
“Its okay. I’m used to it.”
I should have been used to it by now but I still took my things and went out of the room towards the
girl’s washroom before the tears poured down my face.
Being me everywhere else had its perks but being me at school is very painful. I was bullied a lot
because they see me as a snob and a geek. Another reason for not having friends.
“Hey Castello! What’s the matter? Senator Mommy can’t save you from your tears?”
“Come on girls, I don’t want to be in the same room as that drama queen!”
“If I know, she’s crying because her big time daddy cannot give her the new car model she wants. Or
she was not allowed to have another stic surgery to fix her nose!”
“Rumor has it that she’s not even a real Castello. She doesn’t even fit the pretty name or the pretty face
of her parents.”
“Hey Castello, why the crying face? Did your imaginary boyfriend break up with you?”
“Let’s go girls, we’re going to bete for PE ss which some snob here is allergic to. She doesn’t
even want to perspire or to even get tired. What a shame! She’s missing all the fun.”
Finally, the group of girls who always gave me hell, went out of the washroom and gave me some
peace.
I cried so much that day. Not because of the hurtful things they said but because I was fed up that even
a stranger who doesn’t know me at all will think that I am a snob.
“Saphira? Can Ie in?” I heard his voice before he peeked inside the washroom.
“Franco? What are you doing here?”
“Is that a yes?”
“No! I mean, no of course you can’te in. Why did you even follow me here? Please go away!” He
was unstoppable. He went inside, closed the door and blocked it with his frame.
“Look, I’m sorry okay? I did not mean to imply anything, I did not mean it that way. I was only joking and
I didn’t know that you have issues here at school.”
I looked at his sincere face and I can’t help but feel more sorry for myself.
“I don’t need your apologies. It was my fault to be affected. They may be right. I’m really a drama
queen.”
“Look, I heard them. Sorry but I did and I’m just wondering why a pretty and intelligent girl like you lets
herself be bullied that way?”
“Stop saying things that aren’t true. Just leave me alone. Please just go away.”
“Saphira. . . please.”
“Please, you can’t make me talk to you now. Just go.”
“Alright, I will leave you alone for now, but just think of this, I am your friend now. Whether you want to
or not. I proim myself as your new found friend. I would rather have one real friend here than a
bunch of fake and fancy know-it-all like those girls. I hope you’ll stop crying soon. I’m really sorry
Saphira. I really am.”
He tried to approach me but I backed up. He looked at me sadly onest time before he left the room.
I skipped the rest of the sses that day. There were some days when I just need to pretend to be sick
just to have a peace of mind, at home, away from the bullies that make my already lonely life more
miserable.
There were nights I cried myself to sleep, hoping that I have someone to talk to. Someone to share my
worries and fears. Someone to tell me I look awful when I cry. Someone to hold my hand and tell me
that everything will turn out alright. Anyone. Just someone who will be my friend.