Chapter 2 - Unknown Territory

I couldn’t believe what he just did. I know that I’m somewhat a pushover but that’s quite rude. “Please do mind your own business,” I said as I took a last glance at him and walked away. I hope we won’t meet again.

“Okay!” He shouted. “Just take care of yourself!” He’s nosy but I couldn’t care less. I don’t want to involve myself with such a bright person. He’ll just make me realize how much of a gloomy thing I am. And he would definitely drain the energy that I’ve been saving for work, plus he’s blinding. 

I arrived in front of the classroom with my cold hands trembling as I couldn’t muster the courage to open the door. This is an unknown place, I would probably be bullied because of how passive I am but…

“Is this also your room?” I got startled when someone started talking to me, and that someone coincidentally was that same person shouting in the main gate before. 

He smiled at me as he opens the door. “Let’s go in.” The boy whose name I don’t know made me enter first, garnering the attention of those already inside. I don’t like this. The room has a pleasant vibe but I'm still nervous. 

“Goddammit! Tell me Kyros isn’t skipping the first day of class.” 

I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest when someone raised their voice behind my back. I placed my trembling hand on my chest as I hear the strange boy beside me chuckling. 

It’s not like I’m scared, but like what I’ve said, school is an unknown territory that I haven’t ventured into for so long. Ever since she left, I didn’t bother going to school anymore. 

“Are you a scaredy-cat?” I blinked lots of times. “You’ve been flinching ever since we arrived here.” He said as he grabbed my hand without even asking for my permission. 

Though he did help me sit down on one of the seats, and even beside him, what he said bothers me. Is he insulting me? I don’t think so, since his tone is quite… what is it called again? Without any bad intentions?

“By the way, I’m Mitch. What’s your name?” His eyes sparkled while awaiting my answer, although my fringe’s slightly covering my eyesight, he still looks like a ray of sunshine. Another bright person, what luck. 

“Alexis.” 

His smile grew wider. “What a great name! Both of our names could be used by girls, what a coincidence.” He giggled and started talking about random things even though I didn’t ask for it. He’s too passionate that it makes me feel like I’m running just to match his pace. This is too much for the first day. 

“I told you he’s somewhere near Korea!” 

Mitch’s ears perked as his gaze shifted to the guys behind us, one of them is the one who surprised me as soon as I got inside the room. I don’t really see their faces well so I couldn’t describe how they look, and I actually prefer it this way. 

“Say, which club are you planning to join? They said that Ravenwood Academy doesn’t waste any time when it comes to their sports club. That’s why the first day would be also the introduction to the clubs.”

“I-Is that so?” I want to hide in a hole! I keep stuttering like an idiot who just learned how to speak! I’m really not used to speaking casually like this, and even worse, in this appearance. 

However, my stutters don’t seem to affect him. “Yup! I’m going to join the volleyball club!” Those words quickly piqued my interest. Does he also love volleyball? Like Lia? 

I didn’t think too much and said. “Why did you choose this school?” 

Mitch snickered. “Didn’t you see the newspaper before? The volleyball genius Ezra Villegas came to this school. He’s a middle blocker like me.” So that’s his position? Seeing how tall he is, it suits him. 

Although I’m not quite sure who he is talking about. I don’t read the newspaper that often. I was left in awe and couldn’t say anything back. 

This made him flustered for unknown reasons. “Oh sorry.” He said as he scratches the back of his head. “It’s just been so long since I talked normally to a friend.” He smiled. Does he already consider me as a friend? Despite us meeting just now? “What about you? What club are you going to join?” 

I started fiddling with my fingers as I could feel the embarrassment swallowing me whole. I don’t have the confidence to say that I’m joining the same club as him. It feels like he would be disappointed if he learns that I’m not good at playing. 

This is the problem with myself, I couldn’t look people in the eye nor start and maintain a conversation with them. This actually makes Mitch a perfect friend for me, because I think he’s the type who doesn’t stop talking and he doesn’t need any replies. Though I guess it might also be tiring sometimes. 

“I also… I’m also joining the volleyball club.” 

Mitch’s eyes widened as he stood up. “Really?!” 

Our classmates’ attention went to the two of us because of how loud he said that. Why does he have to be so loud? I want to hide now. 

“What position do you play?” He sat back down as he focuses his eyes on me. Doesn’t this feel like an interrogation?

“S-Setter.” His eyes twinkled upon hearing that as he holds both of my hands and tried to put his face closer to mine. 

“Toss for me, Lexi.”

I was taken aback and couldn’t say anything. I’m not even sure if we’re in the same league or if I could play like how he wanted me to since he looks like he’s really good at playing volleyball.

“I—“

“Class, please sit down now.” 

What great timing? Thank god our teacher arrived right on time before I could even embarrass myself even more. “Let’s talk about it later, okay?” Mitch winked after he whispered that to my ear. So we’re not done talking about it yet? 

“Let me introduce myself to those who don’t know me.” Our attention was grabbed by our teacher who’s standing in front. 

We’re currently sitting on the middle lane which makes me feel uncomfortable since there are people who could see my back. All I could remember about school was me sitting at the back at all times, that’s because I don’t have any friends. 

“I’m Wilson Mantovan, and I will be your adviser for your whole high school life.” He smiled and giggled as if he’s planning something dangerous. Why does this teacher look so kind yet so weird? 

“Sir.” Someone caught everyone’s attention, it’s a student sitting behind me while raising his hand. “Please don’t laugh like that. It pisses Aries off.” He said and made the others laugh while Mr. Mantovan was flustered. A-Are they bullying our teacher?! 

“Hey! You’re not middle schoolers anymore. Stop acting like a brat now, okay?” He just laughed it off which made me feel amazed by how strong he is. Back then I usually cry whenever someone’s bullying me. 

“Now, I’m going to do the roll call okay?” He then sat on his chair and looked at the list of our names on his desk. 

“Say present if I call your name. Avenell Darwin?”

“Present!” 

And so the roll call started with me feeling nervous just because I’m going to say ‘present’ out loud. Well, at least we don’t have to introduce ourselves in the front right? 

“Navarro Alexis Dionne?” 

“P-Present!” Shit! Why do I have to stutter again?! 

When I thought that everyone would laugh at me, no one actually reacted. Mr. Mantovan continued his roll call while the others are all minding their own businesses. 

What’s with this class? That’s just when I realized that this class only has boys. There’s no single trace of a girl inside this classroom. I feel nervous being with boys because I grew up surrounded by women. 

The roll call ended and Mr. Mantovan said that the sports club would be coming to advertise their clubs and to gain new members. That’s why we were all left inside the classroom with nothing to do. 

“Mitch right? You’re so tall!” Some of our classmates are flocking around Mitch. “If you’re not this tall, I might mistake you as a girl.” I flinched after hearing that. D-Doesn’t that sound offensive? How would Mitch handle that?

Instead of getting offended, Mitch laughed. “Well, I know that I have a pretty face.” He’s so cheerful that he wouldn’t even notice if someone’s talking bad about him. I envy that side of him. 

“Man, I want a girlfriend as pretty as you. My name’s Taichi by the way.” One of them said I think he’s the pure Japanese guy. Since his surname sounds like those of a Japanese person and even his first name. 

“Don’t even dream about it. A girl as pretty as Mitch is out of your league.” They started laughing while I just brought out one of my favorite books. I might as well start reading since I’m not good at interacting with others and I might just ruin the mood. 

“What club will you join?”

Mitch suddenly pulled me by the arm. “We’re joining the volleyball club.” He proudly said with his signature wide smile. 

They were all surprised. “Wow! Really? So even Alexis plays volleyball huh? That’s amazing!” 

They all began complimenting me and I didn’t know what to say. What I know is that they must have thought that I’m not the sporty type of guy because of how scrawny I look. 

I just kept nodding without saying anything and let Mitch do all the talking. But their talks were interrupted by the first club that came into our room, it’s the basketball team.

The Ravenwood Academy also has its own Baseball team. Although we don’t have Baseball competitions in the Philippines, they’re training a team here to be able to compete in the Japanese Branch. Basically, they’ll choose students that excel in it and would make them transfer to Japan so that they could play for the team there. 

“Captain! Ezra’s running again!” 

My attention went to the door as there seem to be noises coming outside as soon as the Baseball team got out of our room. The door abruptly opened, and three tall men made their way inside. 

One of them cleared his throat as he was about to speak, but he received a whack on the head by another one that just arrived while still panting. Are they some kind of club too? They’re quite scary. 

“Ah!” The one that received a whack on the head raised his voice as he pointed in my direction. “You’re that guy! From the hentai anime!”