Along Pangasinan

"I nominate Joycelyn Lopez as muse." Said one of my classmates.I was immediately taken aback when I heard my classmates giggle. Our teacher barely cared or just laughed at what was happening in the room. The nominated president is busy writing the name of the nominated muse in class."Is that all?" The president asked innocently while my classmates continued to giggle."No more, is there anything more to Joyce's beauty? Close it." My classmate replied.Until the end of the polls, my classmates continued to giggle, I did not speak because I will just be annoyed and cry because I can do nothing to mold their crooked brains. Eventually, I just sighed.In grade 10, my classmates have been making fun of me for years because of my appearance. I can't deny it because it's true, this is how I was born. What can I do? I also don't have enough money to fix my face. Even the school allowance is still on loan

After Dave bought all the goods, we went home with Tyra, mama was very happy that we sell all the goods. I thought Dave was just joking, that person likes to joke."Is that your boyfriend, Joy?" Tyra asked causing me to choke on the soft drinks I was drinking.When I was feeling well, I stared at her."You punk, that's not my boyfriend." I said, she raised her eyebrows signaling that she doesn't believe what I was saying. "Yeah, he's handsome. But you think he'll hit on me?""You know he likes you--""I don't know about you, you're just making issues with everything." I complained, she just laughed.A few days later, our teacher started to give us a lot of school works, that's why Sirius and I became closer. He gave all of his assignments and activities to me. That's not a problem for me because he immediately gives the payment with the listed activities that I need to do so I can n

"Are you sure you don't want me to buy you something?" He asked.I shook my head, it’s a little embarrassing because we only got closer this year. He and Syrien are the only ones who I often talk to at school."Nothing. Maybe just water from abroad." I laughed at my joke. He frowned, wondering what I was saying. "Isn’t the water there makes people whiter?""Your skin is okay, it suits you." I pouted. Disagreeing with what he said. I don't like the color of my skin because I look dirty even though I just got myself cleaned."I look like I'm always dirty." I said while looking at my skin color on my arm."I don't think so." He commented.Our conversation stopped when a van arrived not far from our house, that was the van that took him here earlier. I accompanied Dave to their van."I'm going home... and advance merry christmas!" He greeted before getting into the van.

I smiled, I could feel the heat on my cheek because of the shyness I felt. I don't know what to say.Fortunately, Tyra lent me some of her make up, so I could fix myself. I often watch her in our house putting on make up, so somehow I know how to do it myself."Are you nervous?" He teased, I tightened the grip on his hand."It’s my first time." I'm embarrassed. "You too, you look good. You look more like a human." I teased too, he blushed.He’s wearing a red blazer with white longsleeve underneath and red neck tie, partnered with red slacks. He’s the only one wearing a different color of tuxedo so lots of people are looking at our place."Wew." He commented.I averted my eyes from him, it’s my first time a male friend complimented me. Besides Tyra and my family. It makes me feel overwhelmed and boosts my self-esteem as a woman, and also it makes me uncomfortable too, almost everyone around me are mocking me I can’t help but doubt what he’s saying,

I immediately pulled him over when I was able to go to him, fortunately he did not get beaten badly because he might not be able to attend school the next day. The teacher came to our place and she talked to Dave and my classmate, I was nervous about his situation, he might get sent to the guidance councilor and he won’t be able graduate because of this incident."Are you okay? Why did you hit him?" I preached, he didn't looked at me and he was just busy wiping his lips. "You think, you're so brave for doing that! You know we're going to graduate next month, we need a good moral in senior high school." I told him in annoyance, but he didn't seem to mind it."Are you okay? The ball hit you hard. Did your brain got shaken? You won’t be good at math anymore!" He said jokingly, I slapped him on the arm causing him to get hurt."I don't know about you." I said, irritatingly, but even though I’m annoyed, I couldn't help but to worry about him."I'm fine, don't