"Good morning, everyone!!!" I said out loud to no one in particular. Sigh… A new day, a new school. Being a student is never easy—but what else can we do? We're just ordinary kids relying on our parents' support. Still, I'm genuinely excited. Today marks the start of my journey at my brother's school—Westvale Academy.
It's a prestigious school, well-known for producing successful graduates. That's why enrollment was so difficult; they only accept a limited number of students each year. Getting in was already a miracle in itself.
Flashback...
Two weeks earlier...
"Full capacity na po tayo, ma'am. Pasensya na, next year na lang siguro," said the registrar coldly.
I stood frozen in place, clutching the application form tightly in my hand. My legs felt weak. My dream of getting into Westvale… slipping through my fingers.
"But she's already passed the exam," Liam said beside me, trying to stay calm. "She's within the top ten. That should count for something."
"I'm sorry, sir, but the final slots were given to students with earlier reservations. The school has very strict guidelines."
I looked at my brother. His jaw was clenched.
"I took the entrance exam fairly," I said softly, my voice cracking. "I studied hard… I passed."
The woman looked at me briefly, then turned away to speak with someone else.
Liam pulled me gently aside. "Stay here, Lumi," he said. "I'll handle this."
He walked back to the counter—more determined this time, his voice firm but quiet. I couldn't hear what he was saying. I only saw how his hand reached into his pocket, how the staff's expression changed, and how a different administrator appeared a few minutes later.
"Miss Reyes?"
I turned to see a man holding a clipboard. He gave me a quick once-over, then said, "We may be able to make space for one more student."
"Really?" I blinked.
"Congratulations. Welcome to Westvale Academy."
I barely managed to say thank you before everything around me blurred. Relief flooded my chest. I looked at Liam, who gave me a tired smile.
"You didn't do anything illegal, did you?" I asked as we walked out the gate.
"Of course not," he said. "Just asked the right questions... and reminded them of a few things they might have forgotten."
I wanted to ask what that meant—but I didn't. Maybe I was too happy to finally get in. Maybe… deep down, I knew not everything was as simple as it seemed.
End of Flashback...
It was tough, right? Thank goodness for my big brother Liam—he helped me get enrolled since our parents were too busy to do it themselves. Honestly, I see my brother more as a parent than our actual mom and dad. They're rarely home, always busy with work. But what can I do? That's just how things are.
"Lumi! Are you done up there?! Hurry up, you're going to be late!!" Liam shouted from downstairs.
"Coming, Kuya! I'm on my way!" I yelled back while rushing down the stairs.
"You know I have work, right? You can't keep waking up late. Who else will help you get ready? And look at your hair! You didn't even fix it. Your uniform—are you sure that you ironed it? Why does it look so wrinkled?"
"Ugh, seriously, Kuya. It's too early for your mouth to be in megaphone mode." I rolled my eyes. "And don't worry about my outfit. I did iron it. And last I checked, we're allowed to wear our hair however we want at school."
"That's your idea of a hairstyle? It looks like a chicken clawed at your head."
"It's called style, Kuya."
"More like lazy style. Turn around."
"Hey! I'm still eating!"
"I'll fix your hair while you eat. At least try to look presentable," he muttered as he began combing and tying my hair gently.
"Awww, Kuya, you're so sweet! You better keep taking care of me even when you get married someday," I teased him, leaning playfully to the side.
"Don't worry," he said jokingly. "I don't plan on getting married."
"Haha! I think you chose the wrong course. You should've been a priest instead of becoming a civil engineer."
"You brat," he laughed, lightly tapping my head with the comb. "Eat your breakfast."
Liam always nags, but I know he means well. Without him, I'm not sure where I'd be. He's been my anchor ever since things started falling apart at home… not that anyone at school needs to know that.
I stared at my reflection as he fixed my hair. I had a fresh uniform on, my bag packed, my ID in place—and yet, something in my chest felt tight. Was it nervousness? Excitement? Or something else?
Westvale Academy.
I whispered the name again in my mind as we walked toward his car. This school… this place… it looked perfect from the outside. The tall gates, the polished floors, the clean white walls with hanging banners of past achievements. Everyone I saw looked so polished, so confident.
But something in the air felt… off.