POV: Hex
Saturday. SIIS Founder's Day.
I was at my own school today, but my nerves? A whole circus. 🎪
I had spent days perfecting my poem, the one I wanted to read to everyone—no, not just read, I wanted to feel it into the air, make them laugh, maybe cry a little. Make Jay-Jay understand it wasn't just words.
And then… chaos struck.
I was in the hallway, sneakers squeaking, flipping my notebook open to rehearse one last time.
Nothing.
My poem was gone.
Gone.
Like—poof—vapor.
Some prankster had apparently "borrowed" it, or maybe I left it somewhere stupid, or… maybe the universe hates me.
I stared at the empty page in my notebook.
And then I panicked.
"Hex! You ready?" Mila's voice from the door made me jump.
"Y-yeah, yeah…" I said, trying to sound normal, but inside… my soul was screaming.
I glanced at my shoes. They were fine. Socks still on. Sneakers not untied. Calm on the outside. Chaos on the inside.
I tried reconstructing my poem in my head.
Wait. I can do this.
Think Hex. Think.
I went over every line. Every word. Every feeling.
When my name was called, my stomach flipped.
I walked to the stage. Spotlight hit me. Faces staring. Principal, teachers, students… and Jay-Jay.
Oh no.
I felt my pulse in my throat.
"Just breathe. Just speak. You've done worse," I muttered under my breath.
I gripped the mic.
I remembered. Every single line of my poem.
And maybe… maybe some words came out differently than I rehearsed. Maybe I improvised. Maybe it was rough around the edges. But it was from my heart.
I began:
"There's that one person in everyone's day,
Who makes the gray skies turn okay.
The laugh that sneaks into your chest,
The little chaos that feels the best.
The one who knows when to push, when to stay,
Who turns the boring into play.
The smile that's loud, the voice that's clear,
The reason I'm braver when you're near.
She doesn't wear a crown,
But she carries kingdoms.
She doesn't need saving,
But I'll stand beside her anyway.
So yes, I'll say it, no need to hide,
That one person… Jay-Jay, is you—my sister .
And maybe, just maybe, I'll confess,
Being near you… is my favorite mess."
I didn't falter. Not really.
When I looked at her—Jay-Jay—her eyes glistened. She was blinking fast, trying to hide tears. My chest tightened.
Yes. Mission accomplished.
The crowd erupted. Applause. Standing ovation. Whistles. Students cheering. Some even teary-eyed.
Mila clapped the loudest. Behind her, Section E boys were going insane.
"BROOO HEX!!!" Ci-n shouted from the back, nearly toppling over his own chair.
Even Keifer—leaning casually, arms crossed, mask of calm—but I saw it. The little flicker of pride.
And me?
I almost tripped off the stage because my knees were shaking.
Heart still racing. Soul still spilling out words. Mind screaming: "You did it, Hex!"
I left the mic and grabbed Mila's hand. She grinned.
"You were amazing!" she said.
"Yeah, yeah… amazing," I muttered, trying to act cool. But inside, I was screaming.
Afterward, the program continued. Students sang, danced, performed. More awards. Snacks. Cheers. Laughter. Pandesal. Banana cue. Juice boxes everywhere.
And yet… my mind kept drifting back.
To Jay-Jay.
To the line: That one person… is you—my guide.
Even if the poem was stolen, even if I panicked, even if my knees shook like jelly—
I spoke the truth.
From the heart.
And maybe that mattered more than perfection.
End of Chapter 🌟