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Chapter 2 - First Day, New Challenges

"This is really annoying!" Why does Mom have to move me here? I don't like this place! "Mommy, really!" Julie was angry in her head as she walked behind her new teacher to the classroom.

She had promised her father that she would go to the same private school as her older brother, Christian, after he died a year ago. She had to keep her word. She had to act right because she was in ninth grade. Julie let out a long sigh.

"Okay, stay here for now." Her teacher said kindly, "I'll just call you." Julie nodded. She was glad that her adviser seemed nice and made her feel welcome in the new place.

Julie looked into the classroom to see what kinds of people she would meet. There were only a few students in the room, which was typical for the first section. They hadn't put on their uniforms yet.

The teacher said, "Good morning, class." Julie could hear people talking inside while she stood quietly at the door.

The students all said, "Good morning, teacher!" and stood up.

"Please take a seat. The teacher smiled and said, "Before we start orientation, we have a new classmate joining us today."

Julie heard people talking about her as the other students looked at her.

One student asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?" She knew right away that she wouldn't get along with that one. Julie shook her head and wished she could just sit down because her legs were tired from standing.

The teacher said, "She's a girl."

The students nodded, and some of them whispered with excitement.

Julie smiled to herself at the whispers outside. She wore her favorite jeans and shirt because her new uniform wasn't ready yet.

"Teacher, where did she go to school?" a girl asked with a hint of snobbery in her voice, as if she was already judging Julie.

The teacher said, "She moved from a public school after finishing eighth grade."

Julie saw the girl's shocked face. Is it unusual for someone from a public school to move here? 

She raised an eyebrow and thought about it.

The teacher told her to come in. "Let's be nice and welcome her," she said.

Julie walked in and felt like dozens of eyes were silently judging her. Her adviser put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"Julie, please tell the class who you are," her teacher said in a calm voice.

She was able to get through it even though her tongue felt heavy. "Julie Marie J. Navares," she said quickly. "It's nice to meet you all."

Once more, whispers spread through the classroom. One boy looked at her closely, his eyes following every detail. Julie figured out where it came from: her last name.

The teacher smiled and said, "She's Christian's younger sister."

A soft chorus of surprise spread through the room.

"Miss Navares, sit over there," the teacher said. Julie did what she was told and was glad to be by the window. She saw her older brother laughing with his friends and knew how famous he was because he was running for class president again.

Julie let out a sigh. She wanted to go to a public school with her old friends, but she would honor her father's memory. Wow, Dad, that's so unfair. This place is not for me.

The day's orientation got started. Julie saw a name she knew when the class voted for class president: Mark Cielo Villanueva. She frowned. Villanueva? I've heard that last name before... 

She tried not to think too much about it.

Julie stayed in her seat during recess because she didn't know where to go. Her stomach growled with impatience. She looked at her phone, hoping for a nice message, but all she got was a notification. She sighed and put it away.

She saw her reflection in the window and heard a voice.

"So... "Did you go to public school?"

Julie turned around. A boy held out his hand.

"Hey, I'm Raymond." He said, "Nice to meet you, Miss Navares."

She shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet you too."

Someone called out, "Raymond!" Julie looked to see who it was.

Cielo was the one. The memory hit her. Camping trip! I learned more about my brother while we were camping together. She made a face. Did he go to Dad's funeral? I can't remember...

Cielo was surprised by how she reacted.

"You!" she yelled, frowning. He didn't seem to remember her, but she couldn't forget how rude he had been on the trip.

She said, "You're grumpier than a woman on her period."

Cielo raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Raymond tried to keep from laughing.

Julie went back to what was bothering her right away. "By the way, where's the cafeteria?" she asked. Her stomach growled again.

Raymond gave her a map. "Downstairs." There are two canteens: one for elementary school and one for junior high. There is a separate canteen for Senior High.

"Thanks!" Julie said as she rushed off. She bought a sandwich and a milk bar, but she was confused by the prices.

It was hard to find a seat. In the end, a woman who was sitting by herself let her in.

She sighed as she saw her brother laughing with his friends. Maybe I'll have someone to hang out with too in a year...

"By the way, what's your name?" Julie asked.

"Oh... Ke—Kelly," her friend said softly.

She held out her hand and said, "Julie Marie."

Kelly nodded and smiled a little.

Julie's first day ended with small wins, like making a new friend and getting a quick smile, but she still had worries. She didn't wait for her older brother and went home alone.

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