High School True Story

By: Julius Lourence Ollave

Introduction:
This is the story of my 2nd year in high school. This will be told in English and all
conversations except slang terms will be translated.
Since this is told in first-person view, you should at least know some things about
the author.
My name is Lourence. I was assigned to Section 2 Tranquility. Around that time I was
still 13. Im a 56 and my weight should be around 121 pounds. Though I dont know
why I pointed this out, this should be a handy reference should someone is curious
why I am used to inspect the classrooms ceiling fans.
My story is divided into chapters, each containing an important event of the school
year. This begins at the first day of class towards the end of the school year. I would
suggest that you avoid skipping chapters you havent read yet because all of the
chapters events continue to the next chapter, in some way or the other.

Read and relive my experiences. Lets begin

I. First Day and First Impressions
I arrived at school.
The early suns rays beamed at my face as I took my first step into the campus after
an uneventful summer. I reached my new homeroom and, despite being early,
found that some of the students had already organized and on their desks. I
examined the desks for a long time before I found mine.
Hey, Julius. Long time no see.
I turned to the person smiling beside me and recognized him almost instantly.
Jeremie.
One of my classmates during Grade 4, we werent exactly buddies then. Now that I
became more sociable, we shook each others hands.
So, were classmates again, huh?
Yeah, apparently.
So what did you do last year?

I was about to tell him about my classes last year, when the homeroom teach called
us to the flag ceremony.
Well talk later.
I followed the other students outside and went to the Faculty area. Being almost
always the tallest in my class, Im always at the very end of the line. I endured
through a very lengthy speech concerning another school year. My new classmates
also took it tough, since they began sitting on the benches and crouching on the
ground. After a depressing 30 minutes under the burning sun, I was just glad to be
back in the classroom.
My homeroom teacher introduced herself as Mrs. Gina Cabonce, and will also be our
social/history teacher. She organized the seating arrangement so that on every row
of five desks, there will be four girls and one boy in the middle. I assure you that I
am not comfortable with the idea of me sitting near, much less center, of four girls.
Makes me feel like a sandwich.
At the introductory, I introduced myself completely in English, which impressed a
good part of the class. A good impression, Julius. I returned back to my seat.
Hey, Julius, right? The girl to the right asked.
Yeah.
I am Rhea Mae. She introduced.
Got it. I smiled at her and nodded. The girl to my was familiar as I have seen her
every day in vacation, but took me a while before I recognized her. Her name was
Jasmine Tebb, we went to the same summer tutorial center together. I took a quick
glance and then turned my attention to the next teacher who came in.
The next teacher introduced herself as Mrs. Angelica Donayre, our language
teacher. Since Im not particularly good in Filipino (Okay, Im worst in it) I keep
stammering in my lines. More funny than dispiriting, actually. XD
Next is recess. I noticed a guy discussing with a rather plump guy about a game Im
all too familiar about. He also had a notebook crammed with facts about it (I know
this, since he sits behind me).
I walked up to him and introduced myself.
Im Jose Anikin. Im an experienced player of the game Minecraft. This is Lorenz.
The chubby guy nodded. We spent all recess break talking, discussing, and arguing
about the game. Anikin told us his father was also into Minecraft.

My father doesnt used to play Minecraft. But then he saw the potential on
imagination of the game and set up a server of his own. How about you? Anikin
turned to me. How long have you been playing?
Long ago, but then I got bored. My head also hurts when Im playing.
I want you to know that Anikin Peroso and Lorenz Laurente are some of the best
friends I had. We had the same interests. We like music, games and sports, while
Lorenz is a Red Cross Youth member and lifeguard.
Well, I recommend you try playing it again. The new updates are- He trailed off.
Anikin, the math teachers here. Lorenz whispered.
Well continue later. I said.
Anikin nodded and returned to his seat. I followed suit. Lorenz took up the front
rows.
A very strict teacher, Mr. Johannes Paulus Yu was a driving force to the discipline of
the entire class. I still remember what he said on the first day of math class.
Class, he began with a firm tone, Do you know what section this is? We nodded.
This is Tranquility. The section after Serenity. They may be better, but I will see to it
that you will get as much as attention as they do. Probably more. He looked at
each of us with stern eyes. Because youre are the cream of the crop.
The cream of the crop.
This was an inspirational message that struck deep in our being and motivated us to
aspire better. We applauded at this as Mr. Yu gave us our first activity.

II. Pressured Project Part 1

Okay, Group 1, you must your own film about the Soul of the Great Bell. Ms.
Blanche Yu, our English teacher, said. Groups, elect your leader to direct your film.
This must be done by the end of the month.
Hey, Julius, you can be our leader.
I turned around in utter surprise when I heard this. Being class and English President
at the same time without falling apart, I can do. Directing a full-length film, now
thats a problem. But do I have a choice?
Yeah, well then. But you should ask the others whose house where going to film
on. I challenged.

Easy. Jaica pointed at Jose Anikin, who was so busy to even notice the
conversation. Jaica was class P.I.O. and was in charge of talking some sense to the
class. At least, thats what I think. Who knows?
How sad I replied sympathetically to myself. I then spent almost 30 minutes
writing notes of dates, costumes and scripts to be brought.
Okay, I think this is all. I motioned to Ken to come over. Tell the guys that you
would be playing the part of the soldiers. He nodded before taking off.
Ken is the comedian between Anikin, Lorenz, Ian and me. He has a high pitched
laugh that rivaled only by Micko. He also screams for no apparent reason (and
sometimes in my face!), but we are good friends and often hang out together.
I left the classroom to take a breath of air. I looked over the scripts directions when
I found something amiss. I hurried inside.
Jet, youll be the Emperor. I said to Jet, then left before he can say anything. I
imagined the look on his face and almost laughed aloud.
I still havent recovered from the laughing attack when I confronted an old
classmate of mine.
Ya crazy again, bro? He asked me as if he was ready to take me to the asylum.
No. No, no. I normalized then went back to the room.
The groups finished discussing their respective films then went back to their seats.
A few were talking off-topic, and were laughing, particularly Ken and Micko.
I joined Anikin and Lorenz in another discussion of Minecraft five minutes before the
T.L.E. teacher came in.

III. Jumpscared
Ahh!!! Ken screamed out his signature high-pitch at my ear.
Oh my God! What the hell, man?! I shouted at Ken. It turns out that he was
playing Slenderman: The Woods. This was contradicting, since I thought he never
play games on his phone.
Sorry, this game scared the heck of me. He apologized before taking off to Ian and
Lorenz. I felt hypocritical, since I also play games like that. Like, a lot of games like
that. FNAF, FNAF2 and Eye.

I decided to try this game, too. I asked Lorenz to pass the app, and courtesy of
being a hardcore player, set the difficulty to High and all other things that put the
player to a disadvantage.
I didnt last 5 minutes into the game.
Ken noticed the look in my face and approached me. Scary, huh? He asked funnily.
Not bad. I almost won. Truth is, not even close.
Yeah, you gotta be an expert. He pointed to himself. Like me.
I couldnt help laughing. Yeah right.
Why do I even like horror games? A hereditary trait? Or something I like as a hobby?
Such is life.
I challenged Ken to a scare off, which he immediately accepted. I took my camera
to film us when a hilarious jumpscare would amuse us.
Can I join you? Ian asked. I nodded. I set the difficulty to High and the setting to
Night.
Playing, Ian lost immediately.
He let out an agonizing scream that almost blew my eardrums, before laughing. Jet
and Jeremie also was taken back.
My turn. Ken took over and lasted five minutes before a terrifying vision appeared
onscreen. He cried, really cried, a high-pitch (more like a girls) cry. The group
laughed.
Sucker. I muttered. My turn.
I fared no better than Ians playthrough. I got caught by Slenderman whilst finding
the first note. I almost yelled out my lungs when I noticed the look their faces. Ken
laughed, then Ian, Lorenz, and finally me.
Touch. I told them and we nodded. I think that I recorded that one. Im gonna
make a funny vid about this. After the horrendous result from the last group
project, I began practicing my video-making skills.
Ian nodded in sarcasm. I look forward to it.