Chapter 6 First Day of School

"Welcome to Saint Mary's University!" Kellen announced as they entered the campus. She welcomed Lemon and Kale with Audrey.

"Thank you, beauties!" Kale told them, kissing both girls on the cheek.

"And since we're classmates, we're cutting classes on our first day of school!" Kellen informed the transferees. Lemon's eyes widened after hearing what she said, "Kidding! Grade conscious? Your eyes almost popped out of their sockets!" she teased.

"I was just shocked. I thought you were being serious."

"Of course not! We have our library period after lunch, but instead of going to the library, we asked permission from our adviser and told her we're giving you a tour around the campus," she explained.

"Take us to where the boys are~" Kale squealed.

"Sure! Timing that there's basketball practice today. They're practicing from one to five, so we can watch them," Kellen informed the pink excitedly.

"Can you stop thinking about boys for at least a minute?" Lemon scolded, but he just rolled his eyes at her.

"Wow, Sister Theresa! Don't pretend like we never did this in France!" he spat. Realizing he was right, Lemon could only laugh.

It was true. Lemon and Kale did chase boys back in France, but they only chased with their eyes. They never approached them. Besides, she never had a boyfriend in France.

Some tried to court her, but everyone ended up in the friend zone. She felt like she was too young to be in a relationship then.

"Wait up, let's postpone that argument unless we want to be late for our first class," Kellen butted in, and they immediately headed for the stairs to the second floor. While out in the corridor, they saw the entire quadrangle. It was a sight to behold.

"Where do you usually stay during breaks?" Kale asked.

"At that mango tree!" Audrey replied, pointing at the leafy mango tree with benches underneath.

When they got into their classroom, Kip was already there with the rest of the band. A couple of their classmates were already there, too, grouped up and gossiping.

Their whispers grew louder when Lemon and Kellen came. And in no more than ten minutes, their adviser arrived, and everyone fell quiet. It was as if everyone was eager to pay attention to her.

"Good morning, class! I'm Mrs. Rañola, and I'll be your adviser for the rest of the school year. I will be arranging you alphabetically, boys and girls, and whoever your seatmate will be your partner for your projects and activities," she explained lengthily, and everyone nodded in acknowledgment.

"But before we start, I'd like to call on Mikael Felipe and Leslie Monica Juarez. Can both of you please come forward?" Then she looked around, trying to find them. Lemon and Kale stood up and walked toward the front of the class. "They're transfer students from France," Mrs. Rañola continued. "Are you ready for the introduction?" she turned to ask them, and both nodded. "Okay, the floor is yours."

Kale started introducing himself. He mentioned his hobbies, likes, and dislikes, as well as his favorite food and colors.

Lemon wanted to laugh because it sounded like he was filling up a slam book, but when Kale ended his introduction, Lemon suddenly felt nervous. It was her turn.

"Good morning, my name is Leslie Monica Juarez, but you can call me Lemon for short. I prefer that too," she paused to smile.

She was just introducing herself, but her anxiety was up to her throat for an unknown reason. Maybe it was because some of their classmates looked at her intensely, with some even raising their brows.

"We moved to France when I was eight after my parents separated. My mom decided to move back here because she started her own fashion house. I'm an only daughter, and Mikale here is my best friend. But, of course, it will be a pleasure to be friends with everyone in this class," she ended.

Almost everyone clapped after their introduction, and then Lemon and Kale hurried back to their seats. She was close to sitting down when someone spoke.

"She isn't even pretty!" When Lemon looked, she caught one of her classmates with long, curly hair, round eyes, and a fair complexion smirking at her.

She looked like she was 'someone,' but since she seemed insecure, she didn't count. Lemon hates people who seem flawless but still overflow with insecurity.

"Unlike other advisers, I don't like students cutting classes and being always absent. Your parents are paying a hefty amount to the school, so you should make the most out of it. Your tuition fee pays me, and it's only normal that I pay attention to you and your studies. That's my job, and I intend to do it with all my best," she explained.

Their homeroom ended with tons of reminders. Their adviser also arranged them to their assigned seats. Fortunately, Kevz is her seatmate.

In the front row were Kale and Audrey, and close to them were Kellen and Kippler. "This is so irritating!" Kellen complained.

"Why? You don't want to be seated next to me?" Kip asked, obviously teasing. "Homme, let's switch seats!" Then he let out a hearty laugh.

"Kip, you're so stupid!" Kellen whispered, lightly pinching her twin's arm.

The rest of their classmates couldn't help but laugh at the twin's banter. When their adviser finally left, Kip's bandmates joined Lemon and Kevz in their seats.

Homme sat on the armchair of Lemon's seat, and Roj did the same on Audrey's chair. "Are we pushing through with the audition?" Kevz asked Kip, and he nodded in response.

"We don't have any choice, bro! Edge left us at the wrong time," Kip stated, annoyed.

Kippler Fiel is the leader of the band and the rhythm guitarist as well. Drew is the drummer, Roj is the keyboardist, Homme is the lead guitarist, and Kevz is the bassist.

The Edge he mentioned was their former vocalist, alongside his twin sister, Erica. Unfortunately, the family migrated to the States and left the spots vacant.

"Friday is Club Day. We can host the audition that day. Let's just inform Mr. Punzalan," Roj suggested, referring to the Music Club's adviser.

"We can do that. It's not like we have another option," Kip agreed, and everyone else nodded.

When their teacher for their next subject came, they all returned to their assigned seats. A few more classes and the next bell rang, signaling the lunch break.

Kellen invited them to the cafeteria. But before she could get in, she landed on the floor as someone bumped her forcefully, followed by a fit of laughter from a group of girls.

"Pretending all high and mighty~," someone said as she continued laughing, and her minions joined in.

Lemon quickly stood up to see who the culprit was and saw Tanya standing smugly close to them. She was the one Lemon heard saying something about her earlier too.

It was only the first day of school, and it seemed like trouble was already brewing. Not a good sign, but if unavoidable. Lemon finds it challenging too.