So we have to make this project in Science Fiction class. I'm really not good with drawing and editing so I just decided to write a short story. No hating. Let me know what you think. :)
*REVISED VERSION*
I am now in my college years. I currently study at De La Salle University Canlubang -- the largest La Salle Campus in the Philippines and proud of it. The university is at a young age and still in its developing stage. I am new to this school and for the past few weeks , I have been finding it difficult to look for my classes. Apparently, college is way different than high school. I guess it'll take time for me to adjust. It was the 6th out of 14 weeks in a term. It always was my doing in high school to sit at the front row. I brought this habit in college because it's always easier to sit at front plus there are less distractions, but this time, I decided to sit at the back row -- it's as if someone was pulling me away from the front row seat.
Classes were supposed to start at 2:30pm, and alas! The time is now 2:45 PM. 15 minutes of my time wasted, then 20, then 25. Almost everyone in the classroom started to stand and getting ready to leave. I was about to do the same but then our professor, Ms Siriban, finally entered the room 3 minutes before 3 PM. She had her usual things with her -- laptop, projector, course cards, and her bag. Along with her was a new student. She was of average height, she was beautiful, had deep brown eyes, and perfect skin. It was love at first sight. Since we were running out of time, she never got the chance to introduce herself. Ms Siriban asked her to sit beside me. I didn't mind, in fact. I liked it a lot.
The school bell rang which indicated that 1st period was over. I was about to ask for her name but in less than thirty seconds, she was out of the room. It was like she was uncomfortable and was trying to avoid me.
2nd period came so I went to the university's chemistry laboratory because class would be held there. I saw her sitting alone at the back row. I decided to sit beside her and to just talk. I was nervous but whatever, I had to make a move. "Hey there. Uhhh. I'm the guy you sat beside with, from Biology class and I..." "I know." she said with a firm, uninterested voice. "Oh. Right... Haha. So may I know your name?" but as she was about to talk, our chemistry professor, Ms Santos came in "Alright class..." she said in a perky, lively voice "We'll be having our experiment today. So you better pair up." I looked around the room and saw that everyone had their lab partners except us. I looked at her in a normal way, to show her that I'm happy that she's my lab partner but inside I was jumping up and down for I was paired up with an angel.
We each were given a Parthenium integrifolium to work on. To show off, I insisted to get what's needed. I left the room for a minute to grab some laboratory materials. I told her "Don't touch anything. It could be toxic or whatever. I'll be back in a short while, okay?" Having her earphones on, I think she didn't hear but then she responded "Whatever." It took me 14 minutes or so to figure out what we needed to accomplish the lab experiment and to get anything we could possibly need for it. After double checking what I already have in the cart, I rushed back to the laboratory. I couldn't believe what I saw and because of what I saw, I accidentally dropped a test tube and my jaw fell right open. I was in shock. A classmate told me what had happened -- while I was gone, a classmate of ours was flirting with her. He was trying to show off how smart he was so he mixed the Parthenium integrifolium with different kinds of toxic chemicals which caused the formula to burst out of the beaker. He was luring himself away from it, but unfortunately, it hit her. I wanted to grab her but it was too late. The formula hit her and caused her to lay on the floor. She was shouting in so much pain and agony. Her skin was burning and she couldn't even talk to us. The formula our moron classmate made landed not only on her arms, but on her face as well. The affected areas were swelling and peeling off. Ms Santos didn't know what to do. She was running around the hallways and looking for the school nurse. She was panicking. My classmates were panicking as well. I wanted to help her but Ms Santos didn't let me. I was in terrible shock that day.
The incident kept repeating in my head. I couldn't sleep because of it. It was haunting me. For the following weeks, she didn't come to school. I was curious of what might have happened to her. I wonder if she's alright. I wonder if she's dead. I wonder where she lives so I could pay him a little visit. The story of the girl spread throughout the university. I'm sure it was an embarrassment for her.
Months passed and she still didn't come to school. I had the thought that she had already dropped out.
It was the 3rd term in a year. Specifically, the 7th week out of 14. The end of 5th period arrived. It was time to head home. I passed by the grocery store to buy me some dinner. As I was falling in line, a guy cut in. He bumped me and didn't even apologize. He was wearing a blue baseball cap that covered his face, a long sleeved top plus worn out faded jeans. I decided to ask him politely: "Excuse me, sir. But if you haven't noticed, I was first in line." He turned to my direction but was still hiding his face. He didn't even talk to me. I got pissed so I tried to get a better view. I intentionally flipped his baseball cap so it would fall but I made it look like I accidentally did it. My original plan was to talk to him but then when I saw his face, I didn't even get to say a word. He picked up his baseball cap and ran as fast as a Cheetah for the door. My appetite suddenly left me. I ran after him. He was gaining speed, but two can play at that game. I borrowed a skateboard from a kid from the corner of the street and promised I'd return it. I rode the board and chased after him. I caught a part of his top and pulled him to my direction so he would stop running and eventually, just trip. I brought him to a dark alley near our lot. "Let me go!" the man said. "That... that voice... it sounds so familiar." He kept hiding his face and altering his voice so I wouldn't recognize him. " I took out a small flashlight from my pocket and pointed it at him. It turns out, the man was not a man. He was a she. specifically, the girl I was in love with -- the girl I was paired up with in Chemistry class. "You're that girl from the chemistry lab!" I couldn't believe my eyes. Something was wrong with her face -- it was cracked and peeling off, like permanently peeling off. What kept her confident of going outdoors was a mask that she wears. It wasn't like a party mask, it was sort of like a real face mask. It could fool anybody that could see her. It was like the mask she wears was actually her real face. She decided to go real on me -- no masks, no faking... just her real altered self. I could recognize her beyond the mask. Her face was as majestic as ever, even with the cracks and permanent peeling.
"Is... is that what happened to you?" I said in teary eyes. "Yes. Unfortunately. My face is now a disgrace to everyone I encounter." "That's not true. I like you...ur face. I like your face... I still do." What I've said brought tears on her eyes and a smile to her face. I could see the happiness in her though people thought of her as a monster. She realized that there are still people like me who like her for who she is.
Years passed and I fell deeply in love with her despite of her imperfections. She turned out to be a great girl. We eventually, got married and currently have two kids and they're beautiful kids.
Love, despite imperfections will remain love, as long as it's true, just, and noble.
Photos:
Parthenium integrifolium
"Her"
