first day of school
On the first day of senior year, Sophia felt a total stranger. She had been in St. Thomas Academy since she was a freshman but this whole amnesia thing had swept everything away. She was back to zero. But thanks to those series of therapies and various tests, she wasn’t entirely naive.
Wearing a school uniform was now mandatory for every high- school student of St. Thomas Academy, an amendment which was protested by the students, but rules were rules now.
Watching herself in her new tie and blue-striped short skirt, Sophia talked to her brother who was driving the car for her. Since the accident, their parents were still in trauma and would not let Sophia drive on her own.
“I’m nervous,” Sophia admitted, sidetracking her brother’s attention while he was parking his BMW.
“Don’t be. Nobody’s gonna come and eat you. They’re all toothless.” A failure at being a joker, Alex laughed exclusively at his own joke.
Such embarrassment didn’t register in Sophia’s mind. She was a little bit unnerved, thinking about how she would communicate and introduce herself to people, without the need for too much explaining.
“I think we should go, so, I’ll see you at lunch.” Alex said, just as he parked the car. “But are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”
With a nod, Sophia slid out of the car and made her way to her first class. It was Spanish. Too good for her first day. She climbed up to the second floor of their age-old school building and saw Zarah at the corridor. Together, they shuffled toward their first class, only to discover a smart-looking Spanish man in his late twenties, writing on the board his very Spanish name: Fernando Garcia, Ph.D.. He was the school’s latest heartthrob, the biggest “fish” in a Catholic school full of priests, altar boys, and seminarians. Perhaps the best highlight about him was his bachelor status.
“I think he’s new here,” Zarah whispered to Sophia, with full interest, as they sat beside each other in the third row. “He’s cute… and hot. Like really hot,” she added, now giving the newcomer a quick once-over. Admiration and desire seemed to drool from Zarah’s mouth as she stared at the new teacher’s athletic torso.
“Hey, you…” Sophia grinned at her friend, and about to give the new educator the dirty look, too, when she saw Enzo entering the classroom. He belonged in the same class, but he looked finer than the last time she saw him. More serious and smarty, which was not her first impressions of him, back in Anne’s party.
Then Mr. Garcia finally spoke in Spanish, and insisted that everyone learn it without having to resort to English conversation, and that put every girl’s daydreaming to a stop. It also left every male student feeling a bit intimidated.
When lunch came, Sophia and Zarah were joined by Alex and the rest of the band. The sad thing about this reunion was… Giovanni was not there to join them, anymore.
Sophia watched the guys silently. For a profound moment, she missed Giovanni. But a part of her was also missing Jericho… and Abanir. She felt torn, in three directions, but her affection for Giovanni was still there, firmly hovering at the bottom of her heart.
Reading her diaries last night, Sophia pained so much to realize she had used Giovanni. At this, she felt so guilty. She thought she was the worst girlfriend a guy could ever have. Her heart crumpled even more the moment she remembered the words in her accounts of him, that she had always endeavored to compensate for his devoted, unconditional fervor even though she wasn’t feeling it, and that sometimes, she wished they hadn’t been lovers.
It shot her to the ground. Bleeding to the last drop. How come she could ever deserve someone wonderful like Giovanni, whose love was impossible to recompense? She couldn’t even begin to do so…
Her thoughts were shot to pieces when Rambo, the arrogant bass guitarist, saw Enzo and flung some ridicules at him. “What’s up, Enzo? I mean, Stalker!” he yelled, pretending to be coughing, and laughed heavily, making the other guys also laugh in approval.
Enzo, discovering Sophia’s presence, felt immensely embarrassed at the sudden ridicule and surprisingly, he dashed to start a fight with Rambo.
Everyone hushed as a boxing ring was about to be assembled before them. Then quickly, before the two could throw punches at each other’s faces, a couple of teachers were already rushing to stop them, and sent the two into detention.
Sophia blamed herself for what happened and silently attended her next classes with Zarah. It was clear to her now why her brother, Alex, had always had an issue with Enzo. But she doubted about some of the presumptions regarding him. She felt that Enzo was better than what everyone thought of him. She was certain there was some good in him.
Throughout the day, Sophia appeared like a ghost to Zarah. It wasn’t that easy focusing in class. Both sensory and emotional troubles were engulfing her.
“I want to go home now,” Sophia said to Zarah as they made their way to the hallway. It was right after their last period, and Alex was now dashing to join them.
“I understand.” Zarah consoled, and knew the cause of Sophia’s distress—the recent happenings.
“Sophie, do you mind if Rambo drives you home for me?” Alex asked. “I’d like to take Zarah for a date.”
“I want to take a cab.” Sophie quickly shook her head in rejection and forced a smile. “Don’t mind me. And please, enjoy your date.” She was serious with the last sentence but uncertain with the first one.
Truth was… there was fear in her. Going home alone after the first day of school devoid of memory frightened her.
“Are you sure?” Alex confirmed.
For a while, Sophia was in two minds, dredging up the possibilities. Then when she was solid with her decision, she nodded and hurried outside the building.
The balustrades to the main school gate were filled with numerous orchids, the country’s national flower, and the cattleya ones sent prompt vigor to her nose. She gazed at the other side and saw a mob of sophomores studying in the courtyard. It seemed they were the serious ones, while the other students played music and painted under the Mango tree, their national tree. Her school appeared to be the breeding ground for future politicians, artistic icons, and even activists. In her wondering, she didn’t know she was about to bump onto someone, who happened to be out of himself, too.
“I’m sorry!” Sophia impulsively apologized to the guy in round eyeglasses a second after the collision. It was too late, for a pile of papers were already scattered on the ground, and the guy rebuked in annoyance. Then he shut up the moment Sophia raised her head to check on him. It seemed that he recognized her.
“Sophia, hey!” His exasperation quickly turned into delight. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you coming.” He smoothed his hair and straightened his posture.
Sophia was about to pick up the papers, but she suddenly realized he had called her by name. He must have known her. Who was he? Then she paused, gawking at him. “I’m sorry… do I know you?”
The question shocked him, and he bestowed her with a puckered brow. Sophia was looking so drop-dead serious his dribble nearly choked him.
“Yeah! I’m Chuck, remember? A senior friend last school year?” he replied and began to get confused.
For a split-second, Sophia was wordless. “I’m sorry, I…” She was about to reason out her amnesia when a guy, from nowhere, spoke for her.
“She has amnesia, Chuck,” he said and picked up the papers, then handed them to Chuck.
Sophia turned to look at the familiar voice that came from nowhere, and discovered Enzo’s presence. Unlike a while ago, he was now calm.
“What?!” Chuck found it puzzling. “How?!” Then he steadied his brown eyes on Sophia.
Though she wanted to, Sophia was doubtful about sharing her story. It would only remind her of Giovanni, of the accident, and it would be too unbearable to handle, especially now that she had to come home alone and strange people were continually breaking in.
“Um, it’s a long story…” Sophia then provided him with a safe answer, and then Enzo changed the subject matter.
“So what brings you back here?” Enzo asked Chuck, giving Sophia the impression that they were buddies.
“I’m here to fix some papers,” he replied and checked the time. “And now, I think I have to hurry. I’ll see you around, folks. And I’m so sorry, Sophia,” he said, showing increasing empathy towards Sophia, and ran fast to the administration’s office.
A pull of silence emerged from Sophia. She didn’t know how to face Enzo, didn’t know if she was going to thank him for rescuing her just a moment ago… or to say sorry for the fight that involved him and her, this lunch-time.
“I really want to apologize for what happened a while ago,” she said, her head entirely bowed down.
“Why are you apologizing? None of it was your fault, Sophia,” he replied. It was confusing because he was smiling.
Sophia wasn’t able to return a quick reaction. Her mind was still in the process, and each time she pondered, she drew a blank. Enzo was now the mysterious one.
“So, are you just gonna drive home or… take a cab?” Enzo stirred her, attempting to play cool.
“Um, no. I’ll take a cab.” She replied, right after she gathered back her wits and courage.
Her steady, frightened look at him made Enzo extend his brief silence. He wondered how big the stalker image had impacted upon her, and it made him want to shout out and crush everything he saw. It must have been so hard to be that stigmatized.
“I can give you a free ride home,” he offered, holding himself together, and struggled to display confidence.
Too bad this put Sophia into additional fright. It was not because of the stalking issues, but because she worried too much that this might lead him to another fight. She didn’t want another chaos because of her. She had enough being everybody’s mess.
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna abduct you or something,” he was pretending to be cool, “or leave you in an abandoned place or anything else you see in movies,” Enzo advanced as the fear flashed brighter in her eyes. Then he realized, he was too hasty, asking for her trust.
Her gaze went distant for a moment, and as an act of courtesy, she agreed. He seemed to be real anyway, plus she‘d caused him a fight this lunch. This could be an opportunity for a payback.
“As long as you know my home address.” Sophia tried to smile, and it ignited Enzo, on a whim.
“Of course, I know where that is,” Enzo admitted but, all of a sudden, realized it was slip of tongue. Too late did he realize it could add up to all of Sophia’s doubts about him.
From that exact moment, Sophia confirmed he did use to trail her before. But it wasn’t enough to convict him. Instead, she was beginning to trust him, somehow.
As they made their way to the parking lot, weaving between cars, awkward silence began to engulf Sophia. She was having second thoughts. She didn’t know where this would go. But there was no backing out now. This guy Enzo was way too energized in opening his Ford truck and withdrawal was no longer an option.
Sophia’s tension further elevated when Enzo finally roared the engine and drove it like an aircraft.
“Do you want to drop by a coffee shop?” Enzo dared to ask her, after ten minutes of silent driving.
“I’d love to, but mom would freak out if I’m not home by six.” Sophia wasn’t facing him, and she was obviously fretful. “Maybe next time. Thank you, by the way.”
Her disquiet pushed Enzo not to ask a subsequent question. He hated how this whole stigma had caused him too much burden, even up to now. Then silence charged in again until they arrived at Sophia’s.
Elizabeth, Lilly, and Emily were in the garden, kneeling and digging in the earth, when they saw a strange truck coming. Their speculations turned to worse when they saw Sophia gliding out of it, and this rushed Elizabeth to leave the two to water the daisies that bloomed along the hedge, so she could approach her daughter.
As for Enzo, considering his bad reputation to the family, he hurried to leave but Elizabeth saw him and stopped him. To his surprise, she offered him a snack inside the house.
“Sweetie, aren’t you going to introduce your new friend to me?” Elizabeth asked her daughter, just as Enzo was getting out of his truck. She seemed to like him, especially upon seeing he was wearing the same school logo in his uniform.
Sophia was about to do so when Enzo did it for her.
“Hello, Mrs. Vabueretti. I’m Enzo, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.
“Oh, Enzo! A very charming name.” Elizabeth was stunned all the more when Enzo offered his hand for a hand-shake. This boy seemed groomed to Elizabeth. “You look familiar,” she said and granted him a hand-shake.
A bright and breezy smile ascended from Enzo. “You’ve probably stopped by our restaurant at the Eight Avenue and saw me there, ma’am.”
“Oh, I bet you come from a family of entrepreneurs.” Elizabeth was smiling, as if it was a good news, and led him inside the house, with Sophia by her side.
Enzo was amazed at the house’s elegance. The interior design and all the classic furnishings—they all threw him into a total spin. On the floor was a mauve carpet. The walls were pine-paneled. The living room smelt heavenly, with fresh flowers in brass vases that seemed to have come from the ancient Chinese dynasties.
“Um, coffee? Fruit juice?” Sophia began to ask him, acting too accommodating.
Sliding an appealing look, he said, “Surprise me.” Sophia tensed then relaxed a bit. He seemed too good to be true.
Words died as Sophia’s throat closed over. All she could do was to nod and hope she would choose the best refreshment.
In Sophia’s absence, Enzo looked through the family photos. He noticed childhood photos of every Vabueretti kid except for Sophia, and he began to wonder.
“I can’t see any childhood photo of you,” he asked Sophia when she came back to him. She was carrying a glass of cold lemonade with peppermint.
Quickly, Sophia’s throat stung. She was still searching for words to answer him. She didn’t want to tell him she grew up, away, in Forest Green so she only said, “Maybe, I was ugly as a kid that’s why mom didn’t display one.” She felt like shrinking when she realized it was a stupid feedback to make, but the expression in his eyes was positive.
Enzo was thrown into amazement. He couldn’t believe how she just tried to put herself down. But the whiff of the fresh lemonade tempted him to have a sip. Thanks to the cool lemonade, though!
“Nice house you’ve got, by the way.” Enzo revived the scenario and emptied his glass, then Elizabeth came to join them.
“I was wondering if you could join us for dinner,” Elizabeth asked Enzo.
Too fast in declining yet trying to summon some courtesy, Enzo then said his gentle farewells and said he had to be home before dinner.
Impressed again and again, Elizabeth accepted the excuse. “Next time you visit, make sure you have some extra time to dine with us, all right?”
It was, undeniably, good news for Enzo but it was a bit of forewarning for Sophia. It seemed her mother could eye him as Giovanni the Second in her life. Elizabeth had always had a good taste for guys from the upper class.
“Yes, Mrs. Vabueretti, I’ll have that in mind. Thank you again.” Enzo dismissed the conversation with enough politeness, and Sophia accompanied him back to his truck.
“Thank you for today.” He shot a shimmering smile at Sophia.
“You’re welcome.” Sophia was smiling, too, and she was now gazing through his dark eyes, noticing some resemblance between him and Giovanni. She was starting to feel at ease with him, too.
“By the way, your lemonade is so refreshing,” Enzo complimented as he opened his truck. “I hope I can stay home tonight because I might come back here for another drink.” He winked, trying to reveal his comical side, and finally entered his truck.
Sophia couldn’t help being pleased, but she simply said, “The bar is open anytime.”
Laughing, he waved goodbye and left, full of liveliness from something no mint-and-lemonade could offer.