Romancing the 80's

June 13, 1983. It’s the first day of school and I was supposed to come in early to check in first with the school registrar for my brief orientation and list of class subjects.  I wanted to kick myself for not pushing my older sister Mica to hurry.  This was our first day in our new school and it would be unpleasant if we came in late to our class.  At 13, I felt nervous like an incoming kindergarten pupil.  Mica and I were transferred from an exclusive girls’ school to a co-ed semi-private one.  My Nanay (Mom) decided to transfer Mica as she had issues with the faculty of our previous school. And decided without telling me she included me in the process.   “I want you to keep an eye on your sister. If she is all alone in that new school, who knows wh

As I was walking towards the girls’ locker/restroom to change into our PE Uniform, Charm grabbed me. “Hey, watch it!” Charm giggled and said, “The volleyball tryouts will be held this afternoon. Let’s go for it!” I gasped “But I don’t have a spare shirt!” Val squeezed in and said “But we do have our PE shirts and sneakers on, right? I think we’re good.” We went to the registration table and signed our names.  We sat on the bleachers’ area and watched as the PE Teachers conducted tryouts for the AM and PM volleyball teams for Freshman and Sophomore. The Juniors and Seniors would have theirs in the afternoon. I saw a lot of girls trying out in their old volleyball jerseys. ‘And all I’m wearing is this crappy P.E. t-shirt.’ I badly wanted to run to the store to buy another shirt but I don’t have spare cash at the moment.  Even Val and Charm were wearing other volleyball jerseys in amazing colors. I bit my lip. The teachers were calling the name

Val approached me at the cafeteria and pulled me out of line. “Hey! I was almost near the food display!”I nearly screamed at him. Val ignored my protestations and whispered, “Have you seen our dear old friend Charm?” “Not really, she bolted out of the room as soon as the bell rang.”“And you did not bother following her?”“Why should I? Maybe she’s going to meet someone.  And I need to buy snacks. I’m starving.”Val rolled his eyes and said, “That intense girl whats-her-name from Section 3 and her gang followed her to the restroom and I heard a screaming match!”I gaped at him, “Really? I didn’t know. Let’s go find

Charm was waiting for Val and me so eagerly when I came to school. I noticed she had a new hairstyle, slightly wavy and shorter. She looked so pretty. “Good morning. Why do you look so edgy today?” I sat on the bench beside her.  “Let’s wait for Val first,” she breathed. Pretty soon, Val arrived and immediately came to us. “So, what’s up? Charm, I can sense that you are about to burst with some news. If it is good, go ahead and tell us. If not, I am leaving.” Charm frowned at him, then said, “I have a new boyfriend.” I looked at her. “Again?”“What do you mean again? He is my first one here in our school. His name is Gio, our senior from Section 15.”  I can see how proud she was. After all, Gio was our senior and may have enough popularity points to gain her attention.  “Congratulations! At least you&rs

I was late coming in that Monday. Traffic was heavy and I had to wait for Mica so we could go to school together. I sneaked past the guard who was busy accosting some students not wearing IDs. I rushed over to our line and made it just before the flag ceremony. I breathed in a sigh of relief. I looked at Charm and Val, who were chatting in the middle of the line. I squeezed in to join them. “Hi. So, did Lance call you?” Val asked. I was astonished. “Why?” Charm giggled. “I told you last Friday night, right? We saw them with some pretty girls from that exclusive school in Makati.” Val raised his eyebrows at me. “Oh, yes, I talked to him. He came to our house last Saturday. We spent the afternoon studying. One of the girls was a cousin of Jon,” I said casually. I giggled at their expression. They looked so comical. Val’s mouth was agape, while Charm’s eyebrows were furrowed. Lance suddenly came over and sai