The sun blazed warmly over the town of Bangui, Ilocos Norte—a quiet place, yet full of color and life. Surrounded by fields and landscapes kissed by the breeze from the Bangui Windmills, a new chapter was about to unfold for Julius.
He came from Manila, but with his parents working abroad, he chose to temporarily live in the province with his grandparents. Julius was excited to experience a simpler life, far from the chaos of the city. But even with this fresh start, he couldn't shake the nervousness—new school, new friends, and a whole new world.
A warm breeze welcomed Julius Romero as he stepped down from the tricycle.
It was the first day of classes at the University of Bangui – Ilocos Norte Campus, and although he was a bit anxious, there was a strange kind of thrill in his chest.
Julius rushed inside, just minutes away from being late. Attendance was already being checked, and he still hadn't arrived.
"Hey Erick, I thought your friend from Manila was going to study here? Why isn't he here yet?" Sarah asked.
"Don't worry, he's on his way. You'll meet him soon," Erick replied.
"Tracy Sanchez?" called the instructor.
"Present, Sir," Tracy answered, sitting upright and smiling gently.
"Julius Romero? Julius Romero? Is he not here yet?" the instructor asked. The students glanced at each other, curious about who this person was. Finally, Julius arrived.
The door suddenly opened, and everyone turned in surprise.
"Present, Sir!" Julius said, catching his breath as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
The whole class looked at him.
"Mr. Romero, class just started and you're already late," the instructor said seriously. "Minus fifty on your grade right away." The class burst into laughter.
"Alright, class. This is Julius Romero. He's a transferee from Manila, so please be nice and friendly to him," the instructor introduced.
"Hello everyone, good day to you all," Julius greeted, still a bit breathless. "Nice to meet you too, Sir Ramirez," he added to the professor.
"So that's your friend? He's already flunking on the first day. Nice entrance!" Tracy joked.
"Hey Julius, why were you late, bro?" Erick asked.
"Man, I overslept. The sleep was too good," Julius answered.
---
After Class
"Friend," Sarah said excitedly as they walked home. "Admit it, Julius is cool, right?"
"Cool? That was embarrassing. Late on the first day?" Tracy replied with a frown.
"Come on, admit it. You were glancing at him earlier," Sarah teased.
"No, I wasn't!" Tracy defended.
"Sure, sure. You just happen to be in the same classroom, huh?" Sarah grinned.
"Hmmph, fine. But you know what, friend? I noticed something—he was looking at you too," Sarah said with a smile.
"You really notice the weirdest things!" Tracy said, annoyed but smiling. "Anyway, I'll head home now. I've got things to do. Take care!" she said.
"Alright, bye friend! You take care too," Tracy replied.
---
At the People's Park
Before heading home, Tracy stopped by People's Park—her favorite hangout. It was peaceful, shaded by trees, and had a dancing fountain in the middle. Perfect for unwinding.
Meanwhile, Erick and Julius were walking toward the park together to relax.
"Bro, I really like Sarah. She's so pretty and kind," Erick shared.
"I know you. Stop being such a flirt!" Julius teased.
"I've changed, man. I think Sarah's the one for me. I really hope she says yes," Erick said with a grin.
"Alright, bro. I gotta go, I've got something to do at home," Erick continued.
"Cool. See you tomorrow, take care!" Julius replied.
Now alone, Julius wandered through the park. As he got closer, he looked for a nice place to sit—and finally, he found a shaded, cool spot under a tree.
In that shaded corner, he spotted a familiar girl.
It was Tracy.
She sat quietly, holding her phone, unaware that someone was watching her. She tied her hair up, revealing her smooth nape, and Julius smiled to himself.
He walked toward her. When he was in front of her, Tracy looked up from her seat.
"Hi! Tracy, right?" Julius greeted.
"Oh, it's you—Mr. Late Arrival," she replied, slightly sarcastic.
"Yeah, hehe. I didn't expect it—sleeping here in the province is so relaxing. Unlike in Manila where it's noisy. I totally lost track of time. Pretty embarrassing," Julius explained.
"Didn't you set an alarm on your phone to wake up?" Tracy asked.
"I did, but I turned it off. Still felt sleepy, haha," Julius laughed.
"Maybe you just want attention," Tracy teased.
"Of course not!" Julius defended. "What was your name again?" he asked.
"I'm Julius. Julius Romero," he said, extending his hand.
"Oh, Julius. Nice name. I'm Tracy, Tracy Sanchez."
"Nice to meet you, Tracy," Julius said with a smile as they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you too, Julius," Tracy replied.
"Do you come to this park often?" Julius asked.
"Yep," Tracy answered. "I find it relaxing here—looking at the trees, plants, and flowers. And I enjoy the dancing fountain."
"Nice place," Julius said.
Tracy often stopped by the park before heading home, to unwind and relieve the stress from a long day at school. Her parents were farmers, often working in the fields. When Tracy got home, she'd cook dinner for the family. Her youngest sibling, Chris, was still little, and Cathy, her younger sister in senior high school, would help out in the fields after school.
Tracy carried a lot of responsibility for her family. As the eldest, she needed to stay strong and finish her studies to help support them.
"You know," Julius said, "because of you, my first day here felt a little lighter."
"Char," Tracy chuckled.
"Come on, let's grab a snack. My treat," Julius offered.
"Wow, Mr. Late is trying to score points, huh?" Tracy teased.
"Hey now, I just offered. Doesn't mean I'm trying anything," Julius laughed.
"Or maybe you just want to celebrate your first day... even if you were late," Tracy teased again, and they both laughed.
---
At the Milk Tea Shop
Inside a small milk tea and coffee shop, they sat across from each other, both holding straws and chatting away. It was as if they had known each other for a long time. There was an ease between them.
Since then, Julius and Tracy grew closer. In class, they were often together. During lunch breaks, they hung out with Sarah and Erick—their group full of laughter and playful teasing.
But where would their budding friendship lead?