James pulls open the fridge with a small grunt, cold air brushing against his face.
Jabbari immediately fires a judgmental look. "You have no shame stealing from the dead."
James freezes, confused, brows lifting. "Stealing? But… we're guests, right? Knowing Anton, I'm sure he'd say, 'Help yourself.' As a newly reincarnated Filipino, we are known for our hospitality."
Jabbari glances at James and quietly nods eyes drifting to the fridge as if agreeing.
Malaya, shocked, rolls her eyes hard, silently shouting 'shameless' without a single word.
Inside the fridge they find Tilak: StrongBone and Tilak: Original.
The two instantly argue over who gets the StrongBone, the bottle glowing slightly under the fridge light like forbidden treasure. It's stronger, smoother, and StrongBone was an award-winning beer in the country. They'd always wanted to try it, but with their empty wallets, it was the kind of drink they could only admire from afar.
Malaya narrows her eyes and starts doing hand signs fast, sharp, aggressive, where Jabbari nods and says, "Alright, let's watch Anton's Flashback."
The memory book begins to reel like an old film projector, soft flickering light dancing across the room.
James leans forward. "Is this the start?"
Jabbari sighs loudly. "Dude, we're watching the same thing. Why are you acting like we pressed different buttons?"
James claps back, "I'm just saying, you know… some people write stories that start at Chapter Zero instead of Chapter 1, right?"
Jabbari shakes his head. "This is a Memory Book, not your ordinary diary. You don't write here, these things are all visual."
Malaya lets out a silent scream, shoulders shaking in frustration. Then she notices the two idiots still talking. They both agree finally to start the reeled memory.
But before they hit play, Jabbari opens the pizza box… and freezes.
"Are you kidding me!? James, what on earth is this?!"
James blinks. "It's a full veg pizza. Obviously."
Jabbari confused why James would get a veg pizza. "I KNOW what it is, but WHO in the world buys FULL VEG PIZZA?!"
James raises his voice defensively. "Well, you're looking at him now! The proud buyer of the full veg pizza! I had no choice because someone wanted a small size pizza earlier, because someone didn't want to share with Anton! And that same someone didn't want to share what the 'Eternal Flame of Knowledge' needed! And that someone is the person I'm looking at right now!"
Malaya palm-faces so hard her hand slides down her face.
Before Jabbari can reply, she zaps both of their lips in a tiny burst of blue light clean and sharp, shutting them up instantly and resumes Anton's flashback.
____________________________________________________________________________
First Day Of School
My name is Anton and I will be using this Memory Diary. My father got me this to document everything about school. I hope I meet new friends, graduate with them, and spend…
James cuts in, eyes widening. "Wait… he's a sweet kid?"
The video freezes mid-frame.
Jabbari groans. "Every time you talk, the video stops. So for the love of God, can you stop talking?"
However, even he agrees, "But you know what… you're right. He does sound like an angel. But when will the bullying start…"
He suddenly stiffens.
A presence washes over him… cold, heavy, almost choking.
A dark aura radiates from Malaya, so sharp and dangerous he immediately shuts his mouth.
The reel unfreezes.
I had asked my driver to…
James blurts out a side comment, "Bombaclat rich," and the video stops again.
Malaya doesn't hesitate. A bright spark leaps from her fingertips ZAP and James clutches his lips, silenced instantly.
The memory resumes.
My driver stopped near the convenience store because I had asked him to. I want to live a life of modesty. My Junior School didn't let me, they always felt intimidated by how rich I am.
"There, I saw a guy who smiled the kind of smile that could make even the heavens' hearts skip a beat."
I wanted to say hi and befriend him… but my heart says more than that…
James' eyes shoot wide open. "Wait a minute… what? So Anton's gay?"
Jabbari frowns, unimpressed. "And so what?"
James looked at Jabbari, curious with his reaction. "Well… I mean… he's a bully and gay so like…"
Jabbari cuts him off instantly. "I didn't expect you to be the homophobic type of guy."
James panics. "Whoa, wait, hold it! I never said I hate him! I just thought bullies would be all muscle, you know? But he's a 2010 bully, I guess. It just shocked me, that's all!"
Jabbari raises an eyebrow. "Right."
"No, really!" James insists. "I thought gay people were nice, that's why I'm shocked!"
Malaya slowly turns to James with the most judgmental stare known to mankind.
James points at her frantically. "See?! This is a misunderstanding! I never judged or hated him! I'm just shocked, okay? Most of the gay people I met are super nice!"
The memory book resumes
I want to approach him… but how do I even start?
Inside the convenience store, our eyes met across the aisle.
I instantly blushed, and my heart began pounding so loud it felt like it echoed between the shelves.
He noticed.
He actually noticed.
He stepped closer, the soft store lights behind him making him look way cooler than he should, and he said hi.
My brain shut down on the spot. I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, I just froze.
He laughed, gentle and teasing, and oh no my heart nearly slipped out of my chest.
I think I'm…
The bell rang as someone opened the store door.
He smiled and said, "See you later," before heading out quickly, probably rushing to class.
I stood there on cloud nine, floating in my own little world, until I remembered I also needed to get to class. I hurried outside, and on the way, I spotted two high schoolers, maybe second years, judging by their shoulder patch, bullying some first years near the sidewalk.
I wanted to stop them and help, but one of the bullies noticed me watching. He shot me a cold glare and started walking my way. My chest tightened. I didn't know what to do. My feet felt stuck.
But thankfully, my driver hadn't left yet. He stepped forward and glared back at them, calm but fierce enough to make the second years' back off.
I looked over my shoulder to see my driver and gave him a quick eyebrow flick as a thank you.
He smiled.
I shouldn't be surprised about the bullying.
This school, after all, is known for its…
Home For the Gifted High School.
I chose this school because I wanted to know what it felt like to be treated normally. Private schools usually give special treatment, and that's why I went public. I wanted to see how the commoners lived.
James stared at the memory with a face full of shock.
"He wanted to live normal? And he chose a school notorious for bullies? What on earth is wrong with this girl—"
Jabbari let out a sharp, frustrated exhale.
"GUY, not girl. And he wants to experience the life of normal students. What's wrong with that?"
James' expression tightened, looking even more annoyed.
"So he chose a school filled with bullies?"
Jabbari raised his voice at him with an unimpressed look, questioning his logic.
"What school has no bullies? This one just has more than others, but every school has at least one."
James didn't want to argue so he agreed.
"Okay, but the name of the school is 'Gifted'. How is a school called Gifted notorious for bullies?"
Malaya, already squinting from their nonstop bickering, slowly raised her hand.
A spark formed at her fingertips and she zapped them both without hesitation.