Alice hurriedly grabbed her bag and headed off to the road. It was 7:00 AM and there is not much of a public vehicle in their place. Most of the people would walk a distance to get where they are going to.

Alice knew that she would be late. It was the first day of classes and the teachers are expected to be early. Worried of the time, Alice decided to take a short cut to get to the school. She took the trail in the woods.

Her foot steps are long and fast. She had to be on time. Suddenly, she heard rustles from one of the bushes. She stopped, wondering what’s in the bushes. She felt her knees freezing. She could hardly make another step forward.

Swiftly, something came out of the bushes squeaking. Alice run as quickly as she can away from the woods. Her sweat was as cold as ice. As she came out of the woods she bumped to someone. In her fright she embraced and climbed at the man. Then the thing running after her went to different direction.

It was that moment when Alice calmed herself and found out she was in a wrong position. She immediately went down and composed herself. “Sorry, a wild boar was chasing after me,” she explained.

“It was not a wild boar. It was just a native pig who might have also been frightened by you,” the man sarcastically answered.

“Oh yeah? So it’s my fault that we were both running huh?” Alice replied back. She got irritated of the way the man answered her.

“What I am just trying to say is that you should not be crossing other’s abode. Besides, why would you taking such route when you have safer route to walk through?” the man added.

“It’s none of your business sir!” Alice said in an annoying voice. She turned her back and continued her way towards the school.

“Good morning ma’am Alice!” greeted one of the grade two kid as she approached the school. “Good morning,” she replied.

The bell rung and everyone rushed to the ground for the flag raising ceremony. As they sing the national anthem, Alice noticed a stranger yet a familiar face. She stared at him and uttered to herself, “What the heck is he doing here?”

Alice went to her class right after the flag raising ceremony when her co-teacher and friend, Karla, approached her. “Have you met the new teacher? He is so good looking!” Karla said with a big smile.

Alice knew that her friend is referring to the man she bumped in the woods. “Look Karla, do not be deceived with the looks. Attitude is what matters most. He might be handsome but with a rotten ethics!”

Karla was surprised with Alice’ comments. “You sound as if you have already met him?” Karla said.

Not long when the school principal approached them with Jerick. “Good morning ladies. I would like to introduce you Mr. Jerick Macaraeg, our new Technology and Practical Arts teacher,” the principal said to Alice and Karla.

“Good morning,” Jerick said as he shook hands with them. His eyes are pinned to Alice.

Alice on the other hand, immediately took back her hands and smiled sarcastically. “So you are a teacher?” Alice referring to Jerick. “That’s good. You know what? Our school is also teaching good manners and right conduct,” she said further.

Jerick immediately answered Alice, “in my subject Technology and Practical Arts, the students will be taught of safety first.”

“Well, that’s good for both of you. I know that Santa Lucia Community School had the best teachers in the sitio,” principal De Vera said to both them. “As we work together for the betterment of our children, I know that this school year will be a fruitful one.”

Principal De Vera waved good bye to Karla and Alice as he introduced Jerick to the other teachers.

“He is so cute,” Karla said as she tightly hug the books on her hands. “He is so masculine that you feel so safe whenever you are with him,” she added.

“Wake up Karla. Masculinity is not always a sign of bravery. Sometimes, they just use it to let someone feel they are weaker than them,” Alice said irascibly.

“You know what? You’re so full of negativity. It’s the first day of classes, you should fill yourself with positivity,” Karla said as she continues to stare at the direction of Jerick.

Karla tapped Alice’ shoulder and said, “you know what friend? If you continue acting that way, I will not be surprised that you will grow as an old maid. Men will be intimidated by you. Remember, we are not going any younger, so you better hurry up!”

“I’d rather grow old alone than be with the wrong man,” Alice answered back. Karla was speechless. She knew that in this kind of discussion, she will never win over her friend.