The susunod day, we were starting our first lesson in our classes. Charles had very different lessons because he had different classes. While Simon and I had English 9, Charles had English 10. He said, “Trust me, it gets harder every year.” I asked, “What happens if you fail English 10?” He replied, “You have to go to Summer School.” Simon asked, “What about English 9?” Charles replied, “You don’t want to fail English 9, or my name isn't Charles McAlpine.” I said, “I have heard that if you fail English 9, you have to repeat English 9 and take it with English 10.” He said, “That’s true. I have some mga kaibigan who have failed English 9.” I asked, “Did they goof off, or did the struggle with it?” He said, “Well, I wasn't exactly mga kaibigan with the ones who goofed off all the time. I was mga kaibigan with the ones who struggled.” I asked, “Do you have mga kaibigan who passed English 9?” He said, “Yes, and I have some classes with them this year.” At lunch, we talked about siblings. Charles stated that he only had sisters, no brothers. I asked, “Do they give you a hard time?” He said, “Sometimes, but they’re really nice to me for the most part.” Simon said, “I don’t have any siblings. I’m an only child.” I said, “Sometimes I wish I was an only child.” He said, “When I was younger, I begged my parents for a brother or sister so that I could have someone to play with, but they sinabi no.” I said, “I have two older brothers. They give me a hard time.” Simon asked me about them and where they were. I said, “The oldest went away to college. The middle child doesn't go to school here. He goes to Venice High.” Simon asked, “Why is that?” I said, “He stated that he didn't want to go to school with me. He didn't want to compete for attention with me.” Charles said, “So, he’s an attention hog, right?” I said, “Yes; he has a full-length mirror on his soft tail.” Charles said, “Wow.” I said, “I know, right?” Simon said, “Oh, snap!” I told them that he called me a hippie and told me to get my hair cut. That’s when I said, “At least I don’t have a full-length mirror on my soft tail.” They laughed. Simon said, “Did he need aloe for that? He got burned very badly!” I said, “No; he gave me the finger, and I grinned and continued playing my guitar.” Simon said, “You actually allowed him to flip the bird at you? You are passive, man!” I said, “I know, but if things had gotten worse, I would have taken up for myself.” In study hall, Simon and I finished our first homework assignments of the day. After the kampanilya rang, we got to put our stuff in our lockers. When I was playing my guitar, Adam came out, wearing a tuxedo and a 1950’s hairstyle. He said, “It’s for my first date.” I said, “PsuedoChristian got a date. Unbelievable!” He asked, “How do I look?” I replied, “Like a black and white Domestic Shorthair.” He asked, “What can I put on to impress this girl?” I replied, “A giant bag of dirt.” He said, “You’re a jerk, Anthony.” I said, “I know you are.” He said, “You’re impossible.” I said, “If I exist, then I must be possible.” He said, “Whatever.” I continued playing my guitar. My dad came in and said, “Hey, Anthony, the bible says that it’s a shame for men to have long hair.” I said, “Oh, really? It doesn't say anything about men cutting their hair.” He asked, “Did you know that they walked everywhere they went?” I said, “Like I care about that. I already walk everywhere I go, anyway. I’m not old enough to drive, anyway.” He scoffed and walked away. I always knew how to make him shut up when he insulted me. Sometimes I had to call back up and get my mom to fuss at him. I was used to the bullying, so used to it that I didn't care anymore. I liked my hair. It gave me a mellow, mature look. What I like is part of who I am, right? In a nut shell, I was a gitara player with long hair. That was who I am, and that is who I always will be. As Simon always liked to say, “A Dalmatian can’t change his spots. What makes you think you can change anything other than the clothes on your back?”
The susunod day, we were starting our first lesson in our classes. Charles had very different lessons because he had different classes. While Simon and I had English 9, Charles had English 10. He said, “Trust me, it gets harder every year.” I asked, “What happens if you fail English 10?” He replied, “You have to go to Summer School.” Simon asked, “What about English 9?” Charles replied, “You don’t want to fail English 9, or my name isn't Charles McAlpine.” I said, “I have heard that if you fail English 9, you have to repeat English 9 and take it with English 10.” He said, “That’s true. I have some mga kaibigan who have failed English 9.” I asked, “Did they goof off, or did the struggle with it?” He said, “Well, I wasn't exactly mga kaibigan with the ones who goofed off all the time. I was mga kaibigan with the ones who struggled.” I asked, “Do you have mga kaibigan who passed English 9?” He said, “Yes, and I have some classes with them this year.” At lunch, we talked about siblings. Charles stated that he only had sisters, no brothers. I asked, “Do they give you a hard time?” He said, “Sometimes, but they’re really nice to me for the most part.” Simon said, “I don’t have any siblings. I’m an only child.” I said, “Sometimes I wish I was an only child.” He said, “When I was younger, I begged my parents for a brother or sister so that I could have someone to play with, but they sinabi no.” I said, “I have two older brothers. They give me a hard time.” Simon asked me about them and where they were. I said, “The oldest went away to college. The middle child doesn't go to school here. He goes to Venice High.” Simon asked, “Why is that?” I said, “He stated that he didn't want to go to school with me. He didn't want to compete for attention with me.” Charles said, “So, he’s an attention hog, right?” I said, “Yes; he has a full-length mirror on his soft tail.” Charles said, “Wow.” I said, “I know, right?” Simon said, “Oh, snap!” I told them that he called me a hippie and told me to get my hair cut. That’s when I said, “At least I don’t have a full-length mirror on my soft tail.” They laughed. Simon said, “Did he need aloe for that? He got burned very badly!” I said, “No; he gave me the finger, and I grinned and continued playing my guitar.” Simon said, “You actually allowed him to flip the bird at you? You are passive, man!” I said, “I know, but if things had gotten worse, I would have taken up for myself.” In study hall, Simon and I finished our first homework assignments of the day. After the kampanilya rang, we got to put our stuff in our lockers. When I was playing my guitar, Adam came out, wearing a tuxedo and a 1950’s hairstyle. He said, “It’s for my first date.” I said, “PsuedoChristian got a date. Unbelievable!” He asked, “How do I look?” I replied, “Like a black and white Domestic Shorthair.” He asked, “What can I put on to impress this girl?” I replied, “A giant bag of dirt.” He said, “You’re a jerk, Anthony.” I said, “I know you are.” He said, “You’re impossible.” I said, “If I exist, then I must be possible.” He said, “Whatever.” I continued playing my guitar. My dad came in and said, “Hey, Anthony, the bible says that it’s a shame for men to have long hair.” I said, “Oh, really? It doesn't say anything about men cutting their hair.” He asked, “Did you know that they walked everywhere they went?” I said, “Like I care about that. I already walk everywhere I go, anyway. I’m not old enough to drive, anyway.” He scoffed and walked away. I always knew how to make him shut up when he insulted me. Sometimes I had to call back up and get my mom to fuss at him. I was used to the bullying, so used to it that I didn't care anymore. I liked my hair. It gave me a mellow, mature look. What I like is part of who I am, right? In a nut shell, I was a gitara player with long hair. That was who I am, and that is who I always will be. As Simon always liked to say, “A Dalmatian can’t change his spots. What makes you think you can change anything other than the clothes on your back?”