Isabelina

Mother superior made it very clear.. She wants the pious and the well-bred. Cecille was definitely not on her list. She just transferred from another boarding school. This was her last hope. Her parents practically shoved her into this school. It was this or off to Siberia.

She was sitting inside an old fashioned office. The smell is putrid. Nuns aren't really particular with hygiene nowadays. She thought. But maybe it was Mother Superior's cologne... or natural scent maybe? She wasn't paying attention to any of her ramblings, her lectures about good manners and right conduct. She has heard of it---from Father Bruno and Sister Adriana and even Mang Ambo, the school' janitor. She wants to sink into oblivion.

The phone rang. Finally, an end to the Sister's diatribe. She looked at her and rolled her eyes. Maybe she's on her menopausal stage. Again, she could care less. The call seemed important. She was asked to come back for the final frontier...Mother Superior's counseling was like watching a silent movie. She didn't have to say anything to make the whole thing seem like a waking dream. She only nodded when she has to. She remained quiet during the weekly sermons. She has gotten used to being talked down to. It was useless to respond.

It wasn't her fault. She was not that juvenile way back. She was Mama's favorite. But maybe shit just happens. In the long run and in the grander plans of the Omnipotent....maybe she was destined to be the rotten fruit in the bunch. It was not her fault.

It was her third time to be called to the principal's office. First time, she was accused of cheating. When in fact, she was the one being cheated on. She refused to defend herself. What was the whole point of arguing when every time she feels like uttering a single word, she becomes weary and nauseous. She disliked her school. She felt like her IQ is dropping 10 times faster because of her lousy classmates. They only know three things: boys, boys and boys. For some reason she was disgusted. It was like the dark ages. It was mental stagnation.

Second time that she was called was when she unintentionally broke Sister Marguerite's wrist while in the middle of demonstrating the art of self-defense.

It was in this second instance, that brought about her final demise. She finally hit rock bottom.

Every Friday, all juveniles---meaning the rejects and the misunderstood are gathered in what they call as community extension service. Detention for short. They were asked to scrub the floors of the Rendo Home. It was more like a geriatric ward than a dormitory. It was uncomfortably quiet and creepy.

There she met Lucy. Lucy was the delinquent in her perspective. She was a regular in detentions, based on what the sisters told. She was there for several reasons. She got caught smoking pot in her Theology class. She almost set the Chemistry lab on fire. And she stole Mother Superior's chastity belt (because she was dared by her other troubled friends).

Lucy was pretty but was quite a rascal. Her skin was smooth, her hair was long and her lips were really cherry red. She was very lady like except her voice was really hoarse. And it sounded like a young boy on the peak of his puberty.

Lucy and Cecille were anything but two peas in a pod. Cecille is introverted and maybe shows two to three symptoms of mild autism. Lucy was loud and carefree.

Lucy has always been curious of Cecille. Ever since she met her. She was quiet and seemed like someone who reads the bible everyday. She wondered why on earth would this pathetic, meek girl be so troubled. Lucy tried to befriend Cecille. But Cecille kept her distance. Right after detention is over, Cecille goes straight home.

But one time, an unsuspected event happened that led Cecille into her final demise.

Sister Stella came up to them. Her aura itself gives off a vibe of apocalypse. It was bad news. They need to extend detention. Mang Ambo had an emergency. He cannot come for work. The rendo home needs an overhaul---the stench and filth is unimaginable. There will be visitors from the nearby convent. Maybe a convention of witches, Cecille thought. And since charity and poverty are one of the sisters' values, they dragged the detainees into temporarily assuming his role.

Just before Sister Stella left attend the Angelus, she reminded the girls to return the cleaning materials to the maintenance's room. The lock was busted, she reminded. One time, Mang Ambo locked himself in. Mother Superior almost got a cardiac arrest when she found out.

When she left, Lucy threw the mop. " That's it, I'm done with this shit", she exalted.

Cecille remained silent.

"Do you want to be stuck here? I have to bounce.", Lucy said

"I don't think that's possible", Cecille finally decided to respond.

" And she speaks.. I thought you're a total retard. Let's get out of here before the hag returns", Lucy retorted.

Cecille just let out a sigh.

" You can go if you want. I just need to finish this." Cecille continued with the sweeping.

" You know, I'm wondering what you did to piss off the hags. Why are you here?", Lucy asked.

Cecille remained silent.

"Did you bring porn in class? O wait, you got caught masturbating while hearing the First Friday Mass...right?? Yeah, I knew it... It was you, right???", Lucy continued.

Cecille was still unwavering.

"You know it's normal.", Lucy said walking away.

" N N Normal? ", Cecille stammered.

"Yes...it's perfectly normal to masturbate. It's healthy too. Don't worry, I won't tell Sister Stella", Lucy answered. *wink*

" Someone's obviously horny....", Cecille rebounded.

" Don't be a hypocrite. You probably do it more often than I do.", Lucy replied.

Laughter.

For the first time, Cecille was not weary.

" So are you with me? Let's get out of this joint, it's way to dragging for us, horny school girls.", Lucy insisted.

" I'm almost done with my part. Why don't you just do your share and then we can leave", said Cecille.

" Honey, have you seen the filth. I ain't laying my finger in this decaying hell hole. I'm off.", she started walking away.

"You know, you can't go out. Manong guard will not let us. "

" I can handle him...what's you name???"

"Cecille...."

"Alright Cecille.. watch and learn...."

Lucy walked slyly towards Manong guard. She whispered on his ear. He let out a manly giggle and walked away.

"What did you say?"

"It's for me keep and you to find out...are you with me, I still have a jamming session to catch..."

"alright alright. Can you help me return these cleaning materials though...."

"Fine fine... let's hurry. "


Cecille opened the door. The creaking sound gave her the goosebumps. The maintenance room was equally filthy but more putrid than ever. It smelled like death. She tried to switch the lights on but it was not working. Busted.

Lucy was behind her. She could feel her breath in her nape.

" Hurry. It's dark and smelly. " Lucy pushed her.

Just when they were done loading the cleaning materials, the door slammed shut.

Scream

"Wtf."

"The door is jammed. Shit. Sister Stella told us to be careful the lock is busted.", Cecille whispered.

"Why the hell are you whispering? Shouldn't we be shouting or screaming our lungs out?"

Scream

" What's the point? You lured the guard away. We are practically out of earshot. The dorm is empty. The sisters won't be back unless dinner is already over." Cecille sighed in defeat.

From the darkness, she could feel the intensity. It was making her uncomfortable than scared. The room was not that spacious. She felt like the walls are closing in on her.

"Cecille are you still alive"

"Yeah.. I'm just....claustrophobic...I guess"

"It feels like eternity here. " Lucy banged the thick wooden door. But to no avail, it will not bulge.

Cecille felt like sitting down. She was getting more and more nauseous.

"Can you move aside, I'd like to sit", Cecille nudge.

" Well, since you can't see, let me tell you that I'm two inches from inhaling the wall", Lucy said.
She checked her pocket and felt that her lighter was there.

Click.click. No flame.

"Perfect, I'm out of butane", exasperated she nearly banged her head on the wall.

Cecille was hyperventilating.

"Hey, I may not see you but I'm definitely hearing you....eeeeeww...what is that sound??"


" I can't.....I can't breath...."

"What??? What do you mean?? You're out of oxygen???"

"I....I can't breath...I'm not joking...."

Despite the blackness, he felt like her sight was growing dimmer and dimmer.

Lucy tried to feel her. She held her hand.

Hey you're hands are cold.

That's..... that's....not....mine,....

WTF.

No...i'm just....kidding...

Asshole. here... She motioned for her to sit..

Just relax....

Cecille was trying hard but she felt her world growing dimmer and dimmer...

I...I think...I might....f....."

"hey..hey...hey....don't faint...Cecille..the hell!"

Lucy can feel Cecille's weight pressing on her. Lucy wanted to scream but decided not too...

It was total darkness. Her pulse was really faint. Lucy can tell. She has to do something fast.

She tried to feel Cecille's face... Her breathing was very shallow. She placed her head on her bosom. She can feel her faint heartbeat.

Well it's good thing I know a thing or two about first aid. Lucy thought.

She tried to lay Cecille's head on the cold floor. She cupped her face and very slowly their lips touched. She opened her mouth. CPR.

Slowly and then suddenly a rush of air filled Cecille's lungs. She almost gasped. Instantaneously, she felt odd. She felt Lucy's lips on hers. They were soft. For one brief moment, she felt like she tasted her. It tasted like strawberries. Maybe it was the lip balm. Five seconds. Lucy pulled back. Even in darkness, Cecille can tell that Lucy was blushing.

" Why'd you black out like that?" Lucy cleared her throat.

"Uhm... I'm claustrophobic... I didn't mean to..." Cecille gushed. Again, a growing discomfort rising from her gut.

Bullcrap. You kissed backed. Was it your first? You don't even know my name.

Lucy. I know your name. And I didn't do it on purpose.

So was it your first kiss??

It was not a kiss. Our lips touched but it was not a kiss. But thank you.thank you for the CPR.
Cecille tried to grope for the door...she unlock it with all of her might.

Lucy laughed. You didn't answer me.

Was it your first? I bet it's your first. She continued to tease.

How can you tell if it's my first or not? Are you some kissing expert?

Ha. Maybe.

Was I bad at it?

So it was your first..... Well.. as they say practice makes perfect. Lucy tried to reach for her face.

What are you doing?

Practice. I'll teach you... Lucy grabbed her by the neck and began kissing her cheek.

Cecille tried to block Lucy.

I'm doing you a favor, Cecille. In the real world, you only get to make a perfect kiss.

Lucy again kissing her right check and eventually her chin.. It was a hit and miss.

Cecille tried to pull back but she felt defeated...Maybe by the lack of Oxygen in her brain or maybe something else. She gave it.

Their lips touched once more. Lucy's lips were tender...no..it was light..it was like cotton candy. This time Lucy opened her mouth and let out her tongue. Cecille was caught off guard at first. She didn't know what to do. Slightly,she just opened her mouth and let Lucy take her. Their tongues met for the first time. She did taste the strawberries. Their breathing became heavy and so is their kissing. It was as if she was hers and hers was she. Cecille kissed her hard and bit her lip.. then her neck and back to her lips. Lucy lured her back to her lips. She felt like she is drowning and entering another world. A world away from her dysfunctional family, away from the nagging nuns, away from the stereotypical world. They were fading fast. They were in a trance.

Suddenly a loud thud. The door was kicked open.

There stood the devil in white drapes. It was Mother Superior.

She was mortified by what she saw. She felt her veins constrict. Another heart attack? Instead a wide utter disgust plastered on her ancient face.

It was beyond horror to see her two young girls in lip lock. Well, it was that plus some bodily fluids.

That was Cecille's third and final offense.

For some reason, she wasn't ashamed. For some reason, she liked Lucy's lips on her. For some reason, she felt comforted of feeling Lucy's warmth.

It was odd. But for a certain reason, she felt really good.