Novels by Sassy Z.

I always felt like I was just a regular guy. Growing up, my parents would shower me with their undivided attention as I was the only boy. My older sister Terry "bullied" me when we were kids, and because of her, I was a bit shy around girls. I just liked hanging around with noisy guys like Jon and Ira, as I felt they "protected" me. I had crushes, but never really told any girl I liked her. Jon joked that the girl must be the one to court me, for I usually clamped up around them. That is, until I met Nia. During our Sophomore year, I heard heard rumors about a girl who transferred to our coed school from an exclusive girls' school. My curiosity was piqued. I felt bad hearing some of them making fun of the girl we have yet to meet. I saw new faces in the room and I asked Ira casually if the new girl had arrived. "Nope, I don't think she's here yet. Those new students came from co-ed schools as well," he replied. I sat down, feeling disappointed. Suddenly, I saw a girl stood b

I was startled to hear my office phone ringing continuously. I picked it up quickly and breathlessly said, "Hello?" "Hello, Nia? Izzie here. What time are you ready? We need to go see Noah immediately at the precinct." I checked my watch and responded, "I can wrap up now and go there. I'll meet you at the mall then we go directly to the precinct. How about the others?" I heard Izzie sighed and said, "Ayene, Leny and Carly went there an hour ago. Ira and Enzo will also proceed there in a bit. I'd like to talk to Noah. He must be really scared." "Don't worry. Buy some snacks, towels, toiletries for him, and I'll be there in a jiffy." I quickly drove to the mall to pick up Izzie. I saw her waiting for me at the mall entrance and quickly stopped at the curb and opened the door. She came in, hugged me and closed the door. She started chatting about Noah. "I told him to resign from that stupid job. He was so stressed out for months, an

"I will not take No again for an answer, Nia," my friend Naomi said crispily over the phone. I was staring at my computer and typing endless memos for my boss who was the senior vice president for Corporate Banking of a leading universal bank. My head was tilted, skillfully balancing the receiver while leafing through the pages of the draft. I was hired as an assistant and working with the bank for nearly 3 years. I met Naomi while I was an intern for a professional advertising executive and she was then his assistant. I liked her because of her feisty nature. "I already met the guy and he seems promising. But do I need to go into another date with him? I am very busy," I answered. Naomi set me up on a blind date with Ervin who was an account executive working for a big pharmaceutical company. "He has been asking why you don't want to give your personal as well as your professional contact number. I think he's got the hots for you. Why don't you give him a chance? Just

Time really flies, and how! I am now a Senior in college, and in just a few months will graduate hopefully with Latin Honors. Soon, I'd be able to keep my promise to Nanay. It was a long arduous journey, but I did it. I only need to pass the remaining exams and defend my thesis. I was so grateful to Jena, Eden, Arnold, and the rest of my classmates who made life in college bearable. As expected, life there was more serious and I learned that you have to take ownership of your decisions and not rely on others. I realized my inner strength and determination to finish what I've started. I sacrificed Lance, and nothing's going to stop me from my goal. A stumbling block indeed came, but I was able to overcome and moved on. A few months ago, I was roaming the University Belt with Jena and Arnold looking for additional sources for our thesis. The place was teeming with students from other universities and colleges. I was able to get copies of the books I needed and was waiting for

One year later.I was walking towards the Main Building/Science library of the University of Saint Thomas to look through additional materials for our group presentation scheduled for next week. It was a hectic year for the Freshman AB class, and I was looking forward to a relaxing summer. I saw my classmates, Arnold and Eden already in our favorite table and I quickly sat on the chair across the two. Both smiled at me and proceeded to discuss the materials they were able to get from the undiscovered section of the old library.On the last Friday of March that year, the class of 1986 graduated. Surrounded by excited classmates and proud parents and companions, I felt empty that day. Even when my Nanay shed tears and Bree took pictures of me on the stage with my diploma and mother in tow, I barely mustered a tiny grin. Because we all brought our family members, my classmates and I were only able to say quick goodbyes before we left the venue. I quick

Classes were resumed several days after the peaceful EDSA Revolution of February 25, 1986. My classmates were very excited to see each other again. The school officials welcomed us back during our morning assembly, with the principal asking the students to go on studying and not worry about the political situation. He also reminded us seniors of our remaining projects and upcoming examinations, which effectively gave us the direction we needed. My clasmates worked like crazy, and we extended our stay at the campus in order to finish all our projects. Every minute with them counts. Lance and I went home late, and we see each other during weekends, too. Bree talked to me one night. She looked subdued, and I was a bit concerned. "How are you doing at school? Ready for college?" she asked. I nodded vigorously. "Of course! It's just the final examinations and we are all set to graduate. Don't worry. I just need to wait for the documents i need to submit to UST and I