ZOEY
"MAY I TAKE YOU HOME?" Camila spoke in hushed tones.
I was a little concerned because some members conversed with me while preparing my belongings. The dance practice had already ended, and I was preparing to leave.
"Oh, you surprised me," I said, relieved. I thought one of the club members recognized me.
"Sorry. Can we go home together?" Camila inquired yet again.
"Um... Maybe next time, Cam." I need to get somewhere after this. You go home first, okay?" I told her. I'd finished packing my belongings.
"I see..." she said, still standing in front of me. "Ella, may I ask you a question?"
Camila is used to calling me by my first n
ZOEY "KIDS? Why are you not eating?" Mom inquired of us. We've arrived at our favorite restaurant for lunch. We're celebrating my victory in the quiz bee competition. "Girls? Is there a problem?" My father, too, inquired. Olivia's unease is palpable. Because I was startled, I was unable to respond immediately. Especially when Olivia and my arms touch. I felt like I was being electrocuted, so I had to pull my arm away from her. "I-i was eating," I said, awkwardly smiling. Because it was falling, I touched the middle of my eyeglasses. Why am I so worried? Because I was looking away, I didn't notice our parents' skepticism. Olivia, too, was quiet.
OLIVIA"ARE YOU going to confess to Zo-Zoey now, Camila?" I asked Camila directly because I had the opportunity.We're doing retouches in the Student Council's comfort room because the afternoon class starts soon. Naomi was also present. Stella, the walk-out queen, was nowhere to be found. But, as Naomi stated, we're leaving her alone for the time being because she needs time to process what Camila has just revealed to them.Stella should join the drama club instead, in my opinion. Why couldn't she stand by Camila?Anyway, back to where we are: we use this comfort room after lunch because the regular comfort rooms are full."I'm not sure. We've only recently re-established our friendship. And what if Zoey rejects me? That will be
OLIVIAI WAS not with myself; even the paramedics came and took the lifeless Zoey to the ambulance. I was with her in the ambulance. Nova was with me as well. I held Zoey's hand, and Nova was patting my back slightly. The liquid coming from my eyes was not stopping.The paramedic had given Zoey the first aid the first time they got there, and when they said that Zoey was still alive, I was relieved. But she is still unconscious, so my anxiety grows again."Zo, please fight. You can do it. You are stronger than me, remember? S-so p-please," I felt that my words were choking me. I couldn't finish my words and started crying again."She'll be okay. Zoey will be okay," Nova said. Not a single tear will be seen in her eyes, but I know she's worried sick about Zoey, too. "Right? Sh
OLIVIA I DID NOT GET A LOT OF SLEEP LAST NIGHT, but I awoke early and asked Mom to drive me to the hospital, even if that was not the case. Early in the morning, we received a text message from Uncle Zaldy confirming that Zoey had awoken and was fine. I was relieved, but I needed to see if she was okay with my own eyes to calm my worried mind. We leave for the hospital as soon as Mom finishes cooking and preparing the food we'll bring to the hospital. We were in the car when I heard my mother speak. "Zoey will be fine, Vi. She's a brave young lady," she stated. I cast a glance her way. My mother was concentrating on driving, and her gaze was fixed on the road. She gave me a glance and a smile. In response, I nodded.
OLIVIA "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" I asked Zoey, who was still lying in the hospital bed. The bill was paid, but we are still waiting for the doctor's final opinion on Zoey's results and medication. "You heard me, Vi," she said firmly. "No! I'm afraid I must disagree. I'm not going down without a fight!" I was enraged by Zoey's calm demeanor in this situation. "Please, Uncle Zal, take action against those who abused Zoey. Don't let the police back down on the investigation." I was furious. I'm furious at those who have harmed Zoey. How dare they! Uncle Zaldy was deafeningly silent. He just gave me that sorry look. I looked to my mother for support, but she just shook her head as if to te
OLIVIA PRACTICE WAS COMPLETED, and as Zoey had promised, she watched us practice. I was eager to be with her after it was finished, so I showered quickly. Unfortunately, Camila beat me to it, even though I quickly fixed myself. She was now in the hallway with Zoey. They were talking, and I'm not sure if it was funny, but Camila kept laughing while occasionally touching Zoey's arms. Camila is getting ahead of me. And, despite Camila's confession to Zoey, they appear to be getting closer. Does this imply that they are now dating? "Hello there, Oli. You appear to have intended to murder someone," Naomi stated the obvious. I didn't notice she was walking with me towards Zoey and Camila, who were flirting at the time. "What? No!"
ZOEY "AS THE SCRIPTURE SAID IN ROMANS 8:38-39 - For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," said the parish father. He conducts Olivia's father's eulogy before being buried on the ground. Yes, we are here for Olivia's father's funeral at the cemetery. "Kenneth, our beloved brother, is now at our father's side. There will be no pain. There will be no illness there. Dear Lord, I cry for those of us who have been left behind, for the lonely ones who have hollows in our hearts. I pray You to comfort us, give, restore hope, and lavish us with family and belonging. Meet us in the depths of our grief with Yourself. I pray for everyone's safety. We have complete faith in your methods. Amen."
ZOEY STARING at my reflection on the whole body mirror, I sighed with satisfaction at what I was seeing. I was wearing a black casual dress, above the knee, no sleeves, and slightly showing the top of her chest. My shoulder-length black hair formed in beach wavy curls. My beautiful partner nicely did my make-up. I paired the dress I was wearing with my 2 inches heels, pearls, and crystal black bow kitten. It was a new gift from my stepmother. This is the second time I will wear this kind of clothes. The first time was when my father remarried four years ago to a wonderful woman who brought the gorgeous person I have ever known in my life. Anyway, it's my graduation day today, and I was excited. Two years have quickly passed, and here we are now. I am graduating as a valedictorian despite the hardships I encountered du
"LEWIS," the teacher called Zoey's last name.Camila looked behind her and saw that Zoey was not in her seat.Aubrey was admiring Nova's beauty. She had no idea Zoey was missing."Lewis?" the teacher inquired once more. Everyone in the room is now staring at Zoey's seat. It was deserted. "Scott, did you see your best friend? Where has she gone?""I'm not sure, teacher. Perhaps she's in the restroom. You know, answering nature's call," Nova tried to laugh, but she was getting nervous. She has a bad feeling about Zoey's absence."Perhaps," the teacher replied. "Okay, let's go back to our previous lesson. Lewis can catch up later."The teacher continued the lecture,
"YOU ARE GOING TO STUDY IN SEOUL AFTER GRADE SCHOOL," Dad said. We're having dinner quietly right now, and then he comes in with this kind of news. "Dad? Seriously?" With a sour tone, I said. I stopped cutting the steak on my plate. "I'm serious, Con. You are not taking your studies seriously. You keep slacking. It would help if you were with your grandparents. Maybe they can tame you there," He added without looking at me. He kept eating casually. He had no idea his words were piercing my veins. It's as if someone is slowly and painfully cutting me. "Please, Dad... Mom. I will put in a lot of effort. I'm going to study very hard. I promise," I begged them. I looked at Mom, pleading for help. Mom shook h
ZOEY STARING at my reflection on the whole body mirror, I sighed with satisfaction at what I was seeing. I was wearing a black casual dress, above the knee, no sleeves, and slightly showing the top of her chest. My shoulder-length black hair formed in beach wavy curls. My beautiful partner nicely did my make-up. I paired the dress I was wearing with my 2 inches heels, pearls, and crystal black bow kitten. It was a new gift from my stepmother. This is the second time I will wear this kind of clothes. The first time was when my father remarried four years ago to a wonderful woman who brought the gorgeous person I have ever known in my life. Anyway, it's my graduation day today, and I was excited. Two years have quickly passed, and here we are now. I am graduating as a valedictorian despite the hardships I encountered du
ZOEY "AS THE SCRIPTURE SAID IN ROMANS 8:38-39 - For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," said the parish father. He conducts Olivia's father's eulogy before being buried on the ground. Yes, we are here for Olivia's father's funeral at the cemetery. "Kenneth, our beloved brother, is now at our father's side. There will be no pain. There will be no illness there. Dear Lord, I cry for those of us who have been left behind, for the lonely ones who have hollows in our hearts. I pray You to comfort us, give, restore hope, and lavish us with family and belonging. Meet us in the depths of our grief with Yourself. I pray for everyone's safety. We have complete faith in your methods. Amen."
OLIVIA PRACTICE WAS COMPLETED, and as Zoey had promised, she watched us practice. I was eager to be with her after it was finished, so I showered quickly. Unfortunately, Camila beat me to it, even though I quickly fixed myself. She was now in the hallway with Zoey. They were talking, and I'm not sure if it was funny, but Camila kept laughing while occasionally touching Zoey's arms. Camila is getting ahead of me. And, despite Camila's confession to Zoey, they appear to be getting closer. Does this imply that they are now dating? "Hello there, Oli. You appear to have intended to murder someone," Naomi stated the obvious. I didn't notice she was walking with me towards Zoey and Camila, who were flirting at the time. "What? No!"
OLIVIA "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" I asked Zoey, who was still lying in the hospital bed. The bill was paid, but we are still waiting for the doctor's final opinion on Zoey's results and medication. "You heard me, Vi," she said firmly. "No! I'm afraid I must disagree. I'm not going down without a fight!" I was enraged by Zoey's calm demeanor in this situation. "Please, Uncle Zal, take action against those who abused Zoey. Don't let the police back down on the investigation." I was furious. I'm furious at those who have harmed Zoey. How dare they! Uncle Zaldy was deafeningly silent. He just gave me that sorry look. I looked to my mother for support, but she just shook her head as if to te
OLIVIA I DID NOT GET A LOT OF SLEEP LAST NIGHT, but I awoke early and asked Mom to drive me to the hospital, even if that was not the case. Early in the morning, we received a text message from Uncle Zaldy confirming that Zoey had awoken and was fine. I was relieved, but I needed to see if she was okay with my own eyes to calm my worried mind. We leave for the hospital as soon as Mom finishes cooking and preparing the food we'll bring to the hospital. We were in the car when I heard my mother speak. "Zoey will be fine, Vi. She's a brave young lady," she stated. I cast a glance her way. My mother was concentrating on driving, and her gaze was fixed on the road. She gave me a glance and a smile. In response, I nodded.
OLIVIAI WAS not with myself; even the paramedics came and took the lifeless Zoey to the ambulance. I was with her in the ambulance. Nova was with me as well. I held Zoey's hand, and Nova was patting my back slightly. The liquid coming from my eyes was not stopping.The paramedic had given Zoey the first aid the first time they got there, and when they said that Zoey was still alive, I was relieved. But she is still unconscious, so my anxiety grows again."Zo, please fight. You can do it. You are stronger than me, remember? S-so p-please," I felt that my words were choking me. I couldn't finish my words and started crying again."She'll be okay. Zoey will be okay," Nova said. Not a single tear will be seen in her eyes, but I know she's worried sick about Zoey, too. "Right? Sh
OLIVIA"ARE YOU going to confess to Zo-Zoey now, Camila?" I asked Camila directly because I had the opportunity.We're doing retouches in the Student Council's comfort room because the afternoon class starts soon. Naomi was also present. Stella, the walk-out queen, was nowhere to be found. But, as Naomi stated, we're leaving her alone for the time being because she needs time to process what Camila has just revealed to them.Stella should join the drama club instead, in my opinion. Why couldn't she stand by Camila?Anyway, back to where we are: we use this comfort room after lunch because the regular comfort rooms are full."I'm not sure. We've only recently re-established our friendship. And what if Zoey rejects me? That will be