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Chapter 16 - Begin Again
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I knew that Albert was displeased with my decision that we worked on our new project in that place, but he couldn't say anything. I just explained that fewer students were staying in the river park, and it's the perfect place to talk.
Jane groaned as she studied her notes in Philosophy. "Ah! I can't understand it…" showing desperation, she complained as she squinted her eyes on the word.
"Which one?" Ed asked as he moved closer to Jane.
We were sitting in a circle to the perfectly mowed lawn, with Ed seated next to Jane, then Diana who was not happy with our choice of place to sit down, next to her, Albert was trying to concentrate on the book. I was next to him, also trying to concentrate on the copy of the syllabus given to us a while ago.
She laughed, and then closed her notebook. "My handwriting," she blushed and then laughed at herself.
Ed smiled and then turned to me. "I guess you'll be stuck in our group until the end of the sem
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The long drive to the beach didn't matter as long as Albert was with me. I guess even if our destination was the moon, it won't matter as long as we're together. When we reached the beach, it was still early morning and since his family owned the place, we're the only ones there.The salty air of the beach, the summer breeze, and the sound of the waves crashing to the shore excited me. He laughed at me as I ran to the shore and screamed when my feet felt the cold water. When I ran back to him, he imprisoned me with his embrace. Together, we admired the beauty of the blue sea as the sunlight made the water sparkle like a thousand tiny pearls floating in the ocean.As the waves crawled peacefully to the shore and our feet, he pulled me closer and kissed me."Selene!"Sienna's scream snapped me away from that memory. Now, I remembered why the amusement park plan never pushed through, although Jane and I lied to my par
Never Again Chapter 18 - Nightmare
I clasped my hands together and took a deep breath. I was sweating and my heart was beating fast as I looked around. The large crowd in the ballroom was making me dizzy. The different styles and colors of the gowns of women were blinding me, and the music, laughter, and even the quiet voices of some people talking were deafening me. I turned to look for Albert, but I could not find him. I touched my forehead and started massaging it. I was starting to hyperventilate.A few moments later, the handsome Marco approached me. His friendly smile somehow consoles me. He asked me if I was okay, and I shook my head."Looking for Albert?" He turned his head closer to me so I can hear him better."Do you know where we went to?" I asked feeling relief Marco was there.He nodded, and when he stood, I followed him.He held my hand and led me inside the villa. He told me he knew where Albert was, and he would take me there. It wasn't my first time to enter
Never Again Chapter 19 - The Maze
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My eyes snapped open as I woke up from a bad dream. I was still shaking, and I could feel my heart pounding as I wiped the cold sweat on my forehead. I didn't want to go back to sleep. In my dream, I kept seeing myself inside the mirror maze room again, and I could see Marco's reflections everywhere. Then, to my horror, he escaped in one of the mirrors and ran after me. When he caught me, he tore my clothes and started hurting me.I sniffled, trying not to cry. It has not happened yet! It has not happened yet! Not yet!I searched for my blanket to cover my face, but when I pulled it, it was like it was stuck with something. But then, I became aware someone's lying beside me. Slowly, I turned my gaze to the person next to me.I was really startled. "Good lord, Albert!" I covered my mouth. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?" My eyes were wide open in shock.I didn't recall leaving the window open before going to bed.He was lying on his
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I glanced at the time on the wall clock, then to Mr. Maurice, who was doing the lecture on Marketing today. I was fidgeting, and unconsciously, I would bite my nail, then look at the time again. He was holding the hardbound book I remembered he used to smack my head to wake me in the class a week ago.Maybe if I try to sleep again in his class, I will wake up in my time. When our professor faced the board to write something, I placed both arms on the table and then tried to rest my head on my arms. I took a deep breath as I close my eyes.Diana kicked my chair. I straightened up and turned to her."What?" I hissed glaring at her."Do you want him to smack you in the head again?" She questions in a low voice.I gave her a sullen look before I turned my attention to our professor."What do you mean?" I heard Albert asking her, but she did not answer.Jane nudged me on my arm and passed a note to me.I opened the paper
Never Again Chapter 22 – Good Things, Bad Things
Dani was thankful when he found out that our PE instructor canceled our class because something important came up. It wasn't lunchtime yet, but a lot of teens and young people were lining up to order beverages, and most of them were girls."Was it always like this?" I asked as I put on my apron."Yes. Every time they knew the owner is here, or the cousins and the brothers are here," he said rolling his eyes. He told me to turn around, and I did.I chuckled as I turned my back on him.He fixed the waist tie at my back and surely, he made a good ribbon-style on it, just like what I saw in other baristas' apron.When I turned around, Dani was snapping his fingers as he looked for something. He was getting impatient as he searched the floor, table, and countertops. I was about to ask him what he was looking for when Albert came out of the office and in his hand was the matching cap of my apron."Of course, you have the cap," he said, rolling his
Never Again Chapter 23 – IMYM
I moaned as I smell the familiar scent in my nostrils. I could smell Albert and coffee.'Coffee?''Albert?'I opened my eyes quickly and looked around. It was only then I realized I was leaning on someone's shoulder. I straightened up and turned to see who it was.Albert groaned as he massages his arm. "I thought something bad happened to you here," he said as he stood up, and then switch on the light."Huh?" I was suddenly confused.He smirked. "I asked you to get coffee beans, but you did not come back. When Edwin came for you, he found you sleeping here on the stairs," He shook his head in disbelief. "Coffee was supposed to wake you up, not make you fall asleep,"I opened my mouth, but no voice came out. How long have I been out? Our eyes met, and then we both burst into laughter.He sat down again beside me, and then tap his shoulder. I leaned my head over his shoulder."How long have I been sleeping?" I asked him.
Never Again Chapter 24 – I'm Back
The kiss was brief but intense.When Albert left my lips, he pulled me closer, and he buried his face on my neck. The small paper was still in my hand, and I wanted to confront him about it. I would go insane if I didn't. But all the words I wanted to say, all the questions I wanted to ask were gone the instant I heard his sob.I wrapped my arms around him and let him weep."My brother's gone," he cried, and I could feel the tears now rolling from his eyes to the skin of my neck.My tears welled my eyes, too, because I could feel his misery and yet, I have no ways to ease the pain he's feeling right now.I didn't know how long we're like this, just crying and holding each other close. When I think he stopped crying, I moved away a little and hold him on both shoulders.His eyes were red from crying, and his face was overwhelming with sadness. The sudden death of his brother was devastating for him and for his family.Charles's d
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Never Again Chapter 75 – The Test Result
Everybody seemed to be anxious about the result of the test. Dad kept pacing the room while Albert’s dad had been tapping the arm of his seat like he was playing the piano. Our mothers were chatting, exchanging their pregnancy experiences. Sienna and Jane were chatting about their excitement about the possible results. We had to wait in Dr. Mayer’s office because staying in the OB Gyne’s doctor won’t fit all the expectant guests. Albert and I stood by the large window overlooking the hospital’s garden. “It would be fun to watch their faces if I’m not pregnant,” I said, rolling my eyes. Albert smiled, pulling me closer to him and kissing my forehead. “But this would be a great story to tell to our child if you are indeed pregnant,” I leaned my head on his chest. The truth was I was scared because even if I had James, it was something I never had a memory of. This would be my first experience. “I’m scared,” I muttered. “Would you rather be not p
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“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” The doctor smiled at me, showing the result of my test. The lines and the signs definitely did not lie about it.I could not believe what I was hearing. Am I really pregnant? I gazed at Albert, tears brimming into his eyes as he came to me to wrap his arms around me. When the door opened, my eyes widened to see the tunnel. It was like sucking my body to get into it, but Albert held onto me tightly.We were shocked when a man, wearing a black mask and overall, pointed a gun at me. No, not particularly at me, but to my belly. My forehead furrowed because I just knew I was pregnant, but my belly was so big that anytime I would likely give birth. Before I could understand what was happening, I heard a gunshot and found myself bleeding.I gasped, sucking as much air to my lungs as I got up from the bed. My heart was pounding fast, and I could hear my heartbeat from the silent night. I was sw
Never Again Chapter 73 – Apple Pie News
“Are you like together again?” Sienna asked, gawking at us. She shook her head. “Something’s not right,” She squinted her eyes on us, glancing at our hands, fingers interlacing. “Did something happen a few seconds ago? Wow, you changed really fast, Sel,” She glanced at the ceiling, trying to remember the clothes I was wearing.When I heaved a sigh, she gasped, opening her mouth in surprise. “Did you just...”“Just what?” I asked, looking at my sister, hoping she would stop talking about how surprised she was at seeing us.“Got together,” she chuckled, pointing his lips to the engagement ring I had on my finger. “Fix your problem, Selene,” She said, standing up to continue setting the table. “Either you face your problem now or later.”Sienna was right. The reason things got complicated is that I tend not to face my problem. I tried to ev
Never Again Chapter 72 – Twisting The Future
Everyone in the living room went quiet. No one made a single sound, not even a movement. It was like they stopped breathing for a while, just like in the movies when we hear the most critical line of an important character, whether from the protagonist or the antagonist. In the middle of our silence, we could listen to the sound of crickets.Their faces were hard to read as well. Jane was twisting her lips, fidgeting with her hands. Ed was staring blankly at us, his hand on his chin. Dad has lines on his forehead, squinting his eyes as he analyzed what I said. Mom wrinkled her eyebrows as she pinched the skin in her throat.I glanced at Albert, and he shrugged.Suddenly, Mom broke down in tears. Sienna and I looked at each other, raising our brows as we stared at her.“I hope you’re not on drugs, Sweetheart.” She sniffed, holding my father’s hand. He squeezed Mom’s hand.I almost rolled my eyes at her, but I think it w
