Veron Velaz"Are you sure you don't want us to accompany you?" Yannie asked from the other line."I'm fine, Yannie. Just lend me your notes for tomorrow's classes that I'll miss," I replied."Veron, why didn't you tell us about this sooner?" I heard Jenny complain."Yeah, Veron, we could have joined you in Parañaque to find your boyfriend, who seems to be missing in action," Ivory added.Even though I couldn't see them, I knew the three of them were gathered together while talking to me on the cellphone."It's okay, Girls. I don't want to involve you in my problems," I said, sipping on the straw of the milk tea I ordered at the coffee shop where I'd been waiting for over two hours for Kevin to come out of his workplace. It's been three weeks since he last contacted me. After three weeks of silence and ignoring me, so I decided to visit him at his workplace."What do you mean, Veron? Don't you see us as friends that you don't want us to support and help you?" Jenny asked, a hint
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Yannie, do you really think it's okay for Josh if we join you and Veron?" Jenny asked as we walked towards the school library. Veron and Ivory were with us."Of course. Why would you even ask?" I replied."Just checking. We haven't met your boyfriend yet," Jenny explained. We all paused at her statement. My eyes widened, and she covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh. This is really happening. You really have a boyfriend," she continued, her excitement palpable."Even I can't get over the fact that Yannie has a boyfriend!" Ivory chimed in with a laugh."Mission accomplished because finally, our friend is not NBSB anymore," Veron teased, wrapping her arm around me.They couldn't resist teasing me about the revelation of Josh and me. I had shared the news with them earlier, and now they were having a field day teasing me about it.I couldn't keep it a secret from them for long. Josh had invited me to attend his basketball game at their school this coming Friday, and I nee
Yannie Ace RuizI was startled when my cellphone suddenly rang loudly while I was in the middle of choosing vegetables in a supermarket. I took it out of my pocket and smiled when I saw Josh's name on the screen."Hello?""Have you arrived home? Why haven't you texted or chatted with me?" Josh's opening question when I answered his call."I'm not home yet. Mom asked me to stop by the supermarket to shop," I replied to him."Who are you with?" he asked again."Just me," I replied. I heard him exhale deeply on the other line."Sorry," he said softly."Huh? For what?" I asked, furrowing my brow."For not being able to accompany you. Sorry for being so far away from you," he replied heavily.I took a deep breath before speaking, "Come on, it's not your fault if you're far away from me. So you don't have to apologize," I replied, biting my lower lip. "And you? Is your practice over?""Not yet," he replied simply."How late will it be?""Maybe we'll finish around 8," he said.I
Josh Rain MontezI sat tiredly on the bench during our water break at practice. I reached for my bottled water, took a sip, and then grabbed my cellphone. I checked the time on it, 6:06 p.m.I knew Yannie had told me she'd just message me once she got home. But because I missed her and wanted to hear her voice, I couldn't resist and called her again."Love really does strange things," Ramil commented, shaking his head at me."You're right about that, Bro. Every water break, you just want to talk to your girlfriend," Byron added."Do you think we should also have girlfriends?" Ramil asked, which made Byron burst into laughter."No way, Bro! Whatever happens, let's not be like our friend here. More chicks, more fun!" Byron said causing me to stand up because they were being too loud."Hello, my yeobo! Are you home already?" I quickly and excitedly asked Yannie as she answered my call."Hello?" But my smile immediately vanished when a man's voice answered me."Who is this?""I'm
Yannie Ace RuizI don't know how many minutes I've been staring at the screen of my cellphone, patiently waiting for Josh's name to appear there. Since earlier, all I've been doing is intermittently staring at my cellphone, hoping Josh would reach out to me."How are you, Yannie? Still no message?" Jenny gently asked me as she approached, accompanied by Ivory and Veron. I glanced at them and responded with a soft, sad shake of my head.Ivory let out a deep sigh and embraced me. "Don't lose hope. Wait for him," she reassured me."Ivory's right. Maybe he's still upset, but it's gonna be okay. Give him some time to cool down," Jenny added.I recounted to my friends the argument Josh and I had last night when he suddenly showed up and punched Kris. I told them the details of our disagreement, which ultimately led to our breakup. After Josh declared in front of me last night that we were breaking up, I couldn't speak. I couldn't even move to follow and stop him from leaving because it
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Yannie, are you really sure you don't want to see Josh yet?" Ivory asked me as we sat at the back."Yeah, Yannie. It might be better if you see him now," Veron added."Maybe later. He might still be angry with me. And if he sees me before his game starts, he might not be able to focus," I replied gently to my friends."That makes sense," Ivory agreed. "Wow! This school is so beautiful. It must be fun to study here! Especially with so many handsome guys around!" Ivory exclaimed excitedly while looking around and glancing at the guys she saw."You're always looking for handsome guys," Veron chuckled."Too bad Jenny's not here! She would surely be happy to see all the handsome guys," Ivory laughed.Josh's game hasn't started yet. Many people are still arriving and taking their seats. While I listened to Ivory and Veron chatting next to me, my eyes couldn't help but focus on Josh. He's not with Ate Aika now, as he's already with his team on the side. Ate Aika is tal
Jenny DelsarioI let out a deep sigh after finishing setting the food on the table. I glanced at the dishes I prepared and smiled to myself. A moment later, my phone rang with a chat from Ivory.Ivory: Girl! You're missing out! There are so many handsome guys here! Damn! I'm not sure if this is a school or a hiding place for handsome creatures!I chuckled at Ivory's message. It felt like I could hear her voice as I read the chat. When it comes to these things, she and I always see eye to eye. I also felt a twinge of regret for not being with them. I've been waiting for this day for days, but unfortunately, I couldn't join them because I had other priorities.Me: I don't believe it! Where's the picture?! Show me!I replied to Ivory, and moments later, she sent me a stolen picture of three handsome guys watching the game together.Ivory: There you go! Drool with envy! (laugh emoji)Me: You're really making me drool, Girl! Can you send more pics, please?Ivory: No more. My eyes wi
Yannie Ace Ruiz"I'm sorry, I can't join you anymore. I just sneaked out from work, so I need to go back," Ate Rica told us."Your job or me?" Josh asked Ate Rica."Of course, my job. You're just my cousin," Ate Rica replied to Josh, which made all of us laugh. "Girls, I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you next time," Ate Rica said with a smile."No worries, Ate Rica. Take care," I replied with a smile."I'm leaving too," Ate Aika said with a smile, then she glanced at Ate Rica. "I'll go with you, Rics.""Sure!" Ate Rica replied to Ate Aika. "Bye, guys!" they bid us goodbye and left."So, what now? Do we have somewhere to go? Any plans?" Ivory asked one after another.Josh hinted and then spoke, "Um... I was hoping to borrow Yannie from you guys," he said, which made me turn to him."Huh? What do you mean? I can't leave my friends—""Don't worry, Yannie! Byron and I will take care of your friends. We'll escort them," Ramil interjected with a smile at me, then he glanced at
"Oh my gosh! This is it, girls! Finally!" Ivory exclaimed happily as she approached us."Yes, finally! Can you believe it? We all made it here," Jenny added."I'm so proud of us, girls! Finally, this is it! Congratulations to all of us!" Veron chimed in joyfully.I smiled sweetly at my friends. "Congrats to us. I'm so happy and proud of all of us," I said as we gathered for a group hug.Two fast-paced years have passed, and finally, one of the most awaited days has arrived. The day when we would march together to mark the end of our studies. Yes, today is our graduation day, and my heart is bursting with overwhelming joy. All the exhaustion, sleepless nights, hardships, and sacrifices are finally paying off.I still remember the part-time jobs my friends and I took on just to support ourselves and our families. And now, the day we've all been waiting for has finally come.In a few moments, the line where we stood started moving, as they began letting us in one by one into the venue."
"Yannie..." Ramil uttered my name with a hint of concern when he saw me entering Josh's room.I looked at him questioningly until my gaze landed on Josh's empty bed. My brows furrowed slightly."Where's Josh?" I asked Ramil and Byron. The two took a deep breath, and I could see the worry and concern on their faces. It seemed like they had something to tell me but were hesitant. "Why? Did something happen? Where is Josh?" I asked again.Before answering, the two exchanged glances, seemingly urging each other to respond. Eventually, Ramil met my eyes and spoke. "Josh left. We caught up to him, but... he wouldn't be stopped.""Huh? What do you mean he left? Where did he go? Did he go home? Was he discharged?" I asked, confused and bombarding them with questions."He insisted on being discharged by his doctor. He left and went to the airport... to chase after Arriane," Ramil replied."H-Huh?""Arriane told him she was continuing her studies abroad. So, he hurried off to the airport to cat
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Nice! Nice try, bro. But drop that joke," Ramil broke the silence that enveloped us after Josh asked who I was."What try? What joke?" Josh asked Ramil, confused."Bro—""I'm serious. Who is she? Who are they?" Josh pointed at me and Veron."Get it together, bro. This isn't funny—""You get it together," Josh quickly interrupted Byron, then looked at me again. His gaze was far different from how he used to look at me. It was as if my presence confused him deeply. It was as if he had forgotten everything about me—everything about us.Because of those looks, my heart immediately grew heavy. I couldn't explain what I felt at first."Son!" Josh's parents suddenly arrived. "How are you, son? How are you feeling now?" his father quickly asked."I'm okay, Dad. I just... don't understand why I'm here," Josh replied to his father."You don't remember... what happened?" Josh's mother asked in confusion."I can't," Josh answered simply, which made my heart feel even heavier and
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Rhiana..."I quickly wiped away my tears and just as quickly let go of Josh's hands when I heard Ate Rica's voice.My heart immediately pounded with anxiety as I slowly straightened up and turned to face them. There, I met the gaze of Josh's mom. I struggled to swallow because it felt like the words I wanted to say were fighting to come out of my lips. I didn't know how to start apologizing to her for being here now.I knew I had promised her before that I would never show myself to her son again. I had promised her before that I would disappear from Josh's life, but... here I am now, crying in front of her son. It was as if, in an instant, all the promises I had made to her and my determination back then had suddenly crumbled. I wanted to kneel before her again and beg for her to let me be with Josh.I struggled to swallow again before starting to speak. "S-Sorry," I said weakly while trying to hold back my tears. "I just wanted to make sure Josh is okay." I looked d
Yannie Ace Ruiz"No! No, Yannie! No!" Josh cried repeatedly, holding me tightly in his arms."J-Josh..." I managed to say with difficulty. I forced myself to utter his name despite the intense pain caused by the bullet wound."Don't leave me, Yannie. Just hang in there, okay? You can do it, Yannie. Please, don't give up!" Josh kept crying to me."D*mn it! How did she get away from you? You idiots!" I heard the man who shot me yelling at his men."You bastard! I'll kill you!" Josh shouted angrily at the man."I'm the one who's going to kill you! Thank your girlfriend for taking the bullet that was meant for your head! If she hadn't done that, you would be dead by now, and she would be crying over you. But don't worry, you won't be around much longer because I'm going to finish you off too." The man pointed the gun at Josh again.I swallowed with difficulty, feeling my breathing become labored."D-Don't..." I whispered weakly, trying to protect him."Wow. That's touching. You love this
Yannie Ace RuizMy tears continue to flow incessantly while my chest keeps rising and falling with the intense anxiety I'm feeling right now. I hold my breath as if exhaling freely might bring something wrong upon me, even though I'm just sitting inside this car.I don't know how many minutes or hours have passed since these men took me. I don't know who they are or why they are doing this to me. Over and over again, I replay in my mind if I have wronged someone."We're here," said the man in front of his companions. He stopped the car, and they got out one by one.The man beside me opened the car door and stepped out, giving me a sharp look. "Get out," he commanded.I struggled to swallow and looked around at where we were. It was dark surroundings, but I could see tall grasses around us, with a large warehouse in front of us."Get out, I said," the man repeated his order."Who are you? Where are you taking me? What are you going to do to me?" I asked fearfully, one question after an
Josh Rain MontezArriane stood quietly in front of me after seeing whoever arrived inside the coffee shop where we were."Aunt..." she said as the footsteps approached us.I lifted my emotionless gaze to the person who came closer and faced me. I could see the deep concern on her face as she looked at me, as if afraid of what I might do after learning the truth from Arriane. Her throat moved repeatedly as tears seemed about to fall."I'm sorry, Aunt," Arriane broke the silence. "I did everything, but... he's truly, madly, and crazy in love with that girl. With Yannie," she said to Mommy, then sadly walked out of the coffee shop, leaving us behind.I avoided looking at Mommy and lifelessly stood and turned away from her. I was about to step away, but she quickly stopped me and blocked my path. "Josh..." she said my name. I didn't respond and instead continued walking past her. But I stopped when she spoke again. "Aren't you going to ask me about what you've learned?"I smirked sarcasti
Josh Rain Montez"Bro, that's enough. You've had way too much to drink," Ramil interrupted me as he reached for the alcohol I was drinking. But I quickly pulled it away from him."I'm okay, Bro. I'm not drunk yet.""But, Bro, you've been here drinking for a while now. And you've been doing nothing else but drinking for days. You might get into trouble.""Yeah, Bro. Who knows what might happen to you with all this," Byron added.I took another sip of my drink and replied to them, "Whatever happens to me, it's probably better than this.""Bro, that's enough. You're drunk," Ramil intervened again, successfully taking the alcohol away from me this time."What the heck? Why are you so persistent? Why are you meddling?" I snapped at him, getting annoyed as I stood up."Easy, Bro!" Byron said to me."You're already drunk, so stop drinking—""Damn it! So what if I'm already drunk? Why do you have to interfere? Can't you just leave me alone?!"Ramil took a deep breath and looked at me wearily
Josh Rain Montez"Are you drunk again?" Mom started as soon as I walked into the house. But I ignored her and continued walking past her. "Seriously, Josh? Until when are you going to behave like this just because of that worthless girl?!" I stopped walking after she said those words. "She's gone, Josh. She left you, but you're still wallowing because of her!"I slowly faced Mom. "Have you been in love, Mom?" I asked gently, which seemed to stun her momentarily."What?""You know what, Mom? I've always wondered if you've ever been in love with Dad. Because every time I look at both of you, I don't see love between you."Her jaw clenched. "Stop talking nonsense, Josh. Don't drag me and your Dad into your drama.""I guess you've never been in love. That's why you're like this, maybe because you've never experienced loving someone, especially getting hurt." My vision started to blur as tears threatened to escape from me.Several days have passed since Yannie blatantly rejected me, but un