Days turned to weeks.
It was finally time for the teachers to submit their final grades after the final exam ended.
Susana, the class adviser for Dawn’s class this school year waited in excitement.
But when she saw the grades reported by Cyrus, she had to do double, triple checks.
She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
It showed that Dawn had scored less than a hundred in some of her quizzes and exams.
“Impossible.. Less than a hundred on the subject of History and of Religion?”
If this was two years ago, she wou
In the La Cocina de Mamà restaurant, Dawn’s family and relatives gathered around. Aria and their other friends were also there–except for Alvin and his group. Keenan’s parents and uncle were also there, as well as Blake. They reserved half of the restaurant to host a party to send her off. This was also a birthday celebration for Dawn as she turned sixteen years old. “Everyone–thank you all for coming. Please enjoy tonight. And I hope that everyone will help me pray for my daughter’s safe travels and well-being abroad.” “Of course!” “Congrats again, Dawn!” “Visit us, okay? Don’t forget your friends here..”
Beep.Beep.The sound of the monitors was all that was heard in the white walled room where the woman lay on the bed. Her eyes were closed. Red, spider-like blood vessels on her yellowed and bruised skin, and a tube stuck inside her throat helping her breathe. By the bedside sat a man, holding her swollen hand, bringing it to his lips as he said a prayer with his dark eyes closed.‘Please don’t leave..’He wasn’t sure if he was heard, all he could do was hope. A tear slid down her face. Then suddenly, all the alarms in all monitors attached to her body blared.“NURSE! NURSE!
‘What are the rules of rebirth anyway? I thought if there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I would appear in the future instead of the past.’ She rummaged through the things in the girl’s closet, dresser, and bags to find clues about her identity. An identification card. It looked new. Third Year High School student. On top of a study table were stacks of textbooks and other school materials. ‘Don’t tell me I’ll have to go back to school?!’ She slapped her forehead, feeling frustrated. She laid back down, trying to close her eyes and sleep, but to no avail.
“Dawn? You’re up?” A woman’s voice pierced the silence. She jolted. Her neck whipped as she turned to see the woman dressed in sleeping attire. She searched the girl’s memories. Anita Flores. The family’s house helper. Maid. Although she had grown up in a biracial family in the past, she has never experienced being waited on by a maid. Back then, her mom managed the household and assigned chores to her and her siblings. At 18 years old, she was able to move out and rent her own apartment. Their family is of the middle-class but as her dad had always reiterated, why would they need to hire a maid if they could do it themselves.
The door to her mom’s bedroom opened as she was whisking the eggs to make omelets. She found some flour so she also decided to make pancakes with it. Unfortunately, they didn’t have syrup. Anita had already woken up and saw what she was doing. She wanted to help Dawn but was told to do other stuff instead. So she reluctantly went to the yard to clean. “What are you doing?” Her 47-year-old mother, Estela looked at her in surprise and worry. She had never seen her only child attempt to cook other than rice. “I’m making some omelet, Ma. And pancakes. We should buy some syrup.” She smiled at her mother
“I’m ready~Let’s go, lola?” Dawn took her grandmother’s bag and wore it on her shoulder. “Okay..Estela! We’re leaving now.” Isidora called out to her daughter. “Ma, I’ll be back right away..” “Okay! Hold your grandmother, alright?” “Yup!”
“HEY! ARE YOU GOING HOME NOW?” A man shouted outside. “YEAH! WHAT ABOUT YOU BRO?!” “I’M HEADING HOME TOO.. HEY, DID YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER?” “I DIDN’T. BUT I’VE HEARD OF IT.” “You should have seen it.. It was like a cock fight!”
“Please be seated..” The woman spoke to the microphone from the choir’s seating area. Sounds of movement resounded in the walls of the church. Every minute sound was magnified tenfold. The cup the priest was holding was clanking each time it was bumping against another item. Several kneelers slammed against its front pews. A few babies cried. A toddler threw a tantrum. A baby was mesmerized by his voice echoing, testing it every so often. A person sneezed so hard, one would think his nose would fall off. A person having a fit of cough. Another yawned, followed b
In the La Cocina de Mamà restaurant, Dawn’s family and relatives gathered around. Aria and their other friends were also there–except for Alvin and his group. Keenan’s parents and uncle were also there, as well as Blake. They reserved half of the restaurant to host a party to send her off. This was also a birthday celebration for Dawn as she turned sixteen years old. “Everyone–thank you all for coming. Please enjoy tonight. And I hope that everyone will help me pray for my daughter’s safe travels and well-being abroad.” “Of course!” “Congrats again, Dawn!” “Visit us, okay? Don’t forget your friends here..”
Days turned to weeks.It was finally time for the teachers to submit their final grades after the final exam ended.Susana, the class adviser for Dawn’s class this school year waited in excitement.But when she saw the grades reported by Cyrus, she had to do double, triple checks.She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.It showed that Dawn had scored less than a hundred in some of her quizzes and exams.“Impossible.. Less than a hundred on the subject of History and of Religion?”If this was two years ago, she wou
Four boxes in different sizes. One contained a jewelry set of diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring. Another box contained an iPod with songs already downloaded. Another box was an iPhone. Dawn could still not get over how she was holding two items that were already phased out back in her previous life. “Whoaaaa—These are all expensive!!!” Tara exclaimed. Dawn nodded. “I thought he’s only there to study..” “He took a part-time job..” Dawn smiled. “Whoa–he c
When Mallory announced this, Hugo panicked. “Wait–I promise I can do it..” He said to Mallory. “Practice your lines first.” Mallory sighed. “Okay. I will.” He nodded vigorously and went to the side to practice seriously. Jason heard what was said but still tried his best to deliver the lines. Dawn appreciated that Jason took it seriously, not wasting everyone’s time. Moments later, Hugo approached. “I’m ready, ma’am..” He said to Mallory. The latter thought it over
Dawn missed Keenan very much. She could only distract herself by preparing to apply for scholarships for College. She also wrote more books and consistently scored perfectly in all quizzes and exams. It was her way to not think about the time and distance away from Keenan. She had finally reunited with him but soon had to bid him farewell. She didn’t go with them to the airport to send him off since his parents would be going with him to help him get settled. Both of them knew that it would be hard to say goodbye, so they spent a whole day together and the next day, Keenan left with his parents. He only gave her a call thirty minutes before he boa
As the girls gathered around, the boys also had their own circle.Keenan beckoned to Blake.The latter had been eyeing Aria.“What’s up?” Blake asked him.They sat by the shore of the beach resort, a distance away from the others.“I should ask that.”“Eh?” Blake blinked up at him. “What do you mean?”“You and Aria–”Blake’s brows pulled together, he pursed his lips. “Aren’t you with Dawn?&rd
The High School students finally get to enjoy their summer vacation.Dawn and her friends have long planned to meet up during summer and go to the beach.Alvin and his friends joined the planning of course.Back then this was the same group who would make plans together for summer as well.But this time, there were additions to their group.Now, there’s Cierra who is Alvin’s girlfriend. And there’s Keenan and Blake too.They didn’t know that Blake would join them as well, and he also didn’t make such plans before. But when he came to visit Keenan in his house, that&rsq
After Alvin danced with Dawn, Hugo walked up to her and invited her to dance.She thanked Alvin and went to dance with Hugo.But like Alvin, their dance was not so romantic either.‘Why is Ma’am Susana the one choosing the songs?’ Hugo thought glumly.There really was no chance to act sweetly with Dawn with the choice of songs for this event.The song ended and Hugo had wanted to dance one more time especially when the romantic song finally came on.“Ahemm. Ahemm.. May I cut in? Dawn, can I have this dance?” Keenan interjected.
The gymnasium was decorated with clear balloons, flowers, draperies and lights. It was a theme of white and gold, and the venue looked luxurious.As the prom began after the regular classes of other students ended, everyone queued up, waiting to enter the gymnasium as the music played through the speakers.The students who had not gone home yet were now watching as their schoolmates entered the gates and queued up with their partners.“HAHAHA look at that! Is that dress for prom or for salsa dancing? Why is it so short?”“Where? Where?”“Over there!” The student pointed. “She’s wearing brown.. It had tassels a