It was peaceful in the Museum. Only soothing murmurs and the sound of people's steps can be heard over the place, maybe because it's still early.We couldn't find a sit anywhere here, so we decided to talk while walking around. His eyes were on the floor while I couldn't help but wander my eyes around. I like the lighting inside, how the sun reflects. I like this kind of vibe. It makes me feel less hopeless."Is this your first time here?" he asked. I looked at him and shyly nodded."So, do you want to look around first before talking?" I stopped walking and shook my head violently. His eyebrows moved upwards, and he raised both of his hands as if I was about to arrest him. "Okay, chill."I sighed and closed my eyes. I have to go home before 2 in the afternoon. I can't let mom and Paris alone for so long."I'll get to the point.", I declared as I opened my eyes. He let his hands down and put them inside his pocket. "Hade's plan was you have to sponsor me." he furrowed his forehead."Ok
The time always went so quickly. Soon I'll be attending one of the prestigious private universities in the Philippines. I looked at Jarred, who was busy contacting people on his phone. Switching schools at the last moment are the worst, and luckily he has a lot of connections. He quickly redialed a number after bidding goodbye to his current phone call. He seemed relaxed for someone in a rush. He keeps checking things in his little notebook while talking to the phone. "Here you go, two Cappucino and one Iced Caramel Machiatto." the barista said while smiling. I smiled a bit and quickly picked up the tray and walked towards Jarred's usual seat- the center seat beside the glass wall. I put his coffee in front of him and the two on me, one for Hade, who has been sitting beside me. He smiled from ear to ear. This time there were no people aside from us. Hade communicates with Jarred through writing since he can't hear and see him. "My secretary already took care of your credentials, a
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I never thought of myself as ugly ever since I was a child. And no one even told me that I'm hideous either. I wore faded jeans, a black shirt, and a black hoodie. It'll be cold in school for sure; I wear it now, so I don't have to when I get there. "Hey, how long will you look at yourself in the mirror? Give the mirror a break!" Hade sulking. I glared at him. He was lying comfortably on my bed with both of his hands placed on the back of his head. I checked the things on my backpack first. Laptop, check. Tablet, check. Ballpen, check, notebook, check. When I saw everything there, I zipped up my bag, put it on, and walked out through the door. I know I don't need paper and a pen, but still, I'm comfortable with it. "I'm going to school!" I shouted while fixing my shoes. My mom popped up in front of me, smiling. She was doing well, and it was good to see how big her improvements were. I hugged her tightly before I got out of the house
It's been a month since I entered T University. I didn't have a hard time blending in with the school. Instead, I had a hard time managing my time. I had so much fun in my organization, and for next month we're preparing for a workshop for all students at T University, and I'm part of the production team!But the downfall was I needed to stay behind after school hours. Whenever I got home, everything was a mess. I've been crying for the whole month while cleaning the house at twelve in the morning.I'll wake up at four a.m. to prepare my mom's breakfast and medicine since Paris woke up in the afternoon. I'll also have to prepare our food until dinner, and it sucks because I have to go to the market. I'm still calculating the best time to go there so that it won't cost me pain.So many things to do at the house and at school at the same time.I had a hard time budgeting too. Our bills suddenly rise. They were ranging from six hundred to one thousand plus real quick.Our bills total amou
I grabbed my bag and quickly headed out of the house. While locking our front gate, I almost jumped due to the car's horn. I looked at the parked car in front of our house and saw Hade and Jarred leaning on the hood with their arms across their chest. I laughed at what I saw. They're trying too hard to look cool, but not going to lie. They both look cool in that pose. I put the keys inside my bag and slowly walked towards them. I scanned Jarred's face. He has a patch on his right forehead, he tried hiding it through his bangs, but it was too short. He also had a band-aid on the left corner of his mouth. I can also see the bandage around his chest peeking on his polo shirt. I wonder where it goes. He texted me last night to meet up today to cover up what we missed yesterday, but we decided to meet at the Cafe as far as I know. What was he doing here? "I thought we're gonna meet at the cafe?" I asked Jarred, who's currently opening the door for me. He just lowers the corner of his mo
I lost the will to continue what I was doing last year. I just want to come back from being a teenager whose only herself was her problem. Because right now, it feels like I'm carrying four whole worlds— as a mom, as a dad, as a daughter, and as a sister. I'm already a whole package. I wonder what else I am missing for Tycen to look for someone else. Maybe time. That was what I've been chasing since last year, time. It's been a week. I don't cook, clean, or do anything, and I didn't even attend my classes for a straight week. And I won't lie. I pity myself a lot. Every time I looked at our house before leaving for school, it was a mess. Mom was cleaning up despite her situation, and I couldn't take it anymore. I feel bad for mom. Paris doesn't care. Was it my fault? Because I didn't raise her, right? Was she even my responsibility in the first place? I'm confused. Am I responsible for whatever is happening to her right now? Jarred was the one who went to Grey publishing. He
I haven't met Tycen personally, and being close with Hade makes me feel like I was with Tycen. There's a difference between them, but Hade made me think about what I felt when I was still in contact with Tycen. I'm not sure if this is because of Hade's actions towards me these last few days. But it was bothering me. I can't even look at him or talk to him without having these weird thoughts. I know it's insane to think like this, but how can I stop doing it when all I can think of is Tycen? How can different people have the same type of personality? They're not similar in all aspects. I'll never know I never met Tycen. But what if the Tycen I know was not the real Tycen, it's the Tycen I created in my mind? Wouldn't it be a great thing because I'll be able to move on faster? My overthinking was interrupted when I heard a knock on my table. I looked at the ghost in front of me, currently sitting at the table. He's smiling from ear to ear. "What now?" I asked. He faded and popped
The furniture inside the restaurant was classy looking and had high-quality antiques. They also have high-quality artwork on the walls, tastefully arranged. Dining tables were spaced a little farther apart, giving guests more room and privacy. I folded my mouth, checking myself if I had left it hanging open. This is my first time getting into this kind of restaurant. First and foremost, we cannot afford the price, and of course, we don't fit in. I'm afraid to eat. Can I just order water instead? I'm not familiar with the spoons and any other silverware on the top of the tables, damn. The waiter leads us to our table. Jarred helped me sit in my chair even though I didn't need any help. I smiled at him and watched them sit on their own. I'm not sure if I should have let President De Verra sit first. I secretly pinched my hand under the table to stop myself from overthinking. The waiter approached President De Verra. Do I even have to call Jackson President De Verra for the rest of my
Paris' P.O.V.Mom recovered her speech now. She can have a normal conversation without stuttering or just using one to three words. But still can't move her left hand. Dad changed. He was like a new person, like a freshly born. After I graduated from high school, Dad returned to the Philippines. He ran a food business which was actually a hit, just like how you imagined it would turn out. Dad quit drinking alcohol and looked much more healthy than ever. He and mom were running the business. And their relationship was far from how we saw it. It became better than ever.I took Architectural, just like how we planned for our future, and I graduated as Laude. Who's stupid now, Sydney? I remember we were talking about it when you asked me what my future would be, and we both stayed quiet for a while thinking about our future. One night, we decided to stay up and eat midnight snacks. We sneaked outside while mom was sleeping and bought food on 7/11. We stayed on the roof watching the moon
I stared at the end of the aisle and saw Hade staring at me with tears in his eyes. Hade smiled as I took my first step on this red carpet. I never thought that I'll look good in a White dress. Every step I took, I saw images of us, how we met, and spent every second, minute, hour, day, and month together. I stared at Hade's face remembering every detail. He looked so happy, and I could never ask for anything else.When I reached the end of the aisle, I smiled at him and walked toward him and smiled. I mouthed congrats before I walked to the side to give way to his bride. I watched you shift your gaze to your bride, how your smile changed when she started walking toward you, and how the crowd cheered for her. The ceremony started, and just like my usual stay at church, I felt sick; I needed to get out of here, but I didn't want people to say that I hadn't moved on yet. It has been four years. Four years had passed, and he moved on, and I'm glad he found the love he needed.When the c
We walked around the hospital ground. The right side of the hospital was a golf course, while the left side was the hospital buildings. We watched the old man and lady play on the trail as we walked. They seemed like they were enjoying their lives to the fullest. I smiled as I watched them, mom should be doing that these times with her friends, but I ruined it. She was lying flat on her hospital bed. "What do you want to talk about, Sydney?" Hade asked. I looked at him and instantly looked away. I shouldn't be doing this, and I know deep down why I wanted to tell Hade how I feel, although I'm in this complex situation. We're not using him again as a distraction. I glanced at Hade and smiled at him as I shook my head. He stopped and stared at me. I stopped walking and walked back toward him. "You don't have to rush it, Sydney. I'm willing to wait this time." He smiled. My mouth slightly hung open, I was about to say something, but no voice came out. I stared at Hade's face, and he l
After some time of thinking and processing all of the things that happened to me this year, I decided to just push my luck further. I mean, mom recovered, she and Paris is my top priority, but now that I have already given them the things they needed without me needing to worry about almost everything, I think a little heartache from someone won't wreck me.I messaged Hade to meet me at the restaurant where we first met when he woke up from a comma. I told him that I had reserved the same room and the same time for us to meet up. It was still dawn, and I hadn't been sleeping yet. I don't know, but I feel sad these days and keep overthinking things. I am aloof to almost everyone but trying not to be obvious, so I don't have to explain things.I took off the comforter out of my lower body and stood up. I walked to my balcony and sat there. I stared at the dark sky—the moon was shining alone; I could not see any stars.I want to risk it; I'll tell Hade later that I like him, and then wha
I am baffled about what to do about my feelings. Everything seems to happen way too fast as if someone clicked the eight times speed on my life. I suddenly achieved all of my goals and dreams in a span of a year. Mom suddenly returned to normal as if she had never suffered a stroke. Paris suddenly became responsible as if she was never lazy. And about dad? Enzo, Kurt, and Arnie all seem unreal, dad having his own company. I cannot digest this all. Having someone like Jarred around seems unreal, too; no one would just take care of you like that except your own mom if you're lucky enough to have a loving mother like that.Being one of the rising writers is unbelievable. I can travel anywhere I want with my mom and sister without worrying about money. It was just so surreal. I walked towards the stairs; I called Jarred last night and asked him to meet me today; I have something to discuss that I think only Jarred would understand. I saw mom and Paris sitting on the couch, watching me w
Victoria transferred to our school. The semester ended last month, and we were already on our second week. Victoria and I were in the same classes. She sat beside me on every subject we had. Victoria told me things about her, like that she loves shopping and playing games, which is where Victoria met Hade, whom she first knew as Tycen as well. Victoria talked about how she fell for Hade. My heart ached when she told me that Hade confessed to her first. I suddenly felt unease. Hade made the first move to Victoria while he never cleared his intentions with mine, maybe because my intention with him was just to be friends; that's why he didn't pursue me at all. But wasn't it ironic? Why does he want to see me after they broke up? Didn't she fill everything up? Wasn't it enough? If Victoria didn't satisfy Hade's want, then how about me? I have nothing to offer, and I still put my family on top of everything.After our classes, we walked towards the Oreo building; I heard Victoria join the
Hade promised me that he'd not tell anyone about the Cielo Alto. We enjoyed our stay at Cielo Alto. We toured the whole villa, admired the beauty of the mountains and the sky on my cabin's balcony, made a bonfire in the evening, and talked more about our past and what we thought of each other the first time we spoke. It was a site named Emerald. I have been using that during my off-season at the University since I dropped out. I was trying to enhance my communication skills since I don't particularly appreciate socializing that much, and I have to strengthen my communication skills since the degree I'm taking up requires good communication skills because we work around people, and we got connected; he was awkward and stiffed the first few minutes. But then he loosed a little when I started joking around. I'm really a good talker when I'm around people who are shyer than I. But I'm the quietest when I'm with people like Reyleigh and Taylor. They were social butterflies while I'm a wa
Tell me Hade's attention was on me, not on Victoria. I repeatedly said inside my head as I waited for Victoria to wake up Hade. I could hear his groans and sleepy talk."Sydney's waiting for you.", I heard Victoria say."Uhh, what?" Hade's voice was low, confused, and very drunk. I could imagine Hade's confused face. I heard hasty footsteps on the other line."Hello?" he said in his morning voice."Hade, what took you so long to pick up your goddamn phone?" I said irritatedly. I heard Hade clear his throat and footsteps again and the chinking of his keys."Hade, wait, you can't drive; you're still drunk.""I can, Victoria." He stopped. "And why am I here in a hotel?" he said. It seems like he put the phone away from him. His voice sounds small. I wasn't able to hear Victoria's answer. I waited and glanced at the three guys sitting in front of me. I muted myself, put the call on speakers, and put it on the table. They all looked at the phone and glanced at me, confused."You guys up to
When I opened my eyes, I saw mom sitting on the side of my bed while Hank was leaning on my balcony, his arms crossed in his chest, staring at me. I instantly checked if my hands were tied and looked around me."I'm at home.", I whispered, staring at mom confusingly, she glanced at Hank, and he shrugged. Mom shifted her gaze at me and helped me sit, and leaned my back on the headboard. She tucked the strand of my hair behind my ears and cupped my left cheek."You're at home, sweetie. Tell me what happened." I closed my eyes and put my left hand on my forehead. Trying to recall what happened."I was in my usual room at the hospital, and then my hands were tied on the bed. I could barely move and speak." I glanced at Hank; he was staring at me, listening very carefully. "He injected something into my IV bag, and I felt very, very sleepy. But I heard him say something." I closed my eyes again and thought about it carefully. I shook my head when I couldn't remember the words."Who?" mom a