It’s December 24, the loneliest Christmas in my life without mom. This is the only yuletide season that I don't like celebrating. I've never felt like having Christmas since mom was in her bad condition.
Dad asked me yesterday if I’d want to have an out-of-town vacation with my friends but I declined. I don’t want to leave the city as it seems like leaving mom. I know dad couldn’t ask me to join them for Christmas since his wife would be against it. So, I told him I'm staying in my condo.
I'm having instant food for breakfast as I am starving already. If mom was here, she'll surely prepare something nutritious for me, she won't settle for instant breakfast.
The doorbell rings while I'm eating my morning oatmeal. I wonder who would want to visit me as
“Mad?”Maddox pulls me close to him and wraps his arms around me. My hands voluntarily wrap around Maddox’s body. He is warm, unlike the Christmas weather. My heart is pounding in my chest like the beat of a drum as we keep our bodies close to each other even more.We are both speechless until I hear Maddox cry. I feel so bad for causing so much pain to him. I hate and blame myself for every hurt Maddox is bearing. I gently pat Maddox’s back.“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Mad.”“It’s okay.” Maddox loosens his arms around me. I glance up at Maddox, trying to make eye contact with him.I can't
Our perspective on love changes as we grow old and as we become a better version of ourselves. We may look at it as sweet, pure happiness, and pleasure. On the other hand, we may look at it as sadness, sacrifice, and suffering. At a tender age, most of us don't ask much more than to be with someone we love, no matter what the circumstances may be. Lucky are those in these shoes because not everyone gets to experience this at an early age. Pure love is beautiful in every way; even it does not last too long. At least to someone who believes that beautiful memories are enough even if they don't end up with someone they love. But whether you end up with someone you care about, you are blessed to share the joy you have with someone you value. It may be hard work to keep the
ANGELIQUE Today is my first day of school as a junior high, where I have a new family. Our glass room, in minimalistic design, smells lavender, smells expensive, and flawlessly clean, unlike my former public school. However, it was clean but not this expensive. I'm freezing at a low room temperature, which I am not used to, we don't have air-conditioning in public schools and even at home. Even the cold temp in this world is not shared equally for the rich and poor. "Go ahead, Ms. Carpio, introduce yourself," said the teacher. My new classmates stare at me like I'm some sort of shit. I manage to hold my head high before I start t
During our last subject in the afternoon, I am still contemplating whether I should approach the lonesome boy sitting on the row where I am seated. Nothing changes as he seems to know only one direction, and that is the whiteboard. He only moves his head up to the board and down to his laptop. I jolt to the ring of the bell, which indicates that the first day of school has ended. I gather my things, put them in my bag, and wait for the entire class to go out of the room. Cassy and her friends glance at me before they leave. I just shrug my shoulders and look away. My eyes land on the lonesome boy who is heading to the door. I took the opportunity to jog after him, hoping to approach and thank him for the favor he did to me. "Hey," I said, my voice barely came out. The lonesome boy didn't even bother to look back; probably, he has
I watch mom having her breakfast with me at the same table. She looks like she has a good appetite today, unlike some days, where she skips a meal. Mom has lost weight for the past few months. It was hard not to notice it. Her beautiful face sags a little bit, her eyes sunken, and dark marks encircle in there as well. She must have a lack of sleep working hard to make ends meet. "Angel? Finish your food," Mom commands when she catches me staring at her. "Is there a problem at school?" She asks as she puts down her fork. "No, no, mom, nothing wrong. The first day of school went smoothly." Should I ask her? I can't decide. The distinct inter
As I step out of the car, the surrounding becomes vivid on the way to our building. Our campus is vast, quiet, and organized. I could hear only the sound of the expensive car engine and horn. The buildings are towering, complete with sports and academic facilities for rich kids. For the last four years in high school, the one I had was massive and had the same facilities for students, but it was noisy and overcrowded. At the back of the buildings is a mini-park or man-made forest. I halt myself and savor the tranquility it brings me just by looking at it. I love nature, I always do. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, imagining I'm inside of the forest. The air is clean and pure. A corner of my lip curls up to the realization, in time that a hand taps on my shoulder.
Maddox and I storm to the door. I'm in such a hurry that I almost overlook Cassy standing on the side door, crossing her arms around her chest and raising an eyebrow. I only got the hint she sent me to the last second that my foot hit her leg. Cassy did it on purpose. I trip upon her leg, making me out of balance. Things happen too fast; when I expect my face to hit the hard tiles on the floor, a hand quickly grabs me on my waist and pulls me up. My breath quickens on the sudden, almost tragedy. "You, okay?" Maddox asks, his hand still on my waist. "Yes, good, thank you." I tuck my hair on my ears to clearly see him. Cassy's eyes are sharply looking at me like she wants to hunt me. My blood boils seeing her
Maddox's Mercedes Benz S-Class Coupe parks in front of Dr. M's Veterinary Clinic. I rush to the Vet's door, unbothered if Maddox is following me, and immediately find someone in charge where I can ask the whereabouts of my buddy. So the Veterinary clinic is enormous, and the best idea to ask for help from their staff. "Hi, my neighbor brought my dog here earlier; his name is Max. Where can I find him?" I ask the woman at the front desk. "Please, have a seat while I retrieve his file," said the woman, and then she proceeds on hovering on the desktop computer. I refuse to take a seat and wait for the result instead. It didn't take her long to find it; Maddox was by my side by the time. "Max is in the Critical confinement are