The three trucks separate; to have better coverage in rescuing street dogs in the city. Davao City is massive, so we expect not to finish the whole city dog rescue in a day. The truck's back is a compartment where we have the equipment needed and even a first aid kit for the dogs.
"Mad, how long have you been doing this?"
"I started since my mom founded the shelter, almost 10 years now, we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary before the year-end. Back then, I wasn't so passionate about it like I do now. It was my mom who opened my eyes to caring for pets and other animals. That they have lives like us humans and they are capable of taking and giving love."
While Cassy and her friends are still hesitant to give the rescue dogs a bath, Maddox approaches me to come with him. One of the shelter staff takes us to what appears to be an office, relatively small but tidy and bright. Full of drawers, probably the rescue dogs' records from the vet. There are miniature paintings of dogs hanging on the wall and dog figurines on the table at the right side of the room."Ryan, what do you want to talk about?" Maddox asks Ryan as he offers me to sit beside him on a beige sofa. I like how Maddox treats Ryan just like his friends. He doesn't show superiority to the shelter staff."Mad, I'd like to show you a video, but please don't let Cassandra and her friends know that I took this earlier," Ryan said with terror in his eyes. He must really be scared of Cassandra. I wonder what stupid things Cas
It feels like the first day of school as students stare at me when I step out of the car. They are whispering blatantly in front of me while rolling their eyes and chuckling as if to annoy me. That's how I feel about them, but I'm not gonna give them the satisfaction of watching me upset and stressed because of them. I can't confirm if I'm 100% right or not, but my instinct told me that I am. I got accustomed to the campus vibes until today; the atmosphere of being an outcast has suddenly come back to me. It's weird, but for sure, I know there is something up behind my back. Close to our room when a girl a little taller than me blocks my way. I stop and tilt my head, looking at her unfamiliar face, that I assume she's not one of our classmates. "So, Angel, is it true that you are the third party?"
Five in the afternoon after class Maddox invited me to our campus man-made forest, which I agreed to instantly. Nothing changes as we settle in the middle of the park, the spot that we love. Birds' tweets are like beautiful songs in my ears; they exude tranquility. While the green leafy trees and grass give healing to my eyes after a whole day of almost confining myself in our room and studying for the incoming exams. "Thanks for joining me here today Angel, I really appreciate your time." "No problem, you know how much I love this place. This is the only spot that I love on this campus. Well, I can add the basketball court; I love watching you play there, you know."
"There you go, look at yourself in the mirror, sweetheart," Madonna said as he swiveled me facing the mirror. My gay hair and make-up artist softly tuck my hair behind my ears, entirely viewing my face wearing make-up. Indeed, I can say that he did a good job highlighting and contouring my assets. My make-up is not as heavy as I have requested. I softly touch my face; it feels smooth on my fingertips. My eyes look defined, my eyebrows look even darker, my cheeks are pinkier, and my lips look fuller and a little bit redder. It's been a long time since I had my make-up done; I can hardly remember when was the last time I had it. "Thank you, Madonna, I like it. You're the best," I told him and stood up to give him a hug.
"Hey, Angel, happy birthday." When Maddox greets me, I finally come to my senses. I thought it would appear to be a different person for a few seconds, but no, it's really him. Maddox."Hi, thank you. I'm sorry, but you surprise me with your look. I can hardly recognize you; it's a good transformation, though. You look great.""Thank you. So, do you think I look more handsome now than before?" A naughty smirk plastered on his face as he winks at me. Maddox runs his palms on each side of his head, newly shaved while the center was spiky and a little longer. His face flush like the cheeks of a toddler.He made it hard for me to breathe and made my heartbeat spike. I shrug a shoulder at him, trying to ignore my hammering heart. I don't understand why I feel this way
It's Friday, and I have to travel to school even if I only have a few hours of sleep, barely 2-3 hours. We arrive home at midnight, but it's not why I lack sleep; it was Maddox's confession, and to add it up is Cassy's leaflet she handed me."Angel, breakfast, make it fast; you'll be late for school.""Coming"I only have 30 minutes, so I pick the cereals instead of having a formal Filipino dinner. Mom reheated the food from last night's event, but I don't find them appetizing. I can't be late for school today."Angel, what exactly is your relationship with Maddox?"I pause before putting cereal in my mouth. "Relationship? What do you mean, mom?"
I stand my ground while Cassy's friends are panicking about what to do with her. Even some of our classmates are helping them. "Give us some air," Scarlett shouted. "You will pay for this transferee; you will surely pay for this," Chloe said as she greeted her teeth. The three of them are glaring at me like their eyes are about to puke. "Angel?" "Mad?" Maddox grabs my right hand, the one I used to hit Cassy. He softly massages the swollen part of it. "Why
Ms. Ruby seems to be losing her patience, massaging her temple."Angel, go on.""Thank you, Ms. Ruby. Cassy and her friends have been bullying me from the very beginning, and I never retaliate as I don't want to tarnish my reputation on this campus, especially that I am a new student here. They insult me for being poor and even included my mother for calling her names which pains me to hear. I wouldn't mind if they targeted me, not my mom. I already warned Cassy and her friends not to spit lies about my mom. The first time Cassy made a false accusation of me was when she spread the news that I snatched her boyfriend from her, which is not true.""Liar, Ms. Ruby, she's a liar.""Cassandra, you can speak in a lower tone; we can hea