Beyond The Boundaries

"Hailey Leigh Alvarez." I stood up and pasted my widest smile on my lips as I walk towards the stage. Seeing people here feels surreal, I never imagined I could be here after all the things that I've been through. Despite all of those, I came this far. I breathed out when I am already in the front of so many people clapping their hands on me. The people that once treated me that I could never get in here. That I could never fulfill something by myself. As I look at my parents who are in the very front of the stage now, I tried to smile at them but I just can't make it real. I still hold grudges to them because of all the things they have done but I must also thank them. If they didn't do what they did years ago, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't prove my worth. "Thank you for being an inspiration to others and also to us. Thank you for being brave enough to survive even if

Hailey's Point of View. "I told you to stay in the car, Hailey. What if something happened to you there?" I heard Yaya said when we got in the car. I bowed my head because of embarrassment and sorry when she started scolding me. "I'm sorry, Ya. I just really wanted some new things for painting. I didn't mean to make you worried. I'm sorry." I said while still bowing my head in front of her. The car already started to move. "It's okay, okay? I was just worried about you. You don't need to bow your head, Hailey. It's just that you already know the situation between your parents, right? I won't scold you if you want to buy new things but do it with me. Do it without letting someone see you." She said with her calmest voice. "Also, you already know that you have a weak immune system, right? There's so many bacteria transferred by just interacting to a person with no alcohol. I value your health so bad, Hailey. That's all I am worried about. If you really want to buy materials

Asher's Point of View. "You guys haven't eaten yet, right? Why don't we grab something to eat before going there?" Dara said when she caught me looking for foods. "What? You haven't eaten before you drove to our house?" I asked them with my eyes wide open. "Inez was so excited. She called me so early just to say that she's already in the studio so I had no choice but to go there early." Dara was the first one to answer. "Same, bro. I got a call earlier. I guess it was just 5 am by then when I got a call from her. I was also shocked and hurried to go to the studio. I had no time to eat." Cassian answered after Dara. After I heard Cassian, I turned my gaze to Inez who's smiling awkwardly at all of us now. "I also didn't eat breakfast. Hehe. I'm sorry." She said that made all of us shrug our shoulders. "I got too excited, yes! Who won't? This is the first time that all of you agreed to do this. I also ran away from my Aunt's." She added that made all of us look at her. "Why d

Asher's Point of View. "Hi." She said and then waved her hand to us that made me stare at her. She's really Hailey. Her eyes says it all but why can't I see the same eyes that I had seen years ago? She seems so... different now. Is she really the Hailey I met years ago? I expected so much from her. It's not like she disappointed me or what but I don't feel the feelings I look forward to feel towards meeting her. I don't know why. "Hailey! Are you coming?" I heard Dara asked her loudly when we are all ready in the van. I saw her smile and then nod. She ran to us and I moved aside to give her space. I still am shocked because I finally met her but it seems like she can't remember me? Or is it understandable because it's been years? I don't know. I think it's because it's been years. I hope she'll remember me. Hailey's Point of View. "Do you want somewhere to stop by or what before we really proceed to the venue?" I heard someone ask that made me look into the front and saw th

Hailey's Point of View. We stared at each other intensely like that for a few seconds but it felt like hours because I felt like time stopped by. My brows are still furrowed at him out of confusion. I tried to process things as I stared at him. I had this feeling of uncertainty and at the same time, familiarity when I met him. When everything was processed in my mind, I got up as a response to my surprise. “It was you!” I exclaimed loudly, getting everyone’s attention and when I say everyone, I mean every single one in the beach. “I’m sorry.. I apologize.” I said out of embarrassment and sat down again. It wasn't a clear memory but a series of pictures came into my mind. A picture of a girl and an older boy in the street. The older boy looked so much like Asher. I came to my senses when Inez spoke, pulling me into reality again. “I guess Haley’s next.” I looked away from Asher’s gaze and looked directly into Inez. As I look at Dara and Cassian, I know that they h