CHAPTER 3

“So, what exactly happened?” Camille asked me after she had finished preparing popcorn, drinks, turned off the lights, and queued the movie like she's preparing for something.

“I don’t know how to start,” I answered while covering my face in embarrassment while she's looking at me, confused.

“Valerie, can you please cut the crap? What really happened? God, where were you last night? I've been looking for you everywhere. Why is your uniform so crumpled? Where did you get that much money and is that a funeral dress??Seriously, out of all colors, black? It could've been better if it was white.” she bombarded me with one question after another before I could even answer the first.

“Okay, okay. One question at a time, please?”

“Just tell me what happened exactly.”

“I-I don’t know how to begin. But... I met a guy.” I stuttered.

“And? You met a guy and suddenly your uniform's all—” She paused mid-sentence. As if she realized something.

“Wait. Wait. Valerie, please tell me I’m wrong about what I’m thinking.” she asked me like I could literally read her mind. But I know she's right.

“Sorry.” I said covering my face.

“VALERIE??????????!!!!!! WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT??!!??!Undressing for a random stranger????” she shouted, scolding me.

“I—I know. Judge me. Scold me. Hate me. Insult me. I—I did it for my tuition... and the house. You know I’m on my own now, right? I don’t have anyone else.”

“Valerie, I’m still here. I’ve always been here.”

“Sorry. I know it was wrong, but I did it. I know that even if I was in need, I shouldn’t have done what I did. But you know how Ms. Fernando is... she always gives me a short salary. And I was feeling guilty too, you’ve been paying for my meals. I’ve even been sharing in the allowance your mom and dad give you.”

“No, Val. You know my parents treat you like their own daughter. You’re like a sister to me. But... I just didn’t expect this.”

“It’s okay. Judge me—”

“No! I would never judge you, Val. I’ll scold you, sure, but I’ll never judge you. Because the truth is, I’m not in your shoes. I don’t know the full weight of your reasons.”

“Thank you.”

We couldn’t hold back our tears anymore.

“Come on. Let’s watch the movie. After this, I’ll cook something for us. Then you rest, and I’ll come with you on your errands tomorrow.”

I just smiled and nodded at what she said. Thank God I met Camille. We’re five years apart, so she sees me like her younger sister.

“Wake up, Val,” Camille said gently as she shook me from my sleep.

“I’m still sleepy,” I groaned, eyes still shut.

Hey, it wasn’t my fault she made me binge-watch Twilight all night, right?

“Come on, Valerie. Didn’t you say you wanted me to come with you to your school and to the place where your mom pawned your house?” she said as she sat beside me.

I suddenly sat up, alarmed.

“Oh crap! What time is it? The thing at school is at 10AM!”

“Hurry up. I’ve been ready for a while now. I thought you were too, but turns out you’re still dreaming. Maybe you were dreaming about that—”

“Ihhh! I’m getting up already! Stop talking!” She laughed at my reaction. So chatty, as always.

After getting ready, I checked myself in the mirror. “Damn, I look good.”

“Stop before you break the mirror,” she teased.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag. That made her laugh again. She really finds joy in the smallest things. I really am her happy pill.

We just commuted since we don’t even have our own vehicle. We’re buried in debt—how can we afford a car? We don’t even have a bike!

“Ugh, we missed it!” I grumbled when we saw that the school was already closed. Just my luck, huh.

“Come on, let it go. Let’s just head to the pawnshop where your mom pawned the house,” she said, patting me on the back and guiding me to the tricycle terminal.

“I’ll pay this time. You paid the last one.”

“No need. What’s the point of having this money, right?”

“Ugh, you’re really something.”

“Let’s grab milk tea and pizza first,” I suggested.

We hadn’t even eaten breakfast yet, and I was starving. We ordered two pizzas and bought-one-take-one milk tea. We were on a tight budget since I’m still drowning in debt. If there’s any money left, I thought maybe I could use it to start a small business. Even if it’s just a small amount, I’m sure it could help me get started. There’s really no good future waiting for me at that hotel, especially with Ms. Fernando still there.

“Changing the topic—wasn’t your mom’s house pawned years ago? You can still reclaim it?”

“There was an agreement. We can still reclaim it as long as the heir hasn’t signed anything. And if the heir is the one reclaiming it, the chances are better—but with additional payment.”

“Damn, that’s kinda smart. So your signature is required?”

“Exactly.”

“What about the guy you met? Why didn’t you ask him for help? I mean, he did give you that much money.”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Why not?”

“Just... I have a feeling he won’t help.”

“I’m curious. Did you guys use protection?”

I choked. “What kind of question is that?”

“Hey, that’s normal! They say it’s safer if—”

“Here, eat,” I said, shoving a slice of pizza into her mouth.

But suddenly I got nervous. What if I’m pregnant? God, I don’t even know what to do with my life—and now a baby?

“Someone’s calling you.”

I looked at my phone and saw: Unknown Caller.

“Just ignore it. Probably a scam.”

“Come on, answer it. Might be important.”

She convinced me, so I gave in and picked up the call.

“Hello?”

“I told you to come at 8 but you didn’t. I’ll wait for you until 8PM today. Same place."

Then he hung up. It was on a loudspeaker so I guess Camille definitely heard that.

“Well? Are you going?”

“Let him be. I might just get into trouble.”

“Valerie, are you being for real right now? You guys fucked—” I quickly covered her mouth to silence her. She don't really know how to stop her mouth but instead said whatever is in her mind.

“What?” she asked like she want to say 'it's true right?''

“Can you lower your voice?"

“Not until you agree. I’ll go with you anyway.”

“Fine. As long as you come with me.”