August 21, 2021
When I followed Sierra into the mall parking lot, she walked inside and drove a black car by herself. I suddenly remembered how difficult it was for her to practice driving when she was trying to earn her driver's license. She had no prior driving experience. She didn't even know how to pedal a bicycle. Sierra told me about how her mother used to chastise her as a child for how dangerous it is for a young lady like her to ride a bike. As a result, she never learned to ride one.
But now I've learned that Sierra has grown brave and can now drive a car without my help. Because I've always been the one to drive her wherever she wanted to go.
I sighed. I'm sitting inside my car, watching Sierra enter her apartment on the second level of a building meters away from me. She removed her cap before going insi
October 19, 2016It took me several days to regain my sense of sanity. And the moment I opened my eyes and had the strength and courage to speak once more, I had no idea that Sierra was already gone once I saw the four corners of the room."I know it will be difficult for you to accept what I'm about to tell you, son." The older man in the policeuniform began, his eyes sympathetically looking at me as if I were a stray pet.He's seated in front of my hospital bed in a white plastic chair. And I spotted another cop standing behind him with his hand on his chin, looking at me with the same sympathetic expression.And here I am, helpless on my bed, perplexed and worried. But I've never given them the impression that I'm about to burst out in tears because of wha
May 22, 2016Today is Sunday. The sun is shining brightly, and the temperature is higher than last week. We're back in Camden's chapel for another mass. I keep telling myself that I need to concentrate on the priest's sermon when he begins, since I don't want my father to reprimand me again. But I can't seem to stop myself from wandering around the chapel, hoping to see Sierra.I was very excited about going to mass last Sunday. I even told my family to hurry up, and they were all taken aback by my unusual actions because it was just not me. They looked at me in disbelief, as if they couldn't believe what they had just seen in me. But, in the end, Mom praised me for beginning to be diligent, and Dad even smiled at me, which is rare to see inhim. Bryon, on the other hand, simply sneered at me. Maybe he believed I was merely putting on a show to receive pra
May 22, 2016"Archer, let's talk." Ever popped out of nowhere at such an inconvenient time? And he's not asking me; he’s commanding me.I gazed at Ever, a frown on my face. Sierra and I were both caught off guard by his unexpected appearance. While he continuedto stand there with no evident expression on his face,I noticed Sierra moving in her seat from my peripheral vision; I didn’t want our conversation to stop abruptly, especially since I waited a week to see her. However, Ever is still standing in front of us, waiting for my response. Even though I'm irritated by his lousy timing, I know I need to talk to him about our misunderstanding. But does he really need to confront me in front of Sierra and interrupt our talk? Can’t he wait until we come home?
June 13, 2016I took a deep breath after glancing at myself in the bathroom mirror for about a minute. I strapped my backpack over my shoulder and brushed my hair using my hands. I made my way to the living room and slammed my bathroom door shut. Once I reached the ground floor of our house, with great heavy footsteps, I was about to turn the front doorknob when suddenly I heard Mildred, our maid, calling me from the dining room.“Archer! It's still early, so get some breakfast first!" She yelled, and as I turned around, there she was, racing out of our dining room's archway, holding a paper bag of food. "And here's something for your lunch," Mildred added.Mildred is a single lady in her fifties. Since we were kids, Mildred has been Bryon, and I'spersonal maid since we were kids; she acts more like our
The ringing of the bell signaled the end of our class. I haven't seen Sierra and Ever since that morning, Troy stated the two went in the bleachers and ate their lunch there when break time came, which made my brow furrow in curiosity. But I never considered following them or either asking Troy if Sierra and Ever are alone together in the bleachers. Instead, when Troy, George, and Spencer asked me to sit with them in the cafeteria, I joined them. What else will it do to me if I watch them speaking under thesun? And I promised myself not to be jealous of Ever again when it comes to Sierra's affection."Tell me, Arch, when you'll be free again, I miss playing pool in your gaming room!" Spencer said, and he tapped my back."I still don't know, but my father is playing an antagonistic role in my life these days." I joked, but I didn't even crack a smile. I'm
August 27, 2021"Thank you so much for all of your help. I received your emails, including the images, but none of them are Sierra. And I'd be grateful if you could continue to help me." I took a deep breath, "This is where I'm going to leave it. See you next time for another podcast."I stretched my arms in the air and leaned back in my swivel chair, then crossed my palms in front of my computer as my mind began to fly again. It's been five days since I've seen Sierra, and it's not like before that I've just been grounded that I haven't seen her. This time is different; I didn't see her when I got outside her apartment; I waited for her and even slept in my car, but she never returned. Her apartment door remained shut, and I've never seen anyone enter it.I lost patience yesterday and asked the receptionist if Sierra was inside her apar
June. 13, 2016"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting for so long, but Aunt isn't allowing me to leave early." I flinched when I heard Sierra speak from behind me.I slid my phone inside my backpack and turned around to see Sierra dressed casually in a plain white shirt and jogger trousers."And earlier this day, all drama club members needed to discuss our film for the first day of July, it got moved. It's been a tough start for us." She laughed."No, it's fine. After all, it's not a biggie." I said. I was going to stand up to approach her when she ran towards me, dragged the plastic rattan chair which was placedin front of me, and she moved it and sat next to me.I swallowed, she's only a few inches away, and it already&n
August 29, 2021"I can't believe we're doing this again!" Dad barged into my studio room, forcing me to stop recording. I smashed my headphones on my desk and turned off my microphone."Who let you in?!"Then I noticed Pia peaking through the door. When she spotted me looking at her with obvious burning eyes, she immediately bowed her head and walked away, leaving me with my father in front of me. He's dressed in a white blouse, a navy blue coat, and black slacks on the bottom. Dad hasn't changed; the creases in his forehead have just become deeper because of his constant furrowing, while his hair is turning grey. But something didn't change about him—his terrible nature, and he still hasn't grown as a person."And why? Am I not allowed here?!" He yelled back at me.