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
I can't resist Maddox's invites to the man-made forest on our campus. Besides the fact that I love staying here, I don't want to disappoint him this time. I've seen his sad eyes early in the morning when I ask him to distance a little bit. That's not happening this afternoon.The whole campus is at its finest after all the students have left the school. Only a few of us must still be here. The tweets of the bird and the noise of the twigs and leaves smashing the wind sound soothing. Students have been missing a lot by not staying in this place more often."You do love to be here, don't you?"I take a deep breath of fresh air before I open my eyes and shift to Maddox. "I do, I really do. Thanks for bringing me here."
Almost 7 in the evening when I get to our apartment building. I felt hesitant to enter our apartment unit; even in the elevator, I formulated the right words to ask mom concerning my father's whereabouts. It is hard for me to doubt mom's honesty, but things add up, and no matter how I tried to calculate, my biggest fear seems to be true. And worst, it came from the bullies on our campus; it was sort of a blessing in disguise that I found it out. Although I am not excited to be with my father, I am good without him in my life. Only to answer my questions is enough for me. Before my thoughts run deeper, I twist open the doorknob to finally face mom and talk about my father. There she goes, in the kitchen, cooking dinner as usual. "Angel? Why are you late?
I wake up with my eyes a little heavy; I can feel it swells when I touch it with my fingertips. My sight lands on the white ceiling again; it's the only way I find peace, looking at the unknown and doing nothing. My back hurts a little when I get up, and I feel lazy. It must be a lack of sleep; if I can recall correctly, at 2 in the morning, I was still as awake as an owl."Angel?" Mom called out my name. She must be preparing for work at this time. It's 7 in the morning when I glance at the wall clock.I'm not answering her and will come out when she's out for work. It's Saturday anyway."Angel, your breakfast is ready; help yourself. I have to go to work."Still, I stay silent in my room so she would think I'm sle