v e r n o nI woke up still stoned the next day. But miraculously, I managed to make it early to class. I just took a couple of downers and I'm half-alive to function. I still felt like shit of course. My headache and fatigue is immeasurable but I pushed myself just so I could see Catherine. I texted Mingyu and asked if he'd seen Catherine or if she's in our class already but he said she isn't. So I waited outside the school's gate for about twenty minutes. I was only disturbed when I saw the gates slowly being closed by the school guard and by the discipline officer, Mr. Song. I cursed inwardly when I glanced at my clock. It's five minutes past 7 am and Catherine is still nowhere to be found. I was about to call her when my eyes found her running from a distance. Behind her are the other students running their life towards t

 CatherineI still remember how it first started. Sometimes, the worst of tragedies come disguised as the most beautiful encounter. And when you're too blinded by all the bad, you'd have a hard time differentiating love from lust, safety from danger, sincerity from trickery. Sylvia told me to have dinner with an old businessman. I was so firm with my decision. I declined a hundred times, even pleaded with her, but she won't be told. Although it was part of her business, escorting was certainly out of my job description. I only agreed to be a waitress. Sylvia respected that until this man visited the bar and according to Sylvia, he found me pretty--so pretty he paid for me, like an irresistible adornment in auction. Sylvia could never resist a huge sum of money so she immediately accepted his down payment. That means t

catherine The anxiety and depresssion, it has happened to me a lot of times before, even when I was young and there wasn't really much to be depressed about. The first time I thought of dying, or wanting to die, was when I was eleven years old. I remember that clearly. It was my eleventh birthday and I got in a fight with my mom because she wouldn't let me invite my friends over. Don't get me wrong. My mom isn't a toxic parent, she was very nice and apologetic when she told me we had no money to celebrate my birthday and that I could not invite anyone. I, being spoiled and envious of my other friends who had nice birthday parties, threw a fit.My mom scolded me, and I tried to call my dad but he wasn't answering. It seemed like he didn't even remember my birthday. The open door of our classs that day gives an ample vi

catherine "What can I do to help you, Cath?" In his hoarse bedroom voice, Vernon asked.The blinds of the unused classroom where we hid were all closed; prohibiting the tiniest sunlight in. We basked in the dimness of the room, only seeing the outlines of our bodies amid the shadows. When I had recovered from weeping, I laid on Vernon's lap as he sat on the desk. I didn't even know why I broke down that unexpectedly. It was just that he was saying so much, and my heart overflowed, and I had a downpour. I am the frailest emotional wreck at the moment, a lay of the finger could break me. He offered me his handkerchief which smelled of mint and the fresh morning dew from the woods, and I dried the ocean of my tears with its soft fabric. He and his handkerchief was the safety of

catherine JB's house and his extravagant parties never fail to surprise me. The guy's a rich kid. Later that evening, I went there alone after declining Vernon's offer to pick me up.  The familiar loud music filled my ears upon walking on to the door and my eyes were immediately overwhelmed for there was so much happening--one thing I never much liked about parties. The lights were dimmed, and some kids gathered in the living room, playing pool. On a corner, there was some girl twerking and the people around her cheering. By the sofa, a couple was dry humping, and on the near kitchen counter, a beer pong game was going on. The sight of it all was too chaotic but they seemed fun.  I was greeted by a few girls, whose names I barely know. Some guys offered a high five and a beer but I poli