JOENABE (JOENABELL) POVToday is the day after yesterday. I am glad Cheryl calms me down and calmly reminded me that I still have time to buy Leonel a gift. We almost walk every section and store inside the mall, but I got no clue.I let out a big sigh while scanning through the gift section, "what does he want?" My eyes travel to toys, clothes, and shoes. Isn't that a generic type of gift? Of course, he won't like it."Joenabell, you got something in your mind?" Cheryl place both of her hands in my shoulder. I shake my head, "No clue, Mom."What is a perfect gift for him? I've known him for ten years, but it feels like it is not the deal we only send letters as gifts to each other every birthday. 'Oh! Letters!'I snap my fingers because I finally had an idea on my mind. I do not know what kind of letter. I jump and clap my hands together. Then, I feel the weight on my shoulder. I turn my body around, "you finally had an idea."Cheryl looks brightly at me like the first she saw me happ

JOANABE (JOENABELL) POV Did he say he like his view? Does he mean the flowers behind me? My eyes scan every corner of the garden. Leonel grabs my hand, "let's take a walk here to calm ourselves."  The cold winds touch my skin, and I shiver of the chilly sensation. I worry about the party going on inside their mansion. The guest must have left the party due to what happened. That girl will be hunting for me for the rest of her life because she's too obsessed with Leonel. Jeez, I made a mess in this life of mine. A coat wraps me, and I look in the person walking beside me. Shoulder to shoulder while enjoying the breeze and the relaxing garden.  "Aren't you feeling cold?" I hold on the coat that he hangs into my shoulder. "I am used walking alone here, so you can have it to keep yourself warm." He gently says I notice his voice is shaky. "I am sorry about earlier-," He shu

JOANABE (JOENABELL) POVThe night seems long. I crash Leonel's birthday party. I talked about my thoughts with Leonel and talk about love. The person who is driving the steering wheel is the person I am talking about, Kane Boucher. "How was he party today, Joenabell?" My eyes that are lock in the window for sightseeing immediately looks at the eyes blue eyes that are staring back at me in the rear mirror. His eye never changes they still look so young and caring. Even though he is getting older and older each day, but he still able to take me breathless by his eyes. I hate to admit that those eyes are made to look at me the way I look at it. "Dad, it was... the party was fun," I weakly say in a dread face.  "Your face says exactly the opposite," He drives slowly in his car. His eyes look in the road. "It was fun... it was fun talking with Leonel through the night," I

JOANABE (JOENABELL) POV My throat tightens, and my breathing becomes shaky. I try to give Mother Alexandra a warm smile to hide the agony inside me as she smiles back at me softly. I look at Cheryl that is grinning brightly at both of us. "Welcome in, Come inside," says mother Alexandra. Cheryl bows at her, and we get inside together.  The old wooden stairs that I use to run to my room looks the same. The plain white concrete walls that make the house stand tall slowly changes its color to dirty nude white. I make a twirl to scan the house. Same as ever, but it will never be the same. "Ma'am Alexandra," Cheryl calls for my mother. My mother stops and looks at Cheryl with a confused look. "Cheryl, I have to prepare the table, so please wait at the table," She informs Cher, and she looks at me with apologetic eyes. Cheryl grabs my hand

JOANABE (JOENABELL) POV "Joenabell, I know you are Joanabe. You told me, and I believe in you," Karene whines at me with a heavy sigh in her breath.  "Yes, I know, I want to tell you about my name," I argue back at her whining face. Karene's face looks confused about what I mean, and I just roll my eyes to her face. "Karene, my name comes from the Hebrew word 'Joana' means to be gracious. Then, my mother added the word 'be' means to exist. Why am I not like my name?" I said in a heartfelt way to her. "Joanabe, there are things that people can point out about yourself that you can't point out. For me, you are acting as your name, but you are petrified about yourself. Why?" She catches my teary eyes, and I bite my lower lip. I look up to the ceiling and wonder why? "Joanabe, your past is in the past. It has nothing to do with your present. You are now a wh