| Hateful Truth | “UNDERGROUND FIGHTS is illegal because it is dangerous. But why does C.U permits this?” I asked Nena as I never take away my eyes from him. “Yeah. In other countries. But here, they have strict requirements. According to no one in particular, C.U has a license, and they only allow fighters who were trained and followed health and safety requirements,” she explained. “Does watching this kind of stuff reduce the aggressiveness or does it satisfy human being who has an interest to violence?” I asked, and look at her. She sighed and scratch her left eyebrow. “Boxing… kickboxing… MMA fighters, and more… we’re used to watching them on the big screen—illegal fight clubs are more than present in this world. That’s who they are. C.U permits this because they have licensed, okay? Does it clear your thoughts? Ah!” she sneered. “Just watch them, and let's cheer for Linus,” she said, then shouted, “GO L!”

| The Waiter | “WOW! We have lots of customers, huh?” I put my apron on and didn’t bother to go to my locker and just went on the counter right away. “Of course, we have a gorgeous waiter,” Kara answered. “You mean, Bill?” Well, he's handsome, I must admit, but Bill was absent since last week for a particular reason—he’s sick. She shook her head and said, “No, we have a newly hired waiter,” she answered. “What do you mean?” I asked with curiosity. “Oh, he’s there, right behind you—” My forehead wrinkled as I shift my head to where she’s pointing. To my surprise, the cup I’m holding almost slip on my grip, “What are you doing here?” I asked the guy whom I’m trying to forget. He raised his left brow and put the tray he’s holding at the top of the counter. “Two macchiatos for table thirteen, Miss,” he said and leaned on the counter, crossed legs as he

| Outgrow |We live life the way we want it to be. The way how it uses to be. We want it to be wonderful as it is. But we know that we can’t make it perfect.Life always offers us the best, it’s just how we handle it. I know God always has a purpose for everyone. And I know he will not give us problems if we can’t surpass them.As time goes by, my heart started to outgrow feelings that I never imagine that I would feel—the feeling of being in love.Indeed, we can’t talk over something that we can’t stand.My school performances were fine, but this feeling… it’s not.I always ask myself, how did this happen? Why that fast?I fear.I fear because I’m not certain about it and I’m not ready for it.I fear being left in the dark, confused about what to do.I fear being rejected.

| Do Consider |The next day, I woke up with swollen eyes and I regretted crying last night. Seems like I need to conceal it before going to work. Lazily, I got off of my ass on my bed.Reina grabs her early breakfast with her new set of friends. Well, they have a group project to work on.As much as I want to stay here all day to avoid Linus, but I can't, because I have work.I remind myself that I don't need to be affected by the things that happened last night. If he tries to talk to me. I will allow him. We need to clear things out.Reina was right. If I continue to avoid it, nothing will happen—we can't solve the problems between us. I think I'm not ready for that.I hope he will get absent today. I overheard him and his friend the other day, saying that they have to undergo training this weekend, in preparation for their fight next week.My memories were still clear about

| The Coffee |How would I know that he will take the courting seriously? He said he will court me in private. That no one will know or notice. I don’t know if I will believe him, but how would I know if he’s sincere if I won’t let him?Another day had passed, and it seems like he’s doing nothing. Well, he’s absent yesterday and the other day. I know he’s busy, and I won’t let myself be the one who makes a move even if I want to and misses him—yes, I miss him. Until the time when I accepted my feelings, it seems like my day is not complete if I don’t see him. Weird as it sounds but it is how I feel.Monday morning, Reina told me that Linus sees her at the north wing, and he asked for my number. Knowing Reina, of course, she gave it. And now, I’m like a fool waiting for a text or call.I don’t usually use my phone not unless it was my parents or Reina