[ANIKA HODGENS] "Are you sure about this, Gwen?!" I asked her, clarifying things that might happen in the future. This show will be all about pretending nothing less or more than that. "Yeah, Anika. Better me than a random girl, right?" I slowly nodded, agreeing with her. She knows very well my heart's sacred secret. It's been a goddamn week since the last time I had sight of Jaz. She is still on my mind day and night or, most likely, all the time—more than torture and crucifixion in the Calvary. That's how I can describe what I am feeling right now. "Let's go in the canteen, and I'm starving.." Gwen complained, caressing her tummy. We just finished our two consecutive subjects. We settled on our seats after buying. I snort, looking at my food. Honestly, I don't have the appetite to eat, but even in the worst scenario, we must act like everything is going fine. That's the reality we have to face every day. Revealing what's troubling me is not my thing. I would rather be grumpy th

FAST FORWARD>>> At School [JAZ AMANDA] This is what I'm afraid of, and now it's happening. It's all Drake's fault. None of this unsavory scenario would have happened if he hadn't dare kissed me in public. "So you're bound to get married?! After college?" Drake said in shock. I told him that kiss made my judgment day take over quickly. Gossip has wings and mouth that had reached my parents. "Sorry, Jaz! I didn't mean to pull a pin and cause this grenade to boom." I can feel his sincerity, but it's a waste now. What I am avoiding is about to happen, nevertheless. The whole life of being imprisoned in the company of someone I don't even know and even more cruel, I don't love. "What about Anika? Did she know?" I hissed, disapproving. I shouldn't have told Anika, or it's accurate to say I shouldn't have returned here to the Philippines to be with her. "Yeah! But that doesn't matter.." I said, tilting my head and looking down. "I guess it matters.." Drake said, getting my attention b

[JAZ AMANDA] When I got home, Mom immediately met me. "Put it on, Jaz." She said quickly, then handed over the big rectangle box. It landed on my palm with no choice as I looked at it with a frown. What's up?! My brain wakes up in an instant. Something is odd because my parents don't usually append me to a party. Why do they suddenly want to include me? They don't use to do that. I'm always begging them to take me sometimes, but they said I'm too young for such gatherings. I wasn't in the mood to ask, so I followed and went straight to my room, doing what she ordered. As I opened the box, it captured my eyes. The dress is dashing, but it doesn't excite me that long. Since I discovered I was doomed to marry a total stranger, I lost interest in everything, including my parents. There seems to be a boundary between us. Taking a deep breath as I reminisced about my destiny, I went to the bathroom to wear it—a quick grin flashed as I looked at my whole body in the mirror. If someone

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep while crying. When I woke up, it was time to go to school again. What a tiring day it would be. Before, it excites me, knowing I'll be with Anika, but now a lot has changed drastically. I reluctantly got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. I held my stomach, rumbling. I didn't eat before bed last night as my soul was shattered. A long sigh just came out of my mouth. I looked in the mirror, remembering what Anika had said. Her upset face won't leave my mind. She strongly disagreed with our parents' plan. I could not believe our company's joining forces is more important to our parents, especially mine. I didn't imagine them that way. After getting myself ready, I went downstairs but not to eat. Having these negative thoughts caused me to lose my appetite eventually. "Let's have breakfast now." It was my Mom and Dad waiting in the dining area. "I'm late already, Mom. I will eat at school," I said hesitantly, but I didn't feel like facing

[JAZ AMANDA] A lot has changed between Anika and me. We are likely strangers. I don't know if I will be the first to speak because the silence here in my room is crazy. I can't imagine how desperate my parents are for us to be really close, letting us sleep in one room, one bed, even though we're not married yet. What's the difference, anyway. We had slept twice, but those times they thought we were just friends or perhaps they already knew. I forgot they planned it all. Oh, shoot, what am I babbling in my mind? "So Drake isn't really your boyfriend?" I turned around when Anika suddenly spoke. "No." I only answered without looking back. "You? Do you really love Gwen? What happened with the incapable-of-loving thing?!" I feel like I want to vanish from what I said. I don't want her to think I expect her to love me instead. "Can't things change?" I was not happy with what she responded. I want to know what exactly we are. Is that really just lust? Our sex before? "Perhaps we call