> * Luck : When one's preparation meets with an unexpected opportunity. * **** ------- Mira. ------ Though I was pretty good at economics, I'd never expected to win the competition. Firstly, because I wasn't a fan of competitions and secondly, my competitors were supposedly more brilliant than me. So I hadn't been expecting to turn out the best. Vera not being able to answer her final question was surprising yet not so surprising. The former because she was one of the school's best students and the latter because she was a science student and economics isn't one of her major subjects. “Aw, Congratulations, Mira! ” Evie wrapped me up in a tight embrace as soon as I returned back to my seat. I had admired her enthusiasm, her accommodative nature and optimism. Though it's only been three days since we've known each other, I know that she's filled with those three qualities that I greatly desire. Either way, I figured I could actually have those if I really wanted. After

> * We don't always get what we want out of life. We have to fight for what we truly and really want. * ------ Mira. ------- Evelyn and I were having our lunch peacefully, until the red haired girl appeared in front of us all of a sudden. Her two friends were with her. I was confused, wondering why they were here. But then her next words confirmed my doubt. “ You are Mira, aren't you? The bitch who betrayed her best friend! ” Her words were filled with venom. I kept quiet, not letting myself get hurt by her words. After all, talking to a fool will only make me a greater fool, won't it? “ And you. ” She turned sharply to Evelyn who was looking as perplexed as I was. “ You must be happy, aren't you? You've finally found a bitch and now? You both are going to become a family of bitches. ” “ What do you want, Tiffany? ” Evelyn's words were sharp and serious. Must I say, this was the first time I'm seeing her being so serious. “ What do I want? ” Tiffany repeated sarcastic

> * Be in the driver's seat of your own life because if you are not, life will drive you. — Oprah Winfrey. * -------- Joseph. ------ I'd always heard about the pain of heartbreak, but I have never really felt it before. I didn't want to believe what I was hearing. I definitely do not want to. I very much want to believe it's just a dream, one I'll soon snap out of. Just that, it isn't. This was reality, one that's too cruel and I can't deny. “ All I did was say a few lovey dovey words and he fell at my feet and now? He follows me around like a stray dog. Haven't you seen how he acts like a love sick fool around me? ” A stray dog and a lovesick fool? Is that all I really mean to her? Those words were like poison seeping into my bloodstream and polluting it. How could she say that about me when all I'd ever done is love and adore her? How? “ Who cares about love nowadays, anyways? It's all business, Bae. ” Her words caused the aching in my heart to intensify. I found it diff

> * Make your life matter because one day it will be over. * **** -------- Joseph. ------- On my way back to the class, I made up my mind to act normal so Vera wouldn't suspect anything. The last thing I wanted was for her to suspect I'd eavesdropped on their conversation. But as they say, it's super easy to plan, but hard to act out. At least, I succeeded in not acting violently when I saw her in class. I walked to my seat which was obviously next to her as we were seat mates. At that point, I hated that very fact. “ Hey. ” She'd got that beautiful smile clad on her face as always. I would have fallen for it and thought of myself as lucky an hour ago, but not now. Especially not now. My heart didn't skip a beat as usual which was definitely a good sign. The last thing I wanted was for my heart to start making excuses for her. Rather, I felt disgusted by her. How could one be so good at pretending? “ Hi. ” I replied, taking my eyes off her. She didn't seem to notice my

> * Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. * **** ----- Joseph. ----- The first thing I took note of on regaining consciousness was the heavy weight on my chest. My eyes opened up slowly and I was stunned at what it was. Mira was half hugging me in her sleep with her head on my chest. The closeness was weirdly unfamiliar. Though we've cuddled a number of times over the past five years of our friendship, it still felt different after the three weeks separation. How did we get here? I wondered. “ Jose. ” I recalled her calling out to me, and holding me in her arms while I broke down in her embrace. I remember how comfortable and sweet her embrace was, so comfy and addicting that I was lured to sleep. But what was she doing here in the first instance? Shouldn't she be at the orphanage or something? In my heart, I knew she'd come here for me. But I don't deserve that, do I? After all I'd done. Isn't it funny how those we push away are those who ar