I wake up at an icy Sunday dawn. I yawn out a mist of breath and then immediately wear another layer of sweatshirt. It's gotten colder and snow is bound to fall in next week. At last. The third quarter's exams are done. The seniors' ball was fun. I guess it's time to treat myself to an early morning run. I wear my running shoes and leggings and then get out of the apartment, taking off to the uncrowded streets.I've already jogged for more or less half an hour when I arrive at the park. Fog still covers the surroundings, so it's quite hard for me to concentrate on exercising. Instead, I walk along the dewy row of benches to get a little bit warmer. It straightens my cropped tank top and then redo my ponytail.The small café I occasionally stop by isn't open yet, so I resume sauntering through the bricked-up paths. I turn to my back and start stepping backward, my arms stretching out up in the air, feeling the energy of nature as I shut my eyes tight until somebody bumps into me. I'm ab

I go to school and send my subject teachers my apology for my absence from the morning classes. Throughout the afternoon classes, I have a clearer mind than I had yesterday. It may be because I've already secured the money needed for Mom's treatments. Or have I? I'm sure Ryle meant that. He'll lend me money in exchange for those three conditions. I have to work it out well for Mom. Just for Mom.It's an afternoon recession. I run across the street and enter Aunt Hilda's block. As I enter their open entrance, Marco greets me, "Good afternoon, cousin."I nod and then smile. "Good afternoon too, Marco. What's up?"He sits on an upholstered stool. "I think Reign and I are going along well so.""Well, that's good.""How about you and Kent?"I let out a long sigh. "Marco, I thought I'd told you about this thousands of times. We're never going to get back together. It's not going to happen anymore. Not now, and not in the following decades until I lie in my grave."It's not a lie though. Ken

It's already a quarter past ten in the evening yet guests continue entering the restaurant. After some more minutes, the count of heads has subsided. At last. I can get home now. I've decided that I'll visit Mom once a day since I have a busy schedule. I hope she agrees with that. I know she will. I then go to the table of the newly arrived customer in a black hoodie and beanie."Good evening, signore," I greet with such low spirits since I'm tired already. "Have you already chosen your meal?""Not yet." His voice disturbingly sounds familiar. "Can I have the ninth dish on the menu, please?"I nod, scanning his face. I look at his familiar lips and then get beside his seat. I pinch his upper arm, causing him to chuckle in pain. It's Ryle. "What are you doing here?" I ask"I'm going to go eat, Stella," he responds before holding my hand and kissing it.I get off his touch and shove him away weakly. I don't want my co-workers to see his shi

My heart beats faster as I look up at Ryle's eyes and all I can see is his lecherous side. I seemingly can't find my composure in the current situation. I've been chaste for my whole twenty years of existence. Kent and I never had sex when we were in a relationship, so I can't have the right grip right now. I kind of ignore sex education in our school, so I'm severely anxious to do the next step. What if I do it wrong? He won't be satisfied and he sure will leave me. He won't give me the money I need for Mom's surgery. Oh, gosh. This is disastrous, but I have to do this if I don't want that to happen. I have to pull this off. I need to please him.I then slowly rub my hands up and down against his thighs, bringing more heat to our skin. I gasp when he pulls my hair gently and then grabs my chin with his other hand. An odd, salty, sweet taste subsists in my mouth after he's slid his thumb into it. I don't know what to do. I'm super nervous. I envelop my tongue around his cal

After the afternoon classes, I quickly pedal back to the apartment. I take a warm shower and then have a snack. I just eat the leftover cake from Mom's birthday and have two cups of two creamed coffee. I'm about to make another cup, but I force myself not to. It would be bad for me to constantly chug caffeine. I take a night off the restaurant because of the event happening right nowTonight is Mom's surgery. I don't know what to feel. I'm glad this has come, but also, I'm more anxious than I've been. It's Mom's life at risk right now. I know the surgeons are professionally trained and educated, but there's a piece inside of me that's kept saying negative thoughts about the operation. I've tried to shrug them away, but they just keep on coming back. Is this the consequence of keeping Mom's current condition from our relatives and friends? I'm brazening it out, the poor situation we're in? Well, I guess this is better than being aided by people who've helped us more than eno