May Day Eve By Nick Joaquin Novels & Stories

It's weird because I'm not familiar with this kind of emotion. Tired, I lay down on my bed, still staring at Josh's last message. Finally, I pressed the reply button and started typing my response to him. To Josh Rain: Sorry, Josh. Jomar suddenly arrived earlier and helped me close the store. I closed my eyes when I finally sent that reply to Josh. After a few minutes, he hadn't replied. While waiting for his response, I opened my social media account and saw a message from Ate Rica. Rica: Yannie, our fandom has a gathering on June 22. We're celebrating Justin Song's birthday. Come over, okay?

"I'll call Karina, your mother, Ella, and Sabrina. Let's do the impossible." Yanita assembles her team, and they look less like party planners than a war council — clutching their notes with the focus of trained warriors about to strike. I retreat to my — our — quarters, where, with a hastily arranged cake and bouquet, I wait for Maya. Maya should be home from work by now, but she doesn't appear. I mindlink Nico, and he replies back that he'd taken her out for the evening, so I know she's safe — but that only leaves me pacing, rehearsing what I'll say. I wait, answering emails and reviewing documents on my laptop.

The day before New Year's Eve, my wealthy parents, Mitchell Parker and Delilah Smith, and my sister, Mila Parker, finally agree to ring in the New Year with me at the amusement park. However, when I arrive there, they are nowhere to be found. When I text them, they tell me they're stuck in traffic and will be late. I wait alone there until the clock hits midnight. Then, I come across my adopted brother Leo Meyer's Instagram post. He's dressed in an expensive suit, holding the piano trophy he has just won, with Mom, Dad, and Mila gathered around him at a New Year's Eve party. The caption reads, "It's another year with my family who truly loves me." His friends start liking the post. T

"One after another, you’re all nothing but burdens. Don’t think I can't control you just because you’ve got Mayor Kingsley’s favor. If you speak again, I’ll throw you in there too." I immediately fell silent. On the day of the festival, my dad left the house. To him, Eve’s condition was no reason to keep her locked up any longer. He almost wished she’d just die in that pen, saving him the trouble of feeding her. I cautiously opened the gate to the pigpen, helping Eve out. The village was eerily quiet. The men were busy with the festival rituals, while the women stayed home to pray. Nobody was outside—except us. The sun was brutal.

She could feel it, a minute she was so close to him and the other, they were like strangers there was always something between them that was keeping them at arm's length. “I wanna be alone for a while,” she had waited to tell him that. “Are you gonna be okay alone?” He asked her, Eve nodded with a small smile she would be fine. She took a cab and drove out. Moscow went over to his car, took out his phone from his pocket, and stared at the date. It’s today. January 29th, the day Joan died. Making it two years since she left him in cold hands. He got into the car, he should probably leave him alone.

“Oh, no, sweetheart. The Mustang stays in town. That’s the only way I can ensure you won’t pull a great escape like you did two weeks ago.” Jackie turned her head. She was looking at the sheriff and Goldman who were watching them. They were too far away to hear them. Nick looked at his watch. “Time is ticking, Jacquelyn. It’s 11:40.” Jackie looked at her watch. She blew out with annoyance. “We’ll have a wonderful time. I promise. And Garvey’s will be fine. Jodi has run it on the weekends without you before.” She turned and looked at her precious Mustang. She pouted. Nick wanted to lean down and suck that bottom lip.

Too late for the person I’ve become. I’m enjoying the sight up here. Alone, tempest, free. The moment I jump, no one will ever remember me. No Raina Joaquin will jog their memory. That’s the point of living in a lie. So for the last time, I took my breath and I finally jumped off. I felt the rushing cold wind against

Liza's household wasn't left out in the ceremony— inside the Minnelli's hut smelled of pine smoke and burning herbs. Tonight mattered more than any other— John was returning. With him, a bride, their household’s honor. “Mother,” Maya called, emerging with a blue-glass lantern clutched tightly in her hands. “Has he arrived yet? The men are assembling.” Before she could answer, the drums faltered and a low hum vibrated from outside The two women rushed out in time to see the village chief raising his staff, “The eve tribute is declared open.” Matured men formed a vast circle— one representative per household. Shoulders squared.

“Elena! Just so you know, Deacon was here today. He came to visit Master Nick! You wouldn’t believe how much the Master likes him. We’re preparing gifts for you now, which he will bring back to you. The entire crew is excited! My heart pounded as a smile softly formed on my lips. This was the best thing that had happened to me recently. I couldn’t help but feel both touched and surprised. Deacon… I knew he said it, but I didn’t take it too much to heart, just in case he wasn’t serious. But it turned out he was. He didn’t even say anything. What’s more… Today was the Moon Goddess Festival. It would be held at midnight when the moon was at its brightest. Remembering that, I felt a little bit s

Eva Gibson’s pov After Austin had ended his call, he told me that all was fine. “Nick believes Dante has gone to question Gideon, so my mom will be safe. Oh, and now we can attend the harvest moon celebration since we will be the Alpha and Luna for the festivities,” he said softly. “I don't feel very festive, not with losing my sister, Jace, and Tonya…,” I muttered, then paused because my sadness started to reach my eyes.