As month of December came, my titas and the maids started putting decorations in the house. Christmas Tree, Christmas lights and more. Theo said that mom and tito Thiago are planning to celebrate Christmas in the states which means there's a chance they won't be home by the holidays. Theo feels a bit sad for me cause he said I will celebrate Christmas alone. But my titas and kuya Therence are here, the maids, drivers and helpers are here. Hindi naman ako nag-iisa. Siguro ang iniisip niya ay magiging malungkot ako dahil wala sila. Well... totoo naman, my little brother won't be with me when I celebrate the holidays. But I'm sure he will enjoy the Christmas at the US, there's snow that Philippines doesn't have so I know he will enjoy it there. 

The whole town also started decorating, there's bunch of parol hang by the posts in the street. Each baranggay have their own Christmas Tree and our Subdivision also have decorations. The Christmas is indeed around the corner. The weather is also starting to get cold and it often rain these days. 

"Oy simbang gabi tayo mamaya?" We stopped walking and confusedly look at Gwen, my brows furrowed, what's with this girl, suddenly wanting to attend the mass.

"Nasimba ka?" I asked and she pouted before rolling her eyes. 

"Oo naman!" She exclaimed and a small, teasing smile crept on my lips before nodding. 

"Kala ko demonyo kana." Tobi joked, and in a blink of an eye, a stingy slap  landed on Tobi. 

"Ah! Aray! Puta ka!" Tobi exclaimed, massaging the part where Gwen hit him.

"Aba! Kawasa ka! Pagkamalan pa naman akong demonyo! Anghel ako Tobias Emory! Anghel!" Gwen exclaimed which made us all burst into laughter. If Ali is here she would probably be red by now because of laughing. 

I miss that girl, she's always busy with her band practice. She would get home by 12PM and sleep around 1AM then wake up at 5. How can she keep up with that kind of schedule? How can she attend practice and classes when she barely sleep?

Natuloy kami sa pagpaplano ng simabang gabi. Ang sabi kasi ni Ali ay magpe-perform daw sila sa simbahan pagkatapos ng misa. So we wanted to show support for her and the band and also attend the mass. The mass starts by 6:30PM, so after class we all went home to get change and get ready for the mass. 

"Tita, baka sa labas na po kami kumain na magkakaibigan." Paalam ko kay tita habang pa-akyat ako ng hagdan. 

"Ah sige, yung tupperware natin hindi pa naibabalik." Sagot ni tita at bahagya akong natigilan. Shit, I forgot about that. 

"Ipapa-alala ko po ngayon para next time madala na nila." I answered before rushing upstairs. 

When I arrived at my bedroom, I locked the door and put down my bag on my bed. I went to my closet first to look for outfit to wear. I picked a brown trousers, white short-sleeves, turtle neck, and a brown cardigan. For shoes I decided to go with a brown, heeled boots. 

Once I have decided for clothes to wear, I went to my bathroom and took a quick shower. I just took a body wash since I don't want to wash my hair. Once I'm out of the bathroom I immediately slip on the clothes I chose. I also fixed my hair and applied a very thin layer of make-up since we're going in a mass and not in a party. I'm done fixing myself and glance at the clock. 

6:19, I only have few minutes and I still have to prepare my bag. I grab my white Prada bag and throw my phone, wallet, and hankerchief inside before rushing downstairs. 

"Where's kuya driver po?" I asked tita Thiara, 

"Nasa labas na, hinihintay kana." She answered and I nod before marching outside the house. I saw that the van is ready and I hop inside and it drove off. 

Medyo natagalan pa kami sa papunta sa simbahan kaya naman 6:25 na ako nakarating, nang tumigil ang van ko sa tabi ng simbahan ay sakto naman na tumigil din ang pulang sasakyan. Paglabas ko ay nakita ko si Gwen sa tabi ng sasakyan na 'yon. Nang magtagpo ang paningin namin ay napahagalpak siya ng tawa. 

"Gaga, late ka rin?" She asked and I chuckled before nodding. We went inside where we find our friends. 

Pagpasok namin at nang maka-upo na kami, maya-maya ay nagsimula na ang misa. Malayo sa amin ang mag band members at nililingon ko sila para hanapin si Ali na nasa unahan at katabi ang iba namin na kaklase na band members din.

Pagkatapos ng misa ay saka sila nag perform, pinanood namin sila at nagbigay na rin ng donations para sa simabahan. It was a good 15 minutes performance of them when they said thank you to the audience. I watch Ali talk to their trainer, she was nodding and nodding until she walk towards us. 

"Tapos na kayo?" Tanong ko at tumango siya, 

"Uuwi na kayo?" Tanong niya at nagkatinginan kaming lima bago nagkibit balikat sila Tobi at Jax. 

"Kain tayo sa labas." Pag-aaya ko, "Libre mo?" Tanong ni Jax at napatawa kami ng bahagya. 

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, "Sige ba, basta sasama ka." Sagot ko dito at napangisi siya. 

"Of course, sasama na ako." ani nito at napabungisngis pa. 

"Ikaw Laura? Gwen? Tobi? Ali?" Tanong ko sa iba, 

"G ako, text ko lang sila mama." Sagot ni Ali bago kinuha ang cellphone niya sa kaniyang bag at itinext na sila tita. 

"G ako." sagot ni Gwen, "Magpapa-alam lang din ako." Laura said before pulling out her phone from her bag just like Ali. 

"Sasama na rin ako." Turan ni Tobi, "Siyempre, princess natin 'yan eh." Pang-aasar ni Jax at napa-irap si Tobi.

"Pinayagan ako, saan ba?" Tanong ni  Ali makalipas ang ilang minuto. 

"Ako rin, saan ba tayo kakain?" Tanong ni Laura bago itinabi ang cellphone niya. 

"GreenBread nalang para malapit, sa  tabi lang naman ng simbahan." Gwen suggested, we stared at each other first, silence filled the area before Ali nods. 

"Sige, para nga naman mas malapit." she said and the others agreed soon. 

We leave the church and within just few minutes we're at GreenBread already. We put two tables together so us six would fit. 

"Libre ko na ang isang Pizza tapos yung order ni Jax." I said as we're now choosing our orders. Tobi and Gwen ordered rice meals, Laura and Ali both ordered Baked Mac with chicken, Jax ordered Spaghetti with chicken and I ordered Fajitas for myself. 

"Ate samahan niyo na po pala ng dalawang fries." Laura added, 

"Wow ha, galante naman." Gwen teased, the waitress repeat our orders and when it's all cleared the waitress left. 

"Kila Lory nga pala 'to 'no?" Jax suddenly said out of nowhere. 

"Ay oo nga, nakalimutan ko." Ali added before giggling, I shake my head, "Kay tito Thiago, pero may ka-partner siya sa pagpapatayo nito. Yung Alfresco sa taas ang sa kaniya talaga." I corrected and they look at me confusedly before slowly nodding. 

We went silent for few minutes until Jax speaks again, "Lapit na birthday ni Lory, February 14." Jax said out of nowhere, once again. 

"Ikaw nga February 28, muntik na mag leap year!" Tobi joked which made us burst out laughing. 

"Muntik lang! At least hindi pa rin umabot." Jax defended, before crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. 

"Ikaw nga Tobi, April 1, April fools daw kasi, joke lang daw yung buhay mo!" Gwen snapped which made us gasp before bursting out laughing. 

"Sakit nun!" Ali said in the middle of her laughter, I'm gripping on the table as I feel my stomach to hurt because of too much laughing. Napasubsob naman si Jax sa lamesa sa kakatawa habang si Tobi ay masama na ang tingin kay Gwen. 

"Ikaw nga Labour day!--"

"Ano naman?!"

"Pero yung nanay mo tatlong araw na nag-labor sayo!" I'm already tearing up as Tobi and Gwen continue to beaker. They look like kids who are arguing with each other. Ali is already crying and her face is in dark shade of red. I can tell Laura and Jax are catching their breath. 

"Diba tahimik lang si Laura at Ali, mga wala kasing special occasions sa birthday nila, bantot! June 15 at 20!" Gwen exclaimed which made the two laugh even more. 

"Tama na, di na ako makahinga!" Jax said before taking a deep breath, stopping herself from laughing. Laura and Ali wiped their tears and catch their breaths, I did the same thing as I also started tearing up. We had more conversation but less laughter now since we're talking about school and other things. 

Few minutes later the food arrived and we started eating, as we eat, no one talks. Food is something that would make the whole group fall into silence. Whenever we would eat, our attentions are focused on the foods. The only time someone would speak while eating is when their food is half finished. 

"Punta kayo sa bahay ng Christmas morning." Pag-aaya ko, I'm sure marami kaming handa sa Christmas Eve kaya naman alam ko na sa umaga ay meron pang mga pagkain. 

"Tingnan ko ha, baka kasi pumunta kami sa lola ko." Ali answered, 

"Nasa Manila ako sa Pasko." Jax replied, pouting, "Gusto ko sana kasi alam ko na maraming pagkain kila Lory." She added which made me chuckle. 

"Ay sorry hindi ako available kasi nasa Laguna ako." Tobi said while wiping the side of his lips. 

"Nasa La Union ako sa Pasko kasi sa lolo at lola ko kami magpapasko." Gwen said, a small pout prints on my face before I slowly nod. 

"I'm sorry pero aalis kasi ako ng bansa sa Holidays, kasama ko si mommy sa Pasko at Bagong Taon." Laura said and I nod, that's something I already knew. She has been doing that since we were Elementary, she always celebrate Holidays with her mom out of the country. 

Until I felt Ali's hand on my arm, "Sorry na, susubukan ko pero hindi ko maipapangako. Nasa Tagkawayan naman ako that day pero usually kasi kapag December 25 ng umaga nasa lola ko kami." She said, her voice sounds soft and I can tell she feels sorry. 

I smiled at her and nod, "It's fine, no need to say sorry." I said and she slowly nods. 

We continue eating and finished around 8PM. We paid for our bill and soon leave the restaurant. Laura and my driver picked us up, I told Ali to come with me but she said her father will pick her up, same goes with Tobi, Gwen already texted her driver while Jax's house is just meters away from the restaurant so she walked home. 

As I arrived at the house, I went to the kitchen and grab a tub of ice cream, spoon and some chocolates before heading upstairs to my room. I ate half the tub of ice cream while watching a movie and soon changing into comfortable clothes and going to sleep. 

It's now Thursday afternoon, class is about to end in 20 minutes, I kept on looking and looking at my watch before looking up at our teacher who's in front and explaining something. I just decided to pay attention at her lesson and wait. When she packed her things and bid goodbye to us, I stand up from my chair and fixed my things and get ready to leave. 

"May practice kayo 'no?" I asked Ali and she nods. 

"Why? May need ka ba? Can I help you with something?" She ask and I shake my head. 

"Wala naman, ingat ka sa practice galingan mo." I said and she smiled before nodding. 

We soon went out the classroom and go to the first gate where we wait for our drivers to arrive. Gwen's car came first, followed by Laura's then mine. When I arrived at the house, I immediately went upstairs to my room, change into some sweat pants and hoodie before grabbing my Hawk Bag and putting things inside. 

When I went down the house, I went to the kitchen and grab some ice creams and chips before heading out the house. I once again borrowed kuya Therence motorcycle and head out the gates. 

Inin and his father once again change place. Sa ibang lugar kasi na-distino si tito. This time it's in Olegans, near Coyo. When I stopped the vehicle in front of the hut, Inin's head immediately stick out from the door. 

A wide smile prints on his face, "Long time no see!" He said as he went out of the hut and wait for me to get down from the motorcycle. 

"Yung tupperware pala, babawiin ko na." I said as we enter their hut. 

"Ay oo nga, andito, hindi ko kinalimutan." he said before rummaging into a certain bag and pulling out the tupperware and the bag where I put it before. 

"Hindi ko talaga 'yan kinalimutan nung naglipat kami." He said smiling as he hand it to me. 

"Thank you, by the way I have something for us." I said as I place my bag down on the table. I pull out the ice creams and chips. 

"Magpapaturo pati sana ako sa Math..." I shyly said, fidgeting with my hands. I saw his face lit up, "Sure! No problem!" He excitedly said before grabbing another chair and he sit down. I sit down on the other chair beside me and pull out my notebooks and books. 

He started tutoring me, and he's a very good one. I always have a hard time studying math but he made it seem easy. I was able to get the lectures within few minutes of him explaining. He gave me examples and some equations for me to solve. And to my surprise, I got it right! 

He gave me few more tasks to solve. And when I got those right, I proceed on answering my assignments while he eat some of the ice cream and chips. 

I'm silently solving when he hand me an ice cream. 

"Mahirap magsagot kapag gutom." He said and my brows furrowed but still reach for the ice cream. 

"I'm not gutom but thanks." I said before taking a bite of the popsicle ice cream and continue answering. I finished the ice cream in few bites, he hand me water to drink cause he said the ice cream is too sweet. 

I'm on 3rd equation of my 5 items assignment when he started feeding me with chips. He just keeps on eating and eating beside me which made me chuckle cause he look so relaxed while watching me. 

"Mahirap ba?" He asked when he noticed me looking at him. 

I smiled and shake my head, "Wala lang, pero may dumi ka sa pisnge." I said and his eyes widened before wiping it with the back of his hands. 

"Wala na?" He ask but it's still there. I put down my pen and reached for his cheeks to wipe the powder from the chips. 

"Ayan, wala na." I said before wiping my hands with my towel and continue answering. 

After 30 minutes I was able to finish the 5 items questions, I took a deep breath before handing it to him. He reach for my notebook and he hand me the bag of chips that I started eating as he check my answers. 

"Tama ba? May mali ba?" I worriedly ask as he look up at me. 

"Huy, may mali? Akin na ayusin ko--" I was about to reach for my notebook when he pull it away. 

"Wala ah, masyado ka, tinitingnan lang kita eh." He said before putting my notebook back down on the table. I pouted a bit before rolling my eyes and continue eating. 

Few minutes later he return my notebook to me, "Tama lahat." He said and I feel like I've gone deft for few seconds. 

"Huh? Tama lahat?" I asked and he nods. 

"Yes, tama lahat, all correct, no wrong, walang ligwak, na-perfect mo, walang sala!" He said which made the both of us giggle. 

"Wow, that's new, na gets ko talaga siya, salamat." I said as I pick up my notebook and fold it to put it back in my bag. 

"Gusto mo ba na i-advance study na kita sa kasunod?" He ask while I'm fixing my things. I look at him and smiled. 

"Sure, that would be great." I replied and he slowly nods. He reach for my book and flip the pages. We spend 30 more minutes on studying the next topic that I once again understood. 

"You can be a teacher someday." I said when he finished tutoring me. 

His brows furrowed, "Ayaw ko maging teacher, baka makipag barkada lang ako sa mga estudyante ko. Pagtatabihin ko yung estudyante na may crush sa kaklase niya at crush niya mismo. Tapos kapag malungkot ako magpapa surprise quiz ako." He said which made me giggle. 

"Sira, but it's true, you can be a good teacher." I said as I fix my things in my bag. 

"Ayaw ko nga mag teacher." he repeated, his hands clasped together on top of the table. 

"Eh ano gusto mo?" I asked when I finished fixing my things inside my bag. 

"Engineer," he shortly answered and my brows furrowed. 

"Engineer?" I asked and he nods, "Si papa kasi... hindi siya nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral pero nag e-engineer siya dati. Kaso noong 2nd year na siya... namatay magulang niya kaya ayun... di na siya nakapagtapos kasi wala na siyang pangtustos sa pag-aaral niya." He said which made my jaw dropped. 

"Wala silang ipon nun pero may kaya mga magulang niya, iyon nga lang, inatake sa puso kaya... umakyat na sa langit." He added and I just sat there silently listening to his stories. 

"Kaya ngayon, kahit wala kaming bahay, may ipon naman si papa." he said and my brows furrowed a bit. 

"What do you mean?" I asked, he smiled at me and take a deep breath, "Masyadong masinop si papa sa pera, kahit piso itatabi niya, kada buwan, naghuhulog siya ng pera sa bangko. Ini-ipon niya para sa pag-aaral ko sa college, para daw maging maganda ang buhay ko sa future. Noong elementary scholar lang ako ng isang teacher, hanggang ngayon, scholar ako ng mga teacher. Sa college... gusto ko rin makakuha ng scholarship kung swe-swertehin." he answered and my mouth formed a small 'o' before nodding. 

"I'm sure makakuha ka ng scholarship." I said and he smiled before nodding, "Sana nga, tyaga at sikap lang talaga." He said and I nod. 

"Tsaka you're smart kaya, you will get a scholarship for sure!" I exclaimed which made him chuckle. 

"Oo na Lory, makakakuha na, sabi mo eh." He said smiling, his eyes almost disappearing. 

"Ikaw ba, anong gusto mong course sa college?" he ask which made me froze a bit. 

I shrug, "Hindi ko alam eh." I silently replied, hindi pa ako sure sa psycology, he squinted his eyes at me, "Edi... ano ba ang passion mo?" tanong niya at muli akong nagkibit balikat. 

"Hindi ko alam." I replied and his brows furrowed. 

"Naku, mahirap 'yan. Doctor ba? Lawyer? Engineer? Architect? Businesswoman?" He suggested and I shrug. 

"Mamatay nalang siguro." I said and his eyes widened. 

"Uy sira! Huwag kang ganiyan!" He exclaimed, looking so shocked and surprised which made me chuckle. He's mentally stable nga pala. 

I nod, "Sorry, sorry." I apologized while chuckling a bit. 

"Tulungan nalang kita na alamin yung gusto mong trabaho." He said and my brows furrowed, "How?" I asked, he tilts his head a bit before smiling, "Hindi ko rin alam eh." He said before giggling. I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose, at least he wants to help.