"That's how you two got together?!" Ali exclaimed, her lips parted away from each other. I took a bite of my burger and nods. 

"Yes, just like what I told you." I said and her brows furrowed. 

"You just... ask him and that's all? Wala nang ligawan na naganap??" she ask and I shake my head. 

"Nothing," I said and I heard her chuckled, "Grabe kana talaga bestie, why naman ganun? Umamin ka lang tapos kayo na agad? Di ka man lamang nagpakipot." I said and I giggled, 

"Ali, I like him, he likes me, so we're together." I said and she massaged her temples. We're now at the park because she's in her band practice and I'm just visiting her to tell her about what happened yesterday. 

"Stressing ba?" I asked, teasing her, she chuckled and shake her head. "Hindi naman, I'm just amazed on how you get a boyfriend that easily." she said and I nod, 

"Yeah, me too, I'm surprised I actually got one. Before, I used to say that I am not interested and I don't want one, but he's an exemption." I said while slowly chewing on my burger when she suddenly squealed. 

"Yun oh!!! May exemption-exemption pang nagaganap! Iba talaga ang tama ng isang sinaing!" she said which made the both of us burst out laughing. 

"Hoy, bad ka ha!" I said and she giggled. 

"Di naman, joke lang yun. Pero... enjoy lang kayo, stay strong ganun, kaya niyo na 'yan, matanda na kayo." she said before standing up from the bench. 

"Aalis kana?" I asked, looking up at her. 

She nods while holding her baton, "Yep, need na eh. Bye bye! Ingat sa pag-uwi." she said and I nod before waving her a goodbye as she run away. I just finished my burger before heading back to the house. As I got back, I went to the kitchen first to grab a pint of ice cream and brought it upstairs. I finished my school works since I don't want to worry on anything on the rest of the day. 

Just like what I planned, after finishing my school work and taking a nap before lunch. I was able to relax for the rest of the day. Before the day ends, Inin messaged me and ask me how my day went. After I told him that I just did my school requirements and taking a nap, I ask him how his day went and he told me how he helped tito Ray at the site and he even improved on things. His happy voice sounds so soothing and relaxing and the same time, it just makes me smile while listening to his voice. 

"Wala nanaman si Alejandra?" Gwen ask, it's now recess and we're just five here. 

"Ang dalang na natin makumpleto." Tobi said while playing with the fork of his spaghetti. 

"Malapit na pati tayo mag college, magkakalayo-layo na tayo." Jax said while eating her rice porridge. 

"Magkikita-kita pa naman tayo, diba?" I ask and they nod, "Why are you guys making it sound like we're not gonna see each other again after graduation?" Laura ask and Gwen snorts, 

"Tama! Ang da-drama niyo, kumain na nga lang kayo." Gwen said and we all laughed at her. 

As a week or two passes, we barely see Ali at school but I always get to visit her at the park. When the town fiesta came, we supported her and the school by watching the drum and lyre band competition. Laura was even a special guest, she's really getting more famous and famous. She's now well known here in Tagkawayan and she's our pride. After the town fiesta, I of course went to see Inin. He treat me ice cream and street foods. While I bought us cute bracelets, a couple one. It was such a great day and date for us! I enjoyed so much since school was stressing before that day. My stress just got relieved! Plus it was our Monthsarry, the 10th of the month is our Monthsarry. We've been together for a month and everything is doing good. It wasn't a type of relationship that we would always be talking 24/7 but at the same time we are not lacking any communication. 

"What the..." I pick up the call coming from Sam, in the middle of the night!

"Hello?" I asked while flipping the pages of my notes, it exam season and here he is, calling me! I'm reviewing! 

[Hey, you sounded stressed.] he said and I hum, 

"Yes, I am, so why did you call?" I ask, not paying attention to the phone and reading my notes. 

[Well I feel bad that I wasn't able to go there during town fiesta, I wasn't able to hangout with you.] he said and I hum again, not answering since I'm reviewing, 1 in the morning. 

[Are you free this Saturday?] he ask and I hum again, 

[Oh okay, I'll be there by Saturday, let's hangout---]

"Wait! Saturday?" I asked and he hummed, [Yes, may plan ka ba on that day?] he ask and I slightly tilted my head. 

"Well... our 4th quarter exams ends by tomorrow, Friday, I'm planning to rest by Saturday." I said while playing with  my bed. 

[Oh... okay okay, how about Sunday?] he ask and I slowly nod. 

"Sure, we can meet that day, I also have to tell you something." I said, biting my lower lip. 

[Oh? Okay, why don't you just tell me now?] he asked, and I shake my head. 

"No, mas maganda kung personal." I said and he hum, 

[Okay, as you say so, I'm excited. See you on Sunday. Goodnight!] he said and I just hum before ending the call. I ruffled my hair due to stress and tiredness before continuing studying. 

When I finished at 2am, I decided not to sleep anymore and just eat since I'm feeling hungry. If I sleep, I would just have a hard time waking up. So instead of sleeping for at least 2 or 3 hours. I just ate sweets in my rooms while watching movies. 

Because of that, I was able to go to school early and have time to review in the classroom. During the exams I was doing all good, until the exams ends and I can feel the tiredness in my body rushing. 

"Gwen may gagawin pa daw ba tayo sa school? I just want to stay home." I said while eating my lunch at the house. I called Gwen to ask her if I can just ditch the afternoon class cause I want to sleep. 

[Hindi ko lang alam mare, kasi ako ay papasok pa, baka mapagalitan.] she said and I pouted while eating, Theo giving glances at me. 

"Inaantok ako ehhh!! I didn't sleep kaya! I have no sleep at all!" I exclaimed and I hear her chuckled, 

[Uy same! Kaso natulog na ako sa classroom kanina. Pumasok kana rin tapos matulog ka nalang sa school. Dala ka na rin ng maraming pagkain para food trip tayo habang nagpapahinga. Tapos na rin naman ang exams eh.] she said and I nod, 

"Okay, I'll do that, see you." I said and end the call. 

"Lory... Oh my G ka bestie! Sabi ko food trip lang hindi dalhin ang buong grocery!" Gwen exclaimed when I arrived in front of their classroom, I only have a very small backpack that contains my flask, phone, charger, some pens and 1/4 pad paper and wallet inside while I'm holding a big eco bag that contains snacks for us. 

"Sabi mo eh, I don't want us to get hungry." I said and Gwen burst out laughing. 

"Sige na bestie, kasalanan ko na, tara nalang sa field at doon nalang tayo kumain." We said and I nod, me and Jax helped each other to carry the eco bag since it's very heavy. 

When we arrived at the field, I was shocked when Laura suddenly pulled out a cloth and lay it down on the grass. 

"For more picnic vibes." she said and I nod before we put out the foods and lay it on the large cloth. 

"Para tayong may tindahan dito." Tobi joked before grabbing a pack of KitKat. 

After I ate a bar of Snickers, I immediately fell asleep while laying on Jax's lap. When I woke up, it's already 4pm and some students were also at the field but not much since only few went back for the afternoon period. 

"Mare hindi talaga namin kayang ubusin yung dala mo. Ang lakas ng tama mo na magdala ng isnag kahon ng KitKat, Snickers, Cadbury at Toblerone, tapos mga cookies at kung ano-ano." Gwen said, scratching her forehead. I look at the trash bin near us and saw that they really have ate a lot na. 

"Uuwi na kayo?" I asked them but they shook their head. 

"Mga 5PM tayo mare." Gwen said and I nod, I grab a pack of Milka biscuits and a bottle of Coffee before eating. I wasn't able to eat lunch well due to tiredness and now I'm just eating snack. We spent the hour joking around and talking about nonsense. 

When we decided to go home, I gave them the spare snacks since I don't want to bring them back at the house. The whole ride to the house, I'm not uttering any word since I'm still sleepy. So when I arrived at my room, I closed the curtains and went to sleep. 

I woke up at 9pm, I'm sure they already ate dinner and didn't even call me. When I checked my phone, I saw Inin's message from 6-8pm. 

from Inin:

Naka-uwi kana? 

from Inin:

Kamusta exams? Mahirap ba?

from Inin:

Lory? 

Those messages was from 6:18pm, when I scroll more, I saw his messages from 7pm. 

from Inin:

Pagod ka siguro, di na ako magtatanong if how you day went. I'm sure pagod ka. 

Then I saw his messages from 8PM asking if I already ate. I feel bad that I wasn't able to reply to him but I know he would understand that I was tired and was resting. I took a quick shower and change into pajamas before calling Inin which I'm hopefully is still up. 

"Bakit gising kapa?" I ask when he answered, 

[Sila papa kasi, nagbubuhos hanggang ngayon kaya gising pa ako.] he replied and I nod, 

"Okay okay, how's your day?" I ask while hugging the thick blanket. 

[Okay lang, tapos na ang exams. Ikaw? Kamusta ka? Mukhang pagod ah.] he softly said and I hum. 

"Kapagod, alam mo ba hindi ako nakatulog kagabi, as in... walang tulog. Nakatulog lang ako kaninang hapon sa school, tapos noong mga nagme-message ka, tulog ako noon." I said while hugging the pillow beside me. 

[Eh? Pahinga ka pa, grabe ka naman sa sarili mo. Dapat natulog ka manlang kagabi mga 2 hours, pero desisyon mo naman yun. Pero siyempre concern ako sayo, next time... pahinga ka rin. Huwag ka masyadong magpakapagod.] he said and I nod, 

"Thank you for understanding me." I said and I hear him chuckle, 

[Siyempre naman, bakit naman kita hindi maiintindihan, diba? Parehas tayong estudyante at alam ko yung hirap, iyon nga lang ay masyado kang masipag, pahinga ka ha? Sa college mas mahirap na, sige ka, magmumukha kang multo kapag lumaki ang eyebags mo.] he jokes that made the both of us chuckle. 

[Matulog kana kaya? Hanggang anong oras mo gusto bukas. You deserve the rest and relaxation, Lory.] he said and I nod, 

"Kaso hindi pa ako kumakain." I said, before turning on my back and staring at the ceiling. 

[Ahm... mahirap matulog ng gutom, pero kung ayaw mo kumain, okay lang siguro. Kung pagod ka talaga para kumuha ng pagkain. Pero ang sa akin lang is mas maganda kung kakain ka muna. Tapos huwag agad matulog. Yun nga lang yung downfall kapag kumain ka muna. Hindi ka agad makakatulog pagkatapos mo kumain.] he said and I nod, 

"Salamat," I said, 

[Para saan?] 

"For caring, for understanding, for loving." I said, a smile appearing on my face. 

[Lory of course, boyfriend mo 'ko, tapos kaibigan na rin.] he said and I nod. 

Then I hear him chuckled, [Cute mo kapag ganiyan ka.] he said and my brows furrowed. 

"You can't see me." I said and he chuckled again, [Hindi nga, pero alam kong cute ka.] he said and I rolled my eyes. 

"Corny, I'm going na, kakain ako sa baba." I said and he hum. 

[Sige, pahindag ka muna bago matulog, baka bangungutin ka.] he said and I hum before nodding and ending the call. 

After ending the call, I jump out of bed and went downstairs to cook Korean noodles with rice cakes and I air fried some dumplings to partner with the noodles. While waiting for the foods to get cooked, I stared at our coffee bar. 

"How does he do it? I don't like coffee pero when he makes it, I really like it." I said before walking towards the espresso machine, I may not drink coffee but I know how to use this. I made myself 1 shot of espresso and pour it in a glass full of ice. 

"Shit," I said, almost spitting out the coffee as it tasted so bitter. I stare at the glass and wonder what's wrong. 

"Sugar," I said and pour some liquid sweetener at the coffee. But it's still bitter and far from the way I like it. 

"More," I said and pour another, until I reached the taste I like. 

"Not the same as Inin's but it's good." I said before putting the glass of coffee on the cart. I grab the pot where I cook the noodles and put it on the cart, same goes with the dumplings. I push the cart near the pool since the breeze here is cold at night. 

I enjoyed my time alone while enjoying my food. There were some maids getting ready for bed. Some were even asking me if I need something but I said I can handle myself. It took me less than an hour before finishing the food. I put the dishes I used in the dishwasher and wait for it to get cleaned while eating some ice creams. When it finished, I put them in the rack and head upstairs. Waited for half an hour before sleeping. 

I woke up at 3pm, and that moment I feel like I had enough of sleep. I immediately took a shower since I smell like bed. I just put on shorts and a tank top before heading downstairs and eating whatever is on the table. And of course, I ate dessert after while watching Theo play on his play station, by 5PM, I ate some snacks that the maids made. 

"What time ka dadating bukas?" I ask Sam while pacing back in forth in my room. I just had dinner and it was a great dinner that's why I ate a lot. 

[Mga... 1PM na siguro? Why?] he ask and I shake my head. 

"Wala naman, I thought maagap, tanghali naman na pala. Where are we going?" I ask, kicking some random thing on the floor. 

[Coyo, near the pier, I heard foods there are great.] he said and I hum, 

"Masarap talaga doon." I said and he hum. 

[Okay, see you tomorrow, I'm just working on something.] he said and I hum, 

"Okay, bye." I said and end the call. After ending it, I called Inin after. 

"Hey, kamusta?" I excitedly ask, 

[Ito, naghahanda, aalis ako bukas eh.] he said and my brows furrowed. 

"Huh? Saan ka pupunta?" I asked, confused. 

[Pupunta na akong India, hahanapin ko nanay ko.] he said which made me stop on my tracks. 

"What? Sama ako!" I exclaimed, not long after I hear him burst out laughing, 

[Biro lang, ito naman, sasama agad. Pupunta lang ako ng Maynila bukas at mag-aapply ako ng scholarship bukas. Sabi kasi ni Ma'am Elazar na teacher sa Munhigh, maganda daw sa PUP kaya doon ako unang mag-aapply.] he replied and I nod, kilala niya si tita Aleah, dahil na rin siguro sa minsan silang nagtrabaho ni tito kila Ali. 

"Okay, goodluck then, I hope PUP is the university for you." I said before sitting down at the edge of my bed. 

[Sana nga, sabi ni Ma'am Elazar maganda daw sa PUP, doon daw siya nag college eh. Ginusto ko na rin tuloy doon.] he said and I nod, 

"Mag a-apply kapa sa ibang univeristy?" I ask, 

[Hindi ko sigurado, mahal kasi ang pamasahe eh.] he said and I slowly nod. 

"Pwede kita bigyan ng pamasahe--"

[Lory huwag na, nakakahiya  kaya.] he cut me off, 

I flicked my tongue, "It's not, basta if you need some financial help, I'm here, okay?" I said, a smile slightly forming on my lips. 

[Okay, pero hindi talaga ako uutang sayo! Sabihin pineperahan lang kita.] he exclaimed which made me chuckled. 

"Whoever is saying that is out of their minds. But remember na ingat ka bukas sa biyahe." I said, 

[Of course naman, ako pa, baka Inin 'to.] he said and I giggled, 

"Okay, bye na, I'll be sleeping, goodnight." I said, 

[Goodnight,] he replied. 

The next day, I woke up at 8am, I first went to use the tread mill for an hour before taking a shower and eating breakfast. After breakfast, I went upstairs to clean my room which took me until lunch. After eating lunch, I still continue cleaning until 1pm. 

to Ponce:

You're in TK already? 

I sent him a text message while wiping my sweats. 

from Ponce:

Tabugon na, can I go straight there? 

to Ponce:

Labas tayo ng 4pm, masyadong mainit ang 1-3pm. 

from Ponce:

Okay, I'll rest muna sa bahay, see you!

After I dry myself from sweat, I took another shower since I sweat a lot while cleaning. I change into simple clothes first but prepared the clothes I'll be wearing. I relaxed for hours first, watching movies and reading. By 3:30PM, I changed into the shorts and polo I prepared. I paired it with a combat boots and put my hair in a high ponytail and applied some make-up. 

At exactly 4PM, Sam showed up at our doorsteps, mom is surprised and happy to see him and I know why. 

"I missed you," he said while driving, I glance at him and smiled. 

"As you should," I said which made him giggle, few minutes later, we arrived at the place. We ordered foods, a lot of foods since Sam wants to try the seafoods. 

"Those may take awhile." I said and he nods, "It's fine, it's not a fast food and we ordered a lot so I understand." he said and I nod. 

"How's school?" he ask and I sigh, "Stressing but high school reached its ending. College naman." I said and he chuckled, 

"Don't worry, you're with me in college, tutulungan kita if nahihirapan ka." he said and I scoffed. 

"You're taking Business Management, I'll be taking Accountancy, magkaiba 'yon." I said and he chuckled, 

"Still, I'll help you." he said and I rolled my eyes which made him chuckled. 

We continue talking about the future the whole time. I can't seem to find a perfect time to tell him about my relationship with Inin. He also seems happy and I know I'll feel bad to ruin his mood. 

When the foods finally came, a cat sat next to my chair, "Aww, a cat! Cute!!" I said before petting the cat. Not minding the waiters serving the foods until the left. 

"Louise, wash your hands, let's eat." Sam said and I nod, 

"Bye kitty!" I waved at the cat as it run away while I wash my hand. When I came back on the table, we begun eating. It was silent, but I'm still waiting for the right moment. And seems like Sam also remembered. 

"So... what was it that you're gonna tell me?" he ask, I lift my head up and wipe the side of my lips with a tissue. 

"Well..." I took a deep breath, why is it hard to say? Why am I hesitating and worrying? What is it there to worry anyways? 

"I have a boyfriend." I said and I saw how his expression dropped. 

"Huh? Who?" He ask, I can tell that he's confused but at the same time disappointed. 

"Well..." I tilted my head, "Inin," I said and his lips parted, "How long have he been courting you?" He ask and I swallowed the lump in my throat. 

"He didn't, I was the one who told him that we're together when I confessed to him that I like him." I said and he slowly nod, 

"Unfair," he said which made my brows furrowed, "It was kinda unfair, Louise. But I'm happy for you."