"Avery Louise, stop frowning or else you're getting into trouble." I rolled my eyes as I entered the house. I sigh escaped my lips and didn't bother to listen what mom said. 

I kept looking on the floor that I didn't realized mom is already facing me and probably seeing my annoyed expression. I was taken a back when her bag hit my face. 

"Didn't I told you to stop frowning!? What don't you understand there!?" Mom shouted, my eyes widened and my hand immediately travelled on my cheeks that is in terrible pain. 

"Is what I said hard to understand?!" She shouted again and my brows furrowed. 

"Mom, do you realized what you just did there?! You arranged me to a marriage! Mom that's so messed up!" I shouted back, just giving her the same energy she's giving me. I didn't raised myself to become  a coward and not defend myself. 

I saw her eyes widened before her bag once again lands on my other cheeks, there were chains on that bag! 

"Just because of that?! Just because of that, Lory?! You're being like this?! It's just a marriage!--"

"It's not! You're taking my freedom to choose whoever I want to marry! Whoever I want to love! It's not just a marriage mom! It's a whole damn responsibility and commitment! You're using me as your tool for your business that isn't even yours!--" I felt my back hit the concrete wall as mom kicked my by the stomach. Damn, this woman still got her skills of taekwondo. 

"You're so ungrateful! This business is giving you all those things you want--"

"It's not even yours! It's tito Thiago's business!" I cut her off, tears streaming down my cheeks due to anger and pain on my lower abdomen. I even saw blood on my hands that is probably from my cheeks. 

She was about to attack  me when my titas came and held her back. 

"Liliana ano ba! Tigilan mo 'yang anak mo!" Tita Thena said while her other sisters are holding mom. Mom is squirming on their grips that's why I manage to get up from the floor. 

"Bitiwan niyo 'ko, ate! Sumosobra na 'yang batang 'yan!" Sigaw nito, my brows furrowed and chuckled sarcastically. 

"No, ikaw ang sumosobra! You want me to marry someone just for your business!" I shouted back, I saw how the eyes of my tita's widened and mom is forcing herself to get out from the three's grip. 

"Lory tama na! Umakyat kana sa kwarto mo!" Tita Theresa said, I wiped the hot tears on my cheeks before marching away from them and going up the stairs, making sure my heels creates echo through the whole house. 

As I enter my, I shut my door closed, kicking away my shoes and throwing myself on my bed. That's when more tears starts to stream down my cheeks, my make-up is probably transferring to my pink bedsheets. 

"It's so unfair! So unfair!" I chanted while throwing a tantrum on my bed. I sat down on my bed and reach for my bag to get my phone inside and call Ali. 

"Pick up..." I said with a shaky breath, with 3 rings she answered. 

[Hey... what's up?] she sounded so tired. 

"I'm going to kill myself." I said, hands and lips shaking. 

[Hoy! Gaga! Anong nangyari?! Huy! Ano!!?] she sounded so alarm, she sounds like... she cares which made me break into more tears. 

"Ali..." I sobbed,

[Huy! Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo? Huy... naiiyak na rin ako! Anong nangyari!?] She kept asking me what's happening but I can't bring it to any words. All I can do right now is sob and catch my breath. 

[Gaga, ano nga!? Sige ka pupunta ako diyan!] That caught me off-guard and immediately shake my head. 

"Huwag, it's 11 in the evening." I answered, 

[Then tell me what happened! Nag-aalala ako sa'yo, Lory!] She sounded so alarmed and sounds like she's crying as well. She cares... she cares for me. 

"They... they're planning to arrange me to a marriage-- wait, no, they arranged me to a marriage for that fucking business. Ayaw ko Ali, ayaw ko...!" I cried out before grabbing my pillow and hugging it. 

"I'm going to fucking kill myself. They want us to live with each other by college. Mamatay ako bago mag college, I don't want to live with that guy!" I started kicking the bedsheets like I'm some kind of a kid throwing a tantrum. 

[Hey, sshhh~ , shhh~ kalma, breathing exercise muna. Breath in.... breath out, kalma Lory. Calm down, please.] I did what she said and follow her words. Her soft voice is helping me to calm down. 

[Okay... kalma okay, wait... is the guy a complete stranger?] she ask in a very soft voice and I shake my head. 

"No, I know him since we migrated here. Anak siya ng business partner ni tito Thiago." I answered and she hum. 

[Rude or not?] she ask again and I bit my lower lip/ 

"I don't know, he's not... but he looks and sounds... mayabang." I unsurely said and she hums once again. 

[Kapag nag college na kayo, they want you two to live together, that's... 3 years from now kasi grade 10 tayo now. Then... you'll be 18 or 19 that time... how old is he?] Tanong niya, 

"A year older." I answered while doing the breathing exercise she said. 

[Ahh... mhmm... I get what you mean. He didn't sound rude or he may seem nice, but I know you don't like it because they're taking your freedom to love whoever you want to love---]

"Exactly! That's what I told mom! And instead of listening to me! She beat me up!--"

[Lory, Lory, kalma, kalma ka lang-- wait... she beat you up? Again?] She ask, and the scenario from a while ago flashed in my mind and tears starts pouring down my cheeks again. 

"I have wounds on my cheeks, my left cheeks is bleeding, she kicked me by my stomach, my back hit the wall. I don't want to be here anymore, Ali. Gusto ko nang mamatay, it'll be more peaceful for me there. No more pains, no more shouting, no more... mom." I cried out before pulling my knees together and hugging them. 

[Hey... Lory, please, I know mahirap, pero please... live. Please be a coward and be afraid of death. If you feels like no one cares, I'm here, we're here, please, andito ako. Kaya nga ako ang one call away mo diba? Please... mababaliw ako kapag nawala ka, please Lory. Alam ko na nahihirapan kana. Pero please... death isn't the answer. Please... I can't loose you...] I hear her soft cries from the other line which made me feel bad. This woman have some emotional manipulation and just by hearing her cry makes you weak. 

[Please... hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kapag nalaman ko na nawala kana. Please lang... kapit okay? You're so strong, you're brave, you're not a loser to give up on this thing called life. Kaya please lang... please... not for us but live for yourself.] I felt my throat tighten as more tears stream down my cheeks that I immediately wipe away with my hands. 

"I will... I will." I replied, swallowing the lump in my throat. 

[Thank you... go drink some water, do what you want to do, do what calms you down, do what makes you happy, okay?] She ask and I nod. 

"I will, you just got home from practice?" I ask and she hum. 

[I'm about to sleep, okay kana ba? I mean... a bit better?] she ask and I nod as if she can see it. 

"I am, thank you Ali." I softly said and she hums. 

[No problem, anytime.] she replied and I ended the call. I get down on my feet and change into pajamas. I saw the big bruise on my stomach because of the kick, that's what making me have a hard time sitting down. I brushed my teeth and put my hair into a ponytail before doing Ali's suggestion. Doing something I want. 

I went to the small living room in my bedroom, with my mini sewing machine and some cloth and threads, I started sewing anything that comes up in my head. I spend my time and put my attention to it to get myself distracted, for a while to what happened few minutes ago. I enjoy the silence in my room. I like being alone but at the same time, I like to know that someone is there for me. And that's Ali. 

I finished around 1AM, I ended up with a cute, sleeveless crop top with a design in front. I put away my sewing tools and went to sleep. 

I woke up around 6AM, took a bath, brushed my teeth and slip on my uniform. I don't have the appetite to eat. But if I don't eat, Theo would be worried and he would be sad. I don't want my little brother upset and worried. That's why even though I don't want to see my mom, I still went downstairs and ate breakfast. The whole breakfast is silent and I made sure to eat quick. I was the first one to leave the table and get inside the van, waiting for Theo. When he arrives, I immediately ask the driver to drive off. 

"Take care sa school ha, love you." I kissed Theo's forehead which made him smile, he started running away while waving at me. 

A sigh escaped my lips before crossing the road to get to my school. As usual, a lot of students are looking at me that I immediately brushed off. When I arrived at the classroom, Laura and Ali are playing chess. They were even messing up because Laura is new to it. I just help them in few terms. And Ali... she didn't utter any word about last night. What happen on our phone calls stay between just the two of us. 

During our vacant, Laura ask us if we can accompany her to buy a chessboard, I reasoned out that me and my mom are going somewhere. But the truth is... I'm not in the mood to go somewhere else. Sure I don't want to stay at tito Thiago's house, but I'm also too lazy to go out or go anywhere. I simply want just to... disappear. 

When dismissal came, our driver picked me up and Theo is already inside. I waved goodbye to my friends first before the driver drove off. 

"How's your school?" I asked Theo who's playing with his phone. 

"It's good ate, I got a perfect score in my English quiz." he replied and I nod. 

"That's great, I'm sure tito Thiago will be so proud of you." I said while caressing his hair. 

He look at me with confused expression, "Why don't you call him daddy? He's our dad, right?" He ask, my smile dropped and clear my throat. 

"Basta... maiintindihan mo rin when you're older." I replied and he pouted. 

"Ate naman, I'm 12 na, I'll be 13 by next year, I'll be a teenager just like you. I'm a grown up na." He whined and I chuckled before pinching his cheeks. 

"Basta, you're still a baby to me." I said and he pouted. When we arrived at the house, gladly mom is not here. Me and Theo stayed at the kitchen island, he's working on his assignments and so am I. We also grab some brownies with vanilla ice cream on top. 

We were giggling and having fun when I hear mom's heels clicking inside the house. 

"I'll be upstairs, okay? Call me when you need anything." I hurriedly grab my things and just grab a bag of chips from our pantry before taking taking the elevator instead the stairs so I won't be seeing mom. 

A sigh escaped my lips when I have reached my room. I place down my bag on my bed with the bag of chips before opening my phone to see Ali's messages. 

from Alipangot: 

Hey, naka-uwi kana? 

from Alipangot: 

Nakapag snack kana? 

from Alipangot: 

How are you? 

from Alipangot: 

I'm at the plaza right now, Saturday naman bukas, if ever lang na gusto mo akong puntahan or manood. 

from Alipangot: 

Baka rin gusto mo manood bukas. 

from Alipangot: 

12PM ang end the practice namin tonight. We can talk by 1AM if you want. 

A chuckle escaped my lips as I finished reading her messages. She just doesn't know how to chat in a one, long message. She really have to separate it. But it's fine, I actually find it cute. She also does that when she's excited. When she send her messages into one, long messages, I can tell there's something wrong and she's serious. 

to Alipangot: 

Go lang, ingat ka sa practice, I'm fine now. No need for us to call, you should take a rest after your practice. 

She is no longer active so they're probably doing their routine by now. I just continue my homework while eating the chips. In just span of few hours, I finished three assignments. By 8PM, Theo messages me and told me dinner is ready. I told him that I'm tired and will sleep early, gladly he didn't ask much questions and let me be. I'm sure mom will be glad that I won't eat with them. I'll just ruin their mother and son moments. 

After finishing my 5th assignment by 9PM, I decided to take a shower and get changed. I waited for the clock to strike 10PM before I decided to go down to the kitchen. 

"Ate, what was for dinner?" I asked one of the maids, they look so confused  and were looking at each other. 

"Ahm... ano po yung pagkain ng hapunan?" I asked again, this time they finally get it. 

"Cordon Bleu po ma'am, kaso kinain na po namin yung tira at ang sabi po ni madame ay ipakain na sa mga aso ang natira." One answered and I slowly nod. 

"Gusto niyo po ma'am ipagluto ko po ulit kayo?" She ask and I immediately shake my head. 

"No no, it's fine, I'll just cook for myself." I said and they nod. I walk towards out walk in pantry and grab 2 pack of Korean noodles that tito Thiago got for me. I started boiling water and while waiting for it to boil, I grab some sausages from the ref to put it in my noodles. When the water starts boiling, I put the noodles in it and soon are the seasoning, together with egg and sausages. 

I also air fried some hash brown to pair with my noodles. Once the noodles are cooked, I transferred it to a big bowl and wait for the hash brown. I grab an energy drink from the fridge and put it in the tray. When the hash browns are cooked, I put them in a plate and put that plate in the tray. I put the tray in a cart and push it to the elevator and press the 2nd floor where my room is at. 

While eating, I watch some movies in Netflix. It took me 2 episodes of the series I'm watching before I finished my food. And instead of sleeping, I started painting by the terrace of my room. Under the stars and feeling the cold breeze. 

I finished painting by 4AM, I'm not in the mood to sleep yet so I grab a book and starts reading until sunrise. The moment I feel sleepy is by 7AM, I closed the curtains in my room and drift to dreamland.  I woke up around 6PM, Theo is banging my door which forced me to get up. I was half asleep when I opened the door. 

"Ate, I baked cupcakes." he said smiling making me smile as well, I grab the tray from last night and went out my bedroom and bring it downstairs, when I arrived at the kitchen, tito Thiago is already here. He was at Manila for the past two or three days. I didn't really care. 

"Hey, Theo said you've been asleep the whole day. I bought you some Thai foods incase you want to try." He said once he saw me coming, I forced a smile at him, "Thank you po." I said before handing the tray to the maids. 

Theo gave me a cupcake that I immediately tasted, it's not the best, it lacks of sugar and it's a bit overcooked. But I still complimented it because it does taste nice, a bit. 

"I'll be out for dinner, tito. Pupunta ako sa kaibigan ko sa plaza, may I borrow your motorcycle?" I asked tito Thiago. 

He look at me and nod, "Sure, do you need money? You can treat your friend for dinner." he said and I slowly nod. 

"If that's okay for you po." I politely said, I may don't like mom and her attitude, but there's no reason for me to be mad at tito Thiago. Aside from he's a good father to Theo and me, he's really a nice person. 

"Is that enough?" He ask as he hand me five 1000 peso bill. 

I nod, "It is po, salamat." I said and he smiled, he handed me the keys of his motorcycle and I once again said thank you. I grab another cupcake of Theo because I know he'll be happy if he sees me liking it. After I drink a glass of water, I immediately went upstairs and took a shower before changing clothes. I prepare a small backpack that contains my phone, wallet, a towel and a book before going downstairs. 

I hear tito Thiago and Mom talking by the kitchen but I brushed it off and went to the garage, I ride tito Thiago's motorcycle and leave the house. 

When I arrived at the plaza, the band is still playing, and I can see Ali in front. She stands out the most. I can tell she's tired but she still dance gracefully. She looks like she never run out of energy. 

I bought a footlong hotdog sandwich and some drinks for her. I waited for few minutes before I heard their trainer told them to take a break. Even though I'm shy, I walk towards one of their trainers. 

"Excuse me po, can you give this to Ali? I'm her friend, Lory po, pakisabi nalang po sa kaniya pinapabigay ko." I said, the trainer smile at me and nod. 

Agad akong nagtatakbo paalis at sumakay sa motor. I'm watching the trainer walk towards Ali who's seating down on a bench. When the trainer hand it to her, she started looking around and she immediately saw me. She waved at me and I waved back before driving away. 

I went to a restaurant near a beach. I ordered myself fries, milktea and burger for my dinner while I read the book I brought. I spend my night there since it's open 24 hours.

Once I finished eating and finished the chapter 30 of the book I'm reading, I decided to get home.

When I got home, I'm surprised to see tito Thiago and his friends drinking by the pool side. I shyly smiled at them before running inside the house. 

I saw Theo and the kids of tito Thiago's friends playing inside the house. I smiled and Theo and didn't bother to disturb their playtime and just went up to my room. I changed into pajamas and just like last night, stay up until sunrise. I spend my whole Sunday in my room, sleeping and doing random things. By dinner, tito Thiago called me to eat with them so I did. And that night, I was able to sleep on time because the next day is Monday. 

Days pass so quickly and I'm just there existing, doing what should be done and letting the time and days pass. Laura pass the tryouts of chess. While I... I didn't even listed myself on volleyball. I probably just got a bit excited when Laura said she'll be joining chess, but the truth is I don't really have the passion on any sport. Maybe I just playing it but not making it a sport and something for me to improve. I don't have any passion or hobbies at all. I'm just existing in life. 

The day of intramurals came, there were a parade we need to be there so we did. Under the burning sun, we're walking on the streets. After the parade, we stayed in the classroom. Some of our classmates started leaving the classroom. Jax and Tobi decided to get home. I told them my cousin will pick me up, but the truth is, I didn't really called or texted anyone from the house. I'm left alone in our classroom, reading or just playing some music. Until I didn't realized I fell asleep. 

It's 4PM when I woke up, I saw in our groupchat that Laura won 2nd place and someone else won the 1st place. I congratulated her before I grab my bag and decided to leave the classroom. The sky is a bit dark but there's no tricycle by the exit of the school. I also didn't bother calling kuya Therence to pick me up so I started walking. 

But when I was in front of a construction site, rain started pouring so hard that I had to run towards this small house-like thingy made out of plywoods. 

"Ano ba 'yan, such a bad timing." I said while hugging my bag, there's a book inside of it, kapag talaga nabasa yun, magwawala ako! 

"Miss, gusto mo sumilong ka muna sa loob?" Napalingon ako sa aking likuran nang may isang lalaki, maybe someone near my age too came out from the door. 

I examine him from head to toe before shaking my head and looking back in front. 

"Mababasa kayo diyan miss, tsaka babaha na diyan mamaya, sayang yung sapatos niyo." ani niya at napabuntong hininga ako bago muli siyang nilingon at napatingin sa aking pahan. Gosh, it is indeed starting to get muddy. 

I look back at him and he's looking at me with a slight smile on his face. 

I sigh and nod, "Okay," I said and his smiled widened, I walk towards the door and he immediately gave me a chair made out of woods. 

I'm near the door cause incase this guy do something suspicious, I will immediately run out of this small hut. 

"Miss kape po, mukhang nilalamig kayo." I look at him and he's already holding a mug with hot coffee inside. Gosh, pati panginginig ko napapansin na niya. 

I look at the coffee first then at him, he chuckled, "Don't worry miss, walang lason 'yan. Para lang mabawasan ang pagkalamig mo." He said and I slowly nod before reaching for the mug. 

I don't like coffee, but he has a point. I took a sip of it and for some reason... it didn't tasted bitter. It's sweet but still strong but not too strong.

Gosh, why am I liking this? And why am I even trusting this stranger who's sitting meters away from me but looking at me. He's weird but looks harmless.