I burst out laughing as Ali screamed that. I throw my head back while she just look at me with surprised expression. 

"Seryoso, natatakot ako sa inyo ni Laura. Parehas kayong walang takot sa presyo ng mga gamit na binibili niyo." She said and I chuckled before fixing my hair that got a bit messed up when I laughed. 

"That's true." I proudly said and her jaw dropped. 

"Kainis kayo!" She exclaimed before slightly hitting my arm. 

"So is it a yes or no?" I asked and she pouted, "Oo na, gusto ko siyempre, saan ako makakabili ng mga designers bags, shoes and clothes na halagang 20 to 100 pesos 'no! Pero yung schedule ko..." She said with a pout. 

My brows furrowed, "Oh... ahh... yes, malapit na nga pala ang fiesta. I'm sure lagi kang busy..." I said and she nods. 

"Sobra, as in... wala nang pahinga." She said and I nod once again thinking of a way. 

"Kahit after class?" I asked and she nods, "Sissy sabi nga ng trainer namin kailangan nanaman namin mag practice na buong araw. Hindi nanaman ako makakapasok." she said in a sad voice and I just sat there, nodding and thinking when she can come to our house. 

"Edi ganito nalang... pumunta ka anytime, ikaw na ang pauunahan kong mamili." I said and she look at me with confused expression. 

"Wow ha, VIP ang dating, ganon?" She joked and I giggled before nodding. 

"Of course, you're my bestie." I said in a high pitched voice acting like those actress in dramas which made the both of us burst out laughing. 

After class I straight to the house, to my surprise, mom, tito Thiago and Theo are home. 

"Ate!!" Theo shouted while running towards me. He immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and I caress his head before looking at the living room where mom is unpacking their stuffs from the luggage and more boxes. 

"You're back..." I said in a monotone while looking at mom who's not even glancing at me. 

"Well yes, obviously." She replied, sounding like she doesn't want me around. 

"Ate, mom and dad bought a lot of clothes for me and you, you received yours naman na diba?" Theo ask as he pull away from the hug. I look at him and nod, forcing a smile on my face. 

"I received them na, they're already in my closet." I replied and he nods before running towards mom's direction to unpack his things too. 

"I'll just be at my room." I said and didn't wait for mom's response. Before going upstairs, I went to the kitchen first, there I saw boxes of chocolates, on the counters, the kitchen islands and even the high chairs. It looks like we are going to open our own chocolate store. 

I grab a bar of Cadbury chocolate and a bucket of KitKat balls before heading upstairs. Not sparing a glance at mom's and Theo's direction. Once I'm inside my room, I make sure to locked the door so that no one can enter it without asking, to make sure that mom won't just barge inside. 

I place down my bag on my study table and pull out my notebooks to start on my assignments. While working on my math homework that Inin taught me already, I would take pieces of the KitKat balls. I was able to finish them in 30 minutes, but I still checked them that took 10 more minutes. 

I then start working on our English subject, it's just an essay writing so I started typing on my laptop while eating the bar of Cadbury. When I finished my essay, the bar is already finished in half. It's just 6:30 in the evening. I decided to read some lectures in Science since I can't think of anything to do right now. I finished a topic by 7:25. No one have called me  by the intercom yet so I guess dinner is not yet ready. I put my things back in my bag before heading to my bed, the bucket of KitKat chocolates in my hand. 

I tried calling Ali, but she didn't pick up and I supposed that they are still in their routine. So I let some few minutes pass, watching some random videos in the internet to spend my time. Once few minutes pass, I tried calling her again and now she already picked up. 

[Hey, what's up? Sorry we were in the routine kanina.] she ask as she answered the call. 

"It's fine, nothing important naman." I said and I hear her hum from the other line. 

[It's something important, I know it is. Go on, tell me, I have time.] She said from the other line that sounds like she's sure something is wrong. But there's really nothing wrong. 

"Well... they are back, mom, Theo and tito Thiago. They... wala naman, ang dami pa rin nilang dala. More boxes, more clothes, shoes and bags, and tons of chocolates." I said while playing with my bed sheet. 

[Oh... chocolates... pahingi hehe.] She said which made me chuckle. 

"Of course, bibigyan ko kayo. But I want to give you more, so kapag pumunta ka dito, bibigyan pa kita." I said and I hear her giggle from the other line. 

[Yeah, sabi mo naman marami eh, matagal 'yan mauubos.] She said and I shake my head. 

"Di mo sure, since marami, baka kumuha lang sila nang kumuha. Mabilis din kami maubusan. Tito Thiago and mom have their own friends to give some." I replied, 

[Oh... okay edi kung ano nalnag matira diyan.] She said and I once again shake my head. 

"Mamayang gabi, ipagkukuha ko na kayo. Ipagtatabi ko na kayo para hindi kayo maubusan. What do you want ba? Name the brand, I'm sure meron nun sa baba." I said and I hear her chuckle from the other line. 

[Wow ha... sige ano... simple lang naman ako, Ferrero, KitKat, Cadbury, Hershey's... yun lang hehe.] She said from the other line, she even sounded shy. 

[Pero huy... kahit huwag na marami, nakakahiya naman, baka isipin nila na hingi ako nang hingi sayo.] She added and I immediately shake my head. 

"You don't get them for free naman, you do lots of things for me nga eh." I said and I didn't her answer for few seconds, probably confused because of what I said. 

[Huh? Gaya ng?] She confusedly ask just like what I expect. 

"You kept me alive, you're always there for me when I have problems and you're always ready to listen to my rants, that's a very big thing kaya." I said and I hear her giggle. 

[Oo nga 'no, hehehe, pero kahit na, kung ano nalang trip mo ibigay.] she said and I nod. I heard the loud whistle from their trainer again so I guess she have to go. 

"You should go na, tawag na kayo, ingat ka diyan, bye bye!" I said and she hum. 

[Oo nga eh, bye bye! Eat your dinner! Take care!] She said before ending the call. 

Once the call is done, I place down my phone and sigh. I lay down  on my bed and stare at the ceiling, waiting to be called for dinner. Few minutes later, around 8:16, they called me to go down so I stand up, went out my room and head downstairs to eat. 

Since mom and tito Thiago are back, my three tita and kuya Therence went back to their houses. The house once again feel... silence. My three tita, the triplets, are such mood makers in the house. The three of them are adults but I would catch them joking around like bunch to teenagers which sometimes would bring a smile on my lips. 

Dinner once again feels empty. My three tita would always have something to talk about during dinner. But now... it's only the utensils once again making noises. Even Theo have nothing to say which just really make things so... null. 

After dinner, the four of us have our own things to do. Mom and tito Thiago went to their bedroom, same goes with Theo. But before Theo go, he ask me if I want to help him with his new things, as much as I want to say yes because he is my brother, the dullness of the house is affecting me and making me want to do nothing so I said no. 

Before heading upstairs, I took a slice of the ice cream cake in the fridge and bring it to my room. Once I am at my room, I put the cake inside my fridge first so I can take a shower without it melting. I change into pair of pajamas, put on my night creams before getting my cake out of the fridge and watching a movie. I'll try to be asleep by 10 or 11PM tonight and not stay up until midnight. 

I'm peacefully watching when someone knocked on my door. My brows furrowed before placing down the plate that contains my cake on the sofa and walking towards the door to open it and see who it is. And to my surprise... it's mom.

"Do you need anything?" I ask, she didn't answered me and instead just continue walking inside. 

"Just making sure you're not doing anything stupid inside your room." She said while looking around. I closed the door and sigh, I just stand there, leaning on the door watching mom look around. 

"What's with these boxes? Your old bags? Ask the maids to bring them downstairs to throw them." She said as she spot the boxes that have my old shoes, bags and clothes. 

"I'll give those to my friends." I answered and she look at me confusedly. 

"Your old once? No, just buy them new once. Nakakahiya Lory, sabihin nila mga luma ang ipinamimigay mo at wala ka nang pambili ng mga bagong gamit." She said and my lips parted a bit.

"No, they're the one who told me to just give those to them. They even suggested me to sell them--"

"Don't, nakakahiya, sabihin kinukulang kana sa pera kaya ibinibenta mo na ang mga gamit mo." Mom cut me off, I sigh and crossed my arms in front of my chest. 

"That's why I'll just give it to them." I answered and she nods before continue looking around. 

"Sam ask for your number, did you two went on a date?" She ask, I sigh and nod, "Yes, we did." I replied and she nods. 

"Good, how was it?" she ask and I shrug. 

"I don't know, it went well I guess, we talked, get to know each other more." I replied and she hums before facing my direction. 

"See, if you're just doing what I say, everything is going smooth." She said while walking towards me. I just out on a neutral face, showing no emotions. 

"Now," She stopped in front of me, "Do you want something?" She ask and a bitter chuckled escaped my lips. 

"A motorcycle." I replied and she squinted her eyes, "You don't have your license yet, baka mahuli ka. Baka ma-aksidente ka rin." She said and I shake my head. 

"I'll be fine, I know how to be careful." I said and she nods, "Tell me when you are going to get one so I can lend you my card." she said and I nod, I step aside as she held on the door knob. She was about to leave when she look back at me. 

"Just... be a good daughter and don't embarrass me and we're good." She said before leaving and closing the door. 

I stand there with a bitter smile on my lips, "Of course... I know how you work, mom." I said before locking y door and walking back towards the sofa and continue eating my cake and watching the movie. 

Almost 10PM when the movie ended. I stopped myself to click on the next movie. I turned off the TV and went downstairs to put back the plate and also grab chocolates. I grab Kisses, Toblerone, MnM's Cadbury, Hershey's, Snickers and Twix. 

Once I got all those, I went upstairs first. These will be the one's I'll put into 5 bags for each of my friends. I head back down to get the ones that Ali requested. 

I get her the container that contains 48 pieces of Ferrero Rocher, a whole box of KitKats and a bucket of the KitKat balls. A bar of Cadbury bubbly, 3 bars milk chocolates with nuts and one with cookies and cream filling. And for the Hershey's, one pack of milk chocolates and 1 pack of cookies and cream. After getting all those, I went upstairs and start packing them. 

One bag for Laura, for Ali, Gwen, Jax and Tobi that contains the same number of chocolates. And the ones Ali requested. I put them in a box, putting some decorations. I know Ali likes receiving gifts or surprises. But sadly, she barely get ones. So I made the box looks like someone who's courting her is the one who gave it to her. 

11:01, I finished packing so just like what I said to myself, I went asleep to have at least good amount of sleep. 

The next weeks, Ali is always at her band practice, we barely see her and I barely talk to her. I'm always with our friend group but I most of the time feel off. I always feel like no one cares and I feel like my friends acts like I'm just an air and don't see me. But I still go with them during recess because I have no one to go with. 

When February 1 came, after class I saw mom at the house, she's reading a book in the living room so I guess she's not busy and maybe in a good mood. 

"Mom, I'd like to get a motorcycle for myself now." I said as I stand beside her. She glance up at me then reach for her phone before pulling out a black card from it's case. 

"You need someone to accompany you? Just not your little brother." She ask and I shake my head. 

"No, I'll be fine." I said before heading upstairs, I change into a jeans shorts and a hoodie before heading down with a small bag that contains my wallet where mom's card is, my phone and a towel. 

I just ask our driver to send me to the store of motorcycles close to our town market where I spotted a good one. I told the driver to leave and I'll just be home by myself. 

"Good afternoon po ma'am, what can we help you po?" The staff asked once I entered their store. 

"I'd like to buy the Yamaha NMAX ver 2.1, the one in grey color." I said and the staff looked at me. 

"Ma'am are you sure about that ma'am its a it pricey--"

"Yes, I'll get it right now, full payment, card." I cut him off, he looked surprised before chuckling. 

"Ma'am, the NMAX cost around 140,000 pesos, pwede niyo naman po siyang hulog-hulugan nalang---"

"Didn't you hear me? I said I'll buy it, right now. Full payment, using a card." I said as I showed him the black card of mom. 

His eyes widened, "Pre, anak 'yan ni Thiago Valdez." His co-workers said which caught his attention, he then look at me once again. 

"Ah, yes yes ma'am, we will just process the papers and we can proceed on payment na po. I am very sorry ma'am." he said before rushing towards his co-workers, I look around for a helmet. 

When I spot two grey ones, I pointed at it, "I'll also have those two helmets." I said and another staff came rushing towards the helmets I pointed. 

"Yes ma'am," he said as he get the helmets. 

"Ma'am just sign here po and we can proceed so payment na." The guy who I was talking awhile ago said, I walk towards his direction and signed the papers, I swipe the card to pay, when the transaction is success. They gave me the key and the NMAX who is displayed inside is transferred outside. They also handed me the two helmets I bought.

"Thank you so much for your purchase ma'am." That guy said, I glared at him and look at him from head to toe. 

"Next time have a better customer service." I said before turning on the motor and driving off. 

Because of what happened, my mood got ruined. I decided to drive through LCC Supermarket and bought a tub of ice cream, Oreos, cookies, softdrinks, and chips. I paid them with mom's card since I know she won't care and as if she will loose a lot of money just because of these. After paying for the groceries, some staffs of the grocery helped me to bring the bag of foods in my motorcycle. Probably because they saw the Valdez in the card I used. 

Since LCC is close to Inin's hut, they didn't move out, hindi pa pala tapos sila tito doon, I was able to get there within just 3 minutes. 

"Inin si Lory andito!" Tito shouted from the construction site. I'm just getting off the motor and a bit struggling since the other helmet is also at my hand when suddenly a hand helped me. 

"Dami mong dala," Inin said with a smile on his face. A smile crept on my lips as I hand him the groceries and we went inside. 

"Dalawa ba ang ulo mo at dalawa ang helmet mo? Tsaka bago yung motor ah." He said as he place down the grocery bag. 

"It's new, it's mine." I said as I pull out the ice cream tub, "Go get us mugs." I said and he nods before walking away to get us the mugs and spoons. 

"Wews, ganda." he said and I just smiled. 

"The other helmet is for you pala." I said and he look at me confusedly. 

"Bakit mo ako binilhan ng helmet? Habang naglalakad ako naka-helmet ako para incase na mabangga ako ay safe ang ulo ko?" He joked which made the both of us burst out laughing. 

"Sira, so when you're with me you have your own helmet and we're safe!" I said and he slowly nod. 

"Kain ka nalang, naiinis ako doon sa staff sa binilhan ko ng motor. Pinagkamalan ba naman ako na walang pambili ng NMAX! Bilhin ko buong store nila eh!" I exclaimed as I take a spoonful of ice cream. 

"Oh kalma lang, kalma! Tatanda ka ng maaga niyan--"

"Maaga akong mamatay..." I cut him off, I'm paying attention on my food and didn't hear him respond which made me look up at him. And to my surprise, he looks serious. 

"Oh, galit ka?" I ask and he shake his head. 

"Hindi, bakit ako magagalit?" he ask before looking down on his food. 

A chuckle escaped my lips, "Sus, huwag ka nang magalit--"

"Hindi nga ako galit, kawasa ka, nagbibiro ka ng ganun. Hindi nakakatawang biro yun, Lory." He snapped which made my eyes widened. 

"Sorry na, gosh, sineseryoso mo masyado." I said and he stick out his tongue at me like  akin which made me chuckle. 

"Ipaggagawa pa kita ng bahay kapag engineer na ako. Ako ang kukunin mo na engineer ng bahay mo ha!" He said and I giggle before nodding, "Yes yes, I will." I said and he smiled before continue eating his ice cream.