21- The Day I Made My Mask

"Did you ever hide a real feeling or emotion? When? Why?"

            When I was in first year high school, I went through a phase in which I thought everyone was against me. Specially my relatives on my father's side. And yes, I meant all of my first relatives there.

            It really begun way before then. I have had this feeling of rebellion ever since they scolded and blamed me as child for something I didn't do. Some things happened and that feeling grew. It just so happens that my hormones ran out of control during my first year in high school. Add to it a feeling of angst towards your own relative and you have a rebellious teenager.

            I wasn't the type of rebel that had addictions and bad vices. The only thing wrong with me was that I refused to go to my relative's house willingly. Each time my parents would say that we would go visit them, I would make up an excuse not to go with my parents. At first they were agreeable to it since my excuses were all academic related. But later on, they noticed that I was avoiding visiting my relatives. I guess denying to go there for two years will really do that.

            At some point, they didn't buy my excuse and forced me to go with them. I agreed to go there since my dad asked me, and I didn't want a sulking daddy in the house. That was my job! Anyway, as to not alert my parents in what I was going through, I pretended to bond and like my relatives, but the truth was  I was wanted to shout at them and freaking slam the doors at their faces. But I held it in me for my dad.

            It got over board one night. During a late night holiday, me and my cousins were singing and I over heard my relatives saying that I was forcing my parents into letting me go to a private school. How dare they accuse me of forcing my parents! I didn't even have a say in which school I was going to! After this comment many more negative comments followed about me. Angry and hurt, I went to my room and cried silently. A little while later, I heard my dad knock on my door and I call me out for dinner. I hesitantly got up and cleaned my face. I decided to test my acting skills and pretend to be alright even though I was so angry and hurt. I went to dinner and laughed, talked and ate like everything was alright. I pretended every time I went there for almost three years. I learned how to forgive eventually, and to just let it go and prove them wrong. But that's another story entirely now, isn't it ;)

20- "As I Opened my Eyes, As I Feel It on My Shoulders"

"Write about a disappointment. "

            Traditionally, each Christmas, the Irineo Clan would have a reunion party. Most, if not all, members of the clan would be there and have fun, just bonding with each other. I have never missed this reunion before and I always look forward to it. The games we would have would have been enjoyable and the money we would get as prizes were a lot. It was just this past Christmas that I wasn't able to go to the reunion. My cousins asked me why, my answer was that because I was a responsible person.

            I must admit, I wasn't responsible before high school. I was a naughty kid. Heck, I would steal and hide the keys, then secretly go out of the house every afternoon. My parents would worry about me and then scold me. It may even seem that I was the bane of their lives back then. I tamed a bit when we moved from Laguna to Batangas but I was still such a playful kid. It wasn't till I was in sixth grade that I had my eyes opened to my responsibilities.

            During that Christmas, my Dad got me a book as a gift. It was Breaking Dawn of the Twilight series. I was already into reading back then, but that book is what got my eyes opened in the responsibilities of the parents. It was enthralling how Bella was ready to sacrifice her own life just so her baby could be born. It captivated me how Edward saved both his wife and daughter in the end. What got me the most was how the whole Cullen coven was ready to die just for their youngest to survive.

           
            That year was also the year my mom gave birth to my youngest sister. When I first saw her, I immediately fell for the small infant my mother held. The feeling of protectiveness and love flowed within my heart and filled my being. Yes, I had another sister older than the youngest, but when she was born, the second, I was still a kid, too young to understand how to be the older sister. And so, when I had another baby sister during the time my mind was capable of understanding things beyond my age, because of reading, I knew right away that it was time for me to grow up. I had to be the eldest sister my sisters could look up to.

           
            Just, after realizing my role as the eldest sister, I was then tossed into another role. In a blink of an eye, I became the Class president during my second year high school. I never had any official role before then. That role in class was my first. Suddenly, I was stumped with class paper works, duties and organizing. I felt the trust and confidence my teachers and classmates had in me. My parents added to the pressure for I also felt their pride in me back then. I learnt my role as a student and daughter at the same time. I was afraid of letting them all down. I learned to how to fear the feeling of disappointment in me.

           

            But my eyes became fully opened just this year, when I stepped in college. As I have said, I already fear disappointment in me, but I felt it more here. It was because I knew how much my parents are paying just so I could study here. Each month, they have to pay almost 20, 000 pesos just for my tuition and dorm. Add to it money for my food and school supplies and other essentials. Then I also know how much they were paying for both my sisters' tuition fees. Then there would be the rental of the house, the electric and water bills. I knew how much they are sacrificing for us. Then add to it the expectations of all my relatives and since they helped me in my studies, they're the ones who gave me my laptop, pen tablet and camera, I knew I couldn't disappoint them. All of them.

           
            I had a lot on my shoulders. I am the eldest sister. The first of both the Irineo and Velasquez clan of this generation to step into college. The first one of both clans to step into the multimedia business. The First daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece, nephew. I was a role model to be followed, the hope of my family, the future of both has a lot to do with me. I was expected to be all these things. And that was why I had my mind set on the future. I am now cautious of what I do. Each responsibility thrown at me, I take seriously.

           
            It just so happened, I had a responsibility of finishing a video for my mom's reunion with her college friends that Christmas and that was why I wasn't able to attend the clan's reunion. I was down that I wasn't able to go, but I was able to finish my responsibility. My mom wasn't disappointed. I guess because of this fear and because of my eyes being opened in the tender age of 12, I now don't care for my own enjoyment.

           
            You might think that I would advise you to follow my lead, but no. I want those reading this to do the one thing I wasn't able to. I feared disappointment. I took in my responsibilities to a dangerous level. Because of this, I don't care about my social life anymore. What I want to leave you with is another kind of fear. The fear of fearing. Enjoy life, don't be like me who regret not going to the party I was looking forward to all year long. Learn to balance your life. Never fear making mistakes, learn from it. Don't put a barrier around you just because of your responsibilities. Because let me tell you this, my life though may seem nice, with good grades and proud parents, is really a hard life to live constantly.

19- My Own Pair of Medicine

What was it like to get glasses or braces?

                Those that know me also know that I wear glasses. In truth, the first time I wore them I was in first year high school. At first I was excited in getting them. But then, as time wore on, I realized how tedious it was to have them.

                When I got it, I wore my glasses the whole of the first week. But then, it started feeling weird and the comments of how new I look with it was getting to me. and so, I begun wearing it only during the time of my reading in class, where I had to see the black board. But then my mom would scold me saying I had to wear them all the time since it could right my eye sight. There would be times I would forget it at home and just lay it anywhere, not caring at all. I still read books without it. At one point, it became lost.

                Then one day, my head started aching so bad. The pain was just behind the ear. When it he pain got unbearable, I called mom and told her of my predicament. She scolded me and told me that it was because of my eyes. Since I read without their protection, my eye sight became worst.

                We went back to the eye center and had my eyes checked again for new glasses. I found out my eye grade became 100 each, a lot higher compared to my 72 before. I learned my lesson then. I had to wear my glasses to avoid a big headache.

18- Careless

"A Thoughtless Act"

         I mentioned a story on my post 17, right? Well, basically, I wanted to share this story with you. It is kind of personal. It didn't happen to me, I know but the thing is, this story was written in such a way, thoughtless. It was made as my fingers typed and i had no planning of it. Amazingly, it came out pretty good.

Here is the story:

Careless

By: Vanessa Irineo

How could everything be this complicated in just a short time? Everything was normal before this, but now it’s all messed up! Yes it was complicated since the beginning, what with me being one of the richest kid and most popular male in school and her being the nerdy, quiet type, and not to mention our secret friendship. But for it to lead into this mess? Come on! All I wanted was to be with her!

 I sat there pretending to listen to my girlfriend as she suddenly walked in. Her raven locks swaying to the breeze that came, her eyes twinkling with delight as they met mine, and her cherry lips turn up a little to secretly smile at me. I nodded towards her, knowing that she would know it as a greeting.

“So what do say, James?” I heard my girlfriend asked.

“Huh?” I said turning towards her, dumbfounded.

“I said, if you wanted to go to my house tonight? No one’s going to be there.”

“Sorry, Marlene, I promised sweetheart to drive her home today.” I smiled. I tried to make it apologetic but I knew I didn’t look sorry. But she took it anyways. What a stupid girl. I wonder why I even bother to go out with her in the first place.

“Who is this sweetheart anyways? And is she more important to you than me?” she pouted-an ugly pout at that. I almost rolled my eyes.

‘Yeah she is. She’s my best friend since I was in my mom’s womb!’ I thought. “You know I can’t tell you that. And don’t dare make me choose.” ‘cause it won’t be you.’ I added in my head.

The day went by in a bore. And now I was driving towards our secret lavender field. We found it when we were just six. It was only a garden then but she insisted that we plant more lavender flowers in it and so, it grew the area of the capacity of the place and it became a field. Lavender was her favourite flower and colour and I got to admit, it suits her skin tone and scent.

I reached the field and got out of the car and walked towards her. She was lying in the middle of the field, looking up at the sky. I sat by her right side and looked up too. “What are you thinking?” I asked.

“Us.” She answered simply.

“What about us?”

“Our friendship.”

“What about our friendship?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I know.” I sighed.

“Sometimes I wish we don’t have to hide it.” She closed her eyes.

“Just a little more and we’ll be able to graduate and shout it to the world.”

“Graduation is still in four months, Terrence.” She complained.

“It’ll come by and go, Katelin.” I assured, though I was also tired of waiting.

“But it won’t be the same as us being friends in public in high school when we’re in collage, Terce.” She sat up and looked me in the eyes. I could tell that she was crying before I came for her eyes were puffy. And I knew she’s going to break down soon.

“Oh Lin.” I hugged her and she cried in my chest. “Shh, we’ll work this out. Maybe we can ask aunty to let us tell the others at least our other friends.” I comforted.

“You think she’ll say yes?” she looked at me with hopeful, puffy eyes and my breath got caught in my throat. They were so beautiful and tantalizing that I got lost in them. Then my own eyes lingered to her lips. They were so inviting and looked so soft.

“What would you do if I kiss you right now?” I found myself asking my best friend.

And apparently I wasn’t the only one dazed for her answer gave me reason to do as I liked.

“Kiss you back.” And I took her lips.

It was gentle at first. I savoured her soft, sweet lips and she kissed my own. I then found myself wanting more of it, and it soon became heated and more passionate.

When we parted later on, it was like cold water was thrown onto me.  And I realised what I just did.

I made out with my childhood best friend, and I liked it.

The next day was a total torture. Of course it was awkward and all. Try to make out with your friend and have a girlfriend at the same time. Yup, totally awkward. But I hate ignoring Lin. And I despise it when she ignores me too. I had to talk to her. I can’t bear another day not talking with my best friend.

So by the end of the day, I asked her to meet me at the field and she agreed.

When I came there, she was already waiting for me.

“So, you were here already when I messaged you or you came with a fast flying jet pack?” I tried to ease out our awkwardness and it worked. She giggled.

“No. I got Jack to drive me.” She smiled slyly and rolled her eyes, so I knew she was joking.

And the awkward silence began again.

I sat down beside her and we looked at different directions. How the hell should I start this? Come on idiot. Think.

“About yesterday, Lin, I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

“I know. What with you having a girlfriend and all, I know it’s wrong. So…how about we just call it a friendly kiss? A one time deal?” she smiled but I know when she was hurt.

Friendly? That kiss was heated, damn it. And thinking of not being able to kiss those lips of hers again, it breaks my heart. “Friendly? Sweetheart, that was anything but friendly.”

“Ok, we both lost control. It won’t happen again.” She said sadly. But, why?

“I can’t promise that.” I said before I could even think about it.

“Wha-what?!” she asked wide eyed.

I sighed, no turning back now. “Come on Lin. Don’t you think it’s time we got over the kisses on cheek? I mean we’ve been doing that since we were babies. And also we did kiss on the lips when we were younger. Why not now? It is still considered kisses of friends.” I reasoned “Besides, compared to you, Marlene has fish lips.” I added with a smirk.

“Really now? Then why go out with her?” She asked, amused.

“Don’t know. Just feel like it. And maybe I want to get rid of the fan mails and letters I get everyday saying they want to be my girlfriend. Worst, some are guys!” I shivered at the thought. It was true. I did get those letters. And believe me when I say what it contains were freaky.

She laughed at my comment. And it felt like years since I heard her melodic laugh.

The next day, the day of the prom was announced. Yup. Two months after today. Gives plenty of time for the girls to do every essential thing and guys to have courage to ask the girls. But I won’t be joining this year. See, it’s either you join prom or join the spring trip for a week. I already joined the other proms with Marlene and now I want to join the trip with Lin.

But it was lunch when all started to be confusing.

I was sitting by my usual table with my girlfriend and her friends, when I heard Mark, a jock, say something to Lin that made my blood boil.

“Come on, Kate; go to the dance with me.”  He persuaded my irritated friend.

How dare this guy ask her out?! She’s mine!

Wait. Mine? No! She’s not mine, she isn’t even my girlfriend. But the thought of this broke my heart. Why?

Why am I jealous? Why the hell did I ask to have those kisses of friends on the lips? Why am I feeling this way towards her? What am I feeling? Why only now, when high school’s about to end?

“I said no Mark. I won’t go. Besides, you know I go to the trip every year and I won’t miss it this year. So, bug OUT!”  She shouted at him, irritated. And I smirked. The bastard deserved it.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. Lin wouldn’t get out of my head. So, I decided to check my mail and found her online.

DarkAngel: Hey Terce! ‘Sup?

DarkWarrior: Nothing much. You?

Dark Angel: Same. I couldn’t sleep.

DarkWarrior: Are you some kind of twin of mine or are we just so close that we couldn’t sleep at the same time?

DarkAngel: Pick, anyone sounds good to me. So, why can’t you sleep?

DarkWarrior: How’ll you know if you’re in love with someone?

DarkAngel: Well, if you’re always happy with that person. You’ll feel free with him or her. You’ll be jealous if someone else with her or him and you won’t be able to sleep at times because of her or him.

Now that I knew it, I am sure damned. I’m in love with my best friend.

Oh yea, being best friends for your entire life is one thing. Hiding it is another…

But falling in love?

The story is just beginning…

It’s been a week, and I pretended to be alright even though, I wasn’t. Com on, Have another girl with you when you’re in love with another and see that one be asked to a date. Yup, a monster named jealousy will eat you up.

“Why did you call me?” I asked my father irritated.  Lin was in my bed room and I really want to be with her.

“I just needed you to sign some papers.” He pushed a document towards me. That was all? Come on! I could be having a good time with the one I love! So, even without reading it, nor hearing my dad’s explanation about it, I signed it, and left without a word.

“What was that about?” Lin asked as I lay down beside her on my bed. She snuggled in my arms and I sighed.

“He just wanted me to sign some damned papers.” I laid my head in hers and inhaled her scent. Gods, she smelled heavenly.

“You didn’t listen before signing it, didn’t you?” she asked sternly and I flinched.

“Well...” I said slyly. I knew there was a lecture coming.

“You idiot! How could you do that? Don’t you know that was carelessness? Well, what should I expect of you? You are careless. Now, you don’t know what you might have gotten into!” she scolded.

I didn’t know then that she was so totally right about not knowing what I got myself into.

“I’m WHAT?!”

“You’re engaged to Marlene. That was what you signed this morning. It states that you two are to be wed in exchange for her father’s cooperation in our company.” My father said over at dinner “Why are you exaggerating anyway? She is your girlfriend.”

“Because I don’t love her anymore, damn it! Dad why didn’t you tell me before I signed those damned papers?” I exclaimed. This can’t be happening.

“I’m sorry, Terrence, but you didn’t give me time to explain. I can’t go back on my word either. I signed those papers too. But if it has loop holes, I’ll tell you about it immediately.” Dad apologized.

“I want a copy of that document dad, then I’ll hire a detective to check on Marlene’s dad’s history or something.” I said stoically. How could I not be stoic, when I’m now tied with an engagement to a girl I don’t love and not having the chance to admit my feelings to the one I love? Yes, things got way too complicated.

“You’re engaged.” Lin said to me hurtfully. We are in the field two days later and everything was a disaster. “Why…”

“No, Lin. I am engaged but I don’t want to be, not with her anyway.” I tried to explain it to her.

“Then why are you?” tears started to go down he cheeks as she said those words.

“Because I was careless! It was a mistake!”

“How can it be a mistake? She is your girlfriend!”

“Because I don’t love her any more!”

“You’re lying!”

“No I’m not!”

“Then who do you love?!”

“You!” before I could even think about it, I had confessed my love for her. And this wasn’t the confession I wanted to do.

“Wha-What?” her eyes widened as her tears stopped temporarily.

NO turning back now I guess. Better to get it out now that it slipped anyway. “Yes. I love you Katelin. Not Marlene or any other girl out there. You. I love you. “

“But… You… Engaged….” She stammered and I sighed.

“Yes. But I was a stupid, careless, idiotic, dumb ass. I should have listened to father first before signing. Gods, how I wish I didn’t sign it. But I know you don’t feel the same towards me and all but I still don’t want to get married to Ma-“but I never got to finish because Lin suddenly kissed me. And before I could respond, the kiss ended as soon as it started.

“Idiot. Stupid. Careless. But my love, still.” She said, eyes behind her bangs. And when she looked up, fresh new tears were running down he face. “I love you too. Since we were ten.”

“That long?” I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice it! Gods, was I blind!

She giggled and nodded but then she frowned again. “But what about…”

“I’m trying to find some loopholes, but until now, I found none.” I sighed then my phone rang. I answered it and it turned out that my detective found something.

“Marlene’s dad had an affair with a girl before her mom and they had an older daughter in the same year. The girl’s name is Hannah Javier.”

I froze. That name… that was Lin’s mom… and apparently, Lin heard what he said.

“Mom, why didn’t you tell me?” Lin asked her mom, crying.

“I’m so sorry Kate.” Her mom cried, “But I did it to avoid problems.”

“You lied to me, my dad, and my biological father to avoid problems? You just made a bigger one!”

“What was I supposed to do? He got married and I couldn’t bear to break them up! And I couldn’t bear to break up your father’s heart too!”

“But, mom, you hid it till dad died! He thought I was his real daughter! Mom, I thought he was my real dad!”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Aunty continued to cry and I continued to comfort Lin.

“I’m gonna talk to him…” Lin said after a minute of silence. “He has to know.”

“Are you sure you can?” I asked her worriedly.

“Yes. And we have to do something about your engagement anyway.” She said, determined.

“I’ll come with you.” Her mom said through tears, “It’s time for the truths to be out.”

We talked with Marlene’s dad and Marlene. They became united and she accepted Lin as her sister. I stated that in the document, It said that I was to be wed with the eldest daughter and it was Lin. But Lin refused to be arranged for she didn’t want me to be her fiancée only because of business but she asked her father to still help out our company. I told Marlene that I didn’t love her anymore and she took it gently, understanding that I couldn’t be with her. She eventually found another guy and now, they’re happily dating. I convinced Lin to go to Prom with me and now, it was time for my dreams and nightmare to come true.

“Will you stop fidgeting, Terrence?” dad asked me, annoyed.

“How the hell am I supposed to calm down when I’m going to ask her tonight?!” I exclaimed, nervous as hell too.

“You still have a few hours before you get to ask her. Enjoy your night first and just be relaxed. You’re just gonna ask.” He rolled his eyes.

I did as I was told. Today, we are going to tell everyone that we are dating and all for the past couples of weeks and also, today, I’m going to ask the dreaded words to the one I love.

When I saw her for the first time tonight, I thought I had gone to heaven and saw an angel, no, a Goddess. We went to prom and enjoyed it and when we were crowned prom king and queen, I finally told everyone in the celebration.

“I would like to tell all of you that, I and Katelin have been friends since we were babies and now, we are currently dating.” Some awed and some whooped. “But also,” I turned to Lin “She is the one I want to spend eternity with.” Everyone got quiet. I reached in my pocket and got on one knee in front of the woman I loved, “So, I’m going to ask her tonight, Katelin Javier, would you marry me?” I stared at her wide watery eyes. I couldn’t help but grin as she said yes and I put on the diamond engagement ring on her finger. I got up and kissed her passionately and the crowd started to cheer for us.

Yes, everything was complicated, but I don’t regret a single thing about it.

What i want to prove here is that not all thoughtless acts have a negative result. My story proved to me that if I just let my fingers type out whatever it wants when I was in a pinch of needing a story in a snap then it could give me a good result. 

17- How to make your own world

         "Daydreams"

         I love daydreaming. I first observe all that are around me then i daydream of an event or story i can relate to it. That is how i usually get ideas for my stories. 

         I remember one particular assignment on my second year of high school in which we had to make up a short story. i was a t a stump then so i observed my classmates and saw John and his childhood friend Lyndsey talking. I noticed john having a rather dreamy look while looking at Sey. It seemed like he had a crush on her. Then i remembered that he had a girlfirend then and thought to myself 'He already has a girlfriend but he's in love with his childhood friend.' That was where my day dream started.

 

It went like this:

                  How could everything be this complicated in just a short time? Everything was normal before this, but now it’s all messed up! Yes it was complicated since the beginning, what with me being one of the richest kid and most popular male in school and her being the nerdy, quiet type, and not to mention our secret friendship. But for it to lead into this mess? Come on! All I wanted was to be with her!

                 I sat there pretending to listen to my girlfriend as she suddenly walked in. Her raven locks swaying to the breeze that came, her eyes twinkling with delight as they met mine, and her cherry lips turn up a little to secretly smile at me. I nodded towards her, knowing that she would know it as a greeting.

“So what do say, James?” I heard my girlfriend asked.

“Huh?” I said turning towards her, dumbfounded.

“I said, if you wanted to go to my house tonight? No one’s going to be there.”

                “Sorry, Marlene, I promised sweetheart to drive her home today.” I smiled. I tried to make it apologetic but I knew I didn’t look sorry. But she took it anyways. What a stupid girl. I wonder why I even bother to go out with her in the first place.

                “Who is this sweetheart anyways? And is she more important to you than me?” she pouted-an ugly pout at that. I almost rolled my eyes.

                ‘Yeah she is. She’s my best friend since I was in my mom’s womb!’ I thought. “You know I can’t tell you that. And don’t dare make me choose.” ‘cause it won’t be you.’ I added in my head.

                The day went by in a bore. And now I was driving towards our secret lavender field. We found it when we were just six. It was only a garden then but she insisted that we plant more lavender flowers in it and so, it grew the area of the capacity of the place and it became a field. Lavender was her favourite flower and colour and I got to admit, it suits her skin tone and scent.

                I reached the field and got out of the car and walked towards her. She was lying in the middle of the field, looking up at the sky. I sat by her right side and looked up too. “What are you thinking?” I asked.

“Us.” She answered simply.

“What about us?”

“Our friendship.”

“What about our friendship?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I know.” I sighed.

“Sometimes I wish we don’t have to hide it.” She closed her eyes.

“Just a little more and we’ll be able to graduate and shout it to the world.”

“Graduation is still in four months, Terrence.” She complained.

“It’ll come by and go, Katelin.” I assured, though I was also tired of waiting.

                “But it won’t be the same as us being friends in public in high school when we’re in collage, Terce.” She sat up and looked me in the eyes. I could tell that she was crying before I came for her eyes were puffy. And I knew she’s going to break down soon.

“Oh Lin.” I hugged her and she cried in my chest. “Shh, we’ll work this out. Maybe we can ask aunty to let us tell the others at least our other friends.” I comforted.

“You think she’ll say yes?” she looked at me with hopeful, puffy eyes and my breath got caught in my throat. They were so beautiful and tantalizing that I got lost in them. Then my own eyes lingered to her lips. They were so inviting and looked so soft.

“What would you do if I kiss you right now?” I found myself asking my best friend.

And apparently I wasn’t the only one dazed for her answer gave me reason to do as I liked.

“Kiss you back.” And I took her lips.

                It was gentle at first. I savoured her soft, sweet lips and she kissed my own. I then found myself wanting more of it, and it soon became heated and more passionate.

When we parted later on, it was like cold water was thrown onto me.  And I realised what I just did.

I made out with my childhood best friend, and I liked it.

This became the start of my story. 

          Daydreaming is like my own personal safe where I get my stories. It is where i get my worlds. 

16- Better Entertainment

"Who is the person from literature that you would most like to meet and talk to? 

Why? What would you like to ask? "

                I have always loved reading. Specially fiction books. I love living in a world that the books provide me. Each time I read a new story, I would always imagine myself talking to the characters and being friends with them.

                One particular story in which I imagined myself talking with the characters would be Vampire Academy or VA. VA is all about Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.

                The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

                After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.

                Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's--but their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever.

                I love Rose. I liked her character after reading the synopsis of the book. I found her to be witty, loyal and fun. I imagined myself asking her why they decided to leave the academy. What happened during the car accident? Do you regret staying in the school? How did she feel about Dimitry at first? How did it feel like being bonded to Lissa?

                I would picture all of it in my head. We would be under the shady trees of the Academy. Rose towering over my own 5"3. Her hair so silky and blowing with the wind. I would be sitting on the ground and starring up at her brown eyes. Then Dimitry will come to scold us for being out so late (since they're vampires, morning IS LATE.) And they would quarrel a bit and I would be entertained, even though only half of my questions were answered. We would go back to the dormitory with Rose fuming but blushing cutely because of her mentor, Dimitry.

                As I sit and imagine this, my mom would always come and scold me for not listening to her as she shouts out my chores. I would roll my eyes and say sorry and start doing the housework. Damn, I wish I was in the Academy right now with Rose and Dimitry. They're so much more entertaining than chores.

15- Sarah

"I Know Better Now"

A girl with onyx black hair wearing a cream colored blouse and a long brown checkered skirt was silently reading a thick Black book (though for her it was still thin).  Her blue ocean like eyes was like it was only looking around it but she was really reading it. Just then someone called her from outside the library.

“Sarah, teacher Amy wants to see you. Second floor, her room.” A girl with short black brownish hair said.

“Coming Kris.” Sarah closed her book with a snap and stood up. She checked out and borrowed the book.  She went down and went to her teacher in English.

After a while she went back up. Her teacher just wanted to tell her good job for her grade raised up to eight points. This didn’t matter much. She never put much thought in things such as grades. But her parents do.

When she reached the last step she heard voices in the lobby. It was her classmates.

“Stupid Sarah. “a boy said. Johnny.

“Why?” Kris asked.

“It’s as if she doesn’t like us.” Mary said.

“Yeah. She is always inside the library. ‘Reading’” Jane quoted.

“It’s not working though. She can’t even beat Mary.” Frank smirked.

“What in seven hells are you talking about?! She’s just there for all of you don’t-“but Kris was cut off by Sarah.

“It’s ok Kris.” Sarah showed herself and with a very cheerful smile. “I don’t take it by heart. But maybe they’re right. I’ll just go back to the class room.  I have to leave. Mom texted me and said I have to go home right now. Something about my relatives. Bye.” Sarah went away with a cheerful smile and got her things, fixed it quickly; left a note to the teacher’s table. Went to her adviser and the guidance councilor gave another letter and was permitted to go. She did all this with a smile but when she got to her house no one was there and a note was on the television.

Change of plans. I have to go to the dentist.

Stay here I’ll be back at night time.

Prepare dinner.

Mom.

Good. She’s alone. Her smile suddenly became a frown. She bit her bottom lip and let go of her bag. It dropped down the floor. She went up her room and lay down on her bed and just stared blankly on the ceiling. A crystal like water rolled down her cheek. As it reached the pillow, many more followed it. It turned into a sob.

Why can’t they tell why she was always in the library? Why can’t they look deeper into her? Why can’t they see that she feels out of place with them for they won’t notice her? And they blame her for not spending much time with them? That only book comforts her? Only Kris knows this all for they spend the most time together. She treats Kris like a best friend and yet she won’t treat her like one. She comforts her in her problems and helps her in things but still she isn’t her best friend? 

You might be wondering why this post is in the form of  a story. Well, this is because I wanted to inform you of what exactly happened that time. I'm Sarah. And yes, this event did happen to me. It was when I was still in elementary and having just transferred from one school, i didn't have many friends. I didn't give up, and because of this incident, now I know better. I can trust others too easily, and so, i better take care of whom I trust and love. 

14- A poem for my own soul

"ALONE"

Cold and Grey
By: Maria Vanessa V. Irineo
ABMA 123 (freshman)

I have never seen a cloud so grey

That all my feelings went away

It touched my heart, It touched my soul

But in the end, I cried in snow

It kissed my lips, It held my hand

It stepped on me, I sank in sand

I try to breathe, air burned my lungs

My ears are bleeding while you sung

Why did you make me believe

And then let me cry in grief

The once warm, bright sunny day

Is now turning cold and grey

Please tell me you at least meant the words

The words you said that made me soar

For I cannot fathom to think of all it fake

For there is so much hurt my heart can take

No, I'm not begging you to come back

I'm asking you for some slack

And yes, I'm telling you to say these words

To ease all of it out, your hurtful swords

I have to move on, find another sun

see what true love is, and have some fun

And I won't be able to do so with you

Tying me up, breaking me a new

Please set me free, I hate the cold

It pierces my skin, It hurts ten fold

I'll fly high in the sky

I'll leave you in the past behind

12- Summer Time!!!

                "My plans for the summer"

               Ever since I could remember, my summers have always been the same for me. I would be in front of my computer all day long, reading fanfictions, reading mangas, watching animes, then only get up to do chores, play with my sisters, eat and sleep. Then I would be repeating this, unless we would be having an outing. We usually have a number of them if my relatives from abroad come. But, lately, they lean on coming during Christmas season.

                As you may have guessed, I'm not very productive during the summers. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Summer time for me is like my reward time after all my school works. And reading fanfiction is like a safe haven for me. But this summer, I plan on taking a different route. one of the burdens of being the eldest among three daughters is that a lot of responsibility and guilt may rest on your shoulders. In college you will be able to realize this. Specially if you are dorming in the city while your parents stay in the province. This tend to open your eyes to a new story in which you are not the princess any more. Instead you are now the queen in training.

                It is in college that I felt my parents sacrifice so that I could still have a normal life apart from them while I study. It was here that I experienced days in which I wouldn't eat or drink anything except for water so at the very least my stomach would have a bit in it. It was here that I experienced home sickness cause knew I was missing on my little sister's first day in her school. It was here that I got sick but my mom won't be there to check on me every hour. It was here that I couldn't wake my dad by going on top of him because he wasn't in the room next to mine. It was in college that I wasn't able to talk about the whole day with my other sister after dinner. It was during this time, this school year, that I realized that I was still a little girl wanting her parents to be at her side, her sisters with her in the same room every night.

                College is where I experienced a whole week without sleep and my mom won't be there to force me into getting one. I wouldn't hear my dad's frantic worrying and my sisters' annoying chatter. I don't have anyone to bicker with here. All I do is study and work each day, with only reading as my sanctuary out of it. It was during this time that I realized the value of money and saw how my parents struggle to pay for our dues.

                Ever since then, I promised to help them any way I can. I shall get high marks for them.  And during this summer, I shall work part time in a place that will allow a 17 year old to work. If there won't be any, then I shall paint and sell my art works to gain money. Or even simply draw. I may also write for sites, or proof read articles. Anything to help me gain money and be productive.

                I shall do this to help my family in ways only the eldest daughter can. I loved my family before, but facing the training only helped me value them more. I am no longer a little princess, I was a queen in training. A future queen of her people to look up to and have the former rulers be proud of her. My sisters shall be my responsibility in the future, while my parents the proud teachers that put the crown on top of my head.

This summer, I shall continue my training alongside my royal family.

11 - A Cheesy night

I made dinner.

                I could still remember clearly the first time I was left alone in the house. It was both a scary and fun experience for me.

                My mom had a day shift that day in the hospital and dad had to work as usual. My sister wanted to play outside and our yaya went with her to gossip with others her age. I was in the second grade of elementary school and it was weird being alone in the house. I was wanted to finish my home work that time before dinner and so, decided not to play outside.

                We usually eat dinner at 6:00 pm since my family had the tradition of after six meal time so that by 8 in the evening we could sleep with a stomach not too full, not hungry. It was 5:30 when I felt my hunger. I was a kid! Work makes you hungry. Any ways, that was also the reason why I couldn't ignore my stomach. Yes that was it, not that I wanted to be distracted from work. Nope, not at all. What? FINE! yes, I also wanted the distraction. Again, I'm A kid! don't blame the person, blame the active energy of the young!

                I looked around, the only food we had was a left over rice from that afternoon, no meat to eat with it, and ChizWheez, but no bread. My stomach grumbled again and I decided to eat them. And yes, together. But I realized that if I eat it plain mixing the chizwhiz with the rice would make it like a spaghetti with chizwheez as the sauce and the rice as the pasta. It seemed not too appealing for me. That was when I remembered the fried rice I saw at the food court in the mall. It was golden, like it was cooked in chizwheez. I decided to try it and got the frying pan out, heated it and poured a spoonful of chizwheez in it, letting it be watery a bit. then I put in the rice and added two more spoonful of chizwheez. I mixed it, like frying normal fried rice, and tasted a bit. It tasted like chizwheez a bit too much. There was something missing. And so, I opened the refrigerator and saw a half used knor cube. I got it and got a mince of the cube, adding it to the fried rice. I mixed it a bit more in the fire and tasted it again. I was satisfied to realize it tasted good. Turning off the fire, I glanced at the clock and realized it was six and that my sister and our yaya just got back, with a cooked hotdog, bought outside. Perfect!

                Yaya panicked upon realizing what I have done. My sister, begged to try some of it. and I let her. She moaned and asked to have it as dinner. Yaya, tried it and admitted it tasted good. I smiled happily and we ate the chizwheez fried rice along with the hotdog for dinner that night.

                I realized that unintentionally, i made dinner for the first time during my first time being alone in the house. It was a fun experience, cooking and being free. From then on, ChizWheez fried rice was a traditional food for us twice every month.

10- The Bee Van

7. Describe your ride home. 

                Well, technically, I don't have a ride home, unless you consider the elevator of Asia Pacific College a ride home, since I live in the dormitory during school days. So, instead, I shall write about my ride home during my high school days.

                You see, even if when I was already in high school, my parents still didn't want me commuting from and from school, even if it was like only two jeepneys away. So, instead of riding the jeepney during school days back then, I ride the school service. The transport itself  was just a simple silver black van. Sometimes it would be the green van since the service owner had two service van. By the time I was a fourth year high schooler, the van was painted to be like a yellow school bus since it was a requirement for all service transport.

 

                The vans were air-conditioned and had its own players for songs. Though sometimes, the air-conditions would break down and we would have to suffer with the heat. And if it would be raining, we would have to just bear with the shower. The capacity of the van was like 15 persons but at times, we would have to make some space for like 25 persons in one journey. Other rimes it would be only 10 persons or less. each morning though it would just be right.

                I guess if I write about my service all through the time I was riding it, I would take up almost 20 pages so instead I would just talk about the time I had to take the last ride of 5:00 pm. I would reach my home at 7:00 pm.

                You see, my classes during third year were all up until 5:00 pm. I wasn't the only one who would go home during this time. other high school students taking the service would also go home at this time. Usually, the trips are divided into two, the Bayan side (the left side of the bridge) and the San Isidro side (the right side of the bridge). But during the last trip, we only use one van and those from the bayan side are then mixed with the San Isidro side. I'm from the San Isidro side. And usually, the driver sends the Bayan side home first. Now, I don't really have a problem with them being first. The problem is that the bayan during 5:00 pm is usually the time the roads are crowded with cars and other services from different schools. You can actually call this the rush hour of Batangas City. It lasts until 7:00 pm.

               

                Now, we had like 5 kids who had to get off in the Bayan side. Not much right? compared to those in the San Isidro side which was like 10 of us. The only problem here is that since it is a rush hour, like your car won't be able to move until every 15 minutes or so, add to it that the ones from bayan lived far from each other and all over the bayan itself, the time our service would be finished in sending them home and only start going to the way of our house would be 6:30 in the evening. It would be usually dark outside already.

                The irritating thing here would be if the driver would decide to save fuel by not turning the air conditioner of the car on. We would suffer from the intense heat and dark pollution of the outside world. The only consolation to this is that while in the traffic jam, we would be able to buy anything we want from the street vendors through our windows. That is if we have money to buy some.

                The time I would reach my house would be 7:30 pm. My family would've been done with dinner and I would be the only one to eat. My home works not yet done, I would stay up just to finish it. Then I would wake up the next day at 4:30 in the morning to prepare for school, waiting for the service to pick me and my sister up from there to go to school in a cramped van. The worst thing of all that this ride has; the music that will be playing. Come on, who plays old love songs in the radio in a van full of sleepy students that has to be alert for the day? They would be sleepier!

                Of course there would be something I love in this ride. It would be those I ride the service with. My service mates are fun to be with, the younger students and even the yayas of the kids. They were all nice. We joke around while we wait after school for the service to fetch us. We would play and sometimes just gossip. They were my friends. The pre-elems, though, were the cutest I admit. And the elementary students the smelliest while the high school students the chattiest.

I miss my ride home, but I sure don't miss the cramped van and the traffic jams.