I watch mom having her breakfast with me at the same table. She looks like she has a good appetite today, unlike some days, where she skips a meal. Mom has lost weight for the past few months. It was hard not to notice it. Her beautiful face sags a little bit, her eyes sunken, and dark marks encircle in there as well. She must have a lack of sleep working hard to make ends meet.
"Angel? Finish your food," Mom commands when she catches me staring at her. "Is there a problem at school?" She asks as she puts down her fork.
"No, no, mom, nothing wrong. The first day of school went smoothly."
Should I ask her? I can't decide. The distinct interior of the Audi is still vivid in my mind. Yesterday was the first time I had ridden an expensive car. Although we can't afford luxury cars, I'm aware of the car I rode yesterday; my favorite Audi A7 Sportback.
"Mom?"
"Hmm..?" She answered in a hum.
"I asked the driver yesterday about the scholarship and the free ride. He told me to ask you instead."
"What about it?"
"It seems so strange to me, having a scholarship from an expensive school and having a free ride at the same time. I haven't seen other students who seem like they are from our class."
"What class?"
"I mean, students there are rich, not like us. But, don't get me wrong, some things don't feel right to me."
"You are overthinking Angel. Let's be thankful for everything that we have. I only want the best for you, Angel, you know that, right?" Mom says as she reaches my hand.
Her answer is not direct and satisfying to me. Yet, I chose to drop the issue. I cannot argue the truth that mom only wants the best for me. "I know, mom."
Mom and I usually leave our apartment together. I go to school while my mom works as a company secretary in Reyes enterprises. When I stepped inside the elevator, I remember putting my book on my bedside table last night before I went to bed.
"Mom, I left the book I am currently reading; you may go first."
Mom sighs as I walk back to our unit. After retrieving my book, I drop by our neighbor Susan to check if Max has had his breakfast. My dog, Max, wags his tail seeing me enter Susan's door, which is not locked. I'm used to entering Susan's house without her permission as she allows me to do it.
"Hi, boy, how are you? Have you had breakfast already?" I ask him like he is a human being who will answer in return. His little whine is the cutest every time I cuddle him; Max is like a child who wants candy; his coat is so fluffy, like a marshmallow, and soft to the touch.
"Angel"
"Hi, aunt Susan, Good morning," I greet her, glancing up. "I dropped by just to check this little pumpkin," I said, kissing Max's nose.
"Good morning! Sorry, I was just in the comfort room."
"It's okay; I won't be staying long."
"Yeah, good thing you're here. Max seems to miss you already; he was so lazy when you left him this morning. I don't know, but there's something strange about him. And he hasn't had his breakfast yet."
"No, Max, you need to have breaky now." I reach out for his food and feed him, but Max refuses. "Come on, boy, you can't go on hunger strike because I'm leaving you." I pat on Max's head and then cuddle him again.
"Angel, you can't be late for school. Let me handle Max; I'll make sure he will have his breakfast," Susan said as she bent over and joined in cuddling Max.
"Okay, Aunt Susan, please give him treats. I have to go."
"Yeah, don't worry about Max. You have to go."
My fluffy Max watches me leave as his tail keeps wagging.
I was fast enough to catch mom waiting for a taxi; she's with her best friend Melanie, who works at the same company as a mom. "Have you told Angel?" Melanie asks mom. I eavesdrop on their conversation unintentionally.
"No, I can't," Mom answered. Her voice was husky as if trying not to be heard by random people waiting for a taxi. But I stand behind mom when she answers Aunt Melanie.
"What is it, mom?" I am supposed to keep it to myself, but I am reckless. So I voice out my question.
Mom jolts as if she heard a monster talking at her back; she shifts in my direction, clutching her chest with a terror in her eyes. "Angel?"
"Mom?"
"Good morning, Angel," Aunt Melanie chime in.
"Good morning, Aunt Melanie."
"We were talking about your upcoming birthday; your mom has a surprise for you," Aunt Melanie said; she elbows mom. Mom jolts again; her face is more relaxed now.
"Yeah, Angel, I thought I should give you a birthday party for you and your friends. It's been a while since we haven't had a big party for you. So let's do it this year."
"But mom, my birthday is over a month from now. So isn't it too early to plan?"
"No, the earlier we plan, the better."
"I don't know; I only want to spend time with you. I don't expect special things for my birthday, even a party."
Mom pinches my chin. "I wanna do this for you, Angel."
"Yes, Angel, your mom's idea is great. We'll surely plan this well for you. But for now, we have to go; a taxi is waiting."
I nod to aunt Melanie as she walks to the taxi.
"Take care, Angel," Mom said; she patted my head before she left.
This morning feels weird to me. I didn't seem to grasp what was wrong. But everything vanishes when an Audi 2016 parks in front of me. My savior. The car is pretty and alluring; its mere presence seems to entice me to grab the door and get in. But, instead, Dominic steps out of the car and pulls the passenger door open for me.
"You don't have to do this, Dominic."
"Just doing my job," he replies. His smile is gentle, like his personality. Dominic is such a gentleman.
And again, the beautiful interior of the Audi occupied my head as yesterday. The cushion was soft beneath my back, the leather was smooth to my touch, and the smell of a good car felt ethereal.
I let myself be taken away by my dream of having this car as my own. Everything might be weird at home, mom, and school but riding this car seems therapeutic. It makes me wonder if riding Maddox's car would feel the same way. I would have sat in his car yesterday if only I didn't decline his offer to give me a ride.
As I step out of the car, the surrounding becomes vivid on the way to our building. Our campus is vast, quiet, and organized. I could hear only the sound of the expensive car engine and horn. The buildings are towering, complete with sports and academic facilities for rich kids. For the last four years in high school, the one I had was massive and had the same facilities for students, but it was noisy and overcrowded. At the back of the buildings is a mini-park or man-made forest. I halt myself and savor the tranquility it brings me just by looking at it. I love nature, I always do. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, imagining I'm inside of the forest. The air is clean and pure. A corner of my lip curls up to the realization, in time that a hand taps on my shoulder.
Maddox and I storm to the door. I'm in such a hurry that I almost overlook Cassy standing on the side door, crossing her arms around her chest and raising an eyebrow. I only got the hint she sent me to the last second that my foot hit her leg. Cassy did it on purpose. I trip upon her leg, making me out of balance. Things happen too fast; when I expect my face to hit the hard tiles on the floor, a hand quickly grabs me on my waist and pulls me up. My breath quickens on the sudden, almost tragedy. "You, okay?" Maddox asks, his hand still on my waist. "Yes, good, thank you." I tuck my hair on my ears to clearly see him. Cassy's eyes are sharply looking at me like she wants to hunt me. My blood boils seeing her
Maddox's Mercedes Benz S-Class Coupe parks in front of Dr. M's Veterinary Clinic. I rush to the Vet's door, unbothered if Maddox is following me, and immediately find someone in charge where I can ask the whereabouts of my buddy. So the Veterinary clinic is enormous, and the best idea to ask for help from their staff. "Hi, my neighbor brought my dog here earlier; his name is Max. Where can I find him?" I ask the woman at the front desk. "Please, have a seat while I retrieve his file," said the woman, and then she proceeds on hovering on the desktop computer. I refuse to take a seat and wait for the result instead. It didn't take her long to find it; Maddox was by my side by the time. "Max is in the Critical confinement are
"Angel, let's drop by at the nearest Jollibee to get lunch. I'm sure you're starving," Mad says when we are in his car."I'm fine; I'm not hungry, Mad. We can head straight to school; we can't be late for our class.""No, we should take our lunch. We still have 20 minutes; it will be enough for a quick bite," Mad insists."Yes, let's do it then." I know he hasn't had his lunch yet. He must be hungry by now, and I'm guilty of not agreeing to his suggestion at first.Mad shows a brief smile as he glances at me. "Max needs you; you should take care of yourself too. My mom always says that we can't take care of other people if we are not well enough.""Thanks.
It's the weekend, and I can't wait to see my best friend Lea after a few weeks that we were both busy. Lea still goes to the school where we attend grades 7-10, a public school. Since third grade, we've been solid, and I am sure nothing can separate us apart."Mom, don't forget I'll be out later with Lea and new friend Maddox. We have to check on Max in the clinic."Mom nods as she coughs, putting on her high heels while getting ready for work on the weekend. She only has Sunday as her day off, making her haggard even more, especially these days. Her cough is quite stubborn some days, it's gone, and the next day it reappears. I'm worried about my mom."Mom, take care of yourself; your cough is back again. You should see a doctor and stop self-diagnosing."
As I am approaching the lobby, I wipe my cheeks, making sure there's no stain of tears on my face anymore. I don't want to appear messy in front of Maddox. For my best friend Lea, it will be fine. She's been my confidant ever since we became friends, so she knows me well; I could be vulnerable when it comes to Max.Maddox and Lea seem to be cool with each other's company. They must have a good conversation as the two face each other; while Maddox is holding Logan's leash. "Hey, guys."They both shift on me, and I don't have to ask them, but it seems they noticed my swollen eyes. "Let's go?" I say as I look away, avoiding any questions from them."Angel, what's wrong?""Yeah, what's wrong?" Lea repeated Maddox's ques
The following week, Max still shows a negative response, and it's taking too much of my thoughts for weeks already. I'm not expecting a much worse morning, but a devil dressed as an angel appeared on my way to our building. Wearing her trademark heavy make-up, raising an eyebrow and her lips pouted like a stubborn child."Hey transferee, I heard you're in such a dilemma with your dog now. Poor furbaby, she has an irresponsible owner; I bet he won't leave long," Cassy says as she's approaching.I don't even know how she gets her information; she must be eyeing me even outside the campus. I snort. "I didn't know you have so much time collecting information about me. Am I that important to you?" I reply in a sarcastic tone, intentionally to annoy her."Shut up, transferee, disg
My eyes caught Mad entering our room and walking closer to Sam and me. "Hi, I saw you and Cassy talking. What did she do now? I wasn't able to catch you since I had to park my car." Mad asks me while Sam is listening."Nothing to worry about, Mad; I can handle her." I give Mad a side smile, my way of convincing him that I'm fine."If you say so.""Goodness, Cassy hasn't changed, such a bully. Don't worry, Angel, we got your back, me, Luke, and Mad." Sam reassures me as she squeezes my hand. Sweet girl."Thank you guys, but I'm perfectly fine. You don't have to think about me; I don't intend to be a burden...""No, you're not; Angel, we're friends.