Chapter 1

I tried hard not to mind the mouthwatering food my classmate has as it invade my nostril deliciously. Slowly, I swallow my saliva afraid that they could hear how hard I swallowed.

I put my head down. I'm not going to mind my hungriness. I know this game already and I'll get pass this. Life is like a rollercoaster, right? Sometimes youre on the top and sometimes you're down. I closed my eyes remembering all quotes about hope. But I was hungry then, I couldn't help imagining those delicious foods, their smell and how they would taste in my mouth. It was a bad idea.

My stomach grumbles so loud I felt myself blush. I couldn't look up to see what was happening but the loud noises they made a while ago were gone. I know they are looking at me. I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to puke my guts out.

"Do you want some, Fallon?" I heard Riza asks. I can hear a slight taunt on her voice.

I shook my head and pretended they didn't affect me. I stood up. "I'm going to buy some, thanks..." I smiled at her. Her friends were looking at somewhere but me trying to hide their laughs.

They are the cliché mean girls in high school. I walk out of the room. I shove my fingers in my pocket. I look at the cents in my hand. I lied saying that I'll be buying foods; I don't have much money left. It can't be like these forever right? I shrug my shoulders off. I'm not hungry anymore, I ate a mouthful of pride.

It was 12 pm and my class is around 3pm. I have no place to go. I sigh. I have to convince myself. I have to motivate myself to finish this school year and never lose any hope. I have 4 months left before I graduated high school. I wanted to go to college too but I have to save a huge amount of money for my tuition if I didn't get accepted in the scholarship.

I don't have anyone who I can support me. I'm in the last year of my senior high. I'm an 18 year old girl who ran away from home because I didn't want to be stuck in the province forever planting vegetables. They wanted me to stop schooling so I can be a help to them. I didn't want that. I have 2 siblings who are married and still living at my parents house, 3 siblings that are on elementary and soon to be dropout. I have a father who is a gambling addict and a mother who does not have any plans to have a bigger goal in life. They weren't ambitious unlike me. They were contented on what they have. Even our neighbors would mock and ridiculed us. That is why I'm really eager to help them.

Whenever my dad won on his gambling they'd be like typical Filipino one day millionaire. If I didn't left at home, surely I'd be a drop out too. Though I was never really closed to them, but I still love them since they're my family.

I wouldn't say life is hard for me. I have a job in the cafe that pays me enough. I can eat twice a day; I can pay my school, rent and toiletries. And maybe some other stuff too.

There are also times when I felt desperate. Desperate enough to think of unholy things.

I sat on the bench.

At times like these, I should have been doing things and not being lazy by just sitting around and doing nothing. Just killing the time, I'd say.

I was deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice the two girls giggling beside me. I've seen them before and they are on their Grade 10. I was wondering why they are giggling when I notice the boy walking towards us.

"He's freaking hooot!" one of the girls said.

"Get his number!"

"Shit! He's walking towards us!"

I thought he was their company but the boy went at me. "Hi," he said smiling at me revealing a boyish grin. I was aware at the two girls slapping each other quietly as if they were the one whom the boy talked to.

"Hi," I smiled.

"Umh," he scratches the back of his neck and his face starts to blush. "I'm Josh... Uhh... I--" he chuckled nervously. "C-can I get your number, Fallon?" he asks. Still blushing. True, the guy was very cute. Like one of those boys dancing on tiktoks. He looked familiar up close. I can't tell people's face feets apart. My vision is blurry and I don't have money to check my eyes out. I remember him now, Josh from the soccer team.

"Oh. I forgot my phone and I couldn't memorize my number. You can give me your number and I'll text you." I suggested.

"Yeah sure," he smiled and panicked a bit as he went to write his number on a paper. Minutes later, Josh bid his goodbyes and the other two starts screaming. Or more like screeching.

I guess they were the ones who got flattered for me. "Ask her!" I heard the girl whispered to her friend.

"No you ask her!" the other girl replied. They kept arguing until I was the one who spoke.

"You want his number?" I ask. They eagerly nodded and I gave them his number. Oh, oh well. I love how teenagers enjoy their youth. Because years from now, they'll be facing real worlds and won't have enough time to squeal for their crushes. After copying Josh's number they gave it back to me. I could only shake my head.

"Is he not your type?" the girl asks. I shook my head.

"What?!" they both ask in disbelief.

"But his perfect!" The other girl pouted as if defending the guy.

I quietly laugh at myself at how weird and random this scenario is.

"What's your type then, 'te?"

Well, "Hmm." I thought. I'd like to use the pickup lines were I'd say, ' I like men like how I like my coffee... Rich...' but, it had been already used a thousand times. "My type is... someone faithful... someone who can stand on his principle..." this is ridiculous. I thought. "Most importantly, someone who can support a dozens of family."

The two girls have now a slight scrunch on their noses as they listen to me. They have a mixed of disgust and cringe and small smiles. "Te, you're so deep!" they laugh as they turn and walk away. Oh.

After class, I went home early. I was changing my clothes when suddenly; my land lady shouted my name. "Fallon! Someone's looking for you!" She said.

I didn't expect any visitors today so I was kinda contemplating whether it was me or the other boarders. That's why I was so surprised to see my Auntie here. "Auntie!" I shriek. She called for my name and hugged me.

"Fallon! Unsa man kang bataa ka! Gimingaw na kaayo mi nimu!" (Fallon! What happened to you? We missed you so much!) She said as she returned my hug. I felt her tremble as she break down for tears. She loosened her tight hug as she slightly push me so she could look up to me. Her eyes have tears in them. "I-imong papa... giatake kagabie. Tuag hospital!" (Y-your papa... got heart attack last night. He's in the hospital!) She sobbed. My face instantly paled. "Unsaon man namo ni Fal? Wala naman mi kwarta. Baka naaka?" (We don't know what to do now, Fal. We don't have money. Maybe you have?) There was hope in her voice.