1 She Grew Up So Fast

It was so early in the morning, that the sun hasn't risen yet. You can hear different kinds of birds chirping from the trees and on the land, looking for grains and worms to eat.

Nicole just got up from her bed that's made of bamboo with a mat on top because of the cries of the rooster outside.

She stacked her pillows then folded her blanket before placing it on top of her pillows. After that, she tied her hair into a messy bun before opening her curtains and wooden windows. As she opened it, the early morning cold breeze of air brushed on her face.

'Hmm. So refreshing.'

She thought as she closed her eyes. Enjoying the cold yet refreshing air.

After a few while, her forehead felt warm. She opened her eyes to see the beautiful sun rising from the space between the two mountains from afar.

She smiled and hurriedly went out of their house... but as she was about to step out of their door, her mother called out to her.

"Nicole, I've made you your favorite milk. Drink it first before you go out. It doesn't taste good when its cold."

Her mother said with a soft smile on her face as she handed her the milk.

Nicole gladly accepted it from her mother and drank it in one go.

"Hey, slow down."

Her mother said with a chuckle.

"There. I'm done."

Nicole energetically said as she wiped the leftovers of the milk from her lips. She then handed it to her mother as she, finally, went out of the house.

"Ooh, by the way, ma, where's papa?"

She asked before she went on with her chores.

"Oh, your father's already at the rice field."

"Okay, thanks ma. I gotta go and feed the chickens."

"Okay. Be careful. And hurry up! Or else you'll be late for school!"

"Yes ma."

And, off she go to feed their chickens.

"Good morning Mr. Cuckledoodledoo."

She greeted their rooster.

It just replied with a stare and a tilted head.

She placed a handful of cracked corn in front of Mr. Cuckledoodledoo before she proceeded to the other chickens. After she placed their food, she changed their waters and went to their cows to pasture them.

While pasturing them, she layed down on the grass nearby with a book on her hand.

"Nicole! It's already 6:15 when I left the house! You'll be late for school! So hurry up! I still have to go and send your father his breakfast before I go to the wet market and sell our harvested fruits and vegetables."

Shouted her mother to remind her.

"Yes, ma! I'll just tie these cows first then I'll go and get myself ready for school."

So, she did what she said.

She tied the cows on thick grasses, small plants that has strong roots, or on the trunk and branches of big trees on the grass field.

After that, she then went home and made herself ready for school.

She hurriedly ate breakfast then immediately took a bath, changed into her school uniform, and combed her hair, she just placed a small hair clip with a heart shaped jewel on top on the right side of her head because her hair is still wet. After that, she went out of the house with her backpack on her back.

The school that she's attending to is not far from home so she just walks to get there.

Everyone that she passes by on the road greets her. So, she greeted them back with a smile on her face.

As she got close to the gate of their school, she saw two familiar figures standing beside the gate.

Her eyes shown as she hurriedly went there and approached them.

"Kuya* Laurent and kuya Laurence!"

She called out to the two guys while waving her hands as she crossed the road.

"What are you two doing here?"

She asked. The two guys looked at each other.

"Uhm... uh... we just..."

"We came here to give you this."

Laurence cut Laurent off and grabbed the small paper bag from Laurent then handed it to Nicole.

"We happened to bake a lot of these brownies last night and we can't finish it all. So, we decided to give you some."

Laurent just nodded vigorously at what his older twin brother said.

"Aww. Thank you but you don't really have to do this."

"It's okay, Nicole. Just take it as, uhm, hmm, your brothers are sending you food for recess!"

Laurent said as a matter of fact.

Laurence stared at the girl's features and noticed the small hair clip which made him smile a bit.

"You're hair clip's nice. It suits you well. Where'd you get it?"

"My mama gave it to me when I was still 4. She said it was given to her by... hmm. Who was it? I forgot..."

And as if on cue, the bell in the school rang.

"Oh no! I'm gonna be late for our flag ceremony! Bye kuyas! See ya when I see ya! And thank you for the brownies!"

Nicole said waving them goodbye as she ran for their flag ceremony.

The two guys just waved back at her and stood there while looking at the girl who's running away from them.

The two of them smiled then Laurence sighed.

"She grew up so fast."

"Yeah."

Laurent agreed.

They then went in their car and left for work with a satisfied smile on their faces.