Chapter 3

Margo has everything going for her, she's one of the most charismatic and intellectual girls I've ever met. She's ingenious, joyful, glamorous, fashionable, and a body to kill for, she's not your stereotypical popular cheerleader. She's 5'9, has long copper red hair that falls under her hips, pale ivory flawless skin, honey brown eyes that can pierce your soul with a look, a smile that will surely melt your heart, humility, and kindness. Andrew on the other hand, is the captain of the football team and your stereotypical jock. He's 6'0, athletic-looking, golden bronze skin, hazel eyes, perfect jawline, and jet-black hair.

After four months passed, things haven't exactly been improving at home, as a matter a fact, they were just getting worst. It was Friday morning and I had gotten up early, to go grocery shopping. I had to take three buses to get to the closest supermarket. As I open the front door, a cool winter breeze hits my face, it wasn't cold or warm, you could feel the welcoming of a near coming season. The streets were all wet from the fully melted snow. As I get to my first bus stop, I see 5 people waiting for the bus and two of them weren't there for the bus. They were ganging up on a fragile looking guy. He seemed to be about 20 years old, the fight didn't seem fair to me and without even thinking, I decided to intervene. It wasn't the wises decision, but I wasn't about to leave someone in need.

"You cost me you know, thanks to you, I got fired. Why didn't you wake me up when I told you to let me know when the manager arrived?" The gangster said pissed off.

"I was busy with some customers, I'm sorry." The terrified boy with glasses said.

"Yes, officer I'm here on 2305 lakeview rd. There's a guy about to get beat up by two others… ah yes, one of them is 5'10, slim, short black hair, with a red hoodie has a star tattoo on his neck. The other one is about 5'8, it's on the thick side, has a black beany, with a scar by the eyebrow, and a black hoodie." I said with a threatening tone to my phone.

Both guys shot a baleful look at me and started running away without breaking contact. When I turn to look at the guy, he had a bewilder look.

"Are you ok?" I said to the guy, pulling him out of his daze

"Y… yeah, I'm fine… Why did you helped me?" The boy with glasses asked.

"If you ever see someone who needs your help, don't just leave. Be brave and have courage, and you'll see you've had made a huge difference."

"I don't know what I would've done if you wouldn't had shown up and called the cops." he said with a grateful tone.

"No need to thank me, plus, who said I called them?" I said while giving him a mischievous smile and shaking my phone up high.

"So, you were bluffing? What if it hadn't worked? What if they would've beaten you up too? What if…?" He said, starting to hyperventilate.

"Hey, hey, calm yourself, you do realize the nearest police station is 7.5 minutes away." I said with an affirming voice.

We could hear the bus getting near, until we felt a rapid abnormal flow of air. When the bus was reach near us, I moved to the side to direct the boy with glasses towards the door of the bus. We both walked in and sat on the only two available seats. On the following stop, an old lady, who could barely stand, got on the bus. There were no seats available, so I get up and offer my seat to her. The boy with glasses wouldn't stop looking at me with amazement. For me, it was common sense to be chivalrous and give up my seat. Not just for an elderly woman but all who are in need. The old lady accepted the seat gratefully and pinch my cheeks. It seemed like she had walk a long distance, she looked exhausted. I take out a bottle of water that I was saving for later and gave it to the old lady with a big smile.

"No dear, I'm okay. This old bat can still hang in there" the old lady said with a small panting voice.

"I know you don't need it mam, you're as strong as a balsa tree! But I also know that just like the balsa tree, you need to stay hydrated" I exclaimed while flexing my biceps with a charming smile.

"Such a kind young man you are. Your mother must be proud to have you her son" the old lady said with a beholden look.

If only she actually knew I'm an utter disappointment to my family, I'm trash. No, I can't even consider myself as such, trash is too good for me to compare myself to. I kept thinking of how big of a disappointment I was to my whole family. At first, I didn't think like that about myself, but after four months of my mother's and grandmother's mistreatment, I just couldn't keep my optimism in check and started accepting everything mother said.

"Stop telling yourself those things, they are not true. Embrace who you are, do what you love, help who you want, and be what you want. Don't let anyone stop you from reaching your full potential. You hold no resentment towards the people who have hurt you. It's hard to continue but you never give up. You're destined to shape worlds and change them to your image. You're no ordinary child, my son, you've had to endure many hardships but no more…" The old lady whispered with sorrow in her heart.

"Huh… What?!… How did you? Worlds? Change? Child?" I said as I gave a puzzled look at the old lady. It was nice what she said, but it was an interesting and weird choice of words. I was curious to know what she meant so I asked, "Ma'am, what did you just say?"

"'Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.' By Harriet Tubman." the old lady quoted Harriet Tubman with a smile and got up to leave the bus.

I was stunt at what she said. I had heard that quote back in sixth grade from my social studies teacher. I didn't even move from my stance; I was out of words. My thoughts were all over the place, not only because of a quote, but because it was as if she read my mind. I was just standing there in disbelief not knowing or understanding what had just happened. The old lady and most of the people in the bus got off, including the boy with glasses. Before he left, he gave me his number and said goodbye. There were only four people and I left in the bus.

All of a sudden, a motorcycle got on the way and the bus driver lost control of the bus. He tried to keep it under control but there was nothing he could do. The only thing I could think of was Valerio and Amia. Things weren't supposed to be like this. If only I would've stayed quiet, I wouldn't have been right here. I would be with them or in my room, reading a book. I hear the woman in the back with her crying baby. She kept trying to hold herself to the seat, but she couldn't. She was struggling to hold herself down. For a moment, I saw my mother in her uncertain eyes and how worried she was of someone else hurting me, not realizing she was hurting me the most. I decided to forgive her and tell her I love her as soon as this was over, but meanwhile, I needed to help that lady in the back trying to do everything to help them. I tried walking to the back, bumping and crashing to every seat on the way.

"I can make it, I need to help them, I have to!" I kept saying it relentlessly.

As soon as I finally managed to get to the back seat, I grabbed the seat from opposite sides, clutching myself to the seat with the lady and her baby in between. The whole bus started spinning at a rapid pace, the force pulling me away. I tighten my grip to the seat even harder, my fingers ached from how hard I was gripping the bus seat and pieces of glass started flying everywhere. Suddenly, I started to see how the lady and the baby were getting further and further from me. They weren't moving at all, I was the one moving. I wasn't able to hold onto them.