2 Lyrica Ley Rael

Lyrica Ley Rael. 16 years old, born on the 10th of November in the year 2004, and her blood type is O negative.

Lyrica is an 11th grader student in Manila High School. She is known in school as one of the prettiest and the smartest, but her blunt and often cold personality, as well as the strong aura she emits, makes it hard to approach her. That being said, she doesn't have friends and doesn't hang out with anyone in school. One might think that she has the life of a lonely person. But for Lyrica, being excluded from the crowd of people gives her peace of mind.

Lyrica's way of life is by getting through the day without getting into trouble. Whatever happens, she always makes sure not to do things that will only bring or cause her trouble and stress. Even if it means being apart from society. That's because when she gets into trouble, she is being reminded of her family whom she despised the most.

.

.

.

"Father, let's go."

"Yes, yes."

"Take care, you two."

"Yes. Thanks for the breakfast."

It all started six years before she cut her ties with her parents and started living alone in Metro Manila. Lyrica was the only daughter of a family of three including her Mother, her Father, and Lyrica herself. They all lived in the municipality of Rizal in the Philippines. Her mother was a very beautiful woman who works as a saleslady in a supermarket while her Father is a hard-working journalist who works at a news media company. They had no quarrels and have no issues surrounding their family. But due to some unfortunate events, the stature of Lyrica's household begins to turn upside-down.

Lyrica's Father lost his job in the news media company as the said company lays off 10% of their workforce due to their declining revenue. On the other hand, Lyrica's Mother was facing the same situation as the supermarket was relieving some of their employees to stay in business. Fortunately enough, Lyrica's Mother kept her job in the supermarket. The only downside is that her salary got a cut for her employer to let her stay in her work. Of course, she accepted the agreement. It was better to have a source of income instead of aimlessly looking for another job that gives better pay, after all. From then on, problems began appearing one by one.

"It seems that they don't need an extra journalist in the company."

"I see..."

"Well, I still got one more interview tomorrow. I'm sure it'll work out."

In a world where things kept increasing in value, having long-term work is a must to support you and your family. However, finding such a job isn't as easy as it was back then. Lyrica's Father is one example. After getting dismissed from his job in a news media company, he immediately went on a search for a new source of income. But everywhere he goes, he either gets rejected or that the job had already been occupied by another person.

Unsure whether he'll be able to find a stable job at the rate he's going, Lyrica's Father resorted to taking all the side jobs he can get to compensate for the lack of long-term work. Both of Lyrica's parents knew that their current income combined isn't enough for all of their expenses. If things don't change, especially for Lyrica's Father, things will get even more problematic.

At that time, Lyrica was just 10 years old. Since she was little, Lyrica was known to be a shy girl who doesn't talk much unless she's with her friends or her family. Whenever her friends or her parents are not around, Lyrica prefers to be alone rather than being surrounded by people she's not familiar with. But deep down, despite getting embarrassed so easily, Lyrica is a kind little girl who wouldn't hesitate to lend a helping hand to anyone no matter who they are.

Back then, Lyrica was clueless about what happened to her Mother and Father and the current situation their family was in.

"Someone already took the spot before me again."

"It's gonna all right, dear. I'm sure you'll be able to find a job soon..."

She noticed her Father, seemingly getting back home from work with a rather worried and disheartened expression on his face. She also noticed her Father often talking to her Mother about someone taking the spot before him. Out of curiosity, she asked them what they are talking about. The two who seemed to be in a panic told Lyrica that it wasn't important, and they immediately changed the topic of their conversation. It's as if they are trying to hide something from their daughter.

Lyrica, as clueless as she was at the time, thought that it wasn't a very important matter just like what her parents said. No matter what happens, she was sure that her Mother and Father would be able to resolve it together, and so she moved on and enjoyed her time with her parents. But after that night, the two started acting even stranger than before. And Lyrica immediately caught wind of it.

Lyrica doesn't pry much, but she noticed that the two would always speak in a monotone voice. Sometimes they would hide in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or even in their bedroom where Lyrica wouldn't be able to see or hear them talking. Not only that, during their dinner time, Lyrica's Mother's attention was all into her mobile phone while her Father is busy browsing the internet with their family computer. Meanwhile, Lyrica was sitting alone at the dinner table, watching her parents who are both absorbed in what they are doing.

The same thing occurred for weeks. Because of the sudden change inside the Rael household, Lyrica felt sad and lonely. Lyrica wanted to spend time with her Mother and Father just like what they usually do. And so, determined to spend quality time with her parents, Lyrica decided that she will invite her Father and Mother to have dinner together.

"..."

"Fath...er..."

Lyrica's Father had arrived. The moment she was waiting for had come. But when she thought she gathered the courage to invite her Father to dinner, Lyrica's legs froze at the sight of her Father with a furious look in his eyes. And then...

"How long are you going to make me wait?!"

Lyrica's Mother shouted, startling her.

"Didn't I tell you to just wait a little longer?! I'm trying my hardest to find a job, you know!"

Lyrica's Father responded. Then a fight broke out between the two.

This is the first time that Lyrica had seen the two fight. But at the same time, she realized what was happening and the situation her family was in.

Lyrica's Mother's salary was cut. Her father lost his job and is struggling to find one. Because of their insufficient income, they were forced to loan from a money lending bank which gives a high-interest rate to pay for their monthly rent, Lyrica's school expenses, and the food they eat. Not being able to pay the full amount in time, the interest of what they burrowed piled up into a big sum for a few months. And now, not only do they worry about paying all their dues, but they also have to worry about where they will get the money for their debt.

Having realized the truth, Lyrica was devastated. All this time, she was clueless about what was happening. She didn't think that the situation would be such a big deal. If only she knew what was happening from the beginning, she would have done something to help her parents ease their burden even if it's just a little. But that's what her parents are trying to avoid, they don't want her childhood to be taken away because of the problem that befell on them. Although she felt a sense of guilt, Lyrica understood their decision.

But now that she knows the truth, Lyrica thought she had to do something. It was only right that Lyrica should help her parents resolve the problem as part of their family. Who else are you going to ask for help in times of distress other than your family? Having made up her mind, Lyrica who is known to isolate herself from the people she doesn't know, the girl who only communicate with people she is comfortable with gathered the courage to break through her shell.

Lyrica started participating in recitations she was always afraid of doing. She began joining group activities she always tried avoiding. She started working harder into her studies. Lyrica even started spending her free time during their break studying instead of enjoying her lunch together with her friends. On top of that, she started doing her homework every after class just so that she can have more time studying during the afternoon and in the evening.

Their financial stability is what tearing Lyrica's family apart. And in order to solve the issue, she must graduate with a high degree and get a job that would solve all their problems. That is why she started working harder. Harder than anyone else. However...

"Lyrica, what's wrong with you? You look kinda pale and exhausted. I almost thought I was talking to a zombie. Are you even sleeping right?"

"You're exaggerating a bit, don't you think? Of course, I'm fine."

"What part of you looks fine?! You should see yourself in a mirror!"

"Sorry, but I don't have much time talki-"

"I noticed you joining recitations and group activities. You started communicating with people you didn't even know about it. I was so happy seeing you're no longer isolating yourself away from people you don't know. But then you also started putting all your attention studying. You stopped hanging out with me and everyone else, you wouldn't even join me with lunch together anymore. All you're ever doing is to look into our school books and the notes written in the blackboard. Why? Why are you so eager studying all of a sudden?"

"I'm just preparing for the upcoming exams next week. Shouldn't you be worrying about it yourself? You should go and review everything we've learned during class, too, Erika."

"I know! I've been preparing about it myself. But you, the way you're doing it is just too much. If you keep doing that, you'll end up hurting yourself!"

"... I'm sorry, I need to go now. Later."

"L... Lyrica!"

Despite what her friend told her, Lyrica continued what she was doing. Lyrica studied all day, all night until the day she was preparing for this whole time finally came.

The day of the exam came. The school grounds are empty and the hallways are filled with deafening silence. However, inside a certain classroom, one single student weren't present.

"Lyrica..."

At that time, Lyrica wasn't in school, nor in her house. Lyrica was lying in a hospital bed, endlessly crying with pain and regret.

It was the night before the day of the exam. Lyrica's Mother had already served her daughter's dinner in the table, but Lyrica hasn't gone out of her room since the afternoon.

"Lyrica! You've been inside your room since this afternoon! The dinner is ready, come out and eat! ...Lyrica?"

Lyrica's Mother felt something was wrong, and so she went up and barged in into Lyrica's room. And that's where she found her daughter lying on the floor. Lyrica was breathing heavily, she was sweating profusely, and her chest was seemingly in pain.

Lyrica was immediately taken to a nearby hospital. Since that night, she was lying in the hospital bed where doctors tried treating her. And then that morning, Lyrica woke up and realized what happened. Lyrica started crying.

"I... I just wanted to help Mother and Father... But I ended up causing more trouble for them instead..."

Lyrica's determination to help her family was undoubtedly admirable. But, she was so fixated on wanting to help her family that she didn't take into account the consequences of forcing herself out of her comfort zone and working her mind and body restlessly. In the end, her body gave in from all the stress she accumulated onto herself. And now, not only do they have to worry about paying all their debts, Lyrica's parents would also have to worry about Lyrica's medical fees.