Let Him Love You First

Message: You know what America? If you think that Zoey was wrong for treating you badly, wouldn't it be better for the two of you to sit down, relax and talk? Remember that you've been friends since childhood.

Reply: Earl it's easy to say but hard to do. Yes! We've been considering each other as best of friends but why did she decide to believe other people's hearsay?

From their seven years of friendship, Zoey could say that America is a hard-headed person. Zoey pretended to be someone else just to have a decent conversation with her. All she wanted was to know the truth.

It started when one of her classmates saw both America and Michael, Zoey's boyfriend, at the mall. At first, when she heard about this, she thought that what was the big deal of seeing them? What if they were buying some stuff together? Or they could have met accidentally. She naïvely thought that it would be better if her best friend was on good terms with her boyfriend. In that way, she can help and understand them if they were fighting.

But all of those thoughts disappeared in an instance when her classmate showed her a picture wherein they were caught in the act of kissing and holding each other's hands while buying Cinema Tickets.

She dialed America's phone number and tried to ask where she was last weekend when someone saw them together. America answered her calmly, "I was sleeping at home. Why? You know that Mom was mad at me and I was grounded and forbidden from going outside last weekend, right?"

After she heard the reply, she thought that the response was like a big slap on her face; she knew that America was lying because her friend's evidence was authentic. The photo has a date on it and it was impossible for anyone to edit or change the said photo because she used a film camera.

Zoey thought of it before she called Michael and asked him the same question. After Michael had answered her phone call and heard her question, his forehead instantly covered with cold sweat. Did Zoey found out about them? He tried to calm himself first before answering, "Babe I've told you that Dad was still mad at me and ordered me to stay at home and that was the reason I couldn't pick you up after your ballet lesson." Little did he know that his answer was exactly the same as what America had said to Zoey? Zoey started to have a doubt about them.

After that week, Zoey found more about their illicit romance. They indeed are having an affair behind her back. After most of her friends tried to convince her to break it up with him, Zoey finally decided to do it. She then again called and asked him to meet her at the park near their village. When he arrived she immediately said, "Mike, let's end this." At that moment, she was already shredding her tears as she was asking him to end their relationship. Mike wanted to hold her hand but before he even had the chance to grab her left hand Zoey already stepped backwards to avoid him.

"Z I'm sorry. I know I'm wrong. I know I wronged you but please don't this to me. I was tempted, I was seduced. I neither like nor love America. Babe, please don't say this." Who would have thought that Michael has the audacity to say that?

Zoey was confused about what to believe; she didn't know whether Michael was telling the truth or it was another set of lies. But before she turned around and left, she was taken aback when she saw him kneeling and crying on the ground while asking for her forgiveness. She took her words back.

She noticed long before that America has a habit of taking everything she likes. She thought it was only for material things she liked to own or love, but she underestimated this habit of hers. Alfie once said, "I don't get it, how come you befriend that kind of person? There is a reason I don't like her to be my friend."

But having a kind heart and naïve personality, Zoey ended up forgiving Michael in that instant. If her other best friends will see her easily forgiving Michael and his wrongdoings, they will probably beat her up and curse her from head to toe.

Michael tried to tell everything, from the time he started entertaining America's text and chat messages up to the moment that she tried to threaten him by making up a story that he was the one pursuing her despite being in a relationship. He promised Zoey that he won't talk to her anymore.

After that night, America and Zoey's friendship started to shutter.

Message: Earl it would be better if you won't try to make it up for her. Maybe it would be better if we really stop being friends. You might be put in a tough situation if things get worst.

Reply: Okay if that's what you say. Anyways, I have to say goodnight. It's getting late. Goodnight A.

"Gosh! It's really hard to pretend to be Earl. I have to keep his manners of talking or else she will find out that I'm Zoey." She said to herself. When Zoey looked at her clock, she was startled to see that it's already 10 pm. She needs to sleep or else she will be late for Michael's concert.

The next day, Zoey woke up by her alarm clock. She stood up and bathed herself. While combing her hair, her phone rang.

Michelle is calling.

"Hello ate. Where thou art? We'll be leaving soon. Don't let kuya see you, okay? Most importantly don't be late."

"Roger that! I'll be leaving soon. Don't worry. See you later!"

Michelle is the younger sister of Michael. Sometimes, Zoey thinks that Michelle treats her as her real sister compared to her own real brother.

Zoey bid her goodbye to her mom and asked her older brother, Zick, to send her to school. Michael's concert will be held in their school auditorium.

"Should I pick you up later?" Zick asked after Zoey stepped out of his car.

"I'll call you later, if you won't answer then I'll call mom."

Zoey entered sneakily in their school auditorium. She was afraid to be seen by Michael or anyone in his team. She lied to him that she won't make it for the event as they were going to a family gathering. She planned to surprise him.

Zoey tried to find Michelle's seat. While looking from left and right, her phone rang.

"Ate, we're on the right side near the stage. I already saw you and I'm waving my hand."

A few moments later "Hi Tito and Tita!" said Zoey and paid her respect to Michael's parents by doing mano to his dad and beso to his mom.

"Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen..." the emcee began. He introduced the first performer.

Before Michael's name was to be called, Mrs. Cortez, his mom, gave her a backstage pass. Each parent of all the performers was given a pass for when their kids needed their help. "Go and pick Michael later; we'll be waiting for you guys at the parking lot."

"Let's welcome Mr. Michael Cortez." everyone inside the hall clapped their hands together and welcomed Michael as he was about to do.

"OMG girl! He's so handsome!"; "I will search his account!" Hearing the girls behind them, Michelle pats Zoey's shoulder and said, "Looks like Kuya attracts many love rivals for you ate. Hahahaha!"

When Michael stepped out and reached the center stage, he took a glance at his parents'; he was surprised to also see Zoey. He didn't expect her to be there. He smiled and winked at her.

"I can die now, he smiled at me!" said the girl behind them.

After his performance audience applauded merrily to him, he even received a standing ovation which was led by the girls behind.

"Zoey, we'll go ahead. We'll wait for you guys." Mr. Cortez said to Zoey. They quietly left the auditorium.

Zoey stood up after that and went to the backstage area. At the entrance, Gil, one of her classmate and her co-CAT officer, was guarding the door.

Gil saluted to Zoey after she had reached him. "Release," Zoey commanded. "I'm here to get Michael." Zoey showed her pass and entered the area.

"Ma'am, Sir Michael's room is in the third from the right."

When Zoey reached Michael's room and was about to knock at the door, she heard a familiar voice.

Her body froze.

"Baby, you're so good!"

"Why are you here? Zoey is in the audience. She might see you."

"Zoey again? She doesn't have any pass at all, so she won't see me. Remember baby you gave me your pass."

"It's because Zoey said that she can't make it today. What do you want, anyway?"

"Hey! Michael! May I remind you that I'm also your GIRLFRIEND?"

"Okay. I'm sorry baby." He apologized then kissed her cheeks.

"Did you know? Last night, I was talking to Earl. He was trying to convince me to talk to Zoey and apologize."

"He messaged you? That bastard, he told me he didn't have prepaid loads to use, but then he was talking to you." He complained.

"Oh! Maybe it was his other phone number."

"Can I see it? I will give him a call and ask to bring my stuff on Monday."

Michael dialed the number America gave. However, after pressing the call button of his phone his face turned pale as he saw a familiar number on his screen. "America. It isn't Earl's. This is Zoey's number."

Zoey took her vibrating phone on her pocket and saw 'Michael calling' on the screen.