First Dive

Chase's POV

"Run for your life!" One of the three men chasing me shouted while laughing.

Don’t ask if why are they chasing me, ‘cause even me don’t know the exact reason. They were one of the bullies at my High School and unfortunately, they chose me to be their victim today. Tss. As soon as they saw me after class, they immediately followed me and that is how I ended up running from them.

Ugh! Living in a foreign country actually sucks. Especially if you don't grew up here. Grr, racists.

"Run faster faggot! Cause we're chasing you Chase!" the heck. The monkey trio laughed because of what their stupid leader said.

“AH!” I screamed as a speeding car almost hit me while running. The monkeys laughed hard because of what happened.

"Argh! One day I'll get my revenge you monkey faces!" I retorted and continued running. It seems like they were kinda insulted by what I said.

Did I say something wrong?

I ran as fast as I could. I feel like I’m the Flash and the villains were the one chasing me. I outrun them easily since my body is trained. I’m a marathon athlete back in my country anyway.

When I saw a narrow street, I quickly turned and tried to find a hiding spot. I can’t run forever. I tried to hide behind a large trash bin and waited for the monkey trio to pass by.

I tried to sneak a peek to know if they passed by already. A few seconds later, I saw their stupid faces, drenched in sweat. They stopped in front of the narrow street. The dwarf looking guy was already exhausted, he looks like he’s about to pass out. Well, it would be really hard for him to keep up with his monkey friends. He’s the shortest in their trio.

"Where'd that weakling go?" Kid said catching his breath. He’s the guy who stands as their leader. He is also the ugliest but the strongest of the three.

"Maybe he ran to his mother!" the dwarf laughed. This bastard, if only he’s alone I’m going to kick his butt. He’s way smaller than me. He’s acting strong because Kid got his back.

One of them suddenly looked at my direction so I quickly ducked. Damn! I hope they won’t see me.

Please go somewhere else! I have a lot of things to do!

“Maybe he hid under those trash, like him." I heard one of them said. I’m sure it’s the redhead. That skinny monkey, I’m going to ignite him on fire.

I can hear footsteps walking towards my direction. I look like a crazy homeless person as I helplessly hide myself behind this trash bin. Damn. Why is this even happening to me?

They are such a pain in the ass. I still have a project that I need to do. They are ruining my schedule. I need to adjust my damn schedule because of them. Tss.

I saw a shadow of a round head and I used all my will not to laugh. I’m sure it was Kid, he shaved his head last week thinking it will look cool on him. But he ended up looking like an egg. I don’t even know if he’s aware that he look like a deformed egg.

I closed my eyes and hoped that Kid won’t see me sitting here. Damn. My hands were all sweaty now. What should I do if he sees me here?

"He's not here! Let's look at the docks." I heard some footsteps and some little arguments before the voices of the stupid monkeys disappear. I took a peek to check if they were really gone. I heaved a sigh when there are no signs of them. Tsk. What a hassle. Their trio really is a pain in the ass. Those monkeys were privileged and lucky enough to have a good life, but still chose to be jerks.

I fixed myself and walked away from that place. They exhaust me, tsk.

I decided to go to the public library first before going home. I might see them again on my way home and that would be another series of running and hiding from them.

I’ll just do my homework and research for my project at the public library. I took my notebook out of my satchel and scanned the things I should do today.

Friday, April 5, 2019

...

(3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)

Do my project.

(4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Do homework.

...

I checked the time on my wristwatch and damn, its past 4 already. The monkey trio really did ruined my schedule. I fished my pen out of my pocket and switched the schedule of doing my homework and the research. I think I can finish my homework pretty quick anyway.

Only one month left before our graduation. I still have a lot of requirements to finish and pass. Studying is the only thing that can give me a steady life. This is my only hope.

That is why I really like to be in control of my daily life. Call me a control freak, I don’t mind. I like keeping things in order. I want everything to be right on sched. Time is precious and every second counts. But those bastards were such a pain. They keep ruining my schedule and possibly my future. Tss.

I heaved a sigh before walking towards the library. I should hurry to finish my tasks right on time.

* * *

I checked my things before coming out of the library. I checked the time and its almost 6 PM. Tsk. I forgot about the time because I was too focused on the books that I scanned and read.

The air is pretty chilly out here. But not too cold though. Unlike in the Philippines, it is too hot back there around this time of year. The sun will set pretty soon. I walked absentmindedly with my hands inside my pockets.

The apartment complex me and my family live in is not far from here. It’s just a few blocks away from the public library. Transportation wouldn’t be a problem. My High School is also not far from our apartment, that’s why I can save up my allowance for future use.

When I reached the building, I can’t help but to stare at it. It’s not glamorous and all. The paint of its walls are starting to fade, six stories high, and not too spacious inside. But what’s important is that my family has a decent place to live.

“Hey kid!” I flinched at the sudden voice that came from behind me. I quickly glared at the woman, the owner of the voice who almost gave me a heart attack.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me kid! I'm seventeen already! Besides, 'Kid' reminds me of that A hole at school." I retorted. I cringed when I remembered the face of that bald bully named Kid.

The woman beside me is three years older than me, that’s why she really likes to tease me. Do I look like a nerd or a loser to them?

"Yeah, you're already seventeen yet you act like you're eight years old." I gave her death glares for what she said.

She's Macy Morgan, a former student at our High School. She’s in college now, but we still see each other almost every weekend. She’s my neighbor. Tss. She always visits her parents, I can’t judge though. She really loves her parents and that’s one of the few things I like about her.

“When did I act like an eight year old? I did not. In fact, I already had a plan for my future." She just raised an eyebrow and scoffed. We walked together towards the entrance of the building.

“You’re still a kid.” She said and laughed. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I already have a bad day, I don’t want another stress.

"Well anyway, what's your plan tomorrow night?" She asked, changing the topic because she probably sensing my bad aura.

"Tomorrow? Well, nothing actually. Why?" Of course that was a lie. I have a lot of things to do. And everyone seems to ruin my schedule. Why would I waste my time planning and scheduling everything I have to do for each day if I won’t even follow it? It would be nonsense.

She smirked and started to fidget with her dirty blonde hair. "Well, you know there is an eclipse tomorrow right? And I have a date." She covered her face with her hands, looking like a child who’s shy of talking about her crush. Who’s acting like a kid now?

"Oh really? Who's the unlucky guy?" She just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms against her chest.

"You're just jealous ‘cause you don't have a date tonight. Or tomorrow. Or the day after tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or——"

"Enough." I said dismissively.

She smirked and flipped her hair back. “Well, I’m right, right?” I just stared at her, face blank. Why is she even bragging about someone she didn’t even known fully?

I faked a smile to mock her as I open the door of the building. She messed up my hair first before entering which earned her another death glare from me.

Urg! Why do they like teasing me? Is that really fun for them?

Upon entering we immediately went straight to the elevator. When the two of us got inside, I pressed the number 4 and the elevator door closed. Yes, we live in the same floor. Which kinda sucks. But hey, I'm not complaining about their whole family. The Morgan’s were good friends of our family. It’s just that, this woman is really annoying, which happens to be their only daughter.

“You know what?” I looked at Macy when she suddenly spoke. She’s looking at our reflection in the door of the elevator. The expression on her face is somewhat soft and gentle. Far from her normal joking attitude.

“Hm?”

“You should take it easy,” she looked at me with her eyes full of care.

"You know? Have some fun! You're still young. Don't take everything too seriously." I was nonplussed with what she said. She smiled and winked at me before facing the door again. Then the elevator door swung open.

"It's cliché but… there is a right time for everything." She added. Macy pat my head before walking out of the elevator. I quickly followed her before the elevator door closes.

"See ya' around kiddo!" she waved a hand.

It’s unusual to hear some “words of wisdom” from her. She’s super annoying, but I know she really cares for me.

I stopped in front of Room 403 while Macy continued walking, her parents’ apartment was Room 405, not too far from ours. I took one last glance at her before entering our apartment.

I was greeted by the smell of adobo that Mom was probably cooking. Our apartment is not that big, but it was fine for us. There are three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. It’s enough for us. Besides, it is also comfy inside.

"I'm home!" I announced and walked straight to my room. I placed my satchel down on the bed and removed my clothing. I changed to a much more comfortable clothes before sitting down on my bed.

“Kuya!” I heard my sister screaming and running in the hallway.

She suddenly appeared in my doorway. She had a wide smile on her face. Her long, dark brown hair is in a ponytail. She was holding a piece of paper in her right hand. I smiled and approached her and gave her a warm hug before checking what was on the paper.

That was her test paper. In the upper right corner of the paper, her grade is written using a red ballpen. It was an A+.

I gently pinched her cheek while smiling from ear to ear. At the age of six, I can already tell that my sister is intelligent.

“Aww, you little pumpkin is really smart, aren’t you?” Her cheeks turned a little red and it looks like she’s blushing. She kissed me on my cheek and smiled shyly. My sister is really sweet.

“Of course I’m smart, just like you, Kuya!” I smirked at what she said. This little girl sure knows how to flatter someone.

"Allen! Aya! Dinner’s ready! Let's eat." we heard Mom calling us. I immediately took my sister outside my room to eat.

Suddenly, the front door opened and a tall, tanned-skinned man entered the room. My father was wearing a white polo and a black slacks. The black sling bag he always carried hung on his wide shoulder.

Dad is an employee of a Filipino Company here in New York. He is one of the lucky ones to be promoted and assigned to work in their branch here. So here we are, living our life in the land of opportunity, New York City!

“Daddyyy!!" my sister shouted and cheerfully ran to Dad. She immediately hugged Dad tightly as if they had not seen each other for a year. Well, that’s how my sister is, she’s very clingy. It’s really cute though.

I approached Dad and greeted him, “Mano po, Dad.” I took his right hand, I lowered my head down and the back of his hand touched my forehead. It is a sign of respect to the elders and is a tradition of Filipinos.

“Bless you, my son.” He gave me a warm smile.

“Let’s eat, Dad.” I said and smiled at him. He tapped my shoulder before walking inside their room. Maybe he’ll change into a more comfortable clothes.

After eating dinner, we hung out in the living room first. Our eyes were fixed on the T.V. that shows the news. They showed a clip of a lunar eclipse and my family stare at it in awe. The news anchors explained why those phenomena occur. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow.

I find it somehow boring though. I mean, what's so good about it? An eclipse occurs naturally. I get it that it only happens few times, in few years, but what's so special about it? It’s just another event where the moon and the sun meet.

I sighed and got up from the couch. I lose interest in watching the news. I’d rather sleep than die out of boredom. Besides, I have a lot of things to do tomorrow, so I need to have a good rest.

When I got inside my room, I gently closed the door behind me. I sat down and picked up my satchel lying on the bed. I took all my things out and placed them one by one on the study table, including the two books that I borrowed from the Library.

I was baffled when a folded piece of paper suddenly fell from one of the books. I picked it up and examined it. The paper is obviously old because it looks so thin. I placed the book on the table first before I slowly opened the paper, scared that it might rip into pieces.

There are some words and phrases written on it. It looks like a letter or a poem.

They say, "Everything happens for a Reason"

But Fate is so unfair to me.

I crossed paths with a woman that can never be mine. I crossed paths with a woman I can never spend my life with.

We met by accident, and it was the best accident that happened in my life.

I loved her with all my heart, but I know I can't be with her. It just can't. Because I'm from the 21st century and she's from the 20th century.

The only thing I can say right now is...

It is a privilege to be a part of your life...

“Weird”, that’s the only thing that came into my mind after reading it. Is this really the effect of love to a person?

I put it back to the book again. I don’t even think I understand the exact meaning of that letter, or poem, or whatever the heck it is. Besides, I don’t need that for my project anyway.

I lay down and stared at the ceiling for a moment. I put my right arm on my forehead while thinking about the things I have to do. I made a list of the things I need to do tomorrow in my mind. After thinking about my plans, I put my arm around my eyes and let myself fall asleep.