Three years passed. We're already in our third year as a high school student. Serene and I became bestfriends.
"Atlas! Will you pay attention?!" she said.
I laughed seeing her face. "Why are you so grumpy?" I jokingly asked her.
She closed her book which made me back to my senses. I sighed as a sign of defeat and focused on what we're doing.
We're currently answering math activities and she's my groupmate. I just quietly did my part because she may be grumpier if I didn't.
I stood up and did a stretch. My neck was so stiff while solving the problems. Serene then stopped writing and looked at me.
"Why do you always finish first when I were the one who started first?" she stated sarcastically.
I just shrugged my shoulders. I shouldn't talk back considering the mood she's in. I sat beside her and started comparing our answers.
We both answered all of the questions, then compared it when we're done. I got all answers correctly while she has one wrong which made her mad, really mad.
"You should be thankful for you are so talented. Where was I when skills were distributed?" she angrily stated.
"You were probably sleeping." I whispered.
She looked at me with fiery eyes. "I heard that." she said then threw her bag to me.
It's probably her time of the month. I called for her. "Should we get some donuts?" she happily nodded. Confirmed. It really is.
We went to a cafe and ordered her favourite donuts. I didn't order something for I am still full.
"Thanks Atlas! I was craving for donuts."
Mood swings. I was watching her while she was happily eating when my phone suddenly rang.
It was my mother's name that popped up. I excused myself to answer the phone call. I went outside of the cafe.
"Hello Mom?" I spoke up.
Fear filled me when I heard my mother sobbing. I asked her what happened.
"Mom, calm down. What happened?" I worriedly asked. When I heard the reason why she's crying, I didn't believe it.
I went back with my legs wobbling. Serene was sipping on her drink. She offered me some but I refused.
"Who called you?" she innocently asked.
I told her it was my mother who called and she wanted me to go home. We stood up and left the cafe.
Our driver was waiting outside. "I thought we're going to commute?" Serene said.
I just smiled which made her eyebrows meet. She's probably thinking why I'm acting differently. The engine started and we started to move.
"Our village is on the other way." she uttered when she noticed that we're going on different way.
I just told her that my mom wants me to do something before going home. After I finished talking, silence enveloped us.
In a few minutes, we arrived at the hospital. I exhaled. I looked at Serene who's really clueless. I smiled sadly when she looked at me.
"Why are we here? Will you tell me what's happening, please? This is making me so nervous, Atlas?" she asked. I held her hand tightly as the sight of our families devastated was seen.
Serene's parents embraced her. I went to my crying mother. Her parents then told her what happened.
I was there when she knew about her brother's death. My heart was broken but hers was shattered.
"Atlas..." she started crying again. I hugged her and patted her back as this will be the last time she'll be seeing her brother.
Camera flashes were everywhere. I didn't even know that my father took a picture of us. I just knew when I'm home.
A picture of him hugging Serene was taken. It was her first heartache and he was there to comfort her.
