Never Be Apart

CHAPTER 12

Ash Aiden's POV

I'm just a new student at this school, but I've already gotten so much attention from the girls here. It's really annoying; I never wanted to be known like this. This isn't how things were at my old school.

"Mom, I told you... I don't want to go back to that new school! Every girl is chasing me!" I complained to my mom. She just sighed and looked away.

"I need to transfer you there because it's a great opportunity for college! I heard they even have a Law School, so you really should go there—"

"Mom, do you really think I can pass the Law School entrance exam with my grades? They're way too low!" I said, a bit in slang since I'm still not used to speaking Tagalog even after years here.

"You need to have a job related to Law no matter what!" she snapped, grabbing my plate with food. "If you don't pursue Law, I won't feed you!" I could really feel her anger now. I sighed and looked away.

"Why do you always want me to study Law?" I suddenly asked. "Since I was a kid, you've been saying I need to be a judge. If not a judge, then a prosecutor. If I can't be a prosecutor, at least be an attorney. Why, Mom, why?" I asked, confused. Her anger seemed to disappear for a moment but then came back. "why do you keep pressuring me to be something I don't want to be"

"Because I want you to!" she yelled, turning her back and going into her room. I sighed and looked away again. Next year, I'll be in college. I need to get into Law School even if I don't want to. I didn't know what to do, so I just pulled at my hair in frustration.

I was lost in thought when I felt my phone vibrate. I quickly grabbed it and answered the call.

"Good evening, Aiden," I heard on the other end. It was a man's voice, so I checked the caller ID to see who it was—just Tito.

"Yes, Tito? You called. Why?" Tito is my mom's brother. He's been like a father to me since I've never seen or even seen a picture of my real dad. Whenever I ask Mom, she says Dad is gone, and during All Saints' Day, when I ask where his grave is, she can't answer.

I once overheard a conversation where Tito said Mom needed to tell me something but couldn't. Whenever Tito tried to talk about it, Mom would leave quickly to avoid the conversation.

One time, I got into a fight with some classmates who were bothering a female classmate. I was about to get a record for violence, but Mom cried in the principal's office, saying it would ruin my chances for Law School. Fortunately, the principal agreed to Mom's plea. We fought when we got home. She was furious and threatened to disown me if I got into a fight again.