Love, Anon (COMPLETED)

Epilogue 2/4

"Hey!" I said upon seeing Juliette in front of her school.

I saw her bid goodbye to her two guy friends earlier. I think the guy that Juliette was talking about was between her two companions. It can be the moreno or the chinito one. I didn't know why I felt that Juliette would reciprocate her feelings at any moment to his guy friend because they're always together! I merely shrugged as I firmed my posture. 

I didn't want to think about it anymore.

When we walked, Juliette remained quiet. I just remained by her side, knowing that something was wrong. I anchored my attention to her backpack. I wanted to ask why was she carrying all of these books? For sure, it was heavy, especially for her tiny build! I carefully lifted her backpack's lower part so she wouldn't feel the heaviness.

"What are you doing?" She asked as she lifted her gaze at me instead of looking at the road.

"You want milk tea?" I asked, not minding what she said. She looked so different, and I wanted to make her feel that she wasn't alone—or just in case she needed someone to talk to and be able to help in everything that I could.

"Why are you like that? Hu–hu–hu." She said hu-hu-hu as if she'd cry any moment from now and pouted.

The audacity to act cutely!

"Milktea and a hu–hu–hug?" I asked and smiled at her. She smiled a little, but I knew that she was still sad! How do I even lift her spirits?

"Parang tanga..."

"What flavor do you want?" I asked while we were standing in front of the cashier. 

"I want Choco Malt with extra pearl!" She softly whispered and sat on the chair that we'd reserved. I can't help but smile at how she is in everything she does. She told me before that she's always shy to order from the cashier and never in her life gotten to overcome her fear. So I promised her that I'd be her spokesperson. 

"If this was about academics, you must know that the tiny failure you've received doesn't define you and make you less," I said and put my hand on my chin. Or maybe what I've said was wrong because we have different coping mechanisms and depths in life.

Maybe I should've stayed silent, so I wouldn't make her feel less valid.

"Two days ago, my teacher asked why do Filipina millennials always wear shorts kahit na maikli..." she sighed as she put her chin on her hand. "Ang sabi ko naman, mayroon po bang longs ma'am?"

My eyes widened as I began to smile. "You're brave!"

Juliette instantly nodded. "Pero after no'n, pinag-initan na 'ko. She constantly publicly shamed me for every little thing..." she stopped. "Kahit nga by defending someone's right and for sticking beyond my principles. She would easily get mad. Tapos my problem pa 'ko sa mga friends ko. It feels like my problems have no end at all..." she sighed as she covered her face using her palms. "Sorry, hindi ako medyo funny ngayon, ganda nalang talaga." She continued.

I immediately shook my head. "I chose you because you feel like home and not just because you're witty. I think it was wrong when your teacher started to criticize how Filipina millennials choose their clothes. We all have the right to choose whatever we want, especially if we're living in a democratic country." I took a deep breath. "How brave are you to ask if there's a short, but its length is long."

Juliette started to laugh beside me.

"Akala ko, you chose me because I'm pretty!" She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears. "All I have to do right now is to tolerate her because I have no choice."