Loving Cassidy Lopez

Chapter 1

Warning: This is a gxg story, so if this is not your cup of tea and you are just here to spread your toxicity, feel free to leave. Also, grammatically incorrect and wrong punctuation marks ahead!!!

Athena

The persistent ringing of my cell phone jolted me awake. Irritated, I checked the message from an animal who dared to disturb me this early.
 
Langga-go
 
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Shrek thought he was ugly.
until he saw you.
 
Good morning, Athena! Anong oras tayo mag sisimba today?
*read 7:31am*
 
Rolling my eyes at the cheesy message, I replied, confirming our 11 a.m. church plans. With my best friend, Irene, it's a routine we uphold when our schedules are aligned.
 
Anyway, my name is Athena Maurice Constello Silvenia. 18, though my close circle often opts for Maurice or just Athena. Nakatira sa bahay at nag-aaral sa paaralan. 
 
Just kidding. I am currently staying with my grandparents because it's summer and there's no school yet. Nag-aaral naman ako sa Zaire University bilang isang scholar. 
 
I forgot it's Sunday pala. Me and Irene are planning to go to church, kasi para mag-simba. Conyo ka girl?
 
It was 10:30 when we left the house. The church is not that far, so we arrived there in less than a few minutes. 
 
 
After an hour, the mass finally ended. My stomach grumbled with hunger as we strolled out of the church. It was then that my longtime friend, Irene, broke the silence. We used to be rivals, but when I needed support and someone to lean on, she was there by my side and never left me. 
 
"Athena, nakapag enroll ka na ba para sa next school year?" Irene called out, drawing my attention.
 
"Oh, come on! Stop ruining my vacation. We've got a good two weeks before school starts. Chill." I responded, trying to put some humor in it. But her words quickly soured my mood.
 
"If you insist, I'm just reminding you. Remember the last time? I bet you don't want that to happen again." She mentioned, and the memory froze me in place. She never failed to ruin my mood.
 
Trying to shake off the discomfort, I chuckled and nudged her to head back home, eager to pivot away from the topic.
 
 
**********
Days had passed, and an unending cycle of work at my part-time job as a barista in our local shop consumed me.
 
Haayyss, gusto ko nalang talaga maging hotdog sa ref. 
 
Pero naalala ko na sa susunod na araw na pala 'yong birthday ni Lucas at wala pa akong regalo sakaniya.
 
Lucas is one of my friends, although you wouldn't guess it at first glance because he's the monkey and I, well, I'm the goddess. I flipped my hair because of what I said, which caused me to laugh. What an idiot!
 
I tidied myself up as I planned to head to the mall today to buy a gift. It would be embarrassing if I showed up empty-handed for that monkey, especially when he always gives me presents on my birthday.
 
It's quite embarrassing, honestly. Lucas and my entire circle of friends always give me such lavish presents. That's why whenever they're in need, I make sure to lend a hand, doing everything within my power to help them out.
 
While arranging the things I needed before going down, suddenly, I heard a shattering bang and screaming downstairs.
 
I rushed downstairs immediately to find out what was going on.
 
As I made my way downstairs, I found Mama and Kuya Mark in the midst of an argument.
 
"Punyeta! Kulang pa ba 'yang perang binibigay ko sainyo?" Wika ni Mama na mukhang galit na pero nag titimpi lang.
 
"Ma, 15 thousand lang ito. Sa tingin mo ba kakasiya saamin ito ng mag ina ko?" A wave of frustration surged within me, causing my fists to clench involuntarily while Kuya Mark continued his complaints.
 
"Kalalaki mo kasing tao bakit hindi ka mag trabaho?" Hindi ko na hinintay pang sumagot si Mama at ako na ang sumagot sakaniya. Kung si Mama mahaba ang pasensiya, puwes ako hindi.
 
"Wala nga natanggap sa akin dahil-" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos mag salita dahil alam ko naman na ang irarason niya. 
 
"Walang natanggap o sadiyang tamad ka lang? Bakit hindi mo pag trabahuin 'yang asawa mo para may silbi naman?" I shook my head in disappointment.
 
I didn't even wait for his response and immediately approached Mama to kiss her on the cheek, bidding my farewell before leaving.
 
Bahala na sila riyan. The audacity of them to ask Mama for their monthly expenses. Imbes na sila ang mag-sustento kay Mama, siya pa ang gumagawa niyan sakanila.
 
Palibhasa, sila nanga tutulungan ni ate Allysa, 'yong asawa naman ni kuya Mark na mataas ang pride ang ayaw tumanggap ng tulong galing sakaniya.
 
 
Ilang minuto lang ay nakarating na ako kaagad sa mall. Hindi naman kasi masiyadong traffic kaya napadali lang ang buhay ko.
 
While walking, I didn't notice someone approaching from my direction. That resulted in me being splashed with the coffee they were drinking. Oh, what a clumsy move, Athena!
 
"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. I'm not paying attention to where I'm going." Sabi ng nakabangga sa akin. Ang ganda niya mga bes!!
 
Her presence commanded attention—an enchanting blend of delicate features and effortless elegance. Her heart-shaped face, framed by straight, shoulder-length blonde hair, exuded a subtle radiance. The allure of her sky-blue eyes drew you in, as if drowning in their captivating depths at first glance. Complemented by pinkish lips and rosy cheeks.
 
She's also tall, with a height of 5'7. 5'5 nga lang ako.
 
What a good sight to behold! Buti nalang straight ako.
 
"It's okay. It's just a little spill. Besides, I wasn't watching where I was going either." I didn't argue anymore. Truth be told, she wasn't paying attention either. 

We were both at fault, so we should be responsible for our mistake.
 
"Let me assist you with that. Luckily, I have an extra shirt with me." She offered, her gaze shifting away from my now-soaked shirt. "In case you're wondering, my name is Vivian. And you?"
 
"Athena," I retorted.
 
"Great! So Athena, here's my spare shirt. And I'm sorry again if hindi na kita masasamahan mag palit dahil nag mamadali talaga ako." Okay? She's busy, pala. Nakakahiya naman at naistobo ko pa siya dahil sa katangahan ko. 
 
Mag sasalita na sana ako, kaso may paepal na dumating. 
 
"Vivian! My gosh! Kanina pa kita hinahanap nandito ka lang pala." 
Magkakilala sila?! Aba malamang Athena, tatawagin niya ba ang pangalan ni Vivian kung hindi? I mentally rolled my eyes because of that.
 
"Oh, what a fancy sight seeing you here, Athena. You look like a street kid," she sneered, a snide comment wrapped in judgment.
 
Akala mo naman talaga, eh? Kung wala lang 'yang surname niya, baka isa lang din siyang hamak na ordinaryong tao.
 
Shit! Why are you so bitter, Athena?
 
A surge of bitterness clouded my thoughts. And a sudden realization hit me. It's not the rich's fault that they are rigid to get where they are. And one more thing, they would not have gotten where they are today if they had not worked hard. You appear to be jealous because they are wealthy, and you are just a humble, poor person as a result of what you are doing. So what if they come from a wealthy and well-known family? Is it their fault that they were born filthy rich, and you are here spreading bitterness because you blame the world for your lack of fortune? 
 
The rich aren't to blame for their privilege. And my resentment won't change my circumstances.
 
I'm going to change my viewpoint from now on because of this sudden realization. Buti nalang talaga at maganda ako.
 
"Cassie! Stop being rude to her. It's my fault naman kung bakit ganiyan 'yong itsura niya ngayon." Pag dedepensa sa akin ng kaibigan niya. Aaww, maganda na nga, mabait pa. Akin ka nalang, Miss Ma'am. 
 
"Whatever, let's go." Cassie dismissed, tugging Vivian away, who offered an apologetic smile before leaving.
 

I flashed her a smile and headed to the resroom to change my clothes before buying what I needed..

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(Edited)