Magic Feathers (PUBLISHED)

03

I was picking up all the pieces of the shredded bond paper that was lying on the floor. I was doing my art activity and she is still here, I think she's doing her activity in Filipino. She don't wanna be bothered since it was an essay and I understand her.

I heard my mom ring the bell at the kitchen, I know that it was the sign that the food is ready. Back then, when me and my sister were just kids, mom can't call us right away and she needs to repeat herself all over again so she found a solution to her problem, a bell, and gladly, it worked.

"Nica, let's go downstairs. Let's get some snacks." I said and she stand up, then we went down and I saw mom and my sister, Antonette in the dining table.

We have a two type of pizza, a cheddar cheese and pepperoni, potato wedges, and an orange juice.

"It's nice meeting you, Mrs. North." Nica said.

"Hello, Nica! Thank you for coming over. This made my daughter happy. Just a little trivia about your friend, you are the first one that she brought here. I even thought before that she doesn't have any friend. But now, that thought isn't on my mind anymore."

Mom told her my stories and other drama so I am not that proud about that stories because that only means that I am not good in socialising with people.

"I know, Mrs. North, she doesn't talk with our classmates too. Maybe she's just an introvert, Tita."

For almost a few weeks, she's always in our house and some of classmates were coming here with her. There were other 5 of us and all of us were girls, so it was okay with my mom.

In those months, I saw the things that I liked the most about a partner, so I had the courage to confess my feelings for her but I am looking for the perfect timing.

It was already past 6 in the evening and we are still on our room, having a discussion with our English teacher about having a tomorrow until October 5 because there is a Teacher's Day celebration.

"Nica and Lea, do you want to be my student teacher for three days?" Our teacher asked and the two responded it with a nod.

After the class dismissal, I get home quickly and when I arrived, I saw my mom and my sister at the dining table.

"Oh, get change quickly because dinner is ready." Mom said.

I placed my backpack on my bed and I took off my uniform and change into a comfortable clothing before I get downstairs, I didn't check my phone before getting downstairs though.

"How's your day?" Antonette asked.

"Fine. What about yours?" I asked back.

My sister was 3 years older than me but she repeated one of her grade levels in elementary so she is still in her fourth year now.

And growing up, my sister and I never used to get along. At first, mom always complains about it but eventually, she get used to it. Sometimes, people just really don't vibe with each other.

"Fine too. Wanna tell mom about your fling? The one that you really liked on bringing here."

I was shocked when she said that, I thought that no one in school knew that I was not straight. Did someone saw me with Nica and just thought that she is my fling? Issues, huh.

"France, wanna tell me about it?" Mom said and when I looked at her, she raised her right brows.

"I don't have a fling. I don't even like the guys in school and they don't like me too. There's no fucking way that I will date a school mate." I said and take a sip on my water.

I'll hit her tomorrow when mom is not in the house anymore. I'll make her pay about this confrontation. She should've give me heads up before doing this so I can prepare my answers.

"Even Nica? I saw you two at the field yesterday and you were talking to each other like lovers." She said, she's just annoying and she's really getting on my nerves.

"Honey, it's okay if you like a girl." Mom said.

I was surprised by it, that is what usually don't come from a religious person like her. Maybe she wants to support me or maybe just tricking me?

"So do you like Nica?" Mom asked.

"No." I said.

"Oh, that must be so sad. Nica is a good person and seems to be so lovable. And I heard from your sister that she's also part of the science club, she's so smart." Mon said, "Are you sure that you don't like her?" and later on, asked.

I felt like she was already match making me to her. I wonder what it would be like when she and Nica will ever talk without me on their side.

"I do like her." I said and looked down, slightly ashamed.

"Gotcha!" Mom exclaimed and my sister laughed so hard about my forced coming out of the closet.

As if this isn't her fault in the first place. Like, what's the matter in liking someone with the same gender as yours? It was completely okay because it's how you feel and that's what who you truly are.

"See? I told you, she likes her best friend." My sister said.

"Like what I've said earlier, it was okay with me as long as you are not hurting anyone by your relationship." Mom said and that gave me a relief.

"Mom! This is not we talked about. I thought you're gonna be mad at her because she will date a girl in the next few months. That's not the practice of our church, mom! That's unfair." My sister pleaded.

"Of course it is fair, sweetie. World has been not so fair with the people like your sister. Should we do it to her too? Of course not. We won't let her experience the stares of the people at the society. We will love her. Is it clear to you, Antonette?" Mom raised her right brows and my sister just nodded.

When we were done eating, I cleaned the mess at the dining table and placed the dirty dishes on the sink. It's Antonette turns to wash the dishes today.

"Honey, how long have you been liking on Nica?" Mom asked.

"Is that a necessary question, Mom?" I asked back, "It's been more than two years now." I added.

"And she knows?" She asked.

"No." I answered.

"Why don't you confess your feelings for her?" She asked again.

"Finding for the right timing, maybe if I confess that I am not so ready, I'll lose a friend. And I don't want that to happen because she is my only friend." I said.

Mom and I are still going to talk about other stuff but my sister interrupted us with, "Someone's calling in your phone."

And with that, I immediately ran into my room and get where I placed my phone before I get out earlier.

Nica sent me 7 messages and 2 missed video calls. She was asking me if I could join her tomorrow in walking through Lea's house. Although I was not so familiar with the place, I still agreed.

"It was so out of the topic but you know, I have a crush." I texted her.

"Really? One of our classmates? Who? I wanna know." She texted back with laughing emojis.

I was so nervous because I don't know what would she feel if someone with the same gender as her confessed to her. And I don't know what I would feel too after confessing because this is the first time I am ever doing this. Probably, not doing this again if this became a failed confession.

"Yes. Are you sure you won't get mad if I told you what's her name?" I asked.

"Her? A girl? Yes, I won't get mad, why would I in the first place? Please tell me her name." She replied.

"She is..." I texted.

"Who? One of our friends?" She replied back.

"She is... You." I replied and gladly, she responded so quick.

"I don't believe you."