Bound By Fire

Chapter One

Millicent - 13 years old

"Focus, Millicent!"

I lowered my stance and prepared myself for the upcoming ball. Once dad lifted the ball and tossed it my way, I put my hands together, gaya nang itinuro niya sa'kin, so I could send it back over the net.

My dad had been a volleyball coach for as long as I can remember. Sabi sa'kin ni mommy, hindi pa raw sila magkakilala ni daddy ay ito na ang trabaho nito. And I am proud to be his daughter, dahil bukod sa madalas champion ang Herondale High dahil sa kanya, he was the best dad I could ever ask for.

I hit the ball with all my might, and it soared over the net. Dad was obviously pleased because he cheered that I did a good job.

"Hey, dad, tumawag si mommy, and she said na may mga bisita raw sa bahay, and you know them."

Nakita kung paanong mas nagliwanag ang mukha ni daddy sa sinabi ni kuya. Whoever those visitors are, for sure, they are important to him.

"Alright, little girl, we need to go home. But you did a great job. Next time, I can already teach you how to spike. Is that cool?"

Excited akong tumango. I have always wanted to do that. Even though I am not a part of our school's volleyball team, I am still a huge fan of the sport because of my dad.

Nasa harap pa lang kami ng bahay ay napansin ko na ang magarbong kotse. Sigurado na pagmamay ari ito ng mga bisita.

"Hey, Cap!" napatingin ako sa nagsalita. Siguro ay magkasing edad lang sila ni daddy at napakaganda niya. Mayroon din siyang katabing lalaking matangkad at gwapo, which I think was her husband.

"Arya?" gulat na tanong ni daddy, but he quickly crossed the distance between them at niyakap ang babae.

Nag-usap silang dalawa, and then the woman looked in my direction. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin, but I ended up smiling at her. She smiled back sweetly at me.

"This is my daughter, Millicent. This is Tita Arya, Mills."

"Hello, tita," nahihiyang sabi ko, but it seemed like she didn't mind. She even lowered herself to my level and gave me a warm hug.

"It's nice to meet you, Millicent. How old are you?"

"I am thirteen."

"Wow, my son is the same age as you, so maybe you two can be friends?"

I just nodded at that even though I was not quite sure about it. I have friends in school, and I also do not know kung gusto ba ako maging kaibigan ng anak niya. And a boy? My dad and my kuya don't allow me to be that friendly with boys.

"Blake anak, come here," Tita Arya said, and mula sa likuran nung matangkad na lalaki sa tabi niya ay may lumabas na lalaki. Did she say that he was thirteen, like me? It doesn't look like it because he was so tall!

"Hi Millicent, My name is Tito Blaise. I am your Tita Arya's husband, and this is our son, Blake. He will soon attend Herondale High and will be in the same class as you."

My eyes rounded at that. A new classmate?

"What are you going to say, Mills?" my dad urged beside me. I smiled at Blake and reached out my hand for a handshake. Akala ko hindi niya tatanggapin, but he did.

"My name is Millicent Iris Escoleto. What's yours?" I asked

"Blake Nicolas Gandia," he simply said, not meeting my eyes.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na si Blake, Millie. I think he has a crush on you because when he saw your picture last time, his face turned red," Tito Blaise said.