Chapter I 

I looked up to see the crying sky. I huffed in frustration, blowing a stray strand of hair out of my face. I placed the umbrella's handle between my cheek and my shoulder while scrambling for my phone in my bag. I pulled out my phone, 1%. I immediately opened it to send an urgent message to my best friend to come and pick me up from my misery. Unfortunately, the phone died before I could even click 'send.' I scratched my head, eyebrows furrowed at my phone's blank screen.

I slipped my phone back in my bag, adjusting my hold on my umbrella- from my uncomfortable position that made my neck stiffen that it already was, to my aching hand.

I poked the inside of my cheek with my tongue. I impatiently tapped my heels on the concrete sidewalk, occasionally holding out my free hand to call out for a cab- no cab stopped. I groaned in irritation. What an absolutely lucky day!

I was standing here for about half an hour and my patience the size of an atom is definitely not helping. My legs are aching, my head is throbbing, my vision is blurring- kulang na lang mamatay!

It's raining harder now. Almost no cabs are passing by, even if there was- it would always be full. Why am I standing here like an idiot anyway? I weighed my choices in my mentally unstable brain.

Do I stand here and wait for a knight in shining armour to magically appear and pick me up to be my happily ever after?

OR

Do I cross the street with a high chance of dying from getting hit by a car- or better, a huge truck running above speed limit with the help of the blurry atmosphere given by the rain. Plus- if I survived, that is- getting cover and at least eating something to satisfy the monster in my stomach screaming for food?

I decided to do the latter. I can die- which is a good choice to go. I can end my utterly miserable life without getting palmed in the face with the famous title of, 'suicide.' I can also survive and eat something to calm my stomach throwing tantrums, and borrow a cashier's phone to call my best friend and pick me up.

Maybe, I'm not that stupid like he says I am!!! Insert heart emojis, thanks.

I checked the road left and right, before crossing the street with quick steps. Maybe, I didn't really want to die, did I? I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding after I successfully survived my failed plan of dying. I hurried under the cover of 7/11's roof. I fixed my umbrella and placed it in a safe place on the umbrella rack just beside the store's entrance. Let's just hope no one decides to steal mine or else they'll face the wrath of a singer's talent of song-writing. Take, 'JVKE,' as an example. I don't know if he wrote, 'This Is What Heartbreak Feels Like,' for someone or he just came up with it but singers and song-writers can bring your whole life down in a single song. Now that I thought of it- imagine writing and singing a song about someone who stole your umbrella when you are already having a bad day?

After patting myself dry from some rain droplets, I entered the store. The air-conditioned room almost made me freeze on the spot. I sighed tiredly, walking towards the food section. I inspected some ramen packets to bring with me. I can buy some groceries too so I wouldn't waste my time and effort going back and forth. Besides, I already have little to no stock back at home. I hummed a tune of what I was recording back at my record company. I wrote it for someone special, even my best friend doesn't know. No spoilers, please.

I grabbed a basket to put the ramen packets I picked out. I dumped what I gathered in my arms into the basket. I was about to grab some chocolates for my best friend when I heard a girl squealing in excitement. I looked back and saw two teenagers, a boy and a girl- the girl still in her school uniform, jumped up and down when we made eye contact. She squealed and pointed to me, slapping the boy in the arm repeatedly with her other hand.

"Oh my gosh! I told you it's her!"

My lips bent into a smile, waving at the girl. She ran up to me, red in the face.

"Hi! I love you so much! I've been a fan like- ever since you made an appearance in the public! I never thought I could meet you! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!," she laid out a cloth napkin and a marker from her bag.

"Can I get an autograph? If it's okay, a picture too? A hug? Please?," she asked, stars in her eyes, I chuckled, cute.

"What's your name?," I asked, taking the napkin and signing it. I waited for her answer. It's not the first time I've been recognized but it never failed to make my heart swell with joy.

"Bitna!"

I wrote her a short message,

'Fighting! Study hard, Bitna!
~ AYA'

She gave me her phone and we took 4 selfies. One, just a regular peace sign. Two, she made a half-heart hand gesture on my cheek. Three, I booped her nose with my index finger. Four, just the same old wacky face. After we took the selfies, she hugged me tight and thanked me repeatedly. She leaped back to her friend and shook the poor boy's shoulders back and forth in excitement. I half-shouted "goodbye!" to her and continued on to what I was doing.

******

"Hi! May I check these out?" I gave the cashier lady my basket. In which, she nodded and did her work as quietly as a mouse. I pursed my lips and my mind debated on how I should ask her if I can borrow a phone so I can call a friend. I opened my mouth to talk but closed it again whenever I realised my question would come off as demanding. I scratched my head before asking awkwardly,

"Uhm, do you have a phone I can possibly borrow? I need to call a friend."

She stared at me for a good minute. I bit my tongue as I waited for her answer. Fortunately, she shrugged and gave me a phone. I thanked her, immediately dialling my best friend's number. After 3 rings, he decided to answer the call.

"Riki! You finally picked up!" 


>>><<<

Author: I told you it'll be cringe.

Riki: Didn't I warn you?

Seo-Ah: It's okay for me.

Author: Aya, you're too nice.

Riki: She's a pretty good liar.

Seo-Ah: Hey!

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⏰ Last updated: Sep 18 ⏰

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