SINCE HIGH SCHOOL

Prologue

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Any names, places, events written in the story are purely fictional. Any names of people, authority, places that are same in real life are highly coincidental.

Get ready to feel the kilig and excitement from a SLOW BURN ROMANTIC LOVE STORY.

WARNING: Please be advised that there will be Typographical and Grammatical errors in the story. I, the writter are not yet good in writing perfectly and still learning from my errors.

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“Summa Cum Laude, Dawn Xylia Mae O. Mendoza.”

I put a smile on my face as I accepted my award. Finally, I can say that all of my hard works were paid off. 

“Congratualations,” Mrs. Uy told as she wear the medal to me. She is always there when I needed someone to act as my mother.

“Thank you po,” ngumiti ako.

I stood infront, preparing myself for my graduation speech.

“Good day, everyone. Finally, we’re done.” Everyone clapped their hands. “I know that before this day, we have been through a lot. We cried every day and night. Those moments when we failed but still we rose for our dreams. Kaya naman ’di ba? So, bakit susuko?” I chuckled. Nagpatuloy pa akong magsalita.

“I myself, I can say that the path I took was hard. Every day was a challenge, and I almost give up. I really wanted to but my friends, family, and special people for me helped me to go through. They became my inspiration in my life especially to this person, I won’t tell his name but I know he already know that I’m talking about him.” And a smile flash on my face as I remembered him. “To this person who helped me to stand up from a painful past, the one who also taught me to accept my failures and to be a better person that I can be, I’m sorry because after everything you did, I was able to hurt you... a lot. But I’m grateful, because of everything, a new Dawn Xylia is standing here infront of hundreds of people. I know that  maybe he will not know how much impact he had on me but to my ex beloved, thank you for everything. They said that exes are toxic but you’re an exception for that.”

Everyone cheered and clapped their hands after I ended my speech. I put my biggest smile until I saw that person in the sea of crowd. Suddenly, our eyes met but I quickly looked away. He’s here... Damn, what he’s doing here? For sure, he listened to my speech. Dang it.

“Congrats, bestie! Summa, oh pak, kabog.” Nancy, my friend laughed.

“Mas kabog pa rin ’yung may special ment. si ex sa speech.” Jia chuckled.

“Oo nga, akala ko ba naka-move on ka na, ha?” Pambabara ni Felicia.

“Like what I’ve said sa speech, I’m just grateful for everything happened between us, he had a huge impact in my life.” I smiled.

“Sabagay, he never been toxic sa entire relationship niyo,” Mona agreed.

“So, saan tayo mag-cecelebrate?” Jia asked.

“Sa condo ko na lang, ako na bahala!” Nancy winked.

“Siguraduhin mo lang!” Galit na tumingin si Felecia kay Nancy. Paano ba naman kasi, the last time we celebrated something at her condo went so horrible.

“Na kay Nancy ang trauma sa mga celebration,” Jia rolled her eyes.

“Uy, hindi na, promise. I got this,” she gave a warm smile to us.

My phone rang so I excused myself. I quickly answered the call.

“Congrats, anak,” my heart sank as I heard my mother’ voice. “I’m so proud of you,” she sobbed.

The phrase I never expect from her.

“T-thank you,” I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. I shouldn’t be crying on my great day.

“Ipapadala ko na lang ’yung regalo ko sa ’yo. Sana magustuhan mo, pinag-ipunan ko ’yon.”

Mapait akong ngumiti, “hindi mo naman na kailangan gawin ’yon.”

“Anak, Dawn, hayaan mo na lang bumawi sa ’yo si mommy, please?” Really? Ngayon pa lang siya babawi kung kailan kaya ko nang mag-isa? Pero sa mga oras at panahon na kailangan ko ng kalinga at gabay ng isang ina, wala siya, kundi nasa kabit niya!

“Ibigay mo na lang ’yan sa mga anak mo.”  I ended the call without waiting for her response.

I sighed heavily and wiped my tears. Pupuntahan ko na sana ang mga kaibigan ko pero nakita ko siya sa harapan ko.

“Kanina ka pa ba nandiyan?” Malamig kong tanong.

“No,” he answered.

“May kailangan ka?” Diretsahang tanong ko rito.

“I just want to greet you personally, Congratualations.” He smiled. That fucking smile who always melted my heart.

“Thank you,” ngumiti ako pabalik.

“I hope you’re doing well.”

“Yes, I’m better now,” pormal kong sagot.

“Babe,” a woman’s voice.

“Oh, yeah.” Naiilang na bumaling si Jasper sa babaeng nasa likod. She is also an alumni here.

“Uh, Xylia, meet Lou, my girlfriend.”

I tried to compose myself after he formally introduced his new girlfriend to me. So, she is the reason why she attended the graduation ceremony.

“Hello, I’m Xylia, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, uhm you are the only Summa Cum Laude of our batch, right?” I nodded. “Congrats, you’re both smart and pretty.” 

Napahinga ako nang maluwag. Mabait naman pala siya. Jasper has a nice taste because she’s both pretty and smart too. She graduated as a magna naman sa batch namin.

“Oh, siya, baka may date pa kayo. I have to go na, see ya around.” I gave them a warm smile before leaving.

Pagkalabas ko sa venue ay nakita ko roon ang mga kaibigan kong naghihintay.

“Tagal mo naman, bakla.” Si Felecia.

“Si tita lang ba nakausap mo?” May pang-aasar sa tono ng boses ni Mona.

I rolled my eyes, “tara na.”
Sumakay na kami sa kotse ni Mona. Siya na rin ang nag-drive at nasa shotgun seat si Felecia, habang kami naman ni Jia ang nasa likuran.

“I saw you and Eli talking,” she whispered. “I didn’t even know that he has a new girlfriend. I’m sorry,” sabi pa nito.

“Okay lang, ano ka ba. You don’t need to say sorry. Naka-move on naman na ako and I’m glad that he has someone new.” I whispered back.

“Ano ’yang mga bulungan niyo, ha?” Nakataas ang kilay ni Felicia at tumalikod pa paharap sa amin.

Jia sighed and didn’t responded.

“Wala,” kaya ako na lang ang sumagot. Tumingin na lamang ako sa bintana.

Did I really moved on?