The Sticky Note Girl (2019)

CHAPTER 4

Yay. Weekends.

I'm thinking of what I should do today. Should I spoil myself a little and buy a book? Or should I just stay inside all day?

I scowled. Maybe I should walk my dog first.

I put my jogging pants and my star-designed jacket, not forgetting my favorite beanie.

I hurried down the stairs to find Tips eating his food.

"Here, boy! I'm gonna walk you today." I said, tickling him as he licked my feet.

Meet my best friend Tips. I got him this summer. At first, I really hate dogs, but when I saw him with his puppy eyes, I became obsessed all of a sudden. Uhmn, I still hate dogs, but he's the exception.

I tied him and we ran down till we reached the gate.

"Sabrina! Where are you going?!" I forgot. My mom hate it when I'm going out without letting her know. Mom is kinda paranoid. She always told me that even if I'm on my teens now, I should still ask for her permission.

"Oh! I'm sorry mom! I thought you've gone to work! Uhmn, I'm taking Tips to a walk."

"Okay. Be back early, breakfast is almost ready!" Mom shouted from the window.

I waved at her and started running with Tips. I can feel the warm wind early in the morning. While were running, I can see some of my neighbors doing their exercise routine, I waved at them and they did too. At the park, I can see little kids with their parents, playing in the mini carousel the village built. The weather is good today that's why many of my neighbors are outside.

We jogged for almost half an hour and before I'm out of breath, we started to walk for cool down.

"You know Tips? Many things happened during the first week of the class. I met this guy and he keeps on telling me that I should quit being the school's Sticky Note girl. Well, he doesn't know anything, and, no Tips, I'm not telling him." Tips looked at me as if he understands what I'm saying. "I... Uh, he asked me if I could be his friend. Duhh. Too child like. But, from my reaction and my school status, he knew it's new for me." We sat under the tree, Tips found some comfort near the bunch of fallen leaves. "Ugh. Just who is he to mess with my head? Tips, things happened so fast that I can't even seem to understand." He keeps on staring at me, is he listening? Strange dog. "I wonder how things would work next week."

I played with Tips for a while longer before we started going back.

"Sab. Finish your breakfast. And take a bath, were going shopping." Mom told me, she's already ready!

"You're not going to work today?" I asked with pancakes in my mouth.

"Nope!" Popping the P. "I was allowed by my manager." Giving me her cheeky smile.

"Oh. Okay."

***

"Anything you like, Sab?" Asked my mom. Her hands are full load now, really. She bought ton of things. I think, last last month was our last shopping together. Mom was busy with her work, and I was busy on my part time job. During summer, I worked as a waitress in Ridges Resort, owned by the company mom is working.

"Just a book mom. Nothing more."

"Okay, bookworm."

We reached the book shop. Mom told me she'll just wait for me outside. I entered the shop and I really smiled so big. My heaven. I scanned different books and finally found the book I think I will love. 'The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen'. Oh yes, I'm a teen but I love classic novels.

"Thank you for buying! Please do come again!" Said the cashier. I wonder how can she keep her smile on her face for a long period of time.

"Definitely." I told her, grinning.

"Happy now, little girl?" Mom said, looking at my new book.

I nod, smiling like an idiot.

"Well, come on. My dragons are growling already." Mom pointed the food court and I just laughed at her. She really has a very very big stomach to fill. She always have to eat at least every hour. But she never gets fat. I'm jealous.

We make our way to the food court, she can't wait any longer. I sat and put the shopping bags in the table. I waited for her as she order the food. I'm so thankful I have a mom like her. She loves me very much. She always told me she's proud of me. She's so kind. When I told her I'll be having a part time job, she hesitated for a moment. She told me that I should enjoy my summer like any teenagers do. But I want to help her, and I convinced her. Not totally convinced, she added that if that's what will make me happy, then she'll just support it.

My life since diaper days is one-fourth ups, and three-fourth downs. dad left us when mom told him she's pregnant. He told mom he can't support mom yet. But, he came back when I was six years old, and mom accepted him, but her acceptance doesn't mean that he'll be living with us. Mom told him that, a child needs to grow up with both mom and dad. She just accepted dad for my sake. She set aside her anger for me. Sweet.

My dad lives miles away from us. But, at least once a month, he visit us. He admitted his fault and he told me that he will always do his best for us to have a good life. When it comes to financial stuff, whenever dad will give us money, mom's not taking it. So instead of monetary, dad is giving us groceries that would be enough for at least a month. And when he arrives, his car is full of grocery bags. Oh, mom already forgave him. She told him, again, for my sake, they have to be in good terms.

I'm not that so-poor girl, but if you compare me with my classmates, I am the Z type.

I really hate day when I was introduced to Brit. That was the biggest nightmare of my life. People of my age started to look down on me since the day I knew her, that's why to me, they were never friendly... Neither was life.

That's it. That is why my life full of downs and misery.

I can see mom holding two trays, one over the other.

"To think that it's just the two of us." I said, looking at the foods.

"I have dragons in my stomach, I told you." She said. "It's hard to take care of them, you know." She added.

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