PROLOGUE
They say that you find that one great love only once in a lifetime. I know that I had found mine...but I let him go. As I stroll along the beach, I can’t help but think about what could have been if things had been different. I still think about him every single moment, every day of my life. One year has passed but I remember everything as if it were only yesterday. Siya kaya, naaalala pa kaya niya ako? Ako nga pala si Joyce. I’m 17 years old. I want to tell you my love story. It all started and ended when I was 16. They say that I was too young to fall in love. Maybe. But I did. And it was real.
CHAPTER 1
JOYCE POV
I just transferred to Ridgeview Academy. New place, new neighbourhood, new school. Everything’s new. I didn’t want to leave my old life behind. Kaya lang papa got involved in an anomalous deal at siya ang nadidiin ngayon sa kaso. To protect me, I have to move to this new place na walang nakakakilala sa akin. Madami kasi siyang nakabangga na mga prominenteng tao. Nakakulong si papa habang ongoing yung kaso. Ulila na ko sa ina. Mama passed away 6 years ago. I was just 10 then but I remembered how much papa loved her. Kahit bata pa ako noon, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na I wanted a love like the one they shared. It was a once in a lifetime kind of love. The kind of love that time, distance, or even death won’t be able to take away. Anyway, nag-iisa lang ako for now. Naubos na lahat ng savings namin ni papa dahil sa kaso. I have to work while studying to support myself. At pambayad na rin sa maliit na apartment na nirerent ko. These things are very hard to deal with when you’re young and alone.
I’m standing here in the hallway of Ridgeview Academy. First day of school ngayon. First day ko sa bagong school ko. Sobrang exclusive dito. Nakakaintimidate. Ang yaman ng mga students. Highschool pa lang mga de-kotse na. Kaya lang naman ako napasok dito dahil sa academic scholarship. How will I fit in this crowd? I don’t belong here. Parang wala akong magiging kaibigan dito. I’m sure kapag nalaman nila ang background ko, I’ll be an outsider. I already feel like one. So I have to keep my previous life and my secrets hidden from everyone.
KRIS POV
New school year. Same old faces. Nothing new is happening here sa Ridgeview except sa basketball siyempre. Team captain na ako ng varsity. Sabi nga ni coach, MVP year ko na itong senior year ko. After this, I’ll go to college. Dami na rin mga offers from different universities. So I’ve decided to focus on my studies and on basketball this year. I broke up with my ex Megan last year. I couldn’t stand her anymore. Masyadong superficial, walang depth ang personality. Ang sama pa ng ugali. I didn’t even know why we were together in the first place. That was a big mistake. Basta ngayon, wala muna lovelife. No complications. No distractions. I won’t be looking for love. The right girl will come at the right time. How will I know if she’s the one? Sabi ni daddy, when you see her, you’ll know. That’s how simple it is. You can’t explain it. You just know.
So here I am walking down the hallway to go to my first class. Then I saw her ...
JOYCE POV
I can’t find my class. Hirap talaga ng bagong salta. Para akong tanga dito sa hallway. Ang dami pa namang students. I hate this! Ayaw ko pa naman magpahalata na bago ako. Mas lalo naman ayaw ko manghingi ng tulong just to ask for directions! I’m much too proud to ask for anyone’s help. Grrrr! Joyce, kaya mo to! Shoot! Nag-ring na ang bell!
KRIS POV
She looked lost. I’ve never seen her before dito sa school or sa neighbourhood. There’s something about her. Sino kaya siya? Whoa, ano to?! Bakit parang ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko bigla? Shoot! Nag-ring na ang bell! Where did she go? Hay Kris, heto ka na naman. Kasasabi mo lang na no lovelife, no complications diba? Tigilan mo na iyan!
Nagring na ulit ang bell. Ladies and gentlemen, the school year has officially started!
