Maddie's POV
I entered the school's hallway with my cousin beside me, and per usual the students are staring at us, mostly to me. I can see the curiosity in their eyes, probably wondering who's the new kid I am with and maybe because they haven't seen me for a week.
We'll go the office to pass my papers and other requirements that I missed to submit and to accompany ate Mae. I haven't seen any of my best friends, I was too tired to go to them last night. I'll talk to them later.
On our way to the office I saw my ate's having a chit-chat in the hallway, ate Bea was the first one to see me she caught her best friends' attention and they are all now looking at me.
They're all waiting for me with their arms crossed and brows raised, damn, I'm about to be interrogated. My palms started to sweat and I gathered all the courage I have to go near them.
"Mabuti at naisipan mong magpakita, Madayag." Ate Ella said the moment I am in front of them. My cousin is standing beside me watching us in amusement. They are are preoccupied with the idea of scolding me that they didn't notice her in spite of her tall frame.
"Mga, ate. Kamusta?" I asked with a huge smile hoping that I can escape this scary situation.
Imagine, 9 pairs of eyes looking at you sharply. They look like they will kill me any moment.
Ate Mika raised her hand and I closed my eyes waiting for her hand to collide with my head but it's been quite too long and I still can't feel anything. I slowly opened my eyes to see them looking at me worriedly, the girls even have tears in their eyes.
Her hand already landed on my head but she ruffled my hair lovingly before pulling me for a hug.
The students are now watching us intently.
"Don't do that again, okay? You got us all worried." she said before releasing me.
"Kung gusto mong umalis para makapag-isip sabihan mo kami. Halos masiraan kami ng bait kakahanap sayo." Ate Mela said. I just stared at them not knowing how to react.
"We understand that you want some time alone but you should know we're not proud with what you did." Ate Alyssa said seriously and I nodded before bowing my head in embarrassment.
It wasn't long until I was enveloped in a group hug, and I am reminded why I never want to stay away from them. They released me and ate Ara patted my head.
"Tajimae?!" Ate Bang exclaimed looking at my cousin who's eyes disappeared because of her smile.
"Hello, guys!" she greeted, she's close them because she's the same age. When they go to Davao ate Mae is the one who's usually with them and vice versa when ate Mae's in Manila.
"Don't tell me?!" Ate Bea said excitedly the latter nodded to confirm their unvoiced question.
"Kyaaah!" Ate Den sounded like a teenage girl who received a kiss from her idol.
"May makakasam ka naman pala, ate. Papasok na ako ha?"
"Sige. Ayo-ayo!" she said cheerfully and I just nodded before excusing myself.
Will they talk to me when they see me? Or they will ignore because I disappeared without leaving them any clue as to where I am.
Stop overthinking, Maddie! You saw their texts.
I scolded myself. I miss my best friends, that's the longest time that we've been away from each other and even if we sometimes are not together we all stay in touch. They don't deserve the cold treatment from me but I just needed that alone time to think things through. I know I should've at least told them that I'm in Davao to somehow lessen the worry they are feelings but it seem so hard to do that. Too afraid that I might go back home the moment they tell me to.
