Open Up My Eager Eyes

Chapter 1

A week ago, I've never really imagined myself going out to the city and exploring "life" without my family. You see, growing up, I've been very close with my siblings and my parents. Some say that I am a "momma's boy" or our "daddy's favorite" but I beg to differ. I have two more siblings; the oldest is Ken, he's still studying in law school and the youngest in our family is Kelly, she's still in high school. That's one trait that makes our family different from any other families out there, all three of us see and feel that we equally get the attention that we deserve from our parents.

They say that teenagers would go on to their "rebel phase" like, some teenagers would drop out of school or run away from their home or skip classes to hang out with their friends outside the campus or take drugs behind the bleachers during class hours or even get arrested for drinking alcoholic beverage in house parties or whatnot. I, on the other hand, think that that kind of mind set or attitude is stupid. Why in the world would you want to throw away a good opportunity if it's already being offered right in your hands?
You might think that I was just the usual nerd or geek in class but no. Yes, I was very active in school; I was a part of the student council, I am a member of both the Math club and the Soccer team, I was the president of our class, I am the youth representative in our community, I join youth organizations to help other teenagers and I am an active member and follower of our local church. I could say that people from school respected me for these accomplishments and ranks and I do have a reputation that I have to take care of but that's whatever. I still think that I'm like any other normal kid in the campus.
Did I got bullied in school? Not really. I mean, I get teased from time to time but I guess that's a natural thing in school. But I sure am not a bully. If there's one personality that makes me cringe whenever I see it in a person, that would have to be being mean or inconsiderate towards other people. Well basically, I just don't like those kind of personality that stinks or those people who would have to drag people down just to feel good about themselves. And that brings us to my girlfriend, Sam. I was classmates with Sam since we were in middle school. We weren't really friends back then because she was very silent and it literally seemed like she doesn't exist in our classes. She would usually just sit at the back of each classroom and mind her own little business while I sit in the far front so that I could actively participate in class. By that description, you could easily say that she's the kind that gets pick on by other students easily. True. She was in fact the eye-candy of those jerk-faces students that they think they instantly become cool if they make other people's life a living hell. But I thought that maybe someone just had to stand up for her, you know? And so, I did.

 One day, I ended all the teasing and the bullying. It was the night of our prom and of course everyone was there even Sam showed up although it looked like it was against her will, she did it because her parents basically pushes her to do things. They say that it might actually help her if she would just try to socialize with people. Her parents told her to "grow up" and to just "get over it." 

Anyways, so that night was so surreal. I was hanging out with my closest friends and I went without a date because I think it isn't necessary to bring one. Sam entered the doors and it felt like everything just paused for a moment. It felt like everyone was not uttering a single word and like, no one was daring to move a single muscle. That moment, I felt my heart ripping up my chest and it felt really weird. I knew I never had a crush on her but why did I felt that way?
So some jocks saw her entering the doors and they had their little meeting and I knew that they were planning on making Sam's night a wreck and so, that's what they were about to do. I jogged my way to Sam and approached her.

"Play along." I whispered with a smile. I held her hand and intertwined our fingers together. For the first time ever, I saw her smile brightly and I would be lying if I said that she didn't brighten up the room with that perfect smile on her face.

"What are you up to?" I asked this punk ass kid, Scott that just stopped in his tracks when he saw me and Sam together.

"Uh, just, offering Sam a drink?" He said in a confused tone. I grabbed the plastic cup off from his hand and handed it to Sam.

"Thanks." She muttered and looked down to the ground.

Yeah, we became friends since that night, yada yada yada and that leads us to this day. It's my first day in the city and I have a lot of unpacking to do since I still have work tomorrow. I've been working in this huge company for six months now but a week ago, I've decided to just live in the city so that travelling to my work wouldn't be that much of a hassle anymore. I used to ride public transportation before just to get to my work but now that I have my own apartment here, I could just catch a cab or even walk my way there.

Moving in the city was a debate in our house, to be honest. This is my first time to be moving out of the house where I grew up to. My brother and I stayed and lived there while we were studying in university so I guess adjustment would be a little bit challenging for me. My mom was crying hysterically when I was about to leave our house. She was clinging on my shirt tightly, not letting me jump to my car. It's very touching and at the same time funny, seeing my mom being that emotional over her grown-up son.

I kind of felt secured and comfortable moving out because Sam would be living here in this apartment with me. We've decided to move in together because why not, right? We've been together for almost 5 years now and I don't see anything wrong about it.

--

"I think we're almost done unboxing everything. Those box over there are your stuff. I didn't touch it 'cause I don't want to ruin anything." I said pointing to 3 boxes that were sitting near the main door of our apartment.

"Alright, thanks for doing most of the work, babe. Don't worry I'll make it up for you." Sam replied with a smile. She approached my direction and pecked my cheek. It's the littlest things like this that makes me sane. I love her so much and after 5 years, she still has the same effect on me from the very first time we met.

"And that's why I reserved us a table at this fancy restaurant in the main street." She added, her smile growing brightly. "Tomorrow 7:30 pm, alright?"

I was thinking for a moment, why would she reserve us a table at a restaurant? Was there something very special tomorrow? I was about to open my mouth to ask her why and then it hit me. Tomorrow's our anniversary! How the hell did I forget about that one? I smiled awkwardly and watched her walk to the boxes and carried one to her room.

"Great. Nearly forgot about that one." I muttered to myself and also grabbed a box to help her sort her things out.

"You need help?" I asked as I entered her neat room.

"Nope, I'm good. You have anything to do this afternoon?" She asked, not taking her eyes away from the books on her shelf that she was carefully organizing.

"I was thinking of visiting this church down town but I guess I would just stay to help you here?" I said, grabbing the remaining books that was on her computer desk.

"No, it's alright. I can do this on my own, you can go." She said and turned to give me a reassuring smile. "Just don't be late for dinner later, alright? I'm cooking your favorite."

"Alright, see you later." I replied happily and kissed her cheek.
I grabbed a jacket from the closet near the living room, searched for my phone and my wallet and headed out to that church.