MES: Twenty

The List

Written by: DePoitiers

Prompt by: Whimzy_bookie

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Teenagers has always glorified the feeling love. They love the idea of falling in love, that sometimes they fail to see that the feeling that they're currently experiencing is nothing but an illusion. I, Edward John Barber, was one of those teenagers, despite being deemed as a young man that is wise for his age, I have fell to that very trap, too many times than I would like to admit.

That's why the moment love finally came into my life, I didn't know how to face it. The books I have read, the stories people told, did not prepare me for love. And well, nothing could have prepared me for her.

Loving her at first, felt like I was in a movie. Stolen moments, accidental touches, petty jealousies and awkward flirtations, it was a roller coaster of emotion. It felt thrilling and exciting, but just like all rollercoasters, the ride doesn't last forever. Soon enough the ride will end.

What happens then?

Reality sinks in. Reality that love is not as magical as it is shown in TV series and movies. And despite lacking action scenes and over-the-top dramatic moments, love in reality is more difficult. It is simpler, yet more difficult.

I guess, the easiest way to say it is: Love is in no way easy

Most especially, when you're in love with Marydale Entrata.

Yes, I, Edward John Barber is in love with Marydale "Maymay" Entrata. I don't even remember the moment I started to have feelings for her. I just woke up one day and realised that I would do anything just to see her smile. That I would rather spend my days smelling her fart, shower in her saliva and be covered in her snot than be separated from her. That's how bad I fell for her, it was as if my whole world was filled with nothing but her. Initially, it felt good but now I don't know.

Just being in her presence makes me genuinely happy, but it does not erase the reality that as days go by, it is getting more difficult to be with her. Despite, acting strong and unbothered on television and on social media, the harsh truth is the comments, the bashings, and most especially, the doubts are getting to me. Add to it, the pressure and expectations from fans, management, my family and even without her saying anything, from her.

I sighed as I felt another series of vibrations in my jacket's pocket. Already expecting the possible content of the new wave of notifications I have just received, my mind screamed for me not to open it. But because of my innate stubbornness and the possibility that she is contacting me, I opened Pandora's box. As expected, it was filled with nothing but senseless hate tweets and comments that holds no truth, yet still leaves a nasty sting in my heart.

Another sigh escaped my lips as I quickly scan through my notifications. Still hoping her name would appear amongst the hundreds of names that is continuously popping in my phone's screen. After a few seconds, I finally gave up and clicked the sleep button before tossing my phone on the table angrily.

Technically, her name did appear. However, it wasn't what I had hoped. Instead of a text or a DM from her, all I saw were comments and tweets that contains nothing but ludicrous hate directed towards me or her. Getting frustrated, I groaned and fixed my cap, pushing it against my head deeper, covering my eyes.

"I've lost count already..."

"What are you talking about, Marco?" I said without looking at the Italian lad who I invited over to watch movies, along with Maymay. However, the latter still has to finish some things at work, prompting us to wait for her before we get started with our movie marathon session.