photograph // darren espanto

chapter twenty

**guess what y'all im not dead!!
sorry for the SUPER long wait, enjoy the chapter 💕

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My mom unlocks the front door the "new" inn we were staying at then stomps inside, walking in front of Nick and I.

"Mom it's not that big a deal. At least I stood up for Amelia" I say as I follow her around and dodge my way through all the messy stuff scattered around.

"Yeah and i'm sure that guy's fine" Nick shrugged as he sat down on the huge bed that took up about almost half of the room.

My mom stopped at the window then turned around to face us. "Really guys? This had to happen after all this was going on" She sighed as she put her hand on her head and motioned to our tiny living area.

She was right, it probably wasn't the right time to get suspended by the principle while my mom recently got divorced and we got kicked out of our own 'house'.

Yes. Kicked out.

I'm not that stupid, I knew my dad was having affairs, my mom did too, but she was stupid enough for staying. I sensed the split happening, started when my mom told me we were gonna actually live in Manila.

Of course we didn't mind the small place we were staying in, there's been worse. (aka, Hong Kong summer of 2015) But for me, i've been so used to all the free space in the old house, seems so different to go back to this lifestyle.

"Chill out mother, few more days without school won't hurt" I finally reply as I plop on the other bed, placed right next to the other huge bed Nick was sitting at. My mom just sighs then sits down, going on her phone.

"Uh, you missed basically 2 weeks of school, I needed this suspension" Nick complained as he kicked off his shoes and threw it near the door.

I turned to him and leaned sideways on my arm. "So what you purposely threw a basketball at that kid just to get suspended?"

"No, i'm not you" He teased. "You were about to fight someone at school. Think about your decisions"

I lift my eyebrow at his words. "What are you, my mom? That's just easily handling things that get in my way. I basically make great decisions" I say as I put my hand to my chest.

Okay, I over-exaggerated on that a bit. Few months here and suddenly my little brother is acting more responsible than me.

"Says the girl that picked up a random pig from the streets and decided to keep it" Nick says sarcastically. "and for only ONE DAY cause you complained that it was 'too much work'"

He was right. There was a reason we never had a steady pet our whole lives. I had no comeback for it though.

I shot him another glare then lifted an eyebrow. "Do you wanna die?"

"Guys stop arguing, it's annoying" My mom says as she shook her head  "Lei remember your photography thing for the wedding's tomorrow"

"We're still going to that dumb thing?" Nick groaned. For once, I agree with him.

"We have to. She's giving me money, and me just showing up there's gonna get us enough money to leave the country" She explains.