Before I Go

Chapter 1

Madison's POV

FRIDAY

"MIA na naman si Chase?" Tanong ni Samantha ng mapansin nyang wala na naman si Bryan.

I just shrugged and continued eating my clubhouse sandwich.

Its been 4 days since school started, at four days na din naming hindi nakakasabay maglunch si Bryan, we get to see him during class hours pero lage syang nagmamadali umalis after kasi may importante daw na pinapa asikaso sa kanya. Too important na pati sa akin hindi nya masabi. He always says he will tell me once everything is fixed everytime I ask.

I wonder what's keeping him this worked up, never kasi syang pina asikaso nila Tito about anything regarding their business aside from attending social events kasi kaya naman daw nila and they want him to enjoy his student life bago niya harapin ang mundong ginagalawan nila.

We barely saw each other last vacation 'cause I spent most of my summer outside the country with my siblings at umuwi naman sya sa kanila. The last time we had alone time ay nung sinundo nya ako sa airport, but after that, naging sobrang busy na nya for some unknown reason. I miss him already, but I don't want to sound obsessed that's why I'm letting him be.

"Baka may iba na girl?" Sabat ni Tiffany. Binato naman sya ni Jackson ng nilukot na tissue.

"Stop poisoning her mind will you? Pinaglihi ka talaga kay Madam Auring, ang hilig mong manghula." Saway nya.

"What? Ilang araw na nating hindi kasabay maglunch yung tao, and school barely started kaya wag mo akong bigyan ng reason na school related. Kaya manahimik ka Jackstone!" She countered pointing him with a fork. And their endless glaring game started.

"We're talking about Chase here Tiff, we know him. Cheating and Chase won't fit in a statement." Sabi ni William saka uminom ng tubig.

Yeah, he's right. I know Bryan would never cheat on me. I trust him enough to know he won't.

"Exactly Will, Its Chase. He always tell us his whereabouts, or at least Madi. But even you know nothing right?" She asked turning to me. I shook my head briefly, 'cause she's right. Kahit ako na girlfriend walang ka alam-alam.

"See? Isn't it suspicious?" Sabi nya na sya namang pagdating ni Austin.

"What's suspicious?" He asked.

"Chase." Sagot ni Samantha sa bestfriend.

"What about him?" pag uusisa niya, pero bago pa man may sumagot ay nagsalita sya ulit.

"Is this about the transfer thing?" He absentmindedly asked as he started eating.

With that, all eyes are on him.

"Transfer? What transfer are you talking about?" I asked and he gave us a questioning look nung mapansin nyang kami lahat nakatingin sa kanya.

We waited until he finished chewing his food before he continued talking.

"I'm not sure, but I heard him thanking our Dean for doing him a favor about some transfer thing. Akala ko sinabi na niya sa inyo." He said and then went back eating, leaving us dumbfounded.

He's transferring? But why? Where? What happened? Why didn't tell me? Is this what kept him busy? Will he leave me? Is this the reason why he didn't have time for me? Will he break up with me?

"Hey, Mads. Mads..." Tiffany kept shaking my shoulder waking me from my thoughts.

Across the table I saw Jackson hitting Austin with his bottled water murmuring stupid and other kinds of swears.

"Hey Madison don't cry. We haven't confirmed it yet." Samantha said while wiping my tears. I didn't even realized I was crying until now.

"Chase won't do that without telling you first you know. Yeah, he's an ass sometimes but he surely won't do such thing." William said trying to make me feel better.

"I'll cut his balls once he did." Tiffany said before stabbing the food in front of her.

"And that's supposed to make her feel better?" Jackson answered.

I remained silent, still digesting everything.

---

Chase's POV

"Is everything set there?" Tanong ko kay manang habang nagdadrive papuntang airport.

"Opo sir, kayo nalang po ang hinihintay." sagot niya mula sa kabilang linya.

"Good." I replied saka ko binaba yung tawag.

Its friday afternoon at ngayon ang dating niya. At kailangan ko siyang sunduin after nya mag insist on riding a public plane on the way here, alone. Though I'm sure hindi nya lang alam pero nandoon rin yung distant guards nya.

I feel bad for keeping this whole set up to Madison, and even if she's not sayin anything, I know she's upset because I was too busy to even have a decent talk with her lately. She's too kind for her own good. That's why I liked her in the first place. Since then, I've always wanted to protect her.

But I promised Georg not to tell her na dadating siya. So I have no choice but to keep this as a secret. For now.

I exhaled sharply after finally reaching the airport.

Agad akong bumaba pagkatapos magpark habang dala dala ang puting cardboard na may nakalagay na "Georg"

Nagsimula ng magsilabasan ang mga pasahero ng dumating ako sa terminal 2.

I raised the cardboard up enough para madali niyang mabasa.

Palinga linga siyang naglakad palabas. I waved the cardboard trying to get her attention.

Recognition crossed her eyes nang makita niya ako. She came running to me, leaving her luggage behind.

"B!" She said while throwing herself to me.

I chuckled as I hug her back.

"Welcome Home Princess." I whispered in her left ear.

"Thank you B. Thanks for helping out." She said as she stood in front of me, squeezing my hands.Sincerity evident in her eyes.

"It means a lot." She added, giving me sad smile. I know her enough to see how fragile she is inside.

I hugged her once more before putting my arm on her shoulders as we walk towards her luggage.

I know these won't be easy. But I will do everything to help her. As much as I don't like the idea of her being here because of him, I really can't say no to her. Not with the situation she's in. We're in.

"I will help you at any cost Georgia, as long as you won't get hurt, atleast not physically. 'Cause I doubt I'll be able to keep you from being hurt inside when we both know you've always been hurting from the start". I said to myself while looking at her as we made our way to the parking lot.