That Summer When She Cried

That Summer That Meant New Beginnings

It wouldn't be so hard to give up something when you love the people around you. Love comes with sacrifice at all times and it teaches us a lot of things about life and about ourselves. I found love. Not in a hopeless place like what Rihanna sang but in a song that never lost hope.

-Tanya

--

He held my pinky finger and interlaced it with his. We were home and Andie went to the mall with Luke to do their one last shopping. End of school year was a week away and graduation was two.

I was feeling excited. I never knew I'd even reach that point. For me, it was all but cloudy before. I never knew I could do it. I went thru heaven and hell just to finish it. And now, I would be a degree holder soon.

After that night when Andie and I reconciled, the atmosphere at home was lighter. I knew there would still be adjustments between Andie and me, a lot of catching up, and we were both struggling to know each other again. It was at least making things lighter for Luke even if he was the one having the hardest time adjusting.

Jeric and I haven't spent a day afar and though he was pushing me to make it up with my parents, I told him that it wouldn't be easy. I haven't seen myself yet getting into terms with them. Maybe I would some other day. Just not anytime soon.

Andie and I had something worthwhile to remember but I think I never had that with them.

"Tell me something," he told me while our fingers were crossed. The TV was off and we were just chatting. He was being extra sweet and he was leaning on my lap, poking my nose every now and then.

"Something what?"

"Anything. Just out of the blue things. You lose if you don't have something to say. It should be something the other does not know," he said.

"You start," I told him to buy myself time.

"Sige, I'll start," he said. "I want to go out of town with you after graduation."

"Really? Where?" I asked him.

"Cheater," he said and pinched my nose for a few seconds. "You can't ask questions."

"Heh! Daya! Di ako sasama!" I told him. "I got lost sa mall when I was a kid. Pina-page ako kaya lang ako nakita."

He laughed. "Suits you well. I drool when I sleep and if I am so tired."

"I broke my mom's glasses. I jumped on it so it was crushed into pieces. I did it because I was so mad."

"That wasn't surprising, you bad girl. I read Karl and Jeron's exchange of messages on his phone. Don't ask me what was on it," he said.

"Oh my, Jeric! That was NOYB!" I grunted.

"I know. I didn't mean to," he defended himself. "Stop reacting and take your turn."

"I was jealous of Karl because she was the perfect girl."

"I know that. Tell me something else," he said.

"Anong alam mo?! Bakit mo malalaman e hindi ko naman pinakita kahit kelan na nagseselos ako kay Karl?!"

"Akala mo lang yun. Halos patayin mo na ako sa galit when I accidentally called you Karl," he said. "Ano na? Pinaghihintay mo ako masyado."

"Ang daya mo!"

"Talo ka na," he told me.

"I kissed Kyle!" I told him. It made him stop. Selos pala a. He looked pissed off with my answer and I was enjoying it.

"Hindi nga?" he asked me.

"Sabi mo bawal magtanong, CHEATER," I told him. "Matatalo ka na in three..."