That Summer

03: The Rye Guy

Chapter Three

Why am I getting nervous?

My hands are shaking as I keep on glancing at each side of the road as I walk towards the parking space where I parked Tito Sid's car.

I'm not used to going to places I'm not familiar with that's why I'm nervous as hell as I walk the path where I parked the car.

I already submitted my school documents to the office of the registrar and paid the enrollment fee. I shifted from Entrep to Business Management. Reason? Slots for my former program are already full so I had no choice but to shift.

Lily didn't come with me as Tita Misty took her to go to some gathering in another city Thank god I remembered the way and managed to go to Halle, safe and unscathed.

I sighed as I entered the car and fasten my seatbelt. I need to go to the bookstore and to the hardware store to buy things for my room. I decided to redecorate the room since I heard from Mama that the courier service she contacted to ship all our belongings from our old house will arrive today.

Mama decided to sell our house in the States. How did I know? She told me so just yesterday because she doesn't have any plans to go back. So do I.

There are some things that we need to let go of in order to move on even though it's so important to us. Even the memories that we cherish the most. Staying makes the pain unbearable that's why moving forward is important.

I parked the car in the parking space in front of the church. I can't just park on the sidewalk besides all of the stores are just down the street. To be honest, this town looks so small but once you roam around the place, you will realize how big it is.

I went to the Mang Pedring's bookstore first to get some books as I ran out of books to read. Mama keeps on telling me to go with my cousins whenever they are going to the beach but I'm not in the mood to hang out with them except if it's Lily since she's the only one I'm close with.

I entered the store and a line at the counter welcomed me and the song from the store's radio blessed my ears. Lily was right. There are so many people shopping in this store in broad daylight that's why she always takes me here at night.

I smiled at Lolo Pedring who was the one in charge of the counter. His daughter already gave birth that's why he's the only one managing this store. I just found out that the lady behind the counter is his daughter.

I went to the fiction area. I already finished all the books on my shelf. Even the ones we just bought the last time we got here which was 3 days ago when we sneak out to go night swim and just buy some books as an excuse that we just go to the bookstore going near the shore.

I picked the only book that caught my eye. It was on the top shelf but thanks to my height I was able to reach it. It was Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, one of the books in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

I was all smiles when I saw a high schooler looking at me.

No, not me but the book I was holding.

She was murmuring something but the only thing I'm sure of is she wanted the book.

I stopped and look at the shelves near us. Looks like this is the only copy left on the shelves. I tried to move the book in any direction but her eyes are really darted to it. She looks like a little kid who just saw a toy but couldn't buy it because someone might get mad.

I even saw her sigh and just stared at it. I left her there, standing, and go to Lolo Pedring to ask if there was another copy of this book. Can't give her the book, I'm looking for this since yesterday because I have two books from the series.