Since Childhood

3: Every Summer Vacation

The summer vacation went really fast. Every time Timothy is here on our house, we share few minutes of conversation before he goes back to kuya Davien. We became friends and our friendship does not annoyed kuya Davien as I expected.

One week before the new school year officially started, Timothy has gone back to his mother's custody to continue his studies. I found out from kuya Davien that Tim's parents are no longer living on the same roof. They had separated and he is only staying with his father here in the village for every summer vacation.

Kung papaano ko sya unang nakita, ganon ko din sya pinanuod na lumayo. His dad drive him and I was on the venranda watching their car leaving. When he saw me, just like the firs time, he wave his hand in the air cheerfully. And then he shouted, "I'll be back next year!"

I raise my hand and wave back at him, although I am not yet ready to say good bye.

11 years old, I was in fifth grade. Kuya Davien is in high school. Since the moment I met Timothy, I always wish I could fast forward the time and stop only at the summer vacation. I have friends, they are all girls. But unlike my friendship with Timothy, they are no match.

I did great with my studies. There are stupid boys in my school who give me confession letters and all of them makes me feel so uncomfortable. I may sound rude but I don't know... I just feel it that way.

My fifth grade days feel so long, it takes forever for me. Maybe because everyday, I'm counting how far I still am from the summer. My routine was school, home, school, home, sometimes church every Sunday.

After long wait, my last day in fifth grade never been feel so exciting. I was looking forward for vacation. I'm excited and getting chills every time I'm hearing the word "summer" in school. It is crazy and unbelievable that I used to hate summer.

When I reached home, I greeted everyone with a bright smile. Mom was surprised to how happy and bright I am.

First week of my vacation, I didn't do anything. I was just staying in the playroom. Every time I heard a car coming and stopping in front of our yard, I always run to the veranda hoping that it was finally Timothy. I always had it all wrong.

On 9th of May, I woke up with the sun already up high. I was waiting whole night that is why I woke up this late. It's kind of depressing already. Waiting for a whole week seem much longer than my whole fifth grade year.

With my hair all over my face, frizzy and stiff as steel, I left my room. My stomach is rumbling because of hunger. I'm still into my pajamas, cute panda shirt and panda flip flop. Stretching out and scratching my head, I headed down.

"Ya? Yaya Linda? Can you make me a chocolate milk, please? And bacon with egg. Also, toasted bread. With a fried rice too and—" I stop at my mid-sentence when I saw the guy standing at the end of the stairs. The familiar beam he have on his face had me shookt.

"I still wonder where you put all those food with your tinny tummy." Tim commented. He grew taller, and his hair cut is very different from the last. And his voice has change quite a bit. There's so many changes on him.

I was about to mumble his name when kuya Davien made loud noises. His fast and huge footsteps was heard from the second floor.

"Tim!!" Kuya called Tim excitedly. As if he already expected his arrival.

"He-he-hey, Vien." Tim greeted as excited as kuya.

"Wanna go over Gael's place?"

"Yeah! Sure."

Feeling outcast, I run backstairs to fix myself. This time, I have to remind myself that I ain't the true friend and the true reason why he is visiting our house. If kuya Davien happened to be a girl, I must be the third wheel on their friendship. I am not belong. I should stop my fantasy.