Setting My Sister's Dates

Epilogue

I am confident that all I said to Adam were substantial words although there was a part that I lied to him. I just want him to change for good. Partly, I want Zach to no longer worry about being hurt just because he does not want any conflict with his crazy brother. I hope those words will put Adam into the greatest realization of his life. I just hope that Adam becomes a good stepbrother, or just a real brother to Zachary and his sister.

I wrote the two letters and sent it ahead to Mr. Parker. I am now in his office and he still kept on lecturing me. I don't need any sermon right now, sir. I have to go out now and make sure to meet Zach before he leaves. I haven't seen him. I don't want things to be more complicated. I already got the chance to make sure that he will not be away from me anymore. After all, Zachary may not be the first whom I admired, but I am certain that he is my first love. And, I almost lost him. Now, I have to be there and tell him that I am also into him and we can work things out together.

I sighed before Mr. Parker could talk another story again. "Mr. Parker please let me out now. I know. I know I was always a late comer. I rarely attend flag ceremony. But what else can I do? My eyes do not open so early. I tried to ask for their cooperation but they are just so irresponsible. They don't open before 6. And you know that as a girl, I still have to do a lot of things. As for my feet, I don't also want to rush them. I am afraid of varicose veins. I am so sorry Mr. Parker. I am not really the one who is irresponsible. It is just my eyes, my feet, my body. But, how can I scold them? I own them. I love them. So now, even if you sermon me for over a thousand years, it won't change anything. But if you release me and make me meet the one holding the key of my caged heart," I put my palms on my chest and looked up, "I will surely attend flag ceremonies everyday even 10 minutes before it will start."

"You're really unbelievable Ms. Cooper. You're talking nonsense in front of a guidance counselor! I am going to make sure that this reaches your father." He threatens.

"Mr. Parker, I haven't taken my lunch yet. I am starving already. If you don't allow me to eat, you're going against my rights as a child. I have the right to lunch."

He hit me with his ruler. "There's no such thing as right to lunch. It's right to life."

"But hitting me and starving me to death is against this: The right against any form of violence, neglect, and abuse!"

"Fine," Mr. Parker sits down. "Go out and start looking for the key of your caged heart. You're driving me crazy." He whips me away.

I smiled widely. "Thanks, Mr. Parker, I love you!" I fastly went out of his office and immediately went out to see Zach.

I brought with me the letter he sent me. All those times, I thought it was just only Laureen who receives mails from a lover and my role is to only investigate or go deeper into the sender's personal information in order to decide whether or not Laureen should date them.

But just today, the world went upside down. It was Laureen who urged me, although she really did not say it, to come to Zach and open myself for him. For the very surprising moment of my life, it is me who was addressed in the letter. Clearly, it is sent for Chris Margarette Cooper. And that girl is me.

I sighed heavily when I finally got myself to Forks. Before I could enter and see Zach, I fixed myself and wiped my sweaty face with my hanky.

Running all the way from school made me so tired. I released a heavy sigh. This is it, Margie. You don't have to pretend anymore. This is your last chance to be who you are and let's see if Zach will still like you.

I pulled the glass door and went inside the restaurant. There was no Zachary around the place. I could see this woman in her 30s wearing gym outfit eating salad alone in a round table at one corner. On the other side, there's a little girl who is eating alone too. I couldn't really see their faces from here. I checked my watch.