Sunset

Chapter I. Echoes of Sundown

"A major difference between calculus and the subjects which usually precede it in the mathematical curriculum is that calculus uses limiting process." Our calculus teacher, Mr. Sembrano, explained to us.

I keep taking detailed notes to make sure I don't miss any important information. The exam is just weeks away, and I need to focus on studying. I really don't want to disappoint my parents, especially my father.

I've wanted to be a pianist ever since I was a kid. I dreamed of studying abroad and performing classical music, like Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, in front of an audience. I wanted to share with people what my heart wanted to say. But life isn't always fair. I had to give up that dream and follow the path they chose for me. As the youngest daughter in the family, I don't have the freedom to do whatever I want. I have to listen to what they say, and I always have.

They will be disappointed in me if I disobey them. I'll be the bad girl, and I never want to be that. Ever since I was a kid, I've never felt their love for me. That's why I keep listening to them, doing what they want, and trying my best to be the best. I want them to be proud of me. I want them to love me too.

That's also why I followed my father's footsteps—to become an engineer. My father is the owner of the largest company in our country. He's the best engineer I know, having completed hundreds of projects since the day he first started. My mother is a lawyer. My eldest brother is a successful engineer—he's incredibly smart, and I know my father plans to make him the heir to the company. My second sibling, my sister, is a doctor working abroad. They're all successful in life, and I don't understand why I still feel like I have to be just like them.

"Study page 95 and we will have a short quiz tomorrow. You are dismissed." Mr. Sembrano said before he left the classroom.

Everybody is happy about the class dismissal. It's lunchtime. I don't usually eat lunch. For me, lunchtime means study time. I packed my things and headed to the library.

"Renesmee!" Someone called my name just before I opened the library door. I turned around, and my face turned red when I saw him running toward me. "You... you are really fast!" He said as he tried to catch his breath.

"Why did you run?" I asked, trying to calm myself. My heart was beating fast, and it was driving me crazy.

"I waited for you."

"Why?"

"It's lunch time."

"You know I don't eatㅡ"

"Let me bring these things for you," he said as he took the books and notes from my hand, which made my heart flutter. "Let's go." He said, holding my hand.

I might faint any minute now, my mind says. I couldn't say no to him. I looked at our hands. I could feel it again—the butterflies in my stomach were going crazy.

There were a lot of people who wanted to hang out with me before, but I ignored them. There were also people who followed me wherever I went, pretending to be my real friends. To me, they were just people who wanted to get close to me because I come from a wealthy family. They wanted to be famous, especially since my family owns this university. 

And I say that they want to get close to me for money and fame, it's true. I've already encountered people like that, which has made me lose interest in making friends and trusting others. However, Lawrence is different from those people. He doesn't care about popularity or wealth. He is my only true friend.

We used to be classmates in senior high school, and it's really nice to see him here every day, even though he's taking up a different course. He wants to follow his dream of becoming a professional gamer. I envy him for having the freedom to pursue his dream, and I like him for being true to himself.