Crossing Through A Valiant Heart (ON-GOING)

Chapter 1

"Oh, Ryry! How long have you been standing there, ha?"

Pinatong ni Ivy ang braso niya sa balikat ko.

Iviette and I have been best friends for so long. We're still in high school, right now. I can't tell if we're going to last longer. But I do hope we do. I don't think I can live without her or Jace and Luca. Sa kanila ko naramdaman ang pagkakaroon ng sense of belongingness.

"Not for so long. I just came kaya." I laughed and placed my books on the table.

"Really?" she sat beside me and looked around. "Where are your 'best' friends? Calice, Zel and Raquel?" dagdag niya.

I looked around, as well. Lagi naman silang late, eh. I would usually text them if they're coming early or not but they just never respond. Kabilang class kasi si Ivy kaya sila ang madalas kong nakakasama. And after few years, they're known to be my best friends.

"Late, I guess." I shrugged and flipped my book open.

"Again? Are they even telling you or ano?" she looks so serious while asking me that question.

She never liked their vibe. She'd always tell me to stay away from them but the problem is, i'm not used to not having them around. Pakiramdam ko ay magmumukmok ako kapag nawala sila sa tabi ko. They make me happy, somehow.

"Don't worry. Ganoon lang talaga sila." I smirked.

The bell rang and we all had to go back to our proper seats. Umalis na rin si Ivy sa classroom para bumalik sa class niya talaga. I feel bad for making her go here every time. But she says that she doesn't mind it.

As usual, ako lang ang tinatawag ng teacher namin. I'm always being talked about because of it. 'Teacher's pet', 'Kaya matataas scores niya, eh', 'she doesn't deserve to be our top one'. I'm sick of them not noticing my efforts to reach the top. Although, I never liked being at the top. I'm just.. forced to.

"Ry, how's school? Nakaperfect ka ba sa quiz? Oh, your teacher called me to say that you're starting to participate more in recitations. It was great to hear," dad said.

Maaga akong umuuwi sa bahay. Siguro pagkatapos ng mga klase ay dumideretso na ako dito. Bawal kasi ako gumala o ano. My friends know about it. I feel like a robot because of all the things that I'm being told to do. Hindi ako 'to. But I can't seem to fight back so I just follow.

"Yes, Pa. I aced it all," I faked a smile and continued eating.

"That's good. Makakapasok ka sa magandang university, Ry. Keep doing a great job and never lose the top, okay?"

He placed a sliced steak on my plate. Nginitian ko lang si Papa at kumain na ulit. After eating, I felt so suffocated so I went back to my room to breathe. My room looks so light. Meron akong piano, violin, flute, and three bookshelves. Madalas ay hindi na rin ako napapayagan magpatugtog ng kanta sa mga instruments. Or if they allow me, it's timed.