When summer ended and everybody has been pulling their luggage back to their dorm rooms, it wasn’t that any different for me—I wake up, prep myself, and go straight to Rique’s café, where I’m spontaneously embraced by the aroma of brewing coffee beans every time I enter inside. I wouldn’t even deny—if there’d be anything comforting in this town, it’d be my daily dose of café work.I feel like even though it’s tiring to work around and balance days that seem fuzzy and too busy with demanding customers and every personification of a “Karen”, it’s just a job I won’t get tired of. It’d probably sound weird, but I’ve found coffee, the sound of the wind chimes whenever there’s a new customer, or even just the smallest things that happen in my job give me even the littlest kind of peace. It’s my safe haven.I tidied my uniform and looked at myself in the mirror

If I could turn back time and record what Enrique said, I probably would. He sounded so serious, I even thought it was a different person! But even then, I was still grateful for what he’s done for me. I wouldn’t have been able to escape that if it weren’t for him.We were both engulfed in our own tiny little bubbles that silence reigned in between us the entire trip. I succumbed to where I usually suck but is my go-to during awkward times like these—my socials. Mila and Sophie told me I shouldn’t just let life revolve around my academics so I decided to give it a go—only for me to follow just an odd bunch of science stuff. People would say I don’t even look like a science geek, but I was that kind of person… I probably just lost it when I got older and started to fail some quizzes. Well, at least I can still secure that scholarship bag.“You aren’t hungry?” Enrique asked. I was about to answer ‘n

“Drey,” I uttered. The sound of his name tasted bitter the moment it slipped from my mouth. He looked different from the arrogant Drey that I knew. His blue eyes which seemed like the ocean that many were willing to drown in were bloodshot, his hair was a mess. He reeked of alcohol, and just when I was about to protest that idea, I realized that his family still owns this school. He’d do whatever he wants.Drey Punder.I was seeing a different one in front of me right now.“Go home,” I said. “You look like a mess. Do you want them to see you like that? Aren’t you even ashamed?”He smiled, “I’ve got nothing to lose now, Kath,” he said, tears starting to fall from his eyes. “They’re abandoning me and sending me back to my grandparents. I lost my job. I lost my shot in becoming the owner of this university. I lost everything… I lost you.” I bit my lower lip to stop mys

“Iced Café Latte for Andrea!” I called out, putting the cup on top of the counter before going back to the cashier. It has been months since I got back the courage to be on the cash register again and get orders. I’d hear questions now and then, but it wasn’t as frequent as before. They were right… the news comes and it goes, one day you're the talk of the town, the next thing you know, you're already a forgotten image.It does feel refreshing and peaceful—a few months back, I was the nobody that suddenly topped the charts for everyone to gossip about, and then it gradually fades until I was back to just being a working Psych student at Irdium. I’d still hear whispers whenever people recognize me, I knew it wasn’t really going to just fade into oblivion anyway.Truth be told, I almost lost my scholarship. It wasn’t impossible anyway, the school belonged to the Punders, yet Drey did not break any of his words

“To end this presentation, anger management, stress management, and interpersonal communication skills are all areas where curriculum intervention may make a difference, and it is fundamental enough that students need it in order to assess and be in control of their mental health,” I uttered, keeping myself calm as I look at my presentation and back to the research panel.Months passed by in a hurdle. I can’t even believe that I’m already a month away from graduation, and we have accomplished almost every requirement for our subjects. Today was special—it was our last defense for our solo thesis, and I have never been more confident in presenting my thesis—I knew I did my best.My thesis was about anger management, interpersonal communication skills, and stress management and their effects when it comes to emotional intelligence. It was probably not a new topic when it comes to our field, but it was a personal feat for me. Maybe beca