"Lourice Lopez...", announced the teacher.
She's currently in the classroom. She's a third-year high school student and the eldest in their family.
It was a little bit noisy due to the chatter of other parents waiting for their turn to get up. Every chair was occupied and the students were either outside or just at the back, watching the whole event inside. There were other visitors, family members, neighbors who were willing to assist the student who never managed to bring his/her own parents, or even stray dogs who were just minding their own business.
"Dad, that's me...", she said to her father while tapping his back gently.
He stood up and went in front to get her quarterly report card, the one thing that their whole family was waiting for the most.
Lourice is a smart young lady. A kid who is never expected to go down and is always running up to the best. She’s happy as she strives and as she hears her name on the “good announcements” however, she never wanted the attention she’s getting.
There was an ambient silence going on and the only noise heard were the claps from the next room who’s also having their classroom quarterly meeting.
"Yes!", she shouted and jumped out of happiness.
As usual, she's only second. Second again and that was her best... But still, she was happy. It's more than enough for her because her efforts bore satisfaction to her. She was never up to competition but only for learning. Besides, “it’s school”, she thought.
Her father looked at her. He shot her his death glare. It was like a shotgun shooting her up through the heart in the dark. She didn't see that coming and the fact that it lasted for what seemed like eternity made her feel like she went back and up the stairs—she’s slightly out of breath...
“Did I say something wrong? Is A- still low?”, she thought again.
Her father signed her report card on the lower left corner where her name and other details are displayed. He then looked at her other grades on different subjects.
The face of disappointment was displayed on his face and by looking upon it, Ice finds a very sad feeling and also, pressure.
"Your Math are still low...", he said, pointing out to her grade.
She looked at it... Almost as if like that’s what she can only do—as if she could never speak—as if she was mute.
It was an “A” and in her mind, he's right... An “A” is still low. Maybe kindergarteners can do Algebra and Calculus better than she does.
“Maybe I should've made it A+ instead. Maybe “A-” reminds him of how I'm still relaxing in the classroom every day.”, she thought.
She looked around and saw her classmates being satisfied with their grades whether it's high or low. The scene made her smile a little bit. She was somehow affected by their smiles. The thought of her parents being disappointed just got shooed out of her head. They’re lucky.
"Hey!", someone called to her. She was startled.
"Oh, hi! How's it going?", she asked as it approached her.
Her best friend came in. She gestured her to come to her and she did.
"How's it going?", she asked again. She thinks that maybe she didn’t hear her the first time she said it.
"How's your grade?", she asked too.
"There... Stable between 88 and 91... How about yours?", she asked.
“I knew she'd asked me that question...”, she thought as she felt the beat of her heart as soon as the question got her nervous.
"Ha-ha.", she laughed bitterly and scratched the back of her head.
Ice is a very emotional and sensitive person and right now, she just wants to cry in front of everybody.
"I was just asking you and then you laughed. Have you taken your meds?", she told her as a joke.
She smiled at her while raising her eyebrows and getting her face close to her.
"You're crazy!", she said to her while hitting her on her back.
They both looked in front of the classroom and noticed that their parents and even our classmates were all in front to take a look at each other's card.
"Oh gosh... It looks like our parents would brag about our grades again.", she said.
"Yeah, it is... Wait a minute. What happened to your progress card? You weren't telling me anything.", she said suddenly to her.
Ice breathed deeply, hoping her tears won't fall.
"There... I was scolded because it's still low...", Ice said while looking down.
She felt very humiliated about the situation. Her best friend, Line, remained silent beside her... Whenever she has problems, she's always the first one to feel it and to help her and she owes her almost everything...
"Tsk. That's okay. I got you.", Line said and tapped her shoulder.
They both looked at in front again. Their parents were returning the cards.
"Oof... I'm so sorry for being so careless. I got hurt again because of what I did.", Ice said to Line.
They looked at each other.
"Hey... Don't say that. You're being careful. You just have so many problems... Don't worry I'll talk to you later. I have something to tell you but for now, just put on a smile. Okay?", Line said then pressed her cheek.
Line has a habit of doing that to her since she has big cheeks like a child and she's also little and she wouldn't be able to do it back to her because she can't reach her face unless she'll bend her knees.
She’s tall and skinny like “that one friend” in every circle.
"Well, this is me trying...", Ice said.
She doesn't want to promise her anything because she's afraid it won't be done. It's better to be sure...
Line’s face turned into a frown.
"Oh... Give me a hug...", she said while getting closer and ready to hug Ice.
She felt her warm hug brushing against her cold skin.
"Thank you.", Ice said.
"That's nothing... Remember what I said, okay? Aight, were going home now.", Line said and waved her hand at her.
Ice waved back at her then she went home with her mother.
Their classroom agenda was finished and she's a bit tired when they went home.
As usual, she was approached by their dogs but she didn't pay attention to neither one of them. She's not in the mood which is also normal to her whenever this happens.
She went inside my bedroom to change clothes. Later on, her parents called her again.
"Ice!", her father shouted.
She approached them innocently then they proceeded to talk...
"Why are your grades like that? Really?! A-?!", he shouted at her.
"That's only it. That's what I got. Our teacher didn't give me the grades I deserved. B-but I did my best.", she explained hoping this time they'll believe her.
Her Dad's hands were on his waist. She can feel his disappointment from her one-meter-away standing position. He’s never like that unless he’s mad but what can he get mad for?
"And now, you'd still dwell on that... Just say it; you didn't really do your best!", he shouted again.
She looked down.
It's past 4 o'clock and she's being scolded again by her parents... But it's alright, because she's somewhat used to it. She’s timed, she’s tested, and standardized because apparently, they are a “perfect family” and that’s just how things should be.
Her time is scheduled…
Her actions are disciplined…
Everything was calculated…
She no longer experiences the personal joy in life. She’s only happy when she makes other people happy.
To her, she needs to keep moving. She needs to make them happy especially her parents because that's her way of paying them for providing her everything.
She'll sacrifice anything that she has. Even her own life... Because that's how she shows her love to them.
“If you really love a person, you'll make them happy.”, as she always says.
It's almost 1 a.m. but Ice still can't sleep. She doesn't know what's going on with her mind. She needs to wake up at 6 a.m. later but she really can't sleep since she woke up this morning. She’s so frustrated again. She’s confused… She just can't help but to think of so many things and it's endless. Every thought has a series of questions that she can't answer. Waking up has been exhausting for her. She's lost getting no sleep because of her past mistakes playing over and over again in her head. These mistakes become a person that hurts her and tortures her every night before she goes to sleep which is also her. At first, it's not that bad like what the people around her think. She just ignores it. She'd just go on with her day and tell herself to forget it all. Just as soon as she does that, another thought comes int
Troy showed Ice and Audrey around his world. It's calledFairylia. They learned so many things and the trip became so fun and enjoyable for them. They fed them. They showed them hospitality and took care of them both. “Can we still go back to our world even if we ate food from here?”, Ice asked curiously. In their own world, creatures like them are mythical but some believed or even said that they are true and that if they offered something or anything to you, whatever it is, they should never take it as it will only curse them and they’ll never be able to go back. “Yes, of course. Why?”, Troy asked her back. “I’m afraid we can’t go back if we accepted any offers from all you…”, she answered. Troy let out a heavy sigh. He knew it was a lie and it makes him sad that the girl thinks that they’re evil. “Promise me you’d return us both back to our world whatever it takes.”, Ice demanded. “I promise… Whatever i
Troy explained to Ice that there was a disaster that happened when the Solaria Flowers was seen destroyed and the man that she saw last night was the culprit. Turns out, a fairy saw him cutting it one by one during sunrise. Ice and Troy quickly went to the town’s plaza and saw the fairy while Audrey stayed at home. Actually, he destroys almost half of the field every year. Now, he is captured and he is going to be punished by execution. A few meters from him stands the fairy called Princess Trixie. Because the queen hasn’t returned yet, she will be temporarily in charge with the whole kingdom. "Due to the destruction of the Solaria Flowers which is the only lifeline of every sick one here, you are going to receive a heavy punishment. You are declared guilty and now, I, Princess Trixie, grants you a punishment of being executed this time.", said Princess Trixie, observably being mad and upset about the whole situation under her ruling. The fair
"If it’s okay with you, I might help you with that. I can make dresses for the both of you then I’ll give it to you later. I work fast but they’re nice and neat.", the elf offered. "Oh no… I might be disturbing too much and make you do all the work instead of me. This is so embarrassing.", Ice said while looking at her shoes. She can’t even look at her in her hazel eyes. "No don’t be... We’re just like that here. We all help each other that’s why we’re all happy. If there’s someone in need, there’s someone to give.", the elf said. Ice was touched and said, "Thank you so much... Alright. If that’s what you want. I can’t even say ‘no’ to you." Ice placed her hands on her chest to emphasize the feeling. "Oh, alright. I’ll go ahead too—my baby might be already awake. She’s still just a baby. Wait, how old is yours?", she asked. She’s funny and adorable. Ice looked at to what she was referring to. It was Audrey. She laughed
"Wait your hair is still wet! Come here fir---", Ice said while running after Audrey Someone knocked at the door. They both stopped and looked at each other then quickly went to the door. "Wait a minute!", Ice said. I opened it and saw Elf Ofelia. As they met again, our smiles greeted each other. "Oh, Elf Ofelia. Please come in.", Ice said then moved aside to give way to her. She nodded to her and went inside. She has a medium size box with her. The dresses were inside those. "Here are your clothes. There are also shoes there to be partnered with them. I guess both of you know how to wear high heels, do you?", she asked both of us. "Yes, we do. We’re actually used to it. Thank you so much... Really… You have done a huge help.", Ice said then hugged Elf Ofelia. "Oh no! That was nothing. You both made us all happy here so it’s all okay. It looks like both of you aren’t finish yet, isn’t it?", she asked. Ic
"Ice? How did you meet Troy?", she asked Ice while looking at Troy at the garden just below the balcony to where Audrey plays with the young children of the helpers of the castle. "I was wide awake thinking about things...then I felt thirsty so I got up... I accidentally stepped onto Audrey’s foot so she woke up too.", Ice said while smiling at her Princess Trixie. "She said that she’s also thirsty so she just went with me to the kitchen too. Then, when we came back to our bedroom, we were harshly wrapped up by the cold wind because the balcony door was left open, which is, so strange to me because I don’t open that and not even Audrey...", she continued explaining. The princess put her elbow on the balcony railing with her chin resting on that arm’s palm. She smiled at Ice and it’s almost like she’s telling her to go on. Ice felt that Princess Trixie was so interested with her story so she continued. "I put Audrey down to her bed because I was carrying her f
It's morning again. Another sunny and happy day has come. Ice and Audrey were at the plaza with Trixie. They were exploring. "Hi, Trixie!", everyone greeted to us. "Hello, fellow elves and fairies! How’s it all going here?", Trixie asked while approaching others who greeted her She's helping the people there. The people are so lucky for having a princess like her to rule the Kingdom. Since Trixie’s childhood, that’s what she and her mother do every week. They were exploring the whole kingdom to analyze and check if everyone needs something or if everything is in good condition. Her father died in war. She was just a baby when that happen and since then, her mother took his place and ran the whole kingdom. She was raised with the help of all the palace staff. Sometimes, she wasn’t there for her but, she always has a way of making things up to her and even more than what she asks and wishes for. "Ice? Do you want?", she asked Ice who was
It’s night time again but still, Ice can’t sleep. She felt guilty about what happened to Troy and to his friends. She knows where the Forest of Doom is... But she wasn’t aware enough to notice her surroundings. Audrey is already fast asleep. Ice fed her early and made her sleep early. She blamed herself for what happened to her, thinking that she’s not in the right headspace. No wonder why her parents are not proud of her. She quickly made a plan to leave Audrey at the palace and go to visit Troy in his place. Maybe serving him would pay his kind and brave actions towards them. “Oh…”, she yawned. She slowly calmed down and her eyelids started to feel heavy as if there were stones glued there. The night was quiet as usual and only the tiny chatters of the fireflies and the flowing wind. She slowly closed her eyes and fell to sleep. --- Ice woke up early to a ray of sunshine touching her neutral skin. She rose up and got