I can’t count how many times I’ve been depreciated after the oral recitation in accounting. Just the first day back of class there was a surprise recitation right away. I wasn't expecting it! I hate that old hag. Must review first before recit! I didn’t read any notes during the whole break so I couldn’t answer. I got a zero.
"That's okay, Drey," Janice consoled me.
"If I could tell Mommy to get rid of it?"
"Nevermind."
I sighed and walked out of the room. To my annoyance, I almost shouted at the group of men who had gathered in the corridor and almost pushed on the road. They're from the other section, maybe.
I would have passed by when someone had the courage to call me. Janice kissed me. I closed my eyes firmly before turning around.
"What?" I asked, glaring.
Kabadong laughed one. "Uh, our friend would have given it to me ..."
I turned to the man he was carrying. The boy looks very boyish. Tall, lean
He did not ask anything about what had happened. But with his dark look, I know. He wanted to know what happened. But he won't force me to say anything. He wanted me to speak for myself. Because he respects my silence. He respects my privacy."In Mom's room you sleep," Rustov said.I combed my hair with my fingers. He showed me his mother's room. Not as big as mine but tidy and organized enough for a one night stay. He arranged the sheets and pillows while I just stood there on the side.I wonder if her Mama is here and will let me sleep in their house? I mean, they're not responsible for me and I'm not related to them in any way. But maybe that will be allowed as well. Tita Gracia is a good person. I'm sure she will also do what her son is doing. After all, Rustov and I can be called friends, can't we? So it's okay?"Is it okay for Tita to have someone else sleep in her room?"He turned to me. "I'll tell her tomorrow. She will understand."
Instead of looking at the paper, I looked up at Rustov's face and stopped there. He was solving the problem seriously while I can't even understand what are those digits he's putting on my paper for. We were at their house because he promised to help me with some homework. Though, I don't think I'm doing anything here but stare at him."Did you get it, Audrey?"I sighed. Lazily, I looked back at the yellow paper. That's a pure number. The sight that never failed to make my eyes sore.“You journal the entries wrong so the trial balance is also wrong,” he said."I'm confused about the entries.""You should work on that," he said softly and handed the paper to me.He stood up and turned towards the kitchen. Back then two glasses of juice and two banana cues were laid out. Tita Gracia was in the municipality because of work so we were the only two left at home."Why pineapple juice? Say I don't want that!" my complaint.
Mommy again convinced me to attend Gov. but in the end, he didn't force me either so we just talked about my upcoming debut. She wanted to throw a big celebration, but I told her I only want a private dinner for it. He didn’t like that either, so I we ended up almost fighting in front of our food. What's the point of a big party if I don't want to be there?"What are you, Audrey. It's your debut, it should just be a grand celebration! Years ago, you told me you want a grand debut ..." said Janice who also couldn't understand the flow of my brain.“Things had changed,” I said."Maybe it's because you're rebelling against Tita that you don't like what she wants?"I sighed and looked at her."If I want a grand debut, then I will make that happen. You know me. What I want, that's what I will do. And throwing a grand celebration for my birthday isn't part of those."She sighed."What do you plan to do then? What about a s
The loud ringing of my phone woke me up. I rolled my eyes and punched the phone somewhere. It's the first day of christmas break for pete's sake. Why do I even have an early caller? Is this even urgent?I opened my eyes lazily, also closed my eyes immediately to see who was calling. I held the phone to my ear."Happy eighteenth birthday, Audrey!"I almost threw away the phone because of the strength of Janice’s scream. I muttered a curse. I even forgot it's the day. The only thing I worried about last night was the break and I didn't have to think about school works. I forgot it."Uh, thanks ..." I said hoarsely and tried to get up."I know we'll meet later at the bistro, but I just want to be the first to greet you.""I received advance greetings days ago. Ate also has an advance. So you're not the first greeter," I said and arranged my hair."Whatever. I was just the first to greet the day! There's a difference!""That
I was right. I just need a break to forget that. I occupied myself about other things, eventually also lost in my mind. And maybe I analyzed my feelings the wrong way. Maybe I was so fond of him, I thought I was starting to develop weird sentiments. It's impossible that I have something for him. For sure it's just the loneliness, to fill the void, I convinced myself so bad.Mommy didn't stop me from spending my break in Ate's house. In Pampanga I spent Christmas and the new year. I received messages from Rustov during those days. I thought that was normal, so I let it go. I didn't reply at his every text, though. Aside from the fact that I don’t always hold the phone, I feel like I need to distance myself from him a bit."What course will you take?" Ate Diana asked while we're eating. It's one of those days Klyde is away for business matters. Though, I’m not convinced of that.I looked at Zach who was straining to reach for the glass of water. I gave
"Here's your Sazerac, Miss," the bartender once went downstairs to drink.I turned there. My hand grows cold as I touch the glass. The hammering in my chest was distracting. I knew he would come to me but I tried to ignore you. I sipped on my drink. On my second gulp, a hand suddenly grabbed the glass."What the ..." my voice faded midway.Rustov's unforgiving eyes looked at me with anger etched on it. He looked down at the drink for a moment before it landed and stared at me darkly."What are you doing?" I asked angrily."I think I should be the one asking that, Audrey. Drinking hard liquors alone, seriously?""So what? What if I'm drinking alone? What's the problem with that?"His mouth tightened. He's so pissed now."Let's talk outside," he said sternly, briefly glancing at the bartender.I raised an eyebrow at him."Why are we talking? There's no need for a talk, Rustov."One more than a pulse I got up
Our friendship was healthy, I thought. In the days that followed we went back to normal. Sometimes, we study in the library together and he shares his knowledge about the topics I find hard. Every Saturday I visit them and we go to the Dales.I didn't deal too much on my negative thoughts. I’m happy when he’s with me and that’s what matters."You did it wrong, Audrey," he said. It's one of those days that he checks to see if I did the assignment right.I sniffed and looked at the sea ahead. For some reason, Dales became our favorite place. Maybe because it's peaceful here."It's hard. I got confused ..." I said."I'll do it. Just study it later," he said."Okay!" I smiled at him.I watched him do that, very seriously. I can't help but admire how he can be so passionate about studies. Until the end, I just focused my attention on him. I watched how his eyes drifted to me after. My heart was pounding. But still, I mana
"What did the woman say to you?" I immediately asked Rustov when he returned to the table with our food.Pure grilled and dish there, with pork and chicken barbeque. He landed some mango juice for me and water as well. I watched him as he put all the necessary things in our table. When he finished, he placed the tray in the adjacent container."It's just nothing," he replied."She's pretty. Do you know her?"He turned to me, his gaze weighing. His lips protruded a bit as he shook his head."Did she want you to join them? Or maybe she asked for a number?"He smirked."She asked for my number," he admits.I fell silent and the taste was bitter. But I think that's normal. He's attractive, it's only natural that there are women who spontaneously approach him, including those hot and mature girls."Then? You gave it to her?""Did you see me scribble my number?" His brow shot up.I fell silent. If in matter. But