Chapter 9: Picture

Yannie Ace Ruiz

I woke up to the sound of my cellphone's alarm. With half-closed eyes, I groped for it beside my bed and turned it off. I stretched, a sweet smile forming on my lips as I opened my eyes. I was still very sleepy since I went to bed late last night. But as I remembered why I stayed up late, I couldn't help but smile.

I got up and checked my phone. There was an unread text message. I opened it with a smile and read:

From Josh Rain: Good morning (smiley emoji)

I bit my lower lip as I typed a reply.

To Josh Rain: Good morning, too (smiley emoji)

"Ate? Are you okay?" I turned as I heard my brother's voice. It was James. He peeked into my room from the door.

"Huh?"

"I've been knocking for a while. You're awake, but you weren't responding. And... you're there, smiling at your phone," he remarked, puzzled.

"Huh? Oh... were you knocking? I didn't hear you," I responded, followed by a chuckle. I quickly got up from bed and tidied up the sheets.

"Mama said you should have