Hi, everyone! I'm Ice As Stone, but you can call me Ice. I’m a young Filipino writer who finds comfort in words, stories, and imagination. Writing has always been one of the ways I express the feelings that are sometimes difficult to say out loud. I created this story not only because I wanted to write a love story, but because I wanted to tell a story about something deeper—the life of a daughter who is trying her best to make her family proud while slowly learning how to understand herself. As a student, I experienced moments when my dreams and the path I was taking didn't seem to match. I once dreamed of becoming an artist and an author, but I questioned whether those dreams still belonged in my future. There were times when I almost gave them up. But I eventually realized that some dreams never really disappear. They simply wait for us to believe in them again. Through this story, I want to share the emotions of growing up, facing expectations, finding genuine friends, becoming independent, and learning that success isn't the only thing that defines a person. I also want to dedicate this story to every daughter who is trying to make her family proud, every student who feels pressured to succeed, and every dreamer who has ever wondered if their dreams were worth pursuing. This story may be fictional, but many of its emotions come from real experiences, thoughts, and feelings. So if you ever find yourself relating to the character, I hope you know that you're not alone. Thank you for giving my words a chance. Thank you for reading my story. And thank you for being part of this journey. With love, Maricel Bato ICE AS STONE ✍️