A Goodbye Written in Stars

Chapter2

The Boy Next Door

I couldn't stop thinking about what Lola said.

"Hindi kami magkabati."

The words kept replaying inside my head habang nakahiga ako sa kama at nakatitig sa kisame. Honestly, I was trying really hard not to care.

It wasn't my problem.

Hindi naman ako kasali sa away nila.

Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang pinag-awayan nila in the first place.

But the more I thought about it, the more curious I became.

Because if their families had issues with each other...

Then why did Ethan seem so normal?

He didn't look arrogant.

He didn't look rude.

Actually...

Mukha nga siyang mabait.

I groaned and buried my face into my pillow.

"Great."

First day pa lang sa school, may iniisip na akong lalaki.

If Mom heard me right now, she'd probably send me to a convent

The thought made me laugh.

Mom had always been overprotective.

Growing up, halos lahat may rules.

No talking to strangers.

No staying out late.

No accepting rides from classmates.

No this.

No that.

Sometimes I wondered if she forgot I wasn't ten years old anymore.

I turned my head and glanced toward my window.

The curtains were slightly open.

From where I was lying, I could see a portion of the night sky. The stars looked beautiful tonight.

They always did.

Ever since I was little, looking at the stars had become my favorite thing. Whenever I felt sad, confused, or overwhelmed, I looked up.

Somehow, they always made everything feel smaller, not my dreams, not my feelings. My worries.

The stars had a way of reminding me that life was bigger than whatever problem I was facing.

And right now?

My biggest problem was a boy who didn't even know I existed.

Well...

He knew I existed.

Technically.

But still.

I sighed.

Then suddenly- My phone vibrated.

A message from Sofie.

Sofie: "Gising ka pa?"

I immediately replied.

Me: "Unfortunately."

Three seconds later, another message arrived.

Sofie: "Iniisip mo si Ethan no?"

My eyes widened.

Me: "WHAT?"

Sofie: "HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

I wanted to throw my phone across the room.

How did she always know?

Me: "No."

Sofie: "Liar."

Me: "Sofie."

Sofie: "Luna."

Me: "Goodnight."

Sofie: "Goodnight future Mrs. Villanueva."

I nearly choked.

Me: "BLOCKED."

After that, I turned off my phone.

My cheeks were warm. Kung bakit Kasi binigay ko na agad ang cellphone number ko, ayan tuloy.

And annoyingly enough...

I was smiling.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual.

The sunlight was already streaming through my curtains.

For a few seconds, I forgot where I was.

Then reality hit.

Right.

Zamboanga.

New school.

New life.

New classmates.

And one extremely annoying neighbor.

I quickly got ready and headed downstairs.

The smell of breakfast greeted me immediately.

"Pancakes!" I exclaimed.

Lola laughed.

"Good morning to you too."

I sat beside her.

"Morning, La."

Dad lowered his newspaper

"Ready for school?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Mom narrowed her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Mom."

"What?"

"I'm going to school, not war."

Dad laughed.

Even Lola nearly spit out her coffee.

Mom looked offended.

"I worry because I love you."

"I know."

And I did.

No matter how strict she was.

No matter how overprotective she became.

I knew she loved me.

Sometimes too much.

A few minutes later, I left for school.

The morning air felt fresh. Birds chirped from nearby trees.

Everything felt peaceful.

Until I saw him.

Of course.

Because apparently the universe enjoyed making my life complicated. Ethan was standing outside their gate, wearing the same school uniform. Talking to someone on his phone.

I immediately looked away.

Act natural, Luna.

Act normal.

You are a sophisticated young woman.

You are not a fangirl, unfortunately, my feet chose violence.

I tripped.

On absolutely nothing.

"Ow!"

Smooth.

Very smooth.

I heard a familiar laugh.

Oh no.

No.

No.

No.

I slowly looked up.

And there he was.

Trying-and failing-not to laugh.

"Are you okay?"

I wanted to disappear, Immediately.

Preferably forever.

"I'm fine."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You just fought the sidewalk."

"The sidewalk started it."

For one second, he looked surprised.

Then he laughed.

Actually laughed.

And somehow... I liked the sound of it.

A lot.

"Good morning, neighbor."

Neighbor.

There was that word again.

"Good morning."

For a brief moment, neither of us moved.

The silence wasn't awkward, Just unexpected. Then a motorcycle passed by, breaking the moment.

Ethan adjusted his backpack.

"See you at school."

I nodded.

"See you."

As he walked away, I stared after him.

Then immediately shook my head.

Nope

Absolutely not.

This was not happening ever again, dad already offer na ihatid Ako sa school at hero ako gustong magpaka-independent lady girl.

By lunchtime, the entire school somehow knew Ethan had spoken to me.

I had no idea how.

I was beginning to suspect students here had supernatural powers. Sofie practically attacked me the moment she saw me.

"You talked to him!"

I nearly dropped my water bottle.

"Can you stop shouting?"

"No!"

People turned toward us.

Wonderful.

Exactly what I needed, Public attention.

"Why do you care so much?"

"Because you're living every girl's dream."

I blinked.

"What dream?"

"Ethan Villanueva speaking to you."

I stared at her.

Then laughed.

She wasn't joking.

"Oh my gosh."

"You don't understand."

"No, I really don't."

Sofie dramatically placed a hand over her chest.

"You'll understand someday."

I doubted that.

Very much.

Still...

A small smile found its way onto my lips.

Because for the first time since moving here... I didn't feel completely alone anymore.

Maybe it was because I met Sofie.

Maybe it was because I was slowly adjusting.

Or maybe...

Just maybe...

It was because every time I looked around this unfamiliar place... There was always one familiar face nearby. And somehow, that made everything feel a little less scary.

I didn't know it yet.

But that ordinary school day would become one of the memories I'd treasure most.

Because som

etimes, the most important people enter your life quietly.

Without grand entrances.

Without dramatic moments.

Without warning.

And before you realize it...

They've already become part of your story.

Just like Ethan Villanueva.

The boy next door.

The boy who made me trip over nothing.

And the boy who was about to change my life forever.