Lies Written by the Stars

A Day to Myself

Chapter 14: A Day to Myself

ELLE’S POV

The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I can feel that a heavy weight has been lifted from my system. My tears has ran out dry from crying to my mom last night, and when she went out to let me rest, I completely dozed off to sleep. I was too tired to think of anything else.

I still haven’t gone out of bed even though I have woken up an hour ago. Still thinking how I should spend my “free day” today. Still having no plans at all, my stomach began grumbling. Well, I guess we have our first agenda for today. I thought, holding my stomach.

I lifted up the bed sheet and went to sit at the right side of my bed, looking at the mirror beside my bed. There, I stared at my reflection by the mirror. I did not look like I just had a breakdown last night. I have expected it though, every time I cry, I know I will be having a headache. That is why I hate crying. But on a side note, after crying, my face glows up. Like a blooming flower that has just been watered.

I guess it’s the universe’s way of cleansing my soul and telling me that there will always be rainbow after the rain. And looking at mirror, I smiled at myself and raised my hand, creating a peace sign.

I chuckled; I read that all people do that after having a breakdown. Maybe it’s also their way of asking themselves for forgiveness for completely hurting.

So I stood up, having an idea how to spend my day. I stretched. As I put down my hands I told myself that today is going to be about me, I am going to take care of myself. And with that, my stomach grumbled again.

It’s time for a healthy breakfast then.

Grabbing my phone and still wearing the same clothes I was wearing last night, I went down the stairs to get some breakfast. Luckily, there’s already a covered plate by the kitchen counter. Mom. I poured myself a glass of water and had a drink from it as I looked at what my mom has prepared. There I saw that she has cooked a scrambled egg and bacon, sweet.

I was about to prepare myself an orange juice when I saw a sticky note by the refrigerator’s door.

Elle,

I’ll be running errands the

whole morning; paying bills

and doing groceries.

Call me if you need anything.

Enjoy your breakfast, love.

There was a second note below it so I continued reading.

PS: Don’t try to numb

your emotions; feel them

embrace it. I know it’s hard and

it’s normal to want to avoid

painful reminders.

So take your time,

time will heal us all.

Love,

Mom

I smiled and grabbed the second note and stickered it at the back of my phone. I don’t know how she does that, but my mom just really knows perfectly what to say, and when to say it. I love that the most about her.

I placed down my phone to the kitchen counter and started preparing my orange juice.

After preparing everything, I placed the food; the orange juice and my phone on a single tray went outside to sit at the hammock and place the tray at the table in front of it.

I cross my legs and grabbed my phone after setting my food on my lap.

Opening my phone, I checked some notifications from my friends- Raph and Liz.

2 unread messages

Raph

Liz

I opened Raph message first.

From: Raph

+639*********

Yo, heard you’re not coming to school today.

You’re such a cheater. You should’ve invited us

to skip classes with you. You okay, though?

I smiled at Raph’s message, I can almost see him pouting and I can hear him complaining how unfair it is. So I replied to him.

To: Raph

+639*********

Idiot. Enjoy your class. ;)

I replied to him, and then I opened my messenger to send him a picture of my breakfast and my morning surroundings.

Raphyy

Mon at 8:07 am

Sent 2 images.

I guess I’m okay.

I didn’t check anymore if he will reply because I opened Liz’s message, or should I say messages next.

From: Liz

+639**********

Hey what happened? You okay?

From: Liz

+639**********

Rise and shine Elle!!!

From: Liz

+639**********

u still alive?

From: Liz

+639**********

See you later! :p

How does she have this much energy in a Monday morning?

To: Liz

+639**********

see u.

She’s going to be so mad at my reply. But my food is getting to warm already so I opened my playlist and played a song from my playlist.

Now playing: Still Fighting it

Enjoying the breeze of the morning sun and my food, I avoided thinking about anyone else but me. I’ve been too consumed by everybody lately.

It really sucks sometimes to be aware of everybody. It’s not as if I am stalking them. I am just aware; observant. And despite saying that I don’t care about them and what they say about me, I know that deep down I still do.

Liar.

I sighed as I pushed away someone’s voice from my head. No. It’s my day today.

I took the last bite from my food, the song still playing at the background.

Everybody knows

It hurts to grow up

Finishing the last drop from my orange juice, I stood up and placed all the utensils by the tray.

And everybody does

It’s so weird to be back here

I went straight to the kitchen and washed the utensils at the sink as I let the music drown my thoughts.

Let me tell you what

The years go and

We’re still fighting

We’re still fighting it.

After washing the dishes, I stopped the song and went to my room again to change my clothes to my yoga clothes. And while still waiting for my food to come down, I decided to clean my room and tidy up some things. But not before sticking the note from my phone to the whiteboard on my wall.

After cleaning for almost an hour, my room is clean and tidy already. I don’t know why but I actually like cleaning and organizing things when I’m not busy, it’s kind of therapeutic for me.

Weird, I know.

Feeling satisfied at what I did, I walked downstairs again to do some yoga.

While doing yoga, I realize how important it is to take a rest and have your own personal space from people whether if they are your loved ones, or not.

I have been too consumed with finding out what really happened the night at the roof top. That I did not realize that I just kept on living on the past.

The past of people hurting me, and the past where I felt like I lost myself. It has been all about the past this week but what about the present? I asked myself.

I sighed, feeling the sweat on my body.

I’ve been too consumed by the past that I have completely forgotten to live the present.

I inhaled and exhaled. I have to slow it down and just like what my mom said- healing takes time.

So I’ll just have to see what time brings me.

Standing up, I went at the chair beside me and grabbed the towel. I walked upstairs, to my room and straight to the shower.

After showering, I dried my hair and grabbed a book by the shelves, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a f**k by Mark Manson. Nice.

With that, I decided to spend the rest of the day, reading and eating in between.

I lost track of time and I didn’t notice that it’s nearing night already. I looked at the time 4:35 pm.

The class has been dismissed already. Will Liz really be going here?

And just in time, the doorbell rang followed by a notification by my phone. Liz texted me telling me she’s at the door.

Speak of the devil.

I went downstairs to allow her to come in but Liz declined.

“I can’t stay long because I need to buy some things at the grocery store. I just wanted to check in on you.” She explained.

“Oh, okay then, thanks for dropping by Liz.” I said sincerely.

She hugged me.

“Yep, and we have a lot to talk about.” She said as she narrowed her eyes at me.

Liz stretched her hands in front of me, giving me a glimpse of what she’s holding, notes.

“Promise.” I replied as I accepted the notes she photocopied for me.

“Oh by the way, Mr. Rock was not able to meet us last Friday, right?” She asked.

I nodded, knowing too well what happened that time; Chris, Jake and his scotch tape.

“Anyway, Mr. Rock told us to prepare a spoken poetry. He said we will be presenting it to class, and that it could be anything under the sun.” Liz shrugged.

Liz likes reading, but I don’t think she’s that fan of writing, but I am.

“That’s nice but why do we have to present it in front of the class?” I complained.

“I know right? Why even write one at all?” I laughed at her annoyance.

“And lastly, Mr. Yada said you have to present together with Chris tomorrow.” I creased my forehead at that.

Seeing my reaction, Liz followed. “You kind of missed doing it today, and everybody has done it already.”

As if that make things any better. But I didn’t complain.

“Okay, thank you for telling me Liz.” I hugged her again. “Now off you go, it’s going to be dark soon.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow and hey, don’t forget you have to tell me what happened!!!” She shouted, as she was running away.

I shook my head and went inside the house to eat dinner with my mom. She told me she arrived a little earlier than Liz, and she quickly went over to prepare dinner for us, so she was not able to check on me.

We finished our dinner fast and after washing the dishes, I went to my room to write down the notes that Liz has given me. Wondering what should be the topic of my poem.

And for the first time today, I let my thoughts drift to him.

I wonder what happened to him after.

Feeling the guilt again, I should probably apologize to him. No. Not probably. I really should.

Done with my notes, I grabbed my phone and jumped on my bed.

Raising my phone over my face, I saw a text message.

From: Chris

+639*********

I’m sorry.

My phone fell on my face. Ouch.

I looked at it again, feeling guiltier. Why is he the one apologizing?

With that, I mustered up all my courage and replied to him.

To: Chris

+639*********

I’m sorry too.

Then I threw my phone far away from me. Hugging my pillow and just staring at my phone. Anxious of what his answer will be.

In my anxiousness, I started to think of whatever introduction I have to present about Chris tomorrow for our Psychology class. I think I might have discovered something about him that not many are aware of.

It was my fault for prying anyway.

I sighed at that thought.

Then my phone beeped.

I reached for it quickly and opened the message from Chris.

To: Chris

+639*********

:)

My heart thumped.

Here it goes again. I placed my phone over my chest. It was only a smiling face, but I remember his genuine smile by the door when he came over.

It looked good on him.