An Angel's kiss.

Chapter Thirteen

"Yes!" she squealed. "An actual date! I thought he'd pretend last night never happened, but he didn't. He dropped me off, waited until I was safely inside, and only then drove home. When he got back, he called me, and we talked for a while before going to sleep." She let out a dreamy sigh.

"Then I woke up to a text asking if I'd slept well and if I'd eaten. The second I replied, he called... just because he wanted to hear my voice." She squealed again. "And then he asked if I'd go out with him tomorrow! I nearly dropped my phone. I was screaming into my pillow like a crazy person!"

"So... you're officially a couple now?"

Janice let out a soft laugh. "I don't know, Gel. We haven't really talked about labels yet." She paused, and I could hear the smile in her voice. "But whatever this is... it matters. He makes me happy, and that's enough for me."

Wala na din akong magawa Kundi mapangiti. "I'm happy as long as you're happy, Love."

"I am," she replied softly. "I've never been this happy."

"If Jacob ever hurts you..." sabi ko habang nagpapanggap na seryoso. "All you have to do is snip off a few strands of his hair, send them to me, and I'll mail them to my grandma in the Philippines. She'll hex him."

Janice laughed so hard I had to pull the phone away from my ear. "Oh my God, Angel!"

"What? I'm serious," I said, hindi ko na din mapigilang matawa. "My grandma's scary. She'll have him apologizing before the package even arrives."

I was only joking. Grandma couldn't actually hex anyone. Still, I knew that if Janice ever needed me, I'd always be by her side, no matter what happened.

She laughed even harder. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," I replied warmly. "And whatever happens, you know I've always got your back."

"I know," she said softly. "That's why you're my favorite person."

We talked for a little while longer. Janice apologized over and over for leaving me alone at the party. She admitted she'd gotten so caught up with Jacob that she'd completely lost track of time. Then she asked what had happened after she'd left and how I'd managed to get home. I did my best to answer without mentioning the kiss. Instead, I simply told her I'd booked an Uber and gone straight home.

Before I knew it, we were on FaceTime, talking for what felt like hours. I couldn't believe some of the things coming out of Janice's mouth. At one point, my brain simply refused to process what she was saying, as if it were trying to protect the little innocence I had left.

Janice was absolutely shameless. One moment she was telling me how painful her first time had been, and the next she was talking about it with the biggest smile on her face, as though she'd just uncovered the world's greatest secret. She couldn't stop rambling about Jacob—about how sweet he had been, how he never stopped making sure she was okay, and then, without the slightest warning, she'd blurt out something so outrageously intimate that I nearly dropped my phone.

Every time she steered the conversation back to the two of them, my entire body stiffened. My face burned so hot I was sure my cheeks had turned crimson. I kept covering my ears, squealing at her to stop, but she was far too lovestruck to notice. If anyone had overheard our conversation, I probably would've died on the spot from embarrassment.

We stayed on the call until dinnertime. Since her parents were away on vacation, she had no reason to hold back. Whatever crossed her mind came flying straight out of her mouth, and somehow, every topic always found its way back to Jacob.

After we ended the call, I glanced at the clock and let out a deep sigh. I'd completely forgotten about the mountain of schoolwork I'd abandoned after everything that had happened last night.

I reached for my notebook, but my thoughts drifted back to Colt. A sudden realization hit me.

If I hadn't thrown up all over him... things might have turned out very differently. I could have lost my virginity to someone I barely knew, and I knew I would've regretted it for the rest of my life. Unlike Janice and Jacob, Colt and I had been complete strangers before last night.

Maybe those humiliating moments had been a blessing in disguise. As disgusting and embarrassing as it was, that awful vomit might have been the very thing that saved me from losing my virginity.

The thought made me giggle. Who would've thought throwing up on someone could actually save my virginity?

Before my thoughts could wander elsewhere, I forced myself to focus on my schoolwork. Every assignment had to be submitted before the deadline, and I refused to fall behind. Losing my scholarship wasn't an option. Without it, my parents would never be able to afford my tuition. Maybe it was finally time for me to find a part-time job so I could ease even a small part of their burden.

Mom was already carrying more responsibilities than anyone should. She was paying for her younger siblings' education, helping some of my cousins stay in school, and continuing to support my grandmother. Sa dami ng taong umaasa sa kanya, hindi ko na maisip na ipaako pa sa kanila ang buong gastusin ko sa kolehiyo.

Minsan, hindi ko maiwasang maawa kay Mom. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit patuloy niyang pinapasan ang mga responsibilidad ng iba. Para sa akin, hindi na niya iyon responsibilidad. She already had a family of her own to take care of.

Pero kahit ganoon, hindi ko siya kailanman kinuwestiyon. Palaging sinusuportahan ni Dad ang bawat desisyon niya at tumutulong sa abot ng makakaya nito. Kaya sino ba naman ako para sabihing mali sila? Kung ang pagtulong ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng saya, the least I could do was study hard, protect my scholarship, and make sure every sacrifice they made for me was worth it.

It was exactly ten o'clock when I finally finished my homework. I leaned back in my chair and stretched my stiff body, wincing as a dull ache shot through my neck after hours of keeping my head bent over my desk.

I stood up and walked toward the tiny balcony attached to my room. It was so small that not even a single chair could fit—just enough space for me to stand comfortably. Sliding the glass door open, I stepped outside. This had always been my favorite place at night. I loved gazing at the stars while the cool night breeze brushed against my skin, washing away the exhaustion from a long day.

The neighborhood was old and nothing like the glamorous New York people saw in movies.

The houses were weathered, their faded paint and worn exteriors showing the passage of time. There was nothing luxurious about the place, yet it had a quiet charm of its own. Most of the residents were hardworking people, too busy making a living to concern themselves with anyone else's affairs. We rarely spoke to one another, and when we did cross paths, a simple nod or polite smile was enough before everyone continued with their day.