The way it ended.

Chapter 2

"WHAT DID I EVEN EXPECT FROM YOU!?" my dad shouted at me.

I just came home after going home from school, tired because of volleyball practice. At ito sinalubong saakin. They didn't even give me time to change my clothes at least.

"You're such a disappointment" it wasn't a shout but clear and hard enough for me to hear it. My heart aches once again. No, what did I even expect. They are always disappointed at me. And today is not something new. But it doesn't make it less painful.

"Go to your room Sabrina" my mom told me.

I just apologize before getting inside my room. Why did I apologize? For not getting straight 97 ups on my grades? Funny but it felt unfair. But my lowest grade was Alisha 's highest and her mom seems proud to even post her on social media. I don't wanna judge Alisha's life on that but oh, the be her. I'm a high school student. What's with all this pressure?

I know my mom told me to go to my room. And I did but I change to grey sweatpants and white shirt I know it's cold outside that's why I also wear a hoodie. I opened my window and carefully jumped. I should be thankful that my room is next to our garden so I jumped of a soft green leaves. I have the duplicate of keys that's why I can easily go out. I don't care if I'd get scolded again I just want to let this out. I checked the time, it already 7 pm. I came to a coffee shop as usual I bought my favorite coffee and head outside to seat.

I prefer sitting outside because of cold air. While I was sitting outside, I saw Ace entered the cafe. I sit properly when I saw him and fix myself. He can't see me looking this misserable. But after buying his coffee, he walked out of the coffee shop without stopping. Oh well. Why did I even expect him to know me. I just went home knowing I would get scolded again.

I was about to watch Ace's practice for school festival today but our project's due were supposed to be today, but thanks Ms. Gonzales for extending it to tomorrow. No one was helping me with our project that's why I have to do it alone. And unlucky me that it just had to rain today. Badtrip na badtrip nako and I really want to cry out of frustration. I still haven't started with our report on this. I ran until I reach the waiting area.

"s**t yung project ko tangina naman" I tried not to cry because I'm in public. To stop myself, I ran to get inside the convenience store not minding I'll get wet. Sira na rin naman to. Aleah called that's why I picked it up. "Hoy girl hanap ka ni Trina" naknampucha na Trina yan wag niya akong ma hanap hanap baka mahanap niya hinahanap niya.

"Hanapin niya ambag niya bwiset" I really hate her wala naman talaga siyang nai ambag.

"Bakit ano ba meron?" Aleah asked.

"Tangina uulitin ko nanaman yung project namin. Bwiset kasalanan to ng dumbell namin na leader eh. Shuta wala nanaman akong tulog neto mamaya." Mag tatatlong araw nang di kumpleto tulog ko and I thought na makakatulog agad ako pag uwi but I guess not. Lumabas narin ako matapos nakabayad at nag paalam na kay Aleah.

When I got home, I already started making our project, again. My phone notified. So I checked it and saw Ace's Ig story. It was 2 minutes ago; it was a picture of a window of the bus with raindrops on it.

When I woke up I wasn't feeling well as I expected but I have no choice but to stay present today. And I'm also not in the mood to talk to anyone today. It's still 6:40 in the morning I went early because our report presentation will start at exact 7. When I entered the room I saw my groupmates having chit chats. Y'all won't see your names on my members don't worry. I don't care if I'm not the leader because it's true that they really didn't help me.

"Hi Sabby!" Trina greeted me as I enter. But I just walk pass them and seat on my chair. hi my ass.

The teacher entered and called the first group. It's not my first time reporting but I still feel nervous everytime. "Okay, it's group two's turn" Ms. Yina said. I carried my laptop and walk on my way to the table. I placed it and connect it to the monitor.

My groupmates were looking at me. You better look at the monitor young dumbbells especially the last slide. "Good day everyone!" I smiled after.

I'm almost at the end of my report. When Ace suddenly entered. Oh s**t. I looked at him while I continue to speak. In my surprise, he looked back. I stopped talking for a second. But I realized I was reporting so I continued and try my best not to stutter. I can see his hand crossing and looks at his way on me. Why the hell is he here? He's supposed to be practicing.

"That's the end of MY presentation, thank you for listening" I ended my report smiling victory, before moving to the last slide which shows the members name; And my name is the only one that you can read in there. I saw some of my classmate's murmurs but I didn't mind them. When I looked at Ace, I saw him nodding before he leaves when his friends called him.

I saw Ms. Yina nodded before gesturing me to sit. "That's a good presentation, Ms. Quizon"

All the groups finished their presentation and Ms. Yina announced the scores. "For Ms. Quizon's presentation, I give that a perfect score. You explained your presentation well with your loud voice that I can hear even when I was at the back. That's a good job not to mention that you did that alone" I didn't expect to get perfect score as I only practiced my script last night.

When our class ended, I immediately ran to the gym. Ace's practice probably started. Kakaupo ko lang when Ryan called me. What's he up to this time?. To my respect, I went down. We aren't a stranger to each other so I don't want to be rude. He gave me a bouquet of flowers that he was hiding behind his back. Really, flowers? It didn't last 5 seconds when I sneezed. I'm allergic to flowers.

I saw how Ryan was shocked. "Sab sorry I didn't know you were allergic to flowers" I can see he was really feeling sorry. "Ofcourse you don't. But it's fine no worries." I assured him. "I'm really sorry Sab, I'll treat you dinner this evening" he apologized again as he touched my arm to make me feel that he was really sorry. "No need! I'm really fine" although I know my face doesn't say it at all. Without any following words, I get back from my seat.

Ace dance really well. And he has this talent of bitting his lips whenever he makes mistake. And that's just so attractive. I saw him before when I was watching my friend's practice for school festival last year. As I said, he dances really well which made me admire him. Since then, I keep watching his practice which made me like him more.

I want to bid my goodbye to Trisha but she was running on the exit. She texted me that he left her bag on the bleachers at the first row. I went down to get it, there were also some bags from the dancers. When my phone rang again, I already know it's dad it's already 6 pm so he's probably finding me. I can't find my phone!

From my peripheral view, I saw someone looking at me so I looked back. WHICH I WISH I SHOULDN'T HAVE. "Are you okay?" There no way in this world Ace is asking me so suddenly if I'm okay "Your nose are getting red" ha? Ilong ko? shuta ang pangit pumula ng ilong ko. "My nose?" I tried my very best to not stutter. "I'm also allergic to flowers" he said that before lending me a cream. calming cream. It's the one I use too, my favorite actually it's really powerful.

But.. 'also'?!. "U-uh how did you know.. I'm allergic to flowers?" I tried not to say it but my mouth said it for me. I can see that he was giving it a hard thoughts. "I saw you earlier." He–what?!. "The boy gave you bouquet of flowers and you sneezed. So I assume you're allergic to flowers" he looks so damn attractive looking calm.

My heart was beating so fast. "Oh.. b-but yeah! I'm allergic to flowers" I'm so awkward.

He nodded. "I'll get going then" he smiled at me before leaving.

"Hoy Sabrina tawag ka ni coach!" Kierra was calling me.

Nung nakaalis na siya, napaupo ako sa bleacher habang napa kawak sa dibdib ko. My heart was beating so fast. "Hoy girl and landi lang ha" Kierra said. "Girl there's no way Ace talked to me" sabi ko bago siya pinag sasapak. Nag rereklamo pa siya habang pinapagalitan ako. I don't mind getting scolded today. It's worth it.