The way it ended.

Chapter 3

When I got inside our room, people weren't talking to me. Well, that's not my problem.

My day is already complete although it just started. I wasn't able to get enough sleep, I can't sleep last nigt because of my conversation with Ace yesterday. I don't think I can attend their practice later I have schedule for 3 pm. But I'll surely watch their performance on Friday.

School Festival will start tomorrow so taday will be a busy day. Since I'm the president, I'm one of the representative to help for festival boots. I just know festival would be fun except that it's hot especially today.

"Ang init di ko na kaya" reklamo ko. "Sis, kung tinanggal mo yung jacket mo di ka maiinitan" Aleah said. It was literally raining just the other day.

We worked almost the whole day finishing the booth that were assigned to us. It's already quarter to 6 pm when we finished, and I feel really tired. While I was waiting at the bus stop sitting, my body literally woke up when I realized Ace sat beside me. Oh god, you really love me.

I want to look at him to make sure but I was to shy. Not until he peek at me because my hair were covering my face because I was looking down. "Oh, it's you" he said. It's me what? H-he recognized me? What in the f Ace already know me!

"Uy" yes I took me a few seconds to get my courage only to say that. "Sabrina right?" He asked. I never knew my name is this beautiful.

"Yep. Ace diba?" I asked although I already know. "Oh.. you know me" he really looks shocked with it. "I mean who doesn't? You're famous after all. I should be the one asking why you know me" I'm so proud of me for saying it without stuttering.

"I heard from Hiro" Hiro? "Hiro? Sino yun?" It's actually my first time hearing that name. He chuckled "My friend. Crazy assed friend" I just replied with 'ahh' and everything went silent again. I want to wait for him to think of something we could talk about but he doesn't look like he's planning.

"What strand are you planning to take on senior high school?" He asked before I was just supposed to ask it. "I'm planning to take humms" he nodded. "Me too" wow, I knew him for over a year but I never really know something like this. "Dito ka pa din mag aaral?" I asked. "I still don't know. I want to pero I don't think I would." It sound like it's with a deep reason so I just didn't bother asking.

When the bus stopped, I stood up to get inside so as Ace except that he's not planning to get inside. "Di ka sasakay?" I asked. He shook his head "No, take care" he waved goodbye before leaving. I didn't even got the chance to say goodbye. Why did he even waited here? Napailing nalang ako bago sumakay.

When I got home, ever thing was just so messy in the living room. "What's happening?" I whispered to myself. That answered my question when I saw Mom and Dad arguing. Again. Living in this family is tiring and draining. This always has to happen every day. "We should just divorce Carlo" my mom said. It doesn't shock me anymore this always happens before when they fight.

Mom leaved the room so as dad; and I'm left here again. I have no choice but to clean their mess. There were a broken glass that looks like it was thrown. I picked up one and put it on my jacket's pocket.

After cleaning I went straight to wash before sleeping.

I wore a hoodie to school even though it's flaming hot. My eyes hurts because I cried a lot last night. I went straight sa gym since Ace's performance will be starting anytime soon. I saw him on the bleachers, she should be in the back stage already. He looks like he's waiting for someone. When he looked at me his eyes suddenly brightens and he smiled at me while waving his hand. I was about to walk close to him when someone suddenly called him. I just mouthed 'good luck' before finding my seat. The performance ended and our school won. I want to congratulate Ace but I can't find him that's why I just left.

I was on my way home already but then someone stopped in front of me that also made me stop. He offered me an ice cream while scratching his neck, feeling shy.

"What's this" well it's obviously an ice cream but it's just so sudden.

"Tanggapin mo muna" he walked away after I accepted the ice cream. I want to call him to send my thanks but he just walks so fast.

Talent niya ba talagang tumakas pagkatapos akong pakiligin? I wasn't even able to congratulate him.

That night he added me on f*******:. I accepted it and messaged him first to say 'Congratulations', he thanked me but then our conversation just went longer.

It was the second day of Festival but I didn't saw Ace today he's probably busy. I mean everyone seems to be busy.

I came home with no one else but me. House was a mess again so I had no choice but to clean it. Mom and dad's car isn't here so I assume they left.

I woke up again with my eyes swollen because of crying again last night.

I was already in front of my room when I suddenly remembered it's the science test today. I went down the stairs to get my book in the locker. I forgot to study last night.

But when I opened my locker, I was shocked to see stuff that isn't mine.

The first thing that I saw was the tulip flower made from yarn;it was hand made tulip crochet. And a note saying,

'cheer up, sab. everything will be fine soon.'

It made me smile. But then something caught my attention. At the back of the note, there was a band aid with ice cream design. It was so random to suddenly recieve something like this but I really needed the band aid today.

It made me curious on who it was because starting that day, I kept on receiving stuff on my locker.

'Our scars are prettier when they're healed; it represents us' a note with band aid at the back

'Everything happens for a reason' a note with an old rose tulip crochet

'good luck sa game mo today! You'll Ace it' a note with a band aid at the back

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"Sabby!" Ericka shouted when I got hit by a volleyball on my head. Although I can't really feel the pain, I just suddenly passed out.

I woke up with white curtains. Probably not my room neither our classroom. I tried waking up only to realize I'm on the hospital. I was shocked to see Ace sleeping on the couch. It was already a week since the last time I saw him. He looks tired. I just learned that he can easily wake up because I saw him waking up already when he heard me trying to stand up.

He immediately stood up when he saw me struggling to stand up. "You should've woke me up" he said trying to help me while scratching his head still half awake.

When I got out from the comfort room, I can see him fixing my bed. "Why are you here?" I asked. "Shouldn't I be asking on why are you here?" He asked, not answering my question.

"Well..." I look me some time before I was able to answer. "I think I got hit by a ball then suddenly I'm here" that's what I remember.

"Close, but your doctor said you were too tired that's why you passed out " he answered. "He said you weren't eating and sleeping well" he looked at me, I don't want to assume but he looked worried.

I just nodded, not knowing what to say. "Now, why are you here?" I asked.

"You should take care of yourself" he said not answering my question. "I'm here because your mom told me to take care of you while she's in work" he answered while preparing something. so they knew.

"But how did you know I was here?" I asked. " I was in the gym, Sab" he answered. "Why were you in the gym? Festival just ended you have no practices and no reason to be there" I was just confused with everything.

"You're the reason I was there" he stopped doing his thing only to answer me while looking at me. My heart beat stopped for a second. I looked down when I can't take his stares anymore.

"You should eat a lot" he said before putting the soup he prepared.

Although I feel like vomiting, I was able to finish my food.

"Ace gabi na you should go home delikado daan" I said after we just finished watching the movie he recommended. "I'll be sleeping here" I was shocked when he said that. "Your mom told me to, you have no choice." He added.

"Di ka ba hahanapin sainyo?" I tried to sound angry. He just chuckled which made me feel sad for him.

I'm not the type of person who shares my problem to someone I feel either embarrassed or judged. But for some reason I want to vent out to him.

"Why are parents like this?" He looks shocked to see me suddenly say it. "They expect us to have good relationship with them but they never really tried." He just chuckled after hearing me say it. "They expected us to be smart, talented, perfect, and reach their very high expectations." He added.

"They wants us to be the perfect son and daughter but they were never really there." He smiled bitterly.

"You be fine soon, sam" I hugged him because I feel like doing it. He hugged me back "We, will be fine soon" he corrected me.

When we broke the hug, I noticed a band aid on his chin. He saw me looking at it that's why he covered it. "It was you?" I asked. The flowers, the notes, the band aid , and the snacks. It was him?

I saw him sigh. He was just looking down "Sab please promise me you'll stop" he didn't answer my question instead he said that. "Stop what?" I asked. He looked at me this time with so much sincerity "Hurting yourself".

I wasn't able to control my tears it just poured itself. I immediately wiped it. "It's hard for me to see you struggle every day. You always wear hoodie because you said it's cold when it's literally hot; only for you to cover your scars."

He noticed it. He always do. Out of all people in the world he's the last person in my mind to notice me hurt my self.

"I can't promise" I said. "You can always vent out to me Sab, I'm always here" he said before pulling me into a tight hug. For some reason, his hug makes me feel better.