Best Regards, Feli

It was almost midnight and Felicia was still out with her four best friends. They called themselves Quinz for two reasons. The first is that there were five members in the group: Feli, Terry, Sammy, Leorie, and Josie. People started calling them quintuplets because they were always joined by the hips during high school. The second reason was that it sounds like 'queens' and they knew that they were queens in their own right. Feli must admit that the group name was cringe worthy but it stuck until college. And now that most of them were adulting, they could not be bothered to change their friendship title. "Cheers to us, Quinz!" They all cheered and clinked their glasses filled with beer. "And of course, cheers to our newly graduated Miss future CPA, Leorie!" Terry shouted as she danced around Leorie, clearly drunk. "Welcome to adult life," Sammy said. "Thanks girls. I know you're all very busy but you still made time for this celebration. Also, thanks to Sammy for sponsoring the venue tonight," Leorie announced with her microphone, which was actually a spoon. "Yes, thank you Sammy! We can't get drunk in a bar now that Feli and I are respectable teachers. I'd hate for us to have a video of any embarrassing stunts especially with the amount of social media high school kids spend time on nowadays," Josie said before she passed out on the sofa. Both Feli and Josie started working in their province's National High School right after they passed the LET or the Licensure Examination for Teachers. Terry and Sammy had a degree in Business Administration and they were working on their own businesses now. Leorie, on the other hand, took Accountancy in college which was a five-year course. Thus, she was the last to graduate among them. "I envy Josie. I'm gonna go lie down for a bit. I'll be up after five minutes," Terry said as she plopped herself beside Josie. "I set an alarm..." she mumbled. "I don't believe she'll wake up in five minutes," Sammy shook her head. "I'm used to Terry's five minute nap," Leorie said sarcastically. "It's a lie that we lived through during college. Ahh, those were the days." "Yeah, I miss high school, especially college. Even though we graduated last year. Well, except for you, Leorie," Feli shared as she downed her beer. "What are your plans when you pass the licensure exam?" Sammy asked. "Don't you mean if I pass the CPALE, not when," Leorie said doubtfully. "No. We believe that you'll get that license. Claim it," Feli encouraged. "Fine I'll claim it. Gosh, I'm so tired reviewing for two exams," Leorie groaned. Feli knew that Leorie was adamant on entering law school so the woman was studying really hard for the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam (CPALE) and at the same time for the law school admission exam. "Don't you want to take a break first?" Sammy asked. Leorie shook her head. "No. I'll do this while I still have the momentum." "Just don't forget to take care of yourself. And you have us, okay?" Feli reminded her. "Of course. I wouldn't have survived high school and college without you girls," Leorie smiled and hugged them both. "How about you Feli? Any news?" asked Sammy. The five of them were best friends but because of their hectic schedule, they could not meet and talk as often as before. Times like this celebration was a good way for all of them to catch up. "Just the same. I'll be buried in bills and loans by the end of the year if I don't find another job," Feli said. Her friends knew about her family situation. Among the five of them, it was safe to say that she was the poorest. "I'm always broke. Cheers to being broke!" She raised her glass and gulped the remaining beer in the glass. "I can lend you a loan. Then you can pay me when you're able," Sammy offered. "I know you're generous, but I'll pass for now. I need something more stable." "A business?" Leorie suggested. "We have the cafeteria and sari-sari store already. They're good businesses and manageable for our workload," she replied. Since her father had a stroke almost two years ago, her mother decided to set up a small cafeteria in front of their house. The sari-sari store, which was a small retail shop in their community, was a recent addition when Feli had enough funds for its capital. "You have an internet connection at home, right?" Leorie asked. "Yeah, I had it installed because the boys needed it for schoolworks," she replied. "And you still have your laptop?" "Actually, no. I handed it down to Fatima so she brought it with her to the university. And the boys share one laptop," she shrugged. Fatima was her second sibling who was now in college. "What? So how do you finish your reports for work?" Sammy asked, shocked. "Sometimes, I borrow Josie's laptop. But most of the time I work in the library. There's a desktop there for the high school teachers," she explained. "Wait. Why are you asking me these questions?" she asked, turning to Leorie. "Oh, because you might want to try online tutorials since you're passionate about teaching. I heard from a friend that ESL tutors are in demand," Leorie recommended. "ESL?" "English as a Second Language. Basically you'll help students to speak in English more fluently. Work hours are flexible. Salary is good for a side hustle." She sobered a little upon hearing this. That was just what she needed. "That's great!" The wheels in her head were already planning her next step. She frowned as her drunk brain thought about investing in a good laptop and headphones. "I'll give you my old laptop and I have a pair of noise-canceling headphones that I've never used before," Sammy offered, seemingly aware of what Feli was thinking. "Oh no! You can't just give laptops away." "I can. I don't even use that anymore. And I have several pairs of headphones in my room. I'm thinking of donating them and now I'm donating them to you," Sammy said. "What if I pay a discounted price? Like installment fees?" She didn't feel like accepting the gadgets. Knowing Sammy, her things were always expensive and the latest models. Sammy shook her head. "I won't call them donations if you're going to think that you're a charity case. Just accept them as gifts. From me to you," Sammy insisted. "That's reasonable, I think. Besides, you need all the help you can get," Leorie agreed with Sammy. "As soon as I can, I'll pay you," she said, full of gratitude. "Feli, I'm serious. If you really want to pay then pay it forward," Sammy said. She had no choice but to accept Sammy's gifts. "I don't know what I'll do without you, girls." "Me, too. What did I miss?" Josie suddenly interrupted them. "I didn't realize I took a nap," she said as she stretched her limbs. "Yeah, you were out for around thirty minutes," Feli said. "So spill the tea." "I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. Right now, I think Ben is outside," Feli said as they all heard the doorbell ring. Benjamin was Josie's husband whom she married right after graduation. "Fine. Fine. Sorry, I can't spend the night here," Josie told the girls as they walked her out. "Guess we'll just have to get used to this married life of yours, Miss Asuncion," Leorie said as she tried to walk in a straight path towards the gate. "It's Mrs. Guerrero now," Josie pointed out. They reached the gate where Ben was waiting for his wife. "Good evening ladies. I see my wife hadn't drunk herself to oblivion," Ben said as he approached Josie. "She was pretty bummed out earlier. How are you, Ben?" Leorie asked. "I'm good. Happy, even," he replied as he helped his wife get in the passenger seat of their car. "By the way, congratulations Leorie." "Thanks. And thanks for the graduation gift." "You're welcome. Josie picked it. I guess we'll all just catch up sometime?" Ben asked them. "You should've joined us tonight. Josie said you declined the invitation," Sammy said. "I didn't want to intrude in your girl's night out. And it's almost 1 AM ladies, you ought to rest," he said. "We will after we see you guys off. Take care," Feli said. "Love you, my girls. All hail the Quinz!" Josie drunkenly exclaimed. They all watched the car drive off and they went back inside when the car was no longer in view. "So, you want to send an application now?" Leorie asked. "Oh no, not when I'm still dizzy from alcohol." "How about we all sleep for now? I'm feeling tired too," Sammy said as she gazed at Terry who was still knocked out on the sofa bed. "Agree. And I hope to get the job once I apply tomorrow," Feli mumbled, hoping that she would get hired as an ESL teacher.