The One That Got Away

Celine is running late for her class. She is a junior at St. Paschal’s High School. It’s a 10minute ride from her house located at the southern part of the small city of Northridge. “Oh no, I am gonna be late, ugh.. “ She’s trying to fix her things while waiting for the bus. “i should’ve gotten to bed earlier last night. Mrs. Ross is so strict with tardiness.” The bus arrived filled with students from her school, all busy and loud with their chattings. Celine found a seat almost at the back part of the bus. The bell rang as soon as she alighted the bus. Celine and all the other students run trying to beat the time. She heard a familiar voice calling her name. “Celine!! Wait!” That’s Phil, her bestfriend since freshmen year. She looked at him and told him to hurry up. They both reached their classroom just in time for the second bell, the start of their class. They were both laughing and catching their breath. Mrs. Ross entered the classroom and the students settled in their seats. The teacher gave them a pop quiz and Celine was relieved she was able to read their lessons last night. She is a diligent student. She always try to get good grades to make her mom happy, after all, she is all she’s got. Her dad left them for another woman just recently and they are still adjusting to the situation. That made her a little less trusting when it comes to dealing with the opposite s*x, but not with her bestfriend Phil. “Why were you running late this morning?” What did you do last night”, asked Phil. “I helped mom with her orders. I hemmed for her.” Celine’s mom is a dressmaker and accepts made to order dresses and uniforms. This was their source of income now that her father abandoned them. Celine always makes it a point to help her mom. “I didn’t take notice of the time and I slept a little later than usual, that’s why I woke up late this morning. I forgot to set my alarm. And you? Why were you late, again??” Celine asked Phil, giving him a funny look. Phil is almost always late, although his house is just a few blocks away from the school. He walks everyday to and from school. “I had to make breakfast for me and Patricia. I also had to help her get ready for school. Mom is a little under the weather and Dad left early for work.” Phil explained. 6yr old Patricia is her younger sister. Phil’s mom is an employee at the City Hall, while his dad is doctor at the city’s Emergency Hospital. “Oh, is your mom ok?” Celine asked. “It’s just the usual colds and fever..might be the flu. Dad already gave her medicine and asked her to rest for the day.” Phil replied. “It’s always so good to have a doctor in the house, eh?” She added. “Uh.. nah.. he’s always out. Always busy saving lives.” Phil uttered. Celine gave him a quizzing look. “You sound so sarcastic, Phil. You should be proud of your dad. At least he is saving lives and not leaving his family for another.” “Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of him. I just wish we see him more at home, but yeah, I guess I was a little insensitive there, I am sorry Lynlyn.” Phil explained, calling Celine by her pet name. He is the only one who calls her Lynlyn. That’s how close Celine and Phil are. They can talk about anything. School, friends, family.. life. Some of their friends are having doubts if they really are just friends. They will just laugh it off whenever someone tell them about it. Has it never crossed their minds? Phil will have nights thinking about his friendship with Celine. He feels comfortable with her. He can tell her everything, even his hang ups in life and never fear of getting judged. He even tells her about the girls he like at school. There are days when he feels that his life is incomplete without Celine. His Lynlyn, but he will brush that feeling aside and remind himself that she is his bestfriend, and nothing else. Celine always thinks of Phil as her bestest best friend. She has other best friends but Phil is her top one. She always feel protected with him. She knows he will always be there for her whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. She knows that some of her friends are putting romantic colors in their relationship, and honestly, she sometimes thought about it. She can feel there’s something deeper growing inside of her for Phil but she doesn’t want to encourage that thought. The friendship is more important. It’s everything to her. After all, she knows Phil has other girls in his mind.