Ride with the Waves

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In this world, at the end of the day, you only have yourself. That’s why you need to be strong, because once you let problems defeat you, it’s hard to stand up again.

I learned how to be strong because I had no choice. Maybe?

I started working at a young age. I had to save money for my daily needs. I learned early how to survive on my own.

I am alone. I do have friends who are always there for me, but this is my life—my problem. We all have our own battles to fight. I don’t want to depend on them all the time.

Yes, I don’t have a family. I used to. But everything changed when my grandmother died. I was only thirteen years old, in Grade 7, when she passed away. After that, I chose to leave. Her children were cruel, and I couldn’t stay with them. I survived using the money my grandmother used to give me—the money I secretly saved.

My grandfather was already gone long before that. On my father’s side, I know nothing. My grandmother never talked about them. I also don’t have parents anymore. They died in a car accident when I was only five years old.

I sighed as tears slowly fell. It always happens whenever I remember them, my parents and my grandmother. It has been four years since I started living alone. Sometimes I wonder if I can still keep going. What if one day I get too tired and finally give up?

I shook my head and stood up. I can’t afford to stop.

I’m already a Grade 12 student now, the last year of senior high school. Second semester. Fourth quarter. Somehow, I managed to send myself to school. I work part-time as a waitress in a small canteen, teach dance, accept any job I can, and sometimes tutor elementary students.

After finishing my morning routine, I wore my uniform and ate breakfast before taking a bath. Soon, I was ready to go to school.

I’ve been studying in a public school since kindergarten. I met my real friends when I reached Grade 7. I know they’re real because they stayed, even when I was hard to understand. They say I’m kind, street-smart, and caring. Well… maybe they’re right. Haha.

My phone rang. Olivia.

“Are you done yet?” she asked immediately.

“Yes, I’m ready,” I replied.

“Okay.”

Then the call ended.

Typical Olivia. She hates waiting.

I walked to school since it’s just nearby. The smell of smoke filled the air—traffic was bad, and students were everywhere. Some were already sweating. The sun was slowly rising, warm but not painful.

When I reached the school gate, my friends were already there.

“My precious Arisa-baby Cruz Valencia!” Hailey shouted the moment she saw me.

“You’re not even that late! We’re fine waiting here. Olivia didn’t even complain,” she added, laughing as she lightly hit Olivia’s arm.

“Hey, that hurts,” Olivia said, frowning.

Hailey and I laughed.

“Sorry!” Hailey said, flashing a peace sign.

Olivia sighed and led us inside. We’ve been classmates since Grade 7 until now. Carl was already in the classroom—he’s always early. He’s the hard-working one among us.

“Good morning, Carl!” Hailey greeted.

“Good morning,” he replied with a smile.

He’s really handsome. I smiled back before taking my seat.

We talked about random gossip, pregnancies, batchmates, seniors, and juniors. Lea, our classmate, was once again the source of all the news.

Classes started, and time passed quickly. Our first subject was Statistics and Probability—my so-called favorite. Just kidding. I don’t like it, and it definitely doesn’t like me. But as long as I survive it, that’s enough.

Recess came and went. Then lunch time.

We went home together. They bought food from a nearby eatery and ate at my place before heading back to school.

After eating, I worked on my assignments. Hailey was chatting nonstop, Olivia was asleep, and Carl was just quietly listening.

Suddenly, Hailey stood in front of us with Carl beside her.

“I have a question,” Hailey said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“What is love?”

I was shocked by her question because I didn’t know how to answer it myself. What kind of love? I looked at Carl, who was also staring at me. He just shrugged and looked at Olivia. I avoided their gazes.

“You don’t know either?” Hailey asked me.

I simply shook my head.

“How about you, Olivia?” Carl asked.

I looked at Olivia and realized she was already awake.

She looked at Carl, then at Hailey, then at me.

“A choice?” she answered, shrugging.

“Why?” Hailey asked, confused.

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

“For me, love is a choice. When you love someone, you won’t always understand it. When you choose to stay beside that person—even when it’s hard, and you’re already hurting—you stay because you love them. Staying is your choice.”

“There are also times when you choose to let someone go, even if you love them so deeply—for their own good and for yours. Or because they’re happier with someone else.”

That hurts.

“So yeah,” Olivia added softly,

“Love is a choice.”

I stayed quiet.

So love is a choice…