The Last Man Standing

Clio was in deep thoughts as she walked away from the Dean's office. Her short black hair, its length reaching just her jaw, was a complete mess. Unlike other girls, Clio couldn’t afford to buy make-up and so her pale lips and freckled cheeks were never concealed by any kind of cosmetic product. Her fitted jeans, a simple black shirt and white sneakers, were too thin to wear for the cold Christmas breeze. In her left hand, she held the second promissory note she made and was signed by the Dean for this semester. The piece of paper was the only reason why Clio was allowed to take her final exams even though her tuition was not yet paid. This was definitely what they call the Dean’s mercy for poor students like her trying to study in a private university. 'Second chance, last shot.' Those were the words of the old Dean that echoed in Clio's mind. She could not forget the irritable voice of the old man and his scolding eyes. Studying in a university that was built for the rich and powerful, she always received such awful treatment. Her grip on the paper tightened, the frustrations inside were taking a toll on her. She sighed. At times like this, she wished to vanish in thin air to escape all her financial problems. Why did life have to be so harsh on her? "Clio!" She was snapped back from reality after hearing a familiar voice calling her. She turned to the source of the voice and forced a smile when she saw her dear friend, Lilith. She immediately hid the paper behind her back then gave her friend a cheerful wave. “Hey Lilith, what's up?” She chuckled when Lilith pursed her lips at her, making her usual annoyed expression. “What are you doing here?” “I haven't heard from you for a while. What are you up to, Clio? I’m your friend and yet you’re keeping too many secrets, lately.” Lilith crossed her arms over her chest, sighing when she noticed how Clio immediately averted her gaze to the tiled floor of the building’s hallway. “Tell me. What is happening to you? Is there any problem? You know I will always try to help.” “Nah. I just need to fix some things before the finals. It’s nothing to worry about.” “Really?” Clio nodded eagerly, meeting Lilith’s gaze. She smiled widely, hiding her worries. “Really. I’m okay. Now, tell me why are you here? The finals will be in January. Do you still have unfinished business in the administration?” she asked, realizing that Lilith was heading to the admin’s office. Six hours from now was Christmas eve. The classes finished just a week ago because of its delayed start last October. No one was around in the university aside from the faculty staff and some students who had to fix some issues regarding their enrollment or tuition. And unlike her, Lilith came from a rich family with capable parents to provide for whatever she needs. “I need to see you.” Lilith shook her head, grinning at Clio. “And you know what, I suddenly had a hunch that this is where I will find you. Spill it. It’s your tuition again, right?” “I really have nothing to hide from you.” She admitted, showing the piece of paper that saved her this semester for the second time. “You don’t have to worry, Lilith. Promissory note worked,” she joked, waving the piece of paper. Lilith laughed at her before she nodded. “I see. I’m glad the Dean approved your promissory.” She strides towards Clio with a wide smile on her face. Her bouncy and blonde hair stood out in the rays of the setting sun. The braces on her teeth and flawless fair skin proved how rich Lilith was. The kind of luxury that Clio would never experience. Envy towards her friend arose from Clio. She should not feel this way but she couldn’t help it. Lilith was her friend but there were times when her friend would unconsciously make her hate her pathetic and poor life. “I’m fine. My salary from my bookkeeping job plus a bonus will be given today. That will be enough to pay for my remaining tuition balance.” Clio said as Lilith clinked her arm around her right arm. She tucked the promissory note into her jeans’ left pocket when Lilith tried to get it from her, obviously not believing what she just said. Lilith has a tendency to go overboard as a friend. Even though Clio wasn’t asking for her help, she would insist on it, most of the time. Such gestures never fail to slap Clio with the reality of how pathetic her poor life was. “Don’t hesitate to call me if things went wrong again,” Lilith insisted, giving Clio a soft nudge on her side. “Sure thing. Where are you heading now?” Clio asked, changing the topic. They started walking down the quiet hallway. “To the admin’s office?” “Nope. I was just really looking for you.” “So, you go all the way to the university just to find me?” Clio frowned, giving her friend a suspicious look. “What are you up to, Lilith?” “Nothing in particular.” Her friend answered, smiling widely, which increased Clio’s suspicion. “Do you have some free time now, Clio my dear?” She stared at her. She could feel her excitement by the manner she was giddily tugging at her arm as they exited the building. “Don’t tell me you have a part time job to attend to? Come on, it’s twenty-fourth of December. I want to spend it with you before Christmas eve,” Lilith whined, giving Clio her notorious puppy-eyes look. Her lips were pursed, expectantly waiting for a positive reply from her friend. “Won’t Aunt Ivy look for you?” Clio inferred, talking about Lilith’s mother. “You said it yourself, Lilith. Later tonight is Christmas eve. Shouldn’t you be spending this day with your family?” “But I don’t want to go home, Clio. My mom and dad were both busy with their work. I don’t think they need me there.” Lilith sighed, letting go of Clio’s arm. “If you’re not available today, should we spend Christmas day tomorrow with each other?” Clio looked at her friend amused for what she just suggested. Lilith was smiling at her like always, but she noticed the void in her eyes. It was just a happy facade to hide something sad inside her. “Is there a problem between you and your parents?” Clio asked. “Nothing. I just…” Lilith sighed, “I just feel lonely in our house.” She stared at her for what she admitted. She couldn’t believe that even the rich could feel loneliness. "Why? You know, if we only had a mansion as big and beautiful as yours, I might not go out for the rest of my life,” Clio jokingly replied, trying to lighten up the mood between them. But her words reflected her long-time wish for herself and for her family; to have a cozy and grand house to live in. “Don’t be deceived by what your eyes only see, Clio.” “Huh?” Lilith smiled, shaking her head. “What I mean is that you have to spend the twenty-fifth tomorrow with me if you can’t be with me today,” she bargained, arching her brow at Clio. “But Christmas eve and Christmas day should be spent with your family. That’s the tradition of Christians like you,” Clio pointed out and Lilith gave her an exasperated sigh. "Well, for this year’s Christmas, I came up with an idea of spending either my Christmas eve or Christmas day with you,” Lilith said, trying to convince Clio. “That’s going to be our tradition starting this year for our three-year friendship.” Clio smirked. "Did you forget I never celebrated Christmas ever since that day? I despise Christmas, Lilith.” “Hey!” Lilith nudged Clio on her side. “No matter what you say, you're still a baptized Christian. Change your religion first and then you’re free to not celebrate Christmas. For now, you have to celebrate it with me." “Whatever.” Clio dismissively answered as they reached the gate of the university. “I am free later by ten P.M. So, I am giving you my Christmas eve but not my Christmas day,” she added, making her friend giggled in excitement. The sun finally set and the sky was as dark as ink when they reached the bus station. There were no stars in the sky but the dancing lights coming from lit up Christmas lanterns along the road provided enough light in the surrounding darkness. The whole place was significantly loud and alive because of the families heading to the nearby church. Clio watched the children and parents having diverse conversations as they passed by the bus station, enjoying the cold Christmas breeze. Clio felt the weight on her chest because of the nostalgia she suddenly felt. Not long ago, she was like those children, happily conversing with her parents on how her day went by as they headed to the church for the Christmas eve mass. "I don't want to go home either,” Clio murmured, catching Lilith’s attention. “Is that why you agreed to be with me tonight?” Lilith bit her bottom lip when realization hit her. “Hey, Clio. Did your household’s electricity get cut off again? Don't you have electricity at home again?” Clio immediately looked away when she remembered what had happened in her home. Her aunt was rushed to the hospital due to diabetes, a few months ago. Since then, they had been in and out of the hospital for dialysis and maintenance purposes. Her aunt also lost her job and ran out of their savings. Now, their electricity got cut off after failing to pay the two-month bill. To make everything worse, she has tuition to pay and her salary from her part time jobs were all spent for her Aunt’s medications. This was perhaps the ugliest and worst Christmas and year for Clio. She almost broke her bones at work but she still did not earn enough money. What an awful life she truly lives. “So, where will you get the money to pay for your electricity bill?” Lilith asked right away, cupping Clio’s face to meet her gaze. Clio sighed. “To be honest, I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore.” She removed Lilith’s hand on her face and averted her gaze on the cemented pavement under her feet. “This is the most awful Christmas for me.” Lilith lightly tapped Clio’s shoulder. “I am here to help.” “No. I’ve asked too much help from you. I haven’t even paid the last amount of money I owed from you.” She denied Lilith’s offer, heaving a deep sigh. “But don’t worry, I will pay you.” “Crazy,” Lilith said, shrugging her shoulders. “It's okay. Pay me when you can afford to buy a Porsche.” Clio frowned. She raised her head and looked amusingly at her friend, "You’re actually telling me now to not pay my debt." "Huh?" Clio chuckled. “I can never afford a Porsche. Never in my wildest dreams. So, if that’s the condition for me to pay my debt to you, then, I think that day will never come,” she teased her. They both ended up laughing at what Clio said. At exactly eight o’clock, the bus came. Clio bid her goodbye. “See you at ten P.M. Meet me at the church near the university,” Lilith recalled before Clio boarded the bus. Clio frowned at her. “Church?” “Let’s attend the Christmas eve mass. That’s the best way to spend Christmas eve, Clio.” She pushed her into the bus. “I’ll be waiting for you. See you!” She waved at her, smiling widely. When Lilith finally lost sight of the bus, her smile gradually faded. She immediately took the cellphone out of her handbag. She typed a text; ‘She agreed to it. It will be Clio in exchange for me.’