"Good luck to you, I see." I smiled foolishly at her and left them both, while Alyssa remained my best friend. That's Mira and Sean I was talking about.
 
"Wait? Did Kaisel really take Denice with him in front of Sean and Mira? Huh! I smell something fishy! Btw, tell me now," she said as we walked back to our classroom to pick up my stuff.
 
"I'll just tell you tomorrow. I am so tired right now. " I said while zippering my bag. She quickly understood what I said. 
 
"Okay, tell me tomorrow, huh? Promise! Pinky swear." She pouted. I chuckled a little. She just came home from the country; she already gossiped.
 
I made a promise to her that I would tell her everything tomorrow. And I really have to fulfill that because if I don't, she will be mad at me all day, all week. And I don't want that to happen."
 
"Btw, mom said go to our house tomorrow because we have a little 'welcome back home' party. I guess she already invited your mom. And Denice also. " She said as we walked in the middle of the hallway. I just nodded at what she was saying.
 
 
"I have a question! I just noticed something and was wondering. Why did you ignore Sean? 'Isn't it---" I covered her mouth, causing her to not continue what he was going to say. 
 
"Shut up! And never mentioned his name! " I insisted and ordered her to let go of her. 
 
"Sorry, don't be mad at me, okay? I will not do it—I will do it again. " She teases. I just rolled my eyes. I already know her well.
 
"Do they allow you to still take the late exam?" I asked. While we were waiting for a bus to arrive in the waiting shed,
 
"Of course, duh, it's me, Alyssa. The most beautiful woman on earth. So why won't you let me take the exam? Hmm?"
She confidently said.
 
I just agreed with her. I don't want to argue with her anymore. I'm already tired. The bus had already arrived, so we boarded. 
 
"Hey, Celestine," she called me. 
 
"What?" 
 
Is it true that Denice is among the top 50 students this semester? And she's the number one student? I simply nodded. Yeah, it is really true. She will see it posted on the bulletin board.
 
"But how? Is it really happening? " She couldn't believe the question. 
 
"Yes! Of course, maybe I will study hard. Or someone helped her. I don't know. " I shrugged.
 
Nothing is impossible in the world. I know she studied well and worked hard at it. And I also know she will never ever cheat because she hates doing it. I see it all. "
 
"We already knew her. She will never cheat because she really hates that. She would rather fall than cheat. That's why I'm proud of her. She made the most unforgettable history. " I just nodded.
 
Everything she said was true. I was surprised when she suddenly stood up.
 
"I'm already here. Goodbye Celestine, see you tomorrow. " 
 
"Bye! See you! " Then, I am just alone again. I just looked at the mirror to find out where we were.
 
My life is like a bus or transportation. Someone is leaving, someone is coming. And because of that, I just got used to it, but not until Denice and Alyssa came into my life. 
 
They make me happy whenever I'm sad. Denice might be clumsy or lubberly, as Kaisel always called her, but she still makes many people happy. And I count myself among them.
 
So I really can't afford to ruin our friendship just because of the guy when it's just because of my stupid love. Denice deserved more than she thought. 
 
She's a stronger woman! She's a very kind friend and daughter. She never loses hope and always thinks positively. Man, I admire her so much. And one is the man I want.
 
I envy her the most. I admit, sometimes she makes me pissed off, jealous, annoyed. But most of the time, she makes me happy and makes me feel better. 
 
I smiled bitterly. 
 
I can't even tell you, but you don't know how proud I am of you. You are the best woman, Denice. You will not easily give up when you want something.
 
Her ability to multitask is what I admire most about her.Let's be best friends forever, my dear friend Denice! I'll always have your back. 
 
When I got home, I immediately got a loud slap from---my own mother. I thought she was cool, elegant, and pretty, but it was always a thought. 
 
"I didn't raise you just to be second and third place. Celestine!" she preached to me. 
 
"Why? Why can't you be in first place? Why does Kaisel always beat you? Aren't you ashamed? You're a woman, but you just lost to a man? " She yelled at me again. Because I am so sick of hearing that thing from her, I already spoke up. 
 
"Who's competing with him after all, mum? It's not me, it's you. It's always you. I keep asking myself. " I snipped. 
 
"Why... Why do you always want me to compete with him? Or it's really him or it's Tita Kailey already? " I smirked and wiped my tears. 
 
"I saw in your eyes, you are still jealous of her, you still want to defeat her. That's why you are using me to compete with her son, because you thought. When I am finally in the first place, it's their loss, but you know what, what is the best part? " I raised an eyebrow.
 
They don't have any fucking care! Not unlike you---" She slapped me again, but it was nothing to me anymore. I used to do it every day. 
 
"How dare you curse me!" She yelled angrily at me. I just chuckled a little.
 
"I am not a stupid mum. Just admit it, my dear mother. I was not born yesterday to not know what you are doing. " I smirked.
 
"You are just a loser, loser and forever loser as long as Aunt Kailey lives and keeps breathing well. You know why? Because she's not yet competing with you, but you are already lost. " I spoke to her and turned my back on her to leave the house.
 
I'm already sick of this. I tried my hardest, really tried my hardest, to make her proud of me, but it was never enough.
 
Tired of hearing, "Why can't you be like this?" Why can't you do this? How many times have I told you I need to do this or that? " 
 
I am tired of hearing those lines. They made me feel like a robot. I don't have my own feelings. I don't have my own brain because they keep controlling me.
 
This scar will always be on my mind.
I got my phone out of my pocket to call Kaisel, but he wasn't answering. I just thought of texting him because my cellphone has a low battery. I forgot to charge it earlier, before I went to school.
 
Celestine: 
Hey, where are you? If you have the time, meet me at our favorite coffee shop. I just went there.
 
I immediately got a reply from him. 
 
Cial: 
I'm coming. Please wait for me.
 
I replied once again before my phone finally shut down. 
 
"Okay, see you." 
 
Then I started walking to go to the coffee shop I was talking about.