I was about to buy myself noodles when colin showed up again with food in a plastic bag.
" It's getting too cold. I bought you and roman some hot noodles."
Roman and I ate the noodle inside the store since it was freezing outside.
I looked outside the store and saw Austin pass by. He acted like he didn't see me. Fine. I'll do the same.
I went home with double layers of clothes and gloves. I rode the bus alone, and I felt sad.
I felt so alone.
I don't know if it's just me or the weather.
[Are you home?] Julia texted, but my phone died.

THURSDAY
I woke up so early to help mom cook. I only slept for 4 hours, but I do not want mom to do all the work. We cooked different dishes. I accompanied her to the restaurant and helped her prepare the place for the day. We finished by eight am, and I'm so tired. I relaxed for a while, but later on, customers arrived, and I had to move again.
It was a very tiring morning. If only I could rest this afternoon, but I couldn't. Julia passed by to give the brownies and cookies. We added cookies now because our first-day selling was a hit.
She went here during her spare time. Austin didn't visit me for a while now. I admit I miss him every day. I don't know what happened to him. Colin and Luke come here sometimes.
I work all day. I didn't have a proper sleep, and I forgot to eat. Dad is pressuring us to start his therapy. I told him to wait a little more because we needed a few more amounts to help him get started.
Good thing mom was earning enough money to save for my dad's therapy.
FRIDAY CAME
I am still sleepy, but I have to go to Julia's house to bake brownies. I feel like I'm floating, maybe because I lack sleep. I sat in the chair for a moment because I felt dizzy. The brownies cooled down, so I packed them individually. I am not feeling well, but I picked myself up. I left the brownies at Julia's place. I didn't have the time to bake more for the store since I was too tired.
I arrived at the store looking like a zombie. I feel like I could pass out anytime.
"Cara, did you sleep?" Roman followed me inside the shop.
"I haven't had a proper sleep for three days now," I admitted to him.
"I can talk to the owner. You need to rest. You wouldn't be able to function in your state like that," he said. Worriedly.
"I'll be okay," I smiled at him.
I keep saying I'm okay, or I'll be alright. But to be honest, I don't know how far I can go. I'm tired. Physically and Emotionally.
Julia texted.
[Are you done baking?]
[Yes. Done.]
[Can you please write the address where it will be delivered]
[Okay.]
I opened my laptop and checked the website. I wrote the name of those who ordered and their address so that carlon can deliver it tomorrow.
I spent the day at the store, sitting at the counter. I don't want to stand up because I might get dizzy.
As time goes by, I'm getting more irritated and weak.
Austin entered the store.
"Are you done with baking? And did you write the address and name in each packaging?" he asked.
"Yeah. I did," I said, not looking at Austin.
"You didn't bake brownies and cookies for today?" he asked.
"I'm too tired," I answered him.
I thought he was gone already, so I tried standing up to eat something, but I almost fell.
"Are you okay?" Austin asked.
"Yeah. I'm okay," I tried standing up on my own, but I couldn't.
My body couldn't take it anymore. I sobbed in front of Austin.
"Take her home. I'll take care of it. I'll talk to the owner."
[Julia, I'm here at the convenience store. Fetch us."
A little later, Julia arrived in her car.
"What happened? Cara?" she ran to me.
Austin carried me into the car.
"I'm okay," I said.
"No, you're not. We'll drive you home. You need to rest," Austin said while wiping my tears.
"Thank you, Austin," I said. I held his hand, and I think he didn't expect it, but eventually, he held my hands too. I felt safe whenever he was holding my hands.
Before I closed my eyes and fell asleep, I saw him staring at me. Why did I get nervous all of a sudden?

The next morning. I found my mom looking after me.
"Good morning," I greeted her, "I had a good rest. Thank God."
"You worked too hard. You should've rested," mom said. "You're dad felt so guilty. He blames himself. He told me that he shouldn't have pressured us for his therapy, but I have good news for you." she smiled at me.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"His high school batchmates donated money for his therapy. He can start his therapy now," mom said.
"Really? That's great."
"So don't overwork, okay? I earn enough money for our everyday expenses."
"Alright, mom." I smiled at her.
"By the way, I like them," she said.
"Who?" I asked.
"Your friends. They took care of you. I'm happy you found them,"
"You're making me cry, mom," I said, wiping my happy tears.
I checked my phone and saw a message from roman, telling me I should rest for the whole day.
Later on, Julia was calling through video chat.
[Good morning, Julia]
[are you okay now?]
[I felt better, thank you]
[Austin was so worried about you if you could only see his face last night. I thought he was going to cry] she laughed.
[Mom, appreciate you a lot]
[Oh, I'm happy about that. But, please, cara. Don't overwork again, okay? And please sleep. You have all the day today to rest. You don't have to be here in our place. You baked a lot of brownies today.]
[Okay. I'll rest.] I smiled at her.
[Message Austin. He felt guilty for giving you an attitude last week.]
[Yeah. I have to thank Austin too. Thank you again, Julia."
After our call, I message Austin just a simple thank you.
AUSTIN'S POV
Hope, our new classmate, was so clingy. She kept messaging me, and I didn't want to be rude, so I replied. Hope keeps asking questions. She said she wanted to be friends. Well, I'm okay with that, but why do I feel like she's flirting with me.
Cara messaged me, and I smiled while reading her message. Her simple thank you means a lot to me. I am still thinking if I should like her from afar or move on since she like someone else. Can't he feel anything special for me? Why did she hold my hands last night? Whenever she held my hand. Why do I feel like I wanted to protect her more?
I was so worried about her last night. She almost passed out in my arms, and I felt sorry for her. She might have taken their problems so seriously. I saw her parent's reaction when we carried cara to her room. They were so worried and sad that cara was overworking her body to provide for their needs.
I wanted to talk to carlon last night, but he was asleep when we got to their house, so I texted him if we could meet in front of our school.
[Mom has a small eatery in front of the school. Let's meet there.]
I didn't know their mom had an eatery beside the school. Now I know where to eat every day.
Our baking business is doing well. We have at least two to three dozen orders of brownies every week, but last weekend we had five dozen brownies, and now our oatmeal cookies are getting in demand. The orders are getting larger every weekend. We have delivered our goodies to different parties. Julia and I talked about this business, and we decided to buy another oven to be put at Cara's house, so she won't have to go back and forth at Julia's place. We haven't told her yet because it's a surprise for her coming birthday.
Carlon arrived, and he sat in front of me.
"Hey!" he greeted. "What do you want to talk about?" he asked.
"about cara,"