"I told you, I won't say sorry."

I turned my back against my brother and I heard him sigh in exasperation, I heard his foot steps following where I was going.. My room, I groaned inwardly when I felt the pain on my foot, for sure another bruise, freak.

"Ophelia, I'm talking to you," his baritone voice echoed inside our almost-empty-souled house, of course my parents aren't present. "Say sorry to Darchelle, you know you're at fault, what's with your temper, huh? She was just asking if you needed help, bakit mo siya sinigawan?" I took a deep breath and faced him, I'm so exhausted, I really don't have the time in the world, I need to rest.

I want to rest, I got eight mistakes on my Science long quiz earlier, I failed to do my dance properly earlier, I am so freaking pissed, I also saw a post that Light's in a place where smokes and drinks are present, I am so stressed out with everything! Ate acted up pa on me the moment I stoop foot inside our house!

"Why should I? It's her fault," I hissed and dropped my light gym bag on the floor, I twisted my knob and kicked my bag inside the room. 

"Lizette!" 

"I won't say sorry," I said with my whole heart. 

"This is so immature and ano ba ang pinag-awayan niyo? Dahil ba 'to sa bag na hiniram niya? Magkapatid kayo, Lizette!" 

"What's mine is mine, Kuya! Isa pa, she keeps on implying that I should take business, everyone knows that I won't! And, why does she keep on pushing for me to give in sa business na 'yan! I told you guys that I won't sacrifice for anyone, my dreams are for me to keep. And I don't need anyone's help, hindi ko gagawin ang isang bagay na hindi ko naman pangarap, I don't like anything, and why is she even begging me for that,  sabihin mo sa kaniya, stop begging, it's getting disgusting! Please!" I said in a low voice but with conviction, I shut my door and locked my door.

God, this is getting into my nerves. Ate Mich begging me to take her responsibility loathes me, bakit ba may mga taong nagmamakaawa?  It feels stupid to do, I won't do that.. Kahit kanino o kahit saan hindi ko 'yon gagawin, hindi ko hahayaang gagawin ko 'yon, gosh! 

"Tired?" Tinignan ko si Light na ngayon ay naka-lean sa akin.

Umiling ako at tinggap ang tubig na inabot niya, I sighed deeply as I leaned my head at my chair, I heard him laugh in a deep voice, hindi ko alam kung bakit niya ako tinatawanan, our Math subject just ended and I don't have any idea why it's so hard! I can't understand a thing and hindi ko alam kung bakit easy life lang si Light! He doesn't even do advance readings!

"Super," I ranted out of vex and opened my eyes, nakatitig lang siya sa akin, he's all smirks while his earrings almost blinded me, tumama 'yong light sa silver cross cuffs niya. 

"Madali lang naman ah? It's just numbers and some complex signs, Lettie, may calculator ka na nga e," he said with confidence and leaned back.

"For you, that's for you, ako hindi ako nadadalian," I smiled sarcastically and rolled my eyes. Tumawa lang siya nang tumawa habang pinaglalaruan ang mga singsing na nasa fingers niya, he licked his lips and was about to talk back when he our accounting teacher entered, another deep exhale came out from me. 

"You seems so exasperated," he chuckled and took my water bottle, he placed it on the floor. 

"Talaga," I massaged my temple and took out my accounting notebook, this will be hell I can sense. 

"Lettie, akin nalang 'to, pwede?" I looked at Light who's holding my ballpen, I raised brow and shook my head, why should I give him my pen? That's mine! "Why? Damot ang dami-dami mong spare oh," he pursed his lips at my pencil case, I tapped the end of my pen on my notebook and took a deep breath.

"That's mine, why should I give it to others when it clearly says Lizette Ophelia Yrreverre, huh?" A smirk was formed on his lips and he just shook his head. 

"You're quite greedy," he murmured and sat comfortably on his chair. "I remember you don't even like to give others what you have, you also don't like sharing," he's squinting his eyes while bobbing his head, hindi ko nalang siya at pinansin at tinignan ang teacher namin sa harap, she's writing our lesson.. Business and enterprises, I think this is our almost last topic, business permits.

For BIR and alike, I don't know, wala akong interest sa business.. I've always avoided this field, kaya nga si Ate Michelle ang pilit na pinag-wo-work nila Dad sa farm because I've always been clear with my dreams.. Fashion design. 

I want to be a designer and I'll be one kahit pa mahirapan si Ate or any of them.. I'll fight for my dreams even if that means they have to sacrifice theirs, who am I to care anyway? Hindi naman ako ang mag-su-suffer from that.. 

"Yrreverre and their family is famous for their agricultural business," our teacher pointed me and I just smiled, why ba 'pag business ako agad? I hate business! I hate doing what I don't like and I'm clear with that! I won't ever do the things that I don't want to do, I won't stoop down if it's not what I want, even if that's not practical. I inwardly sighed.

Yes, I am the perfect  Yrreverre but at least with my dreams I have a say, at least on this I can have my objection. 

The whole discussion went on revolving around me and our family.. Since ever since, my family has been on the business industry kaya talagang parang sa akin naging centered ang discussion and they keep on asking me questions that I don't have any idea about, I don't even now every pasikots in our farm!

"Wala ka talagang interes sa business niyo?" I immediately shook my head.

"I don't," deretso kong sagot.

"Why?" ani Lucius

"Because my dreams are far from that, Light, and I don't need to work for them, I don't like to take over my family's residues," I damped my lips and continued writing my notes, it's a very long lesson, it's making my head hurt.

"They don't force you?" Kuryoso niyang tanong.

"Even if they do I won't, Light, kaya na ni Ate Mich 'yon, I won't play the hero card when it involves my dreams, I'm not sacrificing anything for anyone," I whispered, not sure if he heard it but that's the truth!

Why do we need to sacrifice our dreams for the sake of others? Maybe other people can but I, certainly cannot, and I won't.

"Bakit ayaw mo mag-business?"

"Bakit, do you even like politics or even med?" I seriously asked, I'm not asar with him but I just want to ask for his sentiments, if he'll give up his dreams for anything.

"Mamaya na natin pag-usapan, baka mapagalitan na naman tayo," he snickered and looked at our teacher, completely ignoring me.

"Okay, 10th graders," our teacher started. "Your activity is to make a business proposal with a partner, it has to be submitted three weeks from now and you can choose your own partners," from the third row I can clearly see our class gossiping, 10th graders, pilot section, third grading.. I will surely miss my highschool life.

I smiled to myself and shook my head, everyone got their one-fourths out and Light, who's sitting on my left side stood up to go in front, towards our accounting teacher and he handed the paper with names, hindi ko sigurado kung sino ang sinulat niya but I looked at Cola but she already is laughing while writing her name, habang ang boyfriend naman niyang si Nico ay tumatawa rin sa kung ano mang pinag-uusapan nilang dalawa.

I sighed, I'll just take whoever is left, I'm too shy or.. Prideful to walk around and ask people, because normally.. They want to be partners with me, I'm not used to taking the first step or asking nor begging anyone to be with me or such, nakakahiya at hindi ako 'yon.

I just chewed on my bottom lip and waited for anyone to approach me, I sighed. I still have my ballet practice, it's much hectic now since I'm preparing for college and the annual seniors ballet competition that will make the largest impact on my portfolio.. And it might be my key to success in getting pink toes or the royal's attention, those are just one of the most prestigious ballerina houses around the world.

I'm aiming for that but my dreams are still here.. Studying and becoming a fashion designer. Natauhan ako nang tawagin ng teacher namin 'yong name ko.

"Lizette Ophelia DJ. Yrreverre and Lucius Dmitri A. Sibal for our first pair, tandaan niyo ang mga ka-partners niyo because they are the ones who you'll work with  for the whole three weeks," she reminded, pinanood ko nalang ang mga nakapaligid sa akin na yumuko ulit para tignan ang mga papers sa table nila.

I nibbled with my lower lip and watched Light rest his back on his chair, he ruffled his hair which made me see his much more prominent jaw line, kung last year ay maganda na 'yon.. This year it's more sculpted.. May itatalas pa ata 'yon. 

His nose was perfectly sloped as his long lashes was emphasized because of his closed eyes, a Sibal indeed. "Quit looking at me as if I'm a stranger, Lettie," he sighed and gulped, his apples moved down which made me swallow as well. 

"Anong business ang gusto mong itayo, Lettie?" He took a bite of his burger and waited for my response. I chewed slowly and squinted my eyes, I've already thought about it.

"A film firm? May ganoon ba? I don't know basta something like that."

"Bakit?"

"Because that's your dream?" I shrugged, his lips parted and I saw that his hold with his burger got loose.

"What's the business' name?"

"Lumity," walang amor kong sagot, he just bobbed his head and took out his notebook, he asked me few more details such as what do I want our business' logo to look like, so I drew a wax seal, I like that e! Nakikinig lang siya sa akin at hindi ako kinokontra, according to him, he just need details.

"Ikaw ba Lettie, what's your dream?" Anong plano after highschool.. " Natigil siya saglet at nilukot ang foil, unfamiliar sadness crossed his eyes.. Kita ko kung paano bumaba ang gma balikat niya. "Malapit na kasi.. "

"Fashion designing, SFU-Fashion," sigurado kong sabi. "I'll stay here for college and I'll go abroad when I get accepted sa Europe," his brows are furrowed and he looked away, I have no idea if he's been applying to any colleges yet but.. Something in me was hoping that I'll still see him around in college. 

For a year of being good friends, I'll miss Light for sure, so as selfish it might sound I'm wishing that he'll still be around.

"I'm registered already ata," I pursed my lips, muli siyang huminga nang malalim at pinunas ang kamay sa pantalon. "Ikaw ba?" Hindi ko mapigil ang sarili ko na higpitan ang hawak sa mga kubyertos habang hinihintay ang magiging sagot niya.

Even the packed lunch.. I'll miss this. I bit the insides of my cheeks, bakit ko ba siya ma-mi-miss! 

I don't know.. But Light chose to see beyond my perfect image.. He sees me more than the faultless Yrreverre.. Siguro kaya ko siya ma-mi-miss.

He sighed and closed his eyes. "My dreams?" Tumango ako at hinintay ang sagot niya. "To prove my family wrong," deretsa niyang saad, I stopped for a while and stared at his pained eyes, he's smirking but I know he have harsh feelings about this topic.

We never talked about his family.. I mean at least briefly, lagi niya lang sinasabi ang mga dahilan ng sugat niya sa pisngi at basag na labi.. It's because of his father.. Our Mayor or his brothers, palagi niyang tinatanggihan ang topic na 'to if ever I try to open it up so I didn't push it because I felt he's not ready.

"About?" I carefully asked.

"About me and my dreams," he took his water and opened it. Nanatiling nakangiti but his eyes won't lie, this is deep hurt. "Alam mo naman, alam naman ng lahat that camera and directing is my life and my dream, they just keep on disheartening me about it," the click of his tongue didn't escape my hearing.

"Wala naman daw akong mapapala sa mga ganito, camera, craps, my craft, it's not worth it," he shrugged and drank water. "At least to them, pero laging magiging importante sa akin 'to, I'm not willing to let go of it anytime soon, lalo pang ngayon na binababa nila ako, I want to prove them all wrong so bad, gusto kong ipamukha na may patutunguhan ang pangarap ko, I don't want to be a fucking politician nor a freaking doctor."

"Ayaw kong maging tuta ng kapangyarihan, ayaw ko ng kahit anong dumi para sa pera at katiwalian, that's not me, it will never be," he kept on playing with his rings while his words were continuous to come out. "Ayaw kong bitawan ang pangarap ko para sa pangarap ng iba para sa akin, Lettie," mahina niyang sabi.

"You don't have to.. " Bulong ko, I didn't know what to say, hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin.. I didn't know that that's the issue.. That that's their issue. Palagi nalang kasing dinidiktahan, aren't they happy that we have dreams of our own? It means that we care enough for our future to plan ahead. "So what's your plan then?"

Natahimik siya saglit at kita ko kung paano umigting ang panga niya. "I submitted my work to UP, I also took the entrance exam.. But.. La Salle is also offering me a scholarship.. " I stopped because those schools are hours away from our hometown.. He's leaving.. 

He won't be around for years.. Those were my only thoughts.

"Oh.. "

"I'll go abroad as well kung matatanggap ako.. Pero hindi ko pa na-su-submit ang gawa ko.. I'll be leaving this town after graduations.. Anywhere far from here would be nice.. " He murmured which made me smile weakly.

"Ah, g-good for you.. "

Nanatili na kaming tahimik and we didn't widened or deepened our conversation, sakto na rin kasi ang pagpasok ng after lunch teacher namin, it's time to end our conversation.. I didn't dwell on it for a long time dahil na rin kasi masyadong malayo pa ang graduation para malungkot.. I'll be distant to lessen the attachment.. I guess.

"Bakit wala kang extra shirt?" Cola pouted and tugged me near her, final project na naman.. Last year of being a highschool student.. Last of everythings for this phase.. Nakakapanibago. Cola will be taking Pharmacy at UST.. Manila rin.. Halos lahat aalis pa-Manila.

But I will stay here.. This is where my heart belongs and it'll be fine, I'll be fine here. I'll just dance and study.. Sew and everything will flow and dance accordingly. My dreams will go smoothly. I'm young to not explore, but I'm an Yrreverre to be unsure. 

"I have none, Sir told us that it'll be next week pa! Even sa locker ko ubos na!" I groaned, pawis na pawis na ako because of our volleyball game, we're heading sa first gym because the boys are playing basketball and heading against different sections, it's their final project.

As per us.. We got in sa semi-finals but we didn't win.. A 95 for a project isn't as bad as it sounds. 

"Girl, pawisan ka e! Pero sige walang choice ako rin wala e! Magtiis ka matutuyo rin 'yan, mag hilod ka nalang nang mabuti para matanggal ang mga mamumuo!" Tuluyan na niya akong hinatak patungo sa side ng pilot section and even some lower years are watching this final game. 

Light's been popular since his works are feautured in our page at dahil nga 'anak siya ng mayor', and to add pa na he's been acing different filming and photography events, president and head-director pa siya ng FTA. 

"Ayan na tapos na second quarter, saglit ihihiram kita ng towel kay Nico, halika ka," we ran down the stairs and the players were all catching their breaths and drinking water, ang iba nagpupunas ng pawis. "Nico!"

"Lettie," Light's rugged voice echoed, napatingin naman ako sa kaniya kahit na hinahatak ni Cola and wrist ko papunta sa boyfriend niyang nasa-bleachers. "Anong ginagawa mo rito? At bakit ka naman pawis na pawis?" His furrowed brows didn't passed my stare, a towel was hanging on his shoulder and his other palm is on his hip.

"I don't have a spare shirt, I didn't know that today's the finals, I didn't read sa group chat," I admitted. "But it's all good! Cola's getting me a towel from his boyfriend," linaw ko, si Cola nga ay iniwan na ako para puntahan ang boyfriend niya e, but I didn't mind, I'm with my best.. friend.. Light.

"Kaya kitang pahiramin, bakit hindi ka nagsabi?" Inis niyang tanong, he croched and unzipped his gym bag tumambad doon ang mga gamit na hindi ko alam kung ano, he threw a blue varsity shirt and a towel. "Magpalit ka na roon, Lizette, your underwear's peaking through sa likod," seryoso niyang sabi. 

My cheeks heated up a bit and I just walked towards the comfort room, tinuro niya kasi sa akin at pinanlilisikan pa ako ng tingin, I don't know what's his problem, pero baka dahil the other team is winning the game, this is the finals ata. 

"Hoy! Ano nakita ko binato ka ng tuwalya e, hindi mo na 'to kailangan?" I bit my lowerlip and fixed my maroon short, naka-tuck ang isang blue Priston varsity shirt, I blew my cheeks and wipped my sweat residues from the game earlier, it was tiring, hindi pa naman ako ganoong ka-sporty.

"I don't na, thank you.. " Bulong ko at nginitian siya sa salamin, tumango lang siya at hinintay akong matapos, pero agad niya akong binalikan ng nakakapang-asar na ngiti.

"Taray, Sibal 30," she read the back of shirt. "Priston," she chuckled. "Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa mga tiga-Priston?" Umiling nalang ako at lumabas na.

"I didn't say that."

"Ay so gusto ko nang tiga-Priston?" I pursed my lips, Cola and her oozing mouth!

"Light's from SFU."

"Ay, so gusto mo si bumbilya? Sabi naman sayo't walking red flag 'ya—"

"Red's the color of our school, I love red," biro ko at pinuntahan si Light para isauli ang towel. "Light! Here na!" He staring at me with amused eyes and smirking lips. 

""Ang ganda," he blurted which made me smirk as well, with the year of being friends with him, I can finally joke around comfortably.

"Me? Thank you, Light!" I said with excitement and joy, it's a joke! He shifted his weight to one leg and rested his palm on his hip, bahagya siyang yumuko at tinignan ako, he held my shoulder and pushed me to turn my back, agad niya rin akong iniharap sa akin at mas lumawak ang ngiti niya, he licked his lips and shrugged.

"Oo, pati ng apelyido ko sa'yo."

  ❝ /11 ᵕ̈