"Mom."
I stared at her, shocked and confused as to why she's here at my school. I do not know what to say at this time.
It's been a month since I last saw her. She's been with Ethan's mother that time. I didn't expect to see her in our school. Wait, was she the famous student here then?
"Mrs. Valdez," I heard ma'am call then shut up. My mother just turned to her. "You may take your seat so that we can discuss about Jane."
I was nervous about what my teacher said. Why? I did nothing wrong here at school. I have not even participated in pageants since then unless the teacher himself will take me just like 8n the MTAP competition.
"Is she doing fine studying here?" Mommy asked. I then looked at my teacher who's just motioned me to sit in the chair opposite her. I just followed her and sat down.
"She's been doing fine. She's also one of the dean lister of this school and a full-scholarship grantee."
Why would my mother be here? She doesn't have a care, does she? I know maybe the consequences when their conversation ends. She might take me home and go back to my normal life.
They even talked that I did not understand much because of the extreme nervousness I am feeling right now. I just realized that mommy stood up and said goodbye to my instructor.
"Thank you for the visit, Mrs. Valdez." Our teacher's last reply before we left.
Am I going to the room?
"Jane."
I immediately looked at mom when she called me. Her voice has always been cold but since I have been gone for two years, it seems like I am not used to it.
"Yes?" I don't want to be rude to her just like the last time, when we last met. I just didn't really expect her to come here just to visit the former school she attended before.
"Why are you still hiding?" She said, not literally though. I looked around to see if anyone was watching towards our direction. There are no students wandering around here so I think no one will see us.
"Mom, you know my reasons. You knew that I will never be your slave and follow your orders," I stopped and deeply sighed. "I want to be free."
"You think you have your freedom now?" She still does not lose her strictness aura. I didn't even see her gentle face while looking at our siblings, even dad.
"I have, mom," I answered in a whisper. "I gained friends and they're nice. They treat me as their family."
"You trust so easily," She stepped forward and unexpectedly touched my hair. She tore off the fleeing fib and placed it behind my ear before touching my cheek. "They will surely leave you, honey."
I wanted to protest but I could not open my mouth. Why am I nervous about those words?
Like something's about to ruined.
"If you want this life, then okay. I will give you this," she said. That's the last words she uttered before she left me.
I don't immediately trust. Cheska was different from my friends back then. They really made me feel wanted and be friends with them. I don't want to think of what my mother said. She maybe sure of that, but something's not right.
She doesn't even care. And those words she said were just prejudgements about my new friends.
I reached the room where my classmate was, screaming out of their lungs. There seems to be no problem with the exams coming next week. I went back to my seat when I saw Cheska standing nearby and looking for someone. Ym classmates were just chilling around even though the exam is near.
"Cheska..." I called as I approached her. She immediately turned her face to me and I did not her expect to hug me suddenly.
"Jane, where did you go?" She loosened and immediately looked at me. She worriedly looked at me. "We are looking for you."
"Ah..." I did not know what to say. I do not know if I will admit to them that I left from my home. That this not my place. Only Ethan knew about my situation. " I was in Ms. Santos' office."
"I hope we just come with you," she said. I just smiled and guided her to her sit. We are not side by side because she is in the front while I am in the back end.
"I'm fine, Cheska. Don't worry." I assured her and smiled slightly.
"But are you okay?" She asked as she sat down. I asat beside her because her seatmate Fatima was not here.
"I am perfectly fine." I uttered. She just looked at me before she slowly nodded. She doesn't need to know what happened. I don't want her to noticed that I am not okay. I don't want her to worry.
" You want to hang out later?" she asked. She was smiling as she looked at me.
"Sure," I replied just a little nervous.
"You can always tell me, Jane. Okay?" I just nodded and smiled slightly. I know that... It just that, I can't still open up to you. I am sorry, Cheska.
I just invited her to review for our upcoming exam. She was very attentive and smart whenever I asked her question. Maybe one of the reasons why Zaine like her is because she's grade-conscious.
Someday, I'll tell you about myself more. It just that, I don't want to be a burden to you because you also have yours. I don't want you to feel that I am a huge baggage in your circle of friends. I want to be that someone you can lean on. That someone who will fight with you. That someone who will always trust you no matter what misunderstanding we might have at the end of the day.
I trust you, Cheska.