Meriedeth Salazar

"Meriedeth, don't you have any plans to get out of your room?"

I looked at the person who spoke, our eyes met. He just sighed and entered my room. I looked back at my phone not minding his presence.

"Take a bath, we are going somewhere."

"Where are we going, Kuya? I'm tired."

"When vacation started you did not leave your room!"

"What will I do outside? Correction, I went out of this room when I need to use the toilet or to eat."

"There is a family dinner a grandma's house. We need to attend because we are leaving tomorrow."

"Is it okay if I'll not attend?" I asked and looked at him.

"Deth, you need to socialize with your cousins."

"I don't want too."

"That's why they are calling you a spoiled kid."

I just sighed and stood up. My older brother is staring at me, figuring out what I will do. I took some clothes from my cabinet and went out of my room to go to the comfort room to change.

Hays.

Why do I have to go with him and attend that family dinner?

It's not like we are with Mom and Dad, tss. Well, I don't have a choice, I don't want my brother to confiscate my phone.

"Really? You're wearing that?" he asked when he saw me went out from the comfort room.

"It's not like the family dinner is going to be cancelled when I will wear this."

"At least wear a dress."

"I don't want too."

"Fine, fine, fine. Let's go."

Kuya made sure that the doors of the house are lock. We ride his car and he drive towards grandma's house.

"No earphones during the family dinner, Meriedeth," my brother reminded me.

"Tss."

"Get along with your cousins, Marjorie and you are the same age."

"Whatever."

"What if I will disappear? You will still not talk to them?"

I frowned and looked at him badly but he his facial expression remained serious while driving the car. I just sighed because of what he said.

The car stopped in front of a house. There are also cars that are parked outside the house. I can hear music blaring from the speakers when I got off the car.

"I thought it's a family dinner. This is a party, Kuya," I annoyingly said at my brother.

"It's Melissa's birthday. All of us are complete, well, except or Mom and Dad who is not here."

"Tss."

"Marcus!" I heard one of our uncles called my brother.

"Let's go," my brother said and placed his arm around my shoulders.

I got no choice but to go with the flow. When we entered the gate of the house I saw tables and chairs arranged outside of the house. There is also a buffet area. Tss.

"How are you, hijo? Did you and your sister eat already? Meriedeth, how are you?" one of our aunties asked.

"We haven't eat yet, Aunty. Where is Grandma?" I asked.

"She's inside. Come in, Melissa and th others are here," our aunt answered happily.

There are a lot of people, well, it's a birthday party. Damn it. I hate crowded places, it's too noisy. I can hear laughter from the inside of the house.

They greeted my brother with a smile and hug when we got inside, they asked how he is and a lot of other things. My cousins who are chatting and laughing became quiet when they saw me. No, not just them but also our other aunt and uncles.

"It's good that you came with your brother, Meriedeth! Come here and eat," Aunty Rebecca said and called me to approach her so I can eat.

I'm thankful that Aunty Rebecca's attitude towards me is still the same even if we seldom see each other.

"Oh, Meriedeth! Granddaughter! You are here!" I smiled because of what Grandma said and she hugged me.

"How are you po, Grandma?" I asked.

"I'm good. Your brother told me you are not going out from your room. You naughty kid," she said pinched both of my cheeks.

"Ma, Meriedeth is eating," Aunty Rebecca said to Grandma.

"I'm sorry, I just really miss her, I only see her sometimes. You go play with your cousins after eating, they are at the living room. Did you greet Melissa?"

"Nope, I did not see her yet po, Grandma," I answered.

"Ah, maybe she bought something outside," Aunty Rebecca said.

When I finished eating I just sat at the corner. As if my cousins want to socialize with me. I took my earphones and wear it.

I'm just reading something online. I want to go home but my brother is busy chatting with our uncles.

I stood up when somebody suddenly pulled my earphones. My eyes widened when I saw that Kuya was the one who pulled it.

"I already told you to socialize with our cousins, right?" he asked coldly. "What are you doing in this fucking corner, Meriedeth?"

"Kuya, please, just let me be," I sad and grabbed my earphones from his hands.

"That's why you don't have friends because you don't socialize," I gasped when he grabbed my cellphone. "I'll give this back when we will arrive at the house. Don't be hardheaded, Meriedeth."

He walked away.

The fuck!

Fuck this day!

Argh!

I found myself walking towards the buffet table, I saw some sweets. I took some and sat at the table where it's far away from the crowd. I'm just looking at people who are talking and laughing at each other.

Tss.

Not my thing.

"Oh, you don't want to be with your cousins?" I looked at the person who spoke, it was Aunty Rebecca.

"As if they want to talk to me, Aunty," I answered as I took a bite from the cupcake.

"Gee, well, if you're comfortable alone then, it's okay."

I did not utter a word and continued eating.

"You really have no plans on returning, Deth?"

I was frozen because of my aunt's question. She just stared at me, waiting for my answer.

"I'm never going back, Aunty."

"Nobody want the accident-"

"Aunty, please, let's not talk about it."

She just sighed.

"You know, Marjorie is planning to school at Manila, she's asking where are you schooling so I told her the name of your school."

My jaw dropped because of what Aunty Rebecca said.

"Aunty!"

"She's just considering which school to enroll. But, isn't it a good thing if you two are schoolmates? Maybe the both of you will make up, you two are cousins."

"Tss. As if."

"Stop being so hard, Deth."

I did not speak because of the annoyance that I felt. We looked at the direction towards the gate, it was noisy near that area. Somebody arrived. My eyes widened when I saw the person who just entered.

"Deth," I looked at Aunty Rebecca, I feel she gently squeezed my hand. "Do you want to go home?"

I immediately nodded.

"I'll call Marcus. Just wait outside, I'll be the one talking to him."

"Thank you, po, Aunty."

"Visit me and Grandma next time," she reminded.

I nodded before standing up. I immediately walked towards outside. I'm standing beside our car.

"What's the problem, Deth? Aunty Rebecca told me you want to go home," Kuya said when we ride his car.

"I'm dizzy back there."

It's true. I got dizzy, especially when I saw them arrived back there. I heard my brother sighed.

"Maybe you had too much cupcakes," he said.

"Maybe," I agree with him so he will not say any word.

When we arrive home I went directly to my room. I change to comfortable clothes so I can sleep. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.

The next day we travelled to Manila. Before leaving we went to our Grandma's house to bid farewell. While my brother is driving I'm eating some food.

We went to a fast-food drive-thru earlier and we bought a lot of food. Kuya opened the radio while we are travelling.

When we arrive at our house, I was about to enter my room when my brother called me.

"Deth."

"Hmmm?" I looked at him.

"Marjorie is going to transfer at your school."

"Kuya?!"

I accidentally drop the bags that I was holding because of what he said.

"What? You're going to complain? At least help your cousin when she's here at Manila," he said as he placed his jacket at the chair.

"Kuya, argh."

"Marjorie is making a move to make up with you, Meriedeth."

"Kuya, you don't understand!"

"No, you should stop locking yourself in your damn room and get along with your cousins and other people!"

He took a deep breath and turned his back.

"Stop being childish, Meriedeth. Grow up."

"Kuya, please! Listen to me! I don't want it, Kuya!"

"Meriedeth."

"Kuya, please. Just transfer me to a different school."

"I'm not doing that, Meriedeth."

"Kuya, I'll do everything! Just transfer me to a different school! I don't want to be in the same campus with Marjorie or a cousin of ours!"

"Are you out of your mind, Meriedeth?"

I can see disgust in his face.

I don't know why, I can feel tears forming in my eyes, I'm scared.

"Do you dislike our cousins that much, that you want to transfer to a different school?"

"Kuya, please."

"Why? You've been avoiding you're cousins until now, Meriedeth. What's your problem?"

"You're not going to understand!"

"Then, tell me why?"

I shook my head.

I don't want to talk about that stuff.

Nothing will change!

Its better this way!

"You're crying right now, begging me to transfer you to another school and you'll not tell what your fucking reason, Meriedeth?"

I wiped my tears. This is annoying.

"I…"

I stared at my brother.

"I… I…" I took a deep breath.

He raised a brow at me.

"You will what?"

"I will make friends!"

I caught him off guard.

"I-If you will transfer me to another school, I promise I'll make friends! I'll introduce them to you!"

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Kuya, please…"

"Alright. I'll let you, but if the school year ends and if you haven't introduce me to anyone, I'm transferring you back. Go now and have some rest."

I was able to relax because of what he said.

Hays.

Whatever, at least for now, everything is alright.

Mission success.

I have no friends at my old school so there is no problem.

I sighed.

Now I have a new problem.

The problem now is…

How am I going to make friends?!

Argh!

This is too much for my comfort zone!

_________________________

Trivia:

Hijo – son or child.

Kuya – is used to address an older boy or older brother in the Philippines.

Ate – is used to address an older girl or older sister in the Philippines.

Po/Opo – is used as sign or respect when talking to elders in the Philippines.