Kevin Kiel's POV
"Mom, I'm sorry but I don't really want to study your business!" I looked at my mom with a persistent look. Ayoko talagang manahin ang business niya. I have my own dreams and she's the person who knows them best. Isa pa, I don't have a thing for make ups like I'm straight and I don't think I could work with it. "KEVIN KIEL DUGSWORTH! Pleaaaaase! This is the best time because your dreams are on a break. I know your suffering on the inside and you should have something na pagkakaabalahan." She's begging me with her lips pouted and teary eyes.
That's her expertise, ang pangugulit sa akin. No wonder pinagkakamalan kaming magkapatid. She's an amazing single mom by the way. Pero hindi yun dahilan to agree with her. "Son, you know how I put my blood, sweat, and tears with MICA COSMETICS. Please, what if one day I'll be gone? Then who will manage our business? This is for your own sake. Hmm? Don't you pity your poor mother?" She's wiping fake tears on her cheeks while feigning some short sniffs.
I just rolled my eyes. If only she hadn't had me, she would make a great actress. "I use to wipe your butt when you--" I cut her off instantly. "MOM! STOP IT! You don't have to bring it up! Okay! Fine! I'll do it!" Daig pa niya psychopath in changing moods. Now she's smiling from ear to ear showing how she succeeded but still I'm not convinced to manage her business in the future. Guess I have to enter Riego Elite High. You really could not defy your parents and I could never disobey my mom, it'll only hurt her knowing how much sacrificed and she's been through ups and downs for my sake. I love my mother immeasurably and nothing will ever change that. Kaya kung sasaya siya dito, then so be it.
Lei Zel's POV
It's the grand opening of Riego Elite High. Dagsa ang mga studyante na katulad ko, nangangarap makapasok sa school na to. Thousand of enrollees are scattered in every corner of the school. Sino ba namang ayaw pumasok sa school na to? This is one of the few elite schools in the Philippines. Even foreigners are here to enroll. Makikuta mo kung gaano kayayaman ang mga tao dito. The girls are sophisticated with their designer dresses and bags as if the hallway is a runway at syempre di pakakabog ang mga boys or should I say mga mga baklang ang popogi. Haaaay! I really made the right decision to enter this school. Bahala na kung matanggap ako, sa taas ba naman ng standards kaya nga nagrosary kami sa bahay para makapasa ako e. And of course pray and pray and pray kasi ibibigay naman ni Lord lahat if we talk to Him and continue to have faith in Him. Hope makapasa ako, medyo kinakabahan ako eh.
"LEI ZEL MERCADO! It's your turn miss!" Okaaay, ako na pala. This is some sort of interview na magtatanong sila ng questions at e evaluate ng mga judges if you're really qualified to be a learner of Riego Elite High. Gathering my courage and kicking off the nervousness in me, I walked towards the conference room and flashed my smile to everyone. I also maintained my eye contact with the judges para ipakitang confident ako. Break a leg Lei!
"Miss Lei Zel, is there a certain reason you would want to learn from our school?" Tanong sa akin ng judge na babae, probably on her mid 40s. She's pretty elegant tipong Shim Su Ryeon sa The Penthouse. I read from the plate that she's Tina Riego, founder of Riego Elite High. Kinabahan tuloy ako, what if di ako maadmit? I cleared my throat first to remove the tension inside of me and smiled to prepare to answer. "To answer your question ma'am, yes I do have a certain reason in enrolling for your school. I've always been fascinated with movies, specifically horror and zombie movies. As I grew up, I learned how they make ghosts and zombies come to life with the use of make up and props. And so because of my interest, I practiced and practiced passionately dreaming that I could work in a movie set as a make up artist in the near future. That'll be all judges. Thank you." I can see naman na positive ang reaction nila. They nod their heads in awe. What a relief! "Do you have a picture of your works?" The other judge said, maybe he's not that convinced. "Sure! It's my pleasure to show it to you. Just a second please." Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko na kanina pa nakatambay sa bulsa ng jeans ko. I turned it on and then found the best images I could show them. I could see how they are impressed with my works. "For an 18 year old beginner, you're quite impressive. We need more students like you. Of course you will be admitted at our school." Ms. Tina broke the news. Oh my ghaaaad! I passed! Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay nakipag handshake ako sa mga judges. "You have the potential we are looking for in our students, welcome to RIEGO ELITE HIGH!" Kung panaginip man to, please ayoko muna bumangon. Good news to para kay mom and dad!
Aleisha's POV
I opened up the door of a convinience store I always visit. Grabbed several cans of beer and ramyeon and brought it to the cashier. "That's 256 pesos ma'am." I gave her 300 pesos. "I received 300 pesos ma'am, your change is 44 pesos. Thank you ma'am!" Kinuha ko na yung change and my dinner for tonight and stormed out of the place. I put on my hood kasi ang lamig dito sa Baguio City. Maybe I'll go to my favorite spot muna? To enjoy the night lights.
Tumambad sa akin ang magandang tanawin ng Baguio. The scenery looks like I'm staring at the night sky. Lights appear like stars as they glimmer. Hay! Ang ganda! Nakakagaan sa dibdib! Umupo ako sa dulo ng rooftop and opened a can of beer.
I just drink it like water. "Haaay! Why does my life have to end up like this? Is this my karma? For not appreciating what I had before?" I did not notice it but tears were effortlessly streaming down my cheeks. I looked up the sky. Lord! Do I deserve such cruel thing? I can barely hold on, I want to give up but I couldn't. I cried and cried, no one will here my cries above this rooftop.
I have to be strong for myself. I have to. I stood up to get home already as the freezing air feels like ice on my skin. I could feel how the wind is slightly blowing. Naglalakad na ako nang may maapakan akong papel. Out of curiousity, I picked it up.
"RIEGO ELITE HIGH? Gives you a chance to become your dream." I read further and learnt na free lahat dito sa school, all you have to do is study and do your best. Lord! Is this your answer for me? Perhaps, he never really abandoned me.
Choon-Hee's POV
"WE ARE THE LOVESICK GIRLS!!!
네 멋대로 내 사랑을 끝낼 순 없어
WE ARE THE LOVESICK GIRLS!
이 아픔 없인 난 아무 의미가 없어
But we were born to be alone
Yeah, we were born to be alone
Yeah, we were born to be alone
But why we still looking for love?" Errr! Medyo hiningal ako dun ha! Di talaga ako fit for kpop. Chorus lang yun tas, kbye! Makapag-insta na nga lang. Namimiss na siguro ako ng mga filipino friends ko. Omooo! Nagmessage nga sakin sa Hazel!
"Oy! Ghurl! Kung hindi performer para sayo baka make up artist! Magaling ka naman e! Check this new school at Ph! Enroll ka na!" Meron link kaya ni click ko na. Basa lang ako ng basa para makakuha ng information. Wow! Like wow! Gusto ko tuloy bumalik ng Philippines pero di ako papayagan ni Appa. Kakatransfer lang namin ulit dito sa Korea alangan namang bumalik ulit ako dun. Hmmp! Meron namang mga make up academy dito sa Korea pero ang mahal ng babayaran. Atleast dun sa Riego Elite High, libre basta maganda grades. Matry nga na maconvince sila eomma and appa.