Track 1: Social Casualty

"Social Casualty" by 5 Seconds of Summer (verse 2)

"Just a girl turned eighteen

She ran away to chase her dreams.

And they said she wouldn't make it far. (Wouldn't make it far)

She took a chance and packed her bags

She left town and didn't look back

So tired of wishing on the stars (Wishing on the stars.)"

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6 years ago...

Summer's POV

"Lawton! Lawton! This is the last stop!" the operator of the bus loudly announced.

"I don't want to wake up yet..." I murmured in my sleep. I tried to continue my rest but a hand started to tap my shoulders to wake me up.

"Hey Miss, you have to get off now. This is the last drop off area. We will go back to Batangas any moment from now," the bus operator said.

I don't want to wake up so I continued sleeping since I didn't get any sleep last night. Too many things happened last night and my eyes are still heavy from too much crying. But then, when I processed what he said, I realized that I already missed my destination.

"Oh, no!" I cursed at myself.

So I immediately get up and started to get my things on the compartment area above my head. I accidentally bumped my full duffle bag on the bus operator's face that made him more grumpy than earlier.

"Hey, Miss! What's your problem?!" he angrily asked me.

"Oh, Sir! I'm so sorry! I'm really really sorry!" I apologized to him while I was going down the bus. He shouted still but I didn't bother to listen to him. There's too much on my plate right now. I don't know if I can get another one.

I surveyed the place and find a safe place to stay while I wait for Abby to answer my call. Abby is my best friend since elementary. She just left Batangas last year because she has to study here in Manila. But we never missed a chance to talk to each other from time to time. It's a good thing that Abby lived a different life than her. She got a chance to study and live a carefree life. Abby's parents owned the public market in our town which gains a lot. I'm not envious though she is the best confidant I have ever have.

Abby keeps on telling me things every summer about her experiences in Manila but now that I am here, I don't know if what I am in the right place at the moment. She said that Manila is not a safe place for people like me who seemed gullible and easy to target.

I grabbed my phone inside my pocket and went convenience stores nearby and stayed inside. I'm trying to call Abby right now.

Abby said that if I will get a chance to meet her in Manila, I have to get off at Kalaw station because that is where she is currently staying right now. She's doing some summer classes that's why she's still here even some are already enjoying their break.

I look around to the people in the convenience store while waiting for her to answer the phone. I'm trying to find someone who seems reliable. As I look around, I saw a guy wearing a uniform with a guitar on his back. I can't see his face because of his back si on me. He's tall but not that well-built. His hair is a bit long. He also looks not that older to me. I tried to muster my courage to talk to him and ask tor his help.

"Mom, I don't want to be an engineer! How many times do I have to tell you?!" he shouted on his phone and glanced at me.

"What do you want?" he said to me coldly.

All the courage I have suddenly vanished because of this cold monster in front of me.

"Uhmm... Nothing," I said and walked away. I just tried to call Abby again. I noticed that the guy smirked and then left the convenience store.

'What a jerk...' I murmured to myself.

After my fourth attempt, Abby answered her phone. "Abby," I said.

"Oh, Summer. Why did you call?" Abby answered me like she was just waking up from a dream. "It's only 6 o'clock in the morning!"

"Abby.." I said while biting my lower lip, keeping myself from crying. "I left home."

"What?! Where are you right now? Do you have money? What's your plan?" Her series of questions made me cry even more. She doesn't know how to really answer her though.

"Summer..." Abby said when she realized that I am crying so hard.

"Can you just go here? I'll tell you everything. I am in Lawton right now."

Abby sighed and said, "Okay. Don't go anywhere. Wait for me."

"What!?" Abby shouted at my face. We are currently eating inside the convenience store. She bought two instant ramens and two bottles of water for both of us. And because she shouted, all of the other customers, looked at us. Good thing it's early in the morning so we did not embarrass ourselves too much. I am telling her everything that happened last night and the reason why I am here.

"So, you left home just because you told your dad that you will study now in Manila?" She asked.

"Yeah. It happened that way. I can't blame him for his reaction because I know that we are facing a family problem right now. Mommy's sick and my two other siblings have to study. My father cannot provide everything for all of us if I will not help."

Abby sighed and said, "I know that but if you will miss your chance to study with a luxurious scholarship, you will really miss something big. After all, you've already worked from high school until now for your family. Can't you just choose yourself now?"

Last year, I've took an examination at De Vera University, the same school as Abby. I passed their examination and got a full scholarship with accommodation in their dorm.

"I've chosen myself that's why I am here. But now, I don't know. I know I have hurt my father and I'm so guilty about it. I don't want him to feel that I've already left him in the midst of this problem," I said to Abby.

"Hmm.. well you can still get a job here in Manila while studying so that you can help them." Abby's words helped me to relax a bit.

"But where would you go now? Classes will start two months from now. You cannot be granted by that scholarship until then."

"I'll try to talk to Sir Vero about my situation. Maybe he can help me." I confidently told Abby even though I am not that really sure.

"All right. Let's just wait until eight in the morning. The university is still closed until now. For now, let's eat." Abby said and tried to give me a small smile.

"Thanks, bestie," I sincerely told her and tried to eat and forget all the worries. I have to be strong for my dreams.