1 Chapter 1

I looked at the scene in front of me. So many unfamiliar faces. I don't even know a single soul here except for my best friend, Lory. But she's not here yet. I walked inside the cafeteria and looked around for an empty table. I saw one at the far corner. I smiled. Well, that would be a perfect spot to wait for Lory.

I was alone, but I didn't mind. I love the silence that comes with it. Maybe, this wouldn't be so bad. After all, life goes on. You fall down, you stand up again. If it doesn't end well, then it's not yet the end.

I am trying to observe the people around me. I can see that there are different cliques in the Academy. The typical jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, and the normal looking ones. First glance, and you'll immediately recognize who were the freshmen.

I was busy looking around and observing people when suddenly, a person caught my attention. What's he doing here? He looks...fine, and happy. I was surprised when our eyes met. It's still there. The butterflies in my stomach. But so is the pain.

I immediately walked out of the cafeteria and messaged Lory to meet me somewhere else. I can't stand being in the same place with him. Not yet. When I am still nursing a broken heart.

I met Lory at a cafe inside the Academy. Lory have always wanted to come to this boarding school. I didn't have much desire for it before, but I guess this new environment could be very beneficial to me. Or so I thought.

I wanted to get away from the world. I wanted to leave and have a fresh start. I needed a breath of fresh air. But turns out, I'm gonna end up suffocated. Well, I can't exactly say I blame him for wanting to study here. This is a good school with an outstanding reputation. I just thought that maybe he would've gone somewhere else.

Saint Louis Academy. That's the name of my school. It's a boarding school and we're not exactly allowed to freely roam around beyond its borders. Well, fine for me, I guess. This place has everything. It provides us our own cabins, coffee shops and cafes, grocery stores, boutiques, hardware, and well, pretty much everything so we wouldn't really have to leave the borders of the academy.

Next week will be the official starting of the classes. Lory and I came a little early to settle ourselves within our cabins and apparently, Lory is running late. She got caught up with something but she wouldn't tell me about it.

I heard the bell chime, indicating that someone just entered the cafe. I looked around to see if it was Lory, and there she is. She's wearing a white tank top paired with a black ripped jeans and a white converse. She had her long black hair down and she wasn't wearing any make up. Despite all that simplicity, she looked gorgeous. She looked around to look for where I am and I waved my hand at her direction so she'd see me immediately. She smiled when she saw me and walked towards my direction.

"Hello, Nics. Sorry I was late. Got caught up with something." She gave me an apologetic smile and took the seat in front of me. I just gave her a nod. She roamed her eyes around and scanned the cafe. "This place looks homey." Lory commented about the design and ambiance of the cafe.

"Yeah. I think I chose a good one." I winked at her. She grabbed my coffee and sipped on it, shaking her head.

"Na-uh. Correction Ms. Ferrer, we chose a good school."

"Sure." And we just laughed at that. It wasn't even funny but I guess, we'd laugh at everything while we still can. Classes will start in a few days and I'm not sure if we'd still have time to laugh then. I heard rumors that SLA is kinda harsh and strict to their students. Not to mention that most of the alumnus said that the professors here live to torture their students. Oh my, they sound terrifying but I could use a lot of distraction from my thoughts. They say being busy allows you to steer clear of thoughts that doesn't give you peace. I need my peace. Maybe if I get busy and distract myself with my studies, I could finally move on. That should work, right?

"So I thought we were supposed to meet at the cafeteria? What changed your mind?" Lory asked, breaking the silence. She's still drinking my coffee.

"Why don't you get yourself a coffee of your own and give me back mine?" I said getting my coffee away from her hands.

She chuckled. "You and your possessiveness towards your coffee. Fine. I'll get one now. You want a refill of that?" She asked pointing at my coffee. I smiled. She knows me so well. She stood up and went to the counter. I patiently waited for her to come back.

"Here's your refill ma'am." I rolled my eyes at Lory who just tried to imitate the cashier at the counter. She placed the coffee on our table and settled herself again.

"So, I got the coffee. Now, answer my question. You're not exactly the type to suddenly change her mind." She eyed me suspiciously.

I heaved a sigh and looked at her meaningfully. Her eyes widened out of shock. "He's here?" She uttered like she couldn't believe it would be possible for us to actually cross paths again. It's not exactly impossible though. She gently grabbed my hand and flashed me an understanding smile. "Are you okay?"

"I guess? I mean, there was so much emotions building up inside me when I saw him. I was too overwhelmed to think right, I just walked out of the cafeteria because at that moment, I thought it was the most logical thing to do." I looked at her with tears welling in my eyes. "I...I can still feel everything Lors. It's still here." I said holding my chest. I half laughed. I look silly right now for laughing while crying. "This looks so pathetic. I look so pathetic." I said shaking my head, wiping my tears.

"Hey, hey, look at me. You are not pathetic okay? You fell in love. Maybe, you loved the wrong person, maybe you made the wrong choices, but hey, you are not pathetic. Are you listening to me? Look at me. You are not pathetic. Start anew. Begin again. Change for the better and never ever forget your worth ever again." She looked at me intently. She looked so convinced that I can do better. That things will be better. I looked at her with determination in my eyes. Someone believes in me. She believed me even before I believed myself. I nodded my head. "Good. Now, stop crying over spilled milk." She said while wiping my tears. God, I'm so blessed to have met a friend like her.

"On the lighter note, I have good news for you." She changed the topic and I'm really grateful for it.

I looked at her slightly confused. "What good news?" I asked.

"Someone's back in town." She smiled at me and wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

My brows furrowed. Now I'm really confused. "Who's back in town?"

"Me." A man behind me suddenly spoke. I turned around me and saw an old friend who's been gone for a while. My childhood sweetheart.

I parted my lips in surprise. "I... what? why? when?" I can't even form a proper sentence! Lory nudged me and I looked at her. She just laughed at my reaction.

"Surprise, surprise, surprise! This is the reason why I was late. He asked me to pick him up at the airport. Obviously, your girl can't say no." She chuckled.

"Well, no welcome back hug? I missed you, Nics."

My eyes started welling up again. This time, it's not because I am hurt. It's because I am overjoyed! I stood up from my seat and hugged Hunter. I missed him so much. "Hunter!" I cried. Oh my, this day is so weird. It's still early and I already cried twice! There's still a long day ahead of me.

Hunter hugged me back. He hugged me so tight and kissed the top of my head. "I'm glad you missed me too." He whispered in my ear. His embrace feels so familiar. It's like, home.

"You're back for good?" I asked him, hopeful. He smiled at me and nodded. He ruffled my hear and put his arm on my shoulders. He looked at Lory. "Seems to me, that this girl, haven't changed at all. She's still a crybaby." He said, teasing me.

I immediately removed his hands from my shoulders and glared at him. "I am not." He raised his eyebrows at me.

"You bet, Hunter. She's still the same. But she's a lot stronger now." Lory looked at me and smiled. I smiled at her too.

"Well, I'm happy that you are. I'm proud of you." Hunter smiled at me and I looked at him and flashed him a small smile. I am so blessed to have these people in my life.

We stayed inside the cafe for a while and decided to catch up with Hunter. He's been gone for long. It was just 2 years but it still feels so long. I just stared at Hunter and scanned his face. He didn't change much except for the fact that he looked more handsome now. He caught me staring at him. I immediately look away. I felt myself blush. I looked at him again and he's listening to Lory now. But he's got that weird smile plastered on his face.