Chapter 1

I am Noelle Tanya Nicaragua. I live here in Philippines, my life is incredible. I have different kind of things—the expensive one, that a lot of people wished they have.

But it doesn't end there, even though I have lots of things like...I have queen size bed to sleep, buffet food to eat, I study in a royalty school, lots of money—I am not happy...at all.

My dream is just to be normal. A girl who enjoys her life outside the world. A girl who can have how many friends she wants. Go to party at night while staring at the city lights...I want that. Simple yet memorable.

And now, those will just be a dream. And it won't come true anymore.

"Noelle Tanya" I heard our maid calling me from the outside of my enormous room. I stood up immediately to open the door for her.

"Eleanor!" I said with a smile.

Eleanor is our maid—since then. She lives downtown where people have a poor life. Where a lot of people starve for food. As Eleanor said, their life is miserable. She said that if they don't have any work or if they don't wake up early in the morning they will starve.

Until now, I can't understand it well. She keeps on telling me that I am lucky for having this type of life where I can get all the materials that I need but, she doesn't know how many tears fell of from my eyes at night for having this sad life of mine.

"Ma'am Noelle, your breakfast is ready" She said with a big smile on her face. That's Eleanor, even though her life is kinda poor she kept smiling. I admire her for being like that.

"Where's mom? and dad?" I asked while putting my slippers on. I already brush my hair so, I am ready to go.

"They already left early in the morning maam Noelle" She said then step aside for me to have space to walk on.

It makes my heart sad. My life always like that, it's so minimal when I get to eat with them they are always busy about something. Work, especially.

"I said, don't call me ma'am anymore. Just Noelle" I said while we're heading downstairs.

"It will be disrespectful for you maam" She said shyly.

"No, it's not. I am not a princess or what. Calling me 'maam' will not make me happy, okay?" I said trying to please her not to call me by that. I prefer calling me by just my name. On that way, I feel a little normal.

As I walk through our dining area, I saw our other maids. I am not close with them as I am to Eleanor. They prepare Bürli, Fondue, Pastetli, Rippli and Salad. Those are breads. Always bread.

As I sat on our long-wooden table with a lot of different bread to choose from I am not happy. I have a great idea! This food will just be a waste.

"Let's go, eat with me" I said while smiling. I turn around to saw their reaction. They are all surprised about what I said.

"Maam Noelle, we're not allowed to eat with you. That's an order from your dad" The other maid said.

I was never inform that they are not allowed to eat with me. Dad never told me that, maybe because we don't have any time to talk.

"I really wanna eat with you but I am afraid that dad will be mad to all of you" I said with a sad voice. "But don't worry! I will ask dad for that"

After I finished eating I went directly to my room. That's my one and only routine. I open my laptop to watch some movies when someone caught my attention.

"Gabrielle, I don't have money. Next week okay? I will earn money next week for your school" She said. Sounds problematic. My heart ache for that.

I wish I can help people out there. If dad allow me to go outside I will go there to help them. I am 15 years of age right now and I still don't experience having a teen age life. I always here in my room watching movies and studying. So bored.

"Yes, I will still send you to school. Thank you for understanding Gabrielle. Be safe there" Eleanor added.

I think she's in the hallway cleaning. I turn off my laptop again and went directly to my door. But before that, I check my extra money in my cabinet. I grab 10,000 pesos. I will give it to Eleanor. I can't stay here like I don't heard anything who's problematic about financial.

"Eleanor, I will give you something. Ahm- no, I mean to Gabrielle?" I said wondering If I pronounced it right. I saw how her reaction changed. She's frowning right now.

"What is that maam Noelle?" She asked. "And why did you know about Gabrielle? My son?" She said pondering. My mouth formed an "O" sound because of that. Eleanor has a son. I didn't know that.

"I wanna help your son. It's not my intention to heard your conversation over the phone but, let me help" I said then place the money in her hands. She's staring at me then look at her hands. She shook her head three times

"I can't maam Noelle. This is not right" She said trying to give the money back but I refused.

"I don't need it and your son does. You know what Eleanor, I really want to be just a normal person where I can enjoy my teen age life. I hope someday, tho" I said sarcastically when I remember my life, the sad one.

"I am so grateful for this maam Noelle! I will pay you back as soon as I have money. Promise" She said with a teary eyes. I smiled.

"You don't have to. It's all yours, I wanna be your daughter because you're such a good mother to your children" I said trying to cheer her up. I don't like to see her crying over financial problems and take note, this is just the first time.

"Thank you, thank you!" she hugged me. I felt something that I can't explained. All I can say is I am happy that i help other people.

I am now here in my room. In front of my window while staring at the beautiful stars and waiting for some meteors to make a wish.

I really love this type of scenario. I am at peace.

"I want to be a normal person like others!" I shouted while my eyes closed. As i open my eyes, I saw meteor.

"My wish is to be a normal person! To enjoy my teen age life"

I spent hours by watching the stars, imagining a lot of stuffs. Wondering if what will be my life if I am just a nobody. Is my teen age life memorable? Will it be hard? I have lots of question in my head that I someday will be answered.

After that, I go to my bed to sleep.

The next morning I heard someone talking from the outside. I refused to get up because I am still sleepy from last night while stargazing.

After how many minutes, someone knock at my door three times. Someone enter in my room, I know its Eleanor. She's only the one who's going inside my room.

I open my eyes slowly and I saw a man wearing a black shirt and pair of shorts. I stood up immediately and go to my bathroom.

As I look myself at the mirrow and my hair looks dumb. I don't even brush my hair yet and Eleanor let that guy enter my room. I wanna cry because of that!

After I clean my face and comb my hair, I step slowly from my bathroom. And I saw the guy sitting in my little swing that good for two people.

"Hmm, hi?" I said. I don't know what should I say. I am kinda nervous, I don't know why. Ugh! I hate myself.

He look at me with a normal face, with a normal reaction. He smirked.

" I am sorry to disturb you but, mom want me to say thank you to you. So, thank you!" He said. He looks forced to do this thing. I wanna laughed but I can't. I will be look arrogant and disrespectful, right?

"No, you don't disturb me. It's just—i look terrible earlier. I just woke up you know" I said then turned away.

"You still look good, don't worry. It's just for my school...the money" He explained. I nod two times.

"Goodluck to your school, then" I said giving him a wide smile.

"Thank you for that. I hope we can talk some other time" He said then walked away.

I just watch him until he get out of my sight. He's a good man, Eleanor is lucky to have Gabrielle as her son.