Chapter 5: Sunrise Whispers and Stolen Texts

The first rays of dawn kissed Abbegale's eyelids awake. Today was a Friday, a day painted with the vibrant hues of freedom and volleyball practice. Her second eldest sister, Kammi, was already bustling around the house, her backpack slung over her shoulder, her phone pressed against her ear as she navigated the morning rush hour.

"Need any help with that SBA, Abbegale?" Kammi asked, her voice muffled by the phone call. "Ask me anything before I head out."

With a mumbled goodbye, Kammi disappeared into the whirlwind of morning, leaving Abbegale with a warm smile and a renewed sense of determination. After all, if Kammi could juggle work and studies, so could she.

She started her day with the familiar rhythm of cleaning, preparing a quick sandwich, and basking in the steamy heat of a morning shower. As she reached for her towel, a memory jolted her awake. She had texted Gio last night!

Excitement fizzed through her veins as she scrambled for her phone. It was just past 11, and there, nestled amidst the notifications, was his reply. A simple "Hey" from 9 AM this morning. Her fingers flew across the screen, a nervous "Hey , it's abbegale" disappearing into the digital ether.

Minutes ticked by, each second stretching like an eternity. Just as doubt began to creep in, her phone buzzed. "I know," he replied. "I only gave you my number, silly."

Abbegale's stomach did a happy flip. "Oh," she typed, then quickly deleted it. What was she even saying? With a deep breath, she decided to take the plunge. She found topics, bouncing from volleyball practice to Miss Park's Shakespeare lesson, her words tumbling out in a clumsy stream.

To her surprise, Gio kept up. He replied thoughtfully, his dry humor making her laugh even through the screen. At 11:40, she reluctantly admitted, "Gotta go to school, Gio. Don't want to miss anything!"

"Of course, go," he replied. "We both have school anyway."

His surprising patience warmed Abbegale. Was this how he treated everyone? Or was there something special, something unspoken, in his tone? The thought brought a blush to her cheeks, even as an undercurrent of unease flickered in her stomach.

With a quick text to Mom informing her of the late volleyball practice and a message to Yepmi explaining her absence from their usual ride, Abbegale grabbed her bag and headed out the door. The warm morning sun painted the world in golden hues, and Abbegale felt a symphony of hope and excitement playing in her heart. This day, with its stolen glances and unexpected connections, promised to be painted in vibrant colors, a testament to the blossoming possibilities that lay ahead.