CHAPTER 2: CLOSE FRIENDS

Carmella's POV

I am really happy because of what happened today. This day seemed to start worse but it ended up so well, thanks to Elise Hope Now, I truly proved that she's really kind-hearted. I am also very happy I got to also eat my favorite fast foods.

I was smiling as I entered our house but it faded when I met my mother's gaze.

"Where have you been?"

"I've been from school, mom."

"What school? I called your teacher and she told me that the time of dismissal was at 4:00 PM this afternoon."

"There were some unfortunate things that happened to me, I--"

"Get inside. I don't want to hear your explanations! You're now fifteen years old. You're supposed to become responsible for your actions this time."

"Can't you let me explain first, mom?" Instead of listening to me, she slapped me on my face right away. I was able to hold my left cheek as tears ran down on my face.

"If I will hear our neighbors talking about you and the things you're doing at school that I don't like, you will get more than that!"

She walked out as she slammed the door on my back. I am now left alone in front of our house, crying as I am still holding my cheek that's a bit swollen because of what my mom did to me.

Yes, she's always like this. From the very beginning, she was always cruel to me and I don't exactly know why. It is very seldom that I have seen her smiling at me. That's why I grew up, trying so hard to catch up with her endless mood swings. I grew up thinking about the things that could make my mother love me at the very least of her able effort to do so. I grew up trying so hard to please her that I even studied well for me to always get the top spot in class.

I know, if I continue to be the top, she'll be happy. In every awarding ceremony where I am being proclaimed as the top one, it's the only day where I can see her sweetest smile at me. She's very proud of putting on my medals to me and ribbons for endless awards. It's the only time of the year where I could hear her saying, 'this is my beloved daughter...'

Beloved daughter.

How I wish she will treat me like this when she's the very opposite of what she's talking about during our awards night and even graduation.

I opened the door again by twitching the doorknob and it opened right away. I glanced at the wall clock and when I realized that it is already 7:00 PM, I went straight to the kitchen. I just brushed my teeth and when I'm done, I went straight into my room. I got ready for bed by taking a hot shower and putting on my set of pajamas.

I checked my phone and I noticed three text messages, all came from Elise Hope The first one is her message of confirmation that she's indeed Elise Hope. The second message was, she's asking me if I am already fine or if I went inside the house safely. The third one is the review that we both should and shouldn't do inside the class and library as well. I suddenly remembered that we need to review this one for our short quiz in English.

"You're really sweet. Thank you so much!" I replied to one of her messages. She answered right away with smiley.

"See you tomorrow, Hope!"

"I am really really happy to meet you, dear Carmella! Thank you for starting to call me Hope. Remember, we are close friends now so don't get too awkward at me."

"I am happy to know that you considered me as your close friend. I don't know what to say."

"Do not mind it at all. When I first met you, I knew we were going to be the best of friends!"

"What made you say so, Hope?" I smiled as I typed those words on my phone.

"Well, I can always have this best feeling within me that you should be my close friend here among others."

"But I don't think I am good enough."

"Why you? Of all the people around the campus, I am certain that you're the best among them."

"You don't know me too well, Hope."

"If you will not give me a chance to know you, then I would not, definitely."

I chuckled as I read her last text. She's really awesome and frank at the same time. I also wanted her as a friend. It's a different kind of budding love as sisters. This is the exact feeling that's igniting within me.

I am happy to meet her because she's one of a kind and she's very easy to love.

"See you tomorrow, dear. I am excited to meet you again, Hope." I chuckled as she replied with a GIF about a giddy, dancing frog. Even her humor is outstanding.

The next morning, I woke up really early because I want to see Elise Hope right away. I almost forgot to eat my breakfast, too because of too much excitement.

"Hello, Carmella!"

"Hello, Hope! I am happy to see you here this early."

"I am always a morning person way back in America. I think my body is already used to waking up early, that's why I decided to just go here as early as this one."

"That's really awesome of you. I will also try to do that too." I said and she nodded in agreement.

"Have you eaten your breakfast yet?" She asked in a worried tone.

"Uuhh..." I don't know what to answer. I guess she heard how my stomach rumbled. She suddenly grabbed me by the hand.

"Let's go. My breakfast treat." She said as she winked at me.

"Wow! Really, Hope?"

"Of course. We can talk a lot about other things, too. While we are still there, talking. We still have an hour left before the exact time of our first subject.

"That's a great idea." I nodded as I said those words. My eyes glistened with hope and anticipation to the things that were going to talk about. I know she's not yet too familiar with the things and places here in the Philippines since she was born in America. I know she had a lot of things to remember and know about from me.

I think the closeness is happening between us and I just can't stop it. We sat on one of the chairs inside the cafeteria. She's smiling while looking at me.

"What shall we order?"

"Hmmm, if you ask me, I'd rather have some rice meals. For example, sausages, eggs and rice in one meal."

"Oh, I see. Back in America, I used to have fresh fruits and yogurt for breakfast. But I guess I have to also try the meals that you're talking about since I am in the Philippines now."

"Well, it's up to you, dear Hope. I just want you to try new things if you like."

"Of course. Whatever you suggest that I think will be the best, I'd gladly try it myself, too."

We ate some rice meals and we had a lot of things we shared together. Mostly, our topic is about reviewing the lessons that's why I feel full. Not only in that mind-enriching review but the best feeling Hope is selflessly sharing with me.

We got up from our seats and we rushed into the room because our first period is about to start. Junior high school life has never been easy. The lessons are getting difficult and the teachers are becoming too strict when implementing rules. Unlike the previous years in school, I can feel that the whole world's pressure is on my shoulders. Being the top one in grade 10 is no joke. I am more than desperate in maintaining my spot. Studying should be my first priority among others.

I sat on my chair and I glanced at Hope who is on the second row, fifth column while I am seated in the adjacent direction. We were greeted by a reading activity and later on, we'll be making a reaction based on what we have read. As I am doing my own activity, I can't help but to glance at her again. She seemed to be very focused and I noticed she's not easily distracted.

When the activity was over, our English teacher collected our papers one by one. When she stood next to Hope, she gently got her paper. I simply looked up and observed our teacher's facial reaction. As she looked over Hope's paper, I saw her smile.

My heart beat fast all of a sudden when it was my teacher's turn to collect mine. My teacher did what she exactly did with Hope with my paper and she also smiled. I sighed with relief and smiled, too.

"As always, Carmella Ruth did an outstanding reaction paper." Our teacher commented that made the whole class applaud with glee. They were all eyes on me that I can’t help but to smirk at my daily bashers. Of course, it’s another victory for me and a loss to them.

"I also want to commend Elise Hope for a job well done." As soon as they heard it, my classmates clapped and cheered even more.

Did I hear it right? Elise Hope? I glanced at her and I can’t help but clench my fist because she’s enjoying the announcement our teacher made for all of us. She caught me staring at her. I didn’t have a choice but to smile and cheer for her, too. Even if I am starting to hate her big time. This can’t be!

I awkwardly smiled at her as everybody was cheering both of us. Right now, I am not having a good feeling.