Leaving

He reached for my hands. “Please talk to me,”

“I apologize for hurting you. It’s all my fault. Don’t blame yourself. It won’t happen if I don’t teach say---”

I cut him off with a kiss. His soft lips brushed on mine. It felt like years since the last time I tasted his lips, I almost forgot how it feels. I close my eyes and get in the moment so I can remember how his lips feel.

His kiss is longing and full of passion.

I will miss him …

Our head touched after the kiss. He caressed my cheeks.

“I’m with you Celiza. Well go through this together hmmm?”

I pressed my lips together, knowing that would not happen.

“We’ll survive this. Someday we’re just gonna laugh about this.” He chuckled.

It’ll just be in my wildest dreams. We will never meet again after that.

I’m sure he’ll forget about me… But I never will.

“Hey don’t cry anymore…” he promised affectionately. He put the strand of hair covering my face on the back of my ear.

“Celiza…”

I pulled him closer to me and wrapped my arms around him as I trusted him crying on his soft chest.

This will be the last time that I will be with him.

This is the latter.

I closed my eyes and pulled him closer.

He patted my back and kissed my head. “Don’t worry I won’t leave you …”

“No matter what happens I will stay by your side.”

I’ve never strained my neck while looking at the ground before. I’m not used to always being bent over but I can’t do anything.

People’s eyes are like daggers to me.

“Why is she here?”

“She shouldn’t graduate, right?”

“Thick face got more grumaduate, he’s not so right.”

“Even diaper atlis gagraduate.”

Those are just a few of the whispers I hear.

I was allowed to climb the stage somehow.

Those who bullied me in the past were given school service, they couldn’t refuse because there was CCTV inside the theater room. I can see what they did to me there.

Magnus and I both met eyes. Its smile reached my ears. A smile crept on my lips but it all faded when my eyes went to the person beside him. I looked away when my eyes met Mrs. Morrison’s.

“Don’t do something stupid, Celiza. Your brother’s operation will be later. By the time Mrs. Morrison sees you approaching her son, she will definitely not continue to help your brother.”

“I know Mom… I was just looking ---”

“No you’re not going to look at them again. Pretend like they’re not here or you don’t know them.”

I sighed.

“Mrs, Carosca!”

“Congrats,”

“Thank you for letting her march on the graduation.”

“She deserves it, Mrs. Carosca. Can I borrow her for a minute?”

She nodded.

“I know you’re a good person. I believe in you, may you reach your dream, Congrats.” He said then shook my hand.

“S-thank you.”

Her every word touched my heart. He seemed to give me a chance and hope to fix my life.

The next to approach me was Halle. I was going to greet it but it didn’t go away as its palm rested on my cheek. My eyes widened at what he did.

“Do you know when you’re really famous?” It’s an angry promise.

My forehead furrowed.

“What was that for?”

“You hurt Magnus.”

“What?”

“Did you think I didn’t know you were flirting with Magnus before ?! You know what they’re saying is true! Be flirty! Pokpok!” Everything he said to me hurt especially and I considered it a friend somehow.

“Isn’t Magnus sweet? He said ‘I like you’ early in the car!” My eyes widened when he said that.

Did he also see what I did to Magnus?

She snorted. “Why do you think I don’t know?”

“Yes, I heard! I saw it but I kept quiet. Thanks to the person who released your video because everyone found out that you’re really flirty. You’re a dirty woman! Your brain is empty! You’re so beautiful!” My ear throbbed at what he said.

“Did you have anything to do with the spread of the video?” My body is getting hot. My eyes are dimming to this woman too!

I didn’t know Halle was like this. When we first met he was kind. I also didn’t notice that Magnus liked it.

Who else likes Magnus?

“Why did you do that ?! What’s my fault with you ?!” Disgusted with my question here. He is currently caressing her cheek.

“Because you’re flirty! You’re the only one Magnus wants! I’m so smart he won’t notice!” she said.

She is just like Aira.

“Stay away from Magnus!”

I’m fed up with people dictating to me to stay away from Magnus.

“You know why he doesn’t notice you? You’re not the first one.”

“But your reason why he’s hurting. You don’t deserve him---”

“Halle that’s enough!” said Bea from behind iher.

She glared at me before leaving.

I close my eyes tightly.

I don’t even know if she likes him.

“Hey …”

“How are you?”

My eyes remained on her instead of answering her question.

“I’m sorry about what happened…” Bea’s introduction.

“I’m sorry for not being there when you needed me the most. I’m sorry because I didn’t defend you from those who bully you. I was also surprised by what I saw. I also can’t believe it. The speed of everyone, I’m scared. I’m sorry.” It makes me cry. While holding my hand.

I looked at Magnus who was heading in our direction.

“Celiza,” Bea said.

I searched for her mother in the crowd. Our eyes met. I gulped and looked away.

“I… I need to go,” I said to her and ran inside the hallway of the campus.

My footsteps echoed in the hallway. No one is around because all of them are in the gym.

“Hey… Celiza!” I was stopped by someone grabbing my wrist.

No…

Why did you follow me Magnus?

I withdrew my wrist to hold it. “I need to go.”

“Wait!”

“Why?”

His eyes narrowed. “Is there something Celiza?”