Oh surREAL!

Nicole was really strange as a teenager. She wasn’t like those other girls who were always pretty in pink and had dozens of friends. She was just…different. She was that kind of girl who keeps it to herself. Her friends could be counted on one hand. She didn’t really believe that she had to know everybody’s name and that she had to be everybody’s friend. High school was tough for her. She didn’t really excel.   Her grades weren’t really that high, but she got through high school okay. At first, she didn’t really know what to do with her life. She felt that everyone around her didn’t think that she was capable of anything. So, that’s what she did. She didn’t even give herself the chance. But when she reached college, she took up BSED major in English as her course and finally realized that she wanted things to change. So by the time she turned 18, she stepped into the limelight. Who knew she would be really good at volleyball? Yes, you read that right. She

This is it. I'm just going to try this running thing and my life will be complete. Haha. Kidding. Wow, Florida's a big place. I wonder how anyone could navigate here so easily. Ugh, my head's aching. Maybe I should already get some sleep. Ah, my first half-marathon. THIS IS IT MELISSA! YOU'RE GOING TO DO GREAT! FOLLOW THE TRAIL AND DON'T RUN TO ANY MCDONALD'S OKAY? I put on my pink sports bra, black leggings, and my new running shoes (yep! I bought them just for this occasion! Hooray for me!) then proceed to the Carlton Reserve, because y'know, that's where the race is going to be. And you know what? I didn't even stop at any drive-thru on the way! Ugh, I am soooo proud of myself right now for this... Okay, Melissa. You can do this. You are a strong woman. You will finish this marathon. Okay, let's go! As I take my place on the starting line, I took deep breaths to calm my nerves. My palms are already sweaty from the

HAZEL (eats lunch) Sa totoo lang, ayoko pang umalis. Sobrang dami ko pang kailangang gawin dito. Parang nakakapanghinayang naman, ‘di ba? CARTER (looks at hazel while eating) Sino ba nagsabing kailangan mo nang umalis? Extend na yan! (laughs) (speaks to self) May sasabihin pa ko sa’yo. ‘wag ka munang umalis. Please. HAZEL Sorry na. Kailangan na talaga eh. May work pa ko. Tambak na siguro yun ngayon. (laughs) CARTER (stays silent while still eating) HAZEL (raises one eyebrow at Carter) Oh, ba’t natahimik ka d’yan? Kalma, tol. Parang naman ‘di na tayo magkakausap ulit. Ito naman. CARTER (looks Hazel in the eye) It’s just that. Why do you have to leave so soon? Can’t you just stay for a few more days? (drops spoon and fork on the plate then face palms) Ayan, nawalan na ko ng ganang kumain. (speaks to self) Wag ka muna kasing umalis. Mahal kita, okay? ‘di mo nga lang alam. Ganun ba talaga ko katorpe? (laughs