Along Pangasinan

"After the concert here at Coachella, we will go home. I'm very tired of your series of concerts. When we get home, you will sign an advertising contract. Maybe, I will just request after a week or two the shoots. Since we just came home then. So you can rest." Hance said, my manager while handling the green satin puff sleeve dress that I will wear next in performance. He look at me in the mirror at the vanity table.

I was busy applying eyeshadow and self-grooming. I just let him mention what I will do in the next few days. I've also been here for a week at Coachella, today is my last day and it's my concert. I was planning to go around the place but I'm only given a short time.

As Hance said, we went home after my concert. I'm tired and I want to rest but I still need to pack my things for the flight. He just booked and we will leave later. We didn't put our clothes in the suitcase perfectly, because we are in a hurry, I did not hire a personal assistant because I can handle it myself.

I just slept the whole flight because I was tired, and I did not even see the stars in the sky and the clouds. I was seated at the window.

When we arrived at the Philippine airport, I immediately boarded the van that Hance had reserved to be prepared upon our arrival. I just fell asleep again while going to the condo, my routine has always been like that for the past few years. My sleep is just on the flight, when I am in the condo I take care of answering the calls of companies or my fellow models and singers.

We were in the middle of the flight when I woke up, there was a bit of traffic since it is noon. Hance turned to me and handed me a bottle of water and food. I just drank the water that Hance gave me. The concern on his face is obvious, maybe because I look very tired but I can still do my job.

"Don't continue the law school you're saying." He said.

I did not say anything, I always wanted to be a lawyer. Maybe it's because I was also a victim of bullying when I was young and I wanted to retaliate against those who criticized me back then.

My perspectives on that dream changed as I get older. This year, all I want is justice because I was longing for it, last year I want something I couldn't explain. The reason varies each passing year. So I do not know if I will continue because there is still no good reason. After all, when there is no good reason, it is not easy to do.

But, a few years later it seemed like it was missing from my dream list because of the pile of work. I still want to continue that but I am too busy and lack time because of work.

"I don't know yet, Hance. I'll see it next year or next month. When will the submission for PHILSAT requirements be... I don't know." I told him. I was confused that I couldn't decide.

"You're so tired, Joy. Please relax, what's the reason for this hard works? I'm not saying that you don't have to work anymore, but at least... just work enough... enough workloads for your body." He says. "But if you want to pursue that, it's okay with me, I can adjust your work. Since I've heard that law school is hard too, you have to focus much more."

"Thanks, Hance." I smiled at him.

"I will also look about when is the PHILSAT submission and exams. As well as the LAEs of each school. I will update you when I find out, for now. Rest first so you can focus on your work." Hance informed.

I nodded.

As Hance said. Two weeks ago was the shoot because I signed a contract with a famous brand here in the country. The shoot went fast because the flow went smoothly. The only problem now is editing. I will also go to their event once the advertisement and the new product are already launched. Maybe next week.

When I arrived at my condo, Jun greeted me, he was still wearing a white long sleeve which is folded on his shoulder, he was also wearing a maong pants, he just came from his school. He went my way when he saw me enter.

"How's life, sis?" He said softly while tightening his hug with me causing me to not be able to breathe.

"It's okay, still human." I said, sarcastically.

"Not obvious ah!" He teased, so I pinched him on the waist causing him to yell ouch.

"You're not human because you look like a goddess, that's what I meant." I rolled my eyes as he says that.

"You're obsequious!" I said and he laughed.

He let go of my hug and I sat on the sofa, I took off my shoes and he was busy with his ipad.

He handed me the ipad, I thought he was going to buy something but he just showed me his grades. My tears flowed as I saw his grades that have no lower than 95.

I'm not pressuring him to get higher grades, I want him to enjoy his high school but also he needs to balance the enjoyment.

"It is too high, because of that. I'm gonna buy you anything you want!" I said happily.

"Make me a bracelet like what you gave to papa Hance. I like that." He told me while pointing her finger to his wrist.

I was shocked, I did not expect that that was all he wanted.

"All right, I'll make you one later, by the way, what food do you want? We need more! We need to celebrate!" He laughed at my hysteria.

"Anything, just Filipino foods!" Jun said, excitedly.

We no longer bond with my brother, he is always alone here at home. I also want to take him on my world tours but he refuses because of school, but when he's on a summer break he goes with me.

Hance also takes care of Jun, someone also takes care of him when I'm not around. Sometimes Hance's mom is in charge or sometimes Hance's siblings.

A week later, I have an event with Hance tonight, in the advertisement that I shoot. It's still morning so I cleaned the condo first, then I made a macrame bag that I often do when I don't have a job.

We arrived late at the event so people kept looking at us, I just smiled simply. I felt uncomfortable because a lot of rich people are looking at me.

Jun did not come because he said he needs to do a lot of school works. I no longer insisted because that's his priority.

"Good evening, Mr. Caldivar!" I greeted him happily, he laughed.

"You're here too, Joy! You're so formal like we didn't do stupid things during high school." He said.

No one listened to our conversation because we were a bit far from the guests, but they were still watching our direction.

"Have you seen her yet?" I meaningly asked him. He shook his head.

"No, they said she was here in the Philippines. But when I got here she was in the U.S..." he told.

I laugh. He pouted.

"I'll just go to Mr. Famiego. If we have time, we should hang out... in a group." He nodded and waved.

When I went to Mr. Famiego he was surrounded by many of his businessmen, few of them had their eyebrows raised when they saw me. Especially women.

"Joycelyn!" He said and then he kissed my cheeks. "I already watched the advertisement and it went well. I was surprised when Director Tiara said the shoot took only one to two takes."

I smiled. "I didn't expect that Mr. Famiego, I've been a bit of preoccupied this past few days because I'm tired too. I thought there were a lot of mistakes, I also don't want the staff to get tired."

He laughed. "The rumors are right, huh? You are a good person and a professional. Thank you for accepting the project. I did not make a mistake in choosing you."

"Thank you, for choosing me." I smiled sweetly.

"Please enjoy the party. We prepared it for you." Mr. Famiego told while averting his eyes to the food.

My eyes widened. "Wow... thank you."

The next day is horrible. The next morning Hance knocked on my door incessantly, at eight o'clock in the morning and he's already making a commotion. I know he will tell bad news this morning because he did not stop knocking at the door.

"My god! Joyceleyn!" I frowned, he entered the condo and walked around the living room. I am also confused about what he is doing.

"Why, what's happening?--" She cut my words.

"The agency-- filed a fucking lawsuit!" He exclaimed. "They should have said that it is not possible to endorse Mr. Famiego and guess what?! They fucking added the years without informing us!"

"The years? What years, Hance?" My hands were trembling because of the news he said, I did not know what to do. I don't want to go to jail! Who the hell wants to be there?!

I saw Jun come out of the room, he was still scratching his eyes. Newly awake. He smiled at me and hugged me.

"I'll just cook breakfast." He said and broke away from the embrace. I just nodded and let him do what he needed.

"That you will still work with them! But, don't worry. I'll fix this, I'll do something to breach the contract." He's busy typing to his phone while talking to me.

I nodded one after another, I also did not know what to say. I know, Hance will do something to resolve the conflict, for now, I will just wait for what he'll do and what will be the result because I do not know anything about it. I know only know a bit about the law.

I sat on the sofa, I could not think of any sensible idea.

"I will get a lawyer... I'll choose the best one! For... sure win." Hance said confusedly while typing on the cellphone.

The news about the issue spread quickly, I thought it was just a secret but the agency released it. That also added to my nervousness and fear. Hance stayed in my condo and informed me about what is happening outside, he said many reporters were already in the lobby of the building.

I can already smell what Jun is cooking, my stomach is aching but I still can't stop worrying about what is happening to me right now.

"We should get away from here." He said seriously. He is still walking back and forth.

"Maybe we have to stay here for a while until the issue subsides." He commanded me, he still uneasy that made me feel uneasy too.

"It won't go away. It looks like the agency is humiliating you. After they abused you when you were just starting your career and now they are restricting you. It's like they're trying to tie you up because a lot of brands are taking you. We will fight." He informed.

I want to spend time with Jun today, these past few months was tiring. I want to rest for at least one day, I want to at least spend another day with my brother. But fate doesn't allow me to have that.

"The smell of your cooking, Jun! That makes me hungry!" Hance said, laughing.

"Fried rice, it's nearly done and so we can eat!" Jun replied in the kitchen.

"Mr. Famiego contacted me. He said he will look for a lawyer because your agency's reason is personal. I already got a lawyer when he called so I refused." He said. "We can talk tonight when the reporters are no longer in the lobby."

I nodded and did not ask any more questions.

While we are eating breakfast, Hance kept receiving a series of calls on his cellphone. He ignored it because it was just a bunch of random reporters, and Jun was also wondering what was going on.

"Are you going out today, Jun?" Hance asked.

Jun shook his head.

"No, I don't have a group project." Jun said as he ate his food that he put in his spoon.

Hance and I took a deep breath. I know, if Jun comes out he will be mobbed by a lot of people. It's a good thing he doesn't have a group project now and he'll just stay here in the condo.

We just cleaned up the condo with Hance and played xbox while waiting for the lawyer that he hired to come tonight. We even made a macrame bag and paracord bracelets.

"Oh my god! It's tangled!" Hance said, confused. So I looked at his macrame bag and fixed the knot.

Jun is busy making bracelets, they also streamed my musics on spotify. When the song that is being played is a bit hip-hop, they danced while continuing what they were doing. The fear I felt earlier was also somewhat relieved.

The afternoon came, the receptionist told us that the reporters were gone, so I took a deep breath. My name is also a bit noisy on social media so I avoided using it first.

"Our Attorney will arrive in less than an hour. With Mr. Famiego and his wife Doc. Alexis and his brother Attorney Caldivar." Hance informed me.

My lips parted when I heard what Hance said, I did not expect Atty. Caldivar will handle my case. What I know is, that lawyer is picky about choosing what case she should take.

"Atty. Caldivar will handle my case?" I asked to be sure.

I once saw her at events. She is beautiful and she is a bit awkward to be with because of her authoritative aura.

"No, she will be the partner of the lawyer who will handle your case." He answered, my forehead creased at his answer.

I frowned. "Huh, then... who is my lawyer?" I noticed him suddenly stunned by my question.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door so we both looked at it, Hance offered to open the door and I just sat on the sofa.

"Come in." Hance informs the guest, I stand up when I saw Doc. Alexis was the first to enter followed by his husband Mr. Famiego.

"Good evening to you." I greeted, Doc smiled. Doc. Alexis kissed my cheeks, me and Mr. Famiego bowed on each other.

"Good evening." I was shocked by seeing Atty. Caldivar. I immediately went her way and gave her a kissed on a cheek, I stilled when I saw the person behind her.

"Good evening, I'm Atty. Benencio." He smiled to everyone, I looked at Hance and he averted his eyes away from me.

He's wearing a white longsleeve polo while two buttons open, the sleeve are folded unto his elbow. Partnered with black trousers... like the usual pants he wear... before. His body features grown more, that makes a lot of women lay their eyes on him. His eyes were so dark... like before. His hair was in clean cut... like he used to.

"Nice meeting you... again, Ms. Lopez." He smiled at me as he greet me.

I saw again the person I loved and planned to myself that i'll be married to him...

...years ago.

There are plans worth proving for and also, there are plans worth losing for.

"I nominate Joycelyn Lopez as muse." Said one of my classmates.

I was immediately taken aback when I heard my classmates giggle. Our teacher barely cared or just laughed at what was happening in the room. The nominated president is busy writing the name of the nominated muse in class.

"Is that all?" The president asked innocently while my classmates continued to giggle.

"No more, is there anything more to Joyce's beauty? Close it." My classmate replied.

Until the end of the polls, my classmates continued to giggle, I did not speak because I will just be annoyed and cry because I can do nothing to mold their crooked brains. Eventually, I just sighed.

In grade 10, my classmates have been making fun of me for years because of my appearance. I can't deny it because it's true, this is how I was born. What can I do? I also don't have enough money to fix my face. Even the school allowance is still on loan at the store.

The day ended with mockery of what happened, while on the way home many people were looking at me. I don't know why, maybe they heard the news that I am a muse.

I saw Alexandra, the captain's daughter here in our barangay. She is rich and has many admirers for her good looking face and kind manners. But she doesn't like boys, the rumors say that she's been hitting a girl.

"Think about it, Joy is your name but you are not happy." Dave said suddenly appearing in front of me.

"You son of bitch." I cursed him.

Dave is rumored to be the son of one of the Mayor in Pangasinan. I don't know why he studied here and I am not very interested in his life. We are not friends, we only met this year.

Their family is also rich. The father is a mayor and he has fancy shoes and a bag and clean clothes. They also own a few resorts here in the area. As well as the market place, they are also the owners.

I don't know why he suddenly appeared in front of me, my life is not very interesting. He's handsome and he can meet a lot of beautiful women or maybe he just wants to trip me up like my fellow students.

I ignored him and I just continued to leave school, I would like to buy a fishball because my stomach is already boiling with hunger but I just put up with it and I did not buy it.

"Here." I was surprised to see a hand holding a fishball in front of me. It almost dropped in front of me. I turned to the side and saw that it was Alexandra. I frowned.

"Why?" I curiously asked.

"Why? Accept it. It's still hot oh." She offered the fishball but I still did not accept it.

"Why are you giving me that? Are you crushing on me?"

Her eyes widened at my question, even me but I did not want her to notice it. Eventually, she almost choked laughing after realizing what I said, I just sighed and continued walking.

She chased me and gave me the fishball, I was so irritated by her presence so I just accepted and ate it. As I was eating fishballs I saw Dave coming to us.

"Hey, are you stupid Alexandra? You have a girlfriend again? Isn't the grade 12 student also your girlfriend, at ABM."

"You're stupid too, did I insult you?" said Alex. Dave just laughed at her.

"Are you serious? Isn't your girlfriend is from grade 9 SSC then you also have a grade 12, right? You are a two-timer."

"Why do you care? You can also have a girlfriend if you want! Oh right, you are not allowed because they'll arrange your marriage to someone, aren't you? You will be miserable."

"Hey! You're getting personal, Alex ah. Of course, if my heart beats for someone then she'll be my girlfriend! You're corny, you're talking about arranged marriage. I don't have Chinese descent!"

"You're cornier! You still believe about that heartbeat thingy there, what are you? A kid?"

I was busy eating fishballs, not minding their argument. I don't know why they approached me. I just didn't say a word, I didn't even thank them for what they gave me, I just kept eating the fishball.

When I got home I immediately cleaned my body, I did not see mama and papa. Maybe, papa is fishing while mama is selling the leftover fish that papa caught yesterday. I also didn't saw my brother at home. Maybe he just bathed in the sea.

Our house is close to the sea so provincial life is not too sad, it is far from the school and the town. I still need to ride a tricycle when I go to school, but when I come home from school I don't ride anymore because it's a waste of money, even if it's tiring, I have to save money.

There are only a few assignments today because the class is just starting, I'm just busy cutting out pictures in the old magazine and I'm going to make a journal. This is what I do every day, looking at the pictures in the magazine and admiring them.

"Is it, one plus one equals windows?" Jun, my brother asked me while answering assignments. He just got home from school but he didn't seem to have learned anything.

"Eh, what if I slip your head out on the window." I answered rudely.

"Just joking, eleven is the answer." He said and wrote it down on the paper.

I just shook my head, I don't know if my brother is studying. Maybe he just goes to school because of the allowance.

It's already night when my parents came home, when they got home we ate dinner right away, they even asked what we did at school. After we ate I washed the dishes because I am the oldest.

I went up to the bedroom after I washed the dishes, there's no signal in our house so I don't know how to do my assignment. I wonder if I can just do it tomorrow, but I won't have enough time. The signal in the sea is not weak, it's just a little far from the house and the surrounding is dark because it is night.

Because I don't want to cram for tomorrow, I just brought a lamp for light, it's a bit dim but I put up with it, my skin is not good enough for me to act.

I just shook my head when I got to the sea and saw my skin on my leg, it was bleeding from the mosquito bites. I immersed it in the sea to somehow be healed or to avoid infection. When I landed my leg in the sea I immediately felt the pain, I was also afraid that someone might pull my legs maybe by a shokoy or mermaid because it was night. Even in modernization, my outlook on life is still old-fashioned.

The pages of the notebook I left on the sand are flipping because of the wind. When I felt that my leg wound is not so bad, I went up to do the assignment.

I spent my time doing it, we were only assigned to do something about definitions, and it was not so hard because it hasn't been taught yet.

Many fishermen are still passing on the shore, with boatmen and few rich people. Tourists maybe. I even saw Dave paying attention to the boatmen, they grabbed the net and pulled it to the shore. I don't know why he shook it, Manong Berto jokingly hit his head.

"Fix it, Dave, we might lose the fish we caught." A boatmen with him said I can't see who spoke because they were in the dark part of the sea.

"I'm tickled!" I heard Dave say. Then, he should not just do that or meddle with the work of the boatmen. He's just gonna cause a problem.

I just ignored them and just continued what I was doing, they were just too noisy, they were counting while pulling the net.

When I finished my assignment, I fixed my things, I was surprised when someone walked into my place. I looked around and saw Dave's face smiling like a dog. I averted my eyes and then resumed fixing my things...

"Are you doing an assignment?" he asked.

I just nodded.

"I'll help you?--"

"Finished." I said.

"Let's do it again, erase your answer and then we'll both answer!" His suggestion is useless. My forehead wrinkled when I looked at him.

He scratched the nape of his neck when I stopped talking, I left the spot where I sat earlier. I could feel him following me but I'm not even worried that he might do something.

"I'll walk you home ah."

I stopped talking, as soon as I got home I immediately closed the door. I did not offer him to enter. I suddenly felt guilty for what I did to him.

I don't know why he is kind to me, or he is really like that to everyone he meets. I feel like, his kindness to me is like he needs something strange, I do not know if he's tripping me or if there is another reason.

When I entered school, almost everyone is looking at me, I just ignored it. Their looks seemed to be mocking, frustrating. I just sighed to calm down somehow, there might be a fight here.

No one seated by my side, even though we were given an assigned seat yesterday they still did their own decision on where to sit, I just ignored it, as I always do. I would have liked someone to be by my side but it seems like I have a dangerous disease and they are disgusted to by my side.

I just read the assignment that I did last night, my handwriting is getting a little better than before. I even added designs so I wouldn't get bored while waiting for the teacher in class.

"Hi, good morning. Do you have an assignment? Can I copy?" Dave said when he was seated next to me, he said nothing and get my notebook. I also did nothing but to let him read it and did not snatch my notebook from him.

"Your handwriting is beautiful, it's nice to copy" He said, nonsense.

"Just give it to me, when you're done copying."

He returned my notebook. "I'm done with my assignment, I'm just joking about copying... anyways, come with me later during recess. Lexa will be with us, she brought lots of food--"

"I don't want to."

"Why? The food she brought is delicious--"

"I don't want to, don't force me--"

"Might agree?" He joked but my face remained serious. "Come with me."

"I don't want to! Just ask someone else! We're not close!"

He was surprised by my sudden burst, his eyes also widened and his lips parted, I do not know why I was suddenly angry. I suddenly felt guilty for what I've done to him.

I left the room in embarrassment, my classmates kept whispering about what I did to Dave.

"Joy!" I heard a woman shout, I turned around. I saw Alexa waving her hand as she approaches me.

When she got in my direction, she suddenly hugged me, I don't know why. I frowned at her behavior.

"I've heard that our classmates and schoolmates always bully you. Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

I just nodded. My face did not show any emotions either, just blank.

"Dave is looking for you. He said you were angry with him because he forced something on you. He did not say what he did." She said. "He said he felt sorry for you because a lot of people are mocking you so he asked me to find you. I just arrived at school, it's a bit late. You still have class, you better go back to your room."

"After the first class." I said, she was stunned and eventually smiled.

"O-okay, I'm going to our room. I'll be leaving you now ah?" She said and pointed behind her.

"Alex." I called and she stopped walking away from my direction. She went back.

"What is it?" She asked curiously as if she's a child.

"Please tell him... I don't need his sympathy."

I immediately went to the classroom after I said that to Alex, I don't know why my attitude is bad today or I just really don't like the people around me. I feel like, everyone around me will make fun of me.

"Hi, Miss. Do you know where is the classroom of grade 10 section b?" I nodded.

"Yes, actually I am your classmate."

A smile flashed on his lips at what I said. I just turned my back on him and continued walking towards our room.

"Great, I just have to follow you. Don't feel strange okay! I'm not a bad person."

"You look like a bad person." I commented.

He does not look like a bad person, he is handsome because maybe he has a foreign race. I also don't know what's the basis of being handsome, is it because he is white and clean or just because I see him well in my eyes?

"And you are mean."

I ignored what he said because it was true. I don't intend to be kind and friendly when speaking. Some of my classmates call me weird because of my quiet demeanor and my eloquent speech and my weird personality. I don't know why they say that, for me they just have a judgmental eye.

When we entered the room, many people were looking at us, the teacher was not yet in the room so I took a deep breath. I can feel the man following me. I just went straight to my seat earlier, and Dave was still there. I quietly went rum and sat down.

"Can I sit here?" The man asked and sat down next to me.

"I didn't even agree." I heard Dave whispered.

When the class started we listened to the teacher's discussion, he also announced room fees and what was needed. Like a reed broom, floor wax and whatever that cleans the room. Some of my classmates paid before our teacher's time was up, others decided to pay tomorrow because they didn't have much money. Like me.

In the next class, the teacher asked me a lot of questions, and I did not stop answering. It's as if I'm the only student in the room, even if I don't want to answer, I might be humiliated again. My two ears are already ringing with sarcasm, as long as I know something and I can answer the question, my mouth will not stop.

"We should go home, someone already won." Dave said while laughing, I smirked. I heard his grin and saw out of the corner of my eye his shake.

When break time came, almost everyone is busy fixing themselves. While I am busy arranging my bag.

"Why are you still carrying your bag?" Dave asked as I finished grabbing my bag and carried it in my back.

I did not answer. I don't want to tell him what happened last year, that my classmates put a rat in my bag that caused it to have a rip. The rip is not that big, nor small.

He looked at my bag as I remove my hair from the bag that got stuck in my back. I left my seat and walked straight out of the room.

On the way to the canteen, I could feel the man and Dave tailing me. I can also hear the conversations of my schoolmates. Everyone's talking about where they should take their senior high school even though the school year is not even halfway done yet, a lot of them will go to manila. Others will stay here in Pangasinan.

They also talked about which strand they belong to, some likes to take science, technology engineering mathematics because they want to be a doctor in the future. Some want to become a lawyer so they will take humanities and social science. Everyone seems so pleased about the dreams they want to pursue. As for me, I still do not know where my life is headed.

"Where are you going to take your senior high school, Joy?" Dave asked me, I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know, maybe here too."

"What strand will you take?" I shrugged again.

He shrugged. "I don't know yet."

"But where do you think you are good or fond of?" He asked.

I always loved studying math ever since when I was in the nursery. I don't know why I like numbers, especially additions and substractions. When I went to elementary school, my passion did not stop, I enjoyed our lessons with the y-axis and x-axis. Until I was in high school, the passion is still there.

"In math."

"Maybe you will be an engineer or an accountant! That's so cool. I hope everyone is good at math." He said. "Ask me what I am good at." He insisted.

"No need to ask that, Dave."

"Why? You already know what I'm good at?"

I nodded. "Yes, in nonsense."

He snorted.

If there's a reason why Dave is forcing me to be close to him I would just let him. I don't want to be confused and find a reason to talk to him, or it is just normal for him to act like that to everyone.

He only studied here this school year, much to the surprise of many. Because people in the area know that almost all the rich or parents in government positions are sending their children abroad to study.

"Do you have any friends in this school, other than me?" I frowned at his question

I did not know that he's my friend, all I know was that I have only one friend in all my life and now she is far away from here.

I just shook my head. I did not answer his question. Shall I say I only have one and he will assume that he is my only friend? I also do not want to tell him that he is not my friend, because that is how he treats me.

When we arrived at the canteen I saw his cousin Alex, she was busy talking to her fellow students. Reason for her to be in the queue.

"Are you joining a club this year? In math club, because you're good at math." Said Dave.

"No, I'll work."

"Where? Resort?"

I nodded.

That is the usual job here in the province, sometimes raising animals or growing vegetables or even rice. Our place is close to the sea so there are also many beach resorts, some of the resorts hire staffs when summer is approaching because many people are on vacation, sometimes when there is a wedding or an event such as birthdays they will hire staffs, even if they're underage.

I also thought of working because I'm about to go to college, just a few years from now. Maybe what I can save now will be enough to finance college, last year I just helped mama in the market. But even if I just helped it was still tiring.

When I was at the counter I immediately saw that they are selling Maruya. That's what I bought right away because that's my favorite and that's what I've been buying before.

"What did you buy?" The man who I accompanied before entering the room asked me.

"Maruya."

He nodded at me and I was surprised that he bought the same. Dave also bought Maruya and even bought bottled water. I didn't buy bottled water anymore because I have that in my bag.

"Aren't you burdened by your bag?" Dave asked.

I noticed earlier that he's always asking me. I looked at him, he bites his lip when our eyes met. I saw his piercing on the tongue. I just noticed that now.

"I'm not burdened by my bag." My answer. "Why do you have..." I was stunned. I can't continue the question lest he says I'm meddling with his life.

"Why do I have?"

"Nothing."

"Why do I have nothing? Weird."

He never asked again. I let them walked first and I'm just behind them. I looked closely at Dave.

He has a tattoo on his neck and a piercing on his ear, you won't notice that he has a tattoo on his neck if you don't pay attention to it because of its small size, I frown because I know it's not allowed at school. It's good that the guard is still letting him in.

I even met Sirius, my classmate who always asked me to do all his school works, that was not the case for me because he pays a lot. Because he's rich so that explains it.

He just smiled at me and I just nodded, we didn't talk anymore. That's okay with a simple gesture and a smile, I don't want to talk to some people anymore.

"Who's that?" Dave asked, curious.

"Sirius." I answered while busy looking at my footsteps.

"Ah. Boyfriend?"

I was surprised by his question, I looked at him. One of his eyebrows rose and a smirk engulfed his lips. I just shook my head at his thought.

"No, just someone I know. Why?"

"Nothing." He answered simply, but I felt that that was meaningful.

The next day is Saturday I went with mama to sell at the market. At six o'clock in the morning, there were a lot of people. Other people just stop by at our store and ask about the price per kilo.

"Don't you have an assignment?" Mama asked, I shook my head. We are also with Jun, but he is at the other store here in the market. He's also with a child in the other store so he plays with him. We just let him go because I know he will just stay on one side and he's pretty close to our place.

I was busy removing the bangus bone, I turned around when I heard a noise as we were about to do something. I was surprised to see Tyra, carrying a lot of soap and clothes.

Tyra, my friend since I was a kid. She moved to Baguio when we went to high school. She calls me occasionally or comes here to Pangasinan to visit me.

"My bestfriend's so diligence!" She shouted causing me to wince. "Where's Jun!? Jun! Hey! Jun!" She called my brother.

Jun approached her, he hugged her. I didn't look at them because I'm still busy removing the bangus bone.

"Kiss your beautiful sister, kiss!" I heard her teasing Jun.

Tyra sat down and she started talking to mama about what she had done in the past few days. Mama just laughed while busy with the buyers and listening to Tyra's stories.

"Then my aunt, I have now a boyfriend!" She said, trembling.

"How many?" I answered.

"Probably one! Seriously, Joy. Do you think there are three?"

"I thought there were 10." I teased

"The hell?" She said and stared at me. I laughed.

She even told a story about her boyfriend that that is not true. She said it was just a crush, her crush had a girlfriend, so mama and I laughed. We are stalking him on Facebook so we know his name and appearance.

"Seriously Tyra, if you became a reporter, maybe you'll have a lot of libel cases."

"He's my boyfriend... in my dream."

I just shook my head at her nonsense and just distract myself with the buyers.

I looked at Dave on the other side of the market, I avoided looking and just took care of the buyer. Shouldn't their mansion assistant be the one buying in the market and not him?

"Someone handsome, Joy!" Tyra said, she's thrilled. I just ignored her.

"Your eyesight suddenly becomes clear when there is a handsome boy." I commented.

"Joy! He looked here!" She added, but I ignored her. "I think he's going here! He's coming here!"

I heard her shout, I was just shaking my head. I don't know why she likes handsome men. Eh, sometimes handsome men are just good in sight but not in life!

"I'll buy it all!" My forehead furrowed as Dave acted in our place, still smiling at me.

"Are you serious? You're gonna eat for a month.. a fish?" I asked in amazement as I looked at the fishes we sell.

"I'm not the only one who'll eat these. Some of my papa's assistants, and mama. You ah! You are too curious about my life." He joked.