“Cortes, Andrea.”

I immediately looked back to my professor. How annoying this morning can be, I already know what she was going to say. 

It’s been weeks and still, I haven’t seen or heard anything from your parents.” Miss Dantes said. 

I could only smile at her because there’s nothing I can do about it. If my parents won’t come, they won’t really come.

My parents were the only ones left with the notice and still, they haven’t made any time for me. Our College graduation is getting near and the admin needed to talk to them about me but they won’t make time for me. After Miss Dantes called me, she started discussing the new topic while I kept on thinking why my parents are like that. 

But instead of drowning myself in the question, I focused on the topic Miss Dantes was discussing on the front. 

I’m almost there, I’m about to graduate. I just have to suck this up and finally leave this chapter of my life and before Miss Dantes can call me again, I hurriedly drag Rachel out of the room.

“Andrea,” 

“Why?” I asked but Rachel didn’t respond anymore.

We went straight to the school park. Maria, our other friend is already there waiting for us. When we arrived and noticed us, she closed her book.

“Have you been waiting for so long?” I said and sat down beside her. I took out the lunch I prepared in the apartment because I don’t buy food at the cafeteria anymore, the last time I bought food there I ended up in the hospital and food poisoning was the findings.

She shook her head. “Not that long. Anyway, did Miss Dantes talk to you already? She was asking about your parents a while ago.” She said.

“Tsk. How many times have I told her that my parents won’t come, they don’t have time for these kinds of things.” 

“Well, she wouldn't understand since just the two of us, Maria and I, know your situation.” Rachel said.

I rolled my eyes at Rachel. 

“Just keep your mouth shut, I’m sure, she’ll get tired from asking, and eventually she’ll give up.” 

We continued on eating our lunch when my phone rang. 

“And the devil shall call,” Maria whispered. 

I chuckled a little, they both hate my boyfriend. Whenever they see or hear my boyfriend their blood boils.

I stood up and distanced myself from them.

“Love? Why are you calling?” I asked.

“Where are you?” He asked.

“I’m in the school park,” I said. “Do you need anything?”

“Are both of your friends there?” he said with annoyance. Their hatred for each other is mutual. The three of them can’t stand each other and sometimes I tend to lie for both of them since it’s for their own good.

“Yes,” I said.

He uttered curses which I can hear clearly. “Love, can you come over here?” He whispered. I felt my knees get weak as he says the word ‘love’

I took a deep breath. “Where are you?” I asked, then immediately packed my things once I got his answer. Maria and Rachel both looked at me but I ignored their stares.

“If I were you, Andrea, I would break up with him. You’re fucking beautiful and yet you allow yourself to be a secret girlfriend? Are you nuts?” Rachel said.

I just smiled at them and went to Calvin’s location. When I got there, he quickly leaned me against the wall. He kissed me right away before I couldn’t even say hi or hello. 

“Wait,” I said in between our kisses. He was holding my waist with one hand while the other was on the back of my blouse.

His forehead creased. “What?”

“Someone might see us,.” I said but just like before, Calvin ignored what I said.

I opened my mouth to let him in. I let him kiss me, touch me. 

What do I have to lose? Nothing, I already gave my everything to him.

I basically gave him the power to kill me.

But I love this guy even if sometimes I find our relationship hard because it’s a secret. I don’t care. One day, he’ll be proud of our relationship and everyone will know. When that happens, I’ll be the happiest girl alive.

I didn’t realize my leg was wrapped around his waist already. Both of our breathing was getting deeper. Our eyes filled with need and we both know only the other could satisfy this.

His hands went down on me. He smiled. “As always, always ready for me,” he said with a smirk on his face. 

I blushed. 

I don’t know why I am still being shy with him when it comes to these things. We’ve done this a few times already but I always felt different when he’s inside me. 

He got the foil from his pocket and rolled it onto him. He hooked my leg around his waist and in seconds, he’s inside me already.

“Fuck Fuck Fuck,” He repeatedly said while thrusting inside me. I was suddenly holding tight on his hair as I pressed my body even close to him.

He was thrusting so hard that I felt I wouldn't be able to walk properly after this.

“I fucking love you, love,” he said in between thrusts. Even if I wanted to answer, I couldn’t do it because I can’t seem to find the right words to utter. I was lost in the sensation I was feeling, I felt like I was drowning. 

I didn’t want it to stop.

And when I saw that look on his face, I came as well.

“So lunch?” he said as he cleaned me up.

We went straight to his car, heavily tired from what we just did. Calvin and I have been together for almost 3 years but no one still knows about our relationship. Except for my friends who don’t like Calvin. 

“Where do you want to eat?” He asked.

“I already ate,” I replied.

“But I made you tired,” He said with a grin. I hit him on his shoulders but he caught my hand. He put my hand on his mouth and kissed it. “Come on, love. Be a good girl and have lunch with me.”

This is the reason why even though I’m hurting I can never leave him. Even though I’m a secret, I still try to hold on and not let go because every pain is an exchange of happiness.

“Alright, but I have classes at 2:30. I need to be back at school.” I said and he kissed my hand again.

We went to a restaurant quite far from the city and school. We’re always like this, hiding for the reasons I don’t know.

“Do you have plans tomorrow?” I asked him. 

“I don’t know yet, why?”

“It’s my birthday tomorrow,”

He looked shocked. “Fuck, it slipped my mind. What do you want to do tomorrow?” He said.

I shook my head and answered. “Just be with me tomorrow, I’m happy with that.”

He smiled at me and said. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow,” he said and I held on to his promise.

We finished eating and went back to school immediately. When I got there, Miss Dantes immediately stopped me from walking.

“Cortes,” she said. “I really need to talk to your parents. It’s been weeks and still, I haven't got any response from them.” 

Because I was in such a good mood, I told her. “Alright, Miss Dantes. I’ll contact my parents and I’ll give you an update tomorrow.” I was walking back to our classroom. Classes are fast since the 2nd semester is almost about to end, there aren’t too many requirements yet so students are chill most of the time. 

After classes, I quickly went home to the townhouse that my parents bought for me. I’m the only one here. It’s okay because it’s not too big, not too small, just enough. I went to bed early because I wanted to be presentable tomorrow. I don’t want to have eye bags only for my birthday. 

Today, I want everything to be perfect.

Besides my birthday, it’s Calvin and I's anniversary. I went straight to our classroom, listen to all of the discussions. I wanted to make the time go faster, if there was a way, I’ll do it.

When the clock hit 5:30, I almost ran out of the classroom. I went straight to the school park because that’s where I’ll meet him. 

I texted Calvin, informing him I was in the place already. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. 

Minutes and hours passed, Calvin still hasn’t come.

I looked at the clock, it was 7:30 already but he was still nowhere in sight. I tried to call him but no one answered.

My tears started to fall, I’ve had enough suffering from this relationship. He never heard anything from me, I didn’t complain, I kept it all in me. 

Today is my birthday, all I asked was to be with him for today and yet he’s not here.

For once, I wanted to feel how love works when both of you are fighting for the relationship.