Kriiing~ Kriiing~ Kriiing~

I got irritated at the alarm's sound so I reached for it and turned it off. I covered my ears with pillow. I didn't get up yet because I'm still sleepy. I slept late last night so I needed more sleep.

Kriiing~ Kriiing~ Kriiing~

"Argh! Shut up!" I irritatedly shouted.

It felt like I doesn't have a choice so I finally decided to get up. I turned it off once again. I looked at the window. There I saw, that sun’s shine was already penetrating in my room's window. I glanced at the clock.

6:15 am

I decided to get up before I will get tempted to go back to sleep and skip my first day at school. I went to my closet and got my uniform, towel and undergarments. I needed to take shower first. After I made sure that everything was complete, I sleepily walked to my room's bathroom and took a bath.

I could almost froze to death due to the water's coldness but I endured it in order for me to totally wake up from my sleepy state. The coldness was like my sister's conversation with her boyfriend. It's freezing.

After I took a bath. I blow dried my hair and combed it. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my overall reflection.

I am Dusty Day Lopez. A sixteen- year- old, grade 10 student. I smiled on my self's reflection. I am not bragging but I have a foreign features and a lot were saying that it's my best asset. But for me, it wasn’t. I may be beautiful but for me, what matters the most was the inner beauty. The character and attitude. The quality that cannot be seen by naked eye. Intelligence and manner. It's not just about having a beautiful and pretty face. It is about being gorgeous, inside and out.

After I combed my hair, I cheerfully went down to eat breakfast.

"Good mooorning, Mooom!" I happily greeted my mother when I saw her arranging the tables and preparing our breakfast in the dining area.

"Oh dear, you're awake! I thought you forgot that today is the first day of your class. I went to your room earlier and saw you still sleeping and drooling on your pillows, yuck!" She greeted and teased me after.

I went to her and jokingly punched her arm. "Mom! I said I'm an adult now! You don't need to check on me everytime. I could already wake up on my own! See? I'm ready early!" I pouted.

She laughed and pinched my cheeks. Aww. It hurts. I pouted more because my cheeks turned red.

"No matter what, you're still my baby. I just wanted to treat you the best because you're our only child left in here!" She defensively said.

"Whatever, mom! Oh, by the way, where's dad? He isn't awake yet?" I asked.

"Why? You missed me, dear?"

"Dad!"

My face lightened upon hearing his voice as he walked to our direction. I ran to him and hugged him tight.

"Good morning!" I greeted while smiling widely.

He touched my hear and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Goodmorning, my dear."

"Okay, that's enough! You both eat your breakfast now or else you will be late."

Me and dad both nodded when mom called us. We settled ourselves and then prayed before started eating. We talked and laughed while we are enjoying the starting meal of our day. I am giggling everytime mom and dad teased each other. They looked like a fresh couple to my eyes. Time passed by but their sweetness and love to each other remains. Their love story is my ideal love story. I wanted to have a husband like dad. He's such a responsible man. A loving father and husband, a strong foundation of our home and family, he got the qualities I wanted my soon- to- be- husband to have.

Their love story is my inspiration as well as motivation to be always at my best state. I wanted them both to be always proud of me. That's why I'm very active in school. To be honest, I'm the top student in our class for the last 9 years. A lot were saying that they are proud of me. But the reason behind to all my success was these persons in front of me. They are the reason why I always aim to be the best. To win every battles in life. I am their only daughter left who’s still studying so I am willingly obliged to give them the future, they wanted me to have.

"Duday? What's wrong? Are the foods doesn’t taste good?"

I suddenly went back to reality. I blinked multiple times after hearing mom's worried voice. I didn't realize that I was drowned by my thoughts. I saw the worries on mom and dad's faces while waiting for my answer.

"Are you not feeling well, hija?" Dad asked. Worries was written all over his face.

I shook my head and gave them an assuring smile. "I’m fine, dad." I replied.

Mom bowed her head and continued eating. Maybe she felt sad and thought that I don't like the food she prepared so in order to console her, I reached her hand and cutely smile while looking at her.

"Mom? Please, don't be sad. I really love the foods. You cooked it and everything you prepared are the best! Come on, I love you, mom." I assured her.

Her face lightened and she smiled right after. I sighed. I suddenly felt relief after knowing that she maybe misunderstood my behavior earlier.

We continued our breakfast and I'm happy that the light atmosphere came back. After we ate, dad and I bid goodbye to mom.

"Duday? You wanted to go with me? I can drop you off to your school since it's also on my way to office." Dad offered.

I just shook my head. "It's okay, dad. No need for that. Boboy and I will go to school together." I declined.

He nodded.

"Duday!"

Speaking of the jerk.

"Yow, what's up?" I greeted and grinned.

"What kind of greeting is that!? It must be... 'Hi, handsome man! Goodmorning!" He said then make a sign as if he's feeling handsome himself.

"Hey! Stop that! It doesn't suits you! You look like a puffy bulldog!" I teased and laughed.

"What did you say!?" He angrily shouted and before he could even come to me, dad blocked his way.

"Oww, know your place little boy. No one can hurt my princess and I won't let you." Dad warned.

I secretly laughs because Boboy looked like a lost puppy now. He just awkwardly smiled to my dad and gave a peace sign.

"U- uncle... g- good morning. I didn't see you hehe."

"Good morning, too. So? I'll go now." Dad said and kissed my forehead then turned to Boboy. "You." Boboy stood up straight like a soldier listening to his superior's command. I laughed again. "Take care of my daughter, okay? I'll leave you the responsibilty now." He said then tapped Boboy's shoulder.

"Yes, sir!" He strongly answered then gave salute to my dad.

"Good boy." Dad's last word before he headed to his car and drove away.

Boboy and I followed his car's visual until it vanished on our sights. I heard him released a deep sigh. I turned around and saw him, tapping his chest while he's breathing heavily.

My forehead creased. Is he that nervous?

I went to him and punched his arm. "Hey, chill! He won't eat you!" I laughed.

"I've never been used to his presence until now. He still got this frightening aura. We've been friends for years now but I’m still scared to your dad, Bud." He confessed.

I laughed once again. His face frowned and turned into a bitter expression.

"You seemed enjoying it much, huh?" He sarcastically commented.

I chose not to answer. I just shrugged and worn the helmet he offered. It's first day of school year so we better hurry if we don't want to get scolded by our teachers on the very first day of class. After he wore his helmet, he started the engine of his motorcycle and I hopped in. It's our usual routine especially when we're out to travel or to go to our desired places. We'll ride on his motorcycle together. It's in favor to me because I could save money a lot. Instead of paying for jeepney fairs, I'll just save it for myself.

But of course, because I have a jerk buddy, the ride isn't always free. I am giving for gasoline expenses because he kept on telling me that I can't ride unless I have shared expenses.

"Nothing is free in this world so share if you want to share transportation too."

So great right? Note the sarcasm please.

He manneuvered the motorcycle and I almost screamed for my precious life! Damn him! I am now cursing him 'til death! I knew it! He will surely took revenge at me!

I heard him laughed like he seemed enjoying my misery! Damn you, Von Gregory Terrancia!

I accidentally hugged him and the hell I care! It's my life at risk so I didn’t mind hugging him from behind now! Afterall... it felt nice. It felt like I'm safe. So I tightened my grip and rested my head on his back.