First day of school today so Manang woke me up early. Yes, Manang woke me up, not my mom.

They are always not here mommy. They are always busy with their work. It was as if they were just young men and women. At least one of the places they go they don’t take me with them.

Not because I don't want to or because I'm acting. They really don't want to. Daddy told me the reason but I was not satisfied with what he said.

- flashback -

Year 2018

"Daddy?" I called daddy who was typing on his laptop.

"Yes baby" daddy replied without looking at me. He didn't even look back. I just sighed and leaned back on the sofa.

"My birthday is coming" I said smiling. It was there that he turned to me with a frown.

"My birthday is coming" I smiled again. I heard him sigh.

"Your mommy and I are going somewhere for your birthday" said daddy and leaned back on the sofa.

But his eyes were still on the laptop. I did not speak. I just frowned.

"I'm sorry" Daddy turned to me. But I could see nothing in his eyes that he was apologizing.

Pain

"I'm just with you Mommy" I said smiling again. Daddy nodded. So I ran and sat down next to him.

"Please daddy" I muttered. I even put my head on his shoulder.

"It's private so it's not allowed, it's not allowed to have a child there" he left while brushing my hair.

"Please daddy" I still pleaded.

"No, Claire when I said I said understood?" I just nodded because I couldn't do anything.

"I'm going up" he nodded at me so I was upset to go up.

You always leave me here.

- End of flashback -

"Claire, are you awake yet?" Manang's voice.

"Yes" I replied.

"Take a bath and get off"

"All right"

Of all the people in this house, I only respect Manang and Manong. I'm also not used to seeing or talking to them mommy. I moved away from them.

Yes, they always put money on my card, but I only use it once. Even though my friends and I are together, I only spend a little.

I made my bed because I don't ask Manang to make it. I’m a teenager so I should be the one moving for me.

We have three housemates but only Manang is close to me. The other one is a cook. The other one is a cleaner. Manang has taken care of me since I was a child. So I became closer to him.

My two housemates were kind, I even talked to them once. But Manang is like my second mommy too.

Because he is the one I lean on for the problem. That must be mommy but she's not always by my side.

I took a shower and put on my uniform. I just put on a little make up and liptint. I went downstairs and greeted them all ‘good morning’.

I sat down and grabbed a hotdog and tocino. That's all I usually eat.

"Manang choco na gatas ko po" I shouted.

"Wait I'm still doing" he shouted so I didn't answer him.

Just a few minutes later he put the choco milk next to me. Choco milk is my favorite drink every morning.

Not just in the morning, but hourly by minute and day by day.

Choco milk is lifeeEeeee ~~~~

"Thank you po" he just nodded at me and left. I hastened to eat and drank the choco milk.

"Man, I'm done, I'm leaving" I shouted as I hung the bag behind me.

"Oh go ahead be careful ha" I nodded at him and left.

I approached Manong and greeted him with 'good morning'. Manong and Manang are married. They also take care of daddy. So they take care of me too.

"Good morning sister" Manong replied. I hugged him. He opened the door to the passenger seat so I entered.

"Let's go?" I asked him again. When he got into the car. We have only been at school for a few hours.

"Bye" I said and went downstairs. I no longer waited for him to speak. I walked over and went inside the school.

Some side with me because they already know me. I had a fight here but didn't report it to Dean.

Of course so they don't scold me mommy, duh. When he complained, of course he was the one to be kicked out, not me.

I am polite to those who are older than me especially when at home. I don't know, why here at school my behavior is different. I fight when I'm upset or angry.

WHAT THE HECK, CLAIRE?!

"Claire" I heard my name shout so I looked at it. Pinky Cortez, my bestfriend.

"Oh Pinky" I said her name. He hugged me. I hugged him too. For fair tea.

"You know" cheerfully chopping at what he said.

"Probably not yet, did you say that? Duh" I muttered.

"Duh too" he said calmly.

"What is it?" weighing I said.

"Claudette, Alexa, You and I will be in the same class" he said.

"One more blow, it will hit you in the face" when I snarled. He rolled his big eyes and put his hand behind my back and rolled his back behind me.

Is my friend crazy? Mental hospital where are you?

"What the heck are you doing?" I'm irritated by the word.

"Looks like you have" raised eyebrows he said. Does it say?

"Which one is it?" confused I asked.

"Nice but slow" the animal laughed.

"I don't care, Pinky!" I tormented him.

"I don't care, Claire!" gaga also struggled.

"Where are they now?" I change the topic.

"There" he pointed to the side. They waved.

We are four friends. Claudette Garcia, Pinky Cortez, Alexa Gray and of course me.

The four of us are single now because we don't have a trip with our boyfriend. There are flirting and there are liking cases we don't type.

They look like fools. Mostly children. We don't want to be child abuse, duh.

My cellphone vibrated so I took it out of my pocket. I looked at who mommy was.

"Yes?" I opened the answer.

"Where are you?" he asked. It looks serious because of the tone of voice. I don't see or talk to them anymore. 5 months already, as I do of course.

Say hello to me if I'm okay. If I ever ate. If I am happy. If I ever miss them. At least one of them didn't ask me anything.

I have a brother, his name is Clark Smith. He is the most favorite of all. Because hardworking, handsome, kind, polite, respectful and fun to talk to.

Me? Of course not. I was just like wind with them. I don't look like a child.

My older brother lives with my grandmother, my mom's mother. They are in Muntinlupa. Of all grandma's grandchildren, older brother is her favorite.

Every time we have a family reunion, grandma always has a gift for older brother. Almost everyone receives a lot from grandma during family reunions, birthdays, Christmas and New Year.

I'm not jealous or envious of my older brother because when he has one, he gives it to me. He is not stingy when it comes to me. So for me, he is the best brother.

If I am born again? He is the one I want to be a brother again. I'm lucky with my brother, will I still be released?

"School, why?" I asked in bored tone.

"Just asking ... Go ahead, study well" he said. I did not answer him. I would have lowered him when he spoke again.

"I love you, Claire .... I miss you so much, baby" she said. I did not answer and was killed immediately.

"Who's that?" Pinky asked. I still have it.

"Just mommy" I replied.