“I am so happy for you, Megan, but why do you sound so sad? You must be happy now that he became your boyfriend. It would be best if you sounded enthusiastic about it. Does something happen again?” Alice said the moment I told her over the phone that I accepted Ashton as my boyfriend, and I can feel her excitement when she screamed, and I couldn’t contain my smile as I heard my best friend shrieked even if I can feel the pain in my heart as I remembered Dexter’s words.

I know I need to decide soon, but I want to be happy even for a while. I hated why Dex needs to tell me those discouraging words about Ashton’s dad, but I am glad he informed me about my mom’s sickness, and I felt so guilty that I didn’t know about it, and I felt hurt that they kept it a secret from me. And I told Alice everything.

“No way, I am sorry to hear that, Megan. As your best friend, I want you to be happy, but I know Dexter will never warn you if he didn’t mean it. He is a good brother to you and Ava, and I know how much he loves you, and maybe he was right, but you can ask Ashton to keep your relationship secret from his parents, but I am sure your mortal enemy, Lauren, will tell his parents about you and Ashton.” Alice declared, and I become more confused.

“One thing is I am sure about, and your boyfriend will be so proud to parade you in our school as his girlfriend since I can tell he is serious about you, Meg. And I think you will not be the only one who will get hurt in the end, Ashton will be affected too, but I love your idea. Please don’t break up with him yet. Enjoy the moment, and your brother does not need to know.” She added, and her last sentence made me laugh.

“I don’t know Alice, I know Dex has a point, I already suffered a lot from the cheerleaders, and I can’t imagine how his father will deal with me, and I don’t think his parents will approve someone like me,” I replied.

“Megan, don’t underestimate yourself. You don’t know you will become as successful as his father someday since no one knows what our future will be like,” Alice said, and I shook my head even if she can’t see me.

“Now, don’t worry too much, okay? I know you are still shocked about your mom’s illness, but Dex told you she is fine now. And I know you are worried about your parents’ debts, and I will give you half of my savings since your mom is like a mother to me.” Alice said.

“No, don’t do that, Alice.” I quickly said.

“Don’t be silly Meg, I am your best friend, and I am sure if I have a problem, you will be there for me too, so please, Meg, that is the least I can do for your mom.” She said, and I cried.

“Why are you crying?” Alice asked.

“I am not crying, Alice,” I replied.

“You can’t lie to me, Megan Corteza. I know you are crying right now.” She declared.

“I am just happy that you are my best friend, and I have you in my life; thank you so much, Alice,” I said as I wiped my tears away.

“Of course, I will always be here for you, and don’t worry, the moment you will see Ashton on Monday, all your sadness will be gone.” She said, and I smiled.

“But one more thing, Meg, the treatment of the cheerleaders will become worse, and you have to brace yourself. But I am sure Ashton will be there to protect you, and I am certain he will do anything for his girlfriend.” She said, and I agreed with my best friend.

“So, all you have to do is chill and relax and feel the moment, Megan. Enjoy what you have with your boyfriend right now because we are still young, and we need to enjoy our high school life, especially our senior year.” Alice continued, and I love my best friend for being supportive with my love life. The moment I heard the boyfriend word, it makes me feel something I can’t describe, and it still sounds foreign to me, but I know in due time I will be used to it, but I can’t deny I can feel the butterflies in my chest and stomach every time I remember Ashton is now my boyfriend.

“You need to sleep now.” She added.

“Okay, thank you again, Al,” I replied.

“Your welcome, Meg. See you tomorrow.” She responded.

“Yes, see you tomorrow too. Good night, Alice.” I said, and I ended the call after she said good night and goodbye.

I find it so hard to sleep because I was thinking about my relationship with Ashton and the words that my brother told me about Ashton’s family. 

The following morning, I got up from my bed and took a bath. I can feel the heaviness of my body because of my lack of sleep. But I need to get up because I have to prepare breakfast and go to work. No one is up yet, so I prepared everything before I left. And I don’t want to see my parents yet because I can’t stop myself from asking them why they keep everything a secret from me.

I am glad we finished our part-time job early in the morning, and I have some bonding time with Alice. We get to our favorite cafe not so far from our neighborhood, and we talked for a while, then we go on our separate ways to go home.

“No, Megan, you can’t give this to us, honey.” My mom said the moment I gave her my passbook with the withdrawal slip on it, and she was crying. I asked to talk with her while Ava is out with her friends, and my Dad and Dex were in the garage fixing our car.

“Mom, this is the least that I can do for all the sacrifices you made for us, and I felt upset that you didn’t tell me about your sickness. What if you died? I will live my life full of regrets that I didn’t help you. I love you, mom.” declared.

“I love you too, Meg. That is why I can’t take your savings. I am sorry if I need to keep it a secret from you. It would be best if you didn’t get worried about me that time Megan, I know how much your scholarship means to you. Don’t worry, honey, everything will be alright, and I want to thank you for never complaining about going to your school without a car. You have to commute every day.” She said, and I smiled at her.

“Mom, don’t worry about it; what is important is I know how to drive just in case you need me to drive you. I am used to it, mom. Besides, riding the bus is much cheaper than maintaining a car. Look at now, dad is having trouble, and I am just glad he is a kind of a mechanic.” I said, and my mother laughed, and I felt so happy that she is okay now. She didn’t accept my savings, but I asked her to pay the bills from now on, and I felt so glad she got my offer.

“I am so lucky to have you as my daughter, Meg, and I am sorry that I couldn’t provide you with everything that you need.” She said, and I shook my head.

“Me too, mom. I felt so grateful that you are my mom, and don’t apologize, mom. You provide us a roof on our heads, food, and clothing, and you tried your best to send us to school. For that, I am so grateful,” I said, and she cried harder, and I hugged my mom, and I caressed her back.

“So, can you tell me, who is your boyfriend? Ava said you are now dating the most popular guy in school. Is that true, Megan?” Mom asked after wiping her tears away, and she looked at me with tenderness, and I blushed.

“Oh, so my girl is in love.” She added, and I am afraid to tell mom about it since I don’t want to hear another warning from her, but I know I need to share it with her.

“Can you at least tell me his name, my dear?” She softly asked.

“His name is Ashton, mom,” I replied.

“Wow, I can tell by his name that he is hot, and he must be so handsome. I know I can trust you, Meg. I am happy for you, my dear.” Mom said, and I smiled at her. I helped my mother prepared our dinner.

“Megan, your brother stopped his studies so he can start working as full-time maintenance staff at the hotel at the city center. At first, I beg him not to give up his studies, but I can sense something happened to him, and I know he tried to keep it to himself. I am grateful for the sacrifices that he made, but I think something is going on with your brother. Do you have any idea if he has a girlfriend?” My mom asked me, and I am shocked, and it dawned on me. I can see it in his beautiful eyes, my brother is hurting, and I wonder who broke his heart.

And I felt terrible again that I couldn’t help my parents, especially since Dex gave up his dream to help our family.. Still, I am glad my brother is a responsible son, and I admired Dexter, and I suddenly felt guilty that I will be disobeying his request because I can’t just let go of Ashton just yet, and I know it would be a tough decision breaking up with him.