Who Is She?

Few miles before arriving at McKinley Hill Village, I woke up, rubbed my eyes and then looked around if we're close. It was raining hard, barely could see anything.

It only takes 18 minutes and we're still not there, it's either the taxi driver took another route or we're being kidnapped and I'd have to call the cops to track us down.

"Kody, are we there yet?" I asked in a raspy tone, "It's taking so long."

"We're near, I can feel it." Kody replied, "Do not worry, we're safe."

I laid back, waiting for us to arrive at our destination and I'm trusting Kody on this, if we get kidnapped and held for ransom, I'll be the one who'll beat him to death.

Amidst the heavy rain, I could see a guy who was sitting and waiting for someone under the waiting shed, right next to a lamp post.

For a second, I thought it was a robber, but then a robber always gives off an ominous vibe and they act weird, turned out it was a security guard.

That's when I knew we had arrived at our destination and I felt relieved, doubts about the taxi driver harbored my mind.

As soon as we draw nearer, the guard stood up and waited for us to make a turn, we stopped right in front of the guard and the gate leading to the village, then I rolled the window halfway, so the rain would not get in.

"Evening, who are you visiting?" the guard asked, "Can you lend me your I.D?"

I grabbed my wallet from the front pocket of my bag to grab my I.D, "Here is my I.D," I replied, "I'll be visiting Franco Garcia."

"Alright, he's not here, but his parents are." the guard stated, "Here's your I.D."

"Oh, where did he go?" I asked, as I reached my hand out to receive my I.D, "Who was he with?"

"He was with his friends," the guard replied.

I nodded, "Okay thank you for the info." I said as I rolled the window up.

The guard moved away and went back to the waiting shed, we then drove inside the village.

This village is still recruiting residents, most houses were still empty, some were having a party, some were already sound asleep.

There are 4 streets in this village, namely Phoenix, King's, Vulture, and Oakwell. There will be more streets added in the future.

The Garcias lives in Oakwell Street, they had been living in this street for more than 6 years, but before they settled in, we were the first ones to live here.

Father tried finding opportunities for the business, and decided to find it here in the Philippines, since he had no luck finding it in London.

So, father decided to move us out of London temporarily and settle in Philippines until he has obtained something helpful for his business.

The Garcias were in Singapore, since Franco needed to complete his short term memory loss treatment, which is cognitive therapy.

Franco had a head injury when he was 6 years old, it happened at a playground. He attempted to jump off the slide, and ended up landing his head first on the ground.

They took him to the nearest hospital, but the doctor gave their second opinion, which was to go to Singapore and visit Neo Cooper Psychology Clinic.

They sold everything they had, including their house within one day and flew directly to Singapore, they stayed in Singapore for half a year.

After completing Franco's treatment, they went home here in the Philippines, which was also the time wherein my father got the opportunity he wanted.

They asked my father if they could have the house that we stayed in and luckily father agreed.

The Garcias helped my father with all the necessary documents for the business in return for the house we offered.

That's a quick backstory of how my father's business grew and our relationship with the Garcias.

We arrives at Oakwell street, specifically in house no. 101.

"Stop right here." I said, as I gave the fare to the driver, "Thanks for the lift."

Kody and I left the taxi, then approached the taxi's trunk to grab our luggage.

"So, this is the house?" Kody asked, "Seems like nobody's home."

"Someone's home," I replied, "They usually stay up late especially if Franco isnt home."

"If you say so." He said.

We walked up the front porch, and knocked on their door. It took like 3 knocks until they opened up.

"Oh Ethan!" Aunt Audrey said, as she gave me a hug, "Glad you arrived."

"Sorry for coming home this late." I replied, as I smiled bashfully, "The taxi drove too slow."

"It's alright." She said, "Come on in."

We walked inside, as we followed her up the stairs, leading us to their guest room.

"You'll be staying here." Aunt Audrey said, "I hope it's enough for you."

"It is enough ma'am." Kody replied, "We can appreciate small things."

"Aww, how sweet of you." She said, "By the way, Franco's not here."

"Yes, the guard told me." I replied, "Where is he anyways?"

"Always at his baseball dorm." Aunt Audrey said, "He rarely comes home."

"Oh, are you okay with that?" I asked, glancing at her.

"It's his own decisions." She replied, "He'll have to deal with the consequences."

"Anyways, I got your room prepared for the both of you." She added, "You'll be leaving tomorrow right?"

"Yes, since we have our dorms." I replied, as I dragged my luggage to the corner, "We are suppose to go there now, but it's already late so we decided to go here."

"Anytime boys." She replied, "You should get some rest now, goodnight."

"Good night too." Kody and I said.

Aunt Audrey left us on our own, and started to prepare our beds and ourselves for sleep.

"I'll get inside the bathroom first to take a bath." Kody said, as he grabs his towel from his luggage.

"Sure whatever." I replied, "Get your stinky ass in there."

"You are one meanie." He said as he walks backwards toward the bathroom, squinting his eyes.

I shookt my head, "Go on stinky." I replied.

Right after Kody entered the bathroom, I walked over to the window, looking at one particular house.

That house reminded me of a girl that I met years ago, but I can't seem to remember her name nor what she looks like.

I ain't in love or anything, I'm really curious who she is or is she even alive or is she still living in that house.

I sat by the windowsill, looking at the house, trying to access my memory, but can't find anything related to the house. I still locked my eyes on it, until a lady peeked out of the window.

I hurriedly backed away from the window, before she thinks that I'm a crazy stalker of hers. I hope the rain blurred her vision, so that she couldn't recognize me.

I grabbed my guitar sitting in the corner and also my lyric book, then sat on my bed to go through my lyric book and check the song I didn't finish, instead of risking my identity to that house and to whoever that lady was.

The song I didn't finish was entitled "Inside Out", it's a song about the depression I went through for years and how it felt like when I was in that position, with no one to talk to.

It was composed 2 years ago, my depression was getting worse that I rarely go out of my room, I never talked to anyone in the house.

I really felt empty and hollow, for a moment I feel like I'm okay then after a while, I feel down and miserable. It's like a girl's mood swings but worse, it's like a battle between you and your demons.

Suicide was on my list, but I never gave it a try nor attempted to, cause I knew that the pain will go away and if I do that, the pain doesn't end, it just passes it someone else.

These sufferings will pass, Trust yourself. Trust the process. Where you are now is where you are supposed to be.

Things will get better, maybe not today or tomorrow. Maybe not in a month or even in a year, but keep your faith that one day they will.

Suicide is and will never be a way to solve all of your problems, it is you running away from your problems.

You are strong, full of wisdom and worth it. Self-love is the best love, you need to start believing that nothing is too good for you.

When you find someone who accepts the way you are, that's home.

Settle with someone who cares about your health, especially your mental health.

Never let someone tell you that you're not enough or worth it. You are and will always be. They're just not contented.

Them? Losing a diamond like you? What a tragedy.