Chapter 1

Carly

LIFE IS INDEED PRECIOUS. I am the only girl who has just made myself a little bit dramatic on some sort. I know many would ask what's wrong with me? Well, nothing is wrong. I may have a good circle of friends and a boyfriend in my first year in college. Well, that's the typical Carly they know. A girl made to the Cebu Doctors University, known for having the best students in the medical field. Ever since we all graduated high school, we went separate ways in our chosen field of study. People think I'm the luckiest girl.

In my circle of friends, I was the only one who chose the medical field. My friends choose different courses than mine. Shin went to Cebu Technological University and took up Literature. Myrtle went to Cebu Normal University along with Raiko. She took up Psychology while Raiko was in the Civil Engineering field. My boyfriend, Francis, is with me and has the same degree as Raiko. Everything feels so wonderful and bright. I hope nothing changes.

"Have you woken up already?" My mom asked me one morning. I forgot we have classes on Biology today.

I started to get up from the bed and smiled at her, "Thanks mom!"

"I know you can't wake up at this early. Go on and get yourself ready."

There are many things I can thank, and one of them is my mom. She's a single mother and raised me on her own. I saw her struggles in raising me when I was a kid, and I respected her for that. I met my father, but we never asked for him because he has a family.

I finished my morning rituals and went to see my mom cooking. She is just working from home now to take care of me. Who would have thought that her clothing business would make her successful today? I always believed she could do it and now she's the best, not just here in the city but also in the whole country.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked her as I sat on my spot.

"Well your favorite eggs and bacon. I don't want my future nurse to be hungry."

"Thanks, mom!" I said, then ate the breakfast she prepared for me.

I finished my breakfast like how it should be. I bid goodbye to my mom and went outside. I was about to leave and call for a tricycle when a car stopped in front of me. It's Francis, my only boyfriend. He always comes by to fetch me in the morning, and Raiko will hitch a ride with him too. But now, there is no sign of his annoying cousin.

I went inside his car, and when I fastened my seat belt, I pecked a kiss on his cheeks. "Good morning, babe!"

He smiled at that gesture, "Good morning too, babe. Let me take you to your school now."

"Where's Raiko?"

"He said he'll commute. He went early and never said a word."

"Maybe it was Kiara? You know she's sick, right?" I asked worriedly. I met Raiko's first love, and we became good friends. She is currently sick, but I never expected her to be in the hospital for many months now.

"I'll tell you when he says something. That cousin of mine keeps his mouth shut for so many reasons."

I just nodded about what he said and started to read my book. But what makes me sad is that Raiko has this habit of keeping secrets from us. He doesn't want to bother us, but it depresses him more.

We arrived at my school, and Francis bid goodbyes with me. I entered my classroom, sat on my usual spot, and continued reading. Being a nursing student is hard, and some students here stopped for many reasons.

Others stopped because of money. They can't afford the travel and laboratory expenses. Some went with their lovers to marry, and others were like my mom and got pregnant without a father. It may be hard for them, but seeing them smile at me when we meet in a mall or park with their kid, makes me smile at them back. They may not have finished their degree because they still smile and goes on with life.

"Carly, someone is at the door looking for you." My block mate, Clarissa, said while pointing to the guy in our classroom door.

I went there and asked him. "What do you want Mr. Rhyss Jade Andersen?"

"Shin is mad at me." And now he's having a problem again with my friend who is obsessed with books. I can't believe how he makes up everything just to impress my friend while pushing him away for another friend.

"You know she can't choose you, right? She's stuck between you and our best friend. Did you confess to her or tell Myrtle about it?" I accidentally found out that Rhyss was head over heels on Shin ever since grade school. He's just bullied Shin, and he's been doing a lot of ways to make Shin know his intentions on her.

"I know and yeah, I may be the best in our class now but I can't be best in pursuing her when Myrtle is on the way."

"Make sure to tell Myrtle yourself, okay?"

He just nodded and left. When I returned to my seat, everyone was gossiping about why I was with Rhyss. He's known for being the best in their class and a student leader. They just didn't think he's focused on one person, even if he's a six-year-old kid.

Biology went full-on. It took our whole hours for our morning class, and I felt hungry so suddenly. I was about to check my books when someone called. And it's Raiko.

I answered it. "Hey! How are you? And Kiara? Is she getting better?"

He sighed on the other line. "Can we meet after school? In Starbucks."

"Okay sure. No problem"

He thanked me and hung up. Whatever is on his mind right now, I don't know. I texted my boyfriend that I'd be going home early so that he would not wait. Our classes ended at 3pm, and I went to the nearest Starbucks.

I saw Raiko there, but something was wrong with him. He has puffy eyes and just stared at nowhere. I went to him and smiled.

"Hey! Something wrong?" I asked him as I seated beside him.

He sighed. "Kiara is getting worse."

And he told me the news about Kiara. She was diagnosed with cancer on the bone and has a few months to live. "I can't take it, Carl. I.... can't."

I hugged him, and he started weeping. "Everything's gonna be fine. Kiara will be fine, okay?"

In the Starbucks shop, I hugged my boy best friend while crying about the sad fate he had with his love. Instead of enjoying the coffee and calming ambiance of the shop, I hugged him while shedding tears. It hurts me too, so much.....