DELICATE: Our Juvenile Years

Chapter One

Prologue:

Have you ever looked into someone and wondered why they are the way they are?

Are they born like that?

How are they raised?

Do their parents know they act this way?

We all have this question because we know everyone has a story. But we don't have all the time to learn all of it, or we just don't bother finding out the answers.

They say, "Family molds you to the person that you are."

I don't believe that.

But maybe it's because growing up, I don't really have anyone I consider my family.

Growing up, all I have to lean on was myself so I've always thought that I can handle things on my own.

However, I stand to be corrected.

I met the people who genuinely cared for me and made me not hate the idea of living but was that enough for me to go on with my life?

In my head, living is much more scarier than death.

But will they be enough for me to stay?

Will I finally find somewhere I really belong?

Chapter 1:

A New Seed of Beginning

Jewel Reina's POV:

It was dark and cold as I run outside our house still wearing my school uniform. My sight was a blur from the tears that were streaming down my face. I've had enough.

What is the use of having a voice when it can't be heard since no one even bother to listen?

They're just doing that for your own good. Keep it in. Tolerate it. Sharing won't hurt. It's your fault for talking back. Respect them. They're older than you. It will be fine— that's what my parents always say.

But they never knew what really was happening inside that horrid place they call their home. How would they know? They're never home and even if they are, the people who lived there knew how to act differently. They also never believed in me, anyway. I'm just a kid who creates troubles which happened to be their child.

I'm their child and that was our house but I could never call it home. Not like that.

As look around, still filled with pain and distress, I found myself on a bridge. With my feelings bottled up, I yelled on the top of my lungs. "I don't want to be here! I never wanted to be here! When will you ever listen!"

My voice broke together with every piece of my sanity.

Suddenly, my attention was diverted to my phone which is currently ringing. It's my mom. I wonder what my aunt told her this time.

"Mom—"

[Where the hell are you? And why on Earth did you talk back to your aunt again? We already talked about that Jewel! You should respect her! She raised you like her own child because we can't and this is how you repay her? By disrespecting her? You're such a pain!]

"But I didn't do anything! All I said was I don't have any cash with me right now! Daniel was borrowing money again although I know he wouldn't pay for it any—"

[Watch your tone with me! It wasn't your money to start with! I worked for that money and you don't have any rights to be selfish with it! Learn to share! I don't know how you grew up to be like that! You only think about yourself! You love no one but yourself!]

"You never loved me too anyway."

And I didn't bother listening to the rest of it as I threw my phone into the river below the bridge. I watch it as it fell down. Throwing my phone wouldn't be the end of this... I would still need to face my aunt and cousins when I go back.

Before I knew it, I was standing on top of the concrete fence while looking down on the river below contemplating on what to do next.

"I don't want to go back..." I whispered to myself with no emotions present at all.

I took a step and all I know was the river was freezing cold.

What are the odds... dying on my birthday...

Third Person's POV:

It was almost a month since the start of a new school year started. Only a week from now would the 1st monthly exam would take place and the students at Rozu University are preparing pretty well for it.

Rozu University ranks 2nd in the whole country for top university. Aside from tertiary education, the university's secondary education is known to be the top prestige high school in the country. Having 3 sections per grade level; differentiated by the gold, silver, and bronze (1st-3rd/A-C) name plates, and different badges for grade 10, 11, and 12 (Class 1-3/freshmen, junior, senior).

At Class 2-A...

"Class, let's all settle down. I have a few announcement to make." the homeroom teacher said.

They all look at her with their full attention.

"You will have a new classmate starting today. Be nice to her and make her feel welcomed, okay?" She said and the gossips inside the room started.

While they are gossiping, a new female student walk in. She stood in front and introduced herself, "I'm Jewel Reina Tuazon. Let's get along together." She smiled brightly at them.

The students cheered and clapped to welcome her.

"You can take that seat." The teacher said and pointed at a vacant desk.

She obliged and settled herself. Jewel looked at her seatmate and saw a pretty porcelain doll-looking student beside her. She's smiling sweetly and offered her hand.

"I'm Gwyneth Mae Espinosa, let's be friends." She said.

Jewel shook her hand and the both of them turned their attention back to their teacher.

"Our first monthly exam is just around the corner. Remember that I asked you to group yourselves in 5 for your permanent group in my subjects and for your study group, right? I know the numbers didn't add up exactly so, raise your hand if you still don't have a group." the teacher said.

Jewel, of course, raised her hand, her seatmate, Gwyneth did too, and a girl in front with her hair in a ponytail, also did.

"We're missing one... Is anyone absent right now?" the teacher asked.

On that note, the back door of the classroom opened. A guy, wearing a crumpled uniform and messy hair, entered.

"Mr. Hernandez, how many times have I told you to stop being late?" the teacher scolded him.

"Sorry." he replied and sat down on his seat.

"So, the four of you, Ms. Cortez, Ms. Espinosa, Ms. Tuazon, and Mr. Hernandez, will be a group. That would be all for today's assembly. Use your free time to study for the upcoming exam. Have a great day." the teacher said before leaving the classroom.

—after class

The four gathered in the classroom before going their separate ways yet it was so awkward and quite because no one wanted to speak at all.

Gwyneth sighed. "If we're not gonna do anything, I'll go to my theater practice, okay?" She said as she gathers her stuff.

"I prefer studying alone so..." the other girl wearing a glasses and hair in a ponytail, which is named Chloe Alyssa Cortez based on her name plate, said.

The two girls left the room without any more words.

On the other hand, the guy stayed there staring intently at Jewel.

"It's you." the guy said while pointing at her.

Confused, Jewel asked. "Excuse me? Have we met?"

"No." the guy said while shaking his head. "I did saw you once before but I don't think you saw me. I'm Francis Ashton Hernandez." he added

"Jewel Reina Tuazon. Aren't you gonna leave because you have something going on too?"

"I do have a swimming practice in half an hour. See you tomorrow then." Francis said as he picked up his bag and walked out of the room.

Alone inside the classroom, Jewel let out a loud sigh. She put on her bag and walked out of the room but to her surprise, Francis was standing there looking like he was waiting for her.

"Let's celebrate your first day. It must be tiring for you to navigate this new world alone." Francis smiled at her.

Jewel shook her head as a no. "There's nothing to be celebrated anyway." she said.

"There is... —to new beginnings. C'mon." Francis said and pulled Jewel by her hair. "I rarely treat people nice. I'll even treat you to eat. DO you know how big of an honor this is." He chuckled still holding on to her hair.

Jewel was taken aback and was perplex about what's happening but she followed him so that he won't have to pull her hair and was just holding onto it. She did understand that he was being nice but she didn't know why it's weird.

"Why the heck is he holding my hair? Are guys usually this weird?" Jewel asked herself.

It didn't last a long time since they entered a restaurant just a few minutes walk from the university. Francis let go of her as soon as they are in front of the restaurant.

"Order anything you like." Francis said.

"I'm fine with anything, you order." Jewel replied.

Francis hesitated. Anything doesn't really mean anything, right? or at least that's what he knows. He thinks girls' mind are much more complex with the meaning of the word anything specially when it comes to foods. But he still ordered food he likes and waited for it.

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