CHAPTER FOUR- MY DAY

JOANABE POV

**KNOCK**KNOCK**

"Happy sixteenth birthday Joanabe! Make a wish!" Said Cheryl, standing in front of our door while holding a white chocolate cake and of course with a note wishing happy birthday to me.

Is it really supposed to be happy for me?

Funny it is, it's exactly the same after 5 years.

~Five years earlier

**KNOCK**KNOCK**

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOANABE! MAKE A WISH!" Cheryl said happily as I open the door for her wondering if it was my dad. Sadly, it was my friend that's so excited about celebrating my birthday.

"Cher, you know my birthday is next week," I said to her sadly, I do not want to kill her joy but I just want to remind her that it is not yet my birthday.

*MY BIRTHDAY IS THE DAY I SHOULD BE CELEBRATING ABOUT, IT IS THE DAY WHEN THIS TRASH WAS BORN."*

~~~~Present

Sigh...

"Joanabe? What's with your deep thoughts?"

"Hey, Joanabe, blow your cake before flies can eat this cake." Cheryl pouted. She is being impatient.

"Cheryl.."

"Cheryl my birthday is next week, it is not supposed to be celebrated. Blah! Blah! With you excuse Joanabe." She continued before I could even say those words to her. I stiffen in my position.

I chuckle to her.

She wonders into my face.

"Let me in, Jaonabe! Are you just going to stand there?" Cheryl shove me away to get inside in our house, my eyes snob at her.

"Welcome, Cheryl!" My mom greeted her while Cheryl is busy putting the cake on the table.

"Hello, Mrs. Chevrolet. I am here to celebrate Joanabe's birthday!" She said happily, good for her. I mean, how am I suppose to feel?

My mom smile at me.

"Happy birthday Joanabe."

I am astonished. I couldn't seem to react to her words then again mom made me feel at ease.

"Let's eat up the cake." My mom said. She moves around in the kitchen preparing the table for us.

"Let me help, Mrs. Chevrolet," Cheryl said, running into the kitchen to help mom.

"Don't help us Joanabe, let us be. It's your day!" I rolled my eyes when Cheryl said that to me.

"Mom! I have something to get in my room." I told them while they are still busy in the kitchen.

I headed to my room and open the drawer of my table.

The mint green handkerchief greeted me first, I smiled as I get it out of my drawer.

I hold onto it tighter and place it in my chest.

*IT IS BEEN FIVE YEARS BILLY. WHEN WILL I MEET YOU AGAIN?*

Fate only knows about this.

I am certain that I will meet him again.

Is he still the same? Does he remember me? Is he the person I know who gave me warmth aside from my mother and friend Cheryl?

There are so many questions running into my mind. I look forward to seeing the person who treats me kindly which makes me feel important.

I sigh heavily to ease my heart inside my chest that's pounding loud for my thoughts with him.

I'm missing him--

I miss Billy.

Those ocean blue eyes make me drown in his emotions, not to the ocean.

I folded the handkerchief neatly, I've been handling it with care because I care for the person who gave it to me. I smiled at my thoughts on my head.

My hand closed the door in my room and--

GASP!

"Hey, let's go together to the dining area." Cheryl's surprise me of her sudden appearance after I closed the door of my room.

"Don't scare me, Cheryl." I glared at her.

"Woah! Calm down! I didn't mean to scare you or something." Cheryl said in defense, raising both of her hands in the air, surrendering.

I pinch her armpit.

"Ouch! What was that for?" She charges towards me and I dodge her, we ended up laughing and running to the dining area.

After eating the delicious foods that Mom and Cheryl prepared for me.

I feel grateful for them standing beside me after all these years.

"Cheryl, do you want to stay the night?" I offered Cheryl if she could sleepover, but she smiles at me sadly. Her parents probably won't allow her.

"I-i understand," I said to her lowly.

"Thank you Joanabe. I had fun." Cheryl pull me into an embrace, and she patted my back as usual.

"Take care, go home safe," I said to her, letting her go.

"I will." She smiled at me assuring that she will return to her home safe.

I watched Cheryl walked away from our home as her shadows fade in the darkness and her footsteps on the ground.

*WHAT A DAY!*

My time in school is okay nothing seems crazy to happen.

I joined the music club and it actually helps me a lot of building my confidence because of their recital every school year.

The usual I invited my mom and Cheryl to our recital this year.

I know my mom sent an invitation to my dad secretly. Hoping that he will attend one of my recitals but sadly he hasn't shown up.

*CREAK*

I headed to my mom's room, she's fast asleep. She must be tired of working for the whole day. I pull her blanket and wrap it silently to her and kiss her forehead wishing to her a goodnight sleep.

"Good night Mom." I exited to her room and silently closing the door.

Walking in my room is one of the best things to do in a day. That means I can finally take my time alone-- for myself.

Entering my room is also entering in my comfort zone. I look in the mirror beside the door.

*YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED A LOT EVER SINCE THAT DAY JOANABE EXCEPT FOR YOUR HEIGHT*

My height is really tall for any girls of my age. Imagine being a five and seven inches tall girl. I can't imagine that it is not a bad thing in my genes. Guess, I won a height gene lottery.

Next week is my recital. I haven't thought of any songs to sing or to perform.

It's not that I am nervous, but I am anxious maybe? Isn't that the same thing!

Ugh! I groaned.

I scratch my scalp.

What am I thinking about the same thing?

What should I do?

Will dad finally show up this year?

Or maybe not.

I jumped in my bed and face the ceiling above me. It's dull, like me.

Sigh...

Dear me, how unlucky to be Joanabe.

Little did I know, I closed my eyes to drift to sleep.

*Joanabe! It's been a while since the last time I saw you.* A man standing in the fog said that to me calling me, luring me to take his extended hand to me.

I watch him from afar.

Despite being a silhouette, his eyes shine like the moon meets the ocean tides.

He reminds me of someone but I can't tell. His deep voice sounds so intriguing. It sounds so sad?

Is he seeking my comfort?

Is he dad?

*Joanabe! Come here! Joenabell!* He screamed at me while he slowly fades away along with the fog but his hands reach my face that covers my sight. It is darkness all in me.

UWAH!

I scream it was a dream. I am panting and sweating hard. My palm shivers-- no, my whole body shivers down to my spine from that dream.

What was it?

I checked on the time in my wall clock.

It's 3 a.m

Joenabell?

Who could it be?