"Life is not a fairytale."

Chapter 1

MY eyes were almost blinded by God's beacon of warmth and light passing through the window pane. It will never be pleasant to wake up in the morning. The northern kiss that embraces me is the reason I want to cover myself with a thick blanket.

"Rise and shine, Sienna! 'Cause today will be a good day!" I exclaimed as I stretched my arms and legs.

I quickly got up and did my usual morning routine every time I needed to prepare for school.

I wore our navy-blue school uniform. The white polo, navy blue blazer, and navy-colored slacks are paired with flats.

After getting dressed, I immediately went to my room, where memories of the past are always returned to.

A sense of nostalgia filled my heart when I touched the papers I had from ten years ago. I still remember how his sweet smile made my heart race like I was on a car chase.

All his papers, drawings, and cases are still here. Posted to the wall that day... I still remember how a handsome prince encouraged me to try something different.

I will always remember his smiles, laughter, and never-ending stares. The only person who believes in my writing ability is him.

... and I'll find him no matter what happens.

"Siesie! Baba na!" My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my sister scream.

"Pababa na po!" I shouted as I grabbed my backpack and hurriedly went downstairs.

I caught Kuya Siello still eating breakfast while Ate Sierra brushed her teeth.

Upon looking at the first chair at the table, I reminded myself that Mama always sat there every morning for breakfast. Eight years ago, mom suffered a cardiac arrest, and it had been two years since we moved here. Akala ko maaabutan ni mama ang graduation ni ate pero hindi man lang ito nangyari.

Papa left us when I was five years old. So now Ate Sierra supports us.

Kuya is also finishing college while working part-time. At sa tingin ko naman ay naging maayos naman ang sistema sa pamamalakad ng ate sa buong buhay kahit wala na kaming mga magulang.

At ang tanging magagawa ko na lamang ay maging mabuting kapatid sa kanila.

Pinangako ko iyon kay mama kahit hindi kami magkasundo sa lahat ng bagay.

I sat down opposite my brother. I smiled.

"What's taking you so long? You're late," he hissed as he chewed on the hotdog.

"Bakit? Ikaw ba ang ma-le-late kung sakali?" I replied with a smile on my face.

I stared at Kuya, who had been looking at me for a while. Hindi ko alam pero ramdam kong may dalang panghuhusga ang kanyang mga tingin niya.

"Siesie, patanggal mo na 'yang braces at palitan mo na ng contacts 'yang eyeglasses mo. Pantay na naman ngipin mo, eh. 'Tsaka mas madali kapag nag-contact lens ka," he commented while taking a spoonful of rice.

Napaisip naman ako sa suhesiyon ng aking kapatid. He's right, but not with my glasses.

"Yes po, papatanggal ko na po braces ko. Pero hindi ang glasses since anti-radiation po talaga 'to."

"Ikaw bahala. Tutal lagi ka namang babad sa screen ng laptop at telepono mo. Dapat talaga iyan ang i-phase out, eh."

"Hey, Mr. Malcom, huwag mong ma-phase out ang laptop, phones, at computers dahil ang beneficial niya sa lahat."

"Hoy ka rin, Sienna! Para sabihin ko sa'yo may pros at cons ang paggamit ng technology. Hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw maging slave ka na ng social media dahil sa mga gadgets---"

"Enough! I'll go now. Bye, Kuya Siello!" I said goodbye before walking out of the house.

I quickly ran down the stairs para makahabol ako sa mga jeepney ngayon lalo na't punuan pa naman ang sakayan lately.

Just like in stories, the protagonist wakes up late. Late for the first day of school. The professor will scold her when she enters; she will be with his friend on the way; and most of all, she will meet a guy on campus.

Typical things that happen in a romantic novel.

However, it is not for me. I always prefer reality to fiction. See? I am not late, and for sure mamaya wala akong makikilalang 'guy' na posibleng maging Mr. Right ko.

I don't want to be a damsel in distress or whatever na parang mala-Disney princess ang maging buhay ko. It is important to stop interfering with reality and fantasy.

Kasi sa huli, tayo lang din naman ang masasaktan. There is a bittersweet side to life that we should experience.

Katulad ng hindi lahat ng lalake ay makakaantay ng ilang taon para sa babaeng minamahal niya. Dahil sa reyalidad, wala pang three months may pampalit na itong bago sa iniwan niyang ex.

As if people should wake up in a fairytale of their own! Wala tayo sa libro para maghangad ng imposible!

I stopped thinking when I saw a familiar figure in the distance. Anxiously waiting for the ride.

Likod pa lang kilala ko na kung sino 'tong nakatayong dilag. Tinawag ko ito sa kanyang pangalan.

Seeing me shock her, she turned her back on me and shouted, "Deidra!"

"My gosh, Ms. Sienna. Are you late too?" She said while suppressing her laughter.

"Huh? Hindi pa ako late, 'no? Mahaba pa ang oras ko. Mamaya pa ten ang first class ko," I replied.

"What! Ten pa klase mo? My gosh! Eight kasi sa akin. I need a ride! Ang swerte mo naman!"

Napailing na lang ako sa pagpanic ng gaga. Bakit ba kasi late na gumising, eh may 8 pa lang pasok?

My forehead furrowed because she kept raising her hand to get a ride exaggeratedly.

Deidera is my only best friend who accepts me for who I am. She's always there when I need someone to trust. Besides everything, she knows my secrets.

"Wait, I forgot something, Sie."

"What's that about?"

"Could you please finish your series? You know you left me speechless last night. Like, I don't know. I want to get rid of that villain. It's time to kill her!" It's clear that she's frustrated by my story.

Deidara is the only person who knows I write on the Wattoon App. Published over five stories that readers mostly enjoy in a mobile app like this one.

I know fame will follow if I reveal myself to my readers. However, my name has been hidden under Luciole, which is a French translation for firefly.

If you think about it, my pen name in Wattoon is meaningful. I remember Firefly witnessing my joy and pain. The spark between us never faded, even in my memory. And Lev was the only thing I remembered about his name. He didn't even finish saying his full name because his mother had come.

So now I'm hoping to meet a boy named Lev. As well as that, I made a list of possible names for Lev. and I'm just stressed, especially knowing that over a thousand names came to mind as possible names in my head.

Maybe Lev is just his nickname, so I'm even more crazy thinking about Lev's real name.

I just hope I can see him. the person who made me continue writing.

Sa ngayon ay gusto ko lang makilala siya.

I was stopped in my tracks when I saw Deidra's silly smile.

"Hoy, Siesie! Kilala ko 'yang mukhang 'yan. Mukha mo 'yan tuwing naalala mo ang lalakeng batang nakilala mo sampung taon na ang nakalipas." In telling me, she even wiggled her finger. "Are you still hoping to see him?" she asked.

I'm so stupid! But yeah, I still wanted to see him again after ten years!

He's always the reason why I created a story that my readers still enjoy.

As long as I live, Lev will be the reason behind my smiles and the craft I've created. This world I have been in, which is now also the world of some readers.

As a response, I nodded at her. She looked away and continued looking for a jeepney.

"Ikaw ba, Deidra? Kung may isang taong nagpasaya at nagpabago sa'yo dati. Eager ka bang hanapin siya?" I asked her out of the blue.

She smiled weakly, "Sorry to burst your bubble... but no. Isipin mo, isang araw ka lang sumaya. Tapos after no'n, ano na? Nganga ka ulet? Siguro ngayon, si Mr. Lev mo ay may mga naging girlfriend na. Sienna, accept the fact that some people just drop by and leave you after. It's either dala nila ay lesson or sakit sa'yo. Kung ikaw hindi maka-move on diyan, baka habang buhay ka nang ma-trap sa isang past na alam mong walang kasiguraduhan."

It was like a bomb dropped in front of me when Deidra's words suddenly entered my mind.

That hurt! Ouch!

Instead of comforting, she was straight to the point when she spoke. Then, my hope of seeing him again shatter like a broken plate.

I wish I hadn't asked.

"You're terrible, Deidra. Thanks for the pain, huh?" I said sarcastically.

I thought about what she said. Maybe she's right. There's a possibility that Lev has forgotten me and is okay now with his parents. I bent down and stared at my shoes for a few seconds.

Deidra is sometimes straightforward with her words, and she just hits the bull's eye that I should stop hoping Lev will find me...

Maybe now he forgot Sienna Zarra Malcom existed. ..

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Deidra and I just got off the jeepney to the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines.

Unang araw. 'Yong excitement ko kanina ay parang pumutok na bula dahil sa sinabi ni Deidra. Nawala tuloy ang atensyon ko sa aking paligid.

Literal na gumuho na talaga ang mundo ko sa sinabi ng gaga'ng 'yon.

I closed my eyes out of frustration. When I opened my eyes, I immediately looked at Deidra, who was waiting for the traffic light to turn green. This was so we could cross the road.

"Dei, you go first. Magpapalamig muna ako," I said while averting my gaze behind her.

"I understand, Sie. Just go..." We smiled before parting ways.

I sped up my walk even more, and I stumbled upon a famous cafe... Rosevelia Cafe de Fioraere.

I immediately entered and heard the bell ring.

It's not too crowded, and there are only a few customers inside. Attention is drawn to the pink uniforms of the waiters, which do not diminish the masculinity of the men. And the women look cute.

I smiled at the ambiance, which was so soothing and relaxing. In a corner away from the glass wall, I sat quietly.

Within minutes, someone came up to my waiter with a ballpoint pen and post-its.

"Hello, pinkees. What do we order?" A boy with curly hair appeared to be smiling from ear to ear. He's cute... but not my type.

"A macchiato, please... and mocha cake for me," I said while checking the menu; he wrote what I ordered.

He nodded before returning to the counter.

I ate it peacefully while typing published words. I enjoyed my food and drink, so I didn't mind eating for an hour.

I looked at the clock, and my eyes widened in shock when I saw it was nine forty-five am!

I stood up and hurried to the counter. I paid immediately. I quickly ran out of the cafe.

The traffic light turned green just in time, so I kept running.

When I arrived at the gate, I quickly reached for my ID and opened the bag for checking.

After that, I immediately ran inside. There are also many students running to their classrooms. At may iba naman na chill lang kung maglakad.

My feet felt glued to the road and got cold from the oncoming vehicle. A blue car with an obviously expensive price caught my attention as I crossed the street.

As I crossed the road for the first time, I regretted it.

A car hit me, and the most terrible part...

The blue car driver is stupid.

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