It's a cold Sunday morning and I'm sitting on the chair opposing the fridge as I start my day with my usual breakfast must-haves—two boiled eggs, toast with jam, black coffee, and my phone to read today's news. I've always read the same newspaper website about current affairs and the usual celebrity gossip but today, it's different. A highlighted and richly colored box on the front page of the website catches my eye. I click on the ad and check out what the buzz is all about.

As I sip on my coffee and read the contents, word per word, my eyes slowly start to go wide

THE 36TH ENGLISH TIMES ESSAY WRITING AWARD

We are pleased to announce that the annual registration for the premiere essay writing contest in Great Britain is finally open again! For the past thirty-six years, the English Times has been searching for the best writers of the nation to showcase their talents and be the voice of the English people. Now on its thirty-sixth year, England's best source of credible information is looking for talented writers to submit their best essays. This year, the theme is England: The Land of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

Submission for the essay runs from the 7th of October to the 12th of December. The piece must have a minimum of 2000 words and a maximum of 3000 words. The chosen piece will be announced on the 2nd of January and receive a cash prize of £20,000 along with the essay being published on our website and broadsheets. Not only that, for its thirty-sixth year, the winning essay will also have the opportunity of being a columnist for one full year.

For further details, please check our website on...

I read the words over and over as if I were in a daze. I didn't know that the English Times held this contest?  So many questions run through my head and the topmost I whether I am eligible to enter. To satiate my queries, I check the website on my phone. My eyes scan the texts encoded in the website and it darts on one special line: Open to any nationality but must hold a visa permitting them to reside/work in Great Britain until the  31st of December, 2019.

On instinct, I slap the table and stifle a scream. Would you look at that. I can join! My brain releases so many endorphins that I do a little jig and fist pump in the air shouting my eligibility. But then, I stop myself immediately because Harry is still asleep so I sit back and finish my half-eaten toast with jam, and boiled eggs while I arrange in my head what I will write.

As I spread some jam on a new piece of toast, my phone suddenly rings and I check to see who it is. I see a name I've been waiting to call and answer immediately. The video call opens and my bestfriend's smiling face greets me along with poster of a Korean boyband who I always forget the name of along with a picture of her boyfriend. She's sitting on her bed in her PJ's with her hair pulled away from her round face by bunny ears headband. I see her putting on the last step to her skin care regimen when she looks up and adjusts her glasses.

"Girl! Finally, you answered. I miss you!" My best friend pouts.

"Iris, I miss you too. How is the review?" I say as I sip my coffee. My bestfriend has been the more affectionate between the two of us and I learned to be more affectionate because of her.

The raven-ahired girl adjusts her position on her bed as she lies down on her stomach, head propped up by her hands and elbows. Iris is a very pretty girl with long black hair, milky white skin and innocent face. She is thick-boned and full of curves which matches her reserved and kind demeanor. 

"Let's not talk about the exams right now. I'm doing skin care. Any stress that the world will give me today is for tomorrow's Iris," The girl shoos the imaginary stress in front of her. "Today's Iris is zen," It is then followed by her closing her eyes and saying ohm then opening it up again. "How about you? I believe it's more stressful there. Find a boyfriend there that can help ease your stress!"

"Dummy!I'll think of it when daddy is better and Leon has already graduated from senior high," I dismiss the thought and deflect with another topic. "I saw an ad today on the newspaper. It's an essay competition with a huge prize. Do you think I should join?"

Iris claps her hands and leans closer, eyes full of excitement. "Yari, you should join! I know that your passion is writing and you are a great writer. How big is the prize?"

My bestfriend, Iris, and I have known each other since our first day in university and bonded over our love for food and the fact that we took up degrees that were never really our first choices. She knows my current situation right now and understands that any amount will help lessen my financial burdens.

"Twenty thousand sterling pounds for the first prize then you'll also be a columnist for one full year," My eyes eyes twinkle at the notion. Converted to my currency, the top prize can scrape off a huge dent on our debt and the additional income from being a columnist will surely help too. 

"That's what, more than 1.2 million in Philippine pesos?! That's big! You should join, you crazy! I forbid you to back out," Iris wags her finger at me and leans closer with a serious eye. "Do not back out, Mayari Salvacruz. That's a huge amount of money and the prize can also lead you to the job that you really want."

This raven haired girl has always been my sounding board and knows the right buttons to push to get me working. The prospect of doing the job that I really want is exciting and alluring. Iris knows that I want to be a writer at heart  but also a catastrophizer by nature. I'm the one blocking myself even though the girl is dangling the answer right in front of my face.

"Trust me, I want to join but now that I thought of it more, I feel like I don't want it anymore. How will I be chosen out of the thousands of entries here?" I look down at my coffee that's getting cold and stir the contents mindlessly. My nerves have always been my worst enemy. I'll always be enthusiastic to join but I deprive myself of the possibility to join in fear of rejection.

"Yari, what is the purpose of your writing business from high school to college if you're not going to join there? Just join!" Iris nods her head, asking me to follow her request. "What is the theme about?"

"Look at it here." I send the girl the link to the website of the English Times. My best friend takes a minute to read and I am suddenly shocked by how she slapped her bed.

"This is a piece of cake for you," Iris peruses the contents of the website. "I need daily updates whether you're going to join or not, okay?" I stay mum at her question. "Okay?"

"Fine," I roll my eyes. "Let's change the topic. Tell me about the latest gossip there."

If there is one thing that Iris likes besides Kpop and her boyfriend, it's gossip. She relays to me all the things happening back home and I watch as she tells the story with so much animation and gusto. Once you ask her to tell you a story, she will perform a play. Iris stands up as she demonstrates the latest flings, break-ups and non sensical gossips and rumors that I miss back home.

I feel so sad looking at my friend because I could be seeing all the things she said first hand but I am happy that I am still updated even if I am so far away.

"My goodness, I've been talking all the time here. It's your turn to tell the story.)"  Iris excitedly sits back on her bed.

"It's been going well here." I smile. Now that it's my turn, I tell all the things happening with some changes in the name of my boss and some settings. The girl is a whiz at searching online and if she notices something that's related to celebrities, Iris will definitely look it up in a second.

Once I see her yawn, I come to my story's conclusion. "Girl, I'll go ahead first. I need to work."

"Alright, I'll visit there once I save money. Talk to you again. Bye, Yari, love you! Miss you!" Iris waves and blows a kiss.

"I will be waiting for that. Okay, love you too, Iris. Miss you! Good night!" I wave my hand and end the call.

I turn off the chat and start cooking Harry's breakfast. Talking to my best friend feels like hitting a reset button and I do my work with much more enthusiasm after. Once I'm done cooking with Harry's food, I place it on the table and cover it then clean my dirty dishes and pans. 

Today, I will leave earlier than usual as a promise to Ellie to spend the day with her. So, I take a bath and get ready. Once I'm done with my routine and double-checking my bag, I take my satchel and head out of my room. My eyes dart from side to side to check if my boss is already awake and fortunately, he's still asleep. I get my water bottle, fill it to the top with water, and head out. 

Outside the house, I send a quick text to Harry that I have already left and make my way towards Greenwich. It's a short ride in the Underground and I quickly arrive at our meeting place, a coffee shop with a sign written in fancy calligraphy. Ellie isn't here yet so I stand outside and read an e-book on my phone that I've been putting off for days. A short time passes by and I look up to see signs of my friend. Fortunately, a bouncing redhead walks up to me and waves her hand.

"Sorry, I took a long time to arrive. There was some construction near my flat." Ellie's lips curve upward.

"It's alright. I didn't wait that long."

"Shall we?"

"Let's."

Our girl's day officially starts and we walk around as we chat and catch up. Ellie is a ball of sunshine and a great woman to hang out with. She's fun, witty, and very helpful. During my first month doing the part-time, she was the first one to extend a helping hand and showed me all the ropes in writing and how to survive here in London. If not for her, I wouldn't have lasted this long in this place and the job I'm holding.

"Where do you want to eat?" Ellie links her arm with mine. "There's a good Indian restaurant on the next street, chicken shop on the other, or fish and chips down there?"

"Hmm, how about we go to the market? They probably have something nice there." I shrug.

"That sounds really good, actually. The one near Greenwich Park is the closest. Let's go there. "

"Alright. "

As we chat about this gloomy weather, a familiar ringtone plays and it's Ellie's phone chiming nonstop. The redgead checks her phone and looks at me.

"Sorry, wait. Noah is calling, " Ellie points to her phone and I nod. "Yes, love? I'm with Yari now. Okay, yup. I'll tell her. Alright, I love you! Bye!" Ellie ends the call and outs her phone back."

"What did your boyfriend say? "

Ellie grins as we cross a street. "Noah was checking up if I arrived safely. He says hi and that we should enjoy our day. "

From what Ellie has told me before, Noah and she have been a couple for almost three years. Noah is a great guy who always made me laugh and feel comfortable whenever Ellie invited me to join them on their Sunday dates. Both have never let me feel like I'm just an extra to them and this is why I love the couple so much.

"Ooh, tell him I said thanks."

Ellie nods and we continue our chat while we head for the market. It takes us no time to reach the busy shops and stalls of Greenwich Market. The place is already teeming with people enjoying their Sunday as well. We pass by several shops to choose the best food to eat and end up eating at an old family shop selling meat pies and mash.

Our Sunday brunch of pies, mash, and some other traditional food I am astounded to see fill us up along with our endless chatter about our lives. Ellie is a great person to talk to as she's really attentive and gives well-thought insights. We usually talk about culture and life and I am amazed at how different British culture is with mine. If I was back in the Philippines, people wouldn't considered this lunch or even brunch because there's no rice in here.

While Ellie excuses herself to go to the restroom, I continue to eat but take out my phone to scroll through while I wait for her. As I thumb through different pages, I see the ad for the essay contest again posted in social media.  My goodness, I forgot about this!

Ellie comes back and an idea suddenly pops up in my head. Maybe Ellie can help me with this essay? Or maybe, she joined too and we can help each other? I'll just ask her during our walk. So, after we've paid and got out of the place, I casually bring up the idea.

"Hey Ellie, do you know about the essay competition thing the English Times does?" I inquire while we window shop outside a fancy clothing store.

"I do. Are you joining?"

"I don't know. I don't think I stand a chance there but with your help maybe I will?"

"Don't be so negative! I'm joining this year because it'll help kickstart my career, but you should join too because your writing is superb," The girl sees my hesitant eyes so she takes my hand and squeezes it with her lips curved upward softly. "And of course, we'll help each other. Even getting shortlisted there will help both of us."

For a second, I ponder Ellie's words as she window shops through more stores. Two people have already encouraged me to join. I know I want to join and their encouragement helps settle my nerves a little bit more. If these two can believe in me, maybe I can believe in myself? I do want to be a writer and winning this or even just getting shortlisted will help my career. It will help both Ellie's and I's.

The idea of joining gets me excited and I am shaken back to reality when Ellie suddenly grabs my arm.

"Come on, let's go inside! " The redhead directs time to a makeup store and I follow.

The shop is a general makeup store selling various products made by a local makeup giant. Beautiful images of models with the latest lipstick colors, eyeshadow palettes, and various more cosmetic products that can be put on the face are plastered everywhere. Ellie gravitates towards a newly released eye palette. A staff approaches us and stands a small distance away from Ellie, waiting if we will need her assistance.

Ellie swatches one in her hands and  beside her, on instinct, I check the back of the pan of the same palette.

"The makeup is cruelty-free, that's nice. The colors are also mineral-based, that's good. You wouldn't want any petroleum-based, well both have some effects to the environment but just choose the lesser evil I guess. Ooh be careful that some makeup palettes carry heavy metals but good for you that there's none here. I might check this one out too."

Since I started talking, I hear no sound come from my friend. Ellie is silent and it's rare for my friend to be one so I look up from reading and I'm surprised to see the redhead looking at me. Her head cocks to her side and her eyes are huge as saucers.

"Wow, where did you learn all of that?"

"Uni. Chemical Engineering, remember? Plus, I also like makeup." I scratch my hand and chuckle out of embarrassment. Makeup is one of the things that I really enjoy buying and practicing doing. I'm not good at it but I love the science on how it's being made.

With a wide smile, Ellie drops the palette tester along with mine and pulls me to the lipstick section. She points to one and looks at me. "Is this a good lipstick? Were the chemicals used here good? Mine is almost gone and I love this brand."

Being a chemical engineering major, I'm now used to a lot of people ask me about chemical-related stuff like how to make soap, what is the science behind a new pill, and everything in between. I take the lipstick from the rack and read the ingredients from the packaging. Once I'm done reading, I put the lipstick back in its place and look at my friend then whisper, 

"This isn't the place nor brand where you should buy them. I saw a shop down here earlier that sells makeup that last longer and the ingredients are far better for you. They use generic and a tad bit harmful chemicals here."

Ellie lets out an audible gasp but quickly covers her mouth. "Really? Damn, I love this brand but okay, I'm willing to check the one you're suggesting. Let's go. "

As much as Ellie wants to buy, she sighs and we leave the colorful and brightly lit shop to walk to the store I saw earlier. It's a short walk and Ellie is skeptical as we go in but I convince her that the ingredients used in this brand are far better, cruelty-free, and a bang for her buck. After a long time at the store, we come out with a smiling Ellie carrying a paper bag and checking out her purchase.

"You should really apply for a makeup company. You're good." The redhead pushes my side slightly.

I chuckle and nod. "Plan to actually. The housekeeping thing is an okay good job but after the contract, yeah. I will definitely apply for one in the makeup or food industry. "

Ellie stops checking her paper bag and we continue strolling through the side walk and head to Greenwich park.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that housekeeping job. I always assume that you're just writing," Ellie looks up. "How's it going?"

I don't know if it's a compliment or not, but I'm taking it as a compliment. It's nice to know that I am not labeled as just a housekeeper and though it is a respectable job, I can be known to do the things I am passionate about.

"It's okay, " I smile and hug my sweater a little closer as a cold breeze passes by. "My employer and I are on better terms now. He's handling his situation better."

"He and his family, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, he and his family," I reply back with a nervous laugh. I forgot that lie I added before. "Yeah, how about your book? How is it?"

We reach the park after a few minutes of walking and continue down its grassy meadow. The place is beautiful and despite the cold weather, still teeming with people.

"It's in the beginning of its writing process. Don't tell this to anyone, okay?" Ellie takes a moment for me to nod and so I do. "I'm thinking of actually working at the publishing company that Noah is working  in. It's still up in the air but I think I'll have a better shot of getting published if I literally work in a publishing company, don't you think? Let's still be mates even if I'm working there, okay? "

I nod, "Of course we will. Who will I go to for advice about which verb to use to describe a certain cranky celebrity or which supermarket has a cute bagger at the checkout?"

"Yeah, you'll be lost without me." Ellie shakes her head and chuckles. The woman really does help me with a lot of things and I consider her as one of my closest friends now. Funny how this country gave me a friendship that I didn't know I'll have.

Once we arrive at the park, we stroll around enjoying the place and scenery. The trees are shedding orange leaves and though there is a lack of flowers, the park is still beautiful and majestic as it is. Nature has this certain allure to it that I never found tiring. It only recharges my body and calms my soul.

As we walk around, I take in the scenery and breathe a contented sigh. I am amazed that even inside a busy city, you can find oasis in parks like these. Ellie and I take in the beautiful place and decide to sit on the hill beside a huge tree overlooking the cityscapes. I hug my knees and enjoy the view while Ellie lays her head on top of her purse and plays with her phone.

We stay like that for a very long time, just basking in the view and ambiance.

"Do you remember when we saw Harry?"

My head immediately snaps to look at my friend. "What? I didn't see him? We saw him?!"

Was there a moment throughout the day that I saw my boss? Did Ellie see me with Harry? Cold sweat drops from my forehead and I try to recount the moments that could've blown up my cover.

"The supermarket last month, remember?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, the supermarket. Yeah, that was so cool!" I nod enthusiastically. Phew. I thought my cover was busted.

"I know right? And look," Ellie sits back up. "He's officially single. Like official official."

"He did?"

"Here, look at it."

Ellie hands her phone and an article made by the full-time writers at The Buzz just half an hour ago pops up.

Harry Styles, Officially Single

With the rumors going on about their breakup, Harry Styles gives a hint confirming the end of his relationship with on and off girlfriend, Jade St. Clair. The 24-year-old singer posted a black and white video clip of a turntable playing a snippet of the chorus of Lizzo's hit song Juice. The singer hasn't released any statements or interviews but just like any of us, songs interpret feelings we can't express. Will we expect another chart topper on Harry's next album? We're holding on to our bowls of popcorn waiting for Harry's next move.

~~~
AN: Hello! Just a random reminder that I hope you all take care of your mental health because this pandemic is doing me no good. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please hit the vote button and comment down below. Cheers! x