Blue Constantino hurried down the crowded high school corridor. She was summoned to the principal's office in the middle of recess time. She was fifteen, a year younger than what an average fourth year high school student should be. 

It wasn't everyday she'd be called by the principal. And whenever she was, it was always about a citywide contest or anything about the development of the campus. However, this time, it felt to her like something bad was going on.

"Come in, Ms. Constantino," Mrs. Buenviaje said from her desk. The school principal, was looking at some of the documents given to her a couple of hours ago.

"Yes, ma'am?" Blue said as she sat down on the chair.

"I have something to tell you, child." The principal looked serious. 

Blue's heart started to pound. She felt agitated and almost did not want to hear her next words.

"It's about your mom."

"What... w-what about her?" she stammered.

Mrs. Buenviaje got up and pulled Blue beside her to sit on the couch.

"What about my mother, ma'am?"

"Your mom flew to Guam last night with a man. She gave us these adoption papers, telling that you are now officially adopted by the Pinedas. She helped them with the adoption papers herself."

"But why? What happened?" Blue began to sob.

"We don't exactly know the reason, Blue. There were rumors that your mom went with a very rich man to stay away from your dad. They said she couldn't handle his persecution. You and I both knew there was a big possibility it would all come to this. You remember we talked about this before, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," she said in between sobs.

"Don't worry, child. Mrs. Pineda said she'll take care of you as if you were their own. She said she'll let you study in a prestigious college in Manila after high school, De La Salle perhaps, and let you take any course you want. You'll have a bright future ahead of you."

Blue continued to cry, her cheeks drenched by her tears.

"I'm sorry, my dear. I don't know what else to say except that you can count on me to be here for you."

Blue buried her face on the office throw pillow. She couldn't stop crying. The thought of losing her family was too much a load to accept.

------

First, it was her dad. Her dad who accidentally murdered his co-worker. He was now hunted by the police and a fugitive for life. 

And now her mom... no, not her. She was the only one who really cared for her. She knew all about her secrets and dreams. She can't imagine living a life without her.

I should have expected this to happen, Blue told herself. After the tragedy with her father, she thought the family's days were numbered. One of these days, she guessed, her mom might find someone new and try to build a new family again. Try to forget about the past. And Blue was a part of her past.

But wait, there was still someone out there who knew all my secrets and dreams. Someone who acted as if he was family. Someone who is so close to my heart.

"Brett? Where's Brett?" Blue said as she raised her head.

"It's alright, Blue. I'm here, it's Julia." She gave Blue a glass of water.

"Brett's outside playing basketball with the guys. He wouldn't even bother to listen to me say that you have a problem. I said it is an emergency. Still he continued to play."

Blue was surprised to hear that. Brett not caring about her seemed rather hard to believe.

"Julia... please, just take me home."