(Ravine POV)

I am currently getting ready to head out when the doorbell rang all of a sudden.

"I'll get it." I said before answering the door. Lo and behold, it's Craig.

"Hey!" He said.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was passing by and I figured if you're available, I can maybe take you out for fish and chips?" He said.

"Craig, I can't. I am on my way to the review center."

"Review center? School's over. Why do you feel the need to go to a review center?" He asked in a mind-boggled tone.

"I am planning to study abroad."

"What? Why?" He asked.

"I'm trying to make something of myself." I answered.

"Ravine, college is lame!"

"Says who? Look, Craig! I know you're just trying to give this another shot but let's stop kidding ourselves. What we had is pretty nice and that's all I can say but you have to accept the fact that we're over. Yes, we can still be friends but right now, I have a goal and I don't think you're going to be willing to wait for me. Let's just go our separate ways for good, okay?" I said.

"Who says I'm trying to win you back? As a friend, I am just asking if I could take you out for lunch." He pouted.

"And I'm telling you no because I have prior commitments. I am determined to finally do something big that I can be proud of so with all due respect, you should consider moving on from me. Maybe there's someone out there who's more worthy of being with you." I said before walking past him.

College, here I come.

Later...

I am currently on a Skype call with Aisha since she already flew back to the Philippines for her work.

"Alright, how do you say 'How much' again?" Aisha is reviewing me.

"'Magkano?' Right?" I said.

"Good! How do you say 'Excuse me'?"

"'Makikiraan po?'"

"Great! You know what? As long as you know the basic greetings and common expressions, you'll do just fine. If you want to learn deeper Tagalog words, I think the university will be willing to offer you a special course for foreigners so no worries." Aisha said.

"I hope they guide me thoroughly through it."

"They will for sure."

Suddenly, I heard Sylvia knock on my door.

"Vinny?" She called.

"Yeah?"

"Someone's here to see you."

"If it's Craig, tell him to go home." I said.

"No, it's your mom." She said.

What the actual fuck?

"Aisha, I'll call you back. I just have to deal with someone." I said.

"Sure thing, babe."

I hang up and exited my room to see Janet. I went downstairs and met Sylvia who wore a worried look on her face.

"Where is she?"

"She's outside." She said. I went out the house only to see my mother with a guilt-ridden and miserable look on her face.

"What do you want?" I said as I sat next to her on the bench.

"A little birdie told me that you are planning to go to college?" She said.

"What's it to you?"

"I'm your mother so I have the right to know." She said.

"Wow! That's a first. I haven't heard that from you for almost 15 years." I giggled.

"You can't just leave without my permission. It just doesn't work that way."

"I can do whatever the hell I want. I am trying to be the best Ravine that I can be." I said.

"How are you going to pay for the dorm? For your food? For your tuition? With your dad's money, no doubt." She jabbed.

"That is the pot calling the kettle black. News flash, my grades are applicable enough for a scholarship. I told you, didn't I? I may look like your average faggot but the truth is I am a smart faggot you do not want to mess with. All I have to do is submit some paperwork and pass the entrance test and then I'll be good to go. I won't have to see you for a long time and that's a bonus." I said.

"Is that what Sylvia is teaching you all this time? To talk to me like that? I'm trying to make peace with you and you're just as stubborn as a mule." She said.

"There we go, with the gaslighting again! Sylvia didn't teach me this. You want to know the truth? The entirety of my time with her, she's actually the one telling me to never disrespect you and to treat you with kindness but you know what? I am not going to give you respect if you don't deserve it. Respect is earned, not given. You can't pull that 'Respect your elderly' card anymore because that is not the way it works in today's time." I said.

"I won't allow you to leave. You can't leave me like this." She said.

"I already left you, mommy dearest. Deal with it. You won't see me again." I said before standing up and getting back inside the house.

Goodbye, toxicity. Finally, I am now free from the shackles of her mentally abusive behavior. It's going to take a long time before I give her the forgiveness that she may deserve or she may not deserve.

Either way, I am just glad that I finally put her in her place and stand up to her one last time.