It's December 21st.

Encounter is tomorrow and sadly, I don't have any money.

The fee is 200 pesos and I didn't save up before Christmas break.

I woke up and hurried downstairs for breakfast. I looked at our wall clock and it is now 9:42 a.m.

"Well, good morning sleepyhead." my mom greeted. "Hurry up and eat your breakfast. You have an awful lot of chores to do."

This is what I hate about weekends and vacations. The minute I wake up, I'll be bombarded by chores. Not only that, I have loads of homework to do even if it is semester break or Christmas break. Either in our school doesn't know the definition of break or everyone's just plain heartless.

I ate my breakfast slowly and savored every bit of flavor I got from the sausages and eggs that were served before I finally get into my weekly chores.

When I finished, I went to our storage room and got the broom and dustpan. I began sweeping the floors in the kitchen followed by the living room. I also swept the stairs and all the rooms upstairs.

As I went down, I saw mom enter the house through the back door. Her hands were wrinkly from the laundry. 

"Hey, Gray. Are you done sweeping?" she asked as her eyes saw me.

"Yeah, mom." I answered.

"You know what to do next. This house better be spotless." she said with a stern look and went outside to continue doing the laundry.

With a sigh, I went downstairs to the bathroom and got the mop ready. I washed it with soap and squeezed it so the excess water would come out. I then went out and began mopping the floor from the kitchen, the living room, the stairs and all the rooms. Drops of sweat mixed with the mixture of soap and water while I was mopping. This is seriously draining my energy.

Once I was done, I went down to see an eyesore.

Matt just entered the house with mud on his feet. He walked from the living room to the kitchen without even caring or having any shame. I hurried down and yelled at him. 

"You insensitive animal! Can't you see I just cleaned here!?"

He opened the refrigerator and grabbed his water container. "Then clean it up again. I'm tired." he said with a smug face.

Boy, do I want to punch that face right off his head but I don't want to get screamed at. Matt is lazier than a rock. He always plays basketball outside and comes in without even noticing the cleanliness of the place and just leaves mess everywhere.

"Shut up you disrespectful pig." I scorned. "Fill up the pitcher with water! Do something significant in your life! Look at those pitchers by the water dispenser. It's longer than your name!"

"Oh come on. Why do I have to always fill up the pitchers? I'm tired!" he whined.

I swear, he's always flicking my anger switch.

"Well, I study and do my homework until midnight, sweep and mop the floors, and wash the dishes! Do you hear me complaining? Apparently not! Now shut your face and fill up those pictures!" I screamed.

"Pictures? Hahaha!" he laughed.

Wow, Gray. Such English.

"I mean pitchers! You're stressing me!" I replied.

"What's going on in here? You're worse than to roosters in a cockfight!" Mom suddenly entered through the backdoor.

"Gray is making me do work while I'm tired!" Matt said with baby face and voice. Oh come on, I know mom wouldn't fall for this trick.

"Oh? Stop complaining!" I told you so. "Do as you are told! Besides, it's your job to always fill up the empty pitchers and that's the least you could do!" Mom exclaimed.

With a sad face, Matt did as he was told and filled up the empty pitchers. He looked at me with anger written all over him and I stuck my tongue out to tease him.

I mopped the floors again and kept my cleaning utensils afterwards.

Chores usually last until lunch which is the time where mom cooks double the rice she cooks for breakfast because she knows that she's feeding three hungry lions plus herself. I could be a tyrant when devouring food when I eat after work.

After I ate lunch, I headed upstairs to finish my homework. I logged into my Facebook account after finishing one subject and in just a matter of seconds, a chat box popped up. It was my classmate Kelly Angela De Torres.

Kelly Angela: Gray! Are you attending the encounter tomorrow?

Good job. I completely forgot about Encounter. And now that I'm reminded, I got sad again with the thought of having no money.

Gray: Well, no. I don't have money. How about you?

Kelly Angela: That's sad. Uhm. Yeah. Someone sponsored me.

Gray: Wow. Talk about lucky.

Kelly Angela: I know right! Ttyl Gray! Gotta finish my homework :(

Gray: k.

I have that habit of tweeting or posting about my thoughts on certain events and right now, I just felt the need to post.

That feeling when you want to join Encounter but you don't have money. Huhuhu.

I clicked the post button and resumed doing my homework.

After some time, I was surprised to hear the sound that Facebook makes when you receive a message. I transferred tabs to checked and one student from the 10th grade chatted me.

Colin: Hey, Gray! Good evening! I hear that you want to attend Encounter tomorrow?

Gray: Well, yeah. The only problem is that I don't have money.

Colin: I know. I read it on your Facebook post.

Gray: Oh.

Colin: Anyway, I want to help you.

Gray: How?

Colin: I sponsored Kelly. Some people from church are actually looking for someone they could sponsor. I'll find one for you. :)

IS HE SERIOUS!? Oh my goodness. I am overjoyed by the news. As much as I want to, I'm a bit embarrassed that he's going to go through all that.

Gray: Thank you! But I don't think that's a good  idea. I'm embarrassed. I'll just attend the next one.

Colin: Nonsense! Wait here.

Gray: Really. It's embarrassing.

Colin: I found one! 

Colin: Okay so assembly time is 8 am tomorrow at Pastor Jane's classroom.

Colin: Bring a face towel or handkerchief, a notebook, a pen, extra shirt and your Bible.

Gray: Uhm. Thanks! I'm sorry I got you into all that fuss.

Colin: Geez! No harm done, bro! See you tomorrow! God bless!

Gray: Okay then, God bless!

I locked the door to my room and just jumped on the bed. It's exciting!

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! DINNER!" I heard the wonderful screech of my mom.

I didn't realize that I was doing homework until evening.

Anyway, the fee is covered. The only problem is persuading my mom to let me attend the Encounter. 

Mom and dad are strict when it comes to religion and I know that the Encounter is not in my religion but I hope that they allow me. Why mom? Because dad just agrees if mom does.

I sucked up all confidence and went down. I saw Matt, mom and dad seated in the dining table already eating. I sat down as well and began eating.

"Mom?" I asked.

"What's up?" she replied.

Go, Gray! You can do this!
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Okay so you'll probabley hate me for this.

I am delaying updates again. It's because we re going on vacation from tomorrow onwards. Plus my laptop is broken so I cannot type in new chapters. I am so sorry. I will try and type via my phone so you will still have updates but I am seriously sorry for upcoming delays.

When is next update? I'm not sure. It will be a surprise! Haha.

I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

God bless you :)