CATHERINE MCMILLAN

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I woke up and I felt a sudden rush of pain in my stomach. I pressed it but Dylan held my arms.

"No no. Don't hold your stomach.", he said. I pouted and sunk in the blanket.

"Where are we?", I asked.

"At the infirmary.", he replied.

"How long have I been asleep?", I asked.

"Let's see. It's already dark outside so I guess for the whole day?", he said.

"I feel so dizzy.", I said as I held my head and sat up. Dylan held my shoulders and gently laid me down.

"You should rest yourself.", he said.

"I've slept enough already Dylan.", I replied as I sat up again and fixed my hair. Dylan stood in front of me and slowly hugged me. My eyes widen in surprise as my heartbeat began to pace.

"Geez. Don't ever do that again.", he whispered. For some reason, I leaned my head on his chest and closed my eyes.

"I promise."

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MICHAEL COLLINS

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I ran inside the school building and sat on one of the benches in the hallway. I laid back and hung my head - my face facing the ceiling. I hate myself. I'm the fucking bastard. How will I face Catherine on Monday? Can I talk to her again? Well, I guess this is what I deserve. I stood up and pumched the wall. I eft my hand there and drops of blood from my knuckles were starting to stream down the wall.

"Are you okay?", a girl asked. I looked to my right and there stood a cute and casual looking girl wearing square-framed black glasses. I took my hand away from the wall and hid it behind my back.

"Yes I am.", I replied while not looking at her.

"But your hand is bleeding.", she worriedly said.

"It's fine. Don't worry.", I replied.

"Oh. Okay then.", she replied and turned the other way and started to walk.

"Wait.", I called out. She turned to face me and I scratched the back of my head.

"Why are you still here in school at night? Besides, it's raining outside.", I asked.

"Precisely. I can't go home since it's raining.", she replied. Wow. She sounds like Dylan. I bet she's one of his kind.

"I see. Can I take you home then? I have a car.", I offered but she shoom her head.

"I don't want to ride on a stranger's car all alone at night. Who knows what would happen. You might rape me.", she said and giggled. What?! Rape? Is that how I look like? A rapist?! 

"Well excuse me. I happen to be a gentleman.", I boasted. I looked at her laughing. God. She's so cute and adorable. I cleared my throat and her laugh faded.

"Are you near here?", I asked.

"Yes. I'm a first year.", she replied.

"I'm a second year here.", I said. She nodded and looked at me.

"What?", I asked. She went near me and said,

"Were you the one who punched the girl this morning?". Dang it! Right on the spot.

"Uh - yeah?", I replied. She sat on the bench and gestured me to sit down.

"Do you want to talk about it? I could atleast help you. I think you're at loss on what to do or how will you be able to face her tomorrow.", she asked. I just stared at her in shock. What the hell? How did she know what I was thinking?!

"I bet she's really important to you.", she added. I sighed and sat beside her.

"You can take it out on me. I promise not to laugh.", she said. Wait, laugh? Shouldn't you be concerned? I looked at her smiling face which suddenly calmed me a bit.

"Okay. So, how did it end up this way?", she asked. I took a deep breath and started to narrate everything from the first time Catherine and I met, when Dylan came in, and just everything. I stopped at the time when I saw Dylan again after a year and how Catherine was on cloud nine.

"What's wrong?", she asked.

"Nothing. After that, the fight happened.", I ended it there. She looked up at the sky and thought about what to say. She suddenly smiled at me.

"Move on.", she said.

"Wait, you're not really helping.", I told her.

"It's simple, really. Just move on.", she replied.

"But how?", I asked. She stood in front of me and smiled.

"Talk to her one last time. After that, don't talk to her anymore. As if your past, friendship or relationship never existed. From what I learned from my mother, Exes are never meant to be friends after a break up. She said ut would just bring up the past emotions and you would end up loving her again. It's kind of hard to explain but you get the point, right?", she said. I was silent as I was trying to process the words she had let go.

"But take what I said only as an advice, okay? Because in the end, you would be the one to decide. It's not me nor your friends who would be the one to decide for you. Be a man!", she said like she was trying to cheer me up. I smiled and softly laughed.

"Like you're the one to talk.", I joked. She smiled at me.

"It's good to finally see you smile. You were frowning the whole time.", she said. I stretched my body and stood up.

"Thanks a lot. I'm Micha by the way.", I introduced myself.

"Christine.", she replied as she stood up and faced me.

"Nice to meet you Christine.", I said.

"Nice to meet you too Michael. I hope we can be friends from now on.", she said.

"Of course!", I replied and we both shook hands.

"So now that I'm not a stranger anymore, I can give you a ride home, right?", I asked. She nodded and we both headed towards the parking lot. Somehow because of her, my pain became numb as if it was gone whn I am with Christine.

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Michael made a new friend! Will this friend, named Christine make a difference in Michael's life? Find out on the next chapter of Umbrella! :)

hey guyses! Sorry for the late upload. It's because of the finals week and I had a lot of projects and exams. But finally, classes are over! I'm currently on a boat while finishing this chapie. I'm going to the province of my mother in Bohol, Philippines.

Anyway, hope you like this chapter!

What do you think of Christine? Will she be alright for Michael?  Let me know your thoughts on the comments below! :)

-SophiaMission