'Tonight, I had a dream that felt so real. I dreamt of Dad. In that dream, we are all in our favorite restaurant, having dinner together as a complete family. I felt a sense of peace and comfort. It was as if Dad's spirit was right there with us, gently guiding and protecting us. I could almost hear his voice, assuring me that he was still watching over us, Mom, Quinn and I.
It's still so hard to wrap my head around the fact that Dad is no longer here. It feels like just yesterday we were laughing and sharing stories, and now, the only place I can see him is in my dreams.
Our family, that is once perfect and full of happiness, has been forever changed by Dad's absence. We're incomplete now, a puzzle missing its most important piece. We're no longer the picture-perfect, blissful family we used to be.'
———
I can't even wrap my head around what I read in Liam's diary last night. Turns out, his dad has been gone all this time and I had no clue. I feel like such an idiot for asking him about his dad not knowing he's already gone. I'm so mad at myself right now!
 
I subtly hit my own forehead. "This is so frustrating." "I should stop being nosy," I hissed as I walked down the hallway.
 
"Mira, can I talk to you?" I looked up and saw Mrs. Zamora.
 
"What is it, ma'am?"
 
"I need a favor." I wondered what favor she was talking about.
 
I look at her in confusion in response. 
 
"You're the smartest in my subject, Mira, and I want you to tutor five of my students who are struggling in my subject." Wait, why me? She's the instructor, she should be the one teaching her students. And five? That's a lot.
 
It seemed like she read my thoughts, so she spoke again. "I'm a very busy person, Mira. I'll give you extra points in return."
 
I wasn't going to agree, but she said extra points. I can't waste that. "Okay ma'am, I'll do it." I said without hesitation. "So when do we start?"
 
"I've already scheduled a meeting with those students for 1 pm at the library, and you can discuss with them where and when you'll be tutoring them." Wait, so she knew I would agree?
 
I just nodded and excused myself from her. This is so annoying, it's supposed to be home time around that hour, but I'll have to stay at school. Sophie and I were even supposed to go out later.
I finished all my classes and immediately headed to the library to meet the students I'm going to tutor.
 
Before I could even sit at an empty table in the library, a handsome guy approached me. He was one of the students I was going to tutor. As far as I know, he's Jhea's classmate. We just discussed where I would tutor them, what time, and when, and we decided to just do it here in the library at the same time. They arrived one after the other, so I didn't have much trouble.
 
I'm just waiting for one more person, and they still haven't arrived. I'm running out of patience. They're lucky I'm kind. This is frustrating, who is that anyway?
 
I messaged Sophie to come to the library since I've been waiting for a while now. As I was getting impatient, I noticed Ace walking through the door, looking troubled. Before I could even call out to him, our eyes met.
 
He approached me and sat next to me, then buried his face in the table.
 
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" I nudged him.
"I don't know what to do, Mira, help me!" What's with this guy, acting all fussy. He spoke a bit too loud, drawing the librarian's attention and earning us a glare. The librarian's gaze felt as if she was about to devour us alive. This librarian has always been creepy.
 
"Lower your voice. What's going on? Did you and Sophie fight again?"
 
"No, silly. You're aware that her dad has arrived from another country, right?" I just nodded in response.
 
"Well, he wants to meet me." He continued.
 
"What's the problem with that? You've already introduced her to your parents, right? And her mom and Chris already know you." I raised an eyebrow at him.
 
"I'm scared that her dad might not like me. I heard he's strict. I'm even more nervous because he's going to introduce me at their family dinner tomorrow." His voice betrayed his nervousness.
 
He's considered one of the coolest guys in school, with girls swooning over him, but he's a total coward when it comes to his girlfriend's dad.
"There's nothing to fear if you truly love Sophie. It doesn't matter if her dad is strict or not. What's important is that you impress him and show him that you're serious about his daughter."
 
"I know that, but what if he doesn't like me? What if he forces us to break up?" I rolled my eyes. This guy is so paranoid! Thinking about breaking up right away. Seriously?
 
"Believe me, he will like you." He just leaned back on the chair at my words.
After a while, Sophie arrived with Ken. "You wouldn't believe it, guys!" Ken exclaimed. He said it so loudly that the librarian scolded us again.
 
"Shhh!" The librarian put a finger to her lips.
 
"Can't you be quiet? What's so important that you have to say it so loudly?" Ace scolded him. It's as if he didn't get scolded earlier.
 
Ken sat down and faced us. Sophie just crossed her arms and sat beside him.
 
"Do you guys know what Sophie did?" He pointed to the person beside him. "She asked Briana to be her friend."
 
"What?!" Ace and I said in disbelief, looking at Sophie.
 
"Shhh!" the librarian reminded us once again.
 
Not only is the librarian creepy, she's also weird. The way she 'shhhs' is kind of strange and it's so long.
 
"Maybe if you guys weren't so loud." Ken teased us. We just glared at him.
"You guys are overreacting. Weren't you the one who wanted me to make amends with Briana?" Sophie retorted to Ace. "I can understand Mira's reaction, but yours?" She continued.
 
"No, I am really happy to hear it. I just can't believe that you're actually doing it."
 
Sophie's face shifted to a smile. "I know you would. I wouldn't do it if I didn't see that she has changed, and I know she's sincere in her apology to me before." Ken and I exchanged glances at what Sophie said.
 
"Are you really serious about what you're saying?" Ken interjected, furrowing his brow.
 
"Yes, of course."
 
"I want to believe that she has truly changed, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if she's really sincere in her actions." I said to them.
 
"I'm telling you, your cousin has changed." I don't know how she manages to believe Briana so easily when she used to be so annoyed with her.
 
I sigh in frustration. "She's my cousin, and I grew up with her. I know when she's just pretending or not, but based on what I see now, I can't even tell."
Before she could even speak, Liam entered the library and approached our location. He seemed surprised to see us there.
 
"Oh, why do you look so surprised?" Ace asked him.
 
"I just can't believe that you're actually here." We furrowed our brows and exchanged glances at what he said.
 
"Are we really that insignificant as students to you that you're surprised to see us in the library?" Ken chimed in.
"That's not it. I was looking for you, and then Briana just told me where you are. I didn't expect you to be here." He said, still in disbelief.
 
"See? I told you, Mira, she did change," Sophie interjected. She seemed so proud of what she said.
 
"I doubt it," I heard Liam say, but Sophie and Ace didn't hear it. Only Ken and I heard it.
I looked at my wristwatch. It's been almost half an hour and the student I've been waiting for still hasn't arrived. Who is it and where are they?
 
"Is the student we're waiting for still not here?" Ken asked me. I'm sure he's getting impatient too.
 
"Oh, I almost forgot."
 
"Forgot what?" I asked Liam.
 
"I'm one of the students you're going to tutor." He scratched his head.
 
"You?!" I exclaimed in surprise and stood up. At the same time, my voice echoed throughout the entire library. All the students in the room looked at our spot. Oh no, how embarrassing. I didn't want to look at the librarian, I'm sure she's giving me those scary looks. After a while, I saw my friends standing up and pulling me out of the library.
 
"You were so loud. That's why we got kicked out!" Ken complained.
I glared at him. "Hey, it's like you didn't make any noise earlier!" I retorted and turned to Liam. "But seriously, you're one of the ones who I will tutor?"
 
"Yeah." He said, and I immediately hit his shoulder.
 
"You're so shameless! You made me wait for so long only to find out that you're one that I will tutor?!"
 
"I'm sorry. I couldn't find you guys."
 
"Are you crazy? Mrs. Zamora clearly said to meet here in the library."
 
He scratched his head again. "I wasn't really paying attention. How would I know?"
 
I rolled my eyes. "So where do you plan on studying?"
 
"At our house. We're neighbors anyway." He replied.
 
"You're always making moves, Liam." Ken teased.
 
He smacked him. "Idiot, no!"
 
"Ouch! There's no need to hit me."
 
"Well, you're saying all sorts of stupid things."
"Wait, I have an idea." We all looked at Sophie as she spoke. "The exam is coming up, right? What if we just do group study?" She suggested with a smile.
 
"I think that's a good idea!" Ace replied, showing his support.
 
I nodded. After all, it does sound better.
 
"Yeah, and we can do it at Liam's house." We all agreed with that, except for him.
 
Ken was about to hit him again, but Liam quickly moved away. "That's fine with me. But at our house? No way!"
 
"Oh, so it's okay if it's Mira, but not all of us?" Sophie retorted.
 
"Yeah, exactly! Just admit it, Liam, you want to have Mira all to yourself." Ken is really crazy. He says all sorts of things. I'm the one feeling embarrassed here.
 
"I'm not saying that. We can do it at Mira's house." Well, this guy is annoying. He even dragged me into it.
 
"Come on! Stop being so picky. If you don't agree, I won't tutor you." I threatened him.
 
"Wait, are you threatening me?"
 
"Maybe." I smirked. "It's up to you. You'll fail Mrs. Zamora's subject."
 
He ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, okay fine! I can't stand resisting when it's you anyway." I immediately fell silent at his words. I'm getting all fluttered again, even though I know I shouldn't.
 
I looked at the three of them, and it was obvious in their eyes that they were teasing. Especially Sophie.
 
"So, are we going?" Ken changed the topic.
 
"Where?" Liam asked, furrowing his brow.
 
"To your house, of coursem" Ace replied.
 
"We're going to do group study, now?" Liam asked in surprise.
 
"No, instead of going to the mall today, we'll just hang out in your house. Plus, you made us hungry from waiting. We haven't eaten yet." Ken said, still holding his stomach.
 
"So what do you mean? Are you going to eat there?"
 
"We can just go grocery shopping and cook there." I suggested.
 
He sighed. "No need. There's already plenty of food there."
 
"So you're agreeing?"
 
"What else can I do?" He groaned.
 
As we walked towards the parking lot, I couldn't help but glance at them, all smiles and laughter. Well, except for Liam, who seemed reluctant about us going to their house.
 
I smiled to myself. Too bad Jhea isn't here. She's missing out on all the fun.
 
I just pray that our bond will last a lifetime. I really hope so.