We choose to have our lunch in a fast-food restaurant instead of fine dining to avoid delay. My friends and I are eager to rescue more dogs immediately, but we agree to rest for an hour as the hot temperature outside is unbearable.
The boys help the other staff in cleaning the shelter after bathing the rescue dogs, making time for me, Lea and Samantha to have girl talk. The two girls and I settle in Maddox’s small office.
“I can’t believe how our friendship has nourished in just a few months of meeting. This is not what I expected when I entered the Harper School. It was hard for me to leave my best friend in my former school, yet the pain paid off.”
“Besty, we are here for you.”
“Yes,” Sam seconded.
“I know, guys. I do not know how I would survive without your support. With all that is happening, I badly need moral support from my friends.”
“Yeah, Maddox is doing a great job as well. He makes sure he follows up your module class since you were in the hospital.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Angel, there're many things Maddox does, and a lot of them you haven’t noticed.”
“Yeah, no doubt. Maddox even agrees to surprise me when dad approaches him about the Island vacation and I know you guys were part of it.”
Lea slips a hand in her mouth. “Who told you?”
“Angelo did. He doesn’t want to hide anything from me anymore. I accepted it. He was so good to mom, anyway. It’s not a bad thing to swallow my pride sometimes, right?”
“Angel, I understand how you feel about your dad. It’s a good start for you to reconcile with him.”
“I think so. Still, I haven’t forgiven him yet.”
“Besty, I know you will. Don’t be too hard on yourself. The family you’ve been dreaming of is right in front of you. Things will fall into place soon and before you know it, your mom is back in her best shape.”
“Yes, I always have faith that mom will get well soon. In regards to my family, I’m content with having a mom with me. Dreaming of a complete family with Angelo is unrealistic, given that he has his own family. We are worlds apart.”
“We’re praying for your mom’s speedy recovery, Angel, and even though you won’t be with your dad. I hope you’ll be able to forgive him one day soon.” Sam taps my shoulder, which is comforting.
“On the lighter side of things. Can you guys talk about how your relationship with your boyfriend is going?”
Lea squeals like a child and a question is no longer needed if she wants to go first. She already has butterflies in her stomach before even starting her love story. Samantha and I laugh at her silly behavior.
“Girls, I think I’m lucky enough to have Glenn beside me. He understands me even when I’m at my worst. Just last week, we celebrated our 3rd monthsary. Glenn surprises me with a cute teddy bear, flowers, and a bunch of chocolates.” Lea shared happily. Her eyes sparkle with so much joy in them.
“Too sweet. He tried his best to make you happy.”
“Yeah, I appreciated all his gifts, especially that he saved them from his daily allowance. My gift to Glenn was a love letter that I wrote the night before our monthsary. I find it hard to save from my daily allowance. I don’t know, I haven’t done it before. Besty, you know I love spending my money, right?”
I nod and we all laugh at Lea’s remark. I believe in her, though. She’s been my best friend for many years and I can attest to that she hasn’t saved a dime.
“Glenn appreciated that I write him a love letter. It was an extra effort for me,” Lea made a hand quote gesture mentioning the extra. I know it was indeed an extra effort. She hasn’t done it to her exes.
My best friend Lea, she’s in her crazy mode almost 90% of the day, so I can say Glenn did a great job of sticking with her. They are opposite and probably it was a good match. Lea was the crazy one while Glenn was more on the lighter side who can tolerate his girlfriend.
“We can all agree that it was a great love story. How about you, Sam? Anything you want to share between you and Luke?”
Sam giggles. “Angel, you know everything about us.”
“What about me?” Lea chimes in. “I wanna hear your fairy tale love story.”
“Sure,” Sam said shyly. “Luke and I have grown up together because our family is friends. As far as I could remember, we didn’t like each other that much when we were little. As time passes by, we learn to like each other. We started from there until we confessed our feelings. We’ve been together for a long time, but still Luke treats me so well that I couldn’t ask for more.”
Sam’s cheeks blush as she continues sharing her love story with Luke. She’s even prettier when she smiles.
“Gosh, is that how the rich couple’s love story sounds? It was indeed a fairy tale.” Lea expresses with so much amazement in her eyes.
Sam laughs, hearing Lea's remarks. “Lea, you’re too cute. Any love story could be like a fairy tale, one such as your love story with Glenn. You and Glenn are so perfect for each other.”
“Yes, we all have beautiful love stories,” Lea said as she started hugging Samantha and me.
I didn’t refuse and return the hug she deserves, but deep inside, I know I’m in trouble thinking about my relationship with Maddox.
“I honestly envy you guys. You both have a good relationship with your boyfriend. I can only hope it’s the same for me and Maddox.”
“Angel, don’t say that. I am 100% certain Maddox loves you so much. There is no other girl for him.”
“Sam, that’s not what I meant. As much as I hate it, reality slaps me every time I realize Maddox and I are in different positions in life.“
“Angel, don’t think about those things. That’s the last thing you should keep in mind. You must think on the bright side of things like having a supportive boyfriend, having a mom and a dad that’s on your side. Do not dwell on those negative sides of things. That’s exactly what Cassandra and her minions want you to think. Don’t let them win.” Sam said with affirmation in her voice.
“Sam is right Angel, you need to be strong and keep your confidence regarding your relationship with Maddox intact. He loves you so much, don’t ruin it because of those bitches’ side comments.“
They have a point, though. I need to be strong, believe in myself, and never doubt my relationship with Maddox. I can’t stand having more burden while taking care of mom.
A knock on the door stops us. Luke walks into the room with a handsome smile on his face.
“Girls, Cassy, and her friends are here. We should start rescuing again.”
They are all back to rescue dogs, including Cassy and her friends, in their new outfits. Dark-colored jeans, a t-shirt, they top it with a jacket and wearing a cap. They look just right for dog rescuing this time.
Cassy walks close to Maddox. “Mad? Do we have the same area?”
“Yeah, you guys get back to the same area, and then you can move on to the nearby places to rescue more pets in need of help. We will move to the blocks from where we rescued dogs in the morning so that we can check which places we’ve been to and which are that need to be visited the following week.” Maddox talks to Cassandra casually, like he does to us.
Cassy smiles widely while Maddox talks to her like no one is watching them.
“Sure, let’s go girls.” Cassy invited her friends and threw me a side-look with a triumphant smirk as if trying to tease me.
I ignored Cassy. She wouldn’t win. I declared myself victorious in all my battles as long as I have my friends and family to strengthen me. For so many years in my life, I only had a mom and best friend, Lea, yet I fought and won battles from bullies in school and conquered my own demons. How much more now that I have my support system?