Qoute: "The hardest battle is standing alone when the people who should protect you are the ones hurting you."
When our classes ended, I said goodbye to my friends.
"Amber, Lila, I'll go ahead first," I told them while fixing my bag.
"Okay, Claire. Be careful," Lila replied with a small smile.
"Bye, girl. See you tomorrow," Amber added as she waved.
I nodded and started walking along the hallway. Students were slowly leaving their classrooms, their voices echoing around the corridor. I just wanted to go home and rest.
But suddenly, someone blocked my path.
I stopped.
In front of me were Serena's friends.
Vanessa crossed her arms and smirked.
"Oops. Sorry. Leeches aren't allowed to pass here," Vanessa said mockingly.
I looked at them, forcing myself not to get irritated.
"Wow, girl. That's a harsh judgment," I replied calmly.
"You really are a leech," Vanessa answered.
"Yeah, a leech," Cindy, their other friend, repeated while laughing.
I stepped closer to them, my patience slowly disappearing.
"You know what? I've been holding back for a while now," I said, staring at both of them.
"Who exactly are you calling a leech?"
They suddenly went silent.
Neither of them answered.
I clenched my fists.
"Move out of my way," I shouted.
My voice echoed in the hallway, making some students look at us.
Vanessa rolled her eyes before stepping aside.
"Let's go, Cindy," she muttered.
I walked past them without looking back.
But inside my chest, my anger was boiling.
When I arrived home, the house felt quiet.
As I stepped into the living room, I immediately saw Serena sitting on the couch.
She looked like she had been waiting for someone.
Waiting for me.
She stood up and walked toward me.
I tried to go upstairs, but suddenly she grabbed my wrist.
"Wait. I want to ask you something," Serena said.
I looked at her hand holding mine.
"What is it? Make it quick," I replied coldly.
She hesitated for a moment.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked.
I frowned.
"Mad? What kind of question is that?" I answered.
"Why are you acting like that toward me? What did I do to you?" she said.
"Do?" I repeated.
"Yes," she insisted.
I shrugged.
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Nothing? I don't believe you."
"I'm not mad at you," I replied.
"If you don't want to believe me, that's your problem."
Her expression suddenly changed.
"Or maybe you're angry because Daddy gives me more attention now," she said with a mocking tone.
"Are you jealous, Ate Claire?"
I let out a small laugh.
"Jealous? Wow. Big word coming from you," I said.
She stepped closer to me.
"You know I liked **Inigo** first, right?" she said.
"Oh," I replied.
"So this is about Inigo."
"Well, it's not my fault if Inigo likes me."
Her face turned red with anger.
"You probably flirted with him, that's why he likes you," Serena snapped.
"Flirt?" I scoffed.
"Me? Flirting?"
"Excuse me, Serena. Wake up. It's not my fault if the person you like happens to like me."
Her hand suddenly moved.
SLAP.
The sound echoed in the living room.
My face turned to the side.
Before I could react, she grabbed my hair.
"You think you're better than me?!" Serena shouted.
That was enough.
I slapped her back and pushed her away.
She stumbled and fell to the floor.
Just then—
The front door opened.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"
It was **Dad**.
And behind him was **Tita Mitch**.
Serena immediately started crying and ran to Dad.
"Daddy! Mommy!" she cried while hugging him.
Dad looked shocked.
"What happened here?" he asked.
Serena sobbed dramatically.
"Ate Claire… I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night… but she pushed me," she cried.
I stared at her in disbelief.
Tita Mitch suddenly walked toward me.
SLAP.
Her hand struck my face.
"You've gone too far, Claire!" she shouted.
I slowly looked at her.
"Too far?" I repeated.
"Wow… mother and daughter really are the same."
"Claire, that's enough!" Dad shouted.
"Claire, apologize to your sister and your aunt," he said sternly.
I stared at him.
"Sorry? For what?"
Dad sighed in frustration.
"I don't understand you anymore, Claire. Your attitude is getting worse."
My chest tightened.
"You don't understand me?" I said quietly.
I looked straight at him.
"You're the one I don't understand anymore, Dad."
He froze.
"Are you even still my father?" I continued.
"Ever since you got married again… you changed."
"You stopped thinking about me."
"You forgot that you still have another daughter."
Tears started falling down my face.
"I know, Dad. I already accepted it."
"I accepted that you forgot about Mom and me."
"I accepted that I'm no longer your priority."
"That your new wife and your new daughter are more important now."
My voice trembled.
"I already accepted that I don't have anyone on my side in this house."
"I accepted that I'm alone."
"Even once… I can't feel the love you used to give me."
The room fell silent.
No one spoke.
Then I turned around and ran upstairs.
I locked myself inside my room and cried.
Minutes later, someone knocked on my door.
"Claire, hija… open this door," a gentle voice said.
It was **Nanay Flora**.
I opened the door and immediately hugged her.
She hugged me back warmly.
"My poor child," she whispered.
"Claire, remember this… Nanay Flora is still here for you."
I wiped my tears.
She gently held my face.
"Listen to me carefully," she continued.
"People may change… but their love doesn't always disappear."
"I know your father still loves you."
"He's just… not paying attention the way he used to."
She smiled softly.
"When you were little, you and your dad used to play together every day."
"He always bought you Barbie dolls."
"You cried a lot back then too," she chuckled.
"But now you're older."
"You're stronger."
"You're a beautiful young lady now, Claire."
"You shouldn't cry too much anymore."
I smiled weakly.
"And besides…" she added.
"Your birthday is coming soon."
"Oh… that's right," I said softly.
She patted my head.
"Everything will be okay, my child."
I hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Nanay Flora."
For the first time that day…
I finally felt like I wasn't completely alone.