Have you ever been told that you're just wasting your life for nothing?

No fun, no exciting events, just cold and dark and boring lifeline. I am one of those who experienced criticism on how I live my life. In my own words, I wouldn't describe my life as boring, it's just I prefer it to be colorless and unwanted so there's not much to think.

"Hi, I am Rory Kim, I am 17 years old. Please take care of me" I said. standing in front of my supposedly new homeroom.

"How about you tell us moroe about yourself Ms. Rory?" The teacher asks nicely, I suppose...?

I have never been asked by those question before, now I don't know what to say. Standing there frozen at a moment as my eyebrows reach at the middle in confusion.

"I guess, I am not fun...?"

I don't know what I said, but everyone seems t not get it. "Erm... May I take a seat?" I procedd to ask.

"Ah, yes you may, you can take any empty seats at the back" the teacher said, geesturuing around the empty seats at the back.

I look around and observe everyone. one guy I see, wearing braces, thick lenses, clean haircu...

'He might be perfect'. I went to the empty seat beside this guy. Everyone starts murmuring. Girl at the other side says, "You chose the wrong spot, might as well move".

"...and why do you say so?" I ask. She then only look at the guy as if referring he's the reason why.

I look at to where she was looking. Reach out my hand and say, "Thank you for letting me seat next to you"

The guy doesn't seem to be bothered at all, he continue reading as if I wasn't even there.

"The name's Ember" He said.

"Rory" I said.

...

"Class dismiss!"

"Thank you Professor!"

"Hey, new girl!"

I look up to where the voice is coming from. 2 Girls were walking towards me: short-than-average skirts, dyed hair, heavy make-up, and let me guess, trashy personalities?

"What? Is there something you want to say?" I ask. Standing to their level as i wear my back pack. I stood their idly waiting for their response.

"Er.... we were just thinking, if.. if you want to go with us.. yo-you know get to know each other...?" Girl 1 said.

"Hmm... No thank you i already have plans" I said. Walking away from them.

"Geez... you can just say "no" though" Girl 2 reacted.

...

When I got home, I see my aunt watering her plants on the frontyard. "How's class Rory?" My aunt asks me

"Good" I said straighforwardly.

As I was walking past the front door to the living room, I cann hear voices from different people. 'Guess?' I thought so.

"I'm home!" I announce. To my surprise, my guess was right,  my cousin has visitors.

"Rory! come say hi, they were my college-mates back in the days.

My cousin, Suzette, is 8 years older than me, at 25 she has a 3 year-olld daughter and is married. I came over to pay respect. Not to her friends but to her.

"Hii, nice to meet you, make yourself at home" I said.

"Suzette, your cousin seems stiff and hard to be around with", "Just get comfortable with us kiddo, Suuzette and I were like families. I am Gracie, this is Andrew, Ellie, Jazmin, and her older brother June"

"Don't mind her, she's just always  like that" Suzette explained.

"I second that. Now, will you ex-" I was about to finish my sentence. A guy whose name is June had interrupted.

"Erm... Suzette? nature's call" He said.

"Ah yes, yes. Rory, lead him to the bathroom" Suzette said.

Thoughts began running inside my mind. If I lead this man to the bathroom, I will need to walk back here before I  can go straight upstairs. Too  much work... *SIGH

"Here..." I said. Leading the way. While we were walking he suddenly started a conversation.

"So you're Suzette's cousin, I  am June, Jazmin''s elder brother. Actually, my cousin is Suzette's husband so..."

"Here we are, take your time. I'll be leaving you here, I'll assume you know your way back" I said.

He was suprised by the way I talked to him. Nothing new to me, but I guess it's not likely to him.

"Rory right?" He asks. Reaching his hand out.

I take his hand and shook it.

I didn't even know something was starting at that moment.

Growing up, I have longed to live life filled with bright colors and endless  sights. It's just that it was also sooner that  I realized that life iis far from what I have imagined.

"Ms. Rory Kim? I have your test result in. Notice this little bend...."

I was sitting on this chair inside this cold unfamiliar room filled with unfamiliar things. Inside the room is my mother standing behind me. In front of me is the doctor.

"Scoliosis, huh" I said. "So, I need to receive treatmeants?" I asked my mom.

"Opertation" She said.

"You could've just said yes" I said.

At the age of 15 I discovered this heart-breaking news.

...

I continue my studies knowing I have this illness. To me, it was just an information that I needed to know, it doesn't seem to bother my physicals endeavors at school.

"Medical report says she's been diagnosed with scoliosis! So why the h*ck is there a patient with a bended-spine on the back able to  participate in sports?!"

I can hear someone yelling outside, by the sound of his tone, I can bet he's the school's dean.

"Rory... are you okay? your parents are on their way here. Why did you hid that crucial information?" Mimi asked me.

"So... do you think i'm out of the  team?" I asked her back. This is so bad, I always wanted to be a volleyball player.

"Why are you even asking that in this situation?" Mimi sounded concerned.

"Hahahahaha stop that, it doesn't even hurt a little" I said.

Mimi without any hesitation came to me and smack me in the head. *SMACK

"Ow! What was that for?" I cry.

"That's for lying. you suddenly fainted mid-game: fell straight-flat on your back while your nose was bucket-bleeding, and dare say "it doesn't hurt?!" Mimi said.

"Uuuu... that sounds so embarassing, was there a lot of people though?" I asked.

I know that in this situation, I wasn't supposed to feel rest-assured. I know that there is a bad news on its way.

"Hey, do you want to know what's in my mind right now?" I said.

Mimi look at me confused.

"That I might be living life on a very thin line, that I might lose all the things I love, that I might die without even having a boyfriend, that I might be a loser for the rest of my llife" I said.

"What are you even thinking about?! First, no one's dying, and second, that's because you rejected  Alex in 8th grade. Hahahaha" Mimi said.

We both laugh and memories suddenly started to rose. My thoughts were suddenly filled with those moments.

...

*DOOR SLAMS-OPEN!

"Rory!? Are you okay?!" My mom came bursting the door open. Without early notice, Mimi and I almost died from the sudden burst.

"Mom~ our soul almost left our bodies" I jokingly said.

"This is no time to joke around young lady. I can't seem to control this behavior of yours, I now talked with our distant relatives, your uncle Louie will be taking care of you" Mom said.

Again, without any early nottice. I was bombarded by the suddenn decision.

"But mom!"

"No buts, my decision is final, this weekend you will be taking your flight to your uncle Louie's place. Suzette will be there to get you"

Real thoughts? I can't even ride buses anywhere around the city I grew up in, taking flights  to a new place? that sounds so absurd. Plus, new people, new crowd, new house, everything will be new. how am I supposeed to act?!

Days went by so quickly, and tomorrow is the long-awaited weekend.

I look around my room as I sit at the end of my bed. I see everything is packed, not a single thing is left. Now, this room seems familiar to me-sad...

Seconds later, I hear someone knocking on my door. I look to see who is coming as the door opens. It was dad.

"Are you nervous?" Dad said.

Dad came in, wholding something in both of his hands. He then lay it flat to my bad as he sat down beside me.

"I'm not nervous, i'm scared" I said. Turning my gaze towards both of my hands. Unsettled above my thighs.

"Why are scared? Moving doesn't mean you have to start from thhe bottom, it means that there are more to explore and more to add to life" Dad said. He let out a deep sigh before he continues:

"I'm gonna miss you too..." He added.

Dad turn to leave, as he move the thing he brought by my side. I look at it and wondered what it could be. It is a small box, wrapped in an old newspaper.

*DOOR SHUTS

I picked up the little box and to my surprise it was quite heavy. I opened it and it was...

"A locket-watch...?" I'm confused by what my eyes had setled in. Ever since, I have never received any gift from my father. Tears starts to cloud my eyes.

...

"Okay, this is your first flight, but you don't have to worry, It'll just be a 2 hour ride, Suzette will be waiting on the airport" Mom said.

My mind is running widely. I am unbothered by everything, all seems blurry to me, including my mom's voice. It looks like time went slow. Next thing I knew, the plane is about to land.

"Wow... I must've been high..." I muttured to myself. The woman beside me look at me for a good amount of time.

I must've said it wrong.

"Rory! Rory!! here!" I came out hearing Suzette's voice shouting my name. After being in contact, Suzette finally shut her mouth.

She gave me the tightiest hug I have ever been in this entire life. "How's the flight? Good?" She said, still squeezing me.

"The flight is good... but this isn't" I said. Referring to her hug. She finally let go of me and took my luggage, while walking to the car,

"I remember the times when I visited your home, you and your siblings were tiny, OH! by the way, how's Rowan and Rilee?"

"They're good, I guess?" I  replied.

I had fallen into a deep sleep inside the car. Suzette wakes me up after we have arrive.

"Rory! Welcome to El Nido" Suzette's husband, Justine, said.

"Hey, Justine how's work?" I asked.

"Just like before, stressful" He sighed. Justine helped me with my luggage.

*SIGH "So i'll be staying here for the next couple of years..." I said looking around the house.