Orange Hues

Exorcise That Ghost!

ORANGE HUES ||

My mom and I went to the supermarket, and then after those long 3 hours I went to the mall right away, taking the city bus. I went alone, and bought 4 sweaters, 2 pants, perfume, blind bags of anime characters, and some deodorant. All those things came with a total of 130$, including taxes. My grandpa said he'll give me money, and my sister is also giving me 500$. No idea why she is, but I'm not complaining.

The clock reads 5:29 pm, and I had just gotten home 7 minutes ago. School ended a week ago, and during the last weeks of school Leo and I had been hanging out everyday afters school. Up until the last day, I had ghosted everyone from school. Including Leo, Jinni, Kana and Reva. For the reason being, I need a fresh start, and I do admit it was such a shit move but I felt like I had to. It's me here that is the problem, but this is what I've always been doing, it's not a surprise for me.

In two days I'm going on a trip with my childhood best friend around the world, well not entirely but we are going to 2 different continents. It's been a year since we last saw each other.

Hearing my mom call me from downstairs, calling me to take the trash out, I go downstairs and comply. Avoiding my best to not touch the gross part of the trash bag, opening the garage, walking to the garbage can, holding my nose to not embrace the disgusting smell. As I clap my hands, getting rid of the dirt, I hear my name be called. Confused as I am, I turn to the direction of the voice, coming from the park I see Leo. Walking towards me, and I feel the urge to run, but that's just stupid.

"Hey," playing it off friendly, like I didn't ghost his ass. "What are you doing out here?" I question, already knowing the answer.

"Why'd you ghost me?" Leo confronts immediately, his tone is bold and he sounds a little bit mad. Taken aback, I sigh looking over to the side. I just did, I did with everyone. That's how quick it is for me to forget friendships, to forget memories that mean so much to me, it scares me how I pretend that significant events didn't mean anything to me, and my mind resets to it was never that meaningful.

"Did me ghosting you mean a lot or what?"

"Eyam, you're being mean." Leo says, and my eyes start to tear. Yeah, I've been bitter lately, I'd admit I don't know what came over me, maybe it's just a defence mechanism I use to avoid confrontation.

"I know."

"Can we hang out again Eyam? Please." He pleads, sounding desperate, my heart aches and I know it shouldn't be.

"I'm really sorry that I blocked you on everything, I did that with everyone, and you did nothing wrong, but I'm going to be gone for the whole summer. I really liked hanging out with you but we can't, I'm sorry."

"How come?"

"Cause' it's not you, it's me, and I'm hundred-percent telling you the truth. Before I moved to Neil's, I cut all ties at my previous school, it's just something that I do okay?" I snap, seeing Leo's eyes widen, I mutter a sorry. "See you Leo." I say, going back inside, hoping that this will be the last time we will ever talk.

ORANGE HUES||

New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Manila, Cebu. All the cities I went to this summer with my childhood friend Chaela, we experienced rain in all the cities and I never thought I could ever feel that happy before. Every café shop I entered had this aroma of sweet to it, and now, every time I look at coffee I can't help but smile remembering the sweet smell.

Vacation was a blast, but now I know mom is going to be working hard for the next few years. I'm going to be alone again. My siblings, Ei and Jaurence, are living in two different cities and both are busy, but I'll manage. I've been managing for quite some time now. I'm on my phone, laying on the couch while the tv is on, playing a random Filipino drama.