CHAPTER ONE

I made my last look on our house before finally leaving because starting from today; I will live inside the Philippine Academy and focus on my training to become Philippines’ next superstar..... or I don’t know. I really don’t have any idea on what to expect or on what to look forward to because it was an impulsive decision that I have to stand now.

“Kyle, you’re starting to grow up. I know that you are already matured enough to handle things on your own,” my supportive father said as he hug me goodbye before I leave our house. “If things don’t turn into your favour, you still have our home to come back to,” he added.

“Always take care of yourself, son. Don’t forget to come back home on Sundays. We’re always one call away whenever you need us,” my mom added onto my dad’s reminders.

I cannot help but to be teary eyed because these parents of mine are really supportive to my decisions in life. I always feel that I am loved and that I'll have them no matter how my decision turn out to be. I really cannot ask for more because they are already giving me their all.

“I love you both!” I said and hugged the both of them for the very last time before I went inside the car where our driver is waiting for me.

It’s Monday today and I am already expecting a very heavy traffic on our way to my new home so I put my headphones on and tried to sleep to ease the boredom that this traffic is going to cause me. After an hour or so, our driver woke me up by tapping my legs carefully so I thought that I already reached Philippine Academy but when I opened my eyes, I can still see the heavy traffic around me. I turned off the song that I was listening to and removed my headphones so I can listen to our driver.

“Sir, our car’s engine stopped working. It will take much of your time if you wait for me to fix this up,” he explained. I felt stressed since we’re in the middle of the traffic and I really don’t know where we’re at right now to book an Uber but I know that it will take more of my time if I choose to wait for him so I immediately get my things and decided to just wait for an empty taxi - hoping there is one that will pass by.

“I’ll just ride a taxi. Take care, kuya,” I answered and immediately went down of the car to grab a taxi.

I started to walk along the highway to find an empty taxi but luck isn’t on my side right now because every taxi that I am seeing is already taken by someone else. I inhaled deeply and blew exaggeratedly to release my stress. I really don’t know how to commute so this is already a hopeless case for me so I decided to just go back and just wait for our car to be fixed.

As I was walking back, a car stopped in front of me and to my surprise, it was Ken on the driver’s seat.

“Need a ride?” He asked and I swear, I already felt all my blood rushing to my face. Of all the people who can offer me a ride right now, why is it Ken? “We’re going in the same place right now."

I was surprised when he said that and I started questioning how is it possible for him to know me. The thought of it makes me blush even more since I can feel that my face is heating up right now.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“We have the same uniform?” Even him got confused with my question and I really felt embarrassed for assuming that he recognized me.

“Yeah. Right,” I shyly confirmed after realizing how stupid I was. Of course! What was I thinking?

He smiled nodding at me and after realizing that I am making him wait, without a word, I entered in his car.

“Are you a freshman, too?” He asked to start our conversation.

“Yup,” I answered. “From St. Louis High School,” I added to inform him that we are from the same school.

“I was from that school, too!” He exclaimed after knowing that we went to the same school.

“I know,” I obviously said. “The famous dancer, Ken Pascual,” I really tried to make him feel that I know him. I don’t know where I’m getting the confidence to talk to him right now but this is the chance that I really wanted from the very beginning – a chance that I don’t want to regret because I felt shy or whatsoever.

He chuckled after I said that he was that famous dancer because he really is. Everyone from our school knows him because he always dances on stage if there is an event. Even grade schoolers scream every time he lands on our stage.

“What about you? I’ve never seen you perform on stage and here you are – qualified for Philippine Academy so that speaks something about your talent,” I can’t help but to feel happy because of what he said.

“I sing a little and act a little, too. Don’t ask about my dancing because that is where I will fail,” I answered jokingly because his forte is where I’m weak at. I know it’s going to be a lot of work but I am willing to work harder just to belong in a world where he wants to be in.

“And I assume, since you entered Philippine Academy, that you really want to pursue performing, right?” He concluded.

“Well, I entered here because I want to follow where you go,” I don’t know where that courage came from and right now, I want to take back what I said because I low-key admitted to him that he is the reason why I am here and I know that this is not yet the right time for that because he just met me. I’m afraid that he’ll ignore me after this day just because I scared him out on our first talk.

“You’re idolizing me, huh?” He asked in a cool manner and good thing that he did because I really don’t know how to escape from this situation I put myself into.

“You can say that.”