LITERARY FOLIO: Triad

What they thought, missing Seems like what I bought. courage Sitting under the streetlight, Seems shameless of me to show my light. A moment of overthinking When I’m smiling, Doing what I’m doing, Bad thoughts keep my mind breathing. Wearing a mask to protect from viruses, But it seems for me it has other uses. To cover up the face, To cover up something I’m not brave. I Moshii TRIAD I 42

STILL YOU If there’s one wish, I’d take the chance But could there be really one last chance? To see you smile and hold your hand Where I can see you and hold you tight. I’d run back to you all at once. I’d run back to you all at once. Will you be there, will I get a chance? I realized, I remember you in every place, ‘Cause beside you is where I see my sun at every glance If there’s one wish, I’d take the chance. When the sun hit my skin and the longing sinks in. I hope we can go back to the streets where If there’s one wish, I’d take the chance. we dance I’d run back to you all at once. And savor the light illuminating us. I’d run back to you all at once. I hope we can escape the night for one last chance And to run the wild like we don’t mind If there’s one wish, I’d take the chance. 43 I TRIAD I Dyan rae rapacon

I still hide you in my poetry I I John Reygie Sison TRIAD I 44

I Sakura I ALVIN BARTOLOME 45 I TRIAD

As the Sakura blooms and its petals fall, __sakura__ I can’t help but to smile and wonder. What did I do to deserve such an angel? TRIAD I 46 Where all my life I’ve done nothing but suffer. But now tonight, I feel at ease, Butterflies flutter in my stomach as the wind blows. I can never thank you enough for this peace, But I say this to you and I don’t tend to boast. You gave me peace in a lifetime of war. You gave me a home, to protect and this I swore. I will cherish this moment onward. And thank God that I’m still alive and moving forward. I Aurlevior

PUHON Nabalot man sa kadiliman. Nais kong iyong malaman. Sa pagdungaw ko sa bintana, Ikaw agad ang naalala. Mga bitwuin sa kalangitan Ang siyang nagpapakita. Sa libo libong duda, Mahal—ikaw ang pag-ibig na aking ‘sana’. Sa mga naiwang trahedya. Ikaw ang siyang nagsilbing sandata. Salamat sa ibinigay mong pag-asa. Ikaw ang siyang nagsilbing lakas. Hindi, hindi pa ito ang wakas. Dahil ang kwento natin ay magmamarka At mag-iwan ng bakas ng pag-asa. 47 I TRIAD I Ayi

I ALVIN BARTOLOME 3:00 Am Thougts I TRIAD I 48

I Miss Oblivious I justine von lagoc 49 I TRIAD

She is the epitome of romance, unaware yet romantic. miss Those eyes speak death and yet are beautiful. oblivious Her hands with the slits of life, it is soft yet tough to be the receptacle of pain. TRIAD I 50 The half-dead soul of hers revives mine. A body of a goddess with a dagger of insecurities. Darling, how can I set you free? You did no crime to hide in vain. Why hide, full of shame? Looking for a mirror full of stains. Disguising yourself and needing help. Chained in the shadow of judgments. I Louise Julius Vince Solsoloy

IT’S OKAY In those moments, you felt like you were That taking a deep breath and shrugging alone. shoulders, I hope you will find the courage to tap into Is okay to make it through another day yourself That blaming yourself will not alter how The courage to cheer yourself on making it was it through the day But you know yourself that you can prove how it may become. The bravery to stand by yourself because you have YOU No matter how destructive and chaotic The acknowledgment that it’s okay not to things went out be at your best I hope you will learn to realize Because being not at your best doesn’t That your mistakes don’t define you make you less Because all of these will improve you 51 I TRIAD I daphney tabigne

That taking criticism is okay. It’s OkayI Because even though this kind of thing TRIAD I 52 Makes your pillow sheet damp at night You know it’s one of the things that will mold you On the things you want to become I hope you will learn to realize that. Punishing yourself because things didn’t go how you want to Will not get you good. It’s okay to lay low if things are overwhelming As we are only humans who get tired too. And I hope you will not let those overwhelming sadness and grief eat you To the point, you missed the tremendous oppor- tunities ahead of you Remember, it’s okay, because in the end, you have YOU. I justine von lagoc

I Painting You I hannah mae gabriel 53 I TRIAD

I was never a good painter. They were merely for myself, PAINTING YOU Can’t even draw a person’s face without in case you turn back into a canvas ruining the paper. paper— empty, and just white. No colors, no markers, and nothing at all. But I painted you, in every aspect I know how. I became an artist I trained myself to paint you in every wall, who painted only for herself, in every paper, in every way I can. to remind me of how you once were, and how colorful you were to me. It wasn’t because I liked it. It was merely a reminder, the paintings. The paintings were just reminders. Because one day when To remind myself of how you looked— you fail to remember, Your smiles, your cries, your face turning red, At least I have something to look at, your silly dances, and reminisce about the your voice when you randomly sing, beauty of what we once had. your frowns, your serious face, and above all, TRIAD I 54 how your eyes shined so brightly, and how I melt whenever you stare at me. I baylonjamiea

AGONY Screaming in the midst of a deafening silence DE LA VIE Interrogating the worth of my existence Stabbed by the knife of frustration, I nearly died in affliction. Staggering from the punches of life, Where mercy barely lets me thrive. Torn inside the battlefield to fight, I still desire to glimpse the light. Drowning from the struggling currents This cruel world is brimming with torments Writhing from the inflicted pains, I yearn to escape from the chains. How long will I endure this everlasting agony? Until my breath runs dry from this misery? How long will I beg on my knees? For heavens to finally hear my please. 55 I TRIAD I Ae

I justine von lagoc Agony De La Vie I TRIAD I 56

I The Quests I hannah mae gabriel 57 I TRIAD

How can I climb? How can I have mine? THE QUESTS If dreams are clouds. If love is like a jar. For I am still on the ground, And others has flowers, Where there are no stairs While mine is broken. around. How could I walk? How can I win? If journey is a tree, If life is a raffle draw. Where its leaves will fall, And it seems I didn’t get, And thorns are the future. A lucky ticket. I Aquiqoutes TRIAD I 58

GOAL Save your life in your own ways Save the day remembering the things you can smile at Save your time in pursuing your greatest goal Save your quality over the quantity Create the book without a copyright Create the link without the virus But never do pursuing without proper admiring 59 I TRIAD I Roussel Bulanadi

I alvin bartolome Goal I TRIAD I 60

I Shut Down I ALVIN BARTOLOME 61 I TRIAD

Little Miss was drowned. Every happening left her bruised SHUT DOWN on how things suddenly shut down as she felt all her efforts were misused. In a blink, she was astounded. And that left her confused. As days become dark and brown to feel such blues Tumultuous noise of surrounding It was never easy. She was in thirst it has ending For little Miss to be left like this, as messy screaming in head as it was deafening. carrying the burden of anxiety Never know how she will vent in. like untangled wire that is sparkly. Little Miss was reminiscing. And so, she shut everyone How happy she was at the beginning closing her doors to anyone and how it left her missing As she protected her peace of mind Making it like she was chasing who was treating her unkindly. I DAPHNEY TABIGNE TRIAD I 62

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I Prologue Our minds will believe things we tell it. Happiness. Courage. Bravery. Peace. I dread to see what people would offer only to meet me on the same level like the bluest of skies touching the ends of the sea, never leaving it even as it changes its colors. And I’d always wonder what secrets the ocean keeps that has never been known. “Blue!! Don’t go so far out in the water, the waves are getting high!” Mother yelled as I started going further and further and further... Like entering an abyss I know would drown me but I’d take the risk anyway only to be brought to the deepest darkest mysteries of the ocean. I like the beach. People love it even in any season that passes. I feel Yellow walking behind me as I breathe in the summer breeze. “Missing your father?” He asked. My father used to tell me stories before going to bed but for some reason when I was growing up, he would always fight with mother until he was gone. He was brought to the hospital. I used to tell him stories in his hospital bed and he would always smile and try to look strong and happy. His condition was scary to look at with all the tubes and cables connected to him, together with the beeping sound of his heartbeat on the screen but I had to play my role and give him the strength and will to go on until he died of Leukemia when I was ten. 65 I TRIAD

Prologue I “No, not really. Just. Thoughts. You know, the usual thoughts people get when they think.” I replied. “No. Some people are just pure magic sometimes.” Yolo replied. I stared at him for a brief moment and he looked away from me. Suddenly splashes of water disturbed the calm waves as Red jumped to join in. “Relax. You both look so sad. We’re only twelve. Do you think the sun follows us?” He jokingly asked. My gaze drifted far out in the water. For what it’s worth and to myself who can never be who I could’ve been, how could I relax? How can I when there is so much that is unknown? I shrugged away my thoughts and jokingly answered Red; “Of course the sun is following us. How could it not?” “Kids!! It’s getting too hot and you’ll burn your skin! Come over and eat with us!” Mother yelled from the cottage. TRIAD I 66

I Prologue Red started running to the cottage challenging Yolo to race with him. I felt Yolo’s stare behind my eyes as I gaze through the open sea. “Stay on the shore where we can see you if you want to stay for a while.” He uttered. I silently walked to the shore and sat. I immediately went after them because I knew what would happen if I stayed. I’d just drown myself in thoughts that would make my head hurt. I’d rather take every chance I have to make people happy and live without really thinking about what would happen next or where this would lead me to. When I arrived at the cottage, Red was talking to my mother about random things while holding his watermelon. Yolo was silently at the corner eyeing at everything that’s happening while chugging on a can of soda. I went to the table and got myself a slice of watermelon. Red handed me a towel while talking to my mother. “You might get a cold. Dry yourself up.” he said and my mother smiled widely watching us. “Aren’t you going to eat, Yolo?” I asked. 67 I TRIAD

Prologue I “I was waiting for the both of you to get food before taking mine. Let’s all eat together.” He uttered. I plastered a smile on my face and started handing out paper plates to both of them. “Naku!! These kids! My mind is always at ease when you guys are around Blue. I’m sure your parents are very proud of raising kids like you. Thank you for always looking out for Blue.” My mother dramatically said. Red playfully disheveled my hair and laughed while Yolo continued getting food. Yolo and Blue are my neighbors. Our parents have been best friends since high school. Yolo and Blue usually hang out with me and my mother because we’re the only family we have left since my father died. “Earth to Blue!! Did you hear what I said?” Red was shouting at my face and I didn’t realize it. I blushed a little because I realized I was spacing out to a memory again. “Yeah, I know. I’m just a little nervous.” I uttered. TRIAD I 68

I Prologue Today is our first day in college. Red and I took the same course, architecture while Yolo took Nursing. At some point, things changed, but they didn’t, like the one where the change is faint, but you could feel it in the air. I don’t know at what point, or how it started, but it just did. “I’m going to go first. I still have to find my classroom.” Yolo said, waving his hand as he was walking away from us. I smiled and waved back at him and shouted “Goodluck, take care!” while Red is busy looking around us. Yolo has always been silent, but he has always had a way to converse with people. He is a good listener and a topic opener. He stood out even when he didn’t really say anything. Maybe it’s in the way he carries himself confidently even as he walks alone. “We should get going too. We can’t afford to be late on our first day.” Red said beside me as he was smiling at everyone who looked over at him. I nodded and we started walking to the classroom. I know that Red and Yolo are both very good looking and are easy to be with. I have had my own share of insecurities with myself, like how I have an easily irritated skin, so pimples and other dirt usually react badly. I also space out a lot, and people usually find me odd with my ideas so I try my best not to speak sometimes. 69 I TRIAD

Prologue I I at least hope to have a decent college life, and a friend who I could talk with about girl stuff because all my life, my mother is the only girl figure I ever had. When we arrived at the classroom, Red immediately sat in the middle of the third row. As I scanned the classroom, people started taking seats near him so I took a seat two rows behind him. I started thinking about the feeling of deciding for yourself but a voice whispers that no matter what you do, the road that you follow will always lead to one destination. And it hurts when you have invested so much in people because it makes every little piece of you happy, but at the end of the day, all you really have left is you. But I still have this little hope in me that things become alright, and that this year would be good to me. TRIAD I 70



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I Chapter 1 The bell rang and it’s time for recess. I looked at Red from my table and saw him looking at me while talking to other people. Funny how he could just shape himself into some people would like, some people would notice. “Hi. Canteen?” I asked him happily, trying to match his vibe. “Yeah, sure. Uhh though, can we sit with them?” He eyed the friends he made and was asking for my permission. I stared at Red for a long while and he just knew I wanted to make new friends, too. This is my first time being in the same circle that Red has. I used to be alone or Yolo usually accompanies me whenever he sees me. At times I want to be alone, not the kind where you feel lonely. I just really love living in my head, thinking of possibilities, nurturing the way I think, just- speaking for all that I believe in and at times I want to be around people where I would be liked and it keeps me at ease to know that I have someone I can turn to and that I have someone I can offer all that I could and that it would make them happy. 73 I TRIAD

Chapter 1 I “Alrighty. Hey guys, this is Blue, my childhood friend. Blue, this is-” Red was cut off by a girl with long wavy hair and almond eyes. Pretty. “Whoa, wait. You mean, you’re Red, she’s Blue? I mean- How can that be when you’re not siblings? Or are you?” She asked. “Amazing, right?” I muttered softly, leaving her curious about our background. “Nah. We’re childhood friends and our mothers are best friends and there’s actually another one. You won’t believe his name.” “What, Yellow?” The boy with sweaters asked jokingly. We both laughed and they all looked at us curiously until we confirmed that his name is Yellow. They were shocked and we started walking to the canteen,laughing at each other’s jokes. Red introduced me to them. Samantha is the one with long wavy hair and almond eyes. Her style is very girly. Shane has straight hair that ended just below her shoulders, and she sported bangs. She’s pretty boyish and TRIAD I 74

I Chapter 1 punk and her boyfriend, Aaron is very tall with lean muscles. Zach likes telling jokes and is very funny. I can’t believe I’m making friends. “Why are you so shy, Blue?” “It’s her first time making friends except me and Yolo. That’s why, Sam.” “We will get along together, Blue. I may suggest changing your way of dressing, Blue. It would help you build your confidence.” Sam smiled at me and I nodded and smiled back. I know what she means but I am open to constructive criticism so that I can cope with their environment. I am willing to change everything just to fit in their circle because I am so tired of being lonely too. We went back to the classroom and continued with our lecture. After class, Red and I waited for Yolo at the gate to go home together. When I got home, I saw my mom making cookies in the kitchen. I kissed her cheek and hurriedly went upstairs to write in my journal. She told me to come eat cookies with her so after writing, I went down and sat on the counter top. 75 I TRIAD

Chapter 1 I She asked me how school was so I told her how it went. I’m very happy that I made a good start as a freshman and that I have gained friends. I’m very excited to go out with them and oh, the thought that I have Red by my side excites me. I have someone who would back me up in situations I don’t want to encounter. I’m just kind of sad for Yolo because he was separated from us. But I think it’s kind of all right since we never really blended our extended group of friends with each other. I woke up the next morning feeling giddy to myself. I hurriedly changed, excited to go to class. I waited for the boys at the gate but they texted me I should just go to class first because Red was already in the classroom and Yolo’s classes are starting late. When I arrived at the classroom, they all greeted me good morning. Samantha complimented the dress I wore which is a yellow dress that ended just above my knees. It took me some time to pick my outfit. I appreciate Sam for complimenting me and thanks to her advice. I stood beside Red because my seat was far from them. TRIAD I 76

I Chapter 1 “Blue, we were talking about hanging out together. Will be throwing a party tonight at my place. You coming? We’re all going.” Zach excitedly asked. All their eyes were on me now. I’m not vain. Parties thrown at night are usually the ones with alcohol and drugs. “I don’t do alcohol. Besides, I can’t go home late.” I muttered shyly. “Come on, it just once. Besides tomorrow is Saturday and if I told your mother you were with me, she’d definitely agree for you to come.” Red muttered happily. How can I reject this? I smiled and gave them all a nod as a yes. They all cheered. Our professor entered the room so we went back to our seats. I saw them passing papers in the middle row. Professor Dela Fuerte was eyeing them but didn’t say a thing. My heart started pounding loudly not out of excitement, but out of nervousness. I haven’t done alcohol my entire life and I keep it a virtue to never play with it. I like myself sober. Maybe I could get away with it by saying no. I could just ask Red to drink my shots and talk to them. After classes, we all went to Aaron’s car, stopped over to buy some shots, and drove to Zach’s place after. We snuck inside and stayed in their basement where it looks like he transformed into a game room. 77 I TRIAD

Chapter 1 I His parents are out of town and we’re the only ones around. They set up the table, poured the shots, and arranged the food. We made a circle and sat that way. They passed one glass and took a drink out of it. When it was my turn to drink, Red smiled at me and encouraged me to try it. I didn’t want to, but looking at how happy they are, who am I to refuse? They poured me a shot and cheered for me when I downed it. “Calm down, girl. Easy there. How is it? “ Red said. “Why do you like stuff like this? It doesn’t taste good.” I replied “Oh, it will get better later on, you just have to enjoy it.” He laughingly said. I don’t think it’s right but I guess I’ll just enjoy the moment and go with the flow. I downed another shot when it was already my turn, and it seems like I can’t get a hold of myself anymore. I feel dizzy and I TRIAD I 78

I Chapter 1 “Her face! Her silky face! It grew pimples. There was a lot on her face, and she looked thinner. She looked like she was out of herself.” Shane added. “Right? What do you think, Blue?” Samantha asked. Red was staring intently at me waiting for my reply when Zach called him to play some game on his PS4. I heard Aaron mutter something about girls and Red just laughed. “Yeah, she looked devastated. I think.” I returned my gaze to the girls and gave a smile. My head hurts, probably from the alcohol. I excused myself and told them I wanted to go get some air. Now that I think to myself, no one truly understands. I am completely different from them. It seems like if I am not gonna fit in their world because I am not used to what they are doing. 79 I TRIAD

Chapter 1 I I went back inside and I saw them wasted. They were fantasizing about finishing another bottle when they were already drunk. Samantha was laying on Shane’s lap who was sitting on the carpet. The boys were talking about who had bigger muscles between the three of them, while downing the shots left. I went and sat with the girls and when they saw me, they suddenly took out another bottle and we continued drinking. I woke up with my head hurting so much. I just realized I slept on the carpet. With them. We woke up in the morning and I hurriedly went home with Red accompanying me. He said that we went to a birthday party with a new friend of ours. And I breathed a sigh of relief because she does not recognize that I drank alcohol. I took a bath and fell asleep. Almost everyday we hang out and drink. I am used to it and tried my best to adjust with their environment. And today is Sunday again and they are planning to hang out tonight and I am not in the position to refuse because I am also enjoying it. When I got home, I went straight to my bed and fell asleep. I woke up the next morning with a hangover. But I seem to notice that my head hurts often and I get tired easily. It’s unusual but maybe its just that the weather is so hot. I also did many things lately. My bed is TRIAD I 80

I Chapter 1 whispering that I should lay down again but I came back to my senses after remembering that it is monday and I need to get ready. Afterwards, I took a bath and got dressed. I immediately headed to school. I walked past Yolo in the hallway but he didn’t seem to mind me when I waved at him. I even put in an effort to look happy to him even when my head was throbbing very badly. I rarely see him and it’s my first time seeing him over the past few weeks. Maybe he was so busy with his course Nursing and so with us. I walk back and talk to him. “What’s up, Yolo?” He was just staring at my arm so I turned my gaze to my arm. There are bruises in my arm. Where did I get all of these? “What happened to that, Blue?” Yolo’s tone was so serious. “I don’t know, maybe I just bumped into something. Never mind, it will go away on its own.” “Look at you, Blue. What happened to you. You lose weight. You look so pale.” “What are you talking about Yolo? This is me.” 81 I TRIAD

Chapter 1 I “That’s not how you dress, you are completely different. I almost did not recognize you.” “Changing the way I dress does not concern you, it’s my own choice. This is what I want. I’m tired of the old me, Yolo.” “I am asking why, Blue. You don’t need to change yourself just to be accepted by society.” “Ahhh! Stop, Yolo. You’re making my head hurt even more.” I walk out but my head hurts badly and I feel so dizzy. My vision suddenly went dark and I felt my body hit the floor. I feel cold and I cannot move my body. I can feel the world spinning even when my eyes are closed. “Blue!” I heard someone from the distance say. I felt my body being carried and I suddenly lost consciousness. TRIAD I 82



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I Chapter 2 I slowly opened my eyes and adjusted to the brightness of the room. I looked outside the window and the sun was almost setting. I was right. I’m in a hospital though I’m shocked to see Yolo by my side. “Were you here the whole time? How long have I been asleep? Can we go out now? I wanna go home.” I panicked. I remember I still have a lot of stuff to do. “Calm down. I was here the whole time since we arrived early this morning. You suddenly fainted and I was nervous so I called your mom. She was here a while ago, but she said she’ll be back later tonight. We can’t go out yet. You’re sick.” He explained carefully to me, as if hiding something. “What do you mean I’m sick? I just fainted. Nothing serious about it. Let’s get out of here. I still have a lot to do. Where’s Red?” Yolo held my hand, looked at me intently in the eyes and told me I looked different. “You’ve changed. You look different. You look- I don’t know. Like a different person. Also, Red will be here any moment now. School probably just finished.” 85 I TRIAD

Chapter 2 I “Silly, of course I look different. I’m growing. Look, I’m even sick in a hospital bed. I might even be dying.” I muttered jokingly but he didn’t laugh. “The way you move and decide feels like it’s not you anymore. You feel different and act differently and move differently. Everything about you that made you happy is gone. How could you live like..” The door suddenly opened and Red rushed to my side. Yolo took a step back to give way to Red. “Where does it hurt? Are you okay? What did the doctor say? When can you go home?” He simultaneously asked. “I can’t answer all those in a blink of an eye. Calm down.” I replied, almost laughing at his concern. He took a seat beside me where Yolo was sitting a while ago. He held my hand and gently squeezed it. “Blue, It looks like you’ll be fine. I’ll be going ahead. You two ta-” he was cut off when Red suddenly shouted “What is wrong with you? You always leave early, you don’t talk to us, you rarely appear, you don’t even give a reaction when we meet in the hallways.” Red bursted out in anger and I knew right then and there that there was a fight coming. TRIAD I 86

I Chapter 2 whispering that I should lay down again but I came back to my senses after remembering that it is monday and I need to get ready. Afterwards, I took a bath and got dressed. I immediately headed to school. I walked past Yolo in the hallway but he didn’t seem to mind me when I waved at him. I even put in an effort to look happy to him even when my head was throbbing very badly. I rarely see him and it’s my first time seeing him over the past few weeks. Maybe he was so busy with his course Nursing and so with us. I walk back and talk to him. “What’s up, Yolo?” He was just staring at my arm so I turned my gaze to my arm. There are bruises in my arm. Where did I get all of these? “What happened to that, Blue?” Yolo’s tone was so serious. “I don’t know, maybe I just bumped into something. Never mind, it will go away on its own.” “Look at you, Blue. What happened to you. You lose weight. You look so pale.” 87 I TRIAD

Chapter 2 I “That’s not how you dress, you are completely different. I almost did not recognize you.” “Changing the way I dress does not concern you, it’s my own choice. This is what I want. I’m tired of the old me, Yolo.” “I am asking why, Blue. You don’t need to change yourself just to be accepted by society.” “Ahhh! Stop, Yolo. You’re making my head hurt even more.” I walk out but my head hurts badly and I feel so dizzy. My vision suddenly went dark and I felt my body hit the floor. I feel cold and I cannot move my body. I can feel the world spinning even when my eyes are closed. “Blue!” I heard someone from the distance say. I felt my body being carried and I suddenly lost consciousness. TRIAD I 88

I Chapter 2 My heart started pounding heavily and it hurt to be aware that it was going to break into a million little pieces. I don’t even have the energy to stop them from fighting. Red was raging and Yolo was ready to leave the room when suddenly Red grabbed Yolo’s shirt and told him that if he left, he wouldn’t be able to see the both of them anymore. “Oh yeah, yeah let’s do that then, since you always decide for Blue anyway. You changed her into something she doesn’t want to be. You always decide for her without even considering what she truly feels, like you don’t know what she likes and she doesn’t when we’ve literally been together our whole lives. You made her into someone who isn’t comfortable in her own skin and made her believe it is where she belongs? She belongs to herself.” Yolo shouted hysterically in front of Red. My mind shut. I don’t know what to do or what not to do. All I could do is stare. I could hear echoes of their voices shouting against each other but all I could process as of the moment is what Yolo said. All this time... I didn’t even know what I was becoming anymore. And yet he did. He knew. 89 I TRIAD

Chapter 2 I “I didn’t change her. She has a mind of her own. She gets to choose for herself and all I did was give her options. You didn’t see how lonely she looked. How- how she wanted to fit in, how she wanted to change herself. Come on Yolo, we’re growing up. It’s normal for her to feel that she has to change.” Red replied. “Options! You gave her options, what kind?Well not when you make her feel that way, when you think she isn’t enough. She was never insecure with the way she felt or the way she looked but you... You made her think that she is just so bad that society couldn’t accept her if she didn’t change. Well guess what Red, society is shit and the only thing good that’s happening around balancing all the shitty stuff happening in our life is her.” I exhaled and almost, as if a whisper, a plea of help, that only those who were paying attention to me would hear, I uttered “Stop it.” They both froze in their spots and their eyes softened when they looked at me and I knew then that they wanted to apologize, but they wouldn’t because they wanted to stand firmly with their opinions. I sighed and told them to calm down and give me some time to think. Why would they even fight about that? Thinking back, I did make some stupid decisions. TRIAD I 90