Chapter 9 COLLEGE

Although mama celeste, expressed her pride in me, Isabella and Jackson were significantly prouder of me because they were always there to help me with my newfound life objective. I was completely taken aback by it.

I wanted to help.

That was how Isabella and I began to grow very close. I understood how kind-hearted she was. Still, I felt bad about her. She wished to go to college as any girl of her age would. But since she had a family to support, she had to be restrained in the estate after completing high school in a public school to labor.

Jackson, well, I really began to appreciate him. I grew irritated with him, then eventually got over it.

I started to see now why he constantly showed a humorous personality and exuded confidence.

For him they were like his defensive system.

For a boy raised in poverty, the most grueling experiences he encountered along the way were necessary to endure. Having a sick father already retired as the driver and a mother for a housekeeper, he had to support his siblings.

He was now supporting his family financially.

Jackson and I became closer, he stopped verbally expressing his feelings for me. Still, with his stolen looks at me, I knew he still had that sort of feeling.

Every time I felt sorry for him.

Both Jackson and Isabella wished to attend college. Jackson wished to be an engineer; Isabella wanted to be a nurse... which made me see that here I was about to start college, but still could not choose the course to pursue; Isabella and Jackson, who had already chosen their fields, could not even attend college.

Life's irony!

I wanted to support the many kids in the village as well as the two of them in their quest for education.

The day before I left for college in the capital, I went to the lagoon to say goodbye to the place where I have become so accustom to. I put the blanket in my basket just as I was about to depart, my tears running down my cheeks.

"I'm going to miss all of you!" I yelled at everything around me.

As clouds started to form overhead, the sky seemed to become darker and darker. The flowers appeared to bow down.

As if saying their farewells, the butterflies circled me. All of them looked miserable.

Don't worry, I'll simply be staying with My Elias. But I'll be back!

Jackson approached me from behind while I was walking the concrete road leading to the villa, perhaps he was coming from their house riding his bicycle. He had the day off today.

He paused to say hello.

"Hi, Lia!" he said with a charming grin.

"Hello!" Where are you going?

He quipped, "Just wherever my bike takes me."

"My gorgeous Lady, would you like to accompany me?''

"And let me ride on that bike?" I exclaimed as I stared at the bike's uncomfortable back area, where the passenger was meant to sit.

"No, thank you!"

"Don't worry...Jackson, the courageous hero, is here!" he declared, striking his chest with pride.

"No way, Jackson," I argued.

Nonetheless, he continued to badger me until he

That back section got me.

Prior to this, I had always believed that riding his bicycle with him would be absurd, but when I finally did, it was one of the most thrilling things I had ever done!

Particularly when he would ride his bike at incredible speeds that I had to yell and scream out of both joy and terror, it was a lot of fun. And, of course, I hugged him tightly without realizing it until we arrived at the villa.

He dropped me outside the gate. I thanked and informed him I would never forget that encounter.

"Wow! It completely astounded me off, I remarked, smiling.

He also grinned to expose his small dimple. He then went serious.

"Just don't forget me," he said.

"Just don't forget me while you are in the city. That is everything I demand of you.

"Of course, I will never forget you or Isabella or anybody in Rosevale." I said grabbing the basket from his hand.

He was still holding his bike. Jackson examined my eyes without once, fighting an eyelash.

As he was on the verge of tears, he said quietly, "I love you so much."

I could sense his honesty. It was the first time he actually said those words to me.

"I will wait for you, Liana." His convincing remark had my heart sink.

Wish we could teach our hearts... All I could think of at night was Jackson.

Just contemplating how pathetic he was kept me awake. I wanted him not to be sad. I didn't want him to be like me, hoping to receive love from someone who did not share his feelings.

I wished for him to find the right woman for him, one who could genuinely and completely give herself without reservations. For me, I only see him as friend.

Early in the morning, mom and I got in the car headed for the capital after saying goodbye to Elena and to all the mansion servants.

Jackson still could not drive for us there, so Mom employed a second chauffeur. Still not that skilled driving in that huge metropolitan area.

I silently said my prayers for our safety just before our car left. If I wasn't willing to revisit travel repeatedly, I wouldn't be able to overcome my phobia of it.

I had to do it for myself. for me.

Mama ran her hand over mine. She knew exactly what I was feeling this time. She grinned to show me that, like last time, everything would be OK. And I trusted her.

I saw Jackson's melancholy demeanor as the driver turned the ignition.

His eyes look to have not slept the night before.

Oh Jackson!

I waved my right hand at the servants gathered on the driveway and then opened my glass window. Jackson was the only one who didn't wave back at me. He was looking at the retreating car.

I closed the window and put my hand down to hear Mama Celeste say, "He's a nice boy."

I turned to mom and said, "Huh?"

Mom said, "Jackson."

I responded as I imagined, "Yeah, he definitely is." Jackson's pathetic face.

I am planning to allow him pursue college in From mama, I was astonished to hear those words. I saw her face. She was sober.

"Jackson would love it, mom!" That is great."

"I've been considering the efforts you made for the village children this summer... and I'm so thrilled for you, sweetheart."

It motivates me so much; it makes me see that we have the means to aid those who are suffering, hence why not? I plan Isabella and Jackson to college this year."

I squeezed mom tightly as I was overcome with her news. For me, it was enough to let her experience how much I appreciated her answering my friends' prayers. With a really grateful heart, I rode on the automobile.

How fortunate I was to have Mama Celeste in my life!

Somehow this good idea made me forget a little bit my travel phobia.