Chapter 1
Yaya quickly stepped out of the car, afraid someone might see that her father dropped her off on the first day of college. It’s college for crying out loud. She’s not a five year old girl anymore, that’s what she always tells him. But Aof will always be Aof. To him, no matter how old Yaya gets, she will always be his little girl.
“Bye sweetie” he called out from the car as he watches his daughter walk into campus. Yaya quickly waved good-bye before entering the building.
IST was the university Yaya’s parents wanted her to go to since after all, that’s where her parents graduated from. It’s a private university but she wanted to attend a public university, somewhere out of the country where her parents are no where in sight particularly her father. But being the protective father he is, she couldn’t leave his sight. But at least at IST, she has her friend/cousin Mint Chalida and Mak Prin.
“Yaya!” Mint called out from upstairs. She ran downstairs and handed Yaya a piece of paper, “Here.”
“What is it?”
“The campus map. I took the last one from upstairs.”
She took the paper, “Thanks. You know where your classes are at yet?”
Mint nodded, “Yup. I came extra early to find them. Need help finding yours?”
“Yes.” She looked around, “Where’s Mak at?”
Mint shrugged, “Don’t know, don’t care. He’s probably still asleep at the house.”
Yaya laughed, “He probably got hung over from last night. And it’s your fault Mint.”
“Hey! It’s his fault. He wanted to drink and I warned him already that we have class the next day/”
“Oh whatever! You say that now but when he’s in trouble, you’re his princess to the rescue…” Yaya teased.
Mint blushed and hit Yaya on the arm, “Whatever.”
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After cooking for her mom, Margie grabbed her bag and ran out the house. She was going to be late for class at IST.
“Margie!” her father called out.
“What is it?” she ask turning around.
“Where the hell are you going?” he snapped.
“School. Today’s my first day remember?”
“Didn’t I tell you not to go to school?”
“But I need my education dad. I had to work extra hard to get into that university since we couldn’t afford to pay for my tuition.”
“You could just stay home and help your mom sell the stuff here. No need to go to school!”
“Dad, the reason why I choose to go to school is to become a better person and when I graduate, I can get a hob and help you guys out with the house and everything.”
“Oh, that’ll take forever! Go back into the house!” he demanded, pulling his daughter.
“No! Dad, you can’t do this to me! I want to go to school!”
“I won’t allow it!”
“Dad!”
Her mom walked out the house and pushed the dad away, “Why are you doing this to her? Let her go to school.”
“It’s a waste of time! He snapped. “Wouldn’t you rather let her stay home and let her help you sell the things here?”
“I don’t our daughter to be like us.”
The dad nodded, “Fine. I’ll let Margie go but you have to go buy me a pack of beer.”
“Dad! You shouldn’t be drinking a lot. It’s bad for you.”
“You ain’t my mother so don’t tell me what to do!” he snapped pointing his finger to her.
“Margie..” her mother looked at her. “You should get going. You’ll be late.”
“But I’m worried about you. You know how dad get when he’s drunk.”
“’l’ll be fine” she assured her. “Your father won’t do anything to me.”
“But--”
“You said so yourself, you’ve worked extra hard to get into this university. Now go make me proud.
Margie hugged her mom good-bye, “Just call me if anything go wrong.”
“I’ll be fine sweetie. Now go.”
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Only half an hour left before classes start. Yaya only had one more class to find. They were busy looking down at the map and didn’t realize two other people were walking their way and they bumped into them.
“Watch where you’re going!” he scolded.
“Sorry…we didn’t see you” said Yaya.
“Didn’t see? Why don’t you go to school with the blind then?”
“Excuse me?!”
“Oh so you’re deaf too?”
“I heard you the first time jerk!”
“Who are you calling a jerk?”
Yaya crossed her arm, You don’t know? Maybe you should go back to elementary school.”
“You!” he pointed his finger at her.
Yaya pushed his finger away, “What?”
“Do you know who you guys are talking to?” the other guy asked.
Mint stared at both of the guys, “How could we know? You look nothing like our relatives.”
The guy smirked, “Then you should probably know now that I’m Nadech Kugimiya. My parents found this school. ”
“And I’m Boy Pakorn. My parents are also part of this university. So if you want to continue your education here, I suggest you be nice to us and respect us.”
Yaya shook her head, “If you want us to be respectful of you guys, why don’t you start by being respectful to other people.”
“Yeah, that’s right.” said Mint. “ And don’t think we’re gonna be nice to jerks like you.”
Boy nodded, “Fine. Then you girls are gonna have to deal with us later on.”
They laughed as they walked away.
“How rude!” said Mint.
“Kids with problems” Yaya mumbled. “C’mon...let’s get going.”
“Yaya! Mint! Wait up!”
The girls turned around and saw Mak running towards them, “You’ve finally came eh? How’s the hang over?” Yaya asked laughing.
“It’s better than when I first woke up.” Mak looked at Mint and hit her on the head.
“Why did you hit me?” she asked rubbing her head.
“Didn’t I tell you to call and wake me up?”
“Who do you think I am? Your mother? Besides it’s your fault. I already told you not to drink too much.”
“Well…I got carried away. You turn eighteen only once okay.”
“It’s a good thing our parents doesn’t know about it especially yours Yaya. I could only imagine what uncle Aof would do if he found out.”
“That’s why we keep our mouths shut. Now come on, help me find my last class.”
Mint nodded, “Yeah. We better hurry too.”
“Well, it’s okay then. I can find it during my break. It’s my last class anyways.”
“You sure?” Mak asked.
“Yeah…I’ll see you guys later.”
Yaya walked off to class and so did Mint. Mak following behind.
“Look Mak, I don’t need you to go drop me off.” Mint said trying to hide her smile.
“Tsk, who said I was dropping you off? I maybe a gentleman but with you, I don’t think so.”
Mint twisted her lips and turned to look at Mak, “Then why are you following me?”
“I’m not following you. I’m going to my class.”
“What class?”
“Math 4.”
Mint stayed quiet. She was happy he was going to be in the same class as her.
“Don’t tell me you have that class too right now?”
“Yeah I do….”
Mak rolled his eyes, “Why am I always in the same class with you? It gotta be my parent’s curse.”
Mint was confused, “Curse? What curse?”
“My parents grew up together and they were best of friends like you and me. Through out their school lives, they were always in the same class together or at least some class, like you and me. Then in the end, they ended up together.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Mint asked, still confused.
“What if that happens to us? What if I end up with you?”
Mint slapped Mak in the arm, “What’s wrong with having me as a girlfriend? Huh?”
“Well….” he walked around Mint, “For one, you’re not my type. Two, you’re a tomboy. Three, I don’t think I can look at you as more than a friend.”
Mint was hurt by what Mak said so she left quickly to class.
“Mint! Wait up for me!” he ran after her
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