You're too young to live this
way. A Phil Manansala love
story.
Chapter
1.
I sat there swaying
gently back and forth on the swing. The park was empty except for
me and my best friend, who was on the swing next to me.
“You can’t keep living like this, you know.” I
jumped, as I was dazed off into another world. I looked over to
Phil, his bright hazel-brown eyes fixed upon my face. I blushed
slightly and looked down, for I just can’t look into his eyes
without my words and thoughts escaping me. “What do you
mean?” I asked. “You know what I mean,” he
started. He looked down to the ground, then back up at me.
“In that house, with your parents. It’s not good for
you. I can’t stand to see you like this.” I just
faintly realize that you had been crying and I quickly wipe my
face, then look down, and notice my arms. The cuts, old and new,
were barely visible, and I pulled down my sleeves to cover what
little bit was showing.
Phil has been my best friend for as long as I could remember. We
grew up together. In the first grade, he was the new kid in school,
and had just moved in next door to me, of all places. The very
first day he was there, at play time, he noticed that a couple of
the other boys were making fun of me, and I was getting upset. He
walked up to the scene and pushed the two down, then asked me if I
wanted to play with him. Before I could answer, he took my hand and
led me away. He was the first person to have talked to me that
wasn’t making fun of me or picking on, and it’s pretty
much been that way ever since. Now, 16 years later, he’s
still my only friend, and is always there watching my back around
other people. In the junior high, he had gotten suspended multiple
times for getting into fights with other guys that were bullying
me. I’ve never been one to make friends, and honestly, Phil
makes up for that. But sometime around the 7th grade, I
realized I was actually starting to get feelings for him. Now,
I’m just madly in love with him, but I make sure he
doesn’t notice. I’d never be with someone as perfect as
him. I mean, he’s in a famous band for crying out loud. I
still remember when they got together in 2009. He was probably the
happiest guy I’d ever seen, seeing as how he’s so in
love with music and playing his guitar. And I mean, I’m
friends with the other guys, but, I’m just really shy around
them. They try to be all nice and friendly, especially Austin, but
every time I’m around, they smile at me and Phil and act like
they know something I don’t, and it makes me
uncomfortable.
Phil reached over and grabbed my hand. “Lovely, why
don’t you come stay with me for a while?” I looked up
at him. “I mean, you ARE 22 now. Why don’t you just
move in, actually? I’d love that, having you around all the
time. And I’d feel so much better..” I bit my lip and
looked down, surprised at this. That’d probably be the
greatest thing ever! Living with the love of my life? Oh, if he
only knew what was going through my mind right now. But, that
wouldn’t seem too great for when he gets a girlfriend, having
another girl living with him… “I don’t
know..” I started. “I don’t want to be a
burden.” He reached up and grabbed my shoulders, forcing me
to look at him. “Marisa, I’m begging you. PLEASE. Make
me happy? Pleaseeeeee?” He gave me those puppy-dog eyes that
he knows I just can’t resist. I gave a small laugh and gave
in. “Okay,” I said with a chuckle. “I guess
it couldn’t be that bad.” He jumped up with excitement.
“Great! Let’s go get your things!” He grabbed my
hand and pulled me up and I looked up with surprise. “Right
now?” I asked, exasperated. “Yes!” he yelled, and
starting running, pulling me towards his car.
