June 13, 2010
Dylan
Since it was a Saturday, Dylan was getting ready for his shift at Mr. Freeze. The week had been grueling, a relentless series of pressures and deadlines. He had come to expect that senior year in high school would be demanding, but the reality was even harsher than he had imagined.
EJ, too, was facing an intense workload and they barely had time for each other. Between his late school days filled with meetings for Mr. Silang and other Student Coordinating Board activities, and his weekend classes aimed at keeping him in top form for the university his father desired, it was no wonder he looked perpetually exhausted all the time.
"What time will you be coming home, sweetie?" Ella's voice echoed from the kitchen, where she was busy preparing food for a catering job. Dylan stepped into the room, finding his mother immersed in her work. Her energy and optimism were undiminished despite the challenges they faced, like closing down their bakery a few months ago.
"At around seven in the evening," he replied. "EJ and I are planning to hang out after my shift."
"How's he been?" Ella asked, stirring the simmering tomato sauce with a practiced hand. "He only came by twice during the summer."
"He's been quite busy," Dylan said, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "His parents are pushing him hard to get into UP." He too harbored dreams of studying at UP, hoping to share a campus with EJ, but his grades, he feared, would never be good enough for that aspiration.
Ella's face softened as she placed a hand on her hip, her gaze thoughtful. "His parents seem really tough. Is he struggling with it?"
Dylan nodded, unable to mask the worry etched across his face. "Yeah, they are. Sometimes it feels like they're putting too much pressure on him."
Ella paused, her brow furrowing as she considered Dylan's words. The tomato sauce continued to bubble gently on the stove, casting a comforting warmth around the kitchen. "It must be hard for him," she said softly, her voice tinged with empathy. "But you know, Dylan, sometimes just knowing there's someone who cares can make a huge difference, even if things are tough at home."
Dylan managed a small smile, touched by Ella's understanding. "I just wish I could do more for him. I know he's dealing with a lot, and it often feels like I'm not doing enough to support him."
Ella stirred the sauce once more, her expression solicitous. "You're doing more than you think. Just being there for him, listening, and understanding—that's more than enough."
"Thanks, mom," Dylan said, his voice soft but filled with gratitude. "I just hope I'm not adding to his stress by being around him."
Ella gave him a reassuring smile, her hands continuing their rhythmic motion over the sauce. "Trust me, you're not adding to his stress. If anything, your support is probably one of the few things that makes the pressure more bearable. People often underestimate the power of just being present."
"Will that be all, Ma'am?" Dylan asked the elderly lady who had just ordered a Chocolate Swirl ice cream.
"Yes, that'll be all," she replied, handing him her Senior Citizen's card for the discount. Dylan took the card, entered the necessary code into the register, and then returned the card to her.
"That'll be ₱50.00, Ma'am," he said, his voice steady.
He took her payment, processed it, and handed her the receipt along with her ice cream. Once she left, he turned his attention back to the counter, ready to welcome the next customer.
YOU ARE READING
Somebody to Love (bxb) (Complete)
Teen Fiction(COMPLETED) Dylan and EJ came from two very different worlds. Dylan was born and raised in Albay, Bicol, where he was surrounded by the familiar comforts of his school, friends, and everything he had ever known. However, the 2008 recession forced...
