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"ZIAAA! Get up na ! You're going to be late," my mum yelled from downstairs.

"COMING MA!" I answered, frantically pulling my trousers up after stumbling head first onto my bedroom floor. It's the first day of year 13 and I'm not looking forward to it.

"Why couldn't I just drop out? I could be an artist or a singer or something I don't know," I pondered while brushing my teeth, staring at my reflection in my dirty mirror. God these water stains are a pain to get rid of.

"Good morning mother dearest," I said, kissing her cheek.

", what did I tell you? Late again ? Don't make this a habit Zia, it's not nice." That's my mum alright. Angelica Mendoza, my best friend, my role model, my mum. She had me when she was 19, whilst studying to become one of the most successful doctors in this day and age. And well, she succeeded alright. It was a hard transition moving from Philippines to England, she had difficulty learning English while raising me and she still does sometimes. Thank God, my dad was there. Richard Allan. They've been together since they were 15, long distance relationships do work out apparently. They went from video calling for 3 years as friends to dating for 5 years until finally tying the knot in 2003. He taught her English and helped her apply for a British passport and citizenship. And the rest is history.

"Aw come on my love," my dad cooed, "we both know how hard our daughter has been studying." I smiled, setting his breakfast in front of him. I sat down next to mum and tucked in. I love her cooking so much.

"Richard, if you and your daughter keep plotting against me, I will ship you both to Philippines." Dad and I glanced at each other and back at mum.

"Oh would you look at the time, I have to go ma." I dashed out of the kitchen and grabbed my keys out of my pocket to unlock the door

"Okay, goodbye Zia, be safe ha. No boyfriend until you're 35."

"I'm lesbian ma, remember?." I giggled.

"Ay , sorry , I love you. Go now, you're late enough."

"I love you too." And off I went.

9:30am, my phone screen read. Great, I've missed half of period 1 already. I wasn't usually this late. But summer holidays really messed up my sleeping schedule, it's going to take a while for my body to adjust to the new term.

I pressed the button of the call machine in front of my school gate. Stonewall College, the absolute worst thing that's ever happened to me.

"Stonewall College reception, how can I help?" a voice croaked.

"Hi Miss, it's Azia"

"Late for the first day Miss Mendoza?"

"Sorry Mrs Hachette." I responded guiltily, "it won't happen again, I promise."

"It better not dear, you know how this college revolves around student attendance and achievements, make your way through," she answered.

The rusted gates of the schools creaked open, revealing the lush grass and trees surrounding a series of smaller buildings. I trudged towards my art room.

Anak- my child

Ha- it's an expression that is similar to saying hmm?

Oo nga- Oh yes