Chapter Text
Daniela hates how she's gifted.
Hates it in a quiet, gnawing way—like something lodged under her skin she can’t pull out.
Sometimes she feels like a time machine, always three steps ahead before she even means to be. Sometimes she feels like a movie director, watching scenes unfold before she’s even decided if she cares about them. Random jokes like 'final destination type shi' spreads all over her school.
To Daniela's suprise, dozens of students actually envy what she had, while she tells herself at least five times a day that she must have done something terrible in a past life to deserve this.
Listening to her heart felt like a punishment.
She’s able to sense grief, failure, agony, and a particular sharp, suffocating kind of pain you don’t even have a name for yet. What's weighting her is how she carries it herself first.
It's actually exhausting how you carry all those unsettling rush alone instead of sharing it with other people at the same time.
As an escape, she tried to neglect these premonitions by honing her academic performance. It worked, technically; she became valedictorian. But the gift never vanished. How cruel. It once randomly surface during a class presentation—a foreign pang in her heart that made her shift uncomfortably. She sensed something was about to jam her presentation in exactly ten minutes, and when she counted down the time, the projector suddenly disconnect at the precise moment.
Some days, it was pretty generous. While she was riding her bike on a one slow evening her heart suddenly raced and unconsciously her mouth curved a smile when her guts told her that she will receive a gift she's been craving when she got home, making her pedal faster. Once she arrived at her house, her mother bought her the latest digicam she's been eyeing after receiving her paycheck.
It should feel magical.
It almost does.
Until it doesn’t.
She has listened how someone important in her life will walk away.
It shredded her emotions.
But somehow she's grateful it happened.
-
Her dad was never a nice guy.
Growing up, she heard praises about how her parents raised a prodigy. Aside from her outstanding intelligence, she managed to sharpen her motorics by playing a harp breathtakingly at the age of 3 when she attended her aunt's marriage. Living as a middle-lower class, her mother was burdened at the responsibility of supporting her talent in something the upper classes dominantly mastered. Thankfully with the help of her mother’s sibling, she owned a second-handed one.
Mr. Avanzini, on the other hand, chose to ignore her potential and consider it ‘ordinary’.
Every time Daniela went home and sprinted upstairs to show her exam paper with an A+ written, he would just light up perhaps the 10th cigarette, not leaving his eyes off the newspaper.
How is the divorce of the president’s son more interesting than her daughter's achievement?
"Look, papa! I won second place in the school’s drawing competition!"
"Oh, wow."
"Can I have gummy bears please?"
"Can’t you see? We're on a budget!"
"But… you just bought a second pack of Marlboro…"
"You don't understand, Daniela."
-
"Papa, I'm part of the town’s representative on a math Olympiad!"
"Good for you, then."
"Can we celebrate with a lemonade?"
"I can't afford anything right now."
"Bu-"
"This is the cheapest one!" He lifted his cigarette between his fingers, "Stop trying to find my wrongs."
-
"Papa, I won a gold medal in the national’s math olympiad"
"Good to know."
"Can we-"
"I. Don't. Have. Money."
-
One night, Daniela woke up with a heavy heart whilst panting. She received warnings that someone very close will leave her soon. She quickly got up and rushed towards her parents' room, climbing up her mother's body that was peacefully asleep. Noticing the right sight of the empty bed, she laid next to her mother and snuggled against her chest while hugging her hand, shaking it with enough strength to wake her up.
“Psst, mama! Wake up…” Daniela whispered.
After a few gentle shakes, her mother finally groaned and exhaled sharply.
“Sweetheart, why aren't you asleep?”
“It's…my guts again, mama.”
A pause.
“What does it say this time?”
Daniela traces patterns on the sheets, suddenly very interested in the fabric.
“Someone I'm very close with will leave me this morning…”
Her mother pulled her into her embrace, one hand gently caressing Daniela’s curly hair to soothe her and landed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Sweetheart, we’ve talked about this…" she murmurs softly.
"Save some room for disappointment before it happens, and same some room for acceptance when it already happened."
Daniela pressed closer.
“Where is he? Why isn't he here again?”
“He told me he’s meeting a friend.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes…" her mother sighed. "I hope he's telling the truth this time.”
“I don't know about that, mama… it doesn't sound right.”
Her mom took a deep breath before repositioning her body to get more comfortable.
“You should sleep, sweetheart. You have school tomorrow.”
-
The next morning when she was walking down the stairs to have breakfast after getting ready, her eyes landed on her mother who’s sitting weakly on the floor with her face buried on her knees that was pulled up to her chest, sobbing hard. She was gripping a piece of paper too hard it wrinkled. Running towards her and dropping her backpack midway, Daniela fell to her knees and by default hugged the shaking figure in front of her.
“Mama… what's wrong, mama?”
The kitchen echoed her mother’s cries that grew harder.
“Mama… please tell me… I want to help you… I can't stand watching you hurting like this...”
The paper her mother was gripping fell down once her grip loosened. Noticing, Daniela's arm reached down to pick it up and read the message written.
I am no longer able to raise this family. I failed being a father and a husband. I’m sorry for being a coward and left, but it's for everyone’s sake. Please take care of each other.
Sincerely,
Avanzini.
-
She was used to it.
She learned that every accomplishment is mandatory, and celebrating could decrease her focus.
She never reacted how loud the applause filled the room when the principal announcement competitions she won.
Until somehow one particular clap eventually buzzed her ear.
It came from Sophia, the most active member of the journalistic club.
It was almost dead, even the president barely initiated any activity. But she managed to maintain the spark and pulled new members.
For the first time, she learned to be thankful for every step she took. For the first time, she opened the door of satisfaction in her heart and allowed pride.
Sophia somehow makes Daniela feel seen in a way that’s foreign.
-
Last month, when the weather was gloomy and she just finished her extra class preparing for another math olympiad, Daniela walked her usual route back home through a park as a shortcut to the bus stop. Not having a single vehicle, she was used to using public transportation since her second year of middle school. Sometimes she observed her friends getting picked up by their parents with a SUV, even some of them had a personal chauffeur. Her mind ponders on what it felt like having personal space to enjoy the road that was packed . She almost got trapped in her own thoughts when she felt a figure running towards her.
“Daniela!” Sophia stopped her tracks and catched her breath.
Turning around, Daniela observed the girl who ran towards her— blue denim jacket, ID card that displayed her name and the journalistic club’s logo hanging on her neck, straight leg jeans that matched the color with her jacket, and a pair of chuck taylors.
“Hi, I'm Sophia!" She greeted brighter than the weather. "Would you mind giving me some of your time?”
Daniela tilted her wrist and eyed her $5 watch— it’s 17.32. She looked back at the taller girl.
“You have exactly 8 minutes before my bus arrives.”
“Perfect! You would have a remaining 3 minutes to walk around or just simply relax and observe people. Let's sit down here,” Sophia gestured her hand towards the bench behind her, inviting Daniela to sit first and following after.
“So…" Sophia started. "I'm currently working on a new issue to be published. Our previous magazine was already read by almost everyone, and… you know, demands,” Sophia offered a smile that's all teeth.
Removing her left wired earphones, Daniela’s expression remained dull.
“My study habits won't sell much, I'm telling you.”
“Who said I want to cover your academic routine?”
Daniela raised one eyebrow and removed her other earphone.
“Oh?”
Sophia chuckled that sounded dangerous to the curly-haired girl.
“They actually never care about how to get straight A’s consistently while also staying pretty.”
Sophia was surprised after the last four words slipped out her mouth but recovered quickly by straightening her posture.
“Then what part of me do you think they would be interested in?”
“Your way of thinking.”
What?
Sophia reached inside her bag and grabbed two cans of peach flavored tea, handing one to Daniela.
“Have one, I bought extra as an appreciation.”
“People usually give me stuff after I do something that pleases them," Daniela warned. "Perhaps you shall give it after the interview.”
“I feel like I should value the beginning of something more than what will happen later, so I want you to enjoy it now.”
Daniela blinked.
“Sure… thank you,” Daniela grabbed the can and opened it.
“So... tell me more about the issue you're working on,” She asked before sipping her beverage.
“I noticed you on your previous speech when the mayor visited our school. You took exactly three steps to the left before a block of wood fell from the ceiling," Sophia recalled.
“And your point is?”
“I believe it's not a coincidence,” Sophia stated with a stern tone. “You gaze shifted seconds before it happened. You knew it was coming.”
Daniela’s eyes wandered around her surroundings to find something more interesting to focus on—like a pizza delivery boy.
And silenced suddenly came. Sophia kept her eyes on Daniela, waiting for an answer.
“Do you…” Daniela paused before continuing, “Believe in ‘gifts?’”
“Tell me about it," Sophia responded almost immediately.
“I feel like I was born with the ability to sense the future.”
There was a long pause before Sophia scoffed. "Like what? You could predict who's our next president?”
“No. It doesn't work that way. I just know what’s gonna happen next. The funny thing is I can't control it. It will just come to me without any warning and I can't even trigger it myself.”
Sophia nodded. "Does it scare you?”
Daniela hummed. “Sometimes.”
“Interesting,” Sophia murmured. “Was there a moment where it never actually happened?”
“No, It always happens,” Daniela took a sip of her drink. “Every single intuition came true, and I never even manifest any of it.”
Daniela slightly shaked her drink and mumbled.
“I don't actually want people to know cause I'm afraid it will scare them the same way it does to me. I also don't want to deal with stupid people who see me as a shaman and could tell if they would actually bag their failed talking stage situationship.”
Sophia snorted a laugh.
“Well I'm not interested in what’s gonna happen tomorrow or next month, but I’d like to know your process of receiving it and how to cope.”
Daniela clicked her tongue and finally looked up to Sophia.
“I cope by studying. It somehow helps.”
“Studying as a distraction, right…” Sophia nodded again.
“"Student of The Year Isn't Actually an Academic Prodigy, but Gifted in Having Strong Intuition’. Ah, that would be a cool title.”
Daniela stared at Sophia for a while. “Why choose this topic?”
“So study freaks realize that someone who got straight A’s don't only come from spending 10 hours taking colorful notes.” Sophia finally chugged her remaining tea before crushing the can.
“5 minutes passed, I already got enough information. Now all I need is your consent.”
Daniela looked away and her finger tapped on the can wrapped around it. After thinking for a few seconds, she nodded.
“Okay.”
Sophia stretched out her arm, inviting the girl in front of her for a handshake, “Can't wait to work with you further.”
Daniela’s mouth involuntarily curved a small smile while her warm hand gripped Sophia's.
-
Daniela and Sophia’s bond tightened ever since.
Sophia would initiate casual meetups starting from the cafeteria, public libraries, till 5-star-google-reviews hidden cafes.
Somehow, Sophia found how fascinating a girl who actually doesn't give much attention to
And to Daniela, Sophia’s curiosity felt like a blanket that prevents her from shivering by the fear of events that’s still blurry but somehow present. For the first time, she doesn’t feel alone with what she knows.
The night before their graduation, Sophia took her to a park. They laid in the grass with the sight of stars— decorating an intimate mood.
“Sophia.”
“Hm?”
“I feel like I didn't follow my heart.”
Sophia turned her head towards Daniela who’s eyes were still glued to the sky.
“What do you mean? You always do.”
Daniela took a deep breath and exhaled, “My choice of choosing metallurgical engineering… I'm scared that I'm only into the idea instead of doing it.
“Then what does your heart wants?”
Silence.
“You know I'm a big fan of numbers. I love calculating and such, but engineering is way more than that— they design with calculations. I prefer diving into the analysis of the solution."
Sophia stared at her brown eyes a little too long— not sure if she was thinking how to provide comfort like she always done or currently admiring her Aphrodite-like beauty.
“Do what makes you feel alive, Dani,” Sophia spoke softly. "If it excites you, you'll do it frightened, exhausted, all of that with no regrets after. I have zero passion in biology. But I know if I go to med school, I'm able to cure people’s bodies and their loved one’s souls. The idea makes me eager, and I know I would keep that in mind if I ever feel like retreating midway."
Daniela closed her eyes. Out of reflexes, she scooted closer towards Sophia and rested her head on the Filipina’s shoulder.
“This feels nice. I feel… alive,” Daniela mumbled.
Sophia's face turned crimson red.
“Me too,” Sophia whispered, gently dragging her palm to rest it on Daniela's hand. Her fingers got carried away and brushed her hair in a soothing manner.
Perhaps the uncertainty of choosing my path will disappear if I have you as a flashlight to lighten up excitement.
-
One night, after her skincare routine, she was ready to slumber and finally laid down, pulling the covers and adjusting her pillow. She was so close to drifting off until she finally felt a rush of excitement—her heart felt like its blooming.
Someone will confess their feelings to you tomorrow afternoon.
Almost instantly her mind rang a bell.
Sophia asked her to try a new cafe down the streets tomorrow.
At midnight, she had trouble going to sleep as she shifted her body to different positions, but her grin stayed.
The morning when she was getting ready, she purposely touched up a bit; applying liptint slightly thicker, some blush-on, styled her hair with a hair straightener, and wore a fitted black long-sleeve top with buttons down the front paired with faded blue wide-leg jeans and white sneakers.
Noticing her steps on the stairs, her mother turned to her direction and glared for a moment before smiling and continue to make breakfast.
“You look too decent for someone who usually just spends 8 hours in the library as a daily activity.”
“I'm meeting someone, Mama,” Daniela sheepishly grinned.
“Hm? Do I know this someone?”
“It's a friend I met who’s part of the journalistic club, Sophia.”
Her mother turned to her direction almost immediately and her eyes were wide.
“Oh, a Laforteza?" She realized how her voice rose a little too loud and sealed her mouth quickly. "You better not do anything silly. It's a good choice to put extra effort on your looks today.”
“I know, Ma,” Daniela giggled.
-
Too busy munching on the best-selling french toast, she was caught off guard when Sophia reached down the table beside her foot and grabbed a bouquet of peonies she was hiding.
Smiling at her reaction, Sophia watched the girl sitting across her grabbed a napkin and wiped the crumbs on the bottom of her lips after uncontrollably moved any part of her body and how her face felt like it's burning beneath her skin.
“Before I say something, I would like to know if your guts ever told you anything about this," Sophia initiated the conversation.
Daniela couldn't help but repeatedly cleared her throat before confessing.
“Last night..." Daniela inhaled before continuing. "My heart told me someone would confess their feelings in the afternoon.”
“And how did you react?" Sophia tilted her head slightly.
“I couldn't sleep imagining how exciting tomorrow would be," Daniela chuckled. "And it turned out to be true.”
None of them said a word after.
They just stared at each other for a while before bursting out laughing.
The confession was loud and crystal clear as they felt no words needed to exchange.
They made a vow without any declaration. Just a simple laughter.
-
Having Sophia as a life partner was another gift Daniela kept.
Dates got more intimate, they both slowly fell deeper and deeper for each other.
They can't get enough of each other.
Daniela wished these types of comfort lingered long inside her heart. No more uneasy rush—just the excitement of spending the day by sharing each other's company.
As long as I’m with you, every whisper from my gut felt trivial.
Until one day her biggest fear crept in.
The same horror whisper resonated in her heart.
Something will separate me and Sophia next month.