Cuts of Strings (Out of League Series #2)

Prologue

Prologue

Perfection is about fitting in, not being one.

"Hena Beatrice! For God's sake! Please change your lifestyle!"

My mom's voice thundered through my room, filled with frustration, disappointment, and maybe even a little regret for having me as her daughter.

"Mama, can you at least knock before barging in? And did you not see the big sign on my door? ‘Shake your ass first before coming in!’ Gosh!" I groaned, burying myself under the comforter I got from our New York trip last month.

"Shut up, Hena!" she snapped.

With a sigh, I pulled the comforter down to my chest and looked at her.

"Ma, I'm so tired! What do you want? It's literally vacation!" I complained.

For the past few days, my mom had made it her mission to keep barging into my room. It was our semestral break, and I was doing self-therapy, which meant zero interest in listening to her sermons about not being like her kumari’s son or daughter. It was exhausting!

"Hena Beatrice! It’s Christmas Eve!" she announced.

Of course, I knew that. I just didn’t have any plans to mingle, especially since they were expecting visitors I didn’t care about.

"Merry Christmas, Ma! I love you, but stop telling me what to do!" I replied, keeping my eyes closed.

We had a Christmas party last night with my girls. We didn’t wrap up until 4 AM, so my head was still throbbing from the hangover. My bed was the only place I wanted to be.

"Of course, I’ll tell you what to do! I’m your mother!" she snapped. "Stop being a shame! Hindi ka na nga sumama sa pagsisimba, ipapahiya mo pa ang pamilya natin!"

Her words stung, like a small pinch on my chest... painful yet oddly amusing. I couldn’t help but laugh.

"No need to bring shame to the church, Ma!" I joked.

She rolled her eyes. "Hena, I know you’re rebelling, but please, anak, stop it!" she pleaded. "Jesus, help my child!"

I scoffed. Rebelling—so that’s what she called it. Maybe I was rebelling, or maybe I was just a girl starving for a life beyond my traditional family, who were the epitome of kindness and grace. Adored, admired, looked up to... when in reality, they weren’t perfect. They were just fixated on maintaining their so-called beliefs.

"And for God's sake, stop partying! It’s so cheap, Hena!" she scolded.

"Cheap? But we partied on a yacht?" I playfully said.

"Jesus! My head hurts! Just get dressed! They’re coming!"

I knew she was too tired to argue with my sarcasm.

Before, I used to get so mad when she talked to me like this. But now? I had learned not to let it get to me. I knew what I was doing. I had my own mind, my own choices. I wasn’t about to waste my stunning face being the loneliest daughter who never stepped out of line. I wanted to experience the world. I didn’t want to live with regrets.

And since they had already labeled me as the worst, I saw no reason to get up and play pretend. So I pulled my comforter back over me, shut my eyes, and let myself drift back into sleep.

Finally! A peace without the nagging.

But of course! There was always a second wave or maybe even a final wave of nagging, depending on who decided to barge into my room next.

"Maganda kong apo!" I rolled my eyes the moment I heard my grandma’s voice.

Gosh! Final wave agad!

"Merry Christmas!" My grandma hugged me tightly while I was still in bed. "Don't be so hardheaded with your mom. Bakit hindi ka pa bumabangon, Beatrice? The dinner is about to start, and it won’t begin without the family's muse!" she said in a sweet voice. Alam kong inaalo niya lang ako.