Forgive and forget, it’s a phrase she’s beginning to chant in her head. After the phone call, her brother ended up promising their parents that Nora will come home after the preliminary exams. And, well, she did promise to come back home.

Just that, she plans to go back home after midterms and now her plan was ruined. Unfortunately, she can’t get angry, nope. Even if she plans to kick her brother in the ass, she just has to put up with it as she stares down the money, he gives her.

“Equivalent exchange,” she mutters. The peso bills were already stapled, along with a note to remind her of its use.

One last look and Nora finally decides to place it in her wallet. Then, places it back in her bag where she’s planning to put it on her bed whenever she’s in or out of the boarding house for safety reasons.

The door opens and Lily enters the room, less exhausted than she is days ago.

“So, how was the quiz?” Nora questions, grinning at the excitement drawn on Lily’s face. Her expression brightens, maybe even more, as they faced each other before Lily eventually went up to her for a hug.

Nora reciprocates the gesture, not really minding the firm grip around her neck and breathes in the scent of Lily’s shampoo on her hair. Her head rests on best friend’s shoulder and arms settled on Lily’s waist. The giggle she hears was cute, and it always will be, but the moment was sweetened by the problem finally conquered.

She loves this – this feeling of peace. The warmth she yearns for found in the arms of her best friend and there was nothing else she could ask. But at the same time, her desire for love ignited to what was once a small and contained flame.

And it burns for a passion she’s trying hard to get.

“I did it!” Lily shouts and Nora hums her reply. They slowly let go of the embrace but stayed close, leaving a few feet for them to breathe.

Nora stares at the paper Lily was holding. A perfect score written on top and she laughs, because doubting Lily was the last thing she does.

“See, you did it!” Nora shouts and was given the paper. She looks at it for a moment before kissing the score herself. “I think it’d be great if you can put…” She looks around then walks close to the pinboard hanging near Lily’s desk.

She took a pin from a box on Lily’s desk and pins the paper on the side. “There!” Nora exclaims. “It’s like a reminder now.”

“Of what?” Lily questions, standing close. Their shoulders brushes but Nora didn’t move away from the touch.

“That you can do it, no matter how hard the obstacle may be.”

Lily didn’t say anything else and instead looks at Nora, deeply. She inhales, loudly, before proceeding to do the unexpected – a kiss on the cheek.

A kiss on Nora’s cheek.

And something changed, yet again.