Lotus be Lotus

By Zyra Gaviola

It all starts because of a school pageant. It isn’t love at first sight, but rather, like at first sight. Crest Yuran has never felt like this before, a mixture of euphoria and terror. She is used to having more attention to dealing with sibling and financial matters. The only person she ever cares about is her twin brother, Camber Yuran, whom she relies on during their years in the orphanage. Now that Hazel Green, the goddess-like human being, has entered her life, everything may start to change. She starts to think that what she feels is wrong, but the longer she hides it, the more it grows. Hazel has green eyes, but Crest knows that what she feels is something deeper than those captivating eyes. However, she is afraid of being judged by who and what...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto
• Release date: Sep 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005992873

Book preview

Lotus Be Lotus

A Novella

Zyra Gaviola

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2021

Content Copyright © Zyra Gaviola

ISBN 9789354902277

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

To the person who longs for acceptance and fears to be themselves

Acknowledgment

Lotus Be Lotus is the first novella that I wrote, and I had gone through whirlwinds of emotions writing this. Though I had only written this for a short time, I felt deeply attached to the story to the point that I felt empty after writing the ending scene.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ukiyoto Publishing for fulfilling this little girl’s dream. The responsiveness of the whole team and their guidance have helped a lot. I’m beyond grateful that I came across their site on the internet and who would have thought that my greatest dream would be fulfilled by then?

To my dear friend and aunt, Flora May Gaturian, who gave me insights and opinions to improve my manuscript, thank you. When I wrote my first story, she was there to give suggestions and corrections. I can’t think of any way to say that she is such a great person.

I would also like to thank Reina Satorre whose excitement boosts my confidence in writing. Thanks for the feedback and insights. I’m glad that she’s one of my valued friends.

A massive thanks to two of my closest friends, Rhylen Aballe and Jana Erasmo. Rhylen was the first person to read the story while it was still unfinished, and her praises encouraged me to improve. I could no longer count how many OMGs that Jana said when I first told her my manuscript was accepted for publishing. Thanks for the support.

I will also never miss this chance to thank Lawrenze Jorge, Denis Magno, Ronn Lucente, and Kit Sarno for helping with the book cover. Despite their busyness, they still patiently gave suggestions to the book cover. I knew I could count on you.

To these wonderful human beings and friends that I never thought I would have, Jhamela Bernal, Dawn Morillo, Kristine Torres, Jocela Catalogo, Agatha Saboy, Kingyo Salomon, Rossmann Erro, Jeanine Vicoy, Imma Viros, Ela Parac, Margarette Edicto, Ellery Salas, and Sheila Bacay, who showed support of my writing passion when I was having doubts, thank you a lot. I really mean it.

I don’t think I will ever fall in love with writing if it wasn’t for my two cousins, Neika Gaviola and Kane Gaviola. They awakened my creative side, and that’s the best thing they’ve ever done.

Of course, to the incredible and supportive parents of mine, thank you very much for believing in my dream and passion, and also for agreeing to do this.

Most of all, all of these would never happen if it wasn’t for God. I’m forever grateful to Him for all the blessings He had given to me.

Chapter 1

FEAR HOLDS US back, and regret makes us insane. My misery started all because I attended a school pageant. I'm not blaming the pageant, I'm blaming her stylist because she turned her into a goddess, so damn beautiful.

That day, I had to endure the pain of listening to my twin brother’s speech for the nth time. He was one of the contestants.

Papers scattered in the living room while he was taking turns reading the questions and reciting the answers. To be honest, his answers were very, very, very, and very far from his personality.

I tossed my pick to the ceiling and threw myself on the couch. Waiting was my least favorite, and I was born to live with Camber. How could I ever tell him that time’s gold? I watched him pacing from the living room to his room then to the kitchen and back again to the living room.

Have you seen my tie? he said while walking briskly. I lifted my arm and pointed to the black tie lying beside his feet. Shoot, thanks, sis.

By the time we arrive, I bet they have already announced the King and Queen of Medlow Creek. I pulled myself up and picked his scattered papers.

He carried his duffle bag and slid his feet in his black chukka boots paired with his khaki pants and buttoned polo. Thanks for the encouragement. That helps.

My pleasure. I flashed a smile and bowed dramatically. Let’s go? Medlow Creek King.

He smirked. You look dashing, sis. And yup, let’s go.

I glanced at the mirror. My turtleneck, skirt, and boots did fit my body and made me look more than just dashing. Camber did make me wait for long. Complimenting me was the least he could do.

THE WHOLE SCHOOL parking lot was full. MC parents did sure have a handful of rich kids. Some were just being low-key at it. The gym was already packed. I lost sight of Camber but we would see each other at the end of the pageant.

Whether he would win or not, it didn’t matter at all. The truth was he was forced to join this pageant because he was failing at one subject. This was his only choice.

I surreptitiously passed through the school’s old gate towards the creek. As I made my way to the bench, I saw a couple making out behind a tree. I flickered the cigarette and put it in my mouth, inhaling the smoke down to my throat. Then blew it. When I was about to leave,