Chapter 5: Lone Star Offer

                                    

                                          
Joe didn't hinder his studies despite the situation with his father a couple of months back. In fact, he improved his grades even more as he approaching the end his junior high school life.
One day, he had been summoned to the principal's office of his school to recieved an offer that he couldn't refuse.
"Joe, you have been the most consistent student in our school and when I heard that after your mother and grandmother died, I was shocked to know your past and I wanted to help you to become the best version of yourself.," the principal noted.
A couple of months after his incident with Albert and never seen him and/or his family again, Joe stayed with his grandmother Belinda until her death due to cancer. He was all alone in her funeral since he promised that he will never seen his father again and of course, the death of his mother, Chelsea.
Despite all of this, he remained the most consistent and top notcher in his class during his recent years. He was also declared valedictorian at his class that past school year, crowning another achivement in his school life.
"After your announcement as valedictorian, one school fron the United States has offered me a scolarship to you since they saw your potential.," the principal added before giving a mysterious envelope to Joe.
The boy looked confused at first but once he opened the envelope, he saw a familiar orange color in the certificate.
"What is this, Mr. Principal?," Joe asked. "This certificate is from the University of Texas in Austin, and they want you to be their student for you senior high school and colegiate years.," the principal explained.
"You mean, I got accepted to be their student there?," Joe curiously asked and the principal nodded.
The boy was overjoyed with the offer given, but he has to decide if he's going to leave the Philippines to study in the United States or decline it for the sake of his future life in the country.
"Kind offer from them, and it looks like I finally leave my family behind without them borthering me....," Joe enthusiastically said, tears of joy being seen in his face. "....and I accept their offer. It's an honor for me to be a Longhorn and to be their student."
"Good. I like your enthusiasm towards the offer.," the principal happily said.
Joe left with dignity and joy as he went back to where it was once used to be Belinda's home. Once arrived, he then looked for the two separate picture frames containing the pictures of his mother Chelsea and Belinda respectively.
"Nay, lola. Guess what? The principal offered me to go to the United States and study at the University of Texas, Austin. And guess what as well? I accept their offer!," Joe stated before silence engulped the house, making the boy tear up for a bit.
"Thank you for guiding and following so far in my life, mother, grandmother. I promise to make you more proud in me.," he added.
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"Almost every day, we have struggles in life, whether it's from your school life or personal, keep in mind that don't fully disclose it to the people, even from the ones who is closest to you most because some secrets can't stay hidden, other secrets chose to stay hidden forever."
That's one piece of advice Joe has ever given and it's even part of his valedictorian speech in his moving up ceremony.
He's proud that he finished his junior high school life in front of his native Batangeños but that was the last time that he'll see his classmates again.
Months after his ceremony, he started packing his bags as he prepares to move forward to accept his admission into the University of Texas.
He brang everything and leave the house his grandmother inherited for him and headed towards the airport to await his flight.
One chaper ends for Joe in the Philippines, but another one starts in the United States.
Once he got towards his flight, he was very excited to make a new era of his life. Little that he didn't know, his family arrived.
After learning the offer Joe has, Albert requested the same toeards Oscar and Julie. The reason? His dead wife. But the principal didn't budge on that offer, saying that Joe is more deserving to study in Texas.
The family arrived at the airport, with tha patriach thinking he was in time for Joe's goodbye, but he didn't got in time and the plane left.
Surely, an end of agony for Joe and a start of a new ear for the Gibson family.
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A/N: If you're wondering, Belinda died from leukimeia without any of Joe's family hearing anything about it until her death. About Albert's fate however, he never became a good father to either Oscar or Julie since Joe is gone and he wanted a kid to brag about. That alone hurt him so back that he gave up everything to get love back.
Anyways, enjoy the rest of the chapters.
-Justine