CHAPTER 4

Talk I harshly dropped the bag I’m holding when we reached to our assigned room. Clarix looked at the view over the ceiling-to-ground glass window with full of amazement in her eyes. We all are. We rented a normal suite, yet it looked like we’re on the presidentials’ “Wow! This is so much for a buck of penny!” The medieval looked in every corner speaks for its history. There were few paintings on the right corner and some hanging plants on the left that makes the ambiance feels lights and cozy. I jumped on the bed and laid there like a starfish. It is so soft, and I’d like one of it in my room! Clarix checked the other door that revealed the bathroom, and it was a normal bathroom though, but so clean. We also checked if they had heater, and they had, so we have no problem in bathing at night. “Do they have Netflix in here?” Clarix asked as she tried to open the television in front of us. “Maybe.” I answered as I keep wandering. We had a small kitchen, just enough for two people. They are complete in their kitchen tools, but we won’t need them much because we booked in a package. The breakfast and lunch will be served, and the dinner will be depending on us, if we want it serve or we can just go to their fine dining restaurant located at the ground floor, but of course if our bill is over to the fee we paid, we will add payment. “Should we check their vicinity first or- I’ve seen their garden outside! We should go there!” Clarix exclaimed. I sighed and come near her. She sat on the bed when I laid on the edge. I closed my eyes and felt sleepy right away. I woke up very early and I’d like to make up for it. Plus, the softness of the bed is like a lullaby. “We have things to do.” “We have lots of time.” She checked her wrist watch. “We arrived early. We can do it tomorrow. Besides, it’s just a video and an interview, basics.” I looked up at her. “But it’s better of we will just finish our assessment before anything else. We can enjoy the rest of our remaining days here without cramming for tomorrow.” She rolled her eyes and lay down. “It is you who’s grade conscious.” “I just don’t want to cram myself.” I don’t know how many hours had passed but I saw myself getting up because of the heat of the sun on my face. I also notice that I’m alone and I don’t know where Clarix is now. I got up and my stomach crunched. It’s past 2pm. I called Clarix and she’s with the group. They shot some b-rolls for the video. “Come down here. The food is in the kitchen table!” I ate fast and took a quick bath. I wear some jump shorts and went down. While I was in the elevator, I typed in some message for Dice. He asked me a while ago if we reached the hotel. “Yeah, we’re already here. I overslept.” I saw my group at the garden, playing. They saw me and waved. “I bet it’s more beautiful in the evening.” Ynah said while looking around. “Did you sleep well?” I turned around and Tavy clicked the camera he’s holding. I didn’t notice he was behind me. “Hey!” He laughed and surrendered his hands in the air. “It’s not funny. Delete it!” I tried to snatch the camera to him, but it is useless. He’s very much taller than me. “Really, delete it.” “Why? You look good. You’re like a lost kid,” he teased. “Yeah, you’re not going to have a child if I kicked your balls out if you don’t delete it!” His laughed died. He stopped and stared at me while smiling. It shook me a bit. His stare.. “Ok. But tell me first why you hate me.” The breeze of windy afternoon blew my hair. “I don’t hate you.” “You just don't like me.” I clicked my tongue and sighed. “But that’s before.” “Why though?” “’Cause you’re too much!” I tried to reach the camera again but no to vail. “Can you just please?” “I just wanna know. I’ll delete it right away if you give me reason.” He licked his lower lip. “How much is that ‘too much’?” I crossed my arms. “You’re overconfident. I-I don’t like it.” “So, I looked haughty to you?” “Yeah.” I raised my chin up. He nodded and scraped something on the camera. “Did you delete that?” “Yes, ma’am.” He said and smiled. “Ok, so, now, I’ll change your impression of me.” “You don’t need to. I’m just..” “I’ll make you like me.” “What?” He stepped closer to me that got me sweat my palm. He looked closely to me, and I couldn’t step back. I can’t tell if he is serious or playing with me. His jaw clenched. And I want to slap myself because I’m appreciating his thick eyebrow now. “I’ll make you like me not hate me.” he smirks and tap my shoulder. “Breathe,” He then leaves and cheerfully went to our other classmates. I was lost in trance. I thought it was something else! I didn’t even know I wasn’t breathing! I felt my cheeks burned up and I was so embarrassed I can’t go to them. But if I won’t join them means I got really affected! I obliged myself to go to them even if I’m shaking a little bit. Clarix is gawking at me like I need to tell her something. “You okay?” “Course!” I assured her. “I wanna ask you something.” I almost gasped but controlled it. “We are not a thing, Clang.” “Who?” “Tavy.” I forehead creased. I’m sure she will ask about me and Tavy. “I’m going to ask about Dice.” I almost choked on my own saliva. I heartbeat doubled this time. It’s gusty but I’m starting to sweat. I’m feeling guilty without context. “What about him?” “Do you talk regularly?” “Not much.” She glides her eyes on me. “Really?” “Yeah. Why?” “I saw his messages on your notification.” She’s eyeing my expressions. “It’s unintentional. I also slept when you slept but your phone woke me up and I saw his messages one after another.” “We, we talked everyday,” I silently spoked. She chuckled. “Since that day you told us you talked to him?” I nodded while feeling all the hollowed air in my stomach. I just admit it to her. I don’t know why I’m feeling guilty. Like I did something wrong to them. “Did you know that he’s also talking to Arie right now?” “What?” She smiled then looked at me seriously. “Tell me he told you that.” I’m speechless. I want to say yes but my tongue just can’t. I’m curious. I want to know more of it. “They are talking?” “Yeah. Maybe the same topic when he’s talking to you.” That.. that’s a little bit.. harsh. “Then, it’s great!” Her head tilt. “Sounds pain.” I laughed. “What?” “Look, Ran.” She sighed and held my hands. I looked into it and felt more of the hollowed spaces in my tummy. This is embarrassing! “I can tell whether you’re ok and not. You can’t hide anything from me. I know you since junior high school.” She pouted. “You feel something for him.” I tried to laugh but seeing her this serious died down my own illusion. I’m not mad or anything. I’m feeling.. hollowed, just exactly like the air in my abdomen. Empty and hard to explain. “Admit it. It hurts you.” I pulled my hands on her grip. I shook my head as if I’m convincing myself more. “We’re just talking random things, Clang. How can I catch feelings to that?” “That random thing means a lot to you. Little things matter to you the most, remember? You know,” she smiled. “You should not hide anything from me. You can always count on me without judgement.” “Did Arie told you that?” “That they are talking? Yeah. She so thrilled about it.” “Why?” She shrugged. “She’s always like when she’s talking to someone.” I cleared my throat. “What about.. Ingrid?” She laughed and pointed her finger at me “You’re now curious.” “Of course!” “Hmm, I don’t have news. I just know she’ll get jealous.” She smirked. “Very jealous.” I rolled her eyes on her and she just laughed. She struck me and hugged me. “Guys! Can we go there?” Jace pointed at some tent not so far away from the hotel. We swam on their swimming pool after. The sky is already orange because of the sunset setting, and we can resist but to took some pictures of us with it. The beauty and radiant it reflects is overwhelming and peaceful. We were there until dinner. We just dine in their restaurant. It’s dark outside but the hotel lights are very alive and inviting. People are everywhere and it seems like they had a life here at night. They have casinos in third floor while the gym was on the fifth floor. Their bar is in here, ground floor, left hallway, that’s why the people are keep passing back and forth. “Let’s go to the bar!” Ynah said excitedly. “Woah, you have budget for it?” Clarix asked. She pouted and pulled Jace’s arms. “Ah guys, I want you to meet, my sugar daddy.” She winked. “He provides a lot.” We all laughed. Jace looked normal but he is a congressman’s son. We all cheered and went to our suites to change our clothes. Clarix can’t contain her excitement because it will her first time to go to a bar without her parent’s approval. “We are definitely an adult!” she exclaimed while wearing her tube dress that shows her curves very well. “Isn’t that too much?” I looked at myself in the mirror. I wore my white pants that hugged my slim leg paired with sweetheart crop top. “Why? Where are we going? Mall?” she looked at me as if she’s disgusted. I pouted and looked myself more in the mirror. It is comfortable and this is the kind of clothes I bought. I didn’t put any dresses because I don’t mind if I go like this on a club. Besides! I don’t have thoughts that we actually go inside a club! Clarix throw a mini sleeveless red dress to me. “I’ll help you wear this. It’s kind of complicated.” She stood behind me. “Is this yours?” “My mother bought this to me last year. I wore it one time.” She crossed it to my neck and tie something on my back. “There you go. It fits you well! Oh my gosh.” “Isn’t this too-“ “Say cheese!” then clicked her phone. “Tavy will drool if he sees you!” “Shut up.” She laughed. “Oh, should I send this to Dice?” “Stop it.” “Just kidding. Give me your phone. I’ll take you a picture before we go.” I gave her my phone and did some poses while she takes it. She handed my phone back to me and I threw it to our bed. “Oh, you’re not going to bring it?” I flipped my hair and fix my above the knee dress. We heard it beeped twice. She looked at it while I looked at the door. Wanting to leave. “No.”