"Are we ready to take it? We have to go now. We have a few more hours to go."
Earlier, Kyla was in a hurry because she was about to arrive at the resort we were going to. They decided to have a bonding in a resort to be different. They also said that they always see in Caseth's posts on Instagram the pictures of us touring the city together. Though, we will stay in the resort for only one day.
It's just the amount of time I have so I have to make the most of it equally with them. Tomorrow will be the last day and I'm going to spend it with my parents. Caseth, he didn't come because it was bonding time we were friends but obviously he didn't want to leave me. He couldn't do anything but to stay with his family. I heard that they will leave again next week.
"How long will it take to get there? Is the resort you chose far away, Jelo?" Roses asked him.
He scratched his head lightly."Uh... Not that long but I think it will take 4 hours to get there. Just be patient guys. I know it will be worth it when we arrived. It's owned by my Aunt so we're free, that's good."
We all agreed with him. When Josh and Steven were done arranging our things at the back of the van, we entered inside one by one. It's also a big van because it's Fiona's sponsor. We fit inside the van even though we're all 10 persons. They all have their own contributions so we are unlikely to have any more problems.
"Are you comfortable? Can you sleep?" Mau whispered to me.
I slightly nodded and closed my eyes."Don't worry about me. I can handle myself. If I can't sleep, maybe I'll just watch outside or text Caseth so I can have some fun."
She knew that I'm having a hard time sleeping. It seems that no matter what I do, I can't sleep and then sometimes it takes me almost a few hours to sleep. This might be the effects of my disease. I also often... can't breathe but I do everything so they don't notice. They will probably send me to the hospital and it's just useless. I won't be treated anyways.
Almost all of them fell asleep on the flight except for me who was helpless and Jelo who was driving. I've been texting Caseth but he's not replying to me. I don't want to think badly of him so I hope what I'm afraid of doesn't happen again. If I let him go, I'll make sure that I'm already dying. He is free to choose whoever he wants to love again.
"Shara, don't be mean. But what if you break up with Caseth after you find out that your life will... not take too long. You know, so that he won't be hurt too much when the day you fear comes."
I looked at Steven in the back seat when he said that."I'm not sure about that either, Steven. I don't want us both to get hurt before I disappear. I want to make him feel happy for my remaining days. And at least , we have happy memories together that will remain inside my heart."
"Can you think of another topic?! Like how Daniela fell in love with the wrong person---"
"Hey! That's not true! Shut up, Allison," Daniela retaliated.
One by one they all woke up and were stoned by what they both saw. They said that it's very annoying and sounds so childish. But later, they joined in and shared secrets with each other. I do not know!
Our quiet driver, Jelo, was even affected. There were rumors about him and that girl from the other school. He said he had a crush on Pres and then gave gifts once. It's beautiful, half-British.
"Pres's good looks are really weird. You're kidding, you caught a half-British girl," Josh teased but we just laughed at him.
"When will you introduce us, Pres? It's a trend now to have a partner especially that Christmas is near," I whispered.
He looked at me in the side mirror and smiled."It's still a little while, but we'll catch up."
We all laughed and cheered him. He’s a nice guy, like Racer. So I'm so proud of him when he found his the one. I just hope I have another chance to meet him.
"Guys. What Christmas gift do you want from me," I grabbed their attention.
They all stopped and went silent. They still looked at each other and wondered what they would answer. Some of them are thinking and the others might have answers but not sure if they'll tell me or not.
"Just live. That's the best Christmas gift in my whole life."
We all turned to Mau who was seriously typing on his phone. She felt that we're staring at her but she doesn't care. Or maybe he just doesn't want to look because he might get tired again. I hope I didn't ask. I don't want to promise or give them hope that I can live. That request is a blow to the moon.
I let out a sigh and looked outside, observing the view. No one spoke to them after that and amused himself with things. Minutes after, we finally arrived on the said resort and it feels free. The fresh air that was blowing my hair, waves crashing on my feet, and the sun that hits my face. I'm gonna miss this forever.
"Shara! Come on, let's go in. You have to rest first before we eat." Fiona waved her hands on me and ran towards the hotel.
I immediately followed them because I was tired too. This is a private resort so we're the only guests here. When I entered, my belongings were arranged on the side of the bed. This room is for two persons so I'm gonna be with Maureen here. She got out of the CR and slumped on her bed.
"Rest now, bessy. Call Caseth first and tell him we've arrived," she said without looking at me.
I squatted down to see who he was chatting with."Is that Ziro? And what babe?
She quickly looked at me and moved to his bed."Uh... Yeah? Please don't be mad. We were official yesterday. I'm planning to tell you when we get back. I'm sorry."
"I'm not sulking. All right, I'll call Caseth first. Congrats."
I get my phone inside my pocket and went to the balcony of our room. It's peaceful in this place and everything can be seen whether it is near or far away from here. I pressed the video call button and waited for him to answer it.
[Shara? Is that you? Have you arrived in the resort?]
It was Sister Casyn who answered the call. We haven't seen each other for a few days because Caseth and I haven't allowed him to go out yet. I couldn't talk to her in person because I'm not welcome in their house.
"Yes, Sister. Uhm... Are you okay now? Sorry if we're not talking anymore. I miss you, do you know that?"
[You too, I miss you too. Sorry about our parents, they were just like that. Mommy and Ashley have the same tastes so she likes her better but don't worry about that. Ah, by the way. Caseth went out for a while because mommy accompanied Ashley to shop at the grocery store. Sorry for that]
"No, it's okay. But why did he leave his phone? He's not replying to me before while I'm on the flight," I said frowning.
[Ashley kepts on bugging him. He couldn't move properly because that leech was always on his tail. But don't worry, I'll tell him that you called. I will also tell you to call him back]
"Thank you, Sister Casyn. I'll sleep for now. My body is tired. See you soon."
I woke up because of Maureen's weak shake on me. I slowly sat on my bed when I felt like my head is turning. I tried to roll my eyes twice to see the surroundings clearly. I'm still really sleepy.
"Are you okay? Are you feeling bad? I can send the foods here for you to eat here," she said worriedly to me.
I shook my head and got off the bed."I'm okay. I'm still sleepy but it will also disappear when I'm done eating. Let's go."
She wasn't convinced but I went to the seashore where we are going to eat. There are service foods here but they still bring extra food. It's gonna be a delicious meal. They made me sit while they were busy with what they were doing. Josh and Steven were grilling a chicken and pork. Roses and Fiona were making a buko juice. Daniela and Allison were making a dessert. While Kyla and Maureen were preparing all the foods in the table. Jelo also sets up a tent so that we don't get hot.
"Yay! Our breakfast is ready! Let's eat." Daniela clapped her hands happily.
We all sat down at the big table and before everything, we took pictures first. They will probably post it on Instagram so I don't have to post it on my account. We prayed before eating because I was used to it and I just felt for them.
"Shara, eat this. Here, it's delicious too. This and this. There's more, it looks like you'll be satisfied here." Mau herself chose the food for me.
We started eating while talking about such things. They avoid talking about school, their future, or their dreams because they don't want the atmosphere to go away. Instead, we talked about our lovelife again. Some of them are a little annoyed that there is nothing like that and have never been in love.
"You and Caseth? Is Ashley still messing with you?" Roses asked out of a sudden.
I stopped eating for a while and shrugged my shoulders."She's not going to let go of him. They are together now at Caseth's house but Sister Casyn and her parents are there. His parents were forcing him to be nice with her. Her first girlfriend is Ashley so she's a favorite of her parents. I can't do anything about it."
"What? Until now, that girl is still on his tail? Can you pull her hair, Shara. If I ever see her, I'll be the one to do that for you."
I was just shaken by what Allison said and continued eating. When we finished eating, it's swimming time, they said. All of us went back to the hotel to change our clothes. The girls were so excited to wear bikinis and swimsuits but I don't have plan to wear something like that. I'm okay with shorts and tshirt because I'm not used to that.
But they didn't let me. We're supposed to be bonding so I have to keep up. Besides, I can't argue with the five girls and one gay.
"Even though you're big at work and you're sick, your body is still beautiful. Look! Girl, that black bikini suits your body," Kyla praised me.
I was embarrassed to look at them."G-Guys... are you sure about this? Caseth might get mad at me if he saw me wearing like this without him. That would make me jealous."
"Bess, we're just girls here in the big swimming pool. The boys will swim the whole sea so stop worrying about it," Mau reassured me.
"It's just girls but gay is here. For your information, you're still a boy. You have an egg!" no brakes Fiona said.
Kyla's eyes widened in shock."Omo! What did you say, girl?! Bad words!"
Roses laughed out loud."Just chill. Hey, gay! Take a picture of us. I'll assume in my picture frame."
They forced me to remove the white oversize shirt that I'm wearing together with my shorts. I don't know what to do but they all taught me some pose. I'm not really sure about this but they really forced me, they said they wouldn't pay attention to me when I didn't want to do them a favor.
"Shara! You're alone, hurry! You're really beautiful so you'll be the first." Daniela dismissed the rest of our friends as well as him.
They left me here in the staircase of the pool. If Maureen knows fashion, then Fiona and Allison are fond or photoshoots. They taught me what I should do and I was feeling super awkward to look at. I'm nervous!
"1..2..3 .. and gotcha!" Kyla stopped taking pictures of me and looked at the camera.
They all looked at me as well as I went downstairs and was embarrassed. And they suddenly screamed like an idol talked to them. Then they approached me with the camera and were still jumping.
"Wah! You're really beautiful, Shara! If you're going to post it on your Instagram account, I'm sure guys will drool over you. You even beat a model in that picture," Roses said while showing my picture to the camera.
"One more favor, Shara babe. Post it on your Instagram with a caption of 'ain't gorgeous' because you don't have confidence in yourself," Mau suggested.
Embarrassed, I just did what they said and immediately exited because I couldn't look. I posted four pictures that they choose for me. I swim in the pool together with them, eating snacks at the same time. They even planned to have wine tonight but of course, I wasn't with them because I was sick.
"Shara! You have a video call! Answer the crib, maybe it's your baby."
I shook my head on Daniela and immediately swim back to the cottage. I wrapped the towel around my neck and wiped my hands to answer the call. I automatically smiled when I saw his face on the screen. Seems like he's on the balcony of his room, pretty familiar.
[Hey, baby! How are you? I miss you too. Why are you wearing that on your Instagram? I'm always jealous]
I couldn't help but laugh at what he said."Baby, only girls are here in the pool. Our guys friends are in the sea bathing. And that was just a favor, nothing else. I miss you too."
[My friends and I were also bonding here at a resort. See!]
He let me see the view on the screen and covered my mouth because of shock. No! H-Hes not here right? But how come did he arrived here? I never told him the exact place!
Wow! What will I do?