"Kez, get up there!" Reign almost threw all the pillows at our friend who was still lying in bed. She was still sound asleep and did not want to disturb any of us. She would even get angry when we made noise because she didn’t want to be disturbed.
“Please stop, Reign! I'm still sleepy,” she whispered. She even pushed herself covered with a blanket.
It was only six in the morning but Reign and I were awake. After all, Keziah had almost occupied the whole bed. We just need to sleep on the floor and Kez will make this queen size bed. She was very sleepy. You can tell she doesn't want anyone next to her to sleep with because she still lacks a queen size bed. It's embarrassing to stand next to Kez.
There is nothing we can do if we don't get up and fall to the floor. We just let him take over the entire bed space. We just realized that that's how he really sleeps. We don't want to complain. We just sat on the couch and waited for Kez to wake up.
We also heard Franco's friends talking outside, they were also awake. I seem to be excited about the activities that can be done here at the rest house. They were talking loudly so we could really hear the conversation and laughter of our friends.
“Hey! You are not really going to wake up there? If you don't get up within 5 minutes, we will not take you on a banana boat later,” Reign said boldly. Since earlier, she was forcing Kez to wake up. She said it was revenge because she didn't sleep well because of Kez's restlessness.
In less than a minute, Keziah got up immediately. It narrowed his two eyes and darted to his feet. Reign smiled as he finally woke Kez up. It immediately went straight to the restroom which is also just here in the room. She washed there and cleaned herself.
"You see, she's not obviously excited about the activities we're going to do, right?" Reign asked me with a laugh. “That was the only thing that could wake him up. She even made it hard for me to throw a pillow at her, huh.”
I also laughed at what it said. "Actually, she is more excited to wear her bikini," I teased.
I know how much Kez loves ramming her sexy body. We support her because in that way, we can boost her confidence. One more thing, Kez is really beautiful and sexy! Her body is well-shaped.
Reign and I even got involved because we already knew Kez. We were soaked in our friend’s behavior. Whatever she hides, she can no longer keep me a secret. We already know so much about her that our friendship will never end. Instead, it becomes even stronger.
Keziah took a quick shower so we went out immediately. We arrived in the kitchen with Franco who was busy talking. They turned their attention to us when they saw us.
"If my morning is just this beautiful, I'm sure my day will be completed right away," flattered one of Franco's friends, a well-known woman in the group.
Fortunately, we did not immediately believe what she was saying. She just wanted to feed us. We know that she has hurt many women.
"Hey, Liam, it's supposed to hit the three of them but only Reign is really being referred to," another friend of theirs said.
He was immediately attacked by a man called Liam. "Shut up! It's like a fool. It doesn't look like a friend, it's really falling apart.”
The three of us laughed but we also secretly kicked Reign. We know Reign who is sensitive to men. Supposedly it was a landing-toying but it would back off immediately when the man who wanted to introduce himself to her was not beaten.
She chooses the men who will approach her. When she doesn’t like the man, she won’t waste time ignoring it. She didn’t care even if she was told she was a snob.
"Can we just have breakfast!" Reign immediately changed the subject.
Even then, we knew immediately that Reign was not interested in Liam.
Even if she doesn’t direct, we already know Liam isn’t what she’s looking for. She probably knew the man was a playboy and whatever nice things Liam said to her, she wouldn’t believe.
Poor Liam, he's just looking for someone else to like. He would just have a hard time with Reign. Also, he's a womanizer so it's okay for Reign not to entertain. It only caused my friend a headache when it happened. I don't want to hurt my friend and in the end, she will sue and beg the man. I don’t want them to experience the pain I felt before. I also don't want them to cry because they also died in love. I'm already unlucky in love, are they too?
We approached them to mix his coffee and milk as well. They are all currently having breakfast. It's really better to eat when you're talking to someone and not alone. Your such opportunity should be appreciated.
I stepped aside from Franco because he motioned for me to sit in the seat next to him. He gave me a cup and pouch of milk and coffee for me to choose from. I reached for the milk carton. You're really what I'm drinking.
"Until now, you really only drink milk?"
I shrugged. "No, I also drink coffee once." I really only like milk more than coffee. I only drink coffee occasionally, whenever I just need to stay up to study my Accounting subjects. I can really just drink coffee so that I don't feel drowsy, especially when the review is over. Coffee is already part of the lives of Accountancy students.
He just nodded. After I milked my coffee, it was filled with hot water and then handed me the bread that was still warm. Just by the smell of the bread, I knew it was delicious. I was hungry and I was hungry right away so I took a bite of the bread he gave me.
We were in the middle of eating when Trisha and Caleb arrived in the kitchen as well. They are just the two of them waiting.
“Late awake, oh? They both obviously enjoyed last night.” Screaming and harassment filled the entire kitchen because of Franco’s friends.
It was just a joke but not a good joke for me. That's not funny. I was even more annoyed when I heard their bullying. But I couldn't do anything because they didn't know how I felt.
Embarrassed Trisha approached us next to Caleb. “Hey! Stop teasing us! It’s normal for us to do that, we love each other,” said Trisha. “Also, it wasn't our first time. We already did that years ago,” he added without even being embarrassed. It even touched my gaze and gave me an annoying smile.
My heart seemed to pound when I heard what she said. Why does she even have to say that thing in front of me?
"Trisha, stop," Caleb disobeyed.
I looked at Caleb and we looked at each other. He averted his eyes and just quietly sipped his drink.
I still can’t forget the conversation we had last night. The things he said made me even more confused. I know and feel they are true.
He loves me…
But why does he still prefer Trisha?
Why are they there when he loves me?
I do not understand.
I want to understand but he can’t give me an answer to the question why he can’t leave Trisha?
After we had breakfast, we all headed straight to the sea. Everyone has their own swimwear. My two friends didn’t lose in their red criss cross bikini swimsuit and beach skirt for Reign and black cut-one shoulder bikini swimsuit for Kez.
Trisha, on the other hand, wore a lilac self tie bikini swimsuit that further highlighted her white complexion.
Of course I didn’t give up either.
I wore a coffee brown rib criss cross halter bikini that further triggered my two healthy futures and tightened my entire body.
The men, on the other hand, wore only beach shorts and no top. The eyes of my two friends were full.
I caught Caleb looking at me as I passed in front of him and Trisha. I'm going now with two of my friends who are already on the banana boat.
Three banana boats are ready there.
"Bri, let's go," Franco shook my hand without saying goodbye.
He first taught me to wear a life vest and then helped me ride the banana boat. Kez, Reign and Franco and I were on a banana boat.
Franco's friends are already on a banana boat.
On the other hand, Franco already has two friends there and only Trisha and Caleb are waiting. We turned to the two of them.
"Caleb, let's go!" Trisha forcefully pulls Caleb's hand away.
"I don't want to, Trisha." It was traced on his face that he is in the mood.
Trisha didn't stop teasing Caleb until he agreed. The two of them approached the banana boat. Before Caleb boarded, he glared at me.
With every look he was throwing at me, it seemed to be talking.
"Caleb!" Trisha shouted at him because he hadn't obeyed what Trisha was saying before. Trisha looked at me as she followed Caleb's direction. I immediately averted my eyes.
I felt the banana boat we were riding in move so I was caught behind Franco. He was in front and I was next, then Reign and Kez were behind me.
"Hold on tight, Bri," Franco ordered.
Franco's friends started shouting because the banana boat they were riding in had left. We followed and my two friends immediately started arguing. They were Caleb who was caught.
As we sailed along the sea, I focused my eyes around. The water was so clean and I could see a few more there. Fortunately, it's not that hot yet so it doesn't hurt the skin.
Kez was carrying a camera placed in a waterproof pouch and began filming. They obviously enjoy it, even me. Even Franco's friends were shouting every time they were riding, which made them even happier. Caleb’s only banana boat is obviously lacking in vitality. Trisha just took a video while Caleb's face had no reaction. I think he's still bored.
"Woah," I said weakly when we were already swaying. We were running fast and the waves were strong because we were a little far from the shore.
Just as I was about to tighten my grip on Franco, the position of my hand went wrong and my foot slipped from the shock.
It was too late and I fell completely.
"Bri!" Franco shouted.
I was wearing a life vest but that was still not enough because I was restless due to fear. I do not know how to swim!
"Franco, Bri can't swim!" With worried voice, my friend, Reign shouted.
I never saw who immediately plunged into the water towards me. I close my eyes because of the waves pounding in my direction.
I just felt someone hold my arm. "Bri, no worries, I'm already here." That voice was Franco.
I was about to grab his neck when someone grabbed my hand. He also squeezed my waist to snatch me from Franco's grasp.
I heard Trisha scream. “Caleb! What are yo doing?”
I was stunned when I heard his name and was shocked when he was in front of me. He stole me from Franco. He slowly led me to the banana boat that Reign and I were riding in. They helped get me up there. Caleb followed me. Franco was then transferred to Trisha's banana boat.
“We will be back. It's better for Bri to just rest,” said Caleb, who was agreed by my two friends.
Until we got to the beach, Caleb didn’t let go of my hand. He helped me get off the banana boat but it didn't take long either because Franco also snatched my hand from Caleb.
"Bro, it's me," he said authoritatively.
Caleb couldn't do anything because even Trisha had pushed him away. The woman even looked at me badly and still not satisfied, she still raised her eyebrow.
We turned our backs on them and went up to the rest house. I got dressed and rested in the bedroom. I was with Reign inside and Kez took something to eat in the kitchen.
"He can't hold back anymore." I turned to my friend as she spoke while blowing her hair. “In doing so, he destroyed himself. There is no denying that Caleb likes you too,” she added.
Reign is right. By rescuing Caleb and snatching me from Franco, he proved that he felt the same way about me. Maybe that's also the reason why Trisha almost killed me with her sharp looks earlier.
Reign and I turned our attention to the open door. Panting it spat out Keziah. She didn't bring any food but she did bring news that surprised us. “Caleb and Trisha are coming home! They said they will return to Manila.”
“H-Huh? Why?" Reign asked.
“They said, it's an emergency. But I don’t think so. It looks like the two are at war,” she added.
We went out on the veranda of the room to see if what Kez was saying was true. We looked up and it was right, Trisha and Caleb were leaving. They used a van.
"We all know what the real reason is for them to go home," I said as I watched Trisha put things in the back of the van.
Because of what happened.
They have a relationship but what Caleb did to save me was not right because it was his girlfriend who saw how Caleb rescued and supported me. It even snatched me from Franco so I can’t deny that everyone with us gave malice to that incident.
The two caressed my back.
“Bri, you didn't want to fall into the sea and it's not your fault why Caleb treated you like that. He just couldn't stop himself from worrying about you and confessing how he really feels for you."
Kez agreed with Reign. “She’s right. What I just don’t understand is, why is he still with Trisha when he really wants and loves you?”
That was also a big questionnaire to me.
In the evening, after we ate, Franco and I went for a walk on the beach. I agreed because this is our last night here in Siargao. Sad because we didn’t enjoy it because of what happened.
"Franco, I'm sorry for what happened," I said.
We walk slowly. I could feel the blow of the cold breeze on my skin. I'm wearing an oversized shirt and short shorts now.
Franco's vision was on the road. "It's okay, Bri."
I can't speak anymore. I can't think of anything that can be made a topic. Also, I feel sorry for Franco. I want to confess to him.
I was surprised when it stopped walking. It slowly faced me.
He heaved a deep sigh. “Can I ask you?”
I can’t explain the nervousness I felt because of his question. "S-Sure."
“Who’s Caleb in your life?” He was looking straight into my eyes.
I averted my eyes. I can't find where to draw an answer.
I was silent for a few seconds.
"Is he now and not me?" Franco asked. "Is it Caleb, Bri?"
I was able to look him in the eye. It was traced to the sadness he feels now.
"I'm sorry," was all I could say.
He was swallowed. “I was not wrong. That’s enough as far as I can go. The way you look at him, I know he’s not just a friend to you. He’s more than that.”
“F-Franco.”
He faked a laugh. “And yeah, he also likes you. The feelings are mutual between the two of you. Honey, I’m too late. It's so sad, I am no more.” He bowed at the same time as tears dripped down his cheeks.
“Franco, believe me, I tried. I tried to find out if I still had love for you if you were still up to now, but nothing was left. I thought the weight on my chest that I had been carrying for over 3 years, was my love for you, but I was wrong. It was anger and trauma that you gave when you left and it only disappeared when you apologized to me. I felt better then and I forgave you but I can't take it back.”
It just nodded and remained bent over.
"Franco, I can't give you the second chance you're asking for…"
"I respect your decision," he said.
I held his hand. "I'm really sorry."
He looked up and couldn't hide that he was crying. “No, Bri. Don't be sorry. It’s my fault after all.” It squeezed my hand that was also holding his. “I want you to be happy, even if that happiness no longer includes me. Go, keep chasing the man you want to marry someday.”