"Are you sure you don't want to?" he spoke again.
"Please, Latrelle. Please, don't bother me anymore!"
I was walking around looking for a place to stay. I wasn't disappointed when I discovered a little nipa cabin just next to the river.
"Hey, take it slow. Be careful!" Latrelle reminded. I had no idea that he was following me.
"You're so stubborn! I thought you would cease your trippings on me?" I went on to say. We've talked about it before, but I'm pretty sure he didn't mean what he said.
"I can't seem to get away from you. Please accept my apologies for this." He smirked at me.
"Why don't you just go there?" I pointed to the location where Marcus was. I furrowed my brows together when I noticed Marcus and Melissa having fun in the water.
"I really don't want to. What kind of bonding is that, specifically? I was under the impression that we were going fishing… But all they did was flirt with each other," Latrelle complained.
Latrelle sat in the chair next to me. Fortunately, the place I chose on this hut was quite comfy, which helped a lot. A tiny table and a long chair made of bamboo wood were available for use. I rubbed the back of my neck as I looked at Latrelle, who had suddenly risen to his feet with a contorted expression. It appears as though he was speaking to himself.
Across the room, a young woman with curly hair caught his attention. It was the meeting of their gazes that caused Latrelle's lips to twist into a smile.
"Who is that?"
The moment the girl was no longer in our line of sight, he rapidly turned to face me. She looks to be really stunning. Her hair is curly, her eyes are almond shaped, and her skin tone is fair. She was dressed in a sleeveless shirt and a pair of tailored slacks.
"Why? You're jealous, aren't you?" he asked, a sly grin on his face.
"No. There is absolutely nothing to be jealous of."
After then, he didn't say anything else at all. He simply laid down and rested his arms like a pillow. He closed his eyes, perhaps in an attempt to get some sleep since we had gotten up early. I also wanted to take a nap, but the weather was too hot and I wasn't feeling well.
My attention was drawn to the door by someone who was about to enter. Wyn was holding a bag of fish and a briquette of charcoal.
"These are the fish that I caught, Kaoree. And…" He pointed to the charcoal he was holding in his hand. I was intrigued as to where he got that.
"How did you acquire that?"
"This was being sold by someone in the area. They were well aware that there were many tourists who enjoyed grilling."
He got the grill ready. He was prepared, as he carried matches in his backpack as well. I approached him and helped him in preparing the charcoal for cooking the fish.
"Kaoree," Wyn called out as he arranged the fish on the grill.
"Hmm?" I gave him a kind smile. Perhaps he'll tell me that even with charcoal stains on my face, I still look lovely.
"What are you two up to?" I was taken aback when someone abruptly stepped between me and Wyn, forcing us to maintain our distance. I thought this guy was napping. I suppose I'm mistaken, as he's now interfering with my talk with Wyn.
I wanted to hear Wyn tell me how beautiful I am despite the charcoal stains on my face, but Latrelle's interference prevented that from happening. This guy is very incessant in his ability to give me a headache.
"Isn't it obvious? We're cooking fish on the grill!" I stated, irritated.
"To be honest, I do have something to give you. This is very unique." My heart become tender because of what he said. He seems to be quite serious. And where did he purchase the item he is about to gift me?
My face grew hot. At the very least, he will alleviate the pain in my heart.
"First, close your eyes!" He spoke it as if he were ordering it to a child, yet I did what he instructed.
As the wind blew in our direction, the aroma of cooked fish filled my nostrils.
"Where is your hand? Your palms should be open." Latrelle took command.
He positioned something above my palm after three seconds. "Hold it securely in your hand and then slowly open your eyes."
My brows furrowed as I examined the object held above my hand "How am I going to use this? A tin!"
"You should immediately go to the streets and begin asking for money for food. You are constantly hungry!" he chuckled.
I tossed the can at him, but he managed to avoid it.
"Calm down!" he said as he rose to his feet. "You're a tad aggressive! It's probably best if I get out of here."
That's a good idea! He walked to the beach where Sasha, Drianne, and Vanna are currently drawing patterns on the sand like children.
"Can you tell me what you were going to say earlier?" I waited for Wyn to respond, my eyes wide with anticipation.
"I'd appreciate it if you scratched my back. It had been itching since earlier in the day." He said while pointing his back.
"Are you sure? You don't have anything else to say, do you?" I said, a little disappointed.
Modes:
5
"Yes, that's all. Don't you want to scratch my back?" He asked innocently.
"It's not like that! I will do it gladly!" I said with a fake smile plastered on my face.
I scratched his back until he was satisfied. He just thanked me. Everyone went to the small hut after catching fishes. Yuan cooked rice for our dinner while Melissa and Marcus were tasked to fix the tent.
"Yes, that is all there is to it. You don't want to scratch my back, do you?" He replied in a nonchalant manner.
"That is not the case! I'm more than happy to help!" The words came out of my mouth with a phony smile plastered on my face.
I scratched him on the back till he was content. He simply thanked me. After catching a few fish, everyone returned to the little hut. Yuan was in charge of cooking the rice for our dinner, and Melissa and Marcus were in charge of fixing the tent.
On the other hand, all of us who are still here were just waiting for them to finish fixing the tent.
"Guys, I think it's better to play a game to get rid of your boredom than do nothing. Does anyone else play two truths in a lie?" Jez came up with the idea.
"The idea is great! It's making me think back to when I was a teen." Sasha agreed.
This is also a good idea. I used to watch a game like that on YouTube.
"Or, if you want, we can write some questions and then each of us can choose one. I don't know what it's called." Sasha added
"Too silly. In high school, I didn't play games like this." Rosella was combing her hair when she spoke.
"In that case, what game are you playing? Barbie dolls?"
They're back at it. They always fight when they get the chance.
"No. Besides, I'm not a killjoy and for T. H, I can play with you." She hugged T. H in the back while he was talking to someone on the phone.
Just after the phone call, he looked at her, and then kept looking at his phone again. It looked like he was typing something.
"Sit down next to me." Jez told me.
"Yes, of course!" I answered. A vibration came from my phone.
1 message from T. H
I opened it.
Are you hungry? I can cook for you. Maybe we can find a place where we are alone.
The message he sent prompted me to look at him. When our eyes met, I gulped down a drink of water.
"Hey, T.H. What's the matter with you? Are you on the phone with your dad? Don't be afraid, I'll take care of him." The words come from Rosella's mouth as she's pulling him closer to her.
T. H's hands were in his pockets as he gazed at me.
Uh… I can wait until Yuan's done cooking.
Sent.
"Who are you talking to?! I've been trying to get your attention for quite some time now, asking if you want to come with us." Jez exclaimed.
I kept my head nodding gently "Of course. That's perfectly fine." I replied.
"Who are you texting?" Jez observed as he strained his eyes at me.
"A classmate. He was asking about our report." I lied.
A new buzzing tone came from my phone. I clung to it with both hands as I carefully lowered it.
"It's just my classmate. We're just concerned that we might not be able to reach the deadline." This is the second time I've been dishonest. Suddenly, I felt the urge to bite my lips.
As he applied lipgloss to his lips, he nodded as if he were convinced. I'd be nervous and stumbling in response to any follow-up questions he might have asked.
Let's talk when everyone is sleeping.
As I looked at T. H, he was also looking at me with serious expression. My heart pounded twice as loudly as usual. I wanted to get away from everyone and get some fresh air, so I left the small hut.
I put my hand up to my chest and could still feel the rapid pounding. This can't continue. It's time to put an end to this. As soon as I spotted someone in front of me, I raised my gaze to see who it was.
"T. H?"
I had no idea what to say to him. He sat quietly next to me.
"Rosella could be looking for you." It was all I could say.
"Kaoree, please give me a little more time. I'm tired," he whispered in my ear as he laid his head on my shoulder.
T. H, I'm tired as well. I'm worn out from all the pain you've given me. I wanted to take a break from that pain, but every time you're here, it's all worth it.