My friends and I got out of school earlier than usual. We went home directly at about five in the afternoon to prepare for our two days and two nights vacation at the nearest Island in Davao City. I have never been this excited on vacation, especially since this is my first time going out with a circle of friends. Back then, I could only have a holiday with mom for a day or two.
"Angel, make sure you have everything you need for your out of town. You don't have me there to supervise you," Mom said, sneaking in my door.
Mom coughs while holding her chest; her cheeks flush as she tries to get the phlegm out. It must be a little hard for her.
"Mom, your cough is back again? You should see a doctor. I can't go on vacation thinking you're not well."
"I have my medicine Angel, don't worry about me. I want you to have a good time with your friends. Prepare your things," Mom said as she turned away and coughed again.
"Everything I need is here, mom; last night, I had it all prepared. I will only change my school uniform, and I'm good to go. Maddox will pick me up at the lobby."
"Alright, you take care of yourself there and make sure you call me when you get on the Island."
"Of course, I'll call you right away."
It takes us about 10 minutes to wait for Royce in the apartment lobby. Mom insists on helping me with my luggage and waits until Royce picks me up. She takes my luggage, and I carry my bag and jacket out of the lobby to get to Royce's car.
Maddox walks close to mom. "Aunt Athena, let me help you."
Mom let Maddox carry the luggage.
"What about me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Baby, that's not too heavy. Don't let your mom carry a suitcase again. You should take care of her."
It's pretty awkward to have Maddox call me baby while mom listens, but I ignore it.
"Don't be silly; that's not heavy. The suitcase has rolling wheels while I have to carry my heavy bag."
"Alright, kids, that's enough. Maddox, please take care of my daughter. I trust you," Mom said, squeezing Maddox's arm a little bit.
"Thank you for trusting me. I will surely take good care of this petite girl right here," he said, wrapping his arm around my neck like he was trying to choke me.
"I'm not petite, you fool," I said, elbowing his ribs.
"Aw, that hurts."
Mom heaves a sigh.
"If this continues, someone might end up in the hospital."
"I don't know about this fool; he's acting weird today. The other day he was so kind and lovely, and now he is trying to choke me to death."
Mom cover's her mouth as she coughs, trying to hide it from us.
"Alright, hurry up, get in the car. You guys should go; you still have to pick up Lea and her boyfriend and then travel by ferry to get to the Island. No more wasting time, Angel, Maddox."
"Bye, mom. You also have to take care of yourself," I said, kissing mom on the cheek.
Maddox kisses mom as well. "We have to go, Aunt Athena. Don't worry about Angel," Maddox reassured, and then he got in the driver's seat.
Mom waves her hand as the car starts moving until she gets out of my sight. I heave a sigh, realizing I'm leaving mom alone at home. I have never done this before except when I sleepover in Lea's house, which is not so far from home.
"Is there a problem, baby?"
"No, nothing serious. Mom has a cough again. I was worried and told her to go see a doctor, but she said she already did and is taking medicine now."
"Good to know that she's taking meds so that we can leave for vacation peacefully."
"Yeah."
We pitch Lea and Glenn before we go to the port to ride a ferry. And as expected, Lea got too much stuff with her, like she will be having a seven-day vacation. I pity his boyfriend Glenn that she had to put up with my silly best friend, but they seem to have a really healthy relationship, though.
Luke and Sam are already waiting for us when we get to the port. Sam waves her hand, seeing us approaching them.
"Guys, hurry up. I have news for you, come on over," Sam said as I opened the door.
Sam and Luke wear matchy beach shorts and a Hawaiian shirt; all are in a yellow shade.
"Guys, you won't believe what we saw earlier," Sam said as she shifted on Luke. A bit of tension crosses their features.
"Luke, what is it?" Maddox inquired.
"Cassandra and her friends are on the Island as well; there were 8 of them as each has its own company, maybe a boyfriend. They are ahead of us; they have probably arrived on the Island by now," Luke narrated.
Lea and I exchange looks as well as Maddox.
"Is this a coincidence?" I asked, puzzled.
"I don't know yet. We only saw them pass when we were waiting for you guys. They didn't see us as we were in the car; we just saw them get out of the van."
"Well, let's wait and see. We better get going so that we arrive on the Island probably at seven pm, arrange our stuff in our room, and have our dinner," Maddox suggested.
"We got you tickets; we can go directly to the Ferry," Luke said, showing the tickets. He distributes the tickets to us, Lea and Glenn as well.
While Luke and Maddox park their car on the lower part of the ferry, Sam and I walk side by side as we go upstairs together with Lea and Glenn. Glenn and Lea deserve to be named a romantic couple of the year; they are inseparable as they hold each other's hands. Too cute of a couple.
My best friend is lucky to have Glenn; they seem to be in the same vibes, happy-go-lucky type. However, I still pity Glenn for following Lea's whims, which sometimes go overboard, like carrying her tote bag. She's too much of a spoiled girlfriend. Anyway, I let them be who they are. I am happy for my best friend.
Maddox places the jacket on my back when they arrive after parking the car.
"You left this in the car."
"Thank you. It's so cold up here."
"Yes, it is quarter to seven in the evening; the wind is already cold. Let me hug you," Maddox said, wrapping his arms around me.
"Hey! What are you doing?" I complained.
"Making you warm. Don't try to unwrap my arms around you, baby. It's not like we are the only ones doing this now. Look at them," Maddox whispered, motioning Luke and Sam.
Luke's arms are wrapped around Sam, and even Glenn is hugging Lea as well.
"Alright."
"I can't wait to spend time alone with you on that island," Maddox said as he leaned on my ears. I swallow a lump in my throat, hearing Maddox say it. What does it mean?