CHAPTER 7

I just called my family and now I am talking with my friend through video call. I am laying on my bed because I feel like my whole body is sore from the flight but these girls won’t give considerations.

[“Pleaseeee! Get the hell out of there again. We want to see the place you’re staying at.”] Wen said with her long pretty please

“Geez! You’ve seen my room already and I don’t wanna go out. You know me, I don’t do parties that much.” I said as I put on my lip balm. I usually do this every night when I go to sleep. You know, I don’t like my lips being dry. 

Ali pouted, [“That’s better. I’ll check if there’s something interesting in there. You know.” And she giggled. I know her giggles so much. It means something. Tsk.

[“Yeah, right, girl. Free yourself and party with them. How can you make friends there if you’ll just stay in your room? Do you want to be a loner in Canada for six months? It’s half a year, girl! And duhh! It’s time for you to look for the one!”] Vina

Here we go again, the endless ‘the one’. Among our friends, she’s the one who kept on pushing me to have boyfriend. I sighed and sat on my bed, “Fine.” When I stood up I saw my whole being in the mirror. There’s a full-length mirror beside my bed.

“I’ll just get a proper dress. I guess this is not appropriate for me to—

[“Shut the hell up, girl. Stop being so conservative and an old lady like. You’re in Canada! Arggh!”] Vina snorted

I glared at them. They are being so bossy again. Sometimes, I do really considered them bad influence but still they’re my friends, real ones. 

“Fine. Fine, masters. I’ll go downstairs with shorts and over-sized shirt! Happy?”

They smiled at me and showed their thumbs up. I hope people wouldn’t look at me like a crazy little girl lost in the party. 

I just came out of the door of my room and few steps away I’ll be taking down the stairs. I can already hear the loud music like they don’t have neighbors. If it were in the Philippines, I don’t know what will happen. 

“Hey girls, I’ll use the back camera to fucking tour you and please, when someone talked to me, you have to shut up. Okay?”

The three of them nodded to me, “Yes, boss.” Ali saluted 

I started walking and opposite from what I want to happen, people stared at me. Whenever I would pass by them, they would look at me and I know it’s because of what I’m wearing tonight. I can’t blame them. This is a formal party but I’m wearing some stupid shit old clothes.

I want to look for Aron so someone would accompany me but I can’t see him. While walking, I am talking to my friends who were just keep on muttering something I don’t understand because my attention was not on them.

“Girls, this is the party. You’ve seen the people, you’ve seen the place but I can’t find my cousin so I’m going to the kitchen, first. Let me drink water and I’ll be back to find Aron, then I’ll introduce you girls, to him.”

[“Oh my gosh! Really? Wait!”] Ali excitedly said and went out of the camera for a while, maybe to make herself pretty as usual

I went to the kitchen and after, I saw an empty seat and a small table in a corner. There’s no one in there and it’s kind of far from the party.

“Hey! You’re Aron’s cousin, right?” a girl coming to me asked. She’s holding a glass on her left hand and kissed my cheek.

She has this blonde long straight hair. She’s also sexy and she’s wearing a body fitted dress right now. I noticed her tattoo on her wrist and it’s kinda cool.

“Yeah. I’m looking for him, in fact. Did you see him?” I wonder if she’s friends with my cousin

She looked upward and moved her lips like she’s thinking something, “No. I haven’t seen him but I can help you find Aron. Come with me.” She smiled at me and I don’t know if I would trust her or not

At first, I doubted to come with her but I guess nothing bad will happen if I’ll come, right? She clung her arm to me. Good for me because my friends on the phone remained quiet. 

“You looked hot, by the way.” She said after examining my body.

“T-thanks. It’s not really my intention to wear this because I was just about to sleep but my friends told me to come in here and show me the place.” And I should have not followed them. Look at me now.

“Ohh. Where are your friends?”

We just continued walking while talking to each other and I think she’s nice. I hope I can be friends with her. I lifted my phone and showed her them.

“Hi, girls! I’m Amanda.” She greeted and waved at them

My friends were a little stunned but they still managed to greet Amanda back.

[“Hi!”] they said in chorus.

Amanda turned to me and smiled. “You’ve got pretty friends.” 

I laughed and agreed on her. I’m sure my friends heard it and I know they’re so fluttered right now.

Later on, we’ve reached the table, the same table I was in earlier. We arrived at the table where I’ve been earlier. There are six men, laughing, talking, and drinking but some of them are also smoking. I really hate cigarretes. 

But what caught my attention was the only man who’s not doing anything but gawked at his glass. 

“Aron!” Amanda called and Aron turned to us. Aron was taken aback after seeing me with Amanda

“I thought you’re gonna’ sleep?” Aron asked me when we finally came near.

“Yeah, I was. But my friends back in the Philippines called me and they wanted to see the place so I kind of toured them. Is that okay with you? Don’t worry, I did not invade your room and the others. Just here.” I explained

He laughed with my explanation, “Can I say hello to them?” 

My eyes widened and handed him my phone. My friends were still there and they all greeted him.

[“Hi, ladies. I’m Aron and these are my friends, by the way.”]

The five of them introduced there selves but the man with the ocean eyes looked at me for long before diverting his eyes on my phone. I thought he’ll keep staring at his glass but my heart went crazy when he looked at me.

“Zoren.” He shortly said

Aron gave me the phone again after talking to them in a while. Now, I can finally sleep. I’ve noticed that it’s already 1 in the morning and some of them went home already. Aron is also a bit drunk but I think he can still managed.

I bid my goodbye again and as exactly when I turned, I bumped to someone and I was outbalanced but he made a fast move and snatched my body.

“Hey! Be careful, Stephen.” Aron.

My eyes widened when I saw the man.

“Oh! It’s you again, pinky pinky.” And he laughed 

The man is drunk and I immediately moved my feet back but when I did it I stepped on someone’s feet and when I saw the person behind, it was… Zoren. 

How did he came here? He was just sitting opposite to where I was standing a while ago.

I did not finished planning to say sorry to him when we heard some people yelling. Not too far from us there are bunch of people cheering for something I don’t understand.

“Do the dare, Stephen!” a man said far behind the man named Stephen.

Dare? What dare? Are they going to include me in their shits?

Stephen’s eyes went to us again particularly to me. I felt a bit nervous because I don’t know anything of his thoughts. He stepped forward going to me so I moved backward. I tightened my grip on my phone.

“Stephen, what the fuck are you doing dude?” Aron. I was stunned hearing it from my cousin but the man smiled like a devil.

Aron blocked him and the man stopped.

“Just a dare, Aron. I’ll just kiss her, then… boom! I’m done with the dare. Let me do it. You know how we play this, right?”

Damn. Is he crazy?

I stepped backward again but I bumped someone from the back. I turned to him but I hope I did not. Another scary aura is waiting for me in the back. But right now, I’m most afraid of Stephen. I’m afraid he would really do it. No one dared to kiss me and he just can’t stole it for a mere useless dare from his friends.

“Not with my cousin.”

“Oh, so the girl is your cousin? Did you know that she stained my clothes with a fucking wine? This is getting more interesting. Isn’t it?” 

He’s scary. He has a piercing on his nose and there’s a cut on the corner of his lips. His eyes are also reddening.

“And I think she’s also interested with me. See how she look at this face.” He proudly said while holding his chin.

I hate his guts.

“N-no.” 

He laughed again and took another step. “Why, baby?” 

I didn’t noticed I was beside Zoren. 

I saw Zoren’s eyes darted on me and on my hand. I removed it from his shirt and instead went on his back. The half of my body is showing them. How the hell my hand did went there? 

Slowly, Stephen’s smile faded. He pushed my cousin to the side and because he’s more masculine than Aron, my cousin went gone from his place. 

“Aron.” I called my cousin. He gave me an assuring smile. Is he fine? I’m nervous.

Now, Stephen is facing Zoren and their body-built is almost the same. 

“Step aside, Zoren.” He said.

My heart is thumping fast because of nervousness. Never in my life that I was in this kind of situation. The atmosphere even went heavier when the two of them stared at each other. I should have not went out. I just caused trouble on my first night.

“The game just started. Don’t tell me…” his eyes went on me “…you’re protecting this girl?”

No one spoke for a while not until my cousin did.

“Just go away, Stephen. Don’t fucking include my cousin with your bullshits.”

I didn’t know my cousin has this side. He’s kind of scary in some aspects.

Stephen raised an eyebrow. “You’re having a lot of guts now, Aron huh? Why?” his eyes darted on Zoren. “Because you have this shit on your side?” 

Oh no. They can’t cause commotion here.

“Do it Steph! Don’t be such a cock!” his friends laughed

“I will.” Stephen answered and smiled again. 

He was about to walk towards me but a voice stopped him.

“Fuck off.” And for the first time, he let out two words from his mouth. All he mentioned a while ago was his name. 

“Leave, man.” 

I turned only to see Nate standing beside me. The cigarette on his hand a while ago is now gone.

Silence reigned over us again. The man, Stephen, laughed and raised both of his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

“Okay! Okay! I’ll stop.” He moved backward but he smiled at me. “You’re lucky today, love.” He winked and left

My hands are cold and I can’t even talk. The time he left, I took a deep breath to calm myself. 

“I’ll just escort them out.” Aron said pertaining to Stephen and his friends. Then he looked at me, “Are you okay here? Or you want to go inside your room?”

“M-my room.”

Aron sighed, “I’m sorry, Jezcyl for what happened.” He apologetically uttered

“Bro, Zoren. Can you accompany her? I don’t think she can walk alone right now.” My cousin added.

He just worsen the beating of my heart. Why would he entrust me to this one? I don’t even know him.

“N-no. I can ma—

I wasn’t able to finish when I saw Stephen still looking at me. Fuck.

“Fine!” I shouted and looked at them again. They were stunned with what happened then I realized, I just shouted but it was not meant for them.

Damn it, Jezcyl.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” 

Aron laughed at me again. He’s always laughing at me. “You’re acting very cute, cousin.”

“No, I’m not. I’m not cute, I’m not a damn puppy.”

They’re mouth parted and they became silent and for the second time around, I fucking realized that I just cussed in front of them. I immediately covered my mouth with my right hand.

“I’m sorry. That’s… that’s n—

They laughed and my face heated up. I’m so embarrassed. I don’t know how far this night will go. Damn.

“That’s perfectly fine for us, Jezcyl.” A man said and if I can remember, his name is Alan.

My cousin is still laughing at me but he managed to speak, “Come on, rest now, Jezcyl. You had a long ride.”

I silently nodded at him and walked to my room. I turned my back and I’m glad no one followed me.

The next day, I woke up 12:45 in the afternoon. I can say I was really tired. I went to the bathroom and washed myself before going down the stairs. I found my two cousins in the living room but I can’t see Aunt Nelen and Uncle Jed.

“Good afternoon, cous.” Aron greeted me

“Good afternoon, Jezcyl! Did you have a good sleep?” Morgan asked

“Yeah. Have you eaten? Where’s aunt and uncle?” 

Aron stood up, “Work. I’ll just take a bath. We have food in the kitchen, you can eat there.” I nodded at him then he went off.

When I went to the kitchen, I’m glad I found rice, meat and vegetables then fruits. I finished eating silently and went back to the living room after I brushed my teeth. I’m not comfortable facing people without cleaning myself.

Then I saw Morgan still playing so I sat beside him and watched him play. 

“Did you eat, Morgan?”

He nodded, “I’m done.” He stopped playing and turned to me.

“You want to play?”

I felt excited after he asked me. Morgan taught me and now we’re playing together. He’s so good at this.

“Arggh! I’m dead again.” I groaned and he laughed

“My big cousin is a loser.” He teased me and we played again but then someone is outside.

“Just continue, I’ll open the door.”

I got off from my seat and went to the door. I was not ready seeing the person behind so I was shocked.

“Where’s Aron?”

“He’s taking a bath.” 

We were in silence and I noticed him in a sport attire, probably he’ll do basketball.

“Can I come in?” he asked and I nearly cursed again with the thought.

“Y-yeah. Of course, I’m sorry.” Apologizing for not letting him in.

He walked past by me and Morgan saw him. They made a high-five and sat together at the sofa. I closed the door again and went on them.

“I’ll just call Aron.”

Morgan continued playing but Zoren stared at me, “What will you do? Invade his bathroom?”

My eyes widened. “No! I’ll just knock on his door and tell him you’re here so he can move fast.” He’s so blunt. He did not even realized there’s a minor here

He shook his head and went on playing again. I went upstairs to tell Aron and he said that he’s almost ready. I went to my room first to get my phone but I saw someone calling and I was shocked when I saw Jack’s name on it.

I forgot to call him yesterday.

[“Finally, you answered.”] he said like he’s been so stressed because I finally accepted the call.

“I’m sorry. I was exhausted last night because of the flight. It slipped on my mind.”

[“It’s fine. It’s good knowing that you’re fine in there. I hope you did not forgot what I told you. I’m serious with that.”]

I bit my lower lip. I don’t know why I’m feeling guilty when I shouldn’t be. He told me that he’s going to wait for me. I’m not stupid to not feel something.

“I haven’t. T-thanks I appreciate it but… you should not either wait for me. I’ll be staying here for six months and I don’t want you to be tied in me while I’m far away. I’m sorry, Jack.” I felt him silenced then he sighed.

[“Six months is short. I can wait.”]

I lowered my head. I don’t want someone to hope like this. I’m afraid disappointing people.

“Ja—

Just a snapped, my phone went gone on my hand and I turned to see who it was and my eyes widened seeing him here.

“What are you doing here?”

He tossed my phone on the bed and walked towards me. I stepped back because I don’t want to be near him, I don’t want to be close to him. Then I felt the edge of my bed on the back of my toe saying that I have no more space to go on.

The next thing I knew, his hand is encircling my waist.

“What the heck are you doing? You’re trespassing my place.” I grumbled. I was nervous seeing that he’s not even smiling.

“Break up with your boyfriend for as long as you’re here, you’ll only have… me.”

Darn. A long statement coming from him. Is he serious?