Chapter 7: The Start of Something Sweet
Emma woke up, startled. She looked at the watch at the bedside table and it read 4:00 A.M.
She sighed. What a weird dream. Nothing in it made any sense. She sighed again. She sat up and rested her back on the head board.
She’s within reach, but still she’s not mine.
That line kept replaying in her head. Emma kept wondering about what he meant. Then he eyes widened as a sudden thought came to her head.
Did he mean me?
She shook her head. No.
She shook her head again. This time vigorously, as if to shake the thought away. Although the thought seems frightening, her heart felt otherwise. Her heart was hoping.
She cursed herself silently, hitting her face with the pillow.
Stupid heart.
Stupid feelings.
Stupid me.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
STUPID!
CRIIIIING!!!! CRIIIIIING!!!!
Emma jumped softly in her bed. Vanessa suddenly sat up in her bed with a tangle of both hair and blanket
“Wha-- ?!” Vanessa stopped upon seeing Emma watching her amusingly. “Ugh! Is it really time?!” She lies back again and covered herself back with the blanket.
“Yeah, it’s time already and it seems that you’ll tangle anyone with your hair if they’ll force you to get up, I’m going first.”
“Ha-ha-ha, very funny Emma. You should be a stand-up comedian. My stomach really hurt from laughing.” Vanessa said sarcastically under the blanket. Emma chuckled and headed to the bathroom after getting the clothes she readied yesterday.
Emma stepped into the shower after getting out of her clothes. She let the warm water warm her thoughts about last night. She decided that she wouldn’t let that trouble her anymore. She faced Daniel many times before so there’s no need to worry about spending a whole summer with him.
She finished her shower, changed and went out to find Vanessa still tangled in the bed. She slowly made her way to Vanessa’s bed and bended down to whisper in her ear knowing that Vanessa was and is a light sleeper. Even a small creak on the floor can wake her up.
“Your turn.”
“EMMA!!” Vanessa shouted after nearly jumping in fright. Emma laughed and dodged the flying pillow that came towards her.
“You’re really funny Emma.” Vanessa said but couldn’t stop the smile that kept tugging at the corners of her lips. Didn’t want to be late, she went to the bathroom and was out after a few minutes.
Together they went downstairs with their bags to eat breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Summer were already sitting in the around the dining table waiting for them.
“Excited?” Mr. Summer asked Emma and Vanessa.
“Hmmm, not really..”
“Uhm.. No..”
Emma and Vanessa said in between bites. Mr. Summer was stifling a laugh.
“Slow down you two. You look like you haven’t eaten in a while.” Mrs. Summer said chuckling.
They went outside after finishing their breakfast, even though they didn’t finish it. They went out and what they saw outside wasn’t all that exciting. Sabrina was already sitting in between Christine and Hadey.
“This ride’s going to be hell.” Vanessa mumbled. Emma looked at her.
“Are you reading my mind?”
“No, just speaking all our thoughts.” Vanessa and Emma laughed and went near to the van. Nicole was already sitting on the front seat but when she saw them, she quickly went out of the van and met them halfway.
“Hey. You guys ready?”
“Yeah, sure.” Emma said.
“Hey, cheer up. No one’s going to ruin this summer for us. Not even Sabrina, okay?” Vanessa said. Nicole nodded at what she said.
“Okay.” Emma smiled. “And if you don’t want to get into the car, I’m sorry but I’ll leave you here. I don’t want to be left behind.” She walked towards the van when Nicole and Vanessa suddenly put their arms around Emma and stopped her from walking.
“Let me go!” Emma said, half laughing.
“This summer’s going to be the best summer ever.” Vanessa vowed.
“And this will be the best birthday bash that I’m going to have before my debut.” Nicole added. And together they went to the van. I know they acted cheesy but that’s how they are. Nothings going to change them.
Nicole sat at the front seat, next to the driver while Vanessa sat at the seat behind Christine, Hadey and Sabrina. Emma went to the back.
“Emma, where’re you sitting? Come sit with me.” Vanessa invited, patting the empty space beside her.
“No thanks. I’ll sit behind you.” Emma said and tilted her head to Sabrina’s direction.
“Oh, I understand. Sorry if I can’t sit with you. You know that I’ll easily get carsick at the back.” Vanessa sent her an apologetic face. Sabrina snorted.
“Sabrina dear, carsick is easy to deal than dealing a person who has bipolar issues like you.” Vanessa retorted. That shut Sabrina up. Vanessa then winked at Emma and Emma chuckled while preceded to the back. She sat down beside the window. Good thing she brought a pillow, she didn’t want to have a sniff neck after arriving.
While waiting for the boys, Nicole put a CD in the car cassette and turned the volume just rightly so the music can reach the back. The door was opened so when the boys arrived, they easily noticed them.
Nicole turned the music down and shouted to the boys, “You boys are like ladies. You wasted 20 precious minutes of our precious time. Come on, hurry up!”
“Aye, aye captain!” Rico mocked and received a smack on his head by Matt and Daniel who were laughing.
“Don’t let her get too furious or you’ll turn into a frog.” Matt said while the three of them put their baggage in the trunk.
“Keep mocking her guys or else neither of you will turn into a frog but the three of us will sure be left here.” Daniel said.
“That’s true so will you please hurry up.” It was Vanessa. Nicole was now furiously blushing from Matt’s remark. Is she really that wicked? Nicole thought. All the passengers in the van were enthusiastic. The van was filled of vibrant laughter from the banters of the boys.
Rico sat down beside Vanessa and while Daniel quickly sat beside Emma. He didn’t want to disturb Emma and Daniel at the back, Matt decided to sit beside Rico. Just when he was sitting down, Rico suddenly put his bulging backpack at the empty seat.
“Why don’t you put that bag in the trunk?” Matt asked, annoyed. Whatever reason it was, he didn’t want to sit beside Daniel who obviously wants to have Emma all by himself. He didn’t know why Rico won’t let him sit beside him but he’s starting to believe that he has the same reason with Daniel. Only it’s not Emma, it’s Vanessa.
“The trunk’s full. Go sit with Nicole.” Rico’s head was rested on the headrest. His eyes were closed and his arms were crossed at his chest.
“Come on, we could put your back beside me. Scoot.” Matt insisted, he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“No. Go sit with Nicole. She has the most space in this car.” Rico said in his ‘I-won’t-even-if-you-will-kneel’ attitude.
“But she won’t like it!”
Nicole, hearing the conversation and at the same time didn’t want to waste another of their time, said, “Matt, it’s okay if you’ll sit here.” Heart thumping, she didn’t know why she said that in a calm voice. She’s shaking for Pete’s sake.
Matt shot her a helpless look and when she nodded, he finally went out. He was sitting between the driver and Nicole at her request. She didn’t want to lean her head in the chair because there was no headrest and she definitely didn’t like to lean on Matt’s shoulder so the only option she has was to lean on the window. It was relief when Matt agreed, saying there was no problem since he doesn’t have any plan in sleeping while traveling.
At last, the journey started. Everyone was silent and in their own thoughts. The music was blaring but the three best friends thought that their hearts beating were louder than the music.
Emma’s eyes were now heavy after Nicole changing the CD into another CD which has a collection of softer tunes. She hugged her pillow on her side and faced the window. She couldn’t face Daniel. Not when her feelings are making he shake at the very sight of him.
Daniel watched her at the corners of his eyes. She didn’t say a single word since he sat down beside her. And now she’s sleeping.
What’s wrong with talking to me? Am I now his ex-best friend?
His brows were now furrowed. He scowled at Emma’s sleeping features but it faded right away. He could never get angry at Emma. Not even for a long time.
I love her. More than a friend but even if I can’t get her for that reason, I won’t give her up as a friend.
Daniel saw Emma’s hands gripping the pillow hard. He guessed it was the only way Emma can hold on to the pillow while sleeping. And he guessed that pillow wouldn’t be there in her arms for the whole ride. He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair that managed to escape her ponytail and fall into her eye behind her ear. He kept stroking her hair while in the first row of seats; Sabrina raised herself and twisted her body to try to see the back seats.
What she saw made her face burned with anger. Daniel was sweetly stroking Emma’s hair but the look on his face while watching Emma was enough to bring her on the edge.
“Jealous?”
Startled, she looked down and saw Vanessa and Rico still wide awake.
“Me? Jealous? Yeah, right!” She defended herself. She crossed her arms on top of the car seat and leaned closer to Vanessa. “I’ll never be jealous of her because I know Daniel likes me. And they’re just friends, nothing more.”
“You sure about that?” Vanessa crossed her arms too while at the corner of her eyes she saw Rico smirked with closed eyes.
“Yeah. When the time comes that he will be mine, nothing you do will break us ‘cause I intend to keep him forever.” Sabrina was now sending daggers with her threats.
“HUH!” Rico snickered. “Dream on girl!” He said while he had his eyes closed.
“Yeah, dream on so if I were you, I’ll sit back, shut my mouth and mind my own business or else I’ll kick you out of this van leave you alone in the streets.” The threat came from the front where Nicole and Matt. Matt was sleeping and Nicole had her eyes closed too while she listened to the argument that was going on at the back. Annoyed at what Sabrina was saying, she couldn’t help but butt in.
“You’re not minding your own business too Nicole.” The reminding reply of Sabrina.
“I’ll remind you again Sabrina, do you want to stay here or do you want to get out?”
After saying that, she was rewarded by a ‘Go girl!’ from Vanessa and a soft laugh from Rico.
"Hmpf", Sabrina said. She sat back at her chair doing only she knows what.
Silence…
“Thanks.” Vanessa suddenly whispers to Rico, breaking the teasing silence. (Why teasing? It’s because everybody who’s awake was wondering what the other awake occupants of the car were thinking.)
Rico opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Vanessa and fought the urge to kiss the smile off her lips.
“For what?” He whispered back. She tilted her head to Sabina’s direction in reply. Rico smiled.
“That was nothing. No need for a thank you. I never really like her myself either.” He shrugged nonchalantly but deep inside he was nervous. Vanessa smirked.
“God, she’s annoying!” Vanessa hissed.
Rico chuckled and closed his eyes again. Vanessa stared at his profile for a while and then closed her eyes. She contented to be like this even if what she really wanted was him to be hers.
Nicole wasn’t sure if her heartbeats were heard at the back but it was beating like she had been running for hours. Her palms were sweating and were coiled in her lap. She guessed being this close to Matt wasn’t that easy and maybe he heard her heart. She stole a glance at him and found him still sleeping. She released her breath in a huff and realized that she was holding her breath.
If only he’s not this handsome!
A bump on the road jerked the van and suddenly Matt’s head landed on her shoulder. She tensed again and tried to see his expression. He was still sleeping and that calmed her slightly. She thought it was another joke of his.
It seems that her arm has a mind on its own because the next thing she knew was that she was tucking a lock of his brown bangs when it covered his closed eyes. She smiled. Like Vanessa, she felt contented to be like this with him even if wanted more.
Daniel was asleep when the van jerked. That woke him and saw the pillow fell. He brought his gaze up and saw Emma sleeping, leaning her head on the window, swaying at every move the van makes. It was uncomfortable to see and he knew that Emma felt it too but holding it back so she wouldn’t trouble him.
Deciding what’s best and knowing that she will have a stiffed neck when she woke up after the trip, he brought her face to his shoulder and let her lean on it. He smiled when Emma moaned in protest. He smoothed her hair back in her head and tucked a lock it her ear. He was happy to be like this with Emma, but he knows that if Emma shared his feelings he would be the happiest of them all.
* * * * *
Emma awoke with a start. Another bump on the road jerked the van. She saw that her arms were empty and her head was resting on something hard but at the same time comfortable. She lifted her head to see what it was and saw that it was Daniel’s shoulder. Her face turned tomato red and turned away when she saw Daniel’s eyes opened. She caught a glimpse of his smile and a flicker of amusement in his eyes after she turned away.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She said without turning to face him.
“Do what?” He asked but he think he knew what she meant. He just wasn’t sure. Emma wasn’t embarrassed to lean on him before. Why the sudden change?
He didn’t realize that he had spoken the question aloud. Not until Emma shot him a confused look.
“Huh?”
Here goes. “I was just thinking, you were never shy when it comes to leaning on my shoulders, why the sudden coyness?”
She turned her face away again. “I dunno. I guess I changed. Two years were long.”
He heard the hurt in her voice and felt guilty again. He cast his eyes down and stared at his shoes for a while. Then he leaned over Emma and cast his face beside Emma, enough for him to see her face.
“I’m sorry”, he whispered in her ear. Her gasp of shock made him leaned back in his seat while she faced him with her eyes as wide as a deer caught by a flash of light.
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
“I’m sorry.” He said apologetically.
“You should be.” She crossed her arms in her chest stubbornly, refusing to meet his gaze that pleads. Suddenly, she felt and arm slide around her shoulders and only gasped when she was crushed in his hug. He wrapped the other arm around her and engulfed her in his arms. He buried his face in his hair and suddenly it was 2 years back. Back when they were still happy and easy. She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled, responding to his embrace.
“I’m sorry for being gone too long. I really missed you. Your hugs, your laugh, your smile and you. I missed most of you.” He said when he pulled back. She saw in his eyes the sincerity of what he said and smiled. Now it was her turn.
She hugged him this time and said. “I missed you too and I’m really sorry. You were my best friend and you leaving me to have another life in another country did it. I was angry, sad and hurt at the same time. When you came back, it all came back again. I was hurt all over again and I didn’t know what to do so I avoided you. I never knew it would affect you and I’m sorry for it.” She was rewarded by a chuckle and a muffled, “You don’t know how badly it affected me.”
They broke apart after a breathtaking hug and shared a soul-searching gaze. Then Daniel smiled and sent Emma’s smile fade away and turned into a frown.
“What?” She didn’t know how she did it but she was able to talk calmly when she was shaking inside.
Damn his smile!
“You stole something from me two years ago and I’m having my payback.”
“What did I steal? I don’t remember stealing anything from you.” She was confused. Really, really, really confused.
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out. Now sleep, you look tired.” When she started to protest, he shot his arm and brought her head again to his shoulder in a swish that she forgot her protest.
“I’ll make it up to you, for the two years. That’s a promise. Include the revenge that I’m talking about.”
“Okay.” Her eyes were now getting heavy, and the humming of the car didn’t help. One thought came to her mind before she finally closed her eyes. It was: His style of revenge she didn’t know but one thing’s for sure, it will be one hell of a summer vacation and she’s in for a surprise.
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