They were still in Pangasinan. It was already their second day there and a lot had already happened. Ace had died and because of that, it had led to the dispute of two groups, Army of True Salvation and Weapons of Massive Destruction, with ATS as the victor.
In the survival match, they had already discussed the rules. If ATS won, they would proceed and may get the resources they want but if WMD won, ATS would have to go back and WMD would get their resources.
WMD didn't follow the rules, though. They had actually tricked ATS and had harmed other people in the process which was totally uncalled for. ATS was happy to know that they have won the battle despite the other group's dirty tricks.
Sheloah was supposed to fight for the group but Veon took her place since her body was not in good condition. After the battle though, it ended up with Veon being in a worse situation compared to Sheloah instead! She was thankful and guilty at the same time when he took her place because he was worried about her.
Sheloah was actually relaxed in her sleep. It had been long since they last slept on a comfortable bed. She wished beds like these would be portable so it would give them comfort but alas, it was impossible.
She changed her sleeping position and noticed that there was something different as she slept. She felt something heavy on her waist and she felt that her head was not lying on a pillow. She even felt someone's breath on top of her head!
She thought of her cousin. "Ivan, sorry… does your arm hurt," she asked in a whisper but he did not answer. Why? She knew her cousin would answer when he was being talked to even though he was asleep.
Sheloah slowly opened her eyes and once her eyesight adjusted, it opened wide when she saw Veon in front of her.
'What the f***!?'
Veon seemed comfortable in his sleep, too! His breaths were slow and steady like he was indeed in a deep, relaxing sleep!
She looked at her waist and noticed that it was Veon's arm on top of her! He was practically hugging her! This made Sheloah think if ever they stayed like this for a long time! The thought made her blush.
Her brain started to register the situation at hand.
'HOW THE HELL DID I END UP SLEEPING BESIDE VEON!?'
Sheloah looked at her left and saw that her cousin was on the other side. She was now in between Ivan and Veon! Furthermore, Veon's face was near hers as well! Just an inch away, they might kiss already!
'Shall I take this opportunity to steal one?'
Sheloah internally slapped her flirtatious self. If she were to kiss Veon, she wanted it to be a special one!
'But girl, that won't even happen, DUH!'
She internally slapped her flirtatious self again and thought of how to get out of this unexpected circumstance.
'AGAIN, HOW DID I END UP HERE!?'
"Calm down, Sheloah… calm down," she whispered to herself, not waking the two boys up. She had to come up of a way to change positions or else her uncle or mother—or both, might kill her!
She moved a little and poked her cousin, trying to wake him up. "Hey, how did I end up here," she asked, her voice a little sharp. Her cousin furrowed his eyebrows and mumbled, but he answered Sheloah.
"I went to pee in the middle of the night. The moment I returned you somehow rolled your body towards him. I didn't want to wake you up. I was too groggy and sleepy," he whispered and answered a little bit annoyed and he slept again. Sheloah glared at his sleeping cousin.
'That bastard! If mom or Tito Jun saw me, I'd kick your shin!'
Sheloah looked at Veon again and wondered if his condition was getting better. Suddenly she thought what if it had not stabbed him on the abdomen, but was stabbed on the chest instead… what would they do? She couldn't bear the thought. She was grateful that nothing grave had happened to Veon.
Veon moved slightly and when he felt something different, he opened his eyes and was taken aback when his eyes met Sheloah's eyes that was widened in surprise. It took him five seconds before he noticed that his left arm was resting on Sheloah's waist.
"G-good morning," Sheloah greeted in a whisper, not sure what to say. She was REALLY embarrassed!
'Ground, please eat me now!'
Veon suddenly took his arm away from Sheloah and shifted his body, making him look at the ceiling. He was avoiding her gaze.
"Sorry. I didn't notice that I was already… hugging you," Veon said in a whisper, a little shy and Sheloah suddenly sat up, feeling awkward.
"I-is your wound o-okay?"
'Stop stuttering, stupid!'
Sheloah really wanted to hit herself a million times right now… and her cousin for a billion times!
Veon started to sit up but when he groaned a little, Sheloah noticed that he wasn't really that okay yet.
"Lie down more, or lean on the rest of the bed. I'll prepare breakfast. Drink the other medicine Isobel instructed for you to drink," Sheloah said as Veon leaned his back on the bed's rest.
Sheloah was going down the bed and had made sure that she kicked his cousin before she went to the kitchen. Her cousin woke up, glared and her, and was suddenly greeted by Sheloah sticking out her tongue at him.
'I'll take this chance to leave before mom and Tito Jun scold me!'