Karin huffed after coughing up whatever she ate in the last 12 hours. Althea softly patted her back and offered wet tissue to her friend suffering from motion sickness.
"Sorry, Thea." Karin looked pale as she held her upper chest, tired of vomiting.
Althea shook her head, "Go change your clothes now."
She flashed her friend a smile before looking at their teacher conversing with the stranger kind enough to lend them their home.
They were currently on their way to the competition venue which is a city on top of a mountain. However, the road on the mountain with sharp turns and ups and downs was apparently too hard for Karin.
Althea looked at her own clothes. Karin almost puked on her but fortunately-or maybe not- puked on her own bag instead.
Althea who always had to bear with overthinking brought some over-the-counter medicines, tissues and whatnot. It made her bag heavier than her teammates but was fortunately helpful on such occasions.
"Thea, I'm done." Karin went out of the bathroom.
"Good. Nice and clean. Go take a walk before we continue our trip." Althea gave the medicine to reduce motion sickness and a balm to Karin.
"You seem so prepared, Mom." Karin laughed a little for the miscellaneous things her friend brought but took it thankfully.
"Haru always have motion sickness." Althea shrugged. If not because she already brought too many things, Althea would've brought hot tea as well.
She joined her teacher and conversed with the house owner before bowing her head in gratitude.
Continuing their travel, Althea couldn't fall asleep despite the long trip. The green forests and rice fields with soft sunlight peeking through the leaves made her feel so happy and alive. Much more than she thought she would.
Her mind wandered on how much she wanna show the scenery to Ray. She wondered if he ever traveled to such places before. And as she thought of the cold boy who loves teasing her lately in his own weird way, she drifted off to sleep.
***
"I-I lived through thaaatt!" Karin stretched her arms as soon as she got down from the car. Dev was looking at the hotel with full fighting spirit as if he was going to war right then and there.
"Let's go to our rooms first. The teacher is checking us in and getting the key." Althea said as she brought down the luggage.
Dev took some of their teacher's belongings from Althea's small arms and Althea nodded in gratitude before saying thanks to the driver and beckoned the other two to follow her.
"Dev, I think there's already a student from another school in your room so knock on it first. Meet us in room number 309 later for practice." Althea said as they parted ways.
"Aye, Vice-Pres!" Dev looked as cheerful as always, making Althea felt less nervous.
That day, they used their spare time discussing the topics which might be used in the debate and took some walk around the hotel.
Althea was so impressed with everything while Karin only smiled helplessly to her friend's antic. Unlike Althea, Karin's family is always busy traveling here and there for work, thus Karin got a lot of chances to visit different places. Only if she thought she could handle the travel, of course.
"So, how is your progress with Ray?" Karin asked as soon as both of them sat down on a swing near the pool. The swing has its two seats connected and facing each other, Althea's favorite type.
"What is that? A template question?" Althea sighed and watched as Dev walked away to get to know other participants. He was always a friendly and curious type.
"Dear Thea, if you keep me updated I would've not kept asking you." Karin pouted her lips.
Althea hummed and look towards the empty pool. A sudden question flashed in her mind whether Ray could swim or not.
"I'm not sure about how I feel." Althea took her phone from her pocket, the only thing connecting her and Ray.
"What if it doesn't work?" Althea watched as Karin's eyes turned focused to her words, "We've only contacted each other through phones, I don't know anything about his past nor his family background, and it didn't seem like Ray wanted to tell me about it either." Althea finished her words.
"If he were to ask about your mother, would you know what to tell him?" Karin lifted her body and sat right next to Althea, making the swing stop moving as it leans on their side.
"That is... a bit hard to tell. Just complex, that is." Althea said.
"Yes, Thea. But he still said he loves you." Karin held Althea's hand which turned cold due to the weather. "I'm not telling you that he's absolutely trustworthy or anything. I'm just telling you to be true to yourself."
Althea smiled and swing their joined hands.
'True to myself, huh.'
'If only the world is accepting people for who they truly are.' she thought.
Karin looked at Althea's melancholic gaze and continued, "Long long ago, there was a story of people who love each other deeply."
"They got to know each other from coincidence which turns into a routine of exchanging letters." Karin gazed absent-mindedly at the empty pool which Althea found her sudden interest in, "There was nothing like the internet before, and even airplane was a rare thing in that era. So they could only convey their love and accompanied each other through the letters."
"Then what happened to them?" Althea asked.
"They refused to marry someone they don't love and thus stayed single their entire life, only having each other through those letters." Karin smiled, "But they were happy."
Althea blinked her eyes a few times,
'If it's a real story then isn't it too sad?'
Karin guessed Althea's mind and said, "Of course, you make your own story!" she laughed as she patted her worrywart friend's head and signaled to leave.
It's time to face the competition.