The banquet hall, White resort:
"Hello, to one and all, we have gathered here to announce the team who has contributed the most for charity by earning, today." The host said. He stood on the only stage which was set in between the hall so that every corner gets a good view and so that the speaker was audible.
" First, let me start from thanking everyone of you for your contributions to the charity. Your help today is appreciated as it can help a lot of children in the orphanages, to the handicapped and the cancer treatment. Even a single penny contributed by you would be a great blessing and cause to someone's happiness. "
" So, the third most contributor is Rochester Cliff and team. He had set up a store for the couple items. Well, seems like people are into couple item a lot! It's alright, congratulations Rochester and team. " he said gesturing the staff to had them each a basket of sweets and exclusive items of Paris. " The entire hall burst into applause.
Lucas and Mel were already pouting seeing the gift. They knew that they had contributed a lot and they wouldn't get the sweet gift!
Alex and Brenden sighed at this and ignored those two idiots.
" Let's continue, the difference between the third contributor and the second varies in thousands. This is the truth, as everyone love food!!! Now presenting, Lucas and team, as the second most contributor!!! " he said gesturing the staff for the gifts, again.
They all were joyed and satisfied with the result. But....
" WHO THE HELL NAMED OUR GROUP???" Mel asked in a strained voice.
Lucas coughed lightly and gulped, " Maybe, someone with a good eye for men! Well..."
Then he was cut mid-sentence by Mel's slap on his head and continuous smacks and punches followed.
" Sh*t, ok sorry, sorry, stop please." he begged as he kept on getting thrashed by his friends.
Even Alex and Brenden were quite pissed with how they were recognized.
The entire hall burst into laughter as Mel chased Lucas all round the hall.
The gifts were distributed after they had settled down. They each received a small version of the Eiffel tower, a small sweet basket with a lot of chocolates and small cakes.
" Now, for the finale, the highest contributor is," The host stopped and tried to tease them before the results,
" Come on guess! " The tables kept on screaming names.
While, Mel and Lucas seemed more happy with their chocolates and tiny Eiffel tower. Alex was pissed that another team actually earned more.
Brenden was looking at the little chubby girl who was so happy with a small token!!!
' * sigh * No one can be that satisfied with a stupid chocolate, as his little sunshine. I wonder how her brain even functions. '
Scarlet and Bryan knew the teams, so, they continued their dinner.
Hayden was busy feeding Steph and she was busy being fed. Hence, they couldn't care much about such stuff.
" Jasmine Luke and her team, the highest contributor of the event!!! Congratulations." he grinned.
They were awarded with the same small chocolate baskets, cakes, tiny Eiffel tower and some fancy stationary ( all cute!!! )
Mel and Lucas were shocked, ' How could some 'STUPID' piece of puzzles win over food??? It's FOOD for Christ sake!!!
Brenden chuckled at their reaction, while Alex's rational part told that these two were nothing but a pair of idiots while the other, irrational part, supported them.
....
The day ended, the last day together, ended.
Brenden was quite happy that this period ended, his mission was unaccomplished, he literally slacked to hide himself for the first time, he smiled and laughed the most in this period of seven days than his entire 17 years of life and the most important, her, meeting his little sunshine!
Lucas had once acted of his age, he stayed away from all the chemicals and was out of his lab. He was quite contented as he felt like he had met his sister, a long lost sister, again.
Hayden and Steph were joyed that they had spent some time with each other away from lectures about how different they are, that they belong in different worlds, a bastard son could never be with the family's beloved princess!!!
Scarlet was happy as she at least had some reason to ask 'him' some help. A small pretense to talk to him. She heard his voice, that better than nothing!
Bryan was satisfied with his time spent with her, here. He pulled out his long waited college transfer documents and filled them. He waited for her to acknowledge him for 6 years now. From when they had been 11 years old he liked her and had even told her about his feelings. But... * sigh * just, that, is how this story was meant to be!
Alex was stuck with the so called 'information' of Brenden's. She really wanted the truth but seems like she has to wait a long way!!!
Mel was totally quite satisfied and was brimming with happiness from this trip, an escape from her confined life, expectations, responsibilities, * sigh * just because a person looks a lot happy and has a smile lit on her face doesn't mean that they are brimming with happiness!!!
She was happy that she had met her brother , Lucas , even if he wasn't her own. Scarlet and Bryan weren't bad , too, they had their reason's to be like that and she respected that. Hayden was sweet and a good buddy . Steph was a perfect girl to have some real good time with and was fun to tease!! . Well, Brenden was a mystery ! and perhaps a good friend , overflowing with secrets.
....
The team went together to their patio. It was their last day together...
Alex and Brenden occupied the single seats and Hayden and Steph, the love seat while the others filled the 5-seater.
" Ok, any plans for the last day," Lucas asked, sighing sadly.
Mel smiled and shrugged, " We might never meet again."
All nodded accepting the fact.
They all belonged in different worlds, they might be similar but they were way more different, if compared.
" Why not sing for us now? " Hayden asked Steph.
She and Scarlet sang a few songs, Mel joined them as the others danced and Brenden sat beside Mel, as he got a chance.
Alex and Lucas were doing their 'bro' dance and were teaching Bryan some moves.
Steph and Hayden were doing their salsa, swirling all over the floor. Scarlet sat singing for herself.
" Do you think we might meet again, in future, I mean? " Mel asked Brenden, as Scarlet joined the others in the dance.
Looking up at the clear night sky he sighed, " Maybe or maybe not. "
' But, I know that we never should.' he added in his head.
She chuckled and looked up the sky, silently.
....
The night passed quickly, as they danced, singed and spoke, for most of it. They were quite honest with their answers as they spoke today, knowing that they wouldn't meet again.
The next morning, Sunday:
All were packed and prepared to leave. Their trip had come to an end, all fantasy over and it was time to face their reality in another 16-17 hours.
Mel pulled out her suite case, putting on her back pack and opened the door.
* Click * two doors opened together.
Brenden stood in his doorway with his luggage.
" You still want to mock me like the first day? " Mel grimaced, remembering the day he teased her for her outfit.
He smiled and shook his head," Well, not quite. "
" Good for you. " she said harrumphing.
" Sister I'm gonna miss you!!! " Lucas dashed out of the room and hugged her. She was startled and her suite case fell to the ground.
" Umm... Me too, brother, me too." She hugged him back. She would surely miss a brother.
Alex came out and tore him away from her cousin.
" Bro Alex, I will miss you too! " He hugged her tightly, ignoring her attempts to break free. She sighed and gave in. She will miss that idiot too.
Brenden and Mel chuckled at their weird friendship.
....
They all arrived at the airport.
The teachers were checking for each and every student along with their ID and other important documents.
Melanie, Alex and Steph went to the powder room as Steph wanted to touch up her makeup and get freshened up before the journey.
Alex went with Steph inside the room and Mel stood outside, texting her dad.
She told him that the airplane would arrive by night at most and that they would be leaving any time now.
After texting she went inside and found the compartments empty.
' SH*T!!! '
What the hell!
They had just went outside when she entered from the other entrance.
She ran outside trying to find them, but with no luck!
" Ok, great! I'm lost again. " she grunted and looked around trying to find a way out.
" No, you're not." a guy said from behind her.
Turning back she saw a boy with a wearing a creepy mask. ' Fu*k, did I get myself into trouble? '
" I know, I'm fine. Just searching for my friends, which is nothing of your concern. " She tried to speak politely.
" Such an impolite kid. " he muttered.
' Impolite? That's the most polite thing I've spoken in the entire week! ' she frowned. ' Why the hell I'm I answering to this a*shole? '
" Excuse me." She said, walking away from him.
Suddenly she was pushed by a rushing passenger and she tripped on her heel and almost fell, when someone caught her.
Opening her eyes she saw his eyes, full of worry and concern for her. A tinge of fury laced it, just like last time. Then she observed a scar, which cut his left brow.
" Mr. Terror? "