I woke up early in the morning. Last night, when Theodore and I went home, We saw them in the living room, They're planning a One day trip but they didn't know where to go. They said they wanted to hike and stay a night there so I suggested on going to Aerwyna since they wanted to watch the sunrise.
And here I am at the kitchen packing some goods that we can take when we hike today.
"Good Morning." I look at the guy who greeted me. "Good morning." I greeted back.
"So how was last night? Did you sleep well?" I look at Brian and smile. "Yeah. and uhm.."
He look at me with a curious look on his eyes.
"..He told me what you said before he left for the press con yesterday. Thank you for changing his mind." He went to my side with a bottle of water and put it on the table and sat on a high chair. "Well Thats what's friends are for."
We became silent after that conversation. I was fixing the goods that needs to be cooled and He's in charge for the snacks and drinks.
"Ami?!" We heard someone's voice roaming through the hallway. "Ami are you at the kitchen?" As soon as the person done asking we saw his head pop up in an open door.
"Cody? Why? Do you need anything?" I ask. Brian then said he'll take out the snacks that is fixed on the bag. He and Brian just nod at each other.
"Can you wake Theodore up? He's still in the bed." I just nod and almost left the kitchen when he offer to to finish what I am doing. I said okay and thank him then left the kitchen.
I saw Nate Checking everything. From Tent to smallest things that we'll be needing when we hike up. "Good Morning Mr. Sunshine."
He look at me and sigh. "Good morning Moonlight." Then we laugh at our Call sign. Okay There was a short story behind that and it happened last night. Since Everyone wanted to watch sunrise so I suggest on Going to Aerwyna. Everyone Agreed. As Time pass by I accidentally Look outside the window and we both said Moonlight. As soon as we heard each other saying the same thing Everyone laugh. Then he said He'll call me His Moonlight. So I decided to call him Sunshine because aside from he's the one who suggested on going to hike, It represent his smile.
"I'll woke Theo up. Tell me if you need anything." I said. He just nod at me and smile.
As soon as I went to the upper living room I saw Tim sleeping like a baby. He must be tired because he was the one who offer to help me wash all the dishes last night. I saw a blanket near him so I grab it and cover him until his arms since the whole house is centralize, He must be cold.
I look at the guy who's at Theodore's Door room. "He's still not waking up." Brian said as soon as he saw me. I went to him and knock hard on the door. "Theodore wake up. or else you'd be by yourself here. No one will cook for you, will take you to park---" My words not yet done when the door opened. I saw Theodore's Messy hair, his face is so fluffy and he's half naked. I close my eyes and even put both of my palm on my whole face.
"Theodore..." Brian said then all I heard is how hard the door slam.
"Ami it's okay. He's awake and probably he will not talk to you for a while for what happened."
I didn't remove my palm on my face because i felt how my face turn red. I don't want Brian to see my face. It's embarrassing.
This is not the second time I saw someone else body okay, I saw one already but it still makes me blush.
"Hey. That's fine." He assured me but I still didn't remove my hand on my face. "What's happening here?" Someone asked. "Alex." Brian called him.
I peeked through my hands and look at Alex straight to the eyes.
"I think i know what happened. Go ahead Brian. I'll take care of Ami." Brian left with worry written in his face. Alex Put both his hands on my arms and guided me to the third floor and I'm still peeking between my fingers. As soon as we arrive at the theater room. I remove my hands and look at him.
"So you're Embarrass. Why?" he asked. And when I told him everything, he laugh so hard.
"You need to be used to that kind of things Ami. What if you have your husband shirtless in the house?." He asked.
"But Alex This is different. He's a friend okay?" I answered him.
"Fine. Just calm down here. I'll call you when everything is okay." He didn't wait for my answer. He just left after Telling me those.
I waited for Thirty Minutes to calm down myself. After that I went down to the kitchen. All of them are busy. Brian and Nate was taking out our things, Tim, Cody and Alex is fixing all the goods. Theodore and Kyle is outside.
"Is there anything that I can do?." I asked. Cody and Tim look at me. "Ahh take this with you. And we're done." He pointed at the Three bags. I took it and look at them.
"Then I'll check everything and after that we'll leave." Tim Said and We both leave Cody on the kitchen since he's taking some of bottled water.
"What happened earlier?" Tim asked and took the bags on my hands. "Let me. Girls shouldn't carry heavy bags." He said. I thank him and we both go out of the house. I opened the back door of the Van where the all our bags and things that we'll needing in hike was there. We will spend the night there.
He put the three bags there and he's the one who closed it. We continue to go inside of the house and look around the Living room.
"Hey. I Asked you. I'm dying to hear your answer." Tim said and laugh.
"Well Theodore opened the door with his half naked body. And It's embarrassing for me. That's not the first time i saw someone half naked but this time it's different. You know. We all just met exactly six Days ago."
After Tim and I done checking Everything inside the house, I locked the back and front door and goes out of the house. All of them is on the Van now. Brian, Tim and Nate was on the back seat. Brian still sleeping at Nate's Shoulder who's in the left side of the van and Tim was on the right side with his head phones on. Alex and Cody is in front seat. Alex will be our driver. Cody will be the driver when we go home. Kyle and Theodore is on both side of the Van so I had no choice but to seat between them.
On the way everyone is sleeping except Cody Me, Theodore and Alex. Cody and Alex is having a conversation about the music Cody trying to produce. Since I don't know anything about it, I kept myself silent. Theodore is busy on his phone, listening to music since he's earphone was on his ears. I tried to play on my phone but before I got to chance to play, I got bored. I even try to text Stacy but she said she's busy with her parents.
I took down my phone and lean on the back rest and sigh. Kyle's head then turn on my shoulder. I hope I can sleep peacefully like him. I was about to hold his face when a hand stop me.
"Don't. He'll wake up if you did that." Theodore said while holding my wrist. I nod and go back at leaning on. "Do you want to listen?" Theodore asked me while offering the other side of his earphone.
"Aren't you mad at me?" I asked. Alex Look at us in the rear view mirror and smile. Maybe because Theo talk to me already. Cody who's sitting on the shotgun look at us directly, but Theo seems like he didn't notice him. He's still offering the Earphone, It so rude to reject his offer so I smile and took it and place it on my ears. After plugging it on my ear I heard Cody sigh heavily.
Theodore like to listen to ballad music. "What happened earlier, I'm sorry." Theodore Out of nowhere said. I look at him and smile.
"That's fine. But please next time wear a shirt before opening the door." I said. He smile widely and tap his shoulder. "I know you woke up earlier just to prepare the sandwiches so here..." He again tap his shoulder. "...take a nap. I'll wake you up if We arrive at our destination."
I was about to hesitate when Alex said something. "He's right Ami. You need energy to hike. All of us Slept earlier last night except You and Tim."
I place my head on Theo's shoulder and Took a nap there. Aerwyna is Three hours away from the Village so I still have two hours to sleep so I can gain energy when we hike.
.....
"Ami, Theo wake up." Someone is tapping my arms.
"We're going to eat early lunch." Someone still waking us up. I'm still sleepy but i had to open my eyes. I saw Kyle beside me tapping me endlessly. He's also doing the same to Theodore.
I was about to raise my head when I felt something heavy on it. I realized that it's Theo who's sleeping. Kyle Continue to wake him up with me.
"Theo, wake up or else you'll be by yourself here and starving alone." I scare him. And thank God it worked. The three of us went out of the van before Nate, Brian and Tim. Cody and Alex already went to the fast food chain.
We weren't talking because all of us still sleepy. I even stretch my arms and Yawn. Tim did the same thing. As soon as we enter the fast food chain Someone pull me closer to him. I'm inside of his Jacket. I can even smell his perfume.
"Tim Can i have your bucket hat? Nate your sunglasses and can you give me extra facemask?" Theodore nervously said.
I don't know what's happening but i think going to fast food chain with them will be a bad idea. "Theodore just take me to the van, I'll wait you guys there." I whispered softly.
As soon as I finish saying those sentences. I heard a Camera click. Some of them screamed and all of them is running toward us. An now There's a bunch of their fans around me and Theodore now.
"Tim, Nate, Brian.!" Theodore called them. "Help me!."
Theodore is panicking, I can hear his heart beat. Everyone is so aggressive, There are fans that's pulling me or his Jacket to reveal my face but because Theo's grip was stronger than them, they failed to uncover the jacket Theo's wearing where I am Hiding. Some of them are cursing. "Hug me. And Don't Ever let go whatever happens." He warned me.
"We will cover you." Tim said. "Nate Cover her, Brian on the other side."
"Guard!" Someone shouted. The five of us, Theo, Me, Nate, Brain and Tim was stuck with their fans who rushed to us. I'm still at Theo's Arms. He's not letting me go.
"We're here. Don't worry. We wont let them hurt you." Tim said. Theo is dragging me but I don't know where. I even accidentally stepping on foots because I can't see where to direct myself to walk.
"Please stop!." Brian pleaded but no one is listening, they're still crowding us. After a minute we heard a whistle. "Move away!."
I can't think straight because of what's going on right now. I'm hurt, I felt some scratches on my arms since I'm wearing a plain t-shirt.
"Go Away! You Bitch!" fan one
"Whore!" fan two
"Go to hell girl!" fan three
"You don't deserve to be with them!" fan four
"You slut! You're not a good friend for Theodore! A Bad influence to them!." fan five
I felt Theo's body tense. He stop dragging me. Tim even shouted at him to move but he didn't. Brian is calling his name many times. Nate Tried to push him and told him to walk but he still didn't move.
I was about to look at him when...
"MOVE AWAY!." Theodore shouted with his whole body trembling. Everyone is in silence. He unclasp my hand from hugging him and wrap his arm around my arms.
Tim Immediately Handed me the sunglasses and his bucket hat. I wear it faster and bow my head. I saw Cody and Alex trying to calm Theodore down who's head bowed. Nate put a jacket on me, He was about to drag me from Theo's grip but he pull me closer to him.
"Theodore not now. Let's not create another issue." Kyle said but he just glared at him.
"I can't stand this anymore Kyle. I had to speak regarding this. I'll take full responsibility of this if that is what you're thinking."
He look around. He saw a girl standing in front of us who's glaring at me. She's wearing a spaghetti strap red dress with a red lipstick on and a blush on her cheek, her dress is to short.
"You're the girl who said my friend is slut and not a good influence to me. Right?"
I felt the girls body became numb. Her glare turn into a scared one. "You have no right to tell me who I should befriend with and..." Theodore raise his left eyebrows.
"Theo please." Tim said and was about to hold his both arms when he said something that everyone make stunned who heard his words.
"..look at yourself in the mirror before judging someone."
The girl bowed her head. "What? you're going to cry?" Theo ask again. "Make sure you're perfect before judging a person."
Theo look at me and smile. "Let's go my friend." He said and offering me his hand. I look at Cody who handed me a water to calm down. He nod and smile. I look back at Theo and held his hand but before we leave Kyle cleared his throat and said something that made everyone stunned.
"In behalf of my group and as a leader, The next time You saw our group, weather we're together or individually, please respect our privacy."
All of us went out of the fast food chain. I look at Theo who's still holding my hands. "Theo your grip is hurting me." I said.
He's still trembling with anger. He look at me and gently let go of my hand. "Sorry."
"Hop in and let's go somewhere else." Alex said. He's also mad. I had few scratches on my arms. and it hurts. I bought some medicine. Let's go inside so we can apply treatment on your wounds." Brian said while smiling at me. I agreed on him.
We we're all about to hop in on the van when the manager of the fast food chain called us.
"Sir Wait up!" The manager is running. Brian went to the trunk of the car. As soon as the manager arrive in front of us, Brian handed her a bottle of water. She hesitate to take it but He insist so she accept it and thank him for his good gesture. She drink the half of it and then smile at us.
"Good morning. I Am Grace, Manager of that Fast Food Chain. To compensate..."
"How much?" Theodore asked. Tim Then Pull him inside of the van and close the door. "I'm sorry about that." I apologize. She smile.
""I'm here to compensate about what happened. I'll give you your order without paying. Anything that you want." The manager offered.
"For what?" Alex asked. He's angry. "For not controlling the costumers. You see our store is still lack of people. especially guards. So I want to compensate. And to Say sorry in behalf of the employees."
"Give us time. We'll talk inside the Van." Kyle said.
Manager Grace has no choice but to wait for them to decide.
"We will talk about this Theo but not now. We're in a trip." Kyle said. "Ami I want to apologize for what happened." He look so sad and regretful. I held his arms. "That's fine, We let our guard down, I should be the one protecting you guys."
"So About that manager outside..." Nate then asked after drinking the bottle of water. "..what should we do?"
"We won't take their compensation. I don't like what happened. They hurt the five of you. We will make them apologize. Let's look for another fast food chain. And all the fans that hurt her. We will make them apologize to her." Kyle said. "Okay. I agree with you since they got hurt." Cody said.
Brian handed me the first aid kit. I remove the jacket I'm wearing and give it to Him. "Thanks for that. I didn't have to deal with scratches even though its late." I smile.
Tim insist on switching seats with me so Brian can treat some of scratches I got from the fans. Its stings for a moment but I endure it.
The six of them still talking. I look at Brian who's focused on my wounds. "Hey.. I'm sorry. I cause another Trouble." I apologize.
He look at me and smile. He even held my face that made me shock. "You didn't cause the trouble. Okay? No need to apologize, besides..." He remove his hand on my face and started treating his own wounds. "..We should be the one apologizing. You won't go through this if we didn't let our guard down. We forgot that you're different from us."
I bowed my head. "Thank you for protecting me earlier. It means so much to me." I said and tap his shoulder.
"Guys I'll talk to the manager outside, Alex?" Kyle said before heading out with Alex.
Half an hour passed when Kyle and Alex went back. Since Kyle was outside, He switch seats with Cody. So now Cody, Me and Theo is sitting together.
"We talked to manager Earo. He's the one who's going here to talk to the manager. Their on their way here. We will leave now." Alex said.
"We will go to the different fast food chains and let's order via drive thru." Kyle said.
Theo sigh heavily and look outside. The Three at the back started taking a nap. We're still One Hour Away.
"Why don't be we eat there when we arrive? there's a lot of food stall there." I suggest. I look around to get their answer but only Theodore respond on it. "Then let's eat there since we ate the sandwiches you made. We're still full."
After that I busied myself looking outside when I felt a hand on my hand. I look at him who's holding my hand while taking a nap.
Theo and I look at each other with a confuse look and we both look st Cody who's holding my hand.
"Cody.." He look at me boringly and then go back to his nap while sighing and squeezing my hand and place it on his tummy.
I don't wanna let it slide so I tried to take back my hands but he interwined his fingers on mine. For the rest of thirty minutes, instead of having argue with him, i busied myself on my phone.
It's hard to text with a single hand so I always need to place it on my legs so I can type my replies on Stacey's messages. She knows everything that happened. She's furious at first, thankfully she listen to me first.
"Aren't you uncomfortable about texting with a single hand?" Theodore whispered on my ears. "It's fine." Then I look at Cody who's peacefully sleeping. "We will be at Aerwyna in ten minutes. Wake them up Ami." Alex said.
I look at the back and tried to wake them up. Nate is the easiest to wake up. Just a tap and he's awake, and he's the opposite of Brian. Tim even throw his pillow on him just to wake him up.
I look at my side and saw Theodore is opening the door. They all went out except me and Cody who's still asleep. I sigh heavily and tried to wake him.
"Cody We're here. Come on. Wake up." He open his eyes and smile that made me surprise. Did he just smile now? right?
"Why? Do you also suspect that I don't know how to smile?" He asked. I shook my head. "No. It's so rare to see that kind of expression from you."
He let go of my hand and look at me intently.
"The time you told me.." Cody's words cut as Alex open the door at the back. "Hey. Let's go and eat. Everyone is hungry."
Cosy sigh heavily and we Hop off the van. Theo come to me after Tim. "What's yours?" Tim asked while dragging me to the food stall. "Hmm...." I look at the menu and point at the corn-dog combo. "...Two of this." I said. They ordered every food they want.
We we're in silence while eating. Maybe others still sleepy. When we're done eating, I went to the restroom. After me the guys went inside the mens restroom.
While waiting for them, I checked our things like bagpacks for clothes, foods, and everything.
There's people who gonna take our things up to the Aerwyna Mountain. There's three way to go up to the Aerwyna Mountain, First is to hike up for One to three hours, second is to take a cable car, and third is to take Chariot. Nate tried to convince others to take the cable car but Alex disagree. He said It's worth to walk and see the Sunrise tommorow, Because everyone agreed at Alex's idea, Nate had no choice but to be with us.
"Hey. Everything okay?" I look at Kyle. "Yeah, Let's take some of water, and sandwiches." I said.
I place some of the bottled water on my back pak, some are on Tim's bag, Theo choose to Take the sandwiches that's inside the bag and wrapped with foil. Kyle offer to take some of snacks.
"Guys. Just to remind you this hike will be 8 miles away from here. So ready your Feet. I have some emergency kit here. So don't worry." They all nod and started stretching their body.
"Are you ready guys?" I asked after some stretching. "Yeah!" They all shout excitedly. "Let's go and Enjoy the scenery!"
We started walking at the mountain. Some of them is stopping and taking some photos, especially Theodore and Tim.
First to walk is Alex Brian Nate and Kyle who's talking about something. Maybe Music. Next is Me and Cody. We're silent.
"Ahh.." I look at Cody. "Hmm?." We're still walking.
"Ami would you Mind if I asked something personal about you?" He ask cautiously. I smile. "It's not like you didn't know me. You know my answer to that Cody." He smile at my answer.
"It's been so many years since we last saw each other." He said. I nod. "Yeah. You're right. There's so many things change in you."
"I became more handsome?" He said jokingly. I smile and Shake my head. "Wow! You even know how to joke now." He pointed at Nate and Brian who's walking ahead of us. "Blame that two guy."
I look at him. "How are you? Is he still bothering you?" I asked. "I'm fine, don't worry I'll tell you when I'm not and when I'm ready to tell you everything, but not now." He said.
I look at him and smile. "So what's your question?"
He stop and look directly into my eyes. "When we got into a conflict a few days ago, What you asked me in the kitchen still in my mind. I wanna ask you why did you say that." He said.
I started sighing heavily. "Cause I know why you need to say those things in the past? I know who was behind those words." We started walking again in silence. Tim and Theodore Even Surpass us.
"Am I really a coward to you?" His question Made me stop. He also stop and look at me.
...
Part Two will be in one week to ten days. Happy One Thousand more reads. Even though its late to celebrate. Thank you for reading my story.