Meriedeth Salazar
I finished my cup noodles and went inside the building. They looked at me. I just ignore them and sit down at the vacant space between Eryx and Shelanie, Rovic is at the other end.
Melanie is sitting in the couch in front of us and at the other couch the twins are sitting there. Wesley is standing in front, he blinked when he saw me.
Did I do something wrong? Tss.
"Salazar, introduce yourself to them," Shelanie said.
"Do I have to?"
"Goodness, of course, Shark girl."
I sighed, I looked at the twin. The female twin smiled at me while the male twin just frowned at me. Tss.
"Meriedeth Salazar."
"I'm Jezreal Castro and this is my twin Jazrill Castro," she smiled.
I just nodded.
"So, all of us know each other now. Let's proceed with the meeting," Wesley said.
Agenda:
*District meet
*Training camp three days
*Training schedule
"So, for the district meet, the winners of the event are automatically the representatives."
Melanie write something at the small white board that is here.
Freestyle event — Meriedeth , Eryx
Backstroke event — Andrea , Wesley
Breast stroke event —
Butterfly event — Melanie , Rovic
"Who is Andrea, po?" Jezreal asked.
"She's our classmate, she won the event," Shelanie answered.
"We will talk to her on Monday if she will join. She's the representative rin last year," Wesley said.
"Why is Andrea not a member?" I asked.
"She was," Eryx answered.
"Oh? Why did she left?"
"Things got complicated, Salazar," Shelanie whispered.
"There's no representative for the breast stroke, po?" Jezreal asked.
"Uh, we don't have anyone yet," Wesley answered while looking at the white board.
"Is it alright if we are going to be the representatives?" as she wrapped her arm at her twin.
Wesley blinked because of Jezreal's question.
"We will think about it, we need the approval of your parents about joining the club," Melanie said.
They nodded, suddenly Jazrill's phone ring. He stood up and excuse himself to answer the call outside. When he went out of the building we heard someone shouted.
"What was that?" Shelanie asked.
We heard somebody fighting outside.
"Oh no," Jezreal said, she immediately went outside, she shouted at somebody.
Eryx and the others stood up and went near the door. I followed them, we saw another boy standing in front of Jazrill.
"I told you guys not to leave me there, right?!" the boy annoyingly said—wait, he looks like Jazrill.
"Slowpoke," Jazrill said.
My eyes widened when the guy who looked like him grabbed the collar of Jazrill's uniform.
"Alright, fine, go ahead and punch yourselves!"
I'm amazed by Jezreal's accent. They have Australian accent.
"Shut up! You're another one! Swimming is the only thing inside your head!" the boy said.
"Hey, hey, hey, no fighting inside the school grounds," Wesley said and went towards them.
The boy let go of Jazrill and lowered his head. They really look alike.
"Wait," Wesley said and looked back and forth at Jazrill and the boy.
"Oh my gosh," Melanie and Shelanie commented.
"Kuya Wesley, he is our twin. He is Jazhel, po. I'm sorry for his behavior," Jezreal said and put her arm around Jazhel's shoulder.
Triple J.
Wesley let the triplets calm down, Melanie helped them. I sat down at the couch, I leaned and closed my eyes. I felt somebody sat beside me, I took a peak to know who it is, and it was Eryx.
They went back and the meeting resume with another student. The three of them really look alike.
"I'm sorry for my behavior, I'm Jazhel Castro," he has an accent.
"Are you from Australia?" I asked, the reason why they looked at me.
"It's obvious about the accent, duh.—ouch! What was that for?!" Jazrill complained when Jezreal hit the back of his neck.
"Rude," Jazhel reprimanded, he looked at me. "I'm sorry for my twin, he is stupid," he said.
"It's fine."
"We live at Australia since we are born, but we spend our summer break and Christmas break here at Philippines," Jazhel said.
I just nodded. Wesley cleared his throat to grab our attention.
"Are you going to join the club, Jazhel?"
"Of course po," Jazhel answered.
Melanie gave those forms and instructions to them. We went back to the meeting.
"Are we not going to join the relay, po?" Jezreal asked.
"About that, the relay, uh, if your parents are going to approve, we can join. We will talk about that next meeting. So, about the training camp—"
"Pres, let me handle that part," Melanie said while smiling.
Wesley nodded and took a seat as Melanie stood up in front of the board.
"Alright, so, for our training camp it will be held for three days. At the end of the month where exams are done."
Nobody talk, Melanie took a deep breath.
"Actually, we are on short on budget, so we can't go to expensive resorts. Hehehe," she said and scratched her nape. "But, don't worry! Pres and I will do everything so the training camp will happen."
"Our club has only a small amount of budget?" Jezreal asked in a worried tone.
"Kind of, but it is enough for some of the expenses. I also have some savings, we can, use it to have more budget."
The triplets look worried, I mean Jezreal and Jazhel. Jazrill is seriously looking at the white board.
"Pres and I are thinking about going to the nearest province from here, encase if there are new members and their parents will not get worried."
"If ever, uh, can we bring a guardian?" Jezreal asked.
"Sure, if that's what your parents want to not make them worry."
"We can tell Kuya, he can't say no to the three of us," Jazrill said.
"If he will say 'yes'," Jazhel said.
"So, we are going to stay at white sands inn for our training camp."
"Wait, at our province?" Rovic asked.
Melanie mentioned the name of the province. I don't know, I'm kind of nervous when I know about the plan that they made.
"We can stay at our rest house," Rovic offered.
"Sure?"
"I will talk with Mama about it. The rest house is big, just enough for us."
I don't want to go.
I can't remain calm.
I can't understand what they are saying. I can hear what they are saying but I can't understand a single word.
"Are you okay, Salazar?" Eryx asked.
"Yeah, my head kind of hurts," I lied.
"So, for the training schedule. After classes immediately proceed here at the club for training. Shelanie has a duplicate key, I also prepared a training regimen."
She hand us some papers. I'll read this later. I can't understand a single word here, we are going to our province for the training camp. Argh.
The meeting adjourned and triplets went ahead. The six of us walked towards the gate. They are still talking about the training camp.
"I heard the beaches there are beautiful!" Melanie said in an excited tone. "Clear waters and white sand!"
"It's also cool to do some cliff diving there," Rovic said. "
Oh? Cliff diving," Eryx commented.
"Nah, that's dangerous, Rovic. We have kids with us if their parents will approve that they will attend," Wesley said.
"Eryx and I will be the only ones doing the cliff diving," my gaze and Rovic's gaze met. "Shark girl, do you want do some cliff diving?"
They all looked at me. I gulped because of the question. I remembered how Marjorie fell of the cliff.
"No, thanks."
"Oh, are you scared?" as he smirked, his challenging me. "Goodness, Shark girl is scared!"
I shut my eyes because of the irritation that I felt. I felt Shelanie caressed my shoulder. Eryx elbowed Rovic. I took and deep breath and looked at them.
"I'll go ahead."
They waved me goodbye, I heard how Shelanie scolded Rovic because of what he said earlier. When I arrived home I went immediately to my room.
Four weeks passed, our monthly examinations are done last week. We started our training the week after we had our meeting and we have three additional members.
The triple J's.
My phone made a sound, I grabbed it and read the message.
Melanie: I'm reminding everyone to check your things that you are going to bring at the camp! We are staying there for three days and two nights!
Jezreal: Noted po, vice-pres!
Gwapo: What time are we going to leave tomorrow?
Wesley: I asked the teachers we can leave around 1pm. Miss Morales will follow us at Saturday because she still have a few things she needed to attend.
Wesley: We just finished our exams.
Jezreal: What are we going to ride going there, po?
Jazrill: Are we going to use the school bus?
Shells: There are no vacant school buses. Rovic and I checked it earlier.
Gwapo: There are also other clubs that are having some training cmap and they have more members. They are the priority.
Wesley: Our van is not enough for all of us.
Jazhel: We have a car, I'll ask our brother.
Jazrill: I asked Kuya, he said no.
Jazhel: Oh? Are you together?
Jazrill: yeah.
Wesley: I'll look for a solution for this. I'll go ahead.
Eryx: We can just take the bus. The bus station is just near.
Shells: I think it will be fun if we are going to try to ride a public transport.
I composed a reply.
Shark girl: We are short on budget. Remember.
Shells: 😣 sorry. I forgot.
Melanie: Meriedethhh! Your parent's consent!
I went up from laying down, I grabbed it from my bag and knocked at my brother's door.
"What is it?"
"Sign this," and I handed him the paper.
He took it and read it.
"Oh? Training camp? At our province?!"
"Kuya!"
"Wait, let me grab my pen," he immediately sign it and gave it back to me.
"Where are you going to stay? We will drop by at Lola's house while you are there?"
"We are going to stay at Rovic's house. I don't know."
"Aunty Rebecca has a parcel for you to drop off. Can you bring it for her? You know she's currently looking for a job. She has plans to go home to give the things she bought for Lola."
"Is it many?"
"Just small stuff. You can put it inside your bag."
"Remind me tomorrow," I was about to go back to my room when Kuya spoke.
"Wait, why are you guys going to stay at Rovic's house? The school should sponsored your trip, right?"
"Actually, the club is short on its funds. We can't even use the school bus because we only have a few members."
"You guys are going to take the bus tomorrow? I can give you a ride."
"Just focus on your work, Kuya."
"Are you really going to take the bus tomorrow?"
"Maybe. There are nine of us, even if you will give us a ride, we can't fit inside the car."
"Update me every time."
I just nodded and went back to my room. On the next day, while I'm having breakfast Kuya said something about the parcel that Aunty Rebecca is going to let me bring, she added some stuff.
Our teachers from the morning session gave us an activity. We are having lunch, Melanie said that we should meet up at the club room before leaving. I received a text message from Kuya, he is in front of the gate of school.
"I'll go downstairs," they looked at me.
"You will buy something? Dessert?" Rovic asked.
"Kuya at by the gate right now."
They nodded, I went down from our building. I walked towards the gate, it's too hot. It's a good thing I'm wearing a jacket right now, I fixed my hood. I saw him standing near the car.
"Deth!" he called.
I jogged towards him.
"Where is it?"
He opened the door of the shotgun seat and gave me a box and a plastic bag.
"I thought it would fit inside my bag, this is too big," I said as I accepted the box. What's inside this?
"You can put the plastic bag inside your backpack. The box is not too heavy."
"Tss. I'll go inside," I turned my back but Kuya hold my shoulders.
"I'll accompany you to your club room. Also, I want to have a word with the club president. I'll be the one who carry the box for now," and took the box from me.
"I'll go back to our room, I'll get my bag."
"Oh, I'll go with you."
I raised a brow at him. Doesn't he have any work right now? We are about to go upstairs when we saw Eryx and the others by the staircase. They also brought their bags. They greeted Kuya.
"Did you left my at the room?" I asked.
"I brought it," Eryx answered, he really brought my bag.
I was about to speak but Kuya speak first. He wants to meet Wesley. Shelanie and the others went ahead to the club room, Kuya went with them while me and Eryx are the just behind them.
"Give me my bag."
"You are carrying something," he pointed the plastic bag. "Snacks?"
"Tsk."
"Alright, I'm not gonna ask."
When we arrived at the club room, Melanie and the triplets are there. Wesley is still not there because there are some things that he needed to attend to. I fixed my bag, it's a good thing the plastic bag was able to fit inside. The triplets are here, there is also another student here.
"His our brother," Jezreal said.
"You're from the other section, right?" I asked Shelanie. "You are also a member of the journalism club! Wait, I forgot your name, hehehehe."
"It's Dashiel. Dashiel Castro."
"Ah, Dashiel, hehehe. I'm Shelanie Navarro, this is Eryx Fuentabella and Rovic Fajardo and that is Meriedeth Salazar."
"You'll come with us?" Rovic asked.
They get along well. Melanie and Eryx are talking about something, looks like there is a problem, I think it is about the transportation. Hays.
Wesley arrived, he looked stressed out. It looks like he didn't find anything that we can ride. He greeted Kuya, he was standing near the door.
I did not hear what they are talking about. I saw Kuya handing Wesley an envelope.
Oh? Cash?
A miracle.
Kuya is too thrifty.
"Goodness, Sir Salazar, you don't have to, po," Wesley said while shaking his head sideways.
"Just accept it. Deth, mentioned about the fund problems. I want to help."
"This is too much, po."
"Use it wisely, have a safe trip," he tapped Wesley's shoulder. He looked at me and he salute, I just nodded.
"Thank you po, Sir Salazar," Wesley said.
Kuya gave as an allowance, he wants to help the club. I don't know why he did it but it's a good thing. Wesley was able to breathe in relieve. He thanked me and it feels awkward. It's not my money, it's my brother's money.
"I'm really thankful, Meriedeth. Thank you," Wesley said while smiling, I just nodded.
"Let's go to the bus terminal," Wesley said.
We grabbed our bags and walked towards the gate. While going there, Eryx suddenly grabbed the box that I was holding. I raised hi a brow.
"I can handle it, Fuentabella. Give it back."
"Let me do it, this is kind of heavy. We are walking towards the terminal."
"Tss."
I just let him be, he wants to volunteer. We walked towards the bus terminal, it's a good thing that the terminal is just around the corner. When we arrived there we are able to ride a bus, Eryx is sitting beside me. It's also a good thing that there are only a few passengers.
When the bus travelled, I plugged in my headphones at my ear. I did not noticed I fell asleep during the trip. When I woke up we are already at the terminal.
"Where is your house po, Kuya Rovic?" Jazhel asked.
The ten of us are standing outside the bus terminal. Rovic is talking to a person who is here, in a few moments a multicab stopped in front of us.
"Let's go guys, I know the driver. I'll handle it."
Rovic is sitting beside the driver while the rest of us are at the back. I can really feel the fresh air, it's also getting dark. We arrive here around 5pm.
They are chatting around while I'm standing and holding at the frame that is attached here at the back of the vehicle we are riding.
"Enjoying the breeze, Salazar?" Eryx asked and stand up beside me.
"Nope."
After a few minutes we stopped in front of a two-storey house. I frowned because it looks like it's still under renovation. Rovic went out of the car and opened the gate. They are people who approached him, I saw how he shook his head sideways and went towards us.
"Guys, I'm really sorry. I forgot that our house is under renovation."
"Where are we going to go now? The inns are too far. There are resort but their rooms are too expensive," Shelanie said.
"The cheap ones are on the other direction. It's too far," Rovic said.
I'm staring at them, they really looked troubled. Melanie started scanning her phone, looking for a place to stay. I hopped out of the multicab.
"Where are you going, Salazar?" Eryx asked.
"Get up there," I told Rovic as I pointed the back part of the car.
"Where are you going, Shark girl?" he asked me.
"Just hop in already.
I opened the door towards the shotgun seat and went it.
"Kuya, do you know where's Marco Salazar's house?"
"Yes, hija. The Salazar's houses are up ahead."
"Take us there po, please," I said. He nodded and we travelled towards the direction that I said.