The next morning was meant to go on a short trek and then we had to return. All seven of us trekked together, chatting and joking all our way.
Naomi: Hey Asteria!! Do you remember when we were shopping for the Valentine's Day party and it felt as if someone was following us?
Me: Yeah, I do remember. And do you know what, even when I was with Reece, we felt as if someone was stalking us! The times when I was bullied.
Sofia: What?? How disgusting!!! Who could it be?
Naomi: Hmm I think, it must be Anna.
me and Sofia: Yeah...
Carsten: Sorry girls, but it was me...
me, Sofia, and Naomi in unison: What?
Carsten: Yeah, I missed you, so I was following you. And about that shopping day, I was trying to see the colour you would choose.
me: Oh!!! so that's why you wore a red shirt, to twin with me.
Carsten: Yeah...
Naomi: That's what I wondered. Patrick wasn't with us while we were shopping, how could he match the colour with Asteria?
Seb: Yeah, even I was thinking about that.
Jason: Hmm Guys, I think we should return to the campsite.
Natalie: Yeah.
All of us returned to the campsite and were ordered by our teachers to take up the bus. The return journey was also a joyful one. We all reached the school from where we all parted away towards our respective homes.
The next week were our exams and I was not able to meet any one of my friends in those preparatory holidays. Even during the exam, I wasn't able to find them. The examination went on for three weeks. For three weeks I could neither see my friends nor Carsten. I was going crazy because I was not able to meet him. I know you all must be thinking that I had already stayed apart from him during those bully months, but at least I was able to see him. I wasn't able to talk to him, even on the phone for my mom had borrowed it as her phone wasn't working. I was eagerly waiting for one more week to go and then it would be the event of the farewell party but simultaneously, I was crying inside, I didn't want to get separated from Carsten and my friends. My mom had already done my admission to a school in Seoul. I would be hundreds of miles apart from him. We were going to be living on two freaking different continents.
I had already bought a dress that I was going to wear for the farewell. Finally, it was the day. I was finally going to meet Carsten for the last time. I got up early, had my breakfast, and went to the parlour. By the afternoon, I put my dress on and let my stylists do my makeover and hair. After my makeover and hairstyling were complete, I was allowed to look into the mirror. I was really happy with my look. I had chosen a black full sleeve, turtle neck, crop top, and a long white skirt with subtle art which went up to my ankle. My stylists went for simple makeup with dark red lips, straightened hair, and my look got completed as I slipped into my black block heels.
I booked a cab to reach my school. As the building got closer, I could feel my heart beating even more loudly. I was really excited to see Carsten almost after a month. I was really desperate. My cab stopped in front of the huge iron gates which really looked beautiful that evening. I was going to miss it a lot. The reddish-brown path of the school would be missed by my feet. I entered the premises and the first people I met were two of my lovely bitches, Naomi and Sofia. They looked absolutely stunning. Three of us had a huge group hug till Seb came in and took our attention. Even Seb killed the look. It had been thirty minutes since I had arrived but I wasn't able to find Carsten. Anxiety reigned over my body. Seeing me in such conditions, Naomi spoke out.
Naomi: Are you okay?
me: No, of course not. Carsten isn't here till now.
Seb: Oh, well Asteria... Sorry to inform you but he won't come today.
me: What?? But why?
Seb: He is not well.
me: What has happened to him?
Seb: I don't know. He just said he won't come.
me: Ughh... okay. Tell him, I won't be able to meet him anymore. Day after tomorrow I have my flight to Seoul.
Everyone in unison: What?! Seoul?!
me: Yeah...
I was devastated and didn't want to talk much. The excitement completely faded away. They kept on asking me about my new school but I didn't reply. I just went and sat in a corner, every second looking at the gate hoping he would come. After a while, Seb came and sat near me.
Seb: Hey!!! You look tired. I think you should freshen up a bit.
me: Hmm yeah. I should head to the washroom. Excuse me.
Seb: That's it. ( he mumbled)
It was weird but I ignored him. I went towards the washroom when suddenly someone pulled me into the storeroom. I was pretty sure this was Carsten because he had already done this before, suddenly pulling me whenever he likes. And I was correct. Silly boy, he thought I would be surprised. I giggled at first but then at least for the last time, looked into his eyes.
Carsten: Beautiful... ( still scanning my face)
me: What?
Carsten: Hmm, I think the tiles are beautiful.
me: Shut up!!! ( I gave him a slight push on his chest)
Carsten: Of course, you.
me: I know. But Seb said you weren't coming.
Carsten: That was a planned surprise.
me: Oh.. that explains why he said " That's it" when I said I am going to the washroom.
Carsten: Stupid dickhead.
I chuckled but he hushed me, and let our eyes, talk. He slowly moved forward and brushed his lips against my neck. His warm breath soothing my cold skin. He travelled across my neck and reached my ears. He seductively bit it and I let a soft moan. He now moved down and gave a small peck on my lips. He turned me around and slowly opened the zip of my tops. He crashed his lips against my back neck, sucked on my skin and I let soft moans. When he pulled away, he smirked at the red marks he had left. He turned me around and his lips mashed against mine as if trying to flatten and destroy my mouth. I hungrily pushed back, my mouth open, tongue pushing past his clenched teeth to the moist space within. I gripped his head firmly as if to keep him from escaping. I worked my mouth against his mouth, our tongues battling back and forth like wrestlers, each of us trying to pin the other.
We parted away to take in air and laughed at each other. He had my lipstick all over his face and my lipstick was all smudged. Our hair was completely messed up. We wiped our faces with our handkerchief and fixed our look.
Carsten: Isn't it too late? We should probably leave this place now.
me: Yeah of course. ( I laughed)
We walked out of the storeroom and went to the event spot. Every member of our group smirked as they saw us.
Naomi: So how was the kiss?? Was it longer than the previous one?
me: What? How did you know? ( I was astonished)
Sofia: Come on, we are diaper friends. We know about you even more than what you know about yourself.
Naomi: Moreover, no one goes to the washroom to destroy their hairstyling. Your messy hair and gleaming face say enough.
me: You!!! ( I blushed)
We chatted, laughed and missed all those sweetest memories we had together. I didn't realize how the time fled by. Finally, there came the end of the night. I didn't want to leave but I had to. Every one of us cried and we hugged each other.
Carsten: Don't cry. We will be in the same city, love.
me: No dear.
Carsten: What do you mean by no?!
me: My mom had done my admission to a school in Seoul.
Carsten: What?! You are kidding. Right? ( I could feel the pain in his voice)
me: No. I have my flight the day after tomorrow.
Carsten: What?! So soon!!!
me: I am sorry. ( I sobbed)
Tears rolled down his cheeks and he stood there completely silent. He held my hands, took a deep breath and said " Don't promise that you are going to write, don't promise that you will call me but just promise that you will always remember we had something between us. Something really special. "
I looked at his handsome face and nodded my head and bit my lips trying to suppress my bursting tears. We stood there for several minutes looking at each others' face when my cab honked behind me. I took my steps backwards, let my hands slowly slipping out of his. I turned my heads towards the cab when he held my hand. I replied in between my sobs " Please don't make this any more difficult, you know we can't take this any further." He released my hands from his grip without saying a word and I took quick steps towards the cab. I didn't even turn to look at him, I knew if I did I would have broken down that instant.