We arrived at the beach. The sky is blue and cloudless, with waves gently crawling on the shore. Sizing me up and down, Kenneth commented. "You're probably the only one wearing a jacket here."
I swept my eyes around. People were dressed in a variety of bright swimwear, bikinis, skirts, or shorts. I looked down at my own oversized baggy jacket. Maybe that's one of the reasons why people were staring at me strangely.
"Well, it's not like I'm going to swim."
"That's just like you," Kenneth chuckled, his lips parting before giving me a wide smile.
"And I'm feeling cold."
"Huh? Did you catch a flu?" He went closer towards me stretching his hand, but I shook my head, making him stepped back.
"Well it's true, you're always at odds with the weather. Is it because…. the seasons here are different from your country?"
I saw his hesitation before asking that. They're really cautious when they ask such things. I was thinking what to reply to him when he asked again.
"Maybe you're still not used to the weather here?"
"It's not like that." I replied.
Is it because I never talk anything about it? They seemed curious. But I have nothing to tell them at all.
"It's a relief." He said. He was still the same as the first time I met him, with his red hair and friendly grin. For such a big guy, he's a very caring person.
"Do you know why? Because it will be bad if you can't adjust to the weather here. How are we going to spend our time together? Or maybe... you will come back to your place." I snapped my head off when I heard his last sentence. He involuntarily stepped back, so I knew right away that he was surprised by me.
With a straight face, I firmly said to him,"That's impossible. I will never go back there."
"…"
What's with him? It looks like he doesn't believe me. He was showing me a confused expression. I shifted my attention when I saw the other guys approaching.
"You're not going to swim?"
"Hmm."
"Duh, obviously." It was Eugene, scanning me from head to toe.
"Don't stare at her, idiot! So you're just going to watch us all day!?" Belle asked and linked our arms after he smacked the back of Eugene's head.
With her small chin and pouty lips, I was momentarily blinded by her pitiful appearance that I made a slip of tongue. "It's okay. The truth is, I'd regret it if I didn't come here with all of you."
Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, I corrected myself. "Well, it's just a little bit."
"Aww, Dani."
"So you can't bear to part with me, damn, I knew it!"
"It doesn't seem like that to me, Eugene."
"Hahaha, right."
"Wow, did I hear it right? As long as I can remember, you have always told us to get lost." Jun gave me his teasing smile and exchanged look with the others.
I wanted to explain but held myself back. "As I've said, I will regret it but just a little bit."
"Come on, no need to be shy."
"Hahaha, yeah right?!"
"Well, it's not surprising because I'm so great!" Jun interjected.
"You guys are so annoying." I walked ahead of them knowing that it would take a long time before they stop making fun of me. At the same time, I'm wondering...
they are so annoying, but why am I smiling? I promised to keep myself aloof when I was with them, but it did not work the way it did in my head.
•••
"David is really tired, huh?" Belle said, looking at Dave sleeping on the stone bench. He was laying there and facing at us sideways.
"Really? Isn't it normal?"
I didn't find it out of place. Wherever he is, he's always sleepy. A very lethargic person. That's why I'm still not sure why he decided to become an actor. It's a very tiresome career.
"Haha, I guess you're right. He's been busy since his debut but still spares a time for us."
"Do you know why he decided to pursue his career?" Curious, I asked then glanced at Dave. I whispered it to Belle fearing he might hear. Not long ago, he just said to us that he would debut as an actor. Combined with his personality, I really found it unbelievable.
"He also didn't tell me specifically. But I know that his pictures suddenly spread online and that's when it started."
"Pictures in online? I never knew about it." After I said that, Belle started to knead her face.
"It's because you don't have any accounts on any social media." Sighing, she continued, "And David told us to never tell you anything about it."
"Why? Is it a big deal?"
"I guess he's being shy. Hahaha, the boys teased him to death about it."
I imagined the guys making fun of him because of his pictures. It must be tough for him. Like me, Dave is also not a person who likes to take photos of himself.
It was when I saw a group of men. Five of them that I started to count down the numbers in my head. Five, four, three…
"Hey, ladies. What a beauties!"
Godamn it, I knew it. The smirks plastered on their faces and the way they stare at Belle's body tell me just what kind of person they are. It was not like she's not wearing anything. They all looked like juveniles looking for nothing but trouble. All of them had their hairs dyed in brown or gold, too flashy to caught the eyes of others. With their hair smooth all the way backwards, I wondered how many bottles of wax they have used.
"Hey, don't you want to have a bit of chat for a while?"
"We have other companies."
"Who cares? How about you join us?"
Realizing that nothing's going through to them, Belle snapped, "Go away!"
I looked in the general direction of where the boys had gone earlier. When the men approached us, Belle stood in front of me, as if covering me. I gave a deep sigh. Belle always acts tough, but the truth is, she actually has a trauma. I was about to stand up when someone grabbed Belle's arm but with his eyes still half- opened, Dave slowly rose from his seat.
"Where do you think you're touching?"