"Sorry, Mom . I was really tired after school, so I fell asleep . I didn't hear you," Flora explained, trying to brush off her mother's concern .
"Oh, Flora, it's okay . But you never do this. Are you feeling unwell ?" her mother asked, studying her daughter's face closely .
"No, Mom, I'm fine," Flora reassured her .
"Then why do your eyes look swollen ? Have you been crying ?" her mother asked, her voice softening with worry .
"No, I just didn't sleep well, that's all," Flora lied, trying to hide her feelings .
Her mother didn't push further . "Alright, freshen up and come downstairs to eat . Your dad and sister are waiting ."
"I'll be down soon," Flora said .
As Flora came downstairs after freshening up, her father spotted her and smiled .
"There's my little angel . How was your nap ? I haven't seen you much lately. Have you forgotten about your dad ?" he teased lovingly .
Flora smiled back and walked over to sit beside him .
"How's school going ? Are you studying well ?" her father asked, his voice filled with the usual fatherly concern .
"Yes, Dad. It's going well," Flora replied.
"That's my girl . Keep studying hard," her father said, patting her gently on the back .
At that moment, the maid entered the room . "Miss Flora, would you like tea or coffee ?"
"Coffee, please," Flora replied, feeling the need for something to wake her up .
Her mother, sitting across the table, frowned slightly . "Are you just going to have coffee ? You haven't eaten anything since you got back from school ."
"I'm not hungry . I'll eat later ," Flora said, avoiding her mother's gaze .
Her father looked at her with concern . "What's going on, Flora ? You love food . You never skip meals ."
"It's nothing, Dad . I'm just not hungry right now," Flora said, trying to reassure him .
Her mother changed the subject . "When do your final exams start , Flora ?"
"Next month ," Flora replied .
Her father chimed in . "Are you preparing well, my angel ?"
"Yes, Dad ," Flora answered softly .
Her mother suddenly had an idea . "I was thinking, since Flora's exams are still a while away and Lara's college is on break, why don't we all go visit my father's house for a couple of days ? It'll be a nice change of pace ."
Lara, Flora's sister, agreed . "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea . We could all use a break ."
"Flora's dad, why don't you take two days off from work ?" her mother suggested .
Her father nodded . "Alright, let's do it . We'll leave in two days ." He smiled at his family , happy to see them excited .
Flora sat quietly, feeling a mixture of emotions as her family planned their trip. She couldn't help but think of Alex, wondering if he was thinking of her too .
---
Around 8:00 PM ,
Lia called Flora .
Lia : "Hello, Flora . Are you ready ? I'm waiting outside your house with the car ."
Flora : "Yeah, I'm ready . But what should I tell my parents ?"
Lia : "Don't say anything for now ."
Flora : "No, what if they don't let me go ?"
Lia : "You're really something. How are you planning to sneak out? Wait, I'll figure something out ."
Flora : "What will you do ?"
Lia hung up and immediately went to Flora's house .
When Lia arrived, she rang the doorbell, and a maid opened the door. She called for Flora, and after a few moments, Flora came downstairs with her mom, looking a bit nervous .
Flora's Mom : "Where are you going, Flora ?"
Flora : "Well, actually, Mom..."
Lia : "Aunty, we're going to a friend's birthday party tonight ."
Flora's Mom : "Oh, Flora didn't mention anything about a birthday party . Flora, why didn't you tell me ?"
Flora : "I didn't say anything because I thought you wouldn't let me go ."
Flora's Mom : "Oh, Flora, why wouldn't I let you go to your friend's birthday party ? You can go ."
Lia : "Okay, Aunty, I'll take Flora with me then ."
Flora's Mom : "Sure, but don't stay out too late, and be careful ."
Flora : "Okay, Mom. Bye."
Lia : "Bye, Aunty ."
Flora's Mom : "Bye, girls ."
As soon as they left the house, Lia turned to Flora with a grin .
Lia: "You look really beautiful today, Flora."
Flora, rolling her eyes: "Stop lying. You spend all your time with Layla because she's prettier than me."
Lia laughed: "Forget about Layla. You look like a doll in that short skirt."
Flora, softening: "You look great too. I'm sure all the guys at the party will be staring at you."
Lia teased: "We'll see about that. Let's see who they stare at more."
Flora smiled nervously, but this was her first time attending such a party, and she felt a little anxious.
The girls soon arrived at the party. The place was buzzing with music, lights, and people having a good time by the pool.
Lia: "Come on, Flora. Let me introduce you to some of my friends."
Lia spotted some people and waved.
Lia: "Hey, Roni!"
Roni, walking over with a grin: "Hey, Lia! What's up?"
Lia: "I'm good. Where are the others?"
Roni: "They're over by the pool. But who's this?"
Lia: "This is my best friend, Flora."
Roni extended a hand: "Hey, Flora! I'm Roni."
Flora, shaking his hand shyly: "Hi, nice to meet you."
Roni: "Nice to meet you too." Then, turning to both of them, he said, "So, just to let you know, there are two teams tonight: red and purple. We're on the red team. You both need to tie something red around your hand so people don't confuse you for the other team."
Lia: "Alright, let's do that."
Roni led them to a table where they tied red bands around their wrists before heading back to the main area. Everyone was gathered around the pool, laughing, drinking, and waiting for the car race that was scheduled for midnight.
Lia introduced Flora to some more people, and soon they were all mingling and chatting.
Mike, one of the guys, offered Flora a drink: "Hey, Flora, have a drink."
Flora shook her head: "No, thanks. I don't drink."
Mike, smiling mischievously: "Come on, just one drink . It won't hurt ."