(Alys Prov)
My head was still aching from all the thinking and pondering I did last night. Will I follow Tripp's advice? Will I chase Drake? And if I did, wouldn't it be tiring and exhausting? We both knew we'd just be tired. It was like ours was doomed.
I got up and did my morning rituals. There's no use studying for years if I'm just going to hang out at our house.
"Good morning," I greeted my mom. I went near her and kissed her cheeks. It looked like daddy and Dane were gone. "Where are they dad?"
My mom motioned me to sit down with her and placed a decent amount of bread and spread on my plate.
She said after finishing, "Andy's at work and your brother is studying. You? What are you going to do today?"
I was torn between saying I was going back to the shop and lying about it. Seriously speaking, I want a break. I want to go away and go on vacation. Maybe to take things off my mind. Maybe I need it. Lately, my mind had been doing rash things to me. There were nights where I couldn't sleep. It felt like torture; just lying there and not being able to sleep at all.
"I'm going on a vacation," I said.
My mom beamed at me. "Finally!" she said glee. "Where are you headed to?"
I shrugged. I don't really have a plan yet. I just wanted an escape from the harsh reality. Somewhere where I could be who I was. To be just Alys... the one with no hangups, no insecurities, no problems. I just wanted to become a kid again.
"I don't know yet. Somewhere South, maybe?"
Mom nodded. "Alright. Call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay."
After the delicious breakfast, mom went to work. I? I went up to prepare my things. How many days will I be gone? I think one week would be enough. Maybe after that, my mind would be fresh enough not to screw things up. I will try what Tripp said. Maybe I'll try to fix things up with Drake. No, don't chase him. I just want to have things back to normal.
Maybe Tripp is right, I still love Drake. I think I never stopped loving him. He was my epic love. But I don't want that kind of love. I just want a quiet life. Complications would never be my thing.
I finished packing my things after an hour and a half. I went down and got my car key. I also went to the kitchen to get some food. This will be a long drive.
"Hello?" I said after picking up the phone. I saw Aya's name on the caller ID.
There was a noise on the other line but I ignored it. I was busy checking my things; maybe I forgot something. ("Alys!") she said with uncertainty.
"Yeah?"
("Where are you? Tita said you were going on vacation?")
I ignited the engine. Hey, Alys. Brace yourself for the long drive.
I typed the destination I was headed to. It's a good thing my Nana loved me enough to buy me a European car. How I loved this car.
I told Aya the resort I was staying at. Why was she now interested in my plans? Even when I cried, she wouldn't come with me. Oh how she hated travelling.
("Oh, okay, thanks!") she said and then ended the line. Weird.
The drive nowhere started. I played songs to lighten up the rather sappy mood. After passing by Manila, I opened the window of my car. The wind was so refreshing. It was like I wasn't in the Philippines.
The monitor said I was about half an hour away from my destination. Good! I can't wait to put my sunblock on and to toast myself under the sun!
While I was busy driving, my phone kept on vibrating. It was all from Kei. Why was she calling? Maybe she felt guilty? But why? It wasn't like... nevermind.
I pulled up on the side and composed a quick message.
'On a vacation. Look after Tripp for me, okay? Bye! Thanks, Kei! x'
Just because I agreed to Tripp's stupid plan of me chasing Drake did not mean that I'll let him chase after Kei. I just can't fathom the idea. It was... it was unimaginable.
I arrived at the resort just a few minutes later. The place was breathtaking! I just saw a coconut tree again, I swear! It's beautiful here!
I dragged my suitcase and the attendees welcomed me. It was like I was in Hawaii.
"Live!" they said in unison.
I smiled at them and let them carry my things for me. They also handed me drinks.
After that, I went to the front desk. I reserved a room earlier using my Mom's credit line. Mine was a wreck. Dad had it cut because I reached my limit three times already.
"Hi. I had a room reserved. Alys Perez," I said.
The woman checked on her computer and then smiled at me. "Here's your keycard. You made a change earlier, right?"
My brows furrowed. "Change?"
She nodded at me. "Someone called and upgraded your room to a suite."
"Ha?"
"You used the same card."
I smiled at her and turned around. Shit. Why is Drake here?!
He didn't see me first so I hurriedly walked into their lobby. I hid behind a plant and quickly dialed mom's number.
("Hi!")
"Aya?" Why is she holding my mom's phone?
("Hi, Besh! Hehehe. Your mommy doesn't want to talk to you, huh.")
I massaged my temple. Here's Aya again, on her thrill of a lifetime! She should really be on Survivor or the Amazing Race! She loves this kind of thrill!
"Why did my room become a suite? And why is Drake here?" I tried my best not to shout but it was obvious to me that I was getting annoyed. God, Aya! What are you thinking!
("I'm hashtag team Dralys! You can do that! Make love not war!")
"WHAT THE HELL, AYA?!"
("Just stay there. Don't be KJ!")
"You're crazy."
("I'm not crazy; I'm your best friend, okay? Sit back and relax. If it's not for the one week we're together, I shall never talk about Drake again. I promise even if it hurts my heart, I'll hashtag Team Tripzy now.")
"Crazy witch!"
("Love you, Besh! Mwa!")
Ugh! I'm so annoyed! Are you going to put down the phone?!
I put my phone back on my pocket and took three deep breaths. My yoga instructor said it takes three deep breaths to calm down. But hell, I can't even calm down for ten, you know!
I hastily dragged my feet toward Drake.
"Hi," I said.
He looked at me. "Hi?"
He seemed like he didn't know either. It was Aya!
I smiled at him. "Why are you here?"
He shrugged. "Dad."
So... he's back to his one word utterances? So Drake Palma.
I nodded at his minimal response. I looked at the receptionist and asked if I could have a different room. The suite was too big and I'd like a small room, thank you very much.
"All rooms are occupied," she said. I looked around and Drake and I were the only people. Who would be on vacation in the middle of September?
"Are you serious?" I asked her.
She nodded. "All rooms are under Dana Guzman's name."
Shit. Aya!
"But she's not even here!" I said to the receptionist.
She shook her head. "The rooms have been paid. However, the suite room is still available for the two of you."
I looked at Drake. He was passive.
"You can take the room," he said. "I'll go."
And then he turned his back at me. Why is our situation always like this? He always turns his back on me.
I followed his gaze and then I saw him kicking his car's wheel. Out of sheer curiosity, I approached. Damn. His tires were all flat! Aya!
I approached closer and goodness! My car was also flat!
I grabbed my phone and dialed either my Mom's or Aya's but my phone was cut as well! Ugh! Conspiracy!
I looked at the resort crew and all of them looked away. My good mom must have paid them! Ugh! I'll report them to Dad!
I dragged myself back to the receptionist. "Fine, the card is mine."
The card was handed to me and all of a freaking sudden, Drake was right behind me. "My phone is useless. My car is useless," he said.
I just had to nod at him and say 'I feel you, brother.'
I smiled and inhaled. "Share a room?"
He shrugged.
I signalled for the bell boy to follow us. My good mom, she really chose the suite that was far from the other suite, the one facing us was the beach. Great, Mom. What are your plans for your only daughter?
"Thanks," I uttered and gave the bell boy a handsome tip.
My eyes roamed around the room. The place was epic! But there was a problem... there was only one bed.
Drake placed his things on the floor and said, "Take the bed."
"We can share?" I said. I mean, I knew him. He didn't like lying on the floor or even on the couch. This man was practically a prince! Didn't Uncle Steve even tire him out after I laid him on the couch?
He looked at me with those scary pair of eyes. "No."
"But--"
"I'm a man and I'm in love with you. Don't challenge me, Alys."
And that apparently shut me up.
We arranged our things. I'll take the bed and he'll stay on the couch. I also turned on the plasma and wtf was my mom thinking?! Why are there only adult channels available?!
I just threw the controller at the screen to break it! Good thing Drake was in the shower and taking a bath otherwise I might have thrown it out of shock!
I also took a bath and wore a Sunday dress. The wind was fine and I'd like to take a walk at the shore later. Maybe since it's private property.
"Uhm..." I said, trailing off. I don't know how to start. How did we end up like this? We used to be comfortable around each other to the point that he would let me wear his shirts but now I can't even look him in the eye. Funny how things work.
He closed his laptop. "Alys?"
Suddenly, my heart was beating fast. "H-ha?"
"Just..." he said, hesitating to continue his sentence. "Just treat me the way you did before. You acting strange sucks."
I smiled at him. He really did love me. I hope he can find someone to love. Not me but someone who's worthy of him. Drake is a fine man. Any girl would be lucky to have him.
"Sure," I said and smiled.
He stood up and placed both his hands inside his pocket. He was wearing a striped shorts and a black shirt and a beanie.
"Wanna take a walk?"
I gladly agreed.
We went outside and I was half running because Drake walked before me and plus it was so windy that my clothes were blowing.
"Ouch!" I said because I tripped. What is it!
Before I even noticed that my scraped knee was bleeding, Drake was already kneeling in front of me and attending to me. "Shh."
"Ouch!" I said when he touched the injured part. "Drake!"
Out of the blue, he chuckled. Huh?
"What's so funny?" I asked him.
He was still looking at my knee and then he spoke. "This. Us. It was like high school all over again."
And what he said, I couldn't help but to smile again. He was right. This was us. Drake and Alys. Just walking and then he would help me whenever I tripped. That was me when I first fell in love with him.
"I miss that too," I uttered.
He sighed at my statement and then fished for his handkerchief. He wrapped it around my knee not before blowing on it softly.
"There," he said.
"Thanks..."
He brushed off the sand on his shorts and helped me get up. "Alys?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we be like we were in high school again?"
"Huh?"
He looked down and smiled at himself. "High school was my fondest memory because when I was in high school, I had you."