Chapter 3: The Vacation

Daniell’s POV:

“Dani. Girl, wake up. Hey.”

I woke up at the sound of Cyrille’s voice. I could also hear the voices of the other girls. They’re all chattering excitedly.

“Hmm.” I hummed and opened my left eye. I saw her smiling at me. She’s wearing a light blue blouse.

“Hey, come on we’re going to be late.” My eyes completely opened after I heard her say that.

“What? Late for what?” I asked. She looked at me confused.

“We’re going to Boracay remember? Now get up there and take a bath.” She said and stood up. I immediately sat when I remembered what happened at the party.

“Wait, about what happened last night, are you guys okay?” I asked. They all stopped talking and looked at me as if I just asked them is it possible for a human to raise a dinosaur.

“Huh? Last night? What happened last night?” Rein asked in confusion.

“The party! All I could remember is all of the glasses cracked and then all of you went unconscious.” I said.

“Dani that happened 5 days ago. And we all blacked out because of too much alcohol.” Celine said.

"W-what?" I can’t believe this. Why can’t I remember anything from the past 5 days?!

"And the shot glass, mirrors, it all cracked because of the loud music." Ashley added.

"I—I don't understand." I whispered to myself.

“Dani, girl, I think you stressed yourself too much this past few days. You know, persuading your mom to come back here, and searching for your father. You don’t need to tell us what you saw or what you found when you went to Batangas the other day, but don’t stress yourself too much.” Katherine said and hugged me.

What? I went to Batangas? When? S ** t why can’t I remember that?!

“Come on now. Get up. Go to the bathroom and wash yourself. Then we’ll leave. We need to catch our flight.” She added and smiled at me.

I just nodded and went to the bathroom. I locked the door and stared at my reflection on the mirror.

Maybe they’re right. Maybe because of too much stress I’m starting to forget things. Also, I’m starting to hallucinate. Maybe I’m just drunk that night.

I went in the shower and cleaned myself up. After I changed my clothes, I went out to the bathroom. I found my suitcase at the corner of the room. I walked towards it and opened it.

Since when did I had this type of clothes?!

It’s all branded! Forever 21, Chanel, Dior, Penshoppe and other brands of clothes! I never wore branded clothes!

"I didn't know you got a thing for branded clothes." Celine said beside me, fixing her own baggage.

"Trust me I didn't know too." I whispered and closed my luggage.

"Are we all set?" Katherine asked.

“Yep! Come on we’re going to be late!” Cyrille said and went out first. Followed by Ashley and Rein. Celine followed them. And then Katherine and I we’re the only ones left.

After they’re all gone, Katherine walked towards me and held my arm.

“I know what you did. I’m not going to tell them, but always remember, I’m keeping an eye on you.” She said and let go of my arm before walking out carrying her own luggage.

What is she talking about? What did I do? This isn’t like her.

Before I got drowned by my own thoughts, I shrugged it off and followed the others. I almost jumped because of shock to see Katherine waiting for me at the door. She gave me a look before walking towards the elevator. I silently followed her.

We were the only two in the elevator. The two of us were silent as we waited for the elevator to descend.

“Kath…” I called her. She just gave me a side-eye and didn’t respond. “About what you said earlier…what are you talking about?” I asked her. She scoffed.

"Dani, listen to me very carefully." She said and looked at me. “We’ve been best friends for more than 10 years. I don’t know what has gotten into you, but you can’t fool me. Now what I want you to do, is to stop. Stop doing whatever your plan is. Understand?” She said. She composed herself and got out at the elevator. I didn’t notice we’re on the ground floor already.

Though confused I walked out of the elevator and approached Cyrille.

“Hey. It looks like what you talked about is serious.” She said and put her arm around me.

“Of course not. Right, Dani?” Kath said and looked at me. I just smiled a little and nodded.

She’s acting weird. This is not the Katherine I knew.

This is all weird. Me not remembering what I did for the past 5 days, Katherine’s acting weird, and I keep on seeing things. Like the lady in the phone… wait, where’s my phone?

"Hey, did anyone see my phone?" I asked. We’re inside Celine’s van. We’re using her family vehicle to go to the airport.

"Dani are you being forgetful already?" Ashley asked laughing. Others joined her to laugh. Except for Katherine who was just staring straight ahead.

“Don’t you remember? You threw your phone. We really don't know what you ate, and you threw phone. Your phone’s broken already.” Said Celine.

“Oh…” That’s all I said and kept quiet.

Why does it seem like they don’t remember what happened 5 days ago? It looks like it’s only me who remembered it. Yes, I threw my phone, but I thought…

Is it possible that what I heard that night is also true?

After an hour, we arrived at NAIA. 30 minutes before our flight. We ate first before proceeding at the waiting area. At exactly 12:00 p.m. all passengers boarding to Boracay was called.

“Check your belongings carefully girls. You may lose something, or you may be left unnoticed.” Kath ordered before boarding the plane.

Cyrille and I are seatmates. I was sitting by the window. Celine and Kath were in front of us. Rein and Ashley are on the other side.

"Want some?" Cyrille offered me chewing gum. I just smiled and shook my head. I put on a headset and looked out the window.

Gradually my eyelid got heavier. I don't want it to fall on its own. So instead of fighting, I just closed my eyes and wandered into the darkness.

---

“Dani wake up. We’ve arrived.” I could feel Celine’s light tap at my lap. I opened my eyes and looked around. We’re still in the plane preparing to land.

"Is your sleep fine?" She asked. I nodded. "Are you okay?" She asked again so I nodded and smiled.

“We need to rest first. You look pale.” Cyrille said worriedly. It made me worry too.

"Hmm maybe I'm just lacking in sunlight." I joked. They laughed silently to avoid disturbing the other passengers.

Cyrille tapped me so I looked at her, only to be greeted by a camera. She then took a picture of me unprepared.

“Hey!” I said and tried to get the camera, but she raised it.

“You look cute here—no, beautiful!” She said and faced the camera to me. I looked at my picture. Well, I look okay here so I’ll let it slide.

“I’ll let this slide because I look okay here. But next time I’m going to hit you.” I threatened her but she only laughed at me. She then addressed the camera to the two of us. The two of us posed before the plane landed.

"Hello Boracay!" Rein shouted as soon as we got out of the plane.

“Stupid. We’re still at the Rein airport. You can do that later when we arrive at the beach.” Ashley teased. Rein playfully glared at Ashley.

The driver of the shuttle that will take us to the hotel greeted us. We loaded our luggage at the back and went in.

“Are we complete ma’am?’ The driver asked.

“Yes to. We can go now.” Celine answered after checking if we’re complete. Cyrille beside me can’t sit still because of too much excitement. I just laughed at her when she told me all of her plans. Like trying jetski, scuba diving, banana boat, and many more.

“Hello what’s up guys! It’s me again, the Philippines’ very own Celine Dion, char! So, we’re here today for a new vlog with my besties!” We heard Celine said and faced the camera to us. And then she suddenly focused the camera to me.

“And here’s our camera-shy bestie. She’s single by the way.” She said and laughed.

"Cel stop." I said and tried to hide my face. The girls laughed at me including Celine herself.

"Hi everyone, I'm Cyrille." I heard Cyrille said beside me. Celine gave her the camera. “This one beside me is Daniell Jane. And like our ‘Celine Dion’ said, she’s single. Please contact me if ever you want to spend the day with her.” She said and laughed. I slapped her arm playfully.

"I'm not available sorry." I said and laughed.

“Oh, right. She’s already in love with the spatula.” Ashley teased.

"No, she's in love with the stove." Rein said.

The whole ride is full of laughter because they kept on teasing me being in love with my chosen career. I wanted to be a chef. And to have my own coffee shop where I will be the one who will bake the cakes and pastries there.

"We're here." The driver announced.

“OMG, I forgot to tell you guys, me and my bestie are on a trip to Boracay! Let’s go!” She said to the camera and went out first.

"Oh, there you go Rein you can shout." Says Ashley.

"Wait let me film it." Cyrille said and took her own camera. She started doing a video film.

"HELLO BORACAY!" We all shouted. We took a lot of pictures before getting our luggage.

"Hi kuya. You're so handsome. What is your name?” We heard Celine said. She’s talking to the driver of the shuttle we rode earlier. We laughed as Katherine slapped her nape.

“I’m sorry. She can be very curious sometimes.” Katherine apologized to the guy who blushed because of Celine.

“It’s okay ma’am. I’m Ryder.” He introduced.

"Hey there's a spark." Cyrille whispered beside me. I took her camera and filmed Celine and the guy named Ryder talking. I slowly zoomed it in before hitting the stop recording button.

Cyrille watched the video and almost scream.

“Daniell Jane Cruz why didn’t you tell me you’re good with cameras!” She said and pouted. I laughed and held my luggage.

"Now you know." I said and smirked playfully before looking at Celine who’s still talking with Ryder. "Hey Cel come on!" I shouted. She looked at me and nodded.

“Bye. It’s nice to meet you.” I heard Celine said and ran towards our direction carrying her own bag.

"Looks like someone’s going to have a boyfriend." Teasing, Rein said.

“Heh stop it. I just complimented Ryder. He’s so kind and handsome.” She said and giggled with Rein and Ashley.

"Hey, you two, you’re too young to talk about boyfriends already." I scolded them.

“Hey f.y.i. you’re just weeks older than us.” Rein said and laughed. When the elevator opened, we simultaneously entered there and hit the fifth floor.

"So, what do we do first?" Ashley asked.

"Sleep!" Cyrille and Celine said at once.

"Read." Katherine replied.

“I knew it! Everywhere we go there is always a book with this woman.” Said Cyrille.

“You always have a camera with you wherever you go. Are we complaining?” Katherine said and laughed.

"Oh, why are you quiet there Dani?" They all turned to me, so I suddenly smiled awkwardly.

"Nothing. I'm just not used to not having my phone.” I said.

“Oh yes, by the way. Everywhere we go, Dani is always browsing new recipes.” Celine teased me and laughed.

When we reached our floor, we immediately went to own room.

"Just chat if ever you guys need something." Said Celine. We just nodded.

"Finally we can sleep!" Cyrille said and immediately lay down on the bed. There are only 2 people per room. Cyrille and I will be roommates.

I sat on the bed and just stared into the wall. I can't really relax especially without my phone. Add to that what is happening to me that I do not understand.

"Dani, hey what's wrong?" I felt Cyrille’s arm around me. I held it and smiled at her.

“I just…nothing. I’m fine, Cy.” I said and hugged her too.

“You know, just go to sleep. You just need to sleep.” She said and pulled me to lie down. I lied next to her even though I had my own bed.

I stared at the ceiling, thinking who’s the girl I saw at my phone.

"You're mine."