live with you.

I haven't got a long sleep. I've been awake since we went home and now here I am sitting on the floor preparing my clothes and other stuffs. They really mean it when they said "tomorrow evening". They didn't listen to me when I told them it's quite early and we need to plan it. Miss Mia laughed at me and told me I'm like a kid who's scared of adventure. It was only a joke, but it's really true.

When we are already in the apartment, Tim rush to his room and gave me a quick goodnight. He's excited, really. He was even talking about the foods he want to eat during the camp, the first thing he'll do, or the time he'll go to sleep. I don't know what will happen with this unplanned trip, but there's one thing I am sure of, we will be the happiest.

This will be my first time going on a camp. Since I was a kid, I would ask Dad how being in a camp feels like. He'd tell me, it's a great feeling. Dad was a tourist guide when he was on his teenage years. He'd tell me that during a camp, you should take a lot of pictures, like A LOT. And just..enjoy the moment, because later, moments will become memories.

I am still lying in my bed when I heard a continuous knocks on the door. I immediately stood up and open it, the face of Tim was what I saw. He got surprised seeing me with my messy hair and my sleepy face. Then I realized he's already prepared- wearing a plain white shirt and black jeans.

“Sir Flinn said 'tomorrow evening'.” I said while emphasizing the last word. He didn't utter a word and he gave a smirk. Like the one he gave when I punched him in the East Side of the village.

“I know, I know...” he paused and the take a look inside my room. “ I'm just making sure... you are preparing.” he said making me take a peek at my room. my eyes widened looking at how messy it is, like my hair.

“I need to prepare.” I mumbled then shut the door and I can feel my cheeks burning red. I glanced at the floor and felt embarrassed how untidy it is. The clothes, foods, my camera,the ukulele, the bags, and plastic bags of garbages. 

After taking a bath, I went downstairs to eat lunch.Miss Chim went to the supermarket and Tim is the one who's cooking something. I stood next to him to see what is he up to.

He is making a pineapple jam and it smells so sweet. It's starting to get sticky and my taste buds can't wait any minute more. 

It taste sweet and I never thought this time will come that I can eat 6 pairs of bread with the best pineapple jam. I ate silently and I can see Tim is looking at me telling me to eat slowly and I might choke myself.

“Where did you learn this?” I ask while my focus is still on the bread and the jam.

“From my Mom, she thought me this when I was a ten-year old boy.” He said then took a sip of his coffee.

“I want to meet her soon.” I said making Tim look at me with surprise.

“ Did you forget that she's... already in-”

I shake my head no before he could say the word. “ But I said 'soon'. When my time comes, I hope I would seen her and Merliah.” I stated making him speechless.

I laughed a little and put down my bread. “Our tine will come, Tim. No one will stay here forever.” 

Then the apartment was in deafening silence. I saw him took a deep breathe. “Then live your life to the fullest.” He stated and then stood up and walk straight to the sink. I gulped and I admit it made me mute.

He took a glance at me before he left the kitchen. He was almost in the stairs when I call his name. He turned his head to me and waited for me to vocalize my thoughts.

I took a deep breathe and spoke.

“I am trying.”

I am now dressed in my comfy outfit. And I am just waiting for the "evening" to arrive, it's still five in the afternoon, by the way. Sitting in my bed, and my eyes on the floor. I stared at my belongings and realized I am really going on an adventure. A sweet one.

It was quarter to seven when Tim knocked on my door and helped me with my bags. He's wearing a gray hoodie and pants paired with his rubber shoes. I can tell his excited too by just looking at his eyes. This is it.

We agreed to meet in the stall since we need to check first we didn't forget anything. Our stall is the only one that's lights are on since today is a rest day of the crowded place. We are just distance away from the store and I can already see a van, and Miss Mia checking something in her bag. 

“Rented a van?” I uttered as I stand in front of Miss Mia. She looks real pretty with her red dress and her hair tied in a low ponytail. 

She smiled and shake her head no. “ That's Flinn's.” I nod my head and then peek inside the store. “ Where's Kira?” I asked as I can't find her figure.  

“Oh, unfortunately....she can't be with us.” Miss Mia explained,then continued. “ There was an urgent seminar she need to attend, it will be for a week.” 

I nod my head again and saw Tim putting the stuffs inside the van. I gave him a disgusted face when our eyes met. I faced Miss Mia again and ask.

“How about Sir Flinn?” I stated and before she could utter a word, a tricycle stopped in front of us and Sir Flinn as the passenger. He is holding plastic bags of mallows for the campfire and I came near to him to help. 

 It's getting dark already, the street is covered with silence and its only the four of us here. O gazed at my watch and it's already twelve.

“Everyone's ready?” Miss Mia ask as we are now sitting inside the van. 

We all nod in unison and Sir Flinn hit the horn of the van making our serotonin boost. As the van moves slowly, I can't help but to feel ansty for the adventure. Earlier, I ask Tim where we are helding our camp, he said we'll be going to the neighborhood city just 3 hours of travel away.

The last time I saw the sea was when we gather for Merliah. It was painful. But now, I will be seeing the calm water again, but not with a broken heart, a heart that is now home. 

I took my camera from my bag and powered in on. “Everyone, let's take a picture first.” I then handed it to Miss Mia so that Sir Flinn's smile can be seen.

“Say cheese!" 

“Cheeseeeeeee....” Then it flashed.

“One mo-”

“Later Flinn, later.” Miss Mia stated, and then we all giggled.

Miss Mia handed me back the camera and I scanned our poses. Sir Flinn's eyes are on the road but he's still smiling, Miss Mia-the prettiest, Tim who's with the peace sign again, and me caught in the camera laughing.

“Until when will you stop with the peace sign, idiot?”

“ Until we can finally feel world peace.” He said calmly.

I sat on the side with Tim next to me, and Miss Mia on the front with Sir Flinn on the drive's seat. I glanced at the close stores we pass by and the lonely streetlights with the benches next to it. Tim suddenly cleared his throat and Miss Mia and I gazed at him.

“Uhm....” he paused and scratch his nape. “Can we play some music?” 

“No problem, dear.” said Miss Mia.

He then handed a tape and Miss Mia played it. After seconds I heard the music played. Then the words are now heard-making us sing along to the music, a song by One Republic, Something I Need-a perfect song for us.

The moment we reached the chorus, we are like having a party inside the van. Tim, who's head banging, Miss Mia and Sir Flinn who are singing wholeheartedly, and me-enjoying the moment. We stayed energetic up until the music is almost ending.

 I stared at Tim as he sung the outro lyrics devotedly. “If we only die once, I wanna die with you. If we only live once, I wanna live...” he then stared at me and smiled.

“With you.”