As the graduation gets closer, Hayley never once thought that her parents are coming to march with her. But today, just minutes before the marching starts, her parents arrived, making her euphoric.
"Mother!" she exclaimed, hugging Cassandra. To her surprise, Cassandra actually hugged her back and her father, Sam, smiled at them. How unusual, she thought, this could be because people were around.
"I know we have fought but of course I will still come to your day! Congratulations, my grown lady!"
"Does this mean, you forgive me for that night?"
Cassandra leaned back slightly and cupped Hayley's face. Then she had a grin plastered on her face. Although her eyes were still lifeless and cruel, Hayley didn't want to ruin the day.
"But of course I never planted any hate towards you, my subtle dear!" Then she turned her head to see Sam. "Why don't you join us, my love?"
A big smile Sam gave before striding to hug them both. If you didn't know
At a sidewalk near Eleanor's apartment, Jasper kept glancing on his wristwatch, nibbling his lower lip thinking maybe he freakin' came too early. Today, they plan to go and camp somewhere far from the city. According to the damn Mafu, he said it has to be the outskirts of the city or maybe way further. It sounds creepy but Jasper has been liking Eleanor since their junior high school years and it's funny how his feelings never changed. Yes, it broke his heart when Eleanor started dating somebody and then she got pregnant and now has a child but still, his feelings just grew deeper. Eleanor was in love then, too in love. Was she so wrong? Is he wrong to love her? Some moments later, Jasper thought glancing at his watch will not help him so he walked towards the gate. He smile at the guard who knew him and the guard replied with a salute. Jasper climbed the apartment stairs. Once he is in front of the door, he sucks in air and blew it out, raising h
They arrived past midnight at the resort. Everyone was so tired that they just picked whatever room they want and head to bed. As for Hayley, she just went with Kenji. After all, they're mostly sleeping in the same bed at home. In the morning, Hayley woke up moving her hand, searching for Kenji by her side but when she felt no one, she snapped her eyes open. Her forehead creased when there really was no one. With still heavy eyes, she sits up, stretched her arms as she yawns. She looked around and realized that yes, they had a tiring but fun night driving all the way here. Last night, she saw a glimpse of the ocean and the place but it was a little dark. So, she moved and get off of the bed, striding her way towards the sliding door. Outside was a small balcony overlooking the wonderful view of the ocean and the lawn of the resort too. "It looks like camping will have to wait," Hayley mumbles, her eyes sparkling like t
At breakfast, Lily had announced that they will be staying for a couple of days more. It didn't make anyone of them happy not even her cousin Mafu. "Yo! You said you were just leaving that's why we came here!" The annoyance in his voice is very noticeable. "I don't agree with that!" "My friends and I find the resort great so we want to explore it more, Maffriel!" "Why don't we let them be," Greg says, glancing at everyone. "The more we are, the merrier we all will be." But it seems like it will never be merry with the group of girls they have. There seems to be some tension between Hayley and Mika. Then there is Eleanor who seemed to dislike how Lily keeps getting near Jasper. This scene isn't what Mafu had in mind. "How about we vote it out?" Mafu suggested. "No!" Lily shouts. "We are outnumbered. It's not fair!" "That's why you have to go! You had your fun!" "Just let them be, Mafu." Eleanor heavily sighed. From
Cassandra is having such a bad morning with her migraines. She has not been getting enough sleep for thinking too much about her daughter Hayley. That little flower just doesn't know where she is heading to. If I don't take care of her the weeds will come to take over her, insects will bite her leaves and disease will spread! Cassandra thought. She was wrong when she thought Kenji was going to tame Hayley's curious nature. That young man is letting her fly freely thinking those rings on her fingers will stop anybody to steal her away. What a fool! Hayley might not admit it, but she still has doubts about settling in that marriage with Kenji! In all honesty, Cassandra knows Kenji is a great man for her daughter. She feels sorry for Kenji falling in love with her daughter. Now, he is doing everything for Hayley and Hayley is doing everything for herself. "I won't even have to do much to ruin their marriage," Cassandra muttered, display
The next morning, the ladies were surprised to see the guys wasted in the living room. Greg was unfortunately laid on the floor with only a pillow to hug. Bottles were scattered all over and an unfinished bottle of strong drink is on the table with their glasses. Guess they ran out of small bottled beer so they opened the strong one. "So, Greg didn't miss the fun," Eleanor mumbled. "You know they were drinking?" Hayley asked. "Yes, though I didn't see Greg. I think he came last minute." Hayley stepped closer to Kenji, her face showing concern. She raised a hand to caress his beautiful face and smiled faintly.Why are you drinking so much these days?She really wants to know. Since Kenji was still asleep, Eleanor decided that they should prepare soups for breakfast themselves. So when the guys wake up, they can have something warm for their stomachs. In the kitchen, as Hayley was slicing the vegetables, El
Their days at the private resort have been fun, especially when the younger girls decided to go home but unfortunately, Lily had stayed for a day. Well, she isn't much of a bother to Hayley but to Eleanor, she's a damn fly. That little girl actually confessed her feelings to Jasper but he immediately turned her down. Lily must have been so hurt that she asked Greg to take her home yesterday and now it's only them. Down to their last day in the resort and there is nothing much to do now. They have explored the woods and hiked the mountains the past few days. So, right now they are just bathing under the sun. Near the shoreline were Eleanor, Jasper and little Bren playing while the waves are crashing on their legs. Hayley displayed a smile. They look so perfect and happy together. Not so far from the shore is Mafu, snorkeling with Kenji. She wanted to join them but she is feeling so lazy today. Hayley just wants to freakin' sleep. Plus
Their last night didn't go well as planned for Kenji and Hayley. No big fight happened last night, they just talked a little. But right now, as they ride back home, they were not talking to each other. Although they are sitting together, even Hayley has her hand wrapped on Kenji's arm, it's visible on their faces that something was wrong. "Did you guys forget your laughs and happy faces at the resort? This ride seems so quiet!" Greg noticed. He just got back and everyone feels like they have lost a tournament or something. "Just freakin' drive. We are all tired because we had a bonfire last night," Mafu told him. "You guys had--" "Shush it, Greg!" Kenji snapped. Before focusing on driving, Greg glanced at each one of his passengers through the rearview mirror. This will make him fall asleep, this is no more fun than when they were heading to the resort. And to think it's hours and hours of driving. When it was lunc
After that trip, every one of them had gotten so busy preparing for college. Even though some of them are going to the same university, they're separated by departments. It's a big place and it is sometimes scary. It has been three days since Hayley moved out of their unit and Kenji feels lonely. It's like those days when Hayley didn't come home to him for days. He feels left alone. He got used to having her by his side that whenever she's not here, it feels damn lonely... so lonely. It's a chilly night out at the rooftop and he's just leaning against the rail, watching the city lights, the cars which are passing by so fast. Somehow, it made him recall the days when all he had was himself, his plans and the reasons why he is married. He looked up, laughing sarcastically at his self. A year ago, he told himself that he would chase his dreams, his plans without his father's help. He remembers, swearing to his brother's grave that he'd not lose himself. He
Under the beautiful blue sky, Eleanor and Jasper walked out of the church sealing their promise in front of a lot of people. Then they went to the reception where the afterparty is held. It was not as grand as my wedding but it was happier. As the party was over, the newlywed made their way to their car after bidding goodbye to us for their honeymoon. Eren and Greg with their girlfriends went home. Mafu and Clarielle-- which I never thought had something-- had gone to enjoy the night. That leaves us, Kenji, Bren and I to do something fun. Bren was entrusted to us after all. "So, what do you like to do, baby Bren?" "I'm not a baby anymore, aunt Hayhay. I'm a big boy now!" This makes me laugh. Bren is just seven an
Hayley's heart was just crushed the moment she heard the name. She felt everything lost in time and even when it was just a second, to her, she was transmitted somewhere dim and slow. Until Clarielle took her hand taking her back to the real world. "I've heard so much about you, sister! Finally, I get to see you in person!" Clarielle continues to get excited. Is this girl really calling her sister? It could have been sweet if Clarielle wasn't Kenji's new girl but she is. Hayley flashes a faint smile. "It's nice to meet you too." It's nice to get slapped like this, words she can't say so she continues to lift the corners of her mouth higher. "Though I'm not so familiar with you, I've heard your name twice." "Oh, right! I'm so
Before they know it, the trip was over. Hayley thought of staying because she fell in love with the ocean and the underwater creatures. She wanted to keep swimming and submerge herself with the ocean. When she's swimming, she feels like she's floating away from her problems, her painful feelings. But the sun always sets and she has to go home. As they board the plane, they all talked about Jasper and Eleanor's wedding. Hayley had almost forgotten about the date. Luckily, they are discussing everything now. "I hope you guys are free during the practice. It won't take long and it's maybe just two or three times," Eleanor stated. "I'm always free," Mafu said, raising his hand. "But I do need a favor to ask. I'll text you the details later in private." "Are you going to steal Eleanor from Jasper?" Greg joked, softly chuckling which earned a glare from Mafu. "That's why Lily doesn't like you!" "Hey, Lily likes me!" "Oh c'mon!
Greg for no reason woke up early and head out to see the morning sun. Surprisingly, he saw Kenji in the lobby with a backpack on. Greg frowned approaching Kenji."Yo! I thought you leave in the evening? What's with the bag?" Greg asked."Change of plans," Kenji told him like it's no big deal that he is leaving. "I have something important to do. I'll hang out next time.""Next time? Yo! You said it the last time but we never saw you then, you piece of trash! Don't give me that I'll hang out next time!""Chill bro!" Kenji tapped his shoulder while chuckling. "I'm staying in the country for good so chill out! Just give me this time.""Does Hayley know that you are leaving e
The night was fantastic, the foods served by the resort are really delicious that Bren really enjoyed. Their surrounding was peacefully harmonizing with everything except Kenji and Hayley. They noticed how the two of them are glaring at each other since they were sitting the opposite sides. Guess their sweetness must have expired, all of their friends thought. To lighten the night, Mafu took grabbed his glass and raised it up. "Cheers to us gathering peacefully!" he cheered. When Greg raised his glass, the rest of them just followed so it's not so awkward for everyone. Hayley had a glass of sparkling wine that she raised and when she brought it down, closer to her lips, Kenji suddenly took her drink and drank it. Everyone ha
"Do you think they're alright?" Eleanor asked the people inside the van. "Hayley was so mad, she is going cut your head off, Mafu.""They will be fine! At least she won't have any other escape!""I feel bad for Hayley," Greg stated. "We are sabotaging her.""Just chill guys! We will know what happens when we see them!" Eren told them.But Eleanor was still worried about her best friend. She is a terrible friend for agreeing with the group's plan to bring back Hayley and Kenji. Although she heard Kenji say that he loves her the same, to Eleanor, Kenji seemed changed."Something weighing your mind?" Jasper noticed her blank stare."Yes. I'm just worried about Hayley," she replied, flashing a smile. "Kenji just feels different. Like he is back to being that unapproachable guy who puts a line you're unable to cross.""It's something understandable. They spent four years apart. Any person would try to change bad habits but I think Kenji is
Hayley froze in where she was. She doesn't even know if she should look back and gaze at the face she misses or pretend to be cool about his sudden reappearance. "Yo! Dude!" Mafu cheered that snapped Hayley back. As Mafu runs to hug Kenji, Hayley took the chance to turn to see her husband. Kenji looked way better than when she first met him. He was brighter, more handsome and his wide smiles were back. Tears were starting to form in the corners of her eyes so she looked away. "Man, you didn't tell me you were coming!" Greg yells. They were crowding around Kenji and so Hayley took this chance to go on ahead. She doesn't know how to face Kenji. Everything about him changed and he didn't seem to mind her too. It will only embarrass her if she acts close when they are not close anymore. At the waiting area, Hayley immediately took off the rings on her finger and put them inside her bag. Why did nobody tell her that Kenji was comi
Time flies so quickly and it has been four years since Kenji disappeared on them. Only one semester left in college and Hayley will be graduating soon. The first two years, she was still hopeful to find Kenji, hopeful that he will return but then as soon as she was on the third year of waiting, that hope she has slowly faded. Whenever Hayley asks about Kenji to the guys, they would tell her they don't know where he is at the moment. They said Kenji never once contacted them too. Even though she thinks they lie, she would not blame them. After all, it was her who hurt their friend. Hayley sighed, looking at the big house in front of her. She is using it as a reference for her next project but the fresh breeze and the sky are just reminding her of the meadow. Four years... it has been four long years but the rings were still on her ring finger. "Your thoughts are flying somewhere again!" When she turned to her right, she saw Eleanor who just returned fr
After Kenji left, Cassandra went to her daughter's room. She sat on her daughter's bed and looked at her peacefully resting. There were tears in the corners of her eyes. "Oh my little flower," she softly cries, flashing a sad smile. "I thought I should grow you with thorns so no one would hurt you. I've forgotten that you can also hurt yourself. Despite that, you have hurt the one you love too. "I am very disappointed in you for hurting someone who truly loved you. I guess you took over from your father. I guess it's my fault too for cutting off your wings. I am truly sorry, Hayley." Cassandra sniffled, wiping her tears gracefully. "Get well soon, my love. Let's hopefully bring back the times we missed because of my fears." After kissing her daughter's cheek, she left the room for her little love to rest. Just as she predicted, her daughter did hurt Kenji and she didn't have to do anything... nothing at all. "This is for the best,"