Episode 28

EPISODE TWENTY-EIGHT

What happened last night was like a dream to me, I still pinch myself now to make sure that wasn’t a dream and thank goodness it wasn’t, which made me feel even more light-headed. Everyone is so comfortable with each other now, Haley and Kevin are always together with Cindy and Ryan. Jamie and Kelsey seemed a bit distracted but still friendly with each other. Of course Arden and I are spending as much time as we can with each other. We’re still not a couple though, we just think it’s too risky to be in a long-distant relationship besides we’re still in the moment where we just enjoy each other’s company regardless of what our status is.

At the moment, each pair is doing different things. Ryan and Cindy are by the lake, Haley and Kevin are talking and laughing, Jamie is teaching Kelsey how to play the guitar, while Arden and I are here, lying on the grass, just watching clouds pass by

“That one looks like a rabbit” Arden said pointing at the sky

“No it doesn’t” I answered “It looks like a hamster with antlers”

Arden laughed “a hamster with antlers? Really?”

“That’s what I saw” I grinned “and you have to admit, it’s cooler than a rabbit”

Arden giggled “yeah”

I then took out my phone and started the camera

“smile” I said as I took a picture, and one picture lead to a dozen more, each having a different expression from both of us, most are silly but that’s what we want it to be

“We have to get this pictures printed” Arden said “I’ll post them in my room when I go back”

I sat and wistfully looked at Arden “I still can’t believe you’re leaving next week”

“I still can’t believe it either“ Arden added “but I have to, we can still email each other, what’s the use of Facebook!”

“But it wouldn’t be the same as being with you and feeling your presence here with me”

Arden just sadly looked at me

Then we heard shouting mixed with laughter coming from the direction towards the lake, turns out, it was Cindy shouting “Stop it Ry!” as she ran away from her

Ryan that it would be fun to throw mud at her girlfriend and when he saw us, he decided that it would be more fun if he threw mud at her friends too. So another fight started, the muddy kind.

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After that mud fight, we quickly took a dip at the lake and went to our tents to rest. We talked and laughed about things in the past, every second was full of laughs that time seemed fast then twilight came. Since it’s our last night here, we decided to sleep under the starry sky, so we took our sleeping bags outside out tents and laid them on the grass in a circular pattern. After eating dinner, we had sang songs for a bit before going to bed. We all said good night to each other and tuck in

I laid on my sleeping bag and watched Arden trying to find a comfortable spot, when she finally found one, she noticed me looking at her then smiled. She then found my hand and intertwined her

I smiled and we both close our eyes and went to sleep

The next day, we packed our things but before walking back to Haley’s uncle’s house, we, of course, took lots of pictures, just to add more to our previous pictures from yesterday.

With everyone ready to leave, I took one last look at the place that brought me and Arden even closer than before and smiled. I’ll never forget this place

I was still looking around when I felt I hand intertwine with mine. Arden smiled and pulled me towards the pathway back to our van.

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“All things must come to an end” they say, and I much I don’t want to, things do end.

Our camping ended days ago, so now, we’re at Kelsey’s university, practicing our walks for the auction/fashion show on Thursday, today’s only Tuesday so we still have time to practice

“Do we really have to practice this?” Jamie asked Kelsey “It’s just walking”

“It’s not just walking Jamie” Kelsey answered “you guys have to look good so you can get the highest bid as possible”

“It’s always about the money isn’t it?” Jamie joked

“it’s for a good cause so yes, it’s about the money” Kelsey smirked “now get your butt up on stage and start walking” she then went to Kevin, who was busy talking to Haley, and pulled his shirt “save the flirting later Kev” then made her way towards the stage while pulling Kevin

‘Kevin waved at Haley and Haley laughed at their antics

“I’m really gonna miss them” Arden spoke

I turned to her and nudge her a bit “hey, don’t be like that” I said “be happy, ‘cause you’re gonna see me walk on stage like I peed my pants”

Arden laughed “the idea of me leaving in a few days still hasn’t sink in” she said “and I’ll really miss you and I’ll miss us”

“We’ll miss you more…” I sighed and stared at her “…what are we exactly?”

“I don’t know” she answered “I just know that I’m so happy when I’m with you, I feel safe and comfortable like nothing in the world matters, I just love you”

I smiled “I love you too”

“Hey Nicky! Can you butt up here! We’re about to start rehearsing your walks!” Kelsey shouted

Boy, Kelsey can be really bossy sometimes and sometimes a moment ruiner

“Yeah I’ll be right there!” I yelled back

“You should go practice now” Arden said

“Yeah, do me a favor though” I said “can you look away when it’s my turn to walk, I’m a shy-type” I joked

Arden laughed “I’ll try”

I smirked and went to the stage

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After some rehearsal walks and costume fitting, yes, we have costumes. Kelsey decided that it’s time for a break so we ordered Chinese food, sat on the stage and waited for our order

“You guys are going to look so good during the fashion show” Kelsey said in delight

“I agree, those costumes look so freaking good on you guys” Haley added “makes you guys look like a real princes”

“Uh, thanks?” Jamie said “I’m still not into the idea of being prince charming though”

“At least they didn’t made us wear dresses” I said “or Kevin would have quit” I grinned at Kevin

And they all chuckled

“Speaking of the fashion show” Kelsey spoke then turned to Arden “You’re gonna watch, right Arden?”

“Of course she is, why wouldn’t she watch” I interjected “she doesn’t leave until Friday”

Arden’s expression suddenly became sad “actually, I won’t be able to go…” she spoke “I’m leaving on Thursday”

“What?!?” we all basically have the same surprised expression

“I’m sorry, I really want to attend…”

“It’s okay don’t worry“ Kelsey said “wait, I thought your flight is on Friday”

“The school office booked an early flight” she said with a defeated expression

Arden is leaving in a day. I don’t know what to think right now

I’m just speechless, I know it’s gonna arrive one of these days but I didn’t expect that I would feel like this. I feel empty and sad. I sadly glanced at Arden, she looked at me with the same sad expression.

We’re going to be separated soon….