13. Vacation (1)

After December and her friends have the rest that they needed, they started to prepare for their dinner. As what they've agreed before, they will be having barbeque tonight.

The girls helped Maria in preparing the meat while the boys are the ones who will grill the meat.

"I walked around a bit a while ago when guys were having a rest and saw lots of handsome guys in the beach. They were really hot," Jessa said while putting the meat in the skewer and the girls giggled.

"It's a good you did not jump on them at that moment," Jean teased while scrubbing the sauce Maria made on to the meat.

Jessa rolled her eyes and pouted, "I am not someone like that! I still have my dignity 'ya know. I am just simply appreciating the wonders of nature in them."

"Yeah, make sure you come and get me when you go boy hunting the next time," Jean said and winked at her which made December laugh.

Jean and Jessa loves bantering with each other but were best buddies when it comes to boys. They treat relationship as a simple game to play.

In contrast, December and Audrey are not that interested in boys and relationships. Both of them are focused on their studies and love the peace and quiet they get in being single.

"Oy, where are the meat? You girls are always taking forever in preparing things," Mark asked.

"Yeah? Whatever. We always want things to be done perfectly," Audrey answered and handed the tray of meat to him.

"Really? I didn't notice that. I think you are just being picky," Mark shrugged when he saw the girls glaring at him and go back to the boys to escape before any of the girls attack him.

Mark gave the tray to Eugene who started grilling it.

"Don't you think I'm right? Girls are very picky and complicated," Mark complained to Eugene who just shook his head to indicate that he will not comment on that.

"Tsk. Are you afraid that someone will hear your opinion and feel bad?" Mark tease and secretly pointed at the girl who is busy making some salad with Audrey.

"Just shut up and focus on cooking the meat or you'll burn it," Eugene scolded him and flip the meat.

Mark clicked his tongue and help Eugene.

"Seriously dude. You'll be leaving the country after this vacation. Are you not going to tell them? Are you not planning to confess to her? "

Eugene did not answer his friend's question and glanced at the girls' direction. His eyes lingered a bit to December and look back to the grill.

*

"I'll tell her before we go home," Eugene declared after they finished cooking.

They all gathered at the table and enjoyed the meal together. They talked about the things that they will be doing tomorrow.

"So I was thinking, maybe we can try some horse riding tomorrow afternoon and watch the sunset at the hill. They say the view there is magnificent!" Audrey suggested and ate some strawberry.

"That's nice... but I don't know how to ride a horse," Jean furrowed her brows as she contemplate whether to join them or not.

"We have some guide, right? I mean you are not the only one here who does not know how to ride," Jessa said and scrolled down through her phone.

December also agreed to having a guide to teach them.

After some talking, they all headed to their rooms and say good night to each other.

December washed herself and was about to go to bed when her phone rang.

"Good evening, your majesties, your highness," December greeted her family who showed up on her phone's screen.

"Hello dear, how's your first night in your uncle's park?" King Augustus asked.

"Oh, we just had some barbeque here in the villa. Thank you for preparing such a beautiful villa for us," December said and she sat down on her bed.

"That's good, that's good. So what are your plans for tomorrow?" he ask her.

"We are planning to tour around the whole place then go for some horse riding."

"You will ride a horse tomorrow?! Daddy, I also want to ride one!" July said with her eyes sparkling as she thought of riding a horse.

They chuckled when they saw how the little girl reacted and Queen Castiella pinch her cheeks.

"You naughty girl, of course you can ride your little pony tomorrow," the queen said and turned to December, "You do know how to ride a horse, right?"

"Uh, no. This will be my first time riding one, but we are planning to ask someone to teach us tomorrow," December sheepishly answered and the queen nodded.

"I'll ask Ryan to teach you and your friends," the king reassured her.

They talked a bit more and the king and queen left the two sisters to talk to each other. December noticed that the little girl is starting to get comfortable talking to her.

"Sister, is it really beautiful there? I've never been there since mom and dad says that it is dangerous for me to go out alone..." July asked curiously while pouting her red lips together which made December chuckle.

"Well, I can video call with you tomorrow so you can see for yourself, your highness. When I go back there, I'll try my best to ask our parents to let you go here with me when we have the time to spare," December said to console the girl.

"Really? Then, I'll be waiting for your call tomorrow!" July excitedly said and yawned right after.

December chuckled and urge the girl to sleep.

"Okay, I'll be going to bed then. Good night sister."

"Good night your highness."

December also yawned and lie down after ending the call.

***

The next day, they went to a near cottage where there is a breakfast buffet. They saw some elites eating there and some glanced at them curiously.

"Uhm, is this the first time they see commoners to have a vacation here?" Jean whispered to December while they pick some food.

December shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. It's my first time here."

"Yeah, but you're not really a commoner. Your parents are elites," Jean rolled her eyes at her friends nonchalant behavior.

"Come on. Don't be so awkward. You're not doing anything wrong," December advised and went to a table at the corner.

When all of them got their food they just simply ate quietly and went to where golf carts are rented.

"Good morning Ms. December, I'm Ryan and I'll be your tour guide for today," a man wearing the resort uniform greeted them.

The girls gasped when they saw that their tour guide is a handsome guy, but December knows that he is also one of the royal guards her father assigned for her.

"Thank you, sir Ryan. It's a pleasure for us to have you as our tour guide," December said and helped Maria in a cart to be with her.

Sir Ryan just bowed and waited for them to load the carts.

The group was amazed with the way the park was able to preserve the natural scenery of the place. December was surprised when she saw some animals she have only saw on TV. She can't stop herself from capturing lots of pictures and plans to draw some of it when they come back tonight.

"Wow! It's so beautiful there! Sister, is that a real giraffe?!"

Of course, December did not forget her promise to the little princess. She also saw the excited look of the girl.

They are in the safari area of the park. Most of the animals were domestically raised and trained to not harm any people. Even the wild jungle's predator are friendly.

At the end of their safari tour, they were sent to the place where baby white tigers were raised.

"Oh my gosh... they are so cute!" Audrey gushed as she feeds one of them with milk.

"Grr... You can't really make me touch them. Their looks are deceitful," Mark said as he looked with disgust at the cubs.

Audrey rolled her eyes and thought of something naughty. December and the others noticed the mischief in Audrey's eyes.

"Oh jeez!!! What the hell Audrey!"

They all laughed when they saw how Mark jump away from the tiger cub Audrey handed him.

The cub followed after Mark and its ears drooped when it noticed how the boy disliked him.

"Aw... look! You've disappointed him! You are such a bully senior!" Audrey scoop up the cub and cooed it.

Mark rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Whatever. I'm going out for a bit."

They all look at each other when they noticed Mark was pissed. They all agreed to apologize to him when he comes back.

Mark, on the other hand, immediately downed his medicine to prevent for his allergy to lash out on him. He did not tell them about his allergies to animal's fur so understood his friend's mischief. He waited for a few minutes and when he was sure he did not have any allergic reaction, he went back inside.

"Sorry guys. I forgot to tell you I'm allergic to animal's fur," he said which made Audreh guilty.

"Sorry senior. I didn't know..." she bowed her head which made Mark raise his brows.

"It's alright. Don't bother with it," he said and he smiled at them.

After that little episode, they had lunch near the horse paddock.