The Vacation

Ralph's parents arrived home at past 8. Monique and Raine prepared a very delicious meal for us, mainly roast beef with mashed potato and strawberry ice cream for dessert. Raine eyed me meaningfully and I smiled. She might be thinking about what happened yesterday.

They are happy to know that both Raine and I were coming for the vacation. After exchanging stories, we went up to our rooms to sleep.

Before I slept, I updated my Facebook account first. Answered some of my emails and updated my playlist on my iPod. I look out of the window before I went to bed just to look at the sky. It helps me to calm my nerves or just to relax my eyes. It's gently drizzling outside. I said my prayers first then went to sleep.

We woke up early the next day. Raine prepared sandwiches for the trip. It would be a 4-hour drive. Monique's packing our food and Ralph and I was loading our baggage in the van.

At 6 am, we set off. Ralph's on the wheel and I sat on the front seat. Monique and Raine are on the back. I'm watching Raine - who is sitting behind me - on the side mirror. She's wearing a white T-shirt. She didn't tie her hair today so it was blown by the wind. She had her shades on and her iPod on. She leans her head next to the window and looked outside.

Her lips were mouthing the words of the song she's listening to. Then, it's as if she sensed that I am watching her, she looked at me in the mirror and smiled. When she smiles, my whole world stops for a while. It was as if we're the only ones in the world. I smiled at her too and look away. I feel my cheeks burning. My heart's melting with her beauty, my heart skips as she looks at me. I sighed. I know Ralph's looking at me, but I ignored him. I put on my iPod, then hit play.

After 2 hours of driving, we stopped over a cafe to eat breakfast. After eating, it is now my turn to drive us to our destination. Everyone's up now, so we chatted about everything. Monique's excited because two of her friends will also come and they too were on their way.

We arrived at the beach at 10:20 am. There were just a few people. We parked in the cave parking lot. It has a skydome at the center where light is pouring down the parking area. We got out and stretched first before we unloaded our baggage.

The resort is a beautiful place to stay. Its white sand, comfortable-looking cottages, the shady pathway, the beautiful landscape. From where we stand we can see and hear the calm waves of the blue ocean.

We went to the pavilion for the reservation we made. The Hotel Supervisor was very pleased to see me. He was in his mid-20s with pony-tailed long hair. He was wearing a flower-patterned polo shirt and shorts. Every eye in the lobby was focused on me, and others went to have my autograph or my photo, so I just let them.

He gave Ralph our room keys while I am busy with my fans. And after they had my photo and autograph, we went to our respective rooms. Ralph and I will share, while Monique, Raine, and their 2 other friends will share rooms. We agreed to meet in the lobby after we unpack our things.

"Ralph, when's our resume?"

"I think 5 weeks from now. You'll continue your recordings and pictorials."

"I see. Uhm, we have our road tours right?"

"Yes. Why?" He looked at me.

"Nothing." I shrugged.

He laughed. "Bro. We just got here. Can we please not talk about work for the next few days?"

I chuckled as I walked to the sliding door and opened it. The view from the balcony is very majestic. I can see the blue ocean and the infinity pool on the right, the benches along with the shades of the coconut trees. The pathways lined with low bushes. Few people were swimming on the beach while others were playing along the shore.

"I'll wait for you in the lobby," I said walking to the door.

"Sure, sure."

I get my shades and my cap and close the door. I saw Raine walking down the hall.

"Raine!" I called.

She stopped. "Adam!"

I approach her. "Where are you going?"

"They're not done unpacking, so I decided to wait for them in the lobby. How 'bout you. And what's with the cap? Your disguise?"

"No. Just, you know style." I chuckled.

"Style?" She rolled her eyes. "Whatever?"

We walked towards the elevator. "What? I ain't got no style?" I said playfully.

She laughed. "Whateva brotha!"

We enter the elevator. "I'm starving." She said.

"Let's see if they have something delicious for us."

We went out of our hotel and walked around the resort. We came across a coffee shop and decided to look for something to eat. She ordered a chocolate-dipped donut, while I chose to just stick with the coffee.

We sat on the bench outside the coffee shop.

"I wonder what we will do today." She asked nibbling her donut.

"I just want to seat on those things there." I was referring to the benches under the trees.

"You know what, it looks relaxing." She said with a nod.

After we finished our food and coffee, we went straight to the benches. It is relaxing indeed because it has cushions in the seat. We chose the seat away from the group of young girls. They looked at me when we walked past them but luckily they haven't recognized me at all.

She takes off her shoes as she sat Indian-sit on the bench. I lean my back comfortably and looked at her. She has her eyes closed with a content smile on her face.

I really can't help myself to ask her. "Why are you smiling?"

She looked at me. Then she smiled her crooked smile. "I'm just happy. Is that bad?"

I can't take my eyes off her. "Why?"

She sat upright then looked me in the eye. "When you're happy, do you need reasons to be happy? When you're sad, do you need reasons to be sad? When you love, do you need reasons to be in love?"

"Why?" I ask absent-mindedly.

She pats my face. "Have you fell in love, Adam?"

"Have I?" I whispered.

Before I can kiss her, I instantly glance away and stare at the ocean.

No, I have never been in love. Just crush, admiration. But not love. Well, if you consider thinking about Raine all the time and trying to protect her all the time. Then...

"Really? Never had a girlfriend before?"

I shook my head. "NGSB," I said and looked at her. Her forehead creases.

"Huh?" She asked, then lean again.

"No Girlfriend Since Birth," I said simply. I was expecting her to laugh, but she's serious.

"Bet no one's good-looking enough for you."

"Huh? No! It's not like that. What I mean.." I started stammering.

She laughs. "Just kidding. Why are you NGSB?" She asked using my term.

"Uhm. Dunno." But really, I'm afraid of rejection. And I don't know how to court a girl.

"Hmmm.." She bit her lips absent-mindedly. "I guess you still not met the one."

"And have you?" I asked without thinking.

She laughed dryly. "If you're saying Arthur,"

"No. No." I answered immediately. "I mean have you met the one for you?"

She looked at me, deep in my eyes. The way she looked at me in my dreams. It's as if we were having a deep conversation with just our stare.

I am getting drawn by her. I feel myself getting closer to her. I.. I can't find a way to stop myself. I am falling deeply for her every minute.