Chapter 18

Alitha's POV

We passed the dining area of ​​the house, not a long table but enough for six people.

"I wanted to go to sleep but I can't when I found out you were coming." I just smiled at him. I have nothing to say either.

"I have an upcoming movie. I hope you will watch it."

"I will."

"You will love it." He said.

"Is it a horror movie?"

"Nope. It's a romance."

"Oh." That's not my thing. "Okay, I will watch it."

There is a door in the kitchen. We were close to the door when we heard the laughter. When we got out, we saw the bonfire not far from the sea. Surrounding the bonfire were Cedrick and his friends including Nikolai. Aira was also there next to her boyfriend.

"Sweetheart!" Cedrick stood up and greeted us. Glaiza, by the way. He hugged my friend then greeted me after.

"I'm sorry I didn't meet you. I'm cooking."

"It's okay. Josh was there. He opened the door for us." Glaiza said pointing at Josh standing beside me.

"Thanks, cuz." Josh only laughed as if he found it amusing.

"Come on so that we can eat. We're just waiting for you." Cedrick started to walk with his right hand on Glaiza's waist.

We were walking in a bermuda grass but it was already sandy in the middle. I was even surprised when Josh grabbed my elbow to support me. I looked at him but he just gave me his signature smile. I just let it go. My eyes drifted at Nikolai as I looked up. He was busy playing the guitar and didn't even look at us. What kind of friend is that?

Well, I ignored him either. We were greeted by the others except him. We sat on the sand. I was next to Glaiza and Josh. He was sitting across from us. There is a barbecue by the bonfire and there are meals on each side.

Aira sang again. Her beautiful voice perfectly matched her beauty. Cedrick's other friend doesn't seem to have their girlfriends here tonight. Not that I expected them to be here but that was the first question in my mind seeing Aira.

I looked at Nikolai again. He is not wearing a jacket now and only a black t-shirt and faded jeans. So I can see the tattoos both on his arms. Looking at him playing a guitar, there was some emotion I felt. He was nice to look at. The sight of him making me wonder how does it feel sitting my back facing him and he's teaching me playing the guitar. His hand in mine, our fingers are touching. When my eyes traveled up on his, I was stunned seeing him looking at me. I find myself staring back at him. There's this strong feeling that I only saw in him.

Ugh!

I averted my gaze from him and look at the barbecue. So much for that. I don't like it. I don't like the feeling. It's suffocating me and I'm having a hard time breathing. Does he have some kind of spell or whatever that makes me feel this way?

"Okay. Barbecue's done. Feel free to serve yourselves." Cedrick says as he gets two plates. The other one is for my friend of course.

"What do you want to eat?" Josh asked me and he stood up. I would have protested but I could see in his appearance that he was determined to serve me. Why not? A famous actor will serve me. It's once in a lifetime. Other girls are shouting just to get his attention while he is doing anything just to get my attention. It's very flattering but it's just that and nothing more.

"Anything. I will eat any food you'll get for me." I secretly furrowed my brows when I realized what I just said. Why did it sound so sweet? Oh my God. That's why he is still smiling and staring at me. Just like a fool. I shouldn't take back what I said. I smiled rawly at him.

"Okay. Anything for you then."

He got up and got some food. I was suddenly tense because others were looking at us. I secretly look at Niko and felt glad when I saw him not looking at me. His attention is on his guitar. He's holding the guitar but he's not playing it. Soon Josh returned with two plates. He gave one to me.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He then sat next to me. I enjoyed seeing the food that's why I was no longer ashamed to start eating. They keep on talking while we're eating. I just kept quiet and listened to them. While Glaiza and Cedrick seem to have their own world. Lovelife is really absurd.

Throughout the duration of our meal, I no longer looked at Niko's direction. Because even now I'm still nervous that I can't figure it out. Josh always told me about their set. To the artists he was with and whatnot. I love watching action movies but I'm not interested in getting to know the actors in the movie. I was into their character in the movie and not in their selves. So I don't know the names Josh mentioned. When I see maybe, I might recognize them only if I already watch their movies.

Cedrick and Josh got a beer inside. We had a drink. The beer is mild so it's okay.

"Why don't we play?" Said Aira.

"What game?"

"Truth or dare."

"All right, that's nice." Andy applauded. Others agreed but I did not want to join. But Glaiza forced me again so I was eventually forced to join. I had two bottles of beer when we started playing. Nikolai also stopped playing the guitar. I don't know if he wants to play or not. As far as I can see, he frowned. I haven't seen him laugh since we arrived. Doesn't he want us here?

Maybe. Because he wouldn't act like that if he wanted to. He was also a different kind of friend. He's so irritating.

We moved because there was a bonfire in the middle. We still haven't gone far from the beach.

"Okay. Let's start the battle of the drunkards!" Benedict shouted and laughed. He placed the bottle in the middle. I don't have to be nervous because Glaiza and Glen and I are also playing it.

Benedict spin the bottle. The bottle pointed at Jigger. They laughed so I got infected too.

"Truth or dare?" Benedict asked him.

"Dare!" The men shouted again. This is how noisy it is when there are many of you. Glaiza and I are noisy, but it's really noisier when there are a lot of men.

"I dare you to dance a limbo!" Josh said. The men whistled.

"Are you kidding me? There's no horizontal pole here or whatever I could use."

"Use an imaginary pole, Jigs!" Andy shouted and laughed again. My eyes went to Niko and found him laughing. I smiled. Why doesn't he laugh when he's so handsome when he laughs. I was almost embarrassed when he suddenly looked at me. My eyes widened. I averted my eyes from him. He was laughing but suddenly his gaze changed. His gaze that I can't stand longer.

Jigger danced limbo in front of us. The laughter got louder because of that. In fairness, he is a good dancer. When Jigger finished, Benedict spun the bottle again. The bottle points to Aira.

"Woooh!" Andy shouted!

"Truth or dare, Aira?" Benedict asked her.

"Truth, darling!" Andy interrupted. His friends scolded him but he's just laughing at them.

"Truth!" Aira excitedly said.

"Okay. Is he your first love?" Jigger asked pointed at Andy.

"Yes." She calmly said after looking at her boyfriend. Andy grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her closer for a kiss. Teasing filled the place. I also found out that the two is in relationship for two years now. Good for them. Hopefully Cedrick and Galiza last too.

Benedict spins the bottle again. I was shocked that I thought that would focus on me. Good thing it pointed at Josh.

"Joshua Michele Velasquez! Truth or dare?"

"Dare!" He abruptly answered to Benedict. He even laughed as if challenging Benedict as well. I'm sure many women are obsessed with him because of his killer smile.

"I dare you to tell us and shout the name of the very first girl you like the most!" Cedrick yell and preceded Benedict in speaking. But when he heard what Cedrick said, he agreed.

"Yeah!"

"That's absolutely exciting!" His other friends agreed too.

"Can you think of other dare?" Josh complained. He scratches his nape and he looks mousy.

"No. That's a nice dare! Besides you're just going to shout her name. Unless.." Jigger lowered his voice as he said the last word. But enough for us to hear that.

"Go, Josh! You can do it!" Cedrick encourage him so as the other except me, Glaiza and Nikolai who bent over and seemed to be watching something on the sand.

Their screaming and urging Josh got louder and louder. I didn't know they were insisting? I have to think carefully about what I will choose to answer.

"It's Ali! Alitha! Her name is Ali! Yes, I like you, Ali!"

'Ajfgprthknskfthhyrd'

My lips slightly parted when that voice filled the darkness. He shouted at his highest pitch. I suddenly felt embarrassed when I heard my name. Was it me? Or maybe the one who has the same name as mine. I look at him and found out that he is looking at me. I didn't know that he's already standing. I haven't noticed that earlier.

Everyone fell silent when they heard Josh shouted. They were all staring at me. As in everyone as well as Nikolai. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment.

"Ha.. ha.. Haha.. Hahaha!" We all look at Cedrick when he laughed. A raw laugh at first but it went on and on until it became a real one. Others did the same as if they're easing an awkward atmosphere.

I would only be ashamed if he really likes me. But he never said in front of me that I am the one he really likes. Maybe it's another girl with the same name as mine and not me. Yeah, that's it.

I calmed myself. I have nothing to be ashamed of. But what I don't understand is that I'm still uncomfortable. I could feel those pair of eyes who keeps on staring at me. I don't want to face that not because I'm scared but because I'm uncomfortable.

"Next in line is.." Benedict spin the bottle again and it points at Glaiza.

"Well, well, well, the new girlfriend of Cedrick. Truth or dare, Glaiza?"

"Truth."

"Why do girls are choosing truth and not dare?" Jethro asked while grinning. He rubbed his palms. Seems to be thinking what to ask to Glaiza.

"I will ask." Cedrick volunteered. Jethro could do nothing but listen to what Cedrick had to say. "When did you first lo-like me?"

I know Glaiza is thrilled and embarrassed now. She won't even show it but I know when she feels that way.

"Two months ago." Glaiza said that made me look at her. Why didn't she want to admit to Cedrick the truth? That she likes him for a long period of time. She's embarrassed to admit and tell him the truth. But what stopped me the most was to notice the sudden seriousness in Cedrick's eyes. Even though he was smiling, his eyes still suddenly changed. But that didn't last long because he looks like he was back to normal. I don't know but it's like I saw sadness pass through his eyes.

"Okay. Cedrick said." He's smiling while he holds Glaiza's shoulder and pull her closer to him.

"Okay! Resume the game." Benedict spin the bottle again. It was pointed to Nikolai who's still serious.

"Oh, yeah!"

"At last, bro!" Nikolai didn't smile while his friends were always teasing him.

"Truth or dare, bro?" Andy asked him.

"Dare." He lazily answered.

"I dare you to kiss Ali in front of us."