Chapter - 13

The next day was just as usual for Autumn.

It was the fourth day of their 4 day long trip and the students of Amina high were going back.

Rihita high was suppose to return the next day but Amina high was returning today.

Autumn was feeling uneasy because Harron was going back and she couldn't spend their time together today.

"Take care of yourself in my absence, okay?" Harron said with a light pat on Autumn's head.

"Um. You too." Autumn said with a nod.

"We'll meet the day after tomorrow after all you owe me a date, right?" Harron said as he smiled.

Autumn looked confused but soon understood and blushed.

"It will be our first date after becoming a couple." Harron said.

Autumn smiled and nodded.

"Hey, Harron! We are leaving.." A guy shouted.

"Yes.." Harron replied.

"Go, otherwise they will just leave you here." Autumn said as she chuckled.

"Then I'll just stay with you." Harron said with a smile.

Autumn blushed as she pushed him.

"Go now." Autumn said.

"Okay, I'm going." Harron said.

".....I'll miss you..." Autumn mumbled as Harron left.

Hannah glanced over to Autumn.

"You okay?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah. We'll meet soon." Autumn replied.

"Should I stay with you instead of going for shopping?" Hannah asked.

"No, no. Don't stay back because of me.. Just go and enjoy." Autumn said.

"But, won't you be alone? If you want you can just come with us for shopping....now you are almost healed..." Hannah said.

"No, I won't be alone and I just want to sleep. My wounds are healed up but my ankle still hurts." Autumn said.

"Oh, okay.. Don't exert yourself... I'll bring you something as a souvenir." Hannah said.

"Okay... Thank you." Autumn said as she left for her room.

All the students left for some shopping as it was the last day of their trip.

'Tonight there will be a bonfire night. Should I also join that? Well I guess it will be fun. I'll take some nice pictures and send them to Harron. He will be delighted to see them.' Autumn thought.

She took her sketch book and started to draw some jewellery designs. She was inspired by the confidence Harron gave her. It was her first time feeling confident and feeling nice about herself. She was starting to love herself even if it was just a little bit, she was starting to experience new feelings.

She drew few jewellery pieces and named the theme 'confident self-love'.

She was struggling to name the theme but she still decide to keep the name because that was what she was feeling.

She wanted to remember this new found feelings in her memory hence she designed a series of jewellery.

On the other hand Christy was planning something vicious. She was constantly looking at Hannah.

After staring at her she decided to go up to her and tried to strike a conversation.

"Hey." Christy said with a smile on her face.

"... Hey." Hannah replied in a confused tone.

'She never talked to me but now she is striking a conversation first... Strange.' Hannah thought.

"How's Autumn now? I was so busy lately that I didn't have the time to visit her and now that I saw you I thought maybe I should just ask you about her condition..." Christy said acting all worried.

' Even Miss.Gu wasn't so busy and came to check on Autumn daily and she is saying she was busy and didn't have time... What a blatant lie!' Hannah thought.

" Yes, she is fine now. She was struggling before but now she is quite alright. Well, I wonder how busy you must have been to not being able to come even once to check on "your own best friend" or so to say... "Hannah said.

It was clear that Christy was irritated.

" Well, not everyone have free time on their hand just like a certain someone who is trying to curry favour from a patient." Christy said with a smirk on her face.

" You.." Hannah was about to say as Christy cut her midway.

"I warn you stay away from my way otherwise you will regret it. Don't try to act so cheeky in front of me." Christy said with a mad look on her face as she approached Hannah.

"And if I refuse? Don't tell me you thought I'll obey you quietly, right? What can you do instead of just being mean?" Hannah said.

"Now, excuse me!" Hannah said as she pushed passed Christy.

Although Hannah was acting brave she was still skeptical about Christy because she knew Christy was not a good person.

'I don't know why but I don't have a good feeling about Christy. I'm still not convinced about the whole trekking incident. I still believe that it was intentional but I don't have any proof right now...' Hannah thought.

"Forget it... It's rather mind consuming... I have to look for a gift for Autumn too... I better hurry." Hannah mumbled.

"Hey, look at this." Rachel said.

She was pointing towards a glass ball which was filled with frozen ice crystals inside it. It was pretty and delicate.

"Autumn might like it.." Hannah said.

"Yes.. Should we go and check it out?" Rachel said.

"Yeah.. Sure.." Hannah replied.

They went inside to check the glass ball. Hannah was happy to finally find something that is worth calling a gift. Whereas Christy who was closely observing everything was scheming something.

They finished shopping and went to grab a bite.

"This restaurant is famous for it's seafood. The students who are allergic to seafood can head over to the second floor." Miss.Gu said.

No one was allergic to seafood so everyone sat down and had a feast.

'I should order some takeaways for Autumn as well. She is missing out on such delicacies. I should surprise her with these.... I'm sure she'll love it.' Miss.Gu thought.

After having their lunch Miss.Gu ordered some takeaways for Autumn and also bought some frozen seafood.

They all were ready to head back.

Autumn on the other hand was taking a nap hence forgot to have her lunch.

When everyone got back from the market, Miss.Gu followed Hannah to the room.

"Oh, she is asleep.. But.. did she had her lunch?" Miss.Gu said.

"Well.. We need to wake her up so she can have her lunch." Hannah said.

"Hey.. Autumn! Wake up...." Hannah said as she shook her.

"Umm... What is it?" Autumn said as she was still drowsy.

"Miss.Gu is here." Rachel said.

"What?!" Autumn said as she jumped awake.

"Miss.Gu?" Autumn said as she saw her.

"How are you doing, Autumn?" Miss.Gu asked in a kind and caring tone.

"I'm alright now, Miss.Gu." Autumn replied with a smile.

She was happy to know that there was someone who is actually worried about her genuinely.

"Did you had your lunch?" Miss.Gu asked.

"Oh.. No, actually I feel asleep and lost the track of time.... Now that you mention it I'm feeling hungry." Autumn said as she smiled in a silly manner.

"Here! I brought some seafood for you.... We happen to stumble upon a really nice restaurant.... You are not allergic to seafood, right?" Miss.Gu asked.

"No, I'm not allergic to the seafood at all.... Thank you for you concern Miss.Gu." Autumn said as she was touched.

"Enjoy it while it's still hot." Miss.Gu said with a warm smile.

"I should get going now... Rest well everyone." Miss.Gu said as she left.

Autumn was happy that she was able to have seafood for the first time in a really long time.

As she was enjoying the food, Hannah was searching her bag for something.

"Here, Autumn.... Open this box.." Hannah said with excitement.

"What is it?" Autumn asked.

"Remember, I promised to bring something for you... We happen to find it coincidentally and it was so beautiful and we were reminded of your beautiful shiny hair so we bought it right away." Hannah said.

Autumn was confused to listen to Hannah. She opened the box and her expression was not what Hannah was expecting.

" What happen, you don't like it?" Hannah asked.

" No, it not that.... It's just.... Shattered." Autumn said.

" What?" Hannah said as she rushed over to Autumn.

She took the box to look. She was shocked.

The glass ball was shattered to pieces.

'I put so much effort to bring a suitable gift for her and it is all shattered.. Just how?....' Hannah thought.

Hannah felt sad.

Autumn realised that Hannah was sad.

"It doesn't matter... Don't fret upon it.... It's the emotions that count.. No matter what....the fact that you thought about me and brought me something that reminded you of me is more than enough.... Although, it's a pity that it is broken but it shows how nice and pure you thoughts were.... I'm grateful to find a friend like you." Autumn said trying to console her.

Hannah was sad as she was unable to bring back a gift for Autumn but.... Autumn's words were so kind that Hannah felt so touched.

" Still... I'm sorry that I wasn't even able to bring something for you.." Hannah said.

" No... Don't be... You tried and that's more than enough." Autumn said trying to reassure her.

"Now, go and freshen up.... You must be covered in sweat.." Autumn said trying to tease Hannah.

"No.. I'm not covered in sweat or anything..." Hannah said in an embarrassed tone as she rushed to take a shower.

Autumn giggled and put the box away. She was busy finishing her lunch as Hannah was taking a shower.

On the other hand Christy was trying her outfits that she bought.

'I knew it would suit me... Well, I wonder if Autumn like the gift... After all I went through so much trouble to smash it into pieces...' Christy thought as she smiled.

'If it weren't for that dumb Hannah leaving the gift on the bus, I wouldn't have been able to smash it up. Who in their right mind leave something so delicate on the bus and go to the restaurant... Thank god... I took the chance to take the action..' Christy thought as she smiled.