Chapter Twenty Eight

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× back story ×

Nicholas found Beauty's cabin at the summer camp and Beauty totally didn't expect that.

"What are you doing here?!" Beauty said in a whisper. She was careful not to be heard by anyone else because she didn't want other people to catch Nicholas barging inside her room in the middle of the night.

There was a window where Nicholas went through to get inside her room at Beauty's assigned cabin.

"Doesn't this feel like I'm Romeo and you're Juliet?" he responded in almost a whisper as he successfully landed his feet inside.

"Riiiight," Beauty responded. "As if Romeo and Juliet had a happy ending." she continued and shrugged.

"Why don't we rewrite Romeo and Juliet, then?" he started. "But with a happy ending. You know, like in the song Love Story."

"You'd like to follow the story of Taylor's song?" Beauty started. "You want me to wait for you?"

"Why not?" he responded, moved closer to Beauty and held her hand. "Wait for me to finish school so I can marry you."

"Come on, Cole!" she started. "When we started dating, we agreed that this would be just a summer thing, right? I don't even know if we'll be in contact!"

"We can work this out if you'd be willing to." Nicholas said.

It's been 2 months since they met and they have been dating for a month. Nicholas was so serious but Beauty wasn't. After all, both of them agreed that dating would be just a summer thing. Nicholas getting serious about this dating thing scared Beauty the most. She'd like to focus on graduating highschool before dating someone seriously.

"That may be true but I am not prepared for something serious," Beauty confessed in a sad voice. "I like you Cole, I really do," she said and caressed Nicholas' cheeks as she gave Nicholas a soft look. "But we're still in highschool. Don't you think it's too early for us to become so serious about relationships?"

"That's why I am asking you to wait for me," he responded. "Please don't make me beg!"

"To be honest, you looked like you're begging without me asking you to do so." Beauty said bluntly.

"Hey! You're hurting my feelings!" he said.

Then to Nicholas' surprise, Beauty pulled him closer and slowly, pressed her lips against his. Nicholas was surprised to react but after a while, he moved his lips, syncing with hers.

4th year highschool when she received her very first kiss.

Just a simple and gentle kiss that lasted for a few seconds because Beauty asked Nicholas to go back to his cabin but not without saying, "Goodnight. Let's meet at our usual spot, alright?"

"Good night," Nicholas said. "Hope you'll get a good sleep tonight."

× end of the backstory ×

+ to be continued +

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It's Saturday and we started implementing my plan.

"Alright, Beatrice," Tom started. "Shall we go?"

I was the one who went to Tom's place because if Tom was the one who'll pick me up and bring me to NJ's daycare center, my sister and mom will probably bombard us with questions. I am not going to waste our time. I badly need answers and that's by implementing my plan - to disguise and befriend NJ as Beatrice.

"Sure, thanks for helping me out," I said with a smile. "Does NJ know that I'm coming? You know, as Beatrice."

"Yes," he answered. "But I haven't told him that you'd like to apply as a storyteller."

"Cool," I answered, then began walking with Tom.

This time, Tom is going to bring me to the daycare center by his car. I didn't even know he got one! I haven't seen him bring his car to school, EVER! So I was pretty surprised when he said that we'll be riding in his car.

With that, we drove off towards NJ and his family's daycare center.

The thought of speaking to NJ gives me mixed emotions. I felt happy and thrilled that I would be hanging out with him. Lonely because I can't be my usual self around him since I'll be Beatrice Smith whenever we're together and I think being someone you're not is the saddest thing.

I hope that I won't get caught before I get the answers as well as the secrets that NJ holds.

The whole time in Tom's car, Taylor Swift's song was blasted then suddenly, her song Love Story played.

I bobbed my head slightly, syncing with the rhythm when something odd happened.

As I closed my eyes, I think I'm remembering something that I wasn't aware of or maybe, I just forgot about it. It crept me out!

Fragments of memories flashed inside my brain as the song continued.

Romeo save me, I've been feeling so alone,

I keep waiting,

Boy you but you never come...

The image became a little bit clearer upon hearing the lyrics. Do you know the feeling of it feels like it happened, but you're not sure about it?

No, I wouldn't call it a dejavu feeling.

Because a dejavu is a feeling that the situation you're currently in happened in the past but is not sure.

The one I've been experiencing now is different because what I saw was a different scene and it also goes the same with what my senses are telling me.

It felt like I sang the song Love Story a long time ago with whoever that person was.

It creeped me out, big time!

My head began spinning so I said, "Sorry Tom, but can we change the song?"

"Why?" Tom asked. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just want to listen to a different song." I denied the truth. I don't want him to go asking questions, especially now that my head's spinning.

"Okay then," he said, then played the next song. At the next song, flashbacks or whatever that was faded away. "How about this?"

Then the song started.

3 a.m. and I'm still awake, I'll bet you're just fine

Fast asleep in your city that's better than mine

And the girl in your bed has a fine pedigree

And I'll bet your friends tell you she's better than me, huh

The title of the song is I Bet You Think About Me and the artist is Taylor Swift too.

Suddenly, my imagination started getting a bit wild at the thought of what if NJ has been sleeping with Audrey?

Hey! It could happen!

It's not like I'm judging them or whatever.

Do I?

Anyway, it wasn't that long when we arrived at the daycare center. I could feel my hands trembling, maybe I am feeling anxious but I chose to be confident. I don't want to represent Beatrice as someone who couldn't speak and look directly at a guy's eyes. I would totally get embarrassed and making myself look like a fool is the last thing I'd like to happen.

I wonder if that kind of scenario would happen?

Being honest, there are times that I am getting tired of all the shame I've been experiencing.

At least, it lessened.

All just because I am now a cheerleader.

And I feel sad at that thought. It wasn't fair. Just because you're famous and all, doesn't mean the world would be unfair to other people. You get what I mean?

Moving on, Tom and I walked together as soon as we got out of the car.

We headed straight to the daycare and there, I saw NJ's back. He's playing with the kids. Then he turned around to face us when one of the kids said in a very cute voice, "A new girl and boy!"

Then kids began surrounding us, inviting us to play with them. What friendly folks! I hope these kids will grow up to be wonderful adults.

And I believe that they will.

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