13). ALL I NEED

The students left the beach after lunch. They all packed their bags, luggage clothings and every other stuff they had and got into the school bus. Ash was grumbling a little with Tia and both the ladies were eyeing Rebecca, Skyler and Ian. But then got relaxed when Tia and Ian shared the same seats. It was suspicious the way both Ian and Skyler sang. and Rebecca's happiness was literally visible from her every move. Roy helped Ash on the bus and then sat down opposite to Tia and Ian. Seeking the chance, Kate quickly rushed forward and booked the seat next to Braddin. Tia felt angry but Ian diverted her mind with her usual joking things. James and Rebecca climbed up together. Ethan watched this. But he didn't say anything. In fact this time, he hid himself from Rebecca's view so as not to let her feel he was watching.

"Why so pouty ?" Roy asked, helping Ash to lay her head on his chest.

Ash grumbled, twisting her fingers with Roy's. She scowled and lifted her head. Roy looked at her. "I am a little depressed." She said making a face.

"Why baby ?"

Ash ceased her forehead, drawing her hand away from him. Roy looked serious.

"You didn't sing me a song. Now I am depressed." Ash complained.

Upon hearing this Roy burst into laughter. He usually slipped his head backward and kept laughing.

"Yeah. Go ahead. Make fun of me. You don't love me." Ash made a crying face.

"Oh baby. It's just that I don't usually sing. I do poetries."

"Fine. Then you should sing me poetries." Ash hit him delicately.

"Ok. I will go." Roy cleared his throat.

"Twinkle twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are..."

"Seriously Roy. This is not funny. I am more depressed." Ash hit him again.

Roy kept laughing and singing with Ash punching every possible way she could find. She stopped and crossed her arms across her chest and face away looking red chilly. Roy chuckled, he glided forward and took her face in his hands. Before Ash could say anything, he bent down locking his lips upon hers. She became confused but then melted down from his touch. Ash threw her arms around his neck and engaged herself. Roy went on, placing his hand behind Ash's head. That was the kiss they only had the first time when they confessed to one another. Tia sat beside Roy and Ash's seat with Ian. They both laughed when Ash was angry but turned away their gazes when they both went snogging. Tia sent Ian away, when she began irritating her to play snake and ladder. With no one else got to play Ian sat down in between Rebecca and James.

They both agreed to play. Rebecca wanted to throw her away for sitting in between them half of her bum was on Rebecca's laps and another half on James.

The game went on and on, ending with James winning and. Ian comes second. Now Rebecca was becoming more die hard to kick Ian away. The night fell heavily and Ian curled up to sleep in the same position only with her head beneath Rebecca's chin. James took his camera out and took a picture of them.

"Loose the grin, James." Rebecca rolled her eyes.

"Since when did you adopt a monkey size baby?" He chuckled.

"Since I signed my admission form." Rebecca sighed deeply, earning another chuckle from him.

"Hey," Skyler came to them. "May I borrow your half girlfriend for a few minutes ?"

James wanted to make an argument. But when Skyler mentioned Rebecca as his girlfriend, he became very pleased. Rebecca slid down one hand under sleepy Ian's head and lifted her up.

"Wha? What happened?" Ian yawned, while rubbing her eyes.

"C'mon, chop chop. Let's get you back to where you came from." She said, guiding her to her own seat. Skyler stepped forward to take her but Rebecca shook her head, jerking it towards Tia who was watching all this.

"Here, please take care of your belongings. The management will not be responsible for any loss." Rebecca copied the woman who spoke on the speaker, holding Ian in front of Tia.

Tia laughed, spread out her arms and Rebecca wheeled Ian into the seat. She yawned hard and at once her head fell on the back of the seat.

"Ouch! That hurts!" Tia caught hold of her head and navigated on her shoulder. "Is she drunk?"

Rebecca shook her head with a grin. "Just sleepy." She took her glasses off and handed them to Tia. Rebecca smiled at both of them and sat down with Skyler.

"That should have been me." Skyler groaned looking at Ian sleeping on Tia's shoulder.

"Easy. Relax. Ian will come to you." Rebecca said, opening her pack of chewing gums and offering it to him.

"She will come, when we both are 80 years of age." Skyler said angrily.

"Stop being pissed off, HellHound. Our plan worked exactly as we wanted it to be."

Skyler scratched his face, becoming frustrated. "I can't wait to take her. Can't wait to be with her. She hadn't said I LIKE YOU to me."

Rebecca rolled her eyes, wanting nothing but to commit sucide. "Ian told you everything that she had in her heart to you through her song. Didn't you concentrate on the lyrics ?"

Skyler nodded, his eyes becoming like day dreaming as he got lost in thoughts about the song.

"Hey, love bird, back to business, ok ?" Rebecca snapped, nudging him with her elbow.

Skyler stuck his tongue out to her and turned back to stare at Ian snoring. He smiled absentmindedly at her until Rebecca gripped the back of his knickers and pulled him.

"Careful. It will come out !" He said loudly, tugging his half pants upwards.

"Sit down here. Don't make any move that the others might notice you." She warned.

"Why can't we just go and tell Tia about all this ?"

Rebecca thumbed her hand on her forehead. "Are you crazy ? Who knows how she will react ? I will think of another way for her. But you make sure that chemistry between you and Ian should remain between just the three of us." Rebecca said.

"Why aren't you telling others except Tia ?" He asked.

"Ash can be tricked easily by anyone. Can't take guarantee of boys. Only one reliable is Braddin but let him think for himself. Let's not tell anyone."

Skyler made another pouty face. He again swung back to gaze at Ian. Rebecca rolled her eyes.

"I am surrounded by idiots." She said to herself

The night passed by like this with the High School Bus riding the hilly areas. The students and staff were all asleep soundly after all the tiring day they had spent. Ash snored on Roy as he held her close to him. Rebecca and James slept beside one another. Ian was fast asleep on Tia's shoulder, but she eventually got tired and jealous of Kate being with Braddin. In her frustration, she threw Ian out of her seat and went to sit with Skyler. With nowhere else to go, Ian made her way towards the only loyal guy, Ethan.

"Hey Ian, what's up?" Ethan said groggily, rubbing his eyes.

"Tia chucked me out." Ian said innocently, holding her backpack. "Can I share the seat with you?"

Ethan smiled happily. "Ofcourse, always." He said, scooting away. Ian nodded a thanks and slipped beside him.

"You sleepy?" He asked, watching Ian cleaning her glasses.

"Yeah, you?" She asked and Ethan nodded. "You can take the window side, so you could rest easily."

"No, no I can….." Before Ian could resist, Ethan pushed Ian deeper towards the window and she crashed with the side. "Woah! Thanks bro."

"Anytime." He said, shuffling beside her and closing his eyes.

Feeling he was uncomfortable, with his head dangling, Ian helped him onto her shoulder. "You'll get hurt. I'm heavy."

She smiled. "What are friends for? Sleep now." Ian patted his face.

"Thanks, Ian." He yawned and Ian laid her own head above his and both fell asleep immediately.

Morning came, as the School Bus made its way towards the hilly countryside. Their final and last destination. Ash was the first to poke outside. "This place is like Heavens !" Ash said, stretching herself.

"Yup, you said it. It's awesome." Tia said, appearing behind her.

The sun was a radiant, all-watching eye, its light creeping into every corner, bathing the whole world in a warm glow. The bus cruised down a twisting road, grassy, forest green hills looming over the mountainous drive. An endless expanse of turquoise wonder, shimmering a liquid gold, stretched towards the distant horizon. The sunshine was brilliant but not yet with the heat of late spring. The fields were no longer swathes of rutted mud, each one was softly verdant, the new stems ruffled by the light breeze. The hills rolled like a casually laid eiderdown quilt, rising and falling in soft waves. The air had more warmth and more fragrance. There was a long big house with multiple rooms and windows. The students and Staff were advised to spend their nights and time there. Tia, Rebecca and Ash got down, running towards the line of glowing fresh Daffodils. The boys grabbed themselves a ball and headed towards the outfield.

"Race you, Roy," Ethan growled, jumping out. Behind him came Roy and Braddin.

Ian was cleaning her glasses. Skyler was tugging his packback off the deck. He smiled at Ian when their eyes met. Ian smiled back then went towards the door. Skyler whistled but when he turned around he saw Rebecca staring madly at him with her hand on her waist. "Tia's not here, Blind Beggar." He mocked.

"I am really surrounded by idiots."

Later, gathering around, the girls sat down on a square shape piece of cloth on the wet drizzled grass to have breakfast. Ash drew out a loaf of bread, a bottle of jam and packs of juices. She handed one to Rebecca, Tia and Ian.

"Ahh, the weather is so nice. " Ash said, relaxing down. "I am in love with it"

"Yeah, it's awesome. Kind of like a piece of Heaven. I am glad we came here." Tia said, spreading the jam on her toast.

"Hey, look over there !" Ian shouted gleefully hoping up at her place.

Tia, Ash and Rebecca looked when Ian shouted like that. "What is it you saw ?" Ash asked.

"Horses and ponies!" Ian said so happy.

Tia rolled her eyes, sighing deeply. Ash just smiled and Rebecca nodded looking at a few adult size horses and some baby horses.

"It's really a farm and….. IAN! CAN COME BACK !!! Ash shouted as Ian scrambled on her feet and ran in only her socks towards the horses. Ash shot up to head after her but Rebecca clasped her arm.

"Let her go. Let her enjoy. Ian loves animals." She said,

"Yeah, Ian's got a soft corner for them." Tia said, chewing her mouthful.

"Not just a soft corner, she's the animal magnet. Whenever Ian goes, animals will follow, even if it's a wild dog." Rebecca laughed.

They all joined in watching Ian patting the baby horse and playing with it. On the other hand, the boys were also busy playing ball, football and other games. Ethan came running up to them and sat down at Ian's deserted place.

"Got something for me ?" He asked panting, his one hand occupied with a tennis ball and the other one very muddy and dirty.

"Yeah, have some." Ash said, holding the tray out for him.

Ethan stretched his hands but then pulled back looking at his dirty hand. "Can't eat." He whispered.

Rebecca shook her head with a smile then lifted up the jam sandwich and held it for him.

"Open." She said slowly.

Ethan hesitated but then opened his wide mouth and Rebecca shoved the sandwich in. He smiled, chewing it. His eyes stuck on Rebecca as she kept shoving him the sandwiches. He searched for her very longingly. He had a mixture of feelings, one happy and other sad. He wanted this moment to freeze and stopped at an instant where only he and Rebecca could sit down and spend time together. Rebecca returned the grin as she helped him have some breakfast with her hands. Ian was still busy playing with baby horses. Rebecca, Ash and Tia watched her from a distance but no one dared to come in front. Ian sat on one horse and came galloping towards them.

"Ian, stay away!" Rebecca shouted, raising her hands.

"Come on. It's not that bad. Climb up." Ian said, drawing out hand towards them.

Rebecca stepped back in fear. Tia and Ash looked concerned. They wanted to enjoy the horse ride but were just afraid. Ian sighed in disappointment and jumped down, stroking the neck of the horse. "Let's go." Ian said again.

"I am not going alone, " Tia said backing up.

"Fine then come with me. It's gonna be fun." Ian held and tugged her hand.

"Let me call Roy." Ash suggested.

Ian went red with anger. "Oh come on ! Can't we just do it alone ?"

"Of Course you can."

The girls turned around and saw James walking up to them. He smiled looking at Rebecca. He delicately brushed his finger on her face then looked up at the others. "May I help ?" He asked.

"Yeah, throw Rebecca on the back of the horse !" Ian said grumply.

James laughed, placing his arms around Rebecca. She went pink. Red spots appeared on her cheeks and nose.

"Ahoy !" Skyler called. Ian, Ash and Tia turned again and saw Braddin, Skyler, Ethan and Roy running towards them.

"What's up ?" Braddin asked, frowning a little to see James but remained steady.

"Ian wants us to have a horse ride." Ash said.

"Cool! Come on. Hop on !" Braddin suggested.

They heard a sputtering sound and within moments Roy and Skyler were up on the horse. Roy spread out his hand towards Ash to take her.

"Thank God you came." Ash said happily, taking his hand and climbing up and starting shouting. "ROY HOLD ME. I AM GONNA FALL!"

"No, you are not. I got you." He said, pecking her on the cheek, tightening his grips around her.

Braddin looked hopefully for Tia. She spied to see if Kate was around then nodded at him. Braddin grinned, he stepped aside allowing her to go first. But Tia was a bit short of her height that she couldn't get herself jumped on. "Hold on," Braddin said, shoving Tia aside.

He stroked the brown horse gently. Then he crouched down on his knees. He smiled and nodded at Tia. Tia waited for him to do what he was doing. When he nodded at her, Tia grinned, stepping up on Braddin and jumped easily on the horse.

"Learn something. You pulled me like I was some kind of luggage." Ash said to Roy, making him laugh loudly. Skyler beamed at Ian holding out his hand. Ian scowled at first but then got relaxed. Taking the ruins, Ian hopped on the horse behind Skyler. "Comfortable ?" Skyler asked.

"Very." Ian said, smacking him a little.

Now the only ones left were Ethan, Rebecca and James. Rebecca was making a fuss, stepping backwards in fear. James was gripping her in an attempt to keep her from.

"No, no. I am not coming. You guys go. I can't come." She squealed holding both James and Ethan's elbows.

"Ok, ok. I got an idea. Hey Ethan, jump in front, will yeah?" James said, ordering him.

Ethan scowled like Ian but couldn't fight because of Rebecca standing with him. He did as he was told. James helped push Rebecca up behind him. And then jumped behind her, clasping her tightly. Rebecca looked like a coleslaw between the two boys. Ethan in front and James behind holding her.

"Everybody ok ?" Braddin asked.

"Yeah good." The chorus called.

Braddin gave them thumbs up and ordered his horse to go further. Tia sat behind him clutching him very tightly. The feeling of her made him very happy. Behind them, came Roy and Ash fastly getting past them. Ash was afraid at first but then began hooting and making videos. Skyler was booming the horse to go faster and faster while Ian sat behind him facing backwards trying to catch the horse tail.

And in the end came a struggling triplet of James, Rebecca and Ethan with Rebecca reciting HOLY BIBLE words with James holding her as tight as he could.

"Can't we play POLO ?" Ian shouted.

"IAN, I WILL THROW MY SHOES AT YOU !" Rebecca shouted with her eyes closed making the others laugh.

Having a fun filled ride on the horses the team went into the large long house to explore it. The girls went upstairs leaving the boys to explore downstairs. The staff had advised the students to pick their rooms. Two at a time. The rooms were so big that the four girls decided to book a single room for all of them.

"It's so big. I never want to leave this place," Tia said, letting herself fall on the couch.

Rebecca jumped on the bed, still rubbing her back as she was sandwiched between the two boys. Ian was looking out of the window and Ash was taking selfies.

"Hey look ! There's a lake over there." Ian pointed at a few distance.

Ash came up to her and spied in that direction. She too saw a blue thick line heading further down the hilly area.

"How many days are we gonna stay here ?" Tia asked yawning.

"Four days, I guess." Rebecca thought about scratching her chin.

"What are we gonna do here ?" Tia asked.

"Simple...have fun." Ian cried in happiness, rubbing her hands. She was very happy to have animals around her.

Ash pulled Ian closely towards her and drew her arms further to take a selfie. Looking at them, Rebecca jumped down from the bed and stood beside Ian adjusting herself. Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door. Tia rushed to open it. Braddin poked his head in. Tia opened the door wider to let him in. "Wow! What a beautiful room !" He whistled.

"Isn't it !" Tia said.

Braddin nodded, heading for the window and looking out. "Spectacular view. And Ian can see her animal friends from here too " he said

"People have boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends but Ian has animal friends." Ash joked

Braddin chuckled with Tia and Rebecca laughed. Grinning, Ian placed down her cap and sat on the bed.

"Oh listen, come down for lunch at 2. Ok ?" Braddin announced.

"Yeah. Will be there at 2." Tia said. "Which room did you all take ?"

Braddin jerked his head downstairs. "Roy and Ethan are in one and Skyler and me in the next one. Just beneath you guys."

"I wonder if Kate would have taken the room beside yours ?" Ash joked again. Braddin laughed. Tia scowled at him.

"No. No. She's the opposite of mine." He said.

"But it's still close to yours !" Ash pointed, before Tia threw a pillow at her.

At two in the afternoon, the students and staff gathered around the large table. There was a long endless table which soon got occupied by students and staff. The caretaker of the LongHouse served the lunch with a bottle of butterbeer and soft drinks. The lunch had Chinese, Italian dishes with salad and in the desert it was cakes and pumpkin pastry.

Ian enjoyed the Chinese item the most. Tia was busy in Italian fighting with her pizza until Braddin helped her slice down the pieces. Ash and Roy sat together having Chinese and Italian both mixed. Rebecca joined Ethan and Skyler. Skyler had been dying to sit by Ian but Rebecca literally grabbed him again by his Knickers, looking at Tia taking the seat beside Ian.

"Don't get us in trouble. Act accordingly to the plan." She warned.

"When are we doing it ?" Skyler asked, becoming impatient.

Rebecca checked her cell. "Tonight." The only thing she hissed.

After lunch, the girls went up to their rooms to get some rest. In the evening, they all went out again. Rebecca and Ian played football with the boys and other teammates. Looking at the cattle of baby goats Ian left the game and ran absentmindedly towards them with the ball still in her hands.

"What are we doing ?" Ash asked as they all sat down on the piece of cloth out on the ground watching the sunset.

"Watching the beautiful Twilight." Roy said.

Ash smiled resting her head down, on Roy's shoulder. He comforted her, pecking delicately on her forehead. "I love you." He said.

"Love you too." Ash whispered back.

"It's such a beautiful sunset, why don't we have a little dance ?" Rebecca nodded at Skyler.

He nodded back and stood up to go. He vanished inside the LongHouse. Ian watched him jogging away and disappeared.

"Dance ? Like...now ?" Tia asked.

"Sure it's gonna be fun." Rebecca said. " It will be memorable."

She looked hopefully at everyone waiting for their opinion. Roy stood up and held out his hand for Ash.

"Atta boy, Roy !" Rebecca grinned standing up too and drawing out her cell.

Ash went a little pink taking Roy's hand. Rebecca searched through her song list trying to select the most appropriate one. Looking at Roy, Braddin also stood up. He straightened his jeans then held out his arms for Tia. Ethan grinned, looking around to make sure James was not here. He grabbed Rebecca's hand and pulled her towards him. Ian was left alone. She shifted aside to let them dance.

"Ok, here goes." Rebecca said, placing her cell on full mode volume and back into her pocket.

The song flew out within seconds. The music surrounded the atmosphere. The couples stood in a line waiting for their steps. They began circling, slowly boys placing their hands on their girls' waists. As the tune and rhythm came into more focus, their free arms met.

I've lost all my trust,

Though I surely tried to turn it around

Can you still see the heart of me?

All my agony fades away

when you hold me in your embrace

Don't tear me down for all I need

Make my heart a better place

Give me something I can believe

Don't tear me down

You've opened the door now, don't let it close

The couples laughed together as the boys swang the girls in their arms. Ian was enjoying the moment making videos until her cell beeped for a message.

It was from Skyler. Ian opened it and read the message.

"MEET ME AT THE BACKSIDE OF THE LONGHOUSE ! COME QUICK."

Feeling a little worried Ian at first thought to tell Rebecca. But she was so busy with the dance, Ian tucked her cell away and ran to the backside. Watching Ian running, Rebecca smiled pleasefully, ready for their plans to take action. Ian kept running when suddenly a hand appeared and dragged Ian inside a small wooden room. "It's me, Relax !" Skyler said.

"What the hell are you doing ?" Ian said angrily.

Skyler grinned broadly, stepping back. Ian looked confusedly at him "What ?" She asked.

"May I have a dance ?" He asked, stretching out his hand.

Ian looked around quickly. Skyler smiled at her. "Everyone else is dancing. Why can't we ?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I would love too but---" Ian began but Skyler cut across her holding her hand and placing his own on her waist. Ian gasped softly but did not pull back. He smiled at her very happily. The song was so loud that they could hear it even at the backside. Rebecca had planned this all and she kept the volume very high so as they could enjoy it. Skyler and Ian circled first, then their free hands met the other one around the shoulder and they began pacing, rotating the room.

I'm here on the edge again

I wish I could let it go

I know that I'm only one step away

from turning it around

Can you still see the heart of me?

All my agony fades away

when you hold me in your embrace

Don't tear me down for all I need

Make my heart a better place

Give me something I can believe

Don't tear it down, what's left of me

Make my heart a better place

Skyler slipped his hand away from Ian's and placed both his around her waist. Ian was standing still as they both slowed down. Skyler leaned his head, and their foreheads met. Ian closed her eyes and Skyler copied their breaths mingling into one another. Even though the song had died they kept on rotating.

"Sky, we can't be together." Ian whispered.

"Why not ?" He asked, his forehead still locked with Ian's.

"I am scared. If anyone finds out..."

"Shhhhh," he hissed, tightening his grips more frimley. "I know. I know everything."

"How ? You don't know the level of my fear." Ian whispered.

Skyler sighed, stroking his hand in her hair.

"Do you like me ? Just tell me this. "

He asked.

"Do you ?" Ian asked.

"I most certainly do." He said.

Ian smiled under her breath, her eyes closed, feeling the warmth of his touch. Skyler waited, swinging a little. Waiting deeply and eagerly for Ian's answer.

"Do you like me ? Because if you do, we can handle anything together. Screw others" He asked again, this time with lots of concern and longines in his voice. Ian smiled a little, tightening her grips around him too. She breathed hard, with her mouth going extremely dry.

"Yes. I do." Ian said shyly.

Skyler opened his eyes grinning broadly. Ian smiled at him weakly but then looked sad.

"Please don't go." Skyler pleaded, his voice barely audible.

"Try to understand. Please. I don't want to lose you too. I like you." Ian said backing up. Skyler dropped his hands, stepping back. Ian looked very sadly at him. With another huge effort, Ian pulled herself together and walked out of the door, shutting the door behind her. Skyler sighed sadly. He looked at the floor for an unknowingly long time then sat down on some old boxes. He looked very sorrowful that even their next plan didn't go well. He would definitely kill Rebecca for giving these failed ideas. Now he was gonna lose his friendship with her as well. Lost in thoughts he heard the door creak open. He stood up expecting to see Rebecca but to his shock, he saw Ian standing there with a very thoughtful and fond expression.

"I am wrong. I am so wrong. You are right, we can do anything together. Screw the others." Ian said, with a chuckle.

Skyler beamed at her, his smile turning into a grin. "Do you like me ?" He asked again.

Ian grinned. "I certainly do. Why do you keep asking me this silly question ?" She bursted.

Skyler laughed and in a blink of an eye he ran forwards a few steps. Ian raised her arms and Skyler came bouncing in wrapping her hands around her and they both shared a sweet kiss. Skyler bent down and Ian lifted herself up pressing his lips on her. They locked their lips as well as fingers around each other. Skyler clasped a skinny Ian very tightly. They both stuck up, for the first time in their life enjoying the best moment they had. Ian was a little short in height as compared to Skyler. But they were so busy deeply in their first kiss that without knowing Skyler lifted Ian off her feet.

Ian wanted to draw back but he kept her with him. Their lips pressed and locked and this was perhaps the best moment they could ever have.