15). ASH HEARD SOMETHIMG

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The sun rays filled the room through the half-opened blinds covering the windows. The four girls were fast asleep, snoring peacefully when they heard a muffled sound of someone knocking at the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Tia and Ash were sleeping on the bed in a scissor style. Rebecca was fully stretched on the couch, leaving Ian to fall asleep in her sleeping bag on the floor.

Rebecca rolled over, covering her ears and frowning a little. Ash was still asleep as though she had been drugged. Tia stretched herself, yawning widely.

"Ian. Can you see who's at the door?" Tia asked in a sleepy voice.

"Send someone else," Ian replied, looking for her glasses like a blind person.

"Ian, go answer the door," Tia dozed off again.

Ian spread her arms widely, one eye still closed. She found a pair of glasses and put them on. Scratching her head, she slipped out of her sleeping bag.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Alright! Alright! I am coming on my feet, not on an airplane!" Ian grumbled.

She still couldn't see anything clearly. Her vision was very blurry. Ian rubbed her eyes again, trying to adjust, but her vision didn't come into focus.

Bumping into a nearby stool and a side table, Ian finally made it to the door. Shaking her head, she opened it. Someone was standing at the door, but Ian still couldn't see properly. "Yeah?" she asked, scratching her head.

The person in front didn't respond. "Who's there?" Ian asked again, frowning.

"What's got into you?" asked someone in a girlish voice.

"Me? Grandma, is that you?" Ian asked, trying very hard to adjust her focus. But the very next moment, Ian felt a tight hand smack her face. Her head jerked in the other direction, and her glasses slipped down to her nose.

"You must be wearing someone else glasses, dummy!" the girl in front said.

Before Ian could gather herself, someone took the glasses away and thumped her own glasses back. Now Ian could see everything properly. Rebecca was standing beside her, and the one who slapped her was none other than Kate, scowling at her. "How dumb are you?" she asked, mocking her.

"You slapped me!" Ian exclaimed, placing her hand on her cheek and feeling the pain.

"You deserve it," Kate said, marching in as though she was the head of the room.

"What do you want?" Rebecca asked sharply, checking Ian's face.

Kate looked around the messy room. Ash was snoring on the bed, Tia half-lying and watching her, and there were handbags, carry-on bags, and unpacked boxes all around. Kate made a disgusted face, placing her arms on her waist.

"Madam Hooch asked me to tell everybody to gather at the main hall at 11 a.m. She has some announcement to make," Kate said.

"Why? Is she getting married?" Ian asked, making a face.

Kate rounded on her, twisting her lips to tease Ian more.

"Careful, Thomas. I expect you don't want to land in more detentions, especially during the picnic," she warned.

Ian scowled and clenched her fist. Rebecca gripped the back of her collar and pulled her towards herself. Kate sneered, looking at Rebecca controlling Ian's rising temper.

"Very clever. You really are the brightest student I have ever encountered," Kate said, burning her eyes into Rebecca's. She said nothing but simply looked at her. Kate smiled at Ian, then turned to face Tia.

"Anyway, I have been appointed as the Class Representative for the girls. So you have to follow whatever I say," she said.

"And who appointed you?" Tia asked.

"Madam Hooch herself. See you at 11. You better hurry up. It's almost 10:30."

The door slammed shut in front of them. Ash awoke with a small yelp of fright. Tia grabbed her before she could topple over the bed. Ian stuck her tongue out at the door. Rebecca patted her, then let go.

"That popsicle! What made Madam Hooch think she could be the Class Representative?" Ian groaned.

"Relax. Let's get going. Come on, move guys!" Tia said, scrambling down and throwing her sheets away.

At exactly 11 am, the four of them settled themselves in the Main Hall. The boys had saved them seats. Ash ducked in with Roy as he welcomed her with his open arms. Tia sat between Skyler and Braddin, while Kate was already seated at one side of Braddin. Ethan shoved aside, making room for Rebecca to sit. Skyler and Ian sat opposite, exchanging a quick fond smile.

"What's going on?" Ash asked.

Roy shrugged his shoulders, with one arm still around her. "Don't know what's got into Madam Hooch," he said.

Ash brushed her hand against his spiked beard. He smiled softly at her touch. "Did you shave?" she asked.

"Kind of," Roy replied.

"I thought shaving removes the hair completely. Then how come you still have some?"

Roy laughed at her innocence. He pulled her closer to himself and pecked her forehead. "I use a blunt blade shave. It's a different type of technique," he said. Ash grinned, resting her head on his chest and listening to his heartbeats.

"STUDENTS!" Madam Hooch appeared as soon as the clock struck 11.

She zoomed in and stood like a president in front of them.

"I am here to announce that, according to the weather report, there's a storm coming up. As you all know very well, the effects will be showering here, so I want to make sure that no student crosses the line at the mountain lake. It is highly forbidden for those who do not wish to die a most painful death," she said in one breath.

The students and staff stared at her. Apparently, she was the most senior teacher of the high school.

"Any student found lingering at that place will immediately be subjected to detention, given by me as soon as we reach back home. I hereby announce that the prefects, Mr. Francisco for boys and Miss Kate DeMelo for girls, are appointed for the freshman year. I hope you all will cooperate." With that, she too stormed out just like Kate.

"Wow, that was one freaky warning," Ian said.

"Tell me about it. I bet there's gonna be fun," Skyler beamed at them. Kate straightened her hair. She grabbed Braddin by his arm and tugged him.

"Come with me for a horse ride. I love to ride with you," she said.

Braddin smiled, shuffling himself. "Yeah, sure. But after lunch," he said.

"Lunch! That will be too late," Kate burst out in frustration.

Braddin looked a little confused. He looked around for help. Tia was quietly watching him and Kate, not saying a single word. "I have to play football with Ian and Rebecca. You know, some practice," he said.

Kate made a face. Braddin smiled at her, trying to lighten her mood. Ethan, Roy, and Skyler laughed. Looking at them, Kate stomped her feet and slipped away from him.

"We are having practice?" Ethan asked.

Braddin nodded, drumming his fingers on the long table. "I found a good place. The weather is good. I got our stuff. It will be easy for us to play," he said.

"And have you asked the co-captain?" Ethan asked again.

Braddin turned around to look for James. He glanced all around, scanning the place until he found him sitting at the corner of the table.

"I haven't, but I will call him. Also, we have to train our two new members of the team," Braddin said, addressing Ian and Rebecca.

"Oh yeah. This will be fun!" Skyler said, pounding his fist and winking at Ian.

Tia looked a little confused with the way Skyler winked at Ian. Rebecca noticed this. Before Tia could open her mouth to say anything, Rebecca quickly diverted her attention towards herself. "What are you and Ash gonna do?" she asked.

Tia thought for a moment, rolling her eyes and tapping her finger on her face.

"Hmm, I think we can explore the outfield. Or if we get bored, then we'll come sit and watch you guys play," she said.

Rebecca nodded at her. "Good idea."

Half an hour later, the students and staff were busy having breakfast. Braddin had called his teammates and James to join him. They all sat down on a long bench in the endless hall. James quickly settled down beside Rebecca, and they exchanged quick smiles. Ash cleared her throat, and James grinned, while Rebecca blushed slightly, earning a smirk from Ash. Braddin directed them about the field positions infield. Tia and Ash, having completed their breakfast, slipped away from the table.

Braddin took his team out onto the outfield. The storm was producing its mild effects, with clouds covering the hilly areas where they were camping. It had begun to drizzle as the team marched out.

Braddin assigned positions, "Ben, Carlos, and Rupert at the forward position. Wade, move to the center half. James, you can cover the D-half."

James argued, "Why should I be at D-HALF? Send Wade there."

"It's the Captain's order," Braddin gritted between his teeth.

"Coach's not here. Only he gives orders. I can handle the center half," James said, crossing his arms.

"I sent Wade there. He will take care of it. Get to your given point," Braddin said loudly.

James opened his mouth to quarrel but met Rebecca's gaze, and he quietly followed what Braddin said.

Ian asked, rolling the ball in his hands, "What about us?"

"You go beside the goal post, and Rebecca, you will be helping Wade," Braddin said, taking the ball away from Ian.

Wade, the innocent one among them, despite his weak eyesight, followed his Captain's orders. When Ian and Rebecca approached him, he stepped aside, allowing the girls to move first. Skyler was assigned as the goalkeeper, and Ethan and Roy were positioned at the corner, getting ready. Tia and Ash emerged onto the ground after going for a walk, then sat on the benches to enjoy the practice match.

Braddin spotted Tia, who looked beautiful with her hair loosely held in a hairband. He stared at her, captivated by her red lips and fair cheeks shining brightly under the drizzling rain. She delicately tucked her long silky black hair back.

"Ian!" Braddin exclaimed as Ian came running and bumped into him. Both of them fell down with a loud THUD on the wet ground.

"What the hell are you doing, Mr. Captain?" James stormed in, kicking the ball away from Ian.

Braddin and Ian stood up, brushing themselves off. Braddin's shorts were a little torn at the knees, and Ian had grazed her elbow.

James turned back and whistled loudly, "Time out. Captain's injured."

"Are you okay?" Tia came rushing in.

"Ian, are you alright?" Rebecca asked, looking carefully at Ian's bleeding elbow. She placed one arm around him and helped her out of the ground.

"Brad, is it okay? It's bleeding," Tia said, a little worried.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm fine. Totally fine," he smiled, putting up a tough face. Behind Tia, Kate flew out of nowhere and zoomed in, pushing Tia away.

"Oh Braddy, are you okay? Does that hurt?" She asked, crouching low to look at his wounded knee.

"I am fine. Really. It's nothing," Braddin said.

"Oh, shut up. Stop fussing around. You need medical attention," Kate said, thrusting her bag into Tia's hand roughly and took Braddin out of their sight.

Rebecca helped Ian sit down on a soft, comfortable couch. She began dabbing the wounded elbow slowly. Ian made painful faces, biting her lower lip.

"It's gonna be okay," she said. They heard footsteps, and shortly after, Tia and Ash burst in.

"How are you feeling?" Tia asked, crouching beside Ian and stroking her face.

"How do I look?" Ian asked, struggling with her increasing pain.

"Ash, can you get the first aid?" Rebecca asked, knowing that a simple tap water could not handle the grazed wound. Ash nodded and turned on her heels to run back.

"It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay," Rebecca said, trying her best to comfort Ian.

Ash ran wildly around. She called Skyler and Roy, and all three got engaged in finding the first aid kit. Roy told Ash to wait outside while he fetched the box. Ash leaned against the pillar, catching her breath when suddenly she heard someone talking.

At first, she thought there might be ghosts talking, so she tightened her grip on her shoes but when she got a little closer, she saw Braddin and Kate sitting on a rock and chatting. Kate seemed to be bandaging him. Ash pressed her ears to listen carefully to them.

"…..I don't know what's wrong with me. I tried to sleep, but I can't. I tried to stay awake, but still, I can't. I want it. I want it so badly," Braddin said.

Ash pushed herself forward once again.

"You are just daydreaming, that's all," Kate said.

"No. I am serious. I am telling you. I'm losing my mind," Braddin said impatiently.

"And what makes you do this? Like losing your half-grown mind?"

Braddin shook slightly, and from what Ash made out, he might be laughing. He had his face towards Kate, so she couldn't see him clearly.

"I don't know. Didn't you notice how beautiful she looks, and today in the field, I lost my focus on the game, staring at her. Oh, she's so beautiful. I think I am falling for her. I am definitely falling for Tia Quintin!" Braddin said.

Ash dropped her cell in shock. It fell with a CLASH on the ground. Braddin and Kate didn't seem to notice, but Ash's stomach was grumbling. She had heard some very big news. She had heard Braddin's confession. She must tell others about it.