CHAPTER 17: SUMMER VACATION

It was month of June. Most of the 4th year high school students in Benjamin Atlas School graduated last month. The 4th year Diamond and Gold Section Batchmates decided to go on a vacation but without their professors. Isn’t it cool. Anyway, There goes Aivy Smith. As a member of the school council, she was the one who created a group chat first to all the fourth year graduates from her batch.
“Hey what’s up guys?”, Aivy messaged first.
“Hello girl, so where are we planning to go?”, asked her co-batchmate.
“Well, I want it to be more perfect. What if we’ll go on a summer vacation?”, replied Aivy.
“Hey break a leg!”, replied Justin.
“Thanks! So going back, we’ll go by the beach!”, replied Aivy.
“Oh yeah. That’s cool.”, replied the other.
“Oh sorry, I can’t go but maybe I’ll try talk with my dad.”, replied one of them.
“Hey, is Kiesha here?”, asked Kenneth.
Justin put a heart emoji on Kenneth’s conversation.
“Oh well, I can’t include her here since ahm… yeah, she lost her phone?”, replied Aivy dishonestly to protect her best friend.
“Oh well, I guess Justin will buy one.”, replied Kenneth.
Others were shocked and put a surprised emoji icon on Kenneth’s conversation.
“Oh no. Why would I?”, replied Justin nervously as his both hands were trembling.
“Oh I’m just joking bro.”, replied Kenneth.
“Whatever.”, replied Justin.
“So what now guys, are you in?”, asked Aivy in the group chat.
“Yes! Yes!”, most of her batchmates want the summer vacation.
“But where?”, asked Kenneth.
“Well, I want it just here in the city. I think we will be going to Mendocino County. There is also lighthouse there near the coastline. I’m sure you’ll love it there guys. The entrance fee is not that too expensive. I think it’s only about $10. What can you say?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh wow! Super amazing! I like that! We can do there camp fire, bringing wine, a lot of packed foods and snacks. And we can entirely sleep over there bringing our own tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, camp chairs, tables, and many more. I have these all. It’s nice if we can at least have 3 days there. That’s enough already. What do you guys think?”, asked the other.
“Well, I absolutely like it. Thank you for suggesting Ms. Secretary. By the way, all of the members of the school council must be there too. I’ll ask Kiesha about this plan. I’m sure she will be joining us.”, replied Aivy in the group chat.
“Oh! I am so much excited for this! This mom and dad had their business trip today. When can we start Aivy?”, asked the other.
“Well, we can start by next week Friday until Sunday night. Since today is Friday, I guess we have 6 days left for the preparation. Each one of us must bring our own materials, things and foods. More foods more fun! We can actually cook in there too!”, replied Aivy.
“But where can we hire for a ride?”, asked one of them in the group chat.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about it since I already asked my mom and dad to use our 2 SUVs. We have only 1 driver but I can take you also for a ride. I can drive by myself. So what do you think guys are you in?”, asked Aivy excitedly.
Everyone in the group chat made positive responses. It seems that most of the members really want to join the said trip.
Aivy Smith was at home cooking for lunch. She helped their housemaid while her parents went on a vacation also with a business trip. After cooking bacon and pasta, she then prepared utensils and plates and invited her maids and their driver to join her for lunch.
“Hey miss, please join me. You can call the driver too. Thank you.”, said Aivy.
“Oh, thank you very much Ma’am.”, replied the maid.
“You can call me Aivy. Ma’am is quite formal haha.”, replied Aivy.
“Alright Aivy. I’ll call them.”, replied the maid.
Aivy with her helpers are happily eating together on the table. After, the helpers washed the dishes while Aivy cleaned her bedroom and closet. She was at the backyard watering the plants and fresh flowers of roses, California Blackberries, California Buckwheats, California Buttercup flowers and Purple Clarkia flowers.
“Oh these flowers made my day.”, said Aivy as she was watering the flowers.
“Hey Aivy, what are you doing there? It seems that you really love watering those beautiful flowers huh. Let me handle it.”, said the maid.
“Oh, it’s okay..”, replied Aivy.
“By the way, do you know when will my parents back?”, asked Aivy.
“Ahm.. Actually Aivy I really don’t know the exact date but your mom told me last day that they will be back with your dad next, next week. Why dear?”, asked the maid.
“It’s because my batchmates were planning to go on a summer vacation trip. I already asked my parents to use our 2 SUVs for our trip next week Friday. And I can drive the other SUV.”, replied Aivy.
“Really dear? Oh no doubt because I know you really know how to drive. But please be careful alright? Don’t dwell too much on excitement.”, replied the maid.
“Oh, thank you for the advice.”, replied Aivy.
“Come on, I’ll take that. Go on upstairs because it’s very hot in here. You might get sick. You can watch Netflix. By the way, congratulations on your achievement dear.”, replied the maid.
“Thank you Susan.”, replied Aivy.
Aivy went upstairs and decided to watch romance movie entitled “A Walk To Remember”.
“I wish Kiesha was here with me. I miss her a lot. I can’t even contact her because she has no phone.”, she whispered.
Eventually, she turned on their LCD Monitor attached on the wall and started to watch a movie. In the middle of the movie, she cried in tears and the maid enters the room. She immediately wiped the tears on her face.
“Hello dear? Can I get inside? I will just get your worn clothes yesterday.”, said Susan.
“Oh yeah, sure. Please come in.”, replied Aivy.
“Oh, what happened? Don’t tell me you’re crying because you missed your parents.”, asked the maid.
“Oh well actually I am independent. But I recently cried because of the movie.”, replied Aivy.
“What’s the genre?”, asked Susan.
“It’s a romance movie. It really touched my heart and soul.”, replied Aivy.
“Really, uhm. May I ask if you don’t mind dear. Do you have a boyfriend already?”, asked Susan.
“Haha. I’m embarrassed now. Uhm.. No. I don’t have. Why?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh I thought you have. With that beautiful face?”, asked Susan.
“Well, I guess nobody likes me.”, replied Aivy.
“Oh dear. Don’t tell that to yourself. Of course maybe you have high standards that’s why until now, you hardly find a man that suits you.”, replied Susan.
Aivy just nodded and continuously watched the movie. Susan comes out from the room after getting the clothes which Aivy have worn last day. After she watched the movie, she cried a lot again because the movies was getting into her nerves. After, she went to the kitchen to drink milk and get some chips from the cabinet full of snacks. She seated on a couch while pulling a novel from the mini table and topped with a flower vase full of roses. After an hour of reading and eating those chips, she thought of calling Kiesha’s sister, Alex.
“Hello? Is this Kiesha’s sister Alex?”, called Aivy.
“Hi, yes speaking. Who’s this?”, asked Alex.
“Oh hi. This is Aivy. Can I speak with Kiesha please? I just want to tell her about our plan for the next week’s vacation by Friday.”, replied Aivy.
“Oh, Kiesha was not yet here. She was finding a job the whole day. Since it’s summer already, she decided to find a job first to support her college studies. But she told me that she will join your trip.”, replied Alex.
“Oh right. Yes thank you so much for informing. I guess this ends our call. Bye.”, replied Aivy.
“Hey wait. Kiesha’s here already. Kiesha, Aivy was calling. Can you talk with her right now?”, asked Alexa.
“Hello Aivy? What’s up best.”, said Kiesha.
“Hey best. How are you? Actually I called your sister maybe I can make it up with you today to just inform you that our trip is next week Friday at 8:00 am in the morning, I told them to prepare everything like foods, drinks, tent and other needs. In the morning, they will come to our house to join the ride. We will be riding in our two SUVs.”, replied Aivy.
“Oh really? Sounds great! Who will be joining? The school council members right?”, asked Kiesha.
“Oh well yes. They should join. Apart from that, they are not the only ones who will join. The 4th year Diamond and Gold Section will be joining.”, replied Kiesha.
“What?”, startled Kiesha.
“Yeah, why? What’s wrong?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh I see. Mmm. Are you still thinking about that idiot huh?”, asked Aivy.
“What? Of course not. Never. Why?”, asked Kiesha.
“Nothing. Hey, bye for now. See you next week Friday at my house. Or what do you want, do you want me to pick you up from your home?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh no. It’s okay best. I’ll arrive at your house next week. See you.”, replied Kiesha.
“By the way, good luck on your interviews.”, said Aivy.
“Oh thank you.”, replied Kiesha.
The awaited day came. It’s Friday sunny morning. Kiesha woke up early at 6:00 am to boil some eggs for her food pockets since it will be a very long hours of trip. She decided to choose the clothes she bought from the cheap store near the roadside. She bid goodbye from her parents and sister and immediately went to get her bicycle.
“Hey Kiesha, wait! You don’t have a cellphone with you. Please tell Aivy to just call or text me okay? And when will you come home?”, asked her sister.
“Oh sorry I almost forgot about that. Thanks sis. By the way, I will arrive here maybe on Monday next week? Just call Aivy or I’ll call you there. Okay?”, shouted Kiesha.
“Darling wait.”, said her mother.
“Here, take this. If ever you feel nauseous, just take this. It is a medicine for headache, clogging nose or any kind of illness. But I hope not. Please take good care of yourself. Eat a lot and sleep a lot. Do not inter mostly with guys. Okay?”, replied her mother.
“Is Justin coming?”, asked her sister.
“I don’t know I guess? He’s our batchmate. But what’s the matter with that? We’re not close. And don’t worry. Not a big deal. We’re not friends.”, replied Kiesha.
“Just be sure about it. Okay? And come home safe next week. Bye dear.”, replied his father.
“Yes father. Goodbye everyone! If John will be here, just tell him that I went on a vacation trip with my classmates.”, replied Kiesha.
“Yeah, sure. Bye sis! Take care!”, replied Alexa.
But she think something different.
“Hey, I guess I should not need this bicycle just as of this time. I cannot use it in our road trip today. I will rather commute. Wait, I will check out my pocket of money first.”, she whispered as she grabbed her mini wallet.
“Oh, alright. It’s enough. I have with me my clothes, little foods and books. And of course, an umbrella, a mat and new pillow.”, she added.
Kiesha carried a back pack and went on her way at the bus station to take a ride at Aivy’s village. After an hour, she arrived at Aivy’s place around 7:00 am in the morning. She took off the bus and proceeded to Aivy’s house.
“Hello, good morning dear. Where are you up to?”, asked the guard.
“Oh good morning Sir. I am on my way to Ms. Aivy Smith’s house. Can you accompany me to theirs?”, asked Kiesha.
“Sure. But you can go on anyway. Just search for this block and lot no.”, replied the guard.
“Oh thanks! I’m her classmate by the way. We’re going on a road trip today.”, replied Kiesha.
“Really, that’s nice. Have a safe trip you two!”, replied the guard.
“Actually, we’re many. Our batchmates are also coming. We have this kind of summer trip because we all graduated from high school.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh wow! Congratulations!”, replied the guard.
“Thank you Sir! I’ll get going. Bye!”, replied Kiesha.
Kiesha searched for the block number in which the guard gave her recently until she found Aivy’s home. She pushed the doorbell.
“Hey! OMG! You came! Good morning by the way best.”, greeted Aivy as she hugged her.
“Good morning best. Is everyone here already?”, asked Kiesha.
“Yeah. They were at the dining table. Others were not yet eating their breakfast so I decided to cook for them. Come on join us in the table. Let’s have a breakfast.”, replied Aivy.
Kiesha was mesmerized how Aivy was staying at her house.
“Hey, your house looks great!”, replied Kiesha.
“Well, this is not mine. I thank my parents for this.”, replied Aivy.
“By the way, where are your parents?”, asked Kiesha.
“Oh, they went on a business trip together. But don’t worry because I planned this and asked permission from them already. Alright?”, replied Aivy.
“Oh, okay. Great!”, replied Kiesha.
Kiesha went through from every corner of the room.
“Hey guys! Kiesha is here already.”, announced Aivy to everyone.
“Good morning Ms. President!”, greeted the others.
“Good morning guys! Nice meeting you again.”, replied Kiesha.
“Come on Kiesha, join us here. Aivy is very generous. She cooked for breakfast.”, replied Kenneth.
“Oh Kenneth, how are you? I thought you will not come.”, replied Kiesha.
“No way.”, replied Kenneth.
Kiesha seated beside Kenneth and everyone had their breakfast meal. As Kiesha was eating, she thought of someone.
“Oh gosh. Stop it idiot.”, she whispered.
“Huh?”, wondered Kenneth.
“Oh sorry. The food is vert delicious.”, replied Kiesha.
“By the way Aivy, I think Justin could not come. He’s not feeling well, I think.”, said Kenneth.
“Oh really, well. It’s alright.”, replied Aivy.
Kiesha heard it and suddenly stared at Kenneth.
“What?”, asked Kenneth.
“Oh nothing. Your face has a ketchup. Haha.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh gosh..”, replied Kenneth.
After Kiesha was done eating, she placed the plates on the sink.
“Oh dear, give me that. Thank you.”, said Susan.
“Thank you.”, replied Kiesha.
Kiesha seated on the couch and started talking with her classmates and friends. Until, Justin came.
“Hey guys, am I late?”, asked Justin.
“Oh the cool boy! What’s up bro? Good morning!”, shouted Kenneth.
“Good morning bro, good morning everyone!”, replied Justin.
“Oh we thought you’re not gonna make it jerk.”, replied Aivy.
“Of course not. I’ll make a way to catch up with her, I mean him, Kenneth.”, replied Justin.
“Are you eating your breakfast bro? It seems that you’re very excited huh.”, replied Kenneth.
Kiesha noticed Justin was there and she doesn’t know what to do. It’s just that she felt nervous or what. Justin headed his way at her.
“Excuse me girls.”, replied Justin.
“Oh gosh! Hi Justin!”, replied the girls.
Kiesha did not greet him. Instead, she looked away. Justin looked at her and seated on the other couch. Kenneth noticed the two that it seems like they both avoiding each other. But Kiesha avoids him more. “Hey Justin, may we ask a question? Did you kidnap Matilda?”, asked Matilda’s friends.
“We can’t contact her. We are very worried about our friend. Are you not worried about her?”, added one of them.
“Oh do you think I’m like the other guys? I tried contacting her. But she did not even answer my calls nor reply to my messages. Actually, to be honest, we had misunderstandings with each other.”, replied Justin.
“Hey Justin, I think you should break her up already. I saw her with another guy. Haha.”, replied the guy at the back.
“I don’t know. We’ll just wait for the time that Matilda will be back.”, replied Justin.
Kiesha heard all of their conversations and stood up. She went by to her best friend’s seating place.
“Hey best, can we go now?”, asked Kiesha.
“Wait for awhile best. We have to wait for the others.”, replied Aivy.
“Is Matilda coming?”, asked Kiesha.
“After all? She was an embarrassment. She should not be here. Or else I will kick her out.”, replied Aivy.
It’s already 8:00 am in the morning when everyone is waiting for others to arrive. Aivy went outside to check the status of the two SUVs that they will use for a ride for the summer road trip on that special day and talk to her driver for safety.