CHAPTER 19: UNREQUITED LOVE

It’s already 5:00 pm in the afternoon when the group arrived by the Mendocino beach county. The ocean’s cold breeze blew Kiesha’s sweet face as her natural black hair waves in the wind as she stepped outside the van. Justin stared at her entirely and Aivy looked at Justin as he was staring back at Kiesha. Kenneth noticed something different about Aivy that time but he remained quiet.
“Oh, does Aivy likes Justin? What a love triangle. I mean, quadruple? Haha”, whispered Kenneth as he was giggling.
“Hey, what are you doing? Laughing all alone?”, asked Justin.
“No. I just remembered something funny and unusual.”, replied Kenneth.
“Really? What’s that about?”, asked Justin.
“No. You will discover it yourself.”, replied Kenneth as he walks forward and left Justin behind.
“What the hell is he talking about.”, whispered Justin.
Aivy was all silent from the moment she stepped outside the van until she grabbed her bag and other things.
“Hey best, is everything okay? I think you’re really tired upon driving. What? Need any help?”, asked Kiesha.
“Huh?. You can go first best. I’ll just have to change for awhile inside.”, replied Aivy.
“Alright I’ll go ahead. See you.”, replied Kiesha.
Kiesha was bringing her bag and huge umbrella if ever it will rain. She watched her rich classmates bringing their new smart phones while enjoying the sunset view. She watched other batchmates old and new couples, girlfriends and boyfriends on how they kissed each other on the foreheads while some are kissing on the lips as their love are growing stronger. Some are holding there hands while most of the group prepared their things and raised the tents as well as the mats on the ground. Kiesha doesn’t have one. She searched for Aivy but still, Aivy did not come out. She decided to follow her back.
Meanwhile, Aivy finished changing her clothes. She wears very tight shorts and sleeveless. She came out from the van. In a moment, Justin decided to go back to the van because he forgot his guitar. When he tried to open the side door of the van, he was startled when he saw Kiesha and when she turned around bringing some things, she was surprised because the door was opened which caused her to fall down. Luckily, she was saved by Justin’s arms. When Kiesha reached the area, she saw them from a distant. She saw how Justin hold Aivy’s arms and they were really staring each other for more than a minute. Due to that, Kiesha saw everything and moved her body backwards as her legs were trembling. She did not expect what she saw lately. Instead, she just leave the two. She went back to her place and helped others while they were preparing for rising up tents. She also volunteered to cook. She was very hungry that time and remembered two boiled eggs in her pocket. She grabbed one.
“Does this smell good?”, she whispered.
“Oh. It does not have a foul odor. I like it. I’m gonna eat one. While the other is.. for Aivy.. yeah my best friend.”, she whispered as she sighed eating a boiled egg alone.
“Oh, I’m really sorry Justin. I did not mean to fall.”, said Aivy.
“Oh no. It’s okay Aivy. It’s my fault. I quickly opened the side door of the van. I’m sorry.”, replied Justin.
Aivy immediately stepped down and brought the things needed for the beach side.
“Hey, what are you up to?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh I almost forgot my guitar. There it was. Got cha.”, said Justin.
“Ahm Justin?”, said Aivy.
“Yes?”, asked Justin.
“I am really sorry for having offended you last day. Remember? The words I told you? About you know that I don’t really like you for Kiesha?”, replied Aivy.
“Yeah. Why? What’s the matter? Actually, it’s okay. I understand you Aivy. It’s how someone takes care of her best friend right?”, explained Justin.
“Yeah. But.”, replied Aivy.
Suddenly, Kenneth saw them from afar.
“Hey, what’s between the two of you? Where’s your guitar now? Come on! Let’s jam along.”, shouted Kenneth.
“Oh hey! Wait for awhile. I’m coming!”, replied Justin.
“I’ll go ahead Aivy.”, replied Justin.
“Oh yeah. Sure.”, replied Aivy.
“What the heck am I doing? Oh no. My heart flutters everytime he’s around.”, whispered Aivy nervously.
“Am I inlove with him? No way. Aivy? No way!”, she whispered.
Justin and Kenneth went on their way to started a fire same as for a camp.
“Are we starting a camp fire in here?”, asked their batchmate.
“Oh well right. To ease the cold breeze.”, replied Kenneth.
Justin looked around and searching for Kiesha. She saw her grilling a pork barbecue. That time, Kiesha did not expect what she saw lately and until then, she always thinks between her bestfriend’s relationship with Justin.
“Are they both secretly dating?”, she asked to herself.
“Well, for me I think it’s alright since they both came from a very rich family. While me, I am just a stupid jerk. No one’s gonna love me forever.”, she whispered with teary eyes.
“I knew it. That’s why Aivy doesn’t want me to be with Justin. Because she secretly badly fall for him.”, she whispered.
Justin looked even more at Kiesha. It seems that he noticed Kiesha needs help. He felt that she was very uneasy what she’s doing so he stood up and tried to reach out for her.
“Hey, what’s up?”, asked Justin.
“Oh hi. You want some?”, asked Kiesha.
“Yeah sure. Thanks.”, replied Justin.
“Actually this is not mine. I only helped our colleagues here.”, replied Kiesha.
“I certainly don’t know you really love cooking huh. You amazed me Kiesha.”, complimented Justin.
“Thank you Justin.”, replied Kiesha.
“By the way. I just want to really apologize again for what I did to you last day near the comfort room. I just pushed you away because I was startled by Kenneth’s physical appearance when he came outside from the men’s room. He saw us getting close with each other. That’s why.”, explained Justin.
“Oh, it’s alright Justin. I understand. You are already forgiven long time ago. It’s just old issue already. Don’t mention it anymore.”, replied Kiesha.
“Ahm. I have a question.”, she added as she was putting a sauce on the pork.
“Yes what is it?”, asked Justin.
But suddenly, Aivy came into their conversation.
“Hey best, what’s up? Oh, why are you doing that?”, said Aivy happily.
“Oh there you are. I was really searching for you the whole time. So I decided to help our classmates here anyway. By the way, where have you been?”, asked Kiesha.
“Oh uhm, I was just getting the foods and drinks we need during our dinner later. I was quiet late to go here since I was changing my clothes. Look, is my outfit cute?”, asked Aivy.
Kiesha looked at Aivy’s body.
“You’re too perfect. How I wish your body was mine. No wonder many guys like you, even Justin.”, replied Kiesha.
Justin was surprised about Kiesha’s statement.
“What? Why am I included here? I am just eating a pork barbecue which you cooked perfectly.”, replied Justin.
Aivy felt anxious when Justin did not even try to compliment her outfit that night.
“Hey, next time Aivy. Just wear on your pajamas. There are many mosquitoes here. Be careful.”, replied Justin.
Aivy felt loved on how Justin cared for her with only his simple compliment and care. Kiesha did not mind at all. She was just observing the two. There comes Kenneth towards them.
“Hey bro, why didn’t you tell me that you and Kiesha are.”, said Kenneth.
Aivy heard it and came closer to hear everything as she put down all her belongings on the ground and pretending to get a pork barbecue to eat.
“What?”, replied Justin.
“I mean why didn’t you tell me that you’re eating barbecue with Kiesha Jones. Hi there, Kiesha how are you?”, asked Kenneth.
“I’m certainly fine. Want some? I’ll get one for you.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh no, no. He will be the one to get it. Dude, you’re not a baby anymore. Haha”, replied Justin jokingly.
“Here take this. What an idiot.”, whispered Justin.
“What did you just say?”, asked Kiesha.
“Huh? I mean Kenneth is just acting like a baby.”, replied Justin.
Kiesha did not mind it at all. She knew that Justin’s behavior is sort of disgusting sometimes. But even though he’s like that, she was even fall for him all over again.
“Ho. I don’t know what’s going on my mind right now.”, whispered Kiesha.
Aivy moved to Kiesha closer.
“Hey best, you want some?”, asked Kiesha.
“Oh no. I’m full already. Thank you.”, replied Aivy.
“By the way, I have one left boiled egg. Do you want it?”, asked Kiesha.
“I just said I’m full. Can’t you understand?”, replied Aivy anxiously.
“Oh I’m sorry Aivy. I was just asking if you want it. But if that’s what you reply then I understand you not taking my boiled egg.”, replied Kiesha.
Kenneth and Justin heard their conversation. Justin immediately came to Kiesha and ask her about the boiled egg she brought.
“Hey, if your best friend doesn’t like it, then give it to me. I’ll eat it.”, replied Justin.
“But it was intended for her actually. It’s my first time hearing her anxious reply towards me. I am just asking.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh it’s alright Kiesha. Don’t take that too seriously.”, replied Kenneth.
All of a sudden, the tents were now getting ready as well as the tables and chairs. It was 7:00 pm in the evening when all the members gathered together and watched how the crystal waves are flashing off the shoreline. Kiesha then seated and helped to create a fire for the camp since the fire is taking slow. She watched how her best friend behaves when Justin was around. She stared both of them while drinking some wine on the other side. Her heart really breaks everytime she saw Justin was messing up with her best friend.
“Oh please. I’m not gonna fall for him. Ever.”, whispered Kiesha to herself.
“Hey, is everything okay?”, asked Kenneth while he was seating beside her.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”, replied Kiesha.
“Where’s Aivy?”, he asked.
“There, with Justin and their friends.”, replied Kiesha.
“Why you did not get along with them? Come on.”, replied Kenneth.
“Oh I’m fine Kenneth. Promise. I just want to create a fire since it’s very cold.”, she replied.
Kenneth then removed his jacket and gave it to Kiesha. Justin can’t keep his eyes on Kiesha and Kenneth. He noticed that the two were getting closer to each other. Her face got red when Kenneth removed his jacket and gave it to her and their conversation made them laugh harder. He quickly stood up and went on them.
“Hey, you’re so fun in here. What’s the matter both of you?”, asked Justin.
“Well, Kiesha was just joking. I never thought she has a very good sense of humor.”, replied Kenneth.
“What was that?”, asked Justin.
“No. Nothing important.”, replied Kiesha.
“Really?”, asked Justin.
“Yes.”, replied Kiesha.
“Alright everyone, please gather together and it’s time now to eat our dinner.”, said Aivy.
Aivy invited Kiesha at the table full of foods.
“Hey best, come on. Let’s eat together.”, said Aivy.
“Oh yeah. I’m coming. I am just waiting for Kenneth. Let’s go Ken.”, replied Kiesha.
“Let’s go.”, replied Kenneth.
Aivy noticed the closeness between Kiesha and Kenneth.
“Oh well, that’s great. So that I can now easily get Justin’s attention towards me.”, she whispered.
Justin saw Kiesha and Kenneth went together. Kiesha was eating beside Kenneth. Justin eventually came closer to Kiesha to seat beside her on the left side while Kenneth was on her right side. Aivy noticed it and seated beside Justin.
“Hey.”, said Justin to Kiesha.
Kiesha did not made an impression since she knows that Aivy likes him. She pretended to avoid him that time.
“Hey Justin, you want to drink blueberry wine huh? Come on. Cheers!”, said Aivy.
Kiesha was just staying in the area while eating together with Kenneth.
“Hey you want this?”, asked Kenneth.
“I’m fine, I can get some. Thank you.”, replied Kiesha.
“How about this? You want?”, asked Justin.
“Oh ahm. I’m alright. I can feed myself thanks.”, replied Kiesha.
“How about this?”, asked Kenneth.
“No, I think Kiesha wants to try this.”, replied Justin.
“Oh both of you please. I’m trying to calm down here. Okay?”, replied Kiesha.
While everyone is happily eating and talking, Aivy noticed everything. She was not even being cared for by Justin. She was jealous that time. Instead, she drinks a lot of wine and light beer until she felt nauseous and vomits afterwards.
“Oh my gosh! Is that Aivy? Best!”, shouted Kiesha as she saw her best friend lying on the ground.
“Best!”, said Kiesha worriedly.
“No, I’m fine. Just don’t touch me. Okay?”, replied Aivy.
“But you’re not like this before. All the time that we’re together. You know that I love you because you’re my best friend. Right?”, replied Kiesha.
“No. Don’t touch me.”, replied Aivy.
“Hey, what happened?”, asked Justin.
“I just saw Aivy vomits. Come here Justin, help me to carry her.”, asked Kiesha.
But Aivy pushed her hands away. Instead, she wants Justin to carry her.
“Justin?”, whispered Aivy.
Justin picked her up and helped her to stand still and slowly walked until he took her to her tent. He helped her to lie down on bed and put her a soft pillow under her head.
“Oh Justin thank you. I’m glad you took care of me.”, she whispered.
“Well, you’re welcome Aivy. Without Kiesha, we could not see you there lying on the ground already. What happened to you? What’s your problem?”, asked Justin.
“It’s you.”, she whispered.
“What? I don’t understand.”, replied Justin.
“I love you.”, replied Aivy.
“What? Did you hear what you said?”, replied Justin.
Justin was shocked from what he heard.
“Justin please. Don’t go. Just stay here. Don’t leave me please..”, pleaded Aivy.
She hold his arm but Justin pushed her hand away and came out from the tent. Kiesha heard everything and ran away with tears flowing down from her eyes. Justin saw her and quickly followed her.
“Kiesha where are you going?”, shouted Justin.
“Bro, what happened?” Where is Kiesha?”, asked Kenneth.
“I don’t know she just ran away. I’m worried for her safety.”, replied Justin.
“Just stay here. I’ll find her okay? Just don’t talk for her now.”, replied Kenneth.
Justin nodded. Kenneth searched for Kiesha all over the place. Others did not notice since they were having fun that night.