CHAPTER 10

“What is that?” asked Willow when Dakota once invited her to the bathroom to show the painful part on her back.
Using the small mirror, she looked behind her in another, larger mirror. Dakota and Willow both wondered why she had that and where she got it. She carefully fixed her clothes and then faced her friend, who could see that Willow’s face was worried for her.
“I don’t know either, Willow. When we woke up the night we were here at the restaurant, I could feel it. I thought maybe it was because I just hit somewhere and hit my back. I also just saw that there seems to be a big scar on my back.” Dakota couldn’t help but worry about herself. She wants to know more about who she really is and what is the scar behind her. Why does that hurt? What really happened to the two of them?
“Nothing hurts me like that. Apart from my head when I try to remember, nothing else hurts.” Willow even tried to feel her whole body, especially in her back. “Not really.”
Dakota took a deep breath and tried not to think about it. Maybe she really just hit her back the night they were here at Chef Ivo’s. They were both surprised when they heard a knock from outside the door. Dakota and Willow looked at each other, slightly panicked. “What are we going to do? Are you going to tell them about that?” Willow asked her.
Dakota shook her head. “No. Please don’t tell them about this, and they might just worry.” She took a deep breath and fit herself before she walked towards the door and opened it. “Yes?”
“Why did you go there together? What are you doing?”
Dakota and Willow looked at each other and immediately laughed. “Oh, Shane. I just asked Willow to close something on my dress because I couldn’t reach it. Are you going to use the bathroom?” Dakota asked.
“I am not, but we should go now. You know that we have a picnic with the squad. You seem to have forgotten.”
“Oh yes! I’m sorry.” Dakota and Willow immediately left the bathroom and followed Shane.
“You know we’ve been waiting for you for a while, but it took you so long to prepare yourself! Girls’ thing is giving me a headache!” Ashton complained again to their four girls. Dakota doesn’t know if he’s really a complainer in life or if he’s really just this irritable among the four of them.
Liam and Kurt laughed and shook their heads. Now they are also looking at them as they were walking. This is the second week they will have gone out together because the restaurant is closed. They all have a day off, so they will go for a picnic together. And just like the first time,, Ashton was still hot-headed and really mad at them. Shane and Wendy didn’t even pay attention to him. Whereas Willow and Dakota are always nervous about this guy.
They will use Ashton’s father’s car. They also brought food and drinks since they will have a picnic today. Dakota didn’t ask where they were going because she didn’t know anything, even if she did the same as Willow.
“Do you think we’ll fit in your car, Ashton?”
“Of course. We used to fit together, right?”
“I don’t think so. You know Willow and Dakota are with us, but you’re bringing a small car again." Shane complained. “Your dad has a van, right?”
“Oh, why does it sounds like it’s my fault? Why is it my fault that something has been added?” Ashton was clearly angry again while looking at Willow and Dakota. “Make a way for that.” He frowned and got into the driver’s seat.
The six of us were left outside the car, not knowing what to do or how we were going to fit inside the car.
“Maybe should get inside.” Liam spoke.
“Yes and let’s try,” answered Shane.
Dakota and Willow can’t speak because they feel like they don’t have the right because they are the new in their circles. Dakota looked away. She seems that she just wants not to get involved so as not to embarrass those who are with them.
“Chef!”
Dakota immediately looked when she heard Wendy’s voice calling Chef Ivo. All of her friends were focused on where Wendy looking at, so she followed that, too. Dakota saw Ivo walking towards them. Like them, he is casually worn a nice T-shirt and pants.
“Where are you going and you seem to be in trouble?” Ivo asked them.
“Well, we’re going to have a picnic, Chef. Do you want to come along?” asked Shane.
“Really? Can I come with you?”
Dakota’s friends nodded. She was the only one who didn’t give any response, which is why everyone’s attention went to her. Even Ashton, who came out of the car, was looking at her and didn’t seem to like her silence.
“Is it okay with you I come?” Ivo asked Dakota, causing her to nod immediately.
“Yes, Chef Ivo.”
All her friends smiled because of her answer. Dakota was nervous, but she didn’t move.
“I will bring my car. Some of you just ride there,” said Ivo and looked at Dakota. “Just ride with me.” He smiled again before turning back to get his own car that was still in the restaurant’s parking lot.
Dakota swallowed and just looked at Willow with a shocked expression on her face. Meanwhile, Shane and Wendy had a beautiful smile on their lips that Dakota couldn’t figure out what was causing them. Liam and Kurt high fived each other.
“Maybe only the girls will ride in Chef Ivo’s car. You boys are in Ashton’s car,” said Wendy.
“Wendy’s right.”
“Okay. We don’t want you in the car either. You are noisy.” Ashton said, laughing with a frown on his face.
It wasn’t long before Chef Ivo’s car arrived and stopped in front of Dakota. “Let’s go?” he asked, looking at her.
Shane, Wendy, and Willow immediately got into the passenger seat. They left Dakota outside the car. She was embarrassed to ride in the shotgun, but saw that the seats in the back were just right for her three female friends. Dakota’s eyes blinked especially when her and Ivo’s eyes met.
“What are you waiting for? Get in, Dakota!” Ashton shouted, causing her to panic slightly.
Dakota was really nervous when Ashton spoke. It seems like she will always have a sin and she will be punished. Dakota took a deep breath before opening the shotgun door. When she sat down, she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t even breathe, so she just focused her attention outside the window
“Are all settled? Did you forget anything?” asked Ivo, who was in the driver’s seat.
Dakota didn’t answer, but her female friends who were behind spoke. “Yes, Chef. Let’s go!” Wendy, Shane and Willow are full of energy.
She did not expect that she and Ivo would look each other in the eyes, causing Dakota’s chest to heave. She looked away, but she could still feel Chef’s gaze on her. A few moments later, she was surprised by his actions. Ivo came a little closer to her to reach for something. Dakota looked. He adjusted her seatbelt carefully. That caused their two faces to be close together, and Dakota could stare at Ivo closely.
“You forgot to adjust your seatbelt. Safety first,” he said, then straightened up in his own seat.
Dakota didn’t even move, even though she could feel Willow’s hand on one part of her shoulder. She swallowed and slightly turned to her friend, who was peeking from behind her. “W-why?”
“What’s that?” Willow asked her softly.
Dakota didn’t answer and looked out the window. She didn’t even know how to answer her friend.