SELENA
I wrapped my arms around Marco, losing myself in the sensation of his kiss. His hands moved gently across my back, sending shivers down my spine. Just as I was about to lose myself completely, my phone buzzed loudly on the table beside us.
I pulled back, breathless, and glanced at the screen. Ezra’s name flashed, along with his photo. My heart skipped a beat, anxiety immediately setting in.
“It’s my brother,” I said, my voice tinged with worry.
Marco raised an eyebrow, his hand still resting on my waist. “You gonna answer it?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath before swiping to accept the call. “Hello?”
“Selena, you need to come home,” Ezra’s voice was firm and urgent. “We need to talk about something.”
My stomach dropped. “Is everything okay?”
“It will be. Just get home as soon as you can.”
I glanced at Marco, who was watching me intently, then back at my phone. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
Ending the call, I turned to Marco, who looked concerned. “I have to go. Ezra says it’s important.”
Marco sighed, his disappointment evident, but he nodded. “Alright. Do you need a ride?”
“No, I’ll be fine,” I replied, grabbing my things. “Thanks, though.”
As I hurried out of Marco’s house, my mind raced with questions about what could be so urgent. I ordered a ride which took me straight home.
When I finally got home, I opened the door to find my brothers in the living area. Reggie and Teddy were deep in conversation, while Cyrus lounged on the couch, his attention fixed on something unseen. I stepped into the room, offering a quiet greeting to my brothers and Teddy.
“Hey, guys,” I said, but Cyrus didn’t even look up. I sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of his indifference.
Ezra came to the center of the room, clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, listen up. We’ve decided to go on a camping trip,” he announced. “Just us and our friends. It’s a chance to get away and relax for a bit.”
Wow!! That sounds fun….. but… Cyrus is gonna be there!!!!!
Teddy grinned, clearly excited about the idea. “Sounds awesome! When are we leaving?”
“This weekend,” Ezra replied. He then turned to me, his expression serious. “Selena, if you’re planning to bring anyone along, make sure it’s not a male friend. Understood?”
I nodded, Not as if I was gonna bring any male friend at all “Got it.”
My gaze shifted to Cyrus, who remained distant and detached. He hadn’t spoken to me since that awkward encounter, and his silence was starting to feel like a heavy cloud hanging over us.
Ezra continued outlining the details of the trip, but my mind kept drifting back to Cyrus. His coldness was hard to ignore, and I wondered if things would ever return to normal between us. As the meeting wrapped up, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this camping trip might be more complicated than a simple getaway.
~~
The next day at school, I found Eva by our usual spot, sipping on her coffee. I took a deep breath and approached her, my mind set on convincing her to join us on the camping trip.
“Hey, Eva,” I greeted, sliding into the seat next to her.
“Hey, you,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “What’s up?”
I launched into my pitch. “So, my brothers and I are going on a camping trip this weekend. Just us and a few friends. I really want you to come.”
Eva’s expression turned wary. “Who and who is going?”
“My brothers, some of their friends…” I trailed off, knowing she’d catch on.
“And Cyrus?” she asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
“Yeah, him too,” I admitted. “But it’ll be fun, I promise. We could really use a break, don’t you think?”
Eva’s eyes narrowed as she considered it. “Selena, you know how I feel about Ezra. I’m not thrilled about spending a whole weekend with him around.”
“I know, I know,” I pleaded. “But I don’t want to be the only girl there. Please, Eva? It won’t be the same without you.”
She sighed, clearly torn. “I just… I don’t want any drama.”
“There won’t be any,” I assured her. “We’ll stick together and have our own fun. Plus, we can bring stuff to keep us entertained. Think of it as an adventure.”
Eva mulled it over, tapping her fingers on the table. “Fine,” she finally said, rolling her eyes. “I’ll come. But if things get weird, I’m out.”
I beamed, relieved. “Thank you! I promise it’ll be great. We’ll make the best of it.”
She smiled back, albeit reluctantly. “Alright, let’s hope you’re right.”
As we finished our coffee and headed to class, I felt a sense of excitement bubbling up. With Eva by my side, I knew the trip would be more bearable. Now, I just had to make sure everything went smoothly.
I was able to tell my other friends about the trip. By the way, Stephanie and I made up, and she apologized for the way she acted. They were thrilled to come too. I knew for sure the trip was going to be memorable. Only if Marco could tag along!
Today was Thursday, and I needed to shop for some clothes for the trip-clothes suitable for camping. We all agreed to go shopping after classes ended. As the final bell rang, I gathered my things and met up with Eva, Rachel, Stephanie, and Mia outside.
“Ready for some retail therapy?” Rachel asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Definitely,” I replied. “Let’s find some cute, practical outfits for the trip.”
We piled into Mia’s car and headed to the mall. As we browsed through the racks, I tried to focus on the fun of picking out new clothes, knowing this trip would be a great bonding experience for all of us.
Eva noticed my enthusiasm and smiled. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Absolutely,” Stephanie agreed, holding up a pair of cargo shorts. “These would be perfect for hiking.”
“And look at these cute flannel shirts,” Mia added, showing off her finds. “Stylish and practical.”
We spent the next few hours trying on clothes, laughing, and making plans for the camp. By the time we left the mall, we had bags full of new outfits and a renewed sense of excitement for the trip.
~~
“Don’t get any girl pregnant and protect your sister by all means,” my dad said, fixing each of my brothers with a stern look. They all nodded solemnly, the weight of responsibility hanging in the air.
“It’s so unfair that I am not allowed to go,” Anya pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Aren’t you happy to stay with your dad and me, baby?” Mom asked gently, but I could see the hint of frustration in her eyes.
“No, thank you. Can I do a sleepover at Aunt Katherine’s instead?” Anya asked, her eyes wide with hope. Mom sighed before nodding.
“Don’t let your sister out of your sight at any moment,” Dad emphasized again, his eyes sweeping over my brothers. They all nodded, but I could sense their exasperation. Was I gonna die if I leave their sight? Was I really that much of a burden?
“Thank goodness, Cyrus and Teddy are going too. They would keep extra eyes on Selena,” Dad continued, his voice filled with relief.
“Not Teddy. That boy is even careless with himself,” Dad added, shaking his head. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the truth in his words.
“Just don’t leave her alone. The rest of you can get lost, kill yourselves, but not her,” Dad said, and my smile widened despite the heavy atmosphere.
“Yes, sir,” they chorused, a mixture of annoyance and understanding in their voices.
“Also, look after your brothers, honey. You know they can be dumb, especially Blue,” Mom said, and Grey and I burst into laughter, the tension easing slightly.
“Me? Not Grey… or Reggie, even Ezra,” Blue said, his voice tinged with indignation.
“Ezra is the most sensible one, but when he sees a girl, it’s like he’s charmed. So take care of him. Reggie’s anger issues can make him go crazy and act stupid most of the time. I think the only person who is more mature out of all of you is Grey. So, Grey, take care of your sister and brothers,” Mom said, making all the boys growl in protest. I couldn’t help but laugh because, deep down, we all knew it was true.
“Mom, you’re so biased,” Grey muttered, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Just promise me you’ll all look out for each other,” Mom said, her voice softer now, filled with genuine concern.
“We will,” Ezra said, stepping forward and placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll make sure she’s safe.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and irritation. It was touching that they cared so much, but I also felt suffocated by their overprotectiveness. Still, I knew they meant well, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit reassured.
As we finished packing and got ready to leave, we divided ourselves among three cars-two for my brothers and their friends, and my car for me and my friends. The driveway buzzed with excitement and last-minute preparations.
I stood by my car, checking my phone for any updates from my friends. We were waiting for everyone to arrive. When Cyrus walked into the house, my heart skipped a beat. His presence always had that effect on me, even if I didn’t want to admit it. His gaze barely flickered over me before shifting to Ezra.
What was he trying to protect me from? Marco seemed like the nicest guy ever-sweet, loving, and considerate. Maybe Cyrus just didn’t want us together. Nothing else.
My friends started arriving, their chatter filling the air with a contagious energy. Eva, Rachel, Stephanie, and Mia each greeted me with a mix of hugs and excited squeals. Stephanie and I exchanged a smile, our recent reconciliation making me feel more at ease.
“Ready for an adventure?” Eva asked, slinging her bag into the trunk of my car.
“Absolutely,” I replied, trying to push thoughts of Cyrus out of my mind. This trip was about fun and making memories with my friends.
As we gathered for a final headcount, Ezra took charge, making sure everyone was accounted for. “Alright, everyone! Listen up!” he called out, his voice authoritative. “We’re about to head out. Stick to the plans, and remember, no one goes off alone.”
I rolled my eyes slightly at his overprotectiveness but appreciated his concern. It was just a camping trip, after all.
Cyrus walked over to Ezra, exchanging a few words. I tried not to eavesdrop but couldn’t help noticing the serious expression on Cyrus’s face. What was he so worried about?
Finally, with everyone ready, we piled into our respective cars. My friends and I settled into my car, the excitement palpable. I glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Cyrus. He stood by Ezra’s car, watching us. For a moment, our eyes met, and I thought I saw a flicker of something-concern, maybe?
“Let’s go, Selena!” Stephanie called from the backseat, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Right,” I said, starting the engine. “Let’s get this trip started.”
As we pulled out of the driveway, I tried to shake off the feeling that something was lingering just beneath the surface, something that Cyrus wasn’t saying. But I pushed it aside. This trip was about us-my friends and me. We were going to have an unforgettable time, no matter what.
TBC