“Goodmorning.” Luke’s voice said, his face looming on me as a wide grin spread across his face. Beside him were Emma and Hannah, with Leroy and Dax joining them. All of their faces circled around me. Hmm, the squad’s all here?
What a strange dream.
Snuggling deeper in the sheets, I groaned and outstretched my hands and legs across my bed.
Tickle. I felt my feet getting tickled. I pushed the sheets with all my leg’s might and kicked downward. Another hand came tickling me again, this time I kicked it harder.
The next thing that happened took me by surprise. Grabbing my feet, a hand-pulled it, and jerked it away to make it sound.
“Ah!” I yelled, shooting up straight in reflex, and punching the person who did it. I mumbled a curse.
“Rise and shine,” Leroy said in a singsong tone, drawing the curtains up. I squinted as bright light met my eyes. When I had time to adjust, I saw Emma’s face, sitting beside me.
“We’re going to be late, missy,” Emma smirked.
Silence, looking around first, I took in what in the world is happening. They are all really here? I thought it was only a dream?
I glanced at my bedside table placed on my right and saw it was still seven in the morning. I coughed and cleared my throat, my voice still hoarse, “It’s winter break right?”
“Yes?” They replied unsurely to me.
At this, I glared at them? How did they end up here early in the morning of a winter break? “Then why are you disturbing my sleep in this hour of the morning!” I exclaimed in frustration, rolling my eyes and fell to my bed, and cuddled my pillow. I don’t have the energy to argue for more.
There was chuckling in the background as I closed my eyes. I gasped, wow, what kind of friends I have! So 100% supportive even in my sleep.
“Honey, we’re going on an adventure!” Luke exclaimed. I pulled my sheets a little, just enough to glare at them, especially at Luke. Reaching out, I throw my pillow in his direction to shut him up.
“Adventure my ass. Just let me sleep, people! I stayed up all night. I need my beauty rest!”
I closed my eyes, turning to the other side to dismiss them. Silence. That’s good, I expected them to argue but as I peeped, they were looking at me with their mouth wide open, Luke was the first one to ask, “You didn’t know it?”
I groaned. “Know what?”
“We’re going to the Philippines!” He exclaimed.
Phili-what?
My eyebrows furrowed, are these fools making fun of me? “What?” I asked, dumbfounded. What are these fools up to now, in the early morning of a lovely day?
“To follow Eion of course. You know, I have tickets for the whole squad. C’mon Snow, this will be fun!” He exclaimed, still loud in the morning for no reason.
Eion? Follow? Tickets?
I shook my head no, still not believing them. “Oh spare me your jokes!”
They fell silent again. I opened my left eye and took a peek at them. Just now, I notice they are well dressed and prepared, with trunks and big bags on their shoulders and by the door, while here I am, spread with hair all over her face and saliva running down on my cheek.
Luke broke the silence again, looking at his wristwatch, “I dialed Mr. Hudson about it and he booked tickets…. don’t tell Eion. Let me handle this when he asks.”
Mr. Hudson? So Eion’s dad was a part of this? “Why is this so sudden no one told me?” I huffed, now fifty percent believing them. They wouldn’t just come bust here in my house, in my room, to just spit jokes to me right?
“I did, I texted you last night,” Hannah interjected. I looked at her in confusion. She motioned for me to check my phone. Grabbing my phone from my bedside table, I frowned, my eyes widening.
Hannah: Girl, better get yourself prepared tomorrow;))) We’re going 2 the Philippines!
She… she really did!
I stared at each and every one of them. “Are you sure?”
“Yup,” Dax replied, popping the p.
“Are you really, really, sure?” I asked again, confirming it.
And Luke nodded, “Yes, we’re really really sure.”
I cocked my eyebrow at them, testing each and every one of them by meeting their eyes head-on. When no one’s eyes faltered, I crossed my arms in front of me.
“Is this 100% sure?”
“Yes, 101% sure,” Dax said.
“Oh, goodness, Snow! Stop being an overreacting bitch and pack already! Geez, you’re making me insane.” Emma stepped in and retorted, heaving a deep sigh.
I rolled my eyes at her, “Well, who in the world just walks in, storms in my room, and announces I’m gonna be the new Dora the Explorer?”
Leroy burst into fits of laughter at that, Luke flashing me a dark stare.
“I mean c’mon! I’m not like you rich kid who travels around the world on short notice as though traveling is just as normal as breathing.” I said to Hannah and Luke. “Are you not?”
They offered a guilty smile at me. See?
As I let silence pass as, me staring at them still quite unsure, I thought of the possible outcomes of this said ‘trip’.
“You said that we’ll follow Eion right?” I asked them.
They nodded.
“You said we’re going to the Philippines right?” I inquired.
They nodded again.
The corners of my lips turned upward, grinning. “Then I’ll tell mom first.”
They heaved a sigh of relief at this. “Geez Snow, I never knew that convincing you was really that hard,” Luke said, wiping an imaginary sweat on his forehead.
“See? I told you.” Emma agreed.
“And no need for that, Snow, we already did. Your mom was even excited about it.” Hannah giggled.
“Now go and get dressed! You only have twenty minutes before we’ll catch our flight!” She urged.
I froze. Twenty minutes? I glanced at my clock. “You’re… not serious, are you?”