The Mermaid's Last Wish

Chapter 13 -A Kiss on the Cheek

The breeze of the wind from the sea made Erina happy. She was there to have a rest and recreation. Mochi was playing in the sand. He was making a small castle. Georgie was busy with their grandfather making barbecues and vegetable salad while Gavin made a tent.

Mochi's sand castle became tall and beautiful. They were amazed at how it was made because of the details.

"You're talented." The grandfather was slicing an apple and putting it to the vegetable salad.

"Thank you. Well, I'm so glad that we're here." He was smiling when Georgie looked at him. It was a genuine smile that made her day whole. Yes, they were just kids and they liked each other. Could you teach me how not to love?

"I'll help you, Gavin." Erina wanted to help Gavin because the tent would not stand. After making it, Gavin smiled. As she saw him, it made her smile too. Gavin secretly looked at her. It was his first time to be with her at a picnic.

It was already six in the evening when they ate their dinner. Gavin put the huge blanket and they were having a star gazing there.

"Brother, it's a wishing star!" Georgie closed her eyes and have her wish.

Mochi closed his eyes too and the rest did.

Their grandfather put some beers and crackers at the center while Mochi and Georgie entered the tent.

Erina looked at the beers and asked, "What is this?"

Gavin smirked. "Beers. It is a drink that will make you drunk."

"Let's see."

Gavin stopped her but their grandfather refused. He gave a can of beer to Erina and she drank it. "It's sour but I think I can finish this." She drank the beer and wanted more.

"Stop this." Gavin held her wrist and worried about her. "You should enjoy it than drinking it all so fast."

"Okay, fine." She gave him a can of beer and he drank it.

"It's almost a month since my last drink with peers." He was able to remember his friends having fun in a swimming pool. It was a large place for a birthday party.

"Then, how was it?" Erina was curious about him after that.

"I got drunk and fell asleep." He chuckled softly and tasted another drink.

"How about playing a game?" Georgie offered. She was enthusiastic as she was giving them a hint that she knew how they loved each other secretly.

"Game?" Their grandfather put a plate of barbeques on the blanket.

"Let's try it." Gavin was excited about having fun. He was thinking about a game but didn't tell them.

"How about UNO cards?" Georgie's voice was raised a little and brought them the UNO cards. They were enjoying the game and made the place full of laughter.

"I'm exhausted." Georgie felt the spirit of sleep and fell on the blanket. Gavin looked at the cottage. It was a cold place. The waves from the ocean was making the ambiance calm where you could relax.

Erina went to the cottage where Gavin and Georgie stayed. She saw him taking good care of her.

"Are you sleepy?" He went to the cabinet and got the quilt.

"I'm sleepy." He sat on the bed opposite to Georgie. She was wondering about the wishing star if it would make her wish come true.

Gavin gave her the quilt and said, "Good night." He left her with a smile on his face that made her blush.

She covered her face with her palms and watched him walk away.

"Just sleep well. Tomorrow will be exhausting for my work."

She heard him slide the door and found her sleep calm and relaxing.

Gavin waited for fifteen minutes before going out of the cottage. He knew that Mochi and his Grandfather were sleeping soundly. The moon was shining brightly with the stars twinkling up above the sky.

This was one of his memorable moments. He wanted not to end this until tomorrow. His thoughts went to Erina. He was asking himself why he wanted to take care and watch for her. He didn't know the reason why he wanted to be close to her and be with her. He was thinking about this many times and he couldn't forget his what-ifs.

Erina wasn't that good-looking to his eyes but he wanted to know why she was stuck in his mind and heart. It was a puzzle to him until now why his heart was pounding for her. If she was in danger, he would follow her and save her with all his might. Unbelievable, right?

He smirked and chuckled softly to himself. He picked a shell and threw it into the ocean water.

After all, thinking about it would make you feel like crazy. He decided to go back to the cottage and sleep.

The waves of the ocean water filled the ears of Erina. He has the guts to swim there and enjoy the water. She felt that something was missing from her. Was it about her happiness? No, she wanted to live there. She didn't know why.

She was walking on the shore and found the shells cute and pretty things. She picked one and gave it to Georgie who was sitting beside Mochi. They were saying stories to each other and she knew that they were friends after fights.

"Where's Gavin?"

"There at the cottage. Grandfather was looking for food at the market at this hour so, wait for him." Georgie continued talking with Mochi.

Walking back to the cottage, Erina looked at the cottage where Gavin stayed. She knocked and opened the door and found it shocking. Gavin saw her in front of him. He was touching her cheeks and pulled her. He kissed her cheek and at that moment, he woke up from sleep. His Grandfather was looking at him differently with his evil smile.

"No, you're mistaken." He moved out of the bed quickly, waving his both hands, and smiled wryly at him. When he looked at the door, it was Erina standing there, confused and didn't know what to do. She was like nailed to her place and her eyes widened when he saw him looking at her.

"I'm sorry. I disturbed you." She was about to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.

"It's just a misunderstanding."

Grandfather chuckled loudly and tapped his head. "This is so funny, Gavin. It's the first time to seen you like this."

Gavin knew what he meant. He denied his feelings again and said, "You're mistaken." He brushed his hair up and added, "Tell me that this is a dream."

"No." Erina walked away from him and he chased her.

"Erina, I wanted to say that it was all misunderstanding."

Erina just ignored her mind from wanting to face him. She didn't want to know the truth because she was afraid that it wasn't her. Perhaps, it was the other girls around him, someone who was prettier and smarter than her.

"How can I explain this?" Gavin was nervous and at the same time, panicking because of the truth that it was her - the girl he wanted to kiss on the cheek.

The breakfast was served hot. The seafood looked delicious in their eyes. They wanted this time more memorable so, they took a picture.

"This will not be the last." Georgie was expecting that this would happen again. She was dreaming of having her family to be brought to the Western Area from their place. She knew that there were white beaches, falls, and forests to hike there. She wanted to experience it as soon as possible.

Mochi learned how smart people here were. He wasn't expecting how beautiful it was, especially when he met Georgie who made his life more colorful.

He shook his head and think another thought. He was so sure that this wasn't the right thing to think because of his age. He was able to see her from afar and cherish the moment when she was smiling all the time he was spending good memories with her.

Grandfather was thinking about how cold it was to be without their parents, especially when he would leave them. He was having thoughts about the danger coming near to them. He was preparing for the unusual events that would happen.

Erina was simply hiding her thoughts while smiling. She wanted to know about her usual dreams about a woman who was taking good care of her. Perhaps, it was her mother but she couldn't remember her face. She was doubting herself. She didn't know how she got the skill to make a potion. This was supernatural and more powerful if she wanted to practice it.

Gavin was thinking about his work this afternoon. His boss was hot-tempered this past few days. He was projecting his anger towards the staff and would make a scene after work. He decided to talk about it with his boss later and if it helps, why not? He wanted to make all things better not just for him but for his co-worker.