The Last Moon

Chapter 26: Girls Afternoon Break

Halea's POV

Rahul and I went to their beach house after class, I have informed my Mom that I will be out with Rahul. We were in the swing near the water. I was leaning on him while his arm is wrapped around my shoulder. We watched the twilight as the stars fill the sky. 

"How was your day?" Rahul Asked me

"It was okay apart from the new group  I am in. The girls and I were separated in different groups but the good thing is Caleb is in my team at least there's someone I'll be comfortable with. Besides Caleb is quite a reliable group leader so I am somehow lucky,"

"Is Caleb still bothering you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he spoke to me before and I can see his interest in you. He said he's going to make you his girl.  But he's all talk I guess,"

"And you think you're not? Your first plan was to make me wait for you without even trying or asking if I feel the same,"

He laughed, planting a peck on my forehead. "I know what you're thinking," he looked into my eyes with a big smile in his face showing his dimples which I like to see, "Thank you for pushing me to be out of my safety zone, thank you for choosing me to be here with you," he said holding my hands.

"Well it's worth a try, right? We wouldn't know what would happen so we just need to make the best out of it, besides I like you,"

"I wish, I would be able to stay with you like this," he said bringing my hands to his lips, I bit my lower lip as the breeze suddenly felt hot and pressed his hand holding mine to acknowledge his kiss.

He looked into my eyes his eyes sparkling or was it just my imagination, he then asked me "Can I kiss you?"

I thought he never ask, I smirk and nod in agreement. He then cupped my face and brought his face close to mine. I close my eyes as our lips touched, his lips were so soft and sweet the kiss was gentle nipping my lower lip as did his upper lip. Our tongue dances inside as if we were thirsty for each other, my hands are now at the back of his neck while his hands still hold my face. We parted to breathe some air, his lips traced my nose going up to my forehead and planted another kiss there. I hugged him and snuggle my body in his and we relaxed our body at the backrest of the swing watching the sky now filled with stars. 

We stood there for a while just feeling each other when I remembered about Veronica.

"Oh, by the way, tomorrow, me and the girls will be spending an afternoon with Veronica. She invited us over for a girls afternoon break," I told him

"Are you sure you will be okay about spending time with her?"

"Well, I have Adrienne and Amelia so I am hoping everything will be fine. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt,"

"It's good that you're giving her a chance, I know she's been acting all possessive lately and I must say half of it is my fault. I haven't corrected her of her thought about me and her and it was only when you came. But I didn't think that she would be like that,"

"I hope the afternoon would go fine, if not I'll just treat the girls afterwards,"

"Let me treat you, girls, afterwards regardless of good or not. Let me know what time you'll finish and I'll pick you up, okay?"

"Alright, I'll send you a message when we're done,"

After spending time in their beach house, we stroll had dinner at the baywalk before going home.

Saturday afternoon arrived so fast. The girls came to my house first and we packed some food to bring to Veronica's house.

"What do you think of this girl bonding time with Veronica and her friends?"Adrienne asked me

"Well, Veronica is our landlord's daughter and I've met her on several occasions. I think she just really want to get to know us,"

"I think she wanted to know you than us, we were just pawns," Amelia said

"You see Veronica and her friends were ' the popular' and I believe they have noticed you are the next to take their titles," Adrienne

"I am not interested in this popular title thing, I just wanted to be a normal student,"

"But that's not what they think, or what most of us think," Amelia said as we walk to the car.

Elmo will be driving us to Veronica's house.

"Let's see what this afternoon be like, I hope we will all have fun,"

"I hope so. And don't worry we are here to protect you, " Amelia said

I was smiling at what she said, "What will you do if ever?" I asked her

"Well, we will do what we do best, catfight! I have my claws ready and Adrienne here is good in tribal martial arts," Amelia said laughing

"What do you mean by Tribal Martial Arts?"

"Oh, they have this tribe dance but it was a warrior fighting moves,"

"That's cool, I wanted to see that and maybe you can teach me, " I said

"Let's see maybe during the summer while we do the herbal medicine class with Nana, but don't expect much since it's a dance and not martial arts. Ameli here is just exaggerating it," 

"Cool, I'm fine whether dance or a martial arts. That's a promise okay," I said giggling with excitement

"We're here!"Amelia said, "Prepare for battle!" and we all laugh while she does her battle pose.

Leslie and Ivy were already there when we arrive and they showed us on the second floor of the house where they set-up with bean bags and small stool which I guess for the nail artist. We sat down taking the row facing the veranda from there we can see the big tree from the garden and the sky. Veronica's place is so cosy on the other side of the veranda was a small receiving area with mini theatre system and a big screen. Leslie must have seen me and the girls glance over it so she spoke.

"We can watch a movie later, what movies do you like to watch?" she asked

"It's okay, let's see if we will have time for that," I said

"Hmm, we always watch some romantic movies here even if we are repeating it for so many times. I like the movie by Ryan Gosling; The Notebook and Crazy Stupid Love," Ivy said giggling

"Yeah, those are some of the movies I've watched a couple of times," Adrienne said

"I like Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler's movies they were just funny romantic and their screen chemistry is good," Amelia said. I just smile at them while they exchange thoughts.

"How about you Halea?" Leslie asked

"Well, I like those movies as well. Aside from Drew and Adam, there's also the love team of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I know it's old but I watched it with my Mom and I kinda  like their screen charm," I said

"You're an old geezer, no wonder Rahul likes you," our head turns as Veronica walks in along with the 6 ladies which I believe will do the manicure and pedicure.

I stand up to greet Veronica, "Hi, Veronica," 

"Hi, Halea, girls I hope you're having a good time. So these ladies will be doing our nails while we chat. The maids are also preparing snacks for us. Again we invited you here so we can get to know each other better," she said as she sat down at one of the beanbags next to Ivy.

And so the pampering began. The ladies asked us what kind of nail polish and art do we want while they start to set-up and wash our hands and dip our feet in a foot spa.

While we are having our nails done, the girls exchange some information about schools and some are about boys stuff.

"Oh, tell us about the handsome classmates of yours," Ivy asked

"Which classmates? I didn't know we have handsome classmates?" Amelia said, which I started chortling

"There were this 3 guys who were always together, one was tall with wavy black hair, another is the cute one dark complexion with short army hair-like and the son of Ramos Construction,"

"Oh, Caleb and his gang," Amelia said

"Yeah, I think that's his name," Veronica said

"What happened to you and that boy?" Veronica asked me

"Me?" I was startled in her question, "I didn't know there was me and him," I said and I looked at the girls

"Well, we've seen his the attraction towards you," Leslie said

"Me, Caleb his guys and these girls we're all just friends,"

"Wow, that's good to know maybe you can introduce me with the cute one. I think his name is Jason, right?" Ivy said. And I looked into Adrienne's direction then I saw Amelia looking at Adrienne as well. I saw her eyes change and then she smirked and looked at Ivy. "Sure, we can introduce you to them on Monday if you want. Maybe during lunch break since we all eat together," she said.

You can see Ivy snicker with excitement and we all smile at her reaction.

"Those guys used to be very aloof," Leslie said, "everybody was eyeing with that Caleb, he is so good looking and he has this aura all over him. But we saw the way they look at you and some of the other boys in school, you've become suddenly popular with them Halea. What's your secret?"

"Who me?" I said as I glance to Leslie's direction, trying to meet her eyes, "I am not sure, I haven't noticed it. I thought I was trying to blend in which is what I'm trying to do." I said.

"Well, I think it was obvious Halea here is gorgeous, she has that beauty which is new in town so I was not surprise in you having that thought," Adrienne said

"It's true," Veronica butted in, "Plus you have that charm and attraction not only for men but also for girls. You have this emanation of being kind and gentle yet fierce and firm," she added.

"Tell us how many boyfriends did you had before, I hope you don't mind me asking," Veronica asked in a very gentle manner

"I don't, Rahul is the first," I said in honesty

"How about suitors?" Leslie asked

"No, I haven't entertained anyone before," I said which is true

"Why can't I believe you, if you became this popular in our school for a short period of time you must also be popular in your school before," Ivy said.

"I honestly don't know what to say. I was young before and may not have the same attraction as I have now, maybe. Plus, I was not interested in it before,"

"Fair enough," Veronica said, "Are you girls hungry, there are some snacks which my mom prepared," she said and asked the maid to prepare the food for us.

We were all eating while the parlour ladies were doing our foot. I like the cheese fondue and some pastries they have. They also serve the food we brought which is pudding and graham cake. There's a lot of food I must say. Then we went back to our seat and continue chatting.

"So, you girls also have any boyfriends?" I asked

"Well, we're not as lucky as Victoria and you. I guess they haven't found us yet," Leslie said while drinking her milk tea

"But if Jason would show interest in me I would gladly accept it," Ivy said giggling as she munches her food. I slightly looked at Adrienne, I can see her gaze towards her I can sense she's irritable with her. Ah, the rivalry and I smiled at Amelia who is now looking at me after looking at Adrienne.

"Why don't we check after I introduce him to you," Adrienne said

"Don't you find him cute?" Ivy asked Adrienne

"I do, as a matter of fact, I also like him," Adrienne said, and my eyes, as well as Amelia, grew big at her brave confession, "But I don't see him interested in me, so I am curious as to what kind of girl he wants," Adrienne added while she smiles at her.

"Wow, you two have something in common now," I said to her and Ivy. But for me, I can see the attraction between Adrienne and Jason they may have not known it yet."May the best girl win!"I said teasing them

And they laugh but you can see how the two are now shooting daggers from their eyes.

We stayed there for about an hour more before I message Rahul to pick us up. The girls know that Rahul will come and we will still stroll the beach since I asked them to bring swimwear. Although I am not sure if they will go swim. He will come in thirty minutes and I have informed Veronica and her friends about us leaving in half an hour.

Just before the pedicure session end, Mark came with his friends. This is the first time I saw him close. And Veronica introduced him to us as well as his friends. We are now sitting in their garden.

"Hi, Halea, it's nice meeting you," Mark said

"Hi, Mark, nice meeting you too,"

"You looked beautiful closer and in person," he said as he takes my hand to shake

"Thank you, but not as beautiful as Veronica, right," I gave him a firm shake and let go of his hands

"Yeah, of course," and he gave Veronica a peck on the cheeks and he smiles at her while she looks at him annoyed.

When I heard a car honked outside and went in after the gates were opened. Rahul then came out of the car and wave at us. 

"Hi, ladies, Hey Mark, hey guys," he said greeting everyone. "I'm here to pick-up Halea and her friends," he said.

"Why don't you stay for a while man," Mark said 

"Maybe next time," Rahul said. So we went and say our goodbye to everyone. I saw Veronica glaring at us as we went inside his car.

"Veronica, we are going, Please say my regards to your Dad and Mom," Rahul said and he went in and drive out.

"So girls, how was the afternoon break with Veronica and her friends?" Rahul asked us

"It was okay, we just gossip on each other. They were mostly interested in Halea here than us," Adrienne said

"Says the one who's shooting daggers at Ivy because of Jason," Amelia said laughing

"Hey, that's not fair," she said

Rahul smiles, "Don't worry your secret's safe with me," and looked at me and wink.

"So we will go to Rahul's place for dinner and maybe a dip if you girls are up for it,"

The girls agreed on the idea when they saw the swimming pool overlooking the beach. The water was hot and it was very serene since the are was secluded. We can see the sun as it sets. After dinner, Rahul prepared fruit punch while we swim in the pool and chatted more. We've enjoyed the bonding with girls and Rahul. He managed to get to know them better as well as them with Rahul. After swimming, we send the girls home and Rahul sends me the last.

"I hope you and your friends had a great time," Rahul said while he parks his car just outside the gate.

"I did and I think they do," I said

"It's getting late now you should go, I'll wait here till your finally safe inside," he said

"Alright, drive safely," I said and I looked at him and our lips met, it was short and sweet. "goodnight," I said and went down his car and inside the house. I waved back at him when the gate was closed and his car left.