Graceful Stubborn Heart

Things Gone Wrong

So Clarisse and I arrived at the meeting place earlier than everyone else. I know that Clarisse and Carmen cannot see eye to eye and that Clarisse has a silent competition going on with Carmen for my attention. She actually thinks that Carmen is secretly in love with me and we didn't even bother to correct her because we have to guard our secret. I just hope though that she wouldn't find out and that she won't notice my sudden interest on Grace because I myself is caught off guard by my own thoughts and actions.

After what seem like eternity, we heard laughter and I knew it's them because I can distinctly hear Carmen and Grace's voice. Everything about Grace seems to catch my attention these days, even at the way she drinks her water or licks junk food crumbs on her fingers or even the simplest smile everytime she is being teased or talked about. It's crazy why I notice everything.

It was her I saw first. It was as if she was walking on slow motion with her hair was swaying smoothly as she moves her head, and her smiles got me drawn to her. On the other hand, it was Clarisse who Carmen saw first and she didn't even hide the smirk on her face. It seemed like Grace knows about how Carmen feels because I heard her say, "Let it go, girl. Let them be and let's just enjoy ourselves. Ok?" Carmen just rolled her eyes as a response.

Everyone was already seated in the van as we were preparing to go. Grace, Carmen, and Mark, in that order, were seated on the row in front of Clarisse and I. I noticed that Grace was tinkering on the cooling unit,

"I hope you won't mind me closing the cooler window that blows directly to my face because it's making me shiver.", she said to everyone. Everyone was okay with it, except Clarisse, "I do mind though. There's a lot of people here. It's too hot. You're too insensitive." 

Carmen was about to flare up in Grace's defense but Grace tapped her arm, "It's alright. I'll just switch places with Mark to avoid the cooler breeze.", she said. 

"But there's no head rest on my seat.", Mark told her. "No problem, I can lean on your arm.", she responded with a smile. I don't know what came to me because "Oh, you can have my seat. Sit beside Clarisse and I'll be the one to sit beside Mark.", I offered. This made Clarisse irritated, "Why bother? Let them solve their own problem and I want to snuggle with you, so NO!"

"You know what, I really hate you coming and ruining our trip.", Carmen blurted out. "Fine! I'll switch seats with Grace. Happy?", she added. So everything got settled, and we were on our way. Grace now seats in between Carmen and Mark. Unfortunately for me, she is now seated directly in front of me. Her back on me, but I could see her face on the rear-view mirror. I couldn't concentrate and I couldn't help myself from doing little peaks on the rear-view mirror. 

The van fell quiet as everyone was either sleeping or tinkering with their phones, even Clarisse has started to snuggle at my side and slept comfortably. Suddenly, Grace donned on a sweater that is way bigger than her size and then tied her hair in a bun before putting on a cap. My eyes are now staring straight into her nape and I am so tempted to kiss it. I closed my eyes to an imagination of myself doing it. What has gotten into me? I was never like to this to a friend? I tried to divert my attention by thinking of Clarisse, the woman beside me, but my brain doesn't let thoughts of her get through. It only reminds me that everything was done with her and I am only entertaining her for the sake of old times and to cover up my sudden interest on Grace. I cannot be caught. Everyone will kill me because I am not the serious relationship type. I am only having fun yet why do thoughts of her lead to life with her - growing old, having kids? I am going crazy...

After a few hours, we already got to the beach. We rented out a beach house with only 1 big bedroom with mattresses on the floor. We arranged them beside each other to create 1 big bed that could fit everyone. 

Everyone was in their beach outfit except for Grace who was in the sweater she was wearing on our travel. Clarisse noticed it and teased her, "From what planet are you from? Girl, you're lost. This isn't the woods. It's a beach for crying out loud." Everybody laughed including Grace. I got irritated at Clarisse and called her out but she only dismissed me because she thought that she was right. 

"Just you wait and see.", Bea smirked at Clarisse. "C'mon, Gracie, show HER what's hiding in that sweater.", she added. Grace seemed to be up for the fun because she willingly removed the jacket. The act made me feel like in a daze. After she removed the sweater, she removed her blouse and is now wearing only a bikini top, just like everyone else, but my eyes can't get off her. Everyone noticed it, except for Clarisse as she was focusing only on Carmen. She always tries to block every chance that Carmen and I would get close to each other. She was clueless of Grace.

"Guard your heart and your eyes man. WE don't want trouble around here.", Mike whispered to me and Marked seconded by tapping me on my shoulder. So they know? Am I that obvious?

Lunch came and everyone was having fun enjoying the food and drinking until, "Uh, cough cough..", Grace was making choking sounds. Her face was so red and she looks like she was gasping for air. Karlo, Bea's boyfriend, who is a doctor, got Grace's drink and sniffed it. "Who handed you this drink, Grace?", he demanded in panic? Grace just pointed at Clarisse, which made Carmen slap Clarisse so hard. "I really hate you!!!!", Carmen shouted at Clarisse's face. "Why? What is the matter. I was just being  friend by offering some soda. I just put a little beer in it because she looks like an innocent virgin not drinking alcohol. I'm sorry, ok? I didn't know that it spells trouble in her overly sensitive body. migod!", Clarisse answered back, eyes rolling. This made Bea snap at her, "Go! We don't want you here."

I couldn't say anything because I was in a panic. I was just rubbing Grace's back, hoping it could help ease what she is feeling, while Karlo tried to check her throat. 

"Quiet!!!", Mark angrily shouted at everyone, "you aren't helping at all. What to do now, Karlo?"

"I already gave her oral antihistamines, but her body isn't  responding so we have to bring her to a nearby hospital.", Karlo declared.

"Great! I'm out of here. No fun at all. C'mon Baby", Clarisse said while pulling my arm to leave. I already had enough of her so I couldn't stop myself from snapping too, "Leave! I didn't invite you to come with me. We're over a few months ago and I just let you be for the sake of our friendship. I'm not going with you and you cannot stay either. You've ruined everything and I cannot forgive you if things get worse. "

Everyone was surprised by my words but didn't dare say anything. They just carried on with the preparation to bring Grace to a hospital ASAP. Yes! Clarisse and I have broken up our "exclusively dating" status. There was no sense keeping it up with her because she couldn't say no to dinner dates with different men set by her manager for her to close modelling contracts. Even though we ended what we had, we still sleep with each other though, for old time's sake. Who would say no anyway?

But with all that's happening now, I declared everything between me and Clarisse done - even the friendship. She has turned what was supposed to be a fun vacation into disaster and I couldn't forgive her for it.