Good girl, bad boy

CHAPTER FIVE; PART TWO

Later that night, everyone from Chestnut High School gathered to celebrate their victory during the treasure hunting task. Chestnut High School had been ranked first in the task, seconded by Palm Tree High School with Trinity and Livingstone High Schools ranking third and fourth positions respectively.

Emily and Miles joined the group that was dancing around the fire, making celebratory noises; a mimicry of the red indian warrior chants of victory.

Eugene sat down quietly with Sue, watching his sister playing around merrily. He was delighted that Emily was finally getting back to the jolly good fellow mood after a long eight months of cheating death and living a life of pain and regret.

"Emily is always happy around Miles." Sue remarked, merrily. "They would surely make a great couple"

"They might become King and Queen of prom this year" Eugene added proudly before noticing that Riley and Jade were seated behind them, listening to their conversation attentively.

"I have been the king of Prom since tenth grade". Riley told them, taking pride in himself.

"Things are always bound to change". Eugene chuckled, upsetting Riley. The latter was about to reply to Eugene's sardonic statement but Jade stopped him, holding him back affectionately.

"Prom hasn't yet come, guys. Let's all wait and see who emerges the winner at the end of the year" Jade chipped in; attempting to reason with both parties. Eugene nodded his head and turned to Sue, continuing their chat while Riley took refuge in Jade's comforting hands as he leaned back, resting his head on her chest casually. His mind was full of cacophony as he contemplated on Sue and Eugene's comments about Emily and Miles making a good couple; and knowing what Riley was freighting about, Jade swallowed hard, smiling heartily as she tried hard to inwardly suppress her feelings of envy and loath towards Emily; she had love Riley from childhood and hoped the two of them would be together but, her family suddenly moved to Switzerland simply because her father was trying to hide for the authorities for tax invasions. Stroking Riley's hair affectionately, an idea struck her mind; after all, she had been looking for a way to pluck out Emily's wings for the past two nights they spent at the camp. Her aim was to get Miles to confess his love for Emily and have her trapped with no leeway of getting Riley. She smirked to herself, a feeling of exultation spreading through her body for coming up with a great plan.

"Let's all play a game!" She shouted out to everyone. "Let's play truth or dare!"

"What's this all about?" Kendall was impatient. "Why are you suddenly calling us to play games, Jade?"

"There's no need to be skitty about this Kendall. It's just a game….." jade replied skittishly, shrugging her shoulder pompously but Lucy was the most excited, chipping in hastily. If only someone could confess to her as they played the game.

"I simply can't wait...". She said, sitting down as her friends Kate and Bea followed suit.

"I don't think you should be here playing games with a rival school, Jade" Werner remarked.

"If you don't want to play, just stay out of it."Riley said, glaring at Werner.

"I wasn't going to join…." Kendall said but, Miles signalled her to keep quiet.

"Kendall, it's just a game. I suppose it won't hurt if you played a little"Riley chipped in, unfazed about his sister's feelings. Since the day Kendall had confronted Riley, the two of them acted coldly towards each other and Miles suffered the most as he couldn't bring himself to take sides between his siblings.

"I don't understand why Kendall doesn't like me." Jade complained..

"Don't worry; Kendall will play with us." Miles assured her as he signalled Kendall to sit beside him and with everyone gathered around in a circle, Jade picked up an empty Céres apple juice bottle and placed it in the middle, choosing the first player immediately.

"Miles would you like to try…?" She said, pointing at the bottle.

"Absolutely…." Miles replied, spinning the bottle with enthusiasm. He hoped that the bottle would stop at Emily's feet and his wish came true as the bottle stopped, its too pointing at Emily. Jade smiled wryly, mouthing a thank you as she subtly looked up to the sky for a moment.

"Truth or dare, Emily." Miles asked.

Truth…" she answered confidently.

"Does the request I made at Mr. Dan's office the first day I met still stand?" Miles asked her.

"You deserve the best from me and everyone else, Miles. So, if for some reason, I fail to fulfill your request, someone else will….." Emily was sincere although she felt bad about being brutally honest with Miles. That day, he had requested to be the only one who received kisses from her but Emily wasn't sure anymore; a lot had changed since that time and Miles was not the only one with her heart and even though, Riley always acted indifferent towards Emily, she concealed her love for him in her heart, taking pleasure in spending time with him at the track; loving him from a distance. To Emily, she and Riley were worlds apart; different elements of the earth just like fire and water; existing together but never meeting.

Miles was a little disappointed as he glanced at his brother, knowingly but, he brushed it off, taking refuge in Emily's words of hope.

"There is a chance for me after all." he said loudly, smirking. "You can spin the bottle Emily."

Miles's smile filled Emily's heart with warmth and relief as she spinned the bottle which stopped at Kendall's feet. The latter chuckled, turning to Eugene expectantly.

"Eugene, is there a chance for us….?" Kendall asked nervously.

"Kendall.…"Eugene stuttered.

"Forget it…" she said, suddenly not wanting him to answer her. She stood up as her countenance turned pale, showing signs of distress.

"Kendall…"Miles began but she interrupted him with her hand.

"I suddenly feel sleepy, Miles". She replied. "Let's talk tomorrow"

"I will escort you back..." Eugene offered, flustering both Kendall and Sue. They narrowed their gazes at him, each for a different reason. Kendall was happy but Sue wasn't the slightest impressed with Eugene's decision. Eugene caressed Sue's palm foldly before standing up. It seemed he had made his decision after thinking about it carefully.

"I will be back soon". Eugene told Sue as she nodded her head, unable to stop him even if she wanted to. Even though no one else could see it but Sue and Miles, Kendall was also hoping to use her vulnerable state to lure Eugene back to her.

"Please spin the bottle on behalf of Eugene." Jade told Sue as soon as Eugene and Kendall had left. The former had been watching them leave, absentmindedly that she had forgotten about the game and this time the bottle stopped at Riley's feet. With jealousy ruling him, Riley's mind was wrecked; and raising his head, he looked at Emily before abruptly turning to Jade and asking her out. Jade was bewildered and gladdened at the same time; even though her initial plan didn't work, the stars had answered her prayers and brought Riley into her hands.

"Will you be my girlfriend, Jade?" Riley asked her for the second time, panicking as the thought of being rejected twice lingered in his mind..

"Really Smiley?!" Jade was excited, placing her hand on his, affectionately. "Do you mean it? This has always been my dream"

"I take it, that is a yes!" Riley remarked numbly.

"Yes, smiley!" Jade threw her arms around him as everyone applauded.

"Jade Khureshee, you're finally his girlfriend. Thank Lord" Jade thought to herself as a wryly smile appeared on her face, chortling merrily with her head on Riley's shoulder.

"If you could surprise me this way" Werner whispered into Clara's ear as the wind blew by, making Werner's voice so soothing to her ear. Clara was flustered; this time, she didn't reprimand him; and with a smile spreading across her face, she stole a kiss from him and ran off immediately, leaving Werner dumbfounded, unable to believe his luck while, the others laughed. Everyone seemed happy except Emily; she shakily reached out to Miles, tagging on his blazer, hopelessly.

"I need to go…". she told Miles."I suddenly feel unwell…"

"What to do? Emily isn't feeling well. I must take her back to her tent" Miles announced their departure, interrupting the joyful clamor around them. "We won't be able to play the game upto the end, Jade".

"I will come with you two..." Sue said.

"Get well soon, Emily" Jade said. She was insincere about it but, It was important that she looked concerned in front of Riley.

"Come back to the tent soon, Miles" Riley chipped in; outwardly unfazed about Emily's sudden unwellness. The former nodded his head weakly as he walked away, holding both Sue and Emily's hands meticulously.

"Miles and Emily look good together now that I see them like that." Jade added fuel to the fire, igniting Riley's suppressed anger. "Don't you think so, Smiley?"

"I need to go…." Riley said, riled up. He pushed Jade's hand off himself and walked away.

"Um, what could have happened now?" Adam asked Jade.

"Mind your own business, Mister" Jade rudely answered as she rushed after Riley.

"She is right..." Werner replied, also leaving to look for Clara.

"Forget about them, Adam." Lucy consoled him as she gave him a lollipop. "....just hang out with us instead"

"Thanks girls but I should go…." Adam replied as he hastily walked away too.

"Did you see that? Even Clara found herself a boy who loves her" Lucy complained, throwing a fit.

"He is a tenth grader; one grade below her." Kate replied, fanning herself skittishly.

"We have none; not even the so-called tenth graders you keep belittling." Lucy tried reasoning with Kate.

"I do…" Bea chipped in; smiling mischievously. "His name is Chad and he is a frat boy from Kingston University in Freedom city. He's having a party next week. He can hook you up of you like"

"Really Bea? and here I thought I was the smartest and most pretty…." Lucy shrugged, envious of her friend.

"Well, you aren't. I just made you feel that way for your satisfaction. Anyway, why would I care about high school boys when I have a real hunk beside me?" Bea boasted to her friends.

"Atleast, you've promised to hook us up."

"....whatever happens at the party should remain at the party; okay, girls?" Bea warned them.

"Cross our hearts" Lucy replied merrily. " I can finally go to sleep in peace."

***

Morning came in a twinkling of an eye, reminding Emily of the previous night's events. Placing her hand on her heart, Emily sighed. She had been feeling the lump in her throat growing each time she thought about what Riley had done the previous night.

"It's going to be okay, Emily" she told herself repeatedly as she slowly took a bath; and dressing up, Emily went out to meet Eugene and Sue ready to suppress her stress with food.

"Are you alright?" Eugene asked as they walked to the cooks's tent. He had heard the whole story from Wang Sue.

"I am…" Emily replied, looking unfazed although it hurt deep down her heart. She could feel her heart beating faster than usual; a sign that she was heartbroken.

Arriving at the tent, Eugene chose a good spot on the grass and the three of them sat down comfortably, eating their breakfast away.

"This camp is definitely different from the church camps" Emily said as she nibbled on her sandwich.

"Church camps have restrictions, remember?"

"Well, that's inevitable. Church is no place for a libertine." Sue chipped in confidently.

"Have you been to a church camp?" Emily asked, curiously.

"No, I haven't but, I reckon it's a place for spiritual emphasis and revival not playing"

"My Sue is so smart!" Eugene said, stroking Sue's hair, not noticing the Doyen siblings seated right next to them. "Should we go to the falls today? Nothing much is happening here today anyway"

"We should ask for permission though." Emily said.

"There is no need for that. We won't get lost anyway. Besides, we need to be quiet about this. I don't want anyone messing with our day" Eugene firmly told her.

"If you say so" Emily replied as the three of them finished eating; and standing up, they left immediately. The journey to the falls was quite a long one and they needed to be back before sundown.

"We should go to Victoria Falls too." Kendall said to her brothers.

"How long before you can stop chasing after Eugene?"Miles asked irritably.

"I agree with Kendall. We are also going there for fun. The Wilsons don't own the place, do they?"

"I know why both of you want to go there." Miles sneered. "Sometimes, you make me feel like I am in the wrong family"

"Look around us, Miles. You are the only person who still insists on being good. You should learn from Riley just like I did" Kendall chuckled as she stood up, leaving her two brothers behind.

"You and Kendall need to fix your broken relationship. I can't keep watching her act so selfishly." Miles said. "Hopefully you can both grow up".

"What did you say...?"

"You heard me, Riley." Miles said, leaving too.

"This means I have to go and protect Emily from him. How annoying can your siblings get?" Miles thought to himself.

The scenery at the Victoria falls was perfect; instilling excitement in the trio as they went down to the bottom of the gorge through the rocky path. The breaktaking view made Emily so happy that she told Eugene to take photos of them. Eugene obliged, taking selfies of himself and the girls as they walked on.

"I heard there is a park around here" Emily stated.

"Yes, the Victoria Falls national park" Sue chirped

"I hope you aren't thinking of going there?" Eugene told the girls, nervously. "We need to go back before dark"

"...scared of wildlife, Eugene?" Kendall asked as she and her brothers approached them. Flustered, Emily and Sue took a few steps back as Emily eyed Riley, glowering at him upon realizing that he was in the company of Jade.

"Hello, Emily." Jade greeted her jovially as though nothing had happened before them all. "I didn't know you also wanted to come…."

"It's a family outing..." Emily said, inconsiderately.

"Is Sue family too?" Kendall laughed. "In that case, I would like to join the family".

"Sue is family, yes and you can't join the family." Emily said as she caressed Sue's hand. "Eugene, we should go now"

"Aren't you going to say hello to Miles?" Eugene asked her expectantly.

"Pardon my manners. I didn't see you there" Emily smiled heartily at Miles.

"Hello, Emily" Miles pulled her in for a hug. "You look exceptionally beautiful today"

"Thank you, Miles. We are about to go up the bridge; would you like to come...?"

"What happened to family only...?" Miles asked, chuckling.

"For you, we can break the rules." Emily flashed him one of her warmest smiles.

"You say the nicest things, Emily". Miles replied in a chortling intonation.

"Come on, let's go" Eugene told them, walking on ahead with Sue.

"We are coming too". Kendall said, pulling Riley and Jade along with her.

"Just when we thought we had gotten rid of them" Sue thought to herself.

"Miles, the view at the bridge is amazing!" Emily chirped, holding his hand. "We should take photos together"

"That's a good idea". Miles smiled.

"Emily, I feel like you are using me to upset Riley but, I don't mind…." Miles's inner voice pounded.

"Should we lock our love at the bridge as well? We will be able to stay together forever if we throw the key in the Falls." Jade asked Riley, tagging on his shirt.

"That's just superstition." Riley said, removing her hand on his shirt. "We shouldn't do such things. We can take photos just like the others".

"I thought we could…." Jade began.

"No, Jade. I will not do any love ritual with you. I don't believe in these things, anyway". Riley told her as he moved away from her, bumping into Emily in the process and making her lose her balance. He held her back from failing, gazing into her moon-like eyes as helped her up.

"Riley, are you trying to injure my sister again?!" Eugene was furious, holding Riley by the collar aggressively.

"This was totally an accident, Eugene" Riley told him, pushing Eugene off him him with so much force that the latter fell back first, injuring his hand on a rock. Emily was stupefied, charging at Riley and hitting his chest.

"Why did you even come here?"she asked him as Riley stood firm unharmed by her powerless slaps on his chest.

"Why are you raising your voice? This was an accident, you know it!." He told her, locking both her hands into his with a tight grip.

"Let go of me" Emily struggled. "Why are you so mean?!"

"Stop it, Emily. Stop bothering Riley now!" Jade yelped, pushing Emily off that the latter fell back with Miles rushing to her side and holding her in a tight grip before her body could touch the rocky ground.

"Are you alright?!" Miles asked her but Emily was too furious to reply to him. Shee glared angrily at Riley. And Jade before running off.

"Are you happy now?"Miles asked, looking at his siblings interchangeably before hurrying off to look for Emily. Kendall knelt beside Eugene meticulously attempting to show concern but he push her hand away as he stood up.

"Stay away from me, Kendall." he said before taking Sue's hand and walking away; following int he direction Emily and Miles had taken.