8 Years Before

Chapter 1

It was the fresh days of summer of 2021, the oceans were bluer than the sky, and the gust was humid, and the sun was brighter compared to how it rayed in the previous months of January and February. There was no hint of rain nor films of sadness that could take over the bright sunny days of summer.

To plan a getaway and to watch it come to life became our definition of simple happiness. As I was plotting the destination, my friends were assigned to fulfill another task as we plan to stay in one secluded resort located at the outskirts of our town.

“Alex,” Amber turned to me as she flashed me that pleading eyes with ready-made begs to wait for perfect timing. “You know my parents will never allow me to go further than five kilometers away from home.”

“You need to remind your parents you’re already twenty-three years old and you know what’s right and wrong besides, your parents know we are your company. Give it a try, and they’ll give you a go.” I smiled, confident that’s she’ll be able to have her parent’s approval by giving her my name as the card.

“I think I need you to ask them personally. You’re the only person she trusts, believe me,” she never gave up convincing me.

Jade took a sip from my chocolate iced coffee and injected, “I’ll call your Mom instead.”

“No way,” Amber broke Jade’s bubbles of optimism. Jade has always been the hardcore one, with all-black outfits and patches of tattoos on her skin that, I must say, complemented pretty well to her white and soft skin. She looked like a walking goth of mystery; that’s why our parent’s friends mislabeled her as the bad girl in the group. However, we knew Jade more than anyone else, and we know that she’s the kind-hearted one with sincere concerns, and she’s willing to jump cliffs to save others. She also knows about how our parents draw pessimistic impressions, and the thing that’s admirable about her is that she never let any snide remarks get under her skin.

“Okay, I think as we work on asking for Amber’s parent's approval, we should at least start reserving a room or else, we’ll be left with nothing,” Sapphire said with a notebook and pen.

“Who told you that beach has rooms, or it was managed by someone else?” Topaz said with awe. “That island has rare visitors. It doesn’t even have a single shed there, but only wide branches of huge trees and white sands and clear waters, and we need to bring our tents.”

“So you mean we’re heading somewhere unsafe,” Amethyst said with surprise fears visible on her features.

“It’s completely safe, sweetheart,” Topaz replied. “How come an island and beautiful and surreal as that turn unsafe when nobody resides there, not even a single soul.”

“So this is a pure adventure with real-life thrills and mischiefs,” Opal covered her mouth as if it’s not too late to hide her excitement.

“Do we have other choices?” I asked. “I mean, it’s not that I contradict the majority’s preference, but we’re all girls, and we don’t have anyone to rescue us in case of emergencies.”

“Oh my god, Alex, stop manifesting. Knock on wood.” Sapphire said. “Here’s the rules. We should never stain our excitements with passing-by troubled thoughts, okay? That would spoil the moment, and we would attract unfortunate things to happen the more we mention it. We will be having the best time of our lives. And I think it’ll be better if we should never let anyone know where we’re heading.”

“You mean we should lie?”

“Oh, here you go again, Alex. For once, can you please agree to the calls of natures and potential happiness all of us will acquire. Besides, this is the first time in the history that seven of us are complete.”

“Excuse me; this is the first time our plan is close to coming true.” Everyone chuckled, and so was I. the four-days and three-night getaway will be happening tomorrow.

I must admit I have lurking fears in me. The island we will be hopping on will turn out to be a place all of us have never been. Jade only saw it on one website with full instructions and a map on how to get there. We agreed on it because we wanted to be away from the uproars of the city and reality. It was also our chance to be together all at once before I fly off to Europe to be with my family. Perhaps, this will be my farewell party, and just as much as the thought that I’ll be staying permanently in London, I need this moment to be just a full episode of making happy memories that there’s be no welcoming room for sadness to sit in.