Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 19

I was bored to death for the rest of the day. My itinerary for this day just shattered into pieces because of him. All I could do inside was to watch a movie from Netflix, take a peek on the beautiful sparkling sea through the glass window under the long white curtain. Seems like a criminal hiding for someone who hunts. And think about where to hide next if our paths will cross once again. 

Thyrone Clarence was an ideal man, just so I thought. He was sporty, talented, well grown and gentle. A star that everyone wished to catch. He was the wild flower of the lawn and the whale of the sea. He was a Knight… A foolish Knight. 

While waiting for the light to be eaten by darkness, I kept myself occupied and distracted by watching fantasy movies and finding some good outfit to wear. It's been more than an hour since Peachie visited me in my room. She was already wet when she checked me inside if I was still good. They are just a greed of beach and didn't wait for me to swim with them. It's all Thyrone's fault! I thought that person died already, and I wish he were! He made my life more miserable! Cursed that face! 

Instead of wasting my time thinking and torturing him, I decided to open my closet and picked a good dress there. For sure, we would be out later for dinner and I have to choose a close yet stunning outfit to wear. I am a Martinez and I must look elegant all the time. I spin around with my long floral beach dress on the full length mirror. The pink cloth which matches my fair skin swayed with me together with my straight black hair. I stopped after the first turn and posed in the mirror like a Miss Universe. How could those guys can't see my beauty? Are they all blind? 

I picked up my straw summer hat that I bought earlier while going here. It's helpful for my hide and seek game with Thyrone, I guess. I placed it on my head and just in time, I heard a knock on my door. I was alarmed and immediately fixed my hat. With a fast pounding chest, I went to the doorway and dumbly knocked the door back without a reason. 

"Blythe, are you there?" It was Lexie's voice that made me sigh in relief. I pulled the door open and saw her with Helena, both confused. 

"Gosh, I was nervous. I thought you were a stranger," I said while walking back on my bed. 

"Gonna take a shower first," Helena said then went straight to the bathroom. 

Lexie, on the other hand, plopped herself on my side. She shot me questioningly stare before she poke my side with a meaningful grin. "So, that was Thyrone?" she said. I rolled my eyes at her. 

"Stop it, Lexie. You know the whole story already and you met him now, personally. End your tease," I replied. 

"He was really a good looking man in person than in his pictures. And… He looks more handsome now, right?" 

"Yeah," I agreed unconsciously. 

"I knew it! You haven't moved on with him yet!" she snapped making my eyes grow in circles. 

"What are you saying?! I moved on already and all I could feel to him was hate, anger, hate and anger!" I stood up and faced the window with crossed arms. Everything flashed in my mind again. Everything recalled so fresh like it just happened yesterday and not three years ago. 

Thyrone and I were a 'perfect couples' , they said. He was a star of our school while I am the superstar. All of them knew me but I don't have real friends. They just came when they needed something or for influence that's why I always felt empty and alone not until I met Thyrone who filled the emptiness in me. He always let me feel that I am special. He brought flowers everyday and gave me some gifts. I thought everything was pure but it was just a bet. 

A bet that made me fool over and over again. He said that he falls for me and cancelled his bet. Being me so helpless and in love with him, I believed in him. We celebrated our monthsary together always and didn't let me feel even a thing that he didn't love me. Then, I was fooled again. I forgive him. Then, that foolishness became a cycle. What a waste of time. 

"Hey, I was just kidding. Don't cry!" Lexie on my side said as she placed her hand around my shoulders.

I immediately wiped the escaped droplet of tears on my cheek which I hadn't noticed earlier. "I'm not crying. Not anymore just because of him. Never again," I replied with hatred traced on my tone. 

"If you say so." She shrugged her shoulders then tapped my back. 

As I expected, we went out for our dinner. The restaurant was just a little distant to our room and every place we stepped, I always took a sight on where to hide if ever. Big plants, tall coconut trees, chairs, walls and crowds. Why am I hiding? I don't know. I just don't want to see him. My blood boils, hatred starts to grow and familiar pain comes back. It irked me so much! 

"You look unease, Ate Blythe," Helena commented. 

I gasped and smiled at her. "I'm looking for a good hideout," I joked. 

She laughed at me. "You can hide here behind my dress. It is large, it could accommodate you." We both burst out into laughter. That's a witty move though. 

My dinner time was peaceful because of the straw summer hat that covers my face. I somehow felt secure that he can't easily recognise me though Peachie and Khassie told me that I am crazy wearing a hat at night. It's my style, who would care either? 

"Do you want to stroll around this resort with us, Blythe? Or you will stay your ass in the room?" Peachie asked. 

"I'll go with you. I don't want to waste my time isolating myself. Besides, I could easily hide on Helena's dress if ever," I replied then Helena laughed at me. Where in fact? I want to stay in our room but I don't want them to get offended especially Helena and Lexie who planned this. I can ruin the mood, you know. 

Helena was a great girl. She's a smart and hardworking kiddo who gave love to me also. Other than Lexie's stories about her, I knew her when she visited at home and stayed for days. She was really alike of Lexie, both responsible and cool. 

Unlike earlier, the sand was cooler now. The breeze that touches my skin gives me shivers which made the hairs on my hand stand. I hugged myself and felt the cold fresh air. Nothing was as comforting as this. In my place? Pollution would embrace you and black smokes kissed your skin. Sarcastically lovely right? 

My eyes widened when I remembered the shoes that I left earlier. It was one of my favorite shoes! The one that I wore right now was Helena's slippers because I bought a pair of sandals with me. It's not cool to see me dressing like this with sandals on my foot either that's why I asked Helena's extra foot wear. 

"Guys, can we go to the seashore? I left my shoes there," I told them. 

"I'm sure it was taken by someone already," Khassie, who was positioned next to Lexie replied with a chuckle. 

But, before I could open my mouth, Peachie on my side pushed me. I groaned when I fell on the ground of greens while feeling my hurt feet. I was about to yell at her when I heard a voice. 

"Hey, girls! Have you seen her already?" I immediately crawled on the darker side and hid myself on the plants. Peachie then signalled me to look down, so I did it with roll eyes. I'll deal with this lady later on. 

"Ahh… Who?" Peachie asked him. I peeked at them and silently laughed when Khassie hadn't seen me already. That was really a quick move of Peachie. 

"Where's she?" she mouthed at Peachie but Peachie just gave her a glare. 

"You really haven't seen Blythe strolling here? I've been looking for her since earlier but haven't seen a trace." 

"Maybe she had left? Or maybe she wasn't the one you saw. Mistaken identity, you know?" Khassie answered. 

"I'm sure it was her." Really? How can you be so sure?! You bastard! 

"Oh, I'm sorry Thy, but I haven't really seen her. Have you guys?" Peachie convincingly asked. They shook their heads as a response. What a supportive company I have. 

"This is a pain. We'll just see each other around. I will eat my dinner first. Have a good night!" he replied. Really a pain, huh?! Your pain doesn't count half on mine. Just by looking at my position? You really don't know what pain was. 

After a few moments, Peachie attended me on the ground. "I'm really sorry, Blythe. I didn't mean to push you as hard as that. I was just shocked and didn't notice my force," she said right away. 

I stroke her arm with a narrow eyes. "My feet hurt, Peach. If you are not only my friend and you didn't do that to hide me, surely, I'm gonna sue you." 

"I deeply apologise. I'm sorry," she apologised again then gave me a big hug. 

"Alright. Just help me to stand up," I replied, making her giggle. 

She stood up first and dragged me off to the ground. I groaned when I felt the pain on my feet and hands while dusting off my dress and arms. My bones were fractured, I think. "Kindly get my hat, Peach," I ordered, pointing my hat left on the ground. She immediately picked it up then handed it back to me. 

"What the… Peachie pushed you, that's why you instantly lost?!" Lexie exclaimed in shock but kinda laughing. 

"Yeah, her very smart move," I deadpanned and started walking wobbly. What a vacation!