Hidden Paradise

19

Despite some complaints and declines that they shouldn’t throw a fiesta, Kira somehow managed to convince Lady Bituin as she commanded them to have one.

The night sky was crystal clear and beneath it were kids having fun. Campfires were lit up, food was everywhere and music was loud. They tried their best to throw out the best party they could with the only materials they had on the Island.

“Why aren’t you having fun?” Amaris approaches Alex, handing him a drink. He’s been staying in the shadows of the fiesta for a bit too long.

“Don’t you think they’re acting weird?” Athena’s words echoed throughout his head. He didn’t notice it until she bought it up. Of course, he dismissed Athena about it and joked that she must have been seeing things. “Hey” he turns to Amaris. ‘Don’t you think they’re a bit weird?’ He wanted to ask. But shook his head instead.

If he didn’t believe Athena, how can Amaris not laugh at him?

“Oi, we need to have fun together. You’d never know! What if this is the last time we’d get to party together, hm?” he lets Amaris drags him to the middle of the party as they joined and danced.

“You managed to get him join us, huh? Nice” Kira looks at him, up and down before leaving them once more. “How close are you with Kira?”

“Not too close though, why?” he shook his head once again and continued to take a sip of his drink. The bitterness of the after taste soon got him as a disgusted look was formed on his face.

“What kind of uh…?” He points at his cup “Oh…that I don’t know” She shrugs this time. “But I guess it’s toxic free…just doesn’t taste nice”

“What? Like glue?” he was too busy trying to get rid of the taste. But everything his tongue rests, he could still taste the bitterness.

“How about we find some food to uh..maybe help your taste buds?” Amaris offered but he could only nod his head at this point. The two went over to the food stands, trying each and everyone of them.

“Look, it’s a bunny marshmallow” Amaris ran to the stall. The bunny marshmallow was carefully placed between the chocolates as the lady hands it over to her and Alex. Now that, was something neither could describe

The crunchy biting of the outside then the fluffy mallows paired with melted chocolate, eased Alex. “This is so good” he immediately said after. “Of course it is”

He and Amaris ordered a full plate and sorted their selves out. They bit into the tiny mallows, watching the sky full of dancing stars once more.

“Now this, is how you chill” Alex threw a mallow in the air and successfully managed to catch it. “Hey, you should have talked to your brother earlier” Amaris hits him in the arm. “I did” He claimed “You did not! He felt a bit sad, you know” he looks behind his back, Oliver surely was having fun.

“Him? Yeah no thanks” Amaris took the plate away from him “Did something happen between the two of you? He shakes his head “Then why?’

“THAT Oliver has fangs…and I don’t” Amaris was still confused and clueless “And you’re jealous?”

“No, why would I be? Both me and Oliver wore braces, remember? That’s not my brother” his voice sounded so sure about it. “And you’re basing it all of because of that?” he nods his head

“You haven’t even talked to the dude, yet. You just can’t be like that” Amaris scolds him “Look, I know me and my brother’s relationship best. An that guy’s not him” he refers to the dude that was laughing too loud.

“You’re right…I mean Jason doesn’t even talk to much yet…they’ve been giving me sketchy feelings about it” She tilts her head and took a sip. “Argh” she spits it out, forgetting that she wasn’t supposed to do that.

“We could try and find Elena then ask her about the plans for tomorrow”

“Elena has been acting like a kid, you know? It’s getting a bit weirder and weirder. Especially considering the fact she’s decades older than us but still acts like a toddler.” The two agreed as they went to find her. “Hey, have you seen Elena?” he slightly touches Kira as she points it for him “You were VERY quiet tonight, huh?” she teases then immediately left.

He lets out a weak smile as he and Amaris both went to find their general. “Let’s just hope she’s in a good mood. They approached the small huts where Kira led them.

“Elena?” They entered. The strong stench of drink mixed with strawberries lingered through the air as soon as they did. “What was that?” They immediately pinched their noses.

“I feel like she’s drunk” they continued to walk further “Elena?” every second they spent there felt horrible as it tested their patience. “WHere is she?!” Amaris slightly stomps her feet while they continued.

“Oi, there they are” Elena slurred “Why the f**k are you drunk?” None of them could go near her. “Help ya General, will ya?” They gave each other doubtful looks “No thanks”

“What are we supposed to do tomorrow morning? Could we go back to the mission or are we-“

Elena tried to approach them as they quickly took a step back, confused of what was happening. “I honestly don’t care about you guys” Elena laughs at her sudden confession.

“I’m not surprised” Amaris commented “But I really want to win against Edmond. That’s the only reason why I wanted to bought you guys up” She laughed, like a maniac way too long for their liking.

“Uhm..we’ll go back” Alex cleared his throat and grab Amaris out of the hut “Where even are we sleeping?” The first breath of fresh air was the best for them but now, they had another thing to worry about.

“We could ask Diana about it, come on” they approached the fiesta which was slowly getting cleaned up “I guess party’s over, huh?”

“Hey” they approached the others “HEY! Where were you guys?” Diana approached her and gave a hug. She had the slight stench as Alex pulled her away.

“Look, we should get going for the night. Where can we sleep?” Diana looked at the others for help “Outside…where else?”

The cold air passed through their skin, gently but freezing as they lied down unto the blanket spread unto the grass. Even though the fiesta was over, the stars kept dancing in the night sky. “What if those stars dance in the morning too but we can’t see them cause well, it’s morning?”

“Well, that would make sense. But then again, how could they dance if we take a look at this scientifically” Alex argues “You guys never get tired, huh” Athena was in between them

“If you guys can’t get off each other, you should just be in a relationship, you know?” Athena teases them “Hear that Amaris?” Alex teases “Whoa, whoa. Hold up” Athena sat straight “Let me just get out of here before you do that” She ran away towards Diana and left them alone.

“More space for me then, goodnight” Amaris’ back faced Alex as she slept.