The Wretched Redemption

Chapter 9- The Fireflies And You

Isla's Pov

The promised weeken date came and it was Theo and Ruby's plans that will push through.

It was a get away in the X town. It has the perfect mountain to camp and an area ti view the edge of the city.

We decided to ride on one car it's owned by Theo's dad which he let us barrow freely.

Me and Gavin decided to wait for them in the bus stop.

"Sorry for Theo and Ruby" I broke the silence

"It still a date, right?"

"Yep a date" I smiled brightly ans we end up staring at each other smiling like fools.

A car horn suck us back to reality.

I look and its Theo and Ruby.

Ruby is waving at the back side and Theo is in the driver side.

"Good morning!" They greeted us and Gavin took my bag and put it in the trunk. Theo got out of the driver side and opened the door for me.

I look at Gavin staring at us and I looked away. I sat down beside Ruby and she look at me with her teasing eyes.

"I saw that" She wisphered

"Haaah It's you and Theo's fault" I replied closing my eyes.

We drove for 1 hour and we decided to take a break at a stop before driving for another 2 hours straight.

"Here" Gavin gave me a bottled water

"Isla" Theo handed me a snack

I accepted it at the same but they still glared at each other.

The drive continued and road got thicker with trees and the temperature got cold.

I turned to my side and Ruby has been sound asleep since we left.

I drifted to sleep as the car peaceful ride goes on.

I woke up with the sound of the car door opening.

I squirmed and saw Gavin and Theo out of the car having tag of war with my travel bag.

I was about to speak when Ruby woke up and shouted at them.

"Both of you are you planning on tearing that bag apart!? Can you just stop bickering? We're here to relax! For petes sake!"

She walk out of the car and grabbed my bag and went inside the reception.

Theo and Gavin glared at each other but noone speak up.

I grabbed my jacket and walk out of the car not looking their way.

The camping site has a lot to choose from a camping car or a camping tent and we decided to go for the camping car for less hassle and more comfortable stay. It will be a 2 days and 1 night stay.

I just wished nothing bad will happen specially to Theo and Gavin whose been on edge to each other since we left the city.

Gavin's POV

Theo has been glaring me since we left the city. He glance at me whenever I look at Isla in the rear view mirror. I don't want to start another argument with the girls sleeping. I looked away and closed my eyes.

The car ride was silent. No one asks to play a song while we traveled and it made me and Theo more awkward with each other.

The car stopped and Theo opened the door so I walk out too opening my side's door.

I opened the trunk and held on to Isla's bag when Theo grabbed the other side and started pulling.

We didn't speak up but we look at each others eyes burning with pride.

I was about to pull the bag harder when Ruby shouted and grabbed the bag from us.

I glance at Theo and he's smirking. I rolled my eyes at him and looked at Isla who started walking away from the car.

'That was a chidish act, I should've just let it go'

I walk into the reception area and Theo is standing closely beside Isla. I wanted to push him but I held myself back.

'I never thought I would be acting like these. This date should've been a more simple one. My plan was ti bring her to dessert museum because she love sweet things and after that a romance movie and a pasta dinner. It would've been more of a intimate one not a like group get-a-away'

I walk beside Isla and looked at Theo. He glanced at me smirking.

I tap Isla's shoulder who's been busy looking at the inn's brochures.

"Are you okay?" I asks smiling

"Yeah I'm fine, just a little bit cold" She replied smiling and shivering

I took off my coat and put in top of her jacket.

Theo turned his head and realize what I did.

I smirked. A point for me. I mentally laughed.

"Thanks Gavin, but won't you feel cold if you give me your coat?" she asks and her face

I shook my head.

"Don't worry about me. You seems more cold than me"

"You looked cold though" Theo squeezed

"Do you want my coat?" He continued

"No, thank you" I turned at Isla and she seemed relieve.

Theo kept on provoking me but this time I held back

"Isla my coat is more warm than Gavin"

"Haaaah it's fine Theo" She sighed I grinned

She looks fed up with Theo antics. I looked at Theo and smirked

'That's another point for me.'

"The camping car is ready. If you will need anything just use the phone provided inside. We will try to accommodate all your needs. And just be polite to all the campers. Here's the key" The old lady explained and handed us the key.

Ruby came back after her restroom break.

"What are we waiting for? Lets go" She shouted grinning

We walked not to far ahead at the campsite and it looked so out of the magazine. The brochures didn't do justice with how beautiful the place is.

The camping car has a sofa set with a coffee table. A outdoor tables and chairs with a stove for barbecue and hot pot in the middle. They also provided a small bonfire area in the side.

The Camp cas are modified it has a window and a roof to cover the table's and chairs.

I look at the view and it was astonishing.

The night sky will be full of stars tonight and it will be a perfect place to ask Isla the question.

I looked at Theo and I think he read my mind he came closer and wisphers,

"The best spot to ask her right? I won't leave you alone with her though" He taunts me.

"Continue acting like child, Isla's getting fed up with your antics don't you see it?"

I chuckled at how his eyebrows furrowed.

He didn't say anything but he intentionaly run into me. I lost my footing and end up in the ground all the things i was holding dropped and it cause a big noise.

Isla turned around and saw what was going on.

"Theo! What are you doing!?" Isla screamed and run to help me stand up.

"Why me? He's grown ass shouldn't be falling easily. He just weak legs"

Isla kicked the back of his knee and he end up in his knees.

I couldn't react I was shocked.

'She looks so bad-ass' my beats fast. She really made me fall again deeper.

Theo groaned and laughed.

"Whose legs is weak you say? look, stop with your nonsense childish acts. Both of you!" She screamed

"Yes ma'am" Theo replied still laughing

Isla walked away and we followed her.

Isla's POV

I got fed up with Theo and Gavin's childish fights. We were walking in the camp site and I suddenly heard a loud noise. I looked back and Gavin is on the ground with our things in the ground.

I run towards Gavin and shouted,

Theo! What are you doing!?" I look at his smirking face and it annoyed me

"Why me? He's grown ass shouldn't be falling easily. He just weak legs"

I stood up and kick the back of his knee it cause him to fall in the ground kneeling,

"Whose legs is weak you say? look, stop with your nonsense childish acts. Both of you!" I screamed at them and turned around.

Ruby already walked far ahead and she didn't even notice the commotion.

We reached our designated camp car and the bonfire is already lit up. I took a deep breath and sit.

I looked and the view is so out of this world. The cold wind blew and I closed my eyes. A blanket suddenly threw at my face and it was Ruby.

"Hey! You're freezing."

"It's really cold here but its so pretty" I grinned.

"You look happy, I'm relieved"

"You look happy too" I replied as I stared at her

"Stop staring or you'll fall in love" She chuckled

"I already did"

"Pfffft you! didn't you even feel a little bit embarrassed?"

"Nope" I burst out laughing

"The boys are busy, lets go see our room"

"Yep yep"

We entered the camp car and it's spacious there are 2 bunk beds and on restroom with shower equipped. It has small hangout area with a TV and a mic for karaoke, a small kitchen with water boiler, a microwave and a little fridge with beverage's in it.

I entered the room and I threw my things on the top bed. I wouldn't want Ruby to going up and down the bunk bed.

Ruby put her things in the bottom bed.

"Let's have some fun!!!!" She screamed and the boys came rushing inside.

I shooked my head and looked away, She looked back at them smiling.

"Are you both okay!?" Theo looked so worried

"Why did you scream!?" Gavin shouted

"He-he" she laughed showing a peace sign

They both sighed

"Hey loosen up a little both of you. Let's have some fun!!!" She screamed again

I covered my ears. Theo and Gavin shooked their heads.

"Were done preparing our lunch" Theo

"Come out when your both ready" Gavin

The walked out of the room shaking theit heads

"Did you see the look in their faces? They looked so worried!?"

"Oh sorry, sorry"

"Come on your playing too much"

"But its fun"

"To you"

"But they looked at you when they came in. I'm proud I have a pretty friend like you" She giggled.

I smacked his shoulder.

"Lets go before the food get's cold"

We walked out and the boys are already sitting down opposite sides.

I looked at Theo and Gavin who pulled the chair beside them. I look at Ruby and she run towards Gavin.

'You should sit beside Theo' I signaled my eye but she signaled her eyes back.

"Thanks Gavin"

'But its fun' I can hear her thoughts, she smiled michievously and looked away

I sighed and went beside Theo.

"Thanks Theo Mr. Gentleman" I teased him.

"Always will be madam mosselle" He bowed his head playfully and chuckled.

I look at Gavin but he just smiled.

We ate peacefully after that. We shared stories about our life before entering Uni.

"Isla always beats me in Judo in High school. She's like a monster who's always ready to fight back. Not a single guy asked her out because they were afraid of her. One time a guy asked her out and she looked at her dead in the eyes"

"Can you beat me? if you can I will be your girlfriend." Mimicking my supposed to be response.

"The guy agreed and they did a spar. The guy end up tapping and crying running away and he end up transferring to a different school the next day."

I smacked him in the back.

He end up laughing and continued.

"There even was a time when the guys tried to prank her. They wanted to see her shock face with a scary mask. They waited behind the door the others had their phone out to take a video. She entered the classroom and the jumped in front of her. She look at them with fury in her eyes smacked their head and twisted their arms. One end up having concussion for a week but no parents got involve. Since then no guy ever tried to prank or get close to her"

"Except you" I replied

Gavin looks so fascinated and Ruby is laughing so hard.

"Of course, I was so sad you didn't have a single friend."

"Not even one girl?" Ruby asks

"They didn't want to get close to a unlady like her. She always had her headphones on and kept to herself. She never did a girly thing in highschool. The girls are shy to her. I think some of them have a crush on her. She was famous because of that. She even had her own fan club. I always approached her and teased her, she will beat me up every time and one time she just stop beating me and we became friends."

He looked at while reminiscencing the past. He smiled sweetly.

"You were just a weakling and annoying in high school. The guys won't even want to be friends with you. You were a snobby rich kid then." I replied and he look at me with his widened eyes.

"Just tell me you were thankful I even wanted to be your friend" He replied

"Well duhhhh" I replied smacking his face.

Ruby burst out laughing at us and Gavin chuckled. I look at him in the eyes and he seems sad.

We finished eating and we decided to go walking in the sun lit forest.

Gavin's POV

After hearing how Theo reminiscence the events of him and Isla. I got jealous. If I had her you earlier we could've been as close as they are.

I felt sad. They smiled and can even joke around whenever they liked.

But the fight is just beggining, I still have a chance. I convince myself.

We decided to go walking in the forest. It's cold but the sun is shining so bright. The leaves look like shining lights and the birds tweeting sounds so relaxing. The trail is easy to fallow because it has a rope guiding us.

We for 30 minutes and we discovered the hidden falls. We took pictures and we didn't took a swim because it was early winter.

Isla and Ruby stayed together. Leaving me and Theo walk side by side.

"Big bro" He broke the silence

"What?"

"I like Isla but I know she likes you" I stopped walking and look at him. His face is facing the ground. I know he felt defeated.

"I know"

"So can't you let her go? We were fine before you came" He finally look at me in the eyes.

"Even if you want to I won't. I feel sorry but I will stay by her side if she wants me to." I replied

"You should've never came. You destroyed everything." He came running toward me and grabbed my coat.

"There was never to be destroyed in the first place" I replied

"Because of you Isla--" He suddenly let go when he heard Isla and Ruby's voice.

"Hey!!!! you're too slow, I want to see the fireflies you know!? it's 30 minutes away from here!" Ruby shouted.

Theo run into me and walking ahead. I fallowed and we stayed silent after that.

We reached the place where the fireflies are. The forest is dark because it's alreafdy 5 pm but there are solatr lights along the way.

I walked beside Isla. Ruby is looking around and Theo is busy exploring the area.

Isla's eyes fallowed the fireflies and she looked amazed. Her eyes looks so bright even in the dark.

"Its so pretty right Gavin?" She turned and look at me

"But with you in it? It's perfect" She continued

I blushed with her unexpected statement.

"There's something I want to tell you Isla" She look at me with her bright eyes.

With the fireflies shining their light behind her. The cold wind blew. Her mouth shivered with the wind. Her lips redder that usual.

"As you know I was alone for so long that I distance myself from other people. At first It was just curiosity the curiosity became interest and interest became longing. Whenever the thought of you came to mind I always find myself smiling. Whenever I couldn't see you my eyes seemed to find you in other people's faces. I found myself being happy because of you. The house I lived in felt home the first time you came in it. The tears you cried for me crept in my heart and I found it beating for you. Whenever I saw another guy being close to you my chest tightens and my heart breaks. I found myself getting angry whenever guys look your way." I paused

I saw Theo looked our way. He knew I was about to ask Isla the question

"Will I have the honor to be your boy--"

I couldn't finish my sentence when Ruby suddenly screamed

We run towards her voice and we her holding a stick and pointing it to a snake in front of her. I stomped my feet and the snake moved a little backward. Theo and Isla realize what I was doing and they stomped their feet with me. The snake slittered away as it heard the vibrations of our stompes.

I grabbed Ruby to stand up.

"Than-ks" She stuttered.

Isla run towards her and hugged her. She patted her back and Ruby cried.

After she calmed down we walked back to the camp.

Isla guided Ruby inside the camp car to sleep.

She gave her a calming medecine and went to sleep.

I added woods in the bonfire and we sat there in silence. Theo looked at me and looked away the second I looked back at him.

I walk inside the cabin and took out the barbecue we will be having for dinner.

Isla went back inside the camp car after having a little heat from the bonfire. I prepared the barbecue while waiting for them to have a little shut eye.

"Let me help you with that" Theo suddenly came closer and grabbed some stuff.

"I couldn't ask her out" I look at him

"Ask her again. I won't interfere" He replied. Which shocked me

"Really? Why?"

"Because I saw Isla's eyes brighter than it ever been before. She's happy with you. I saw it even if it breaks my heart, her happiness is the first and most important thing for me. But if you ever hurt her? I won't hesitate to break every bone in your body"

I nodded.

"Of course"

He look at me with his sad eyes and forced a smile.