Tale of Arcillana

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Cam's Point of View:

At first met, we could not tolerate the behavior of each other.

We have this little fight back then, that led us in one place that most of the students do not wish to be there.

It was second week of the school year. I am a transferee. I happen to bumped into Agatha who is bitching around. She's bragging about her name and her family. How rich they are and everything!

I am the kind of person who doesn't mind other things or other people. Like, the hell I care with your money? We also have ours!

I didn't say sorry and I just passed at her. Maybe I hit her ego, she ran to follow me and pulled my hair. I was shocked but I was able to pulled Agatha's hair too as a response to a stimulus. I fought back unintentionally.

Then someone came to stop us but ended up joining our fight because I accidentally pulled her hair too. I didn't know she's the owner's daughter.

Someone came again, trying to stop us. She's already crying that time. It's Hanna. She was also a transferee like me. She tried to block herself. We are in that position when one of the staff saw us. She brought us to the discipline's office and afterwards, in the sanction room. We got penalized for one week of community service. And that became the prologue of our genuine and unbreakable friendship.

"Can't we visit you there babe?" Agatha asked, breaking the silence. Her voice sounds hopeful. "We can spend there our vacations, right babies?" She added. The two immediately agreed. She brought back the upbeat atmosphere. Their eyes showed sense of exuberance but faded straight away upon hearing my retort.

"I don't know girls. I just heard this place and I can feel that there's something about it. Something is off." I opened up.

I started to talk about the island. I didn't miss any single data. I've shared everything; my conversation with my brother, my attempts on trying to background check about the island, and even the conversation I've heard from dad and my grandfather long time ago.

"Gosh. This is creepy! I tried to search online but I found nothing!" Hanna exclaimed while waving her phone mid-air. She looked for it on the internet but she found nothing too.

"Right? How can it be possible? I mean, if there's nothing special about the island or there's nothing to write about it at least they include it in the list of islands found in the Philippines." I stated. I know there's an island that really don't have so much to tell especially that Philippines is an archipelago but I am referring to an island which people do settle. It should have at least the geographical location, total population and the likes.

"You should be extra careful there babe. There is no assurance of your safety even though we say it's your parents' and grandparents' hometown. Safety and security first, always remember that." Maxyne reminded. They are always worried about me. We are, to each other.

How can I easily accept the fact that I am leaving them when they are this loving and caring? I couldn't just! I will surely gonna miss them. I know that we can still communicate and see each other through video call or Skype but being with them, able to hug them, able to laugh with them, able to bond with them personally is a different feeling. It gives me a more than satisfying feeling. That's how I love my girls.

"No worries girls, I wasn't a black belter and sharpshooter for nothing." I joked around but they didn't buy it. I pursed my lips when they did not laugh. I can see serious faces right in front of me. "Okay fine. I will be careful but that joke is a half meant. I can use my skills in case of emergency so you don't have to worry that much." I said trying to give them all comfort. They just all heaved a sigh. They have nothing to do with it after all.

One of our favorite places for hangouts is the training camp owned by Hanna's father. He is one of the bravest police officer I've ever known. Her father is the chief of the PNP and they have their private training camp where you can find different kinds of training.

We spend most of our time there every weekend. If Hanna's dad weren't busy, he trains us. First, he taught us how to become physically fit so we could be able to train well. The camp has a lot of obstacles, training facilities, and types of equipment to use for fitting yourself physically. Second, he taught us different ways of defense to defend ourselves from any unexpected danger. The training doesn't stop in basic because third, he introduced us to different weapons. I know it is inappropriate because we are just only teens and are minors but we are eager to learn and there’s a consent from our parents. After all, we are not going to use what we gonna learn in vain.

After having chitchat in the cafe, we went straight to the mall. They ditched their afternoon classes because this is gonna be the last time we are going to a mall together. They want to take their time with me right now.

As usual, we made our way straight to the salon. This is our girl bonding.

I decided to cut my long hair, leveling my shoulder. I had it curled partially to make it a lil bit wavy and dyed it ash gray.

Gray is my favorite shade. Gray might be an emotionless and moody color but it also represents intellect, knowledge and wisdom. It perceives as classic, redefined, dignified and conservative. And gray is a cool color, color of perfect neutral that lives between extremes of black and white. I am not a moody person but I love being neutral.

It took how many hours to fix my hair but it was worth the wait. I love the result. It suits me.

I look at myself in the mirror. And all I can say, gorgeous!

Shiz. I think I am in love with myself.

I am not being full of myself but I am just confident and I just love myself. I believed that no one could ever love you if you don't love yourself first. So, if you wish to be appreciated by someone, by the society then appreciate first the beauty within you.

After the salon, we headed to different boutiques. There's a lot of new dresses and are on sale but we didn't purchase any. We shared the same taste when it comes to fashion and the top list in our fashion style is the brand. You will never see us using a non signature brands.

We also did an arcade! We tried different games and losers do dare. We tried basketball and I got the lowest score. It is not my thing after all. Hanna dares me to sing in the middle of the crowd. Piece of cake. She's really the kind witch among the four of us.

But the other witch, Maxyne is a savage. One of her dares is to make a couple fight in front of us. And guess who did the dare?

It is none other than Agatha, the beautiful witch.

There's a couple nearby. Agatha confidently walks towards them. She asked the guy for his name and number in a most seductive way! Oh yes, Agatha could do that! And we can't help ourselves but collapsed into laughter in the corner because obviously, the guy was tempted to introduce himself and gave his number to Agatha as if his girlfriend is not around. The poor girl was fuming in anger and about to pull Agatha's hair but unfortunately, she failed. His boyfriend blocked himself in the attempt of his girlfriend. And there, Agatha left them fighting each other. We saw how the girl slapped her boyfriend, hard!

I felt bad about their relationship but that was a good scene though. Agatha nailed the dare given to her. Too bad we don't have any popcorn. But that was very entertaining.

With the will of taking up our time, we did not notice that it's getting late. After having fun in arcade, we watched a movie and ate our dinner. Good thing that I brought with me our driver so I was able to send them home.

"You look even more beautiful in that style, baby." Mom welcomed me home. Whenever I see her I couldn't help myself but smile. I resembled her in so many ways and people who knows us could attest to that claim. Some would say that she is my older sister. Well, that's my mom! She looks young and beautiful.

"Of course mom! Genes remember?" I retorted while giving her a wink. She just laughed at my gestures.

"Well, that's true!" She replied with a chuckle. "Anyway, have you eaten your dinner?" She asked.

"Yes, mom. We ate in a restaurant nearby." I said before kissing her on her cheeks. "I am going upstairs, mom." I let her know before marching my way up to the staircase.

I took a quick shower first before finally deciding to rest. I throw myself on my bed and closed my eyes.

“Aww. I am going to miss this!" I told myself while lying down feeling the warmth of my soft cushion.

I didn't know what kind of life and lifestyle that awaits me in Arcillana. I tried to visualize things but it's kinda blurred.

I gently massage my forehead when I suddenly feel it aches. Maybe I am just exhausted. I took a deep breath before letting myself drown in drowsiness.

I woke up early the next day because one of our maids woke me up. I reached for my phone to check what time is it. Like super early! I closed my eyes to calm my system. I want to scream in annoyance. For Pete's sake, it's only four o'clock in the morning! Yeah, freakin' four!

I helped myself up out of bed and walked towards the bathroom while still yawning.

Freakin' four o'clock!

I did my morning routine as fast as I could because the maid who woke me up keeps knocking on my door back and forth. Geez! They're pretty excited!

I chose to wear a white short and black loose shirt printed with a cursive word, SASSY. It was our first group shirt. I tucked in the front part of my shirt and just let the back part droop. I paired it with my newly purchased black lace-up chunky platform boots. I get my blood-red lipstick in the cosmetics drawer and applied it to my lips.

Perfect!

I picked up my phone and opened the camera. I took several photos from different angles. I reviewed my shots before choosing two and posting them on i********:. I chose to upload one with a close-up shot and one with a whole body shot. I captioned it, "setting forth".

"I didn't know you'd change your style, Sis." My brother suddenly commented when he saw me coming down and leading my way to the dining area.

I greeted them good morning as I pulled my chair and sit on it before I throw a glance at my brother.

"This is my style bro. I just curled and dyed my hair." I replied with matching rolling eyes. "Anyway, isn't it too early? Are you for real that we're leaving at four in the morning?" I asked while getting some food and putting it on my plate.

"We'll have a long ride, Cam. We can't be late because your grandparents prepared a welcome party for us." Dad answered.

A party?

Is that some kind of? Ugh.. never mind.

"Is that formal?" I asked once more and he nodded. "Ow, I didn't know that there's also a formal party in an isl—"

"I told you, Sis, it's not what you think." My brother interrupted.

"Let her think what she wants to think son, don't spoil her. Let her witness and experience what Arcillana can offer." Dad exclaimed. I furrowed my eyebrows upon hearing what my father said. His words have a substance and I know that there's a meaning beyond it.

We finish our breakfast and our drivers prepared the cars for us. We'll be using two cars. One for us and one for our pieces of baggage.

I scanned the whole front view of the mansion, memorizing it. This will be the last time that I am going to see it.

I took a deep breath before entering the car. We are now setting forth to Arcillana.