Fieldtrip
2037 Words
I found Moxie in the kitchen washing a pile of plates in the sink. She did not notice me when I arrived only after when I asked her about her day. She insisted that I should have dinner but I told her I had enough food before I go home.
"I know it was not the best, but at least I made you something tonight." she said. She looks disappointed because I did not touch the food she prepared.
"Hey, Don't be silly." I chuckle. " I'm not hangry at all. But ok, I will eat those later, okay?
I went up straight to my room because I was feeling tired the entire day. Classes had me sick and drained. I work really hard so that father would be pleased to my grades and that all the monthly allowances he gives would be worth to spend.
I change into a pair of night clothes before I finally headed to my bed. I'm supposed to do something but yeah -- I like to procrastinate things. This is the problem. There were times I find myself motivated and has all the energy especially in the morning, but when evening comes, those things just slip away in an instance. And when I choose to do ArchAge over school assignments, I would become aggressive and ended up hating myself. Ugh.
So I turn on the computer monitor next to my bed. I sat on my most comfortable gaming chair I bought in Lazada 3 years ago at the lowest price (It was the time I was not saving my money at all)I waited until the computer to set in completely. Now We are Free was playing by Lyndsey Sterling on my speaker.
I proceeded by tapping the keyboards to control my character in the game. I've played almost since the beginning but there was so much depth to this game and I haven't see all of it. One thing that drove me to this game was I was feeling connected in such things and I've met some great friends. I think that's what keeps most people here too.
the letter..
The thought just pop out to my head. I put it out and then I inspected it for the second time. Until now, I have no clue where this letter from. I'm thinking about my friends. I know them. They like to throw pranks to each other.
"ROSS!
She rushed towards the door.
"My goodness, Moxie. You are giving me a heart attack."
"Uhm."
"What's wrong? I asked her. "You always frightens me."
She did not response.
"Come in. Don't just stand there. I was just joking."
"Are you gonna sleep soon? she asked.
"No. Why?
"Can I stay here for a minute?
"Of course. Do you wanna talk about something?
"I'm not sure.." She jumped onto my bed. I noticed the quick changes of her facial expression.
"Ok." she was just looking sad two minutes ago, now she's..
"I cannot sleep yet." she was touching her moon pendant that I gave to her. "Thank you to this beautiful necklace, Ross."
"Why do you keep-
I did not expect much that she would give me a hug. She always does that. So I put my arms around her in return. I wanna make sure she was okay but it seems that she was not doing okay for the past few days.
"Are you sure you are alright?
"Yes." she said.
"It's nothing. You know, I bought it for you because you would like it... And I wanna make you happy."
Her smile was obviously filled with pain, missing a lot of years without mom who should be on her side while she is growing.
"The whole class will be going out on trip in two days." I told her. "I honestly don't want to come but I need to go to the trip to add up my grades. haha!
"So I will be left here with father."
"Exactly."
I stood up to turn off the monitor. I forgot I was gonna play but then Moxie came in so..
"You're going to miss me, aren't you? I tease her.
"I have to think about it. lol." She said and turn away. "Can I come with you?
What?
"Moxie, That's impossible." I told her. "Don't worry I gonna give you calls so that you won't be sad while I'm away. Your brother will miss you too, You know that?"
"I know. Can I at least stay with Karen's family because dad will also be away the same day of your trip. I don't want to be alone here..."
"I can talk to him so that he can stay with you."
"No! I don't-
"W-why?
"Fine. Just keep your phone with you okay?
"Of course. Is there anything you wanna talk about? I forgot you wanna say something." I went close to the window to see the moon and the stars. I hope each of us will soon to have the kind of peace I am having right now.
"Good night."
She was already outside the room and is about to close the door..
"Good night, Moxie." I told her. "Let's get to sleep so that we don't have to be late for tomorrow class."
"Yeah."
She turned her back. She smile to me before she finally closes the door. I thought I saw something in her eyes..
"Mox-
Sigh
I guess she was just tired. Sometimes, I really find it difficult to make her talk.
I went back to the corner or my room where the window was sitting. I decided not to finish the game besides, I could not manage to go up my level. I was such a loser.
I moved the curtain to the side so that I can watch the moon and the stars. The moon wasn't giving much of it's full shape, neither of it's light. It was bit cloudy out there and the stars weren't that much in the sky.
***
It was my first time to visit in Batangas. I was not expecting we would come early on the trip since the bus was supposed to stop twice at some restaurant along the road for a short meal. If we continue driving, eight hours being on the road is better than taking us eleven hours with lots of break. I love travelling but it's way too much. I cannot even spend an hour on my seat during my class.
The students who joined the trip were divided into 6 groups. Each group has 10 members. Since my friends and I will never be set apart, we came up in one group for the first time in history, our professor let us choose our group -- the other members were Rosie, Kharina, Elma, Mike, David and George. Each of the students had the tasks to complete in which no one from the trip had never be seen just sitting or doing nothing. Prof John was roaming around to facilitate and observe each members.
"Todd, could you maybe pass to me the hammer? I need to do this right now before it'll take us next year to set up the tent." it was Kyle.
"Need a hand? I offer him a help. He might seem to be arrogant for those who don't know him but Kyle has been a good friend to me.
"Why can't you all guys just sit back and watch him do it? Nyx winked at me to make sure that everything is going to be alright. I just worry that if we did not put the tent before it get's dark, then we will miss out points in the game.
"Do we have all the stuff we need for tonight? Todd asked.
"I guess? Hm...
He looks around to inspect everything that each of us assigned to bring on the trip. All the stuff were sort together in order, so that we can easily spot if we miss something.
"All set." he continued.
The place was breathtaking. The sand was white as snow. The water in the ocean was blue like the clouds. There were coconut tress stood alongside which give sheds to the heat of the sun. As we walk on the shore, there would be seen different shapes and colors of shells scattered on the sand. Across the water was a hill with so much trees on it.
"Ross, Com'on' Let's look for some logs! she tries to pull my hand.
"You..." Kent look at me, he walked pass at her. "..two" he look back back to me.
He grin.
"What?
"Haha. Ross, you're blushing."
"I do not like that kind of look you are giving right now, Kent. You are so annoying, you know that?
"Sorry, Ross. But I am not aware."
"Good for you. You need to thank me."
"You guys need to go now before it gets dark. We need more woods. Better if you find a lot in there.
"Right David. " I snapped him out, trying to change the topic. Ok. My friend Kent has the hobbit of teasing me especially whenever Nyx is around. He makes fun of us. Sometimes, I wish he could be like Todd for one day.
I put my eyes on her to make sure she wasn't feeling uncomfortable even thought we had been friends with Kent for the last 6 years.
She just smiled.
Oh.
What am I thinking?
I don't want to assume it was just okay with her..
I follow her direction as soon as she starts walking. We went to a hill. The trees were not as huge as I expected. When you try to look around, all the leaves were naturally formed together as if we were inside the cave. I was amazed how it was made. We headed straight as we follow the foot trails towards the site. I was surprised when she suddenly took my hand.
Oh God Nyx, you are making me feel anxious.
I look at her. I caught her smiling while she moves my hand in the air as if it was just a normal thing to do. Can't she notice I'm struggling to compose my body because I obviously look anxious?
She smiled.
That's it?
I did not hear a single word from her. And because I don't want to look horrible in my situation, I pretended to take the wood instead on the ground near the falling trees. In this way, I will be able to remove my hand from hers.
"I think there's more in there." she said.
"Errr..we had enough."
"Wait Ross. You see those?
"What is it?
She dropped all the dried woods onto the ground and quickly rans toward the site.
I shook my head before I follow her way. When I come to her spot, I notice she wasn't moving. I place my hands on both to my knees.
"What are you-
There was a stream where the water falls over a vertical drop but not too steep. The water falls down into a huge hole and all the collected water stays there. It was green like a lot of microscopic algae growing near the surface.
She went close to the water and started to remove all her covers.
I shook my head in disbelief.
"What are you doing?
She form her palms into a cup and then started to shove them underneath the water. And because some of the water went to my shirt, I did not think twice to do the same what she just did. For some reason, I felt someone was able to cheer of my heart.
"I got something to tell you."
"Wha-"
"SHH!
Se cut me off. She almost laughing when she starts going back to the huge rock where she threw all her clothes.
"They're coming." she said.
"I know. Obviously it's Kyle and some of the team.
"Nyx, You have something to say? I asked her
"Oh no. Never mind! Let's just go back.
She starts brushing all the dirt from her cloth. Just like that? Women these days are undeniably hard to read sometimes.
Whatever that is, I hope it's not something interesting to know about.
- Writer
