The Love Triangle

The Vacation

The following day at breakfast, Jesse acted a bit nervous around me. It feels like she wants to talk to me, but something is stopping her. However, this is never the case since she is usually pretty upfront about most things. "Jesse, spill!" I wait impatiently for her to open her mouth.

"Okay", she begins, "please don't say no."

I sit there confused. " This is not helping. What is going on?"

"You know how I hang out with Miles and his friends these days?"

"Yes and...?"

"So Miles invited us to his lakehouse for the vacations. He wants you to come as well. I was just a bit nervous to ask you because Conrad would be there. Please don't say no, I want you to come. Besides, I don't want to leave you here all alone. Miles promised Conrad would be on his best behaviour."

I looked at her trying to make sense of what she had just said. Why would Miles invite me? I think it must have been Jesse's idea, and I hate her. After a minute of silence, I tell Jesse I cannot go. Jesse is begging again. She is making all sorts of offers and promises, but how am I supposed to spend a week with a boy I am not talking to? Jesse tells me that there would be other people there, and besides, I could use some change in my routine. But again, Conrad would be there. Wait, what if this is my chance? What if this opportunity can mend my relationship with Conrad? I have to take a shot at this. I finally tell Jesse that I will go. She jumps out of bed, runs and attacks me with her special warm but tight hug.

I love Jesse.

                                                                                           ...

It turns out Miles has a camper van (so 2000s). I put my baggage inside the truck and sit next to Jesse. Miles is driving; Ava sits next to Conrad, who has not even said hello to me since I arrived, and then there is Blake and Cassandra.

It takes two hours to reach the house, and the journey passes in a blur. All I remember is some heavy metal playing in the background and me getting motion sickness.  I get out of the car to see a big double-storied house which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. There are a lot of trees around, too, so you can barely see the lake dock from the house. Not surprisingly, there are many rooms in the house, and we get to choose our own. Ava and Jesse choose their rooms on the ground floor along with Blake and Cassandra, who have decided to share the space. Then I am left with Miles and Conrad. We take the rooms on the first floor such that Conrad's door is almost opposite mine. It is almost as if all of this has been planned.

After settling in, the day passes quickly, and we all explore the area around the house at night after dinner. Being too tired, I go back to my room earlier than the others to sleep because I have a whole week to explore this place. I want some sleep.

A knock on my door awakens me. "Come in." I rub my eyes expecting to see Jesse, but to my horror, it's none other than Conrad himself. I feel my body go numb. I stare at him for a little too long. As usual, it takes the other person to break the awkward silence I create. 

"Hey, they are calling us down for breakfast." His voice is unusually soft, conveying a feeling of warmth instead of the cold shoulder he has been giving me lately. "Thanks; I'll be there in five minutes." He nods and leaves the room shutting the door behind him. I feel like a prick for just existing.

I brush my teeth and head down to the living room. Everyone is extra chatty and loud today. Maybe it is just the place. Everyone decides to check out the nearby town for the afternoon. I need some time alone, and this could be a good opportunity. I would stay by myself and clear my head to enjoy the rest of the week with the others. I usually take a little time to adapt. I am in my room, and Jesse informs me that it's time to leave, but I tell her that I am feeling under the weather and that a bit of rest would do the trick. Luckily she doesn't argue and leaves after kissing me on my forehead. After 10 minutes, I get up and head to the lobby to chill and watch TV.

I am watching MTV, and one of my favourite dance numbers begins to play. I get excited and start dancing to the song and singing it at the top of my lungs. Yes, this is the kind of getaway I desperately needed. The next song comes on, and I turn around to grab some water when I see Conrad leaning against a wall and looking at me. He has a severe expression, but I can see a hint of amusement because of the free concert he just watched. I thought he had gone out with the others. I turn red due to embarrassment. I have never been so embarrassed in my short life of 18 years. This isn't very good. This is the end of the world.

"How long have you been standing here?" is all I manage to ask.

"About a minute or so. I was in my room when I heard the TV, so I came down to see if someone else was in the house..." 

"...and you saw me dancing."

" Yeah, I did, and I have that on my phone. I can't wait for the others to come back."

Is he insane? The only good thing about this is that he has loosened up a bit and is being cheerful for once. But I still need to get him to delete my video.

"Okay, you need to delete that! Just tell me what you 'want'. I am here to bargain." His cold eyes suddenly return, leaving me confused. He goes, saying he doesn't 'want' me.