The Quiet Spring

Chapter Thirteen

(You'll soon find out who this is... ;) )

Corrina's POV

I was staring at my ceiling, resting. All I could think about was that I had my first kiss when I was unconscious... And that Oliver was my first kiss. My cheeks grew hot once again, thinking about his blushing face. I smiled and started laughing a little. I had my first kiss! I want my next one to be when I'm conscious so I know how it feels. The room door clicked and opened slightly, a quiet voice calling out to me. "Hey Corrina. Are you awake?" It was Karin. "Yea. You can come in." I told her from my bed. Tora and I had the beds while Karin took the sofa. It was a nice room, full of light brown wicker and white comfortable pillows and blankets. Karin ran over to me and jumped onto the bed next to me, while Tora was taking her time coming over to join us. "Oliver told us that you have a weak lung system. Why didn't you ever tell us?" Karin asked as she snatched a pillow from the couch and lay her head on it. I felt quite flustered having to tell this story.

"When I was about five... my sister, Aurora died. She had breast cancer. When I was out with my friends back in America, I was running around playing a tagging game we had come up with. A few days after my sister died, I got out of breath quicker than someone my age would have. So I was playing with my friends and I passed out face first on the mulch. My dad came running over and took me to the hospital. When I finally woke up, it was three days later." I was crying now. "Apparently, I had some sort of illness that over time, my lungs would start to grow weaker. I'm luck I've made it this far without being on a respirator. That's why I can't do anything or I'll just quicken the process." I was wiping my tear filled eyes when suddenly, I was enveloped in four arms. "We're sorry Corrina!" Karin wailed. Tora was giving me a sympathetic tight hug and I smiled. "Thanks guys. Your the best friends a girl could have." I hugged them back.

After I don't know how long, the three of us finally released each other, we watched a provided movie until about ten minutes before dinner and changed into more comfortable clothes. I had put on a pair of light-washed jean shorts and a white tank top, with a long black hoodie over that. "You must really long long hoodies." Tora commented with a small smile. We all let out a small laugh and before walking down to the dinning room where we were greeted by everyone. The three of us found our group and I sat next to Oliver and across from the louder Sori twin. I had forgotten his name but since the brother's were in an argument I could figure out who was who quickly. I tapped Oliver's shoulder and he turned his head towards me, and away from the arguing Tono. "Thanks for earlier." I couldn't help but blush a little. "Oh! It was no problem. Tono kind of took over the situation and I acted on instinct." He said awkwardly. Instinct? I could say that since we would evidently become an animal but he hadn't gone through the Ceremony Bestia yet. So what instinct did he have exactly?

We were then served with a variety of food in a buffet style and everyone ate, laughed, smiled, and forgot about the odd day they were having. After dinner I decided to go take a bath in the hot spring on the side of the resort. Tora and Karin joined me so I wasn't lonely and we headed into the changing room downstairs. I was the first done so I walked down the hallway in my towel and entered the nice hot water. Glad I didn't run into anyone. That thought was short lived when I felt something tap my shoulder. The pond was enveloped in a thick fog and I turned around to see a dark haired girl floating above me. She had dark brown, feathery wings, that matched her long dark hair, bright yellow eyes, and an odd white and gold outfit. "Who- Who are you?" I asked nervously. "Name is Arcadia. From America. Came to here to see Corrina." Arcadia told me. "Yellow mark." My eyes widened at her last two words and I pieced everything together.

"Wow! It's really foggy in here! Corrina? Where are you?" It was Karin. I had to come up with a plan... and FAST! "I'm here. I'm going to get out. I'm not much in the mood anymore." I told the hidden girls. I turned to Arcadia and put my lips next to her ear. "Fly up to the roof, but keep in the shadows. Look for me in the front of hotel in the street. I'm taking you to a better place to talk, alright?" Arcadia nodded and flew off into the sky, the fog slightly lifting with her sudden departure. "Are you sure Corrina?" Tora's voice behind me brought me back to my original excuse. "Yea... I'm just tired." I lied. "Oh... OK. Go get some rest then. We'll be here for a while I think." She told me and I nodded. Heading out of the bath, I put on my dry towel and headed to the changing room. I changed into my outfit from before and ran back to my room to grab my phone. I texted Trinity and told her to come and pick me up to talk. I snuck downstairs and narrowly avoided a few teachers along the way. I quietly opened the resort door and walked onto the darker side of the street. "Princess Corrina?" I turned and looked up at the floating Arcadia above me. "Get down here before anyone sees you!" I instructed in a straining whisper.