The Patriots

CHAPTER 17 (THE TIMEBOMB)

Jesse drove the bus to the first place on the list, with the map on the pamphlet directing him. They passed by a lot of places, which had beautiful sites, like Galaxyland. They then arrived at the first place on the map, West Edmonton Mall--the biggest mall and park in Canada. They spent the rest of their teen years in that base training, so this was the best chance for them to catch up on all the fun they had missed.

Cecilia looked at herself in one of the big mall mirrors and smiled. "Looking like a big girl huh?" she asked herself. Vera was with her, putting on that necklace she always wore when they were going to bed.

"It belonged to my late mum," she told Cilia the first time she asked about it.

It looked beautiful on Vera as she tried on a purple strapless dress with white stripes. It looked as if the dress was made for her. They were window shopping though and the other girls were screaming so loudly, Cecilia was scared they would be thrown out of the mall.

Within these two years and some months they spent at the base, the kids were able to socialize and blend. They knew each other quite well, and some were as close as Cecilia and Vera were. Except for Kelvin and Cecilia. Even though Vera disliked Kelvin, they could have decent conversations sometimes during training. But that was not so for Kelvin and Cecilia. Whenever anyone asked them why, they never answered or gave a reason.

After some hours at the mall, they went back into the bus ready to tour the next place on the pamphlet.

Kelvin, while on the bus, was thinking about everything that had happened in these two years. These years were his happiest years, and today could also be counted as one of his happiest days. He then realised he might have acted kind of weird and wrong towards Cecilia.

"Not speaking to her for two years because she went along with a rumour everyone believed is kinda extreme." Kelvin thought. "It's not her fault, yeah."

Kelvin tried to speak with Cecilia during the rest of the tour for the day, but every time he tried to approach Cecilia, something held him back. He didn't know if it was pride or guilt.

"It is what it is." Cecilia would say whenever Vera brought up an issue concerning Kelvin.

"He stares at you all the time, I mean, most of the time." Vera would whisper in Cecilia's ears just to tease her.

"Lo que sea. Just shut up if you have nothing to say. I don't want to talk to or hear anything about him." Cecilia would reply rolling her eyes. Vera would sigh in defeat, but she never stopped watching. Just as always, she saw Kelvin's moves but also saw that he was holding back.

"Man...I see you looking at this girl but you don't even speak to her. Why don't you try it for once?" Dan said to Kelvin.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like I've not tried, and I don't even like her," he answered. Dan looked at him knowingly and shook his head. He didn't continue because in the end, he'd be asked to shut up.

It was almost 8 p.m when the bus came to a stop. They had toured five places already and this was the last place for today--the Stereo club. They were all above eighteen, except Cecilia, who was not yet eighteen. Attached to the club section on the pamphlet was a warning, "DO NOT GET DRUNK!" They laughed it off, but they kept it at the back of their minds.

Kelvin was nodding off when the bus stopped, so he told Dan to go without him. Cecilia on the other hand, also decided to stay on the bus and wait. They were the only ones left on the bus. Cecilia closed her eyes peacefully thinking, "I'm the only one on the bus. Freedom!" Kelvin also thought same and stretched himself on the seat to sleep comfortably. Then there was a loud shrill noise.