𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚. yeonji

𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞

-.--.-..-.-...-

Drip. Drop. Plop.

The sudden sight of multiple drops of blood on the chopping board made Kali stop from humming a melody while she was carefully slicing some apples.

"Here," Kali could see Avery handing her a box of tissues, to which she gladly took.

Wiping her nose clean from the red stain, she forcefully closed her eyes as she felt herself becoming a little dizzy. Her other hand dropped the knife and in turn, gripped the edges of the counter, trying to keep herself from falling.

Avery took hold of her side, afraid of the eldest fainting at any minute now. Fortunately, she didn't and soon felt much better than before.

"You should've just rested, Kali. Why are you even up so early in the morning? You're pushing yourself a little too hard these past few days," Avery couldn't help but reprimand her.

The answer to the youngest's question was simple. The group had planned out on the night of their surprise that they would go for an island hopping on the small island just across their town.

Known for having fine white sand and crystal clear saltwater, the small island is one of the go-to tourists' spot for the summer.

Kali wanted to prepare something for the group. But given that she's currently broke, the only thought that has occurred to her is to prepare the group a meal for their day.

The eldest only chuckled, "Why are you up so early in the morning? You usually like to sleep in, especially since it's summer break."

Avery frowned at how Kali tried to change the topic but she figured that maybe the eldest didn't want to dwell on it.

"I woke up feeling thirsty so I decided to head down and grab some water but then I saw you here," Avery decided to drop the topic.

"Good thing I did, if something were to happen to you..." Avery trailed off, she didn't want to think of the endless possibilities that sentence could do.

"What are you guys talking about so seriously this early?" a voice suddenly joined the two.

Looking to Avery's right she saw that it was Phoebe, who's cutely rubbing her eyes to get the remains of sleep off of her.

Meanwhile, Kali turned her back to Phoebe and hid the blood-stained tissues away from their sight.

"Oh, we're just deciding which food to prepare when you guys go on that island hopping," Kali turned around and answered. Avery nods her head beside the eldest.

"You guys? You're not coming?" Phoebe's expression turned into confusion.

"Good morning! And what's this I'm hearing, who's not coming?" Ellis graced in to the kitchen with Vin tailing behind him.

"Kali."

"Why? It'll be our last outing together before we go back to reality," Vin grimaced at the word 'reality'.

True to his words, their summer break was coming to an end. They need to go back to the city next week which is two days from now since classes would start.

It was a good thing they had already enrolled way back before going on this trip. It gave them an extra whole week to spend and not stress themselves out from enrolling at the last minute.

"Come on, Kali. Go with us," Phoebe pouted, coming to Kali's side to hug her.

Avery silently watched the three. Even when she wanted Kali to come to spend more time with her friend, Avery didn't also want to burden Kali.

The youngest knew how taxing it is on Kali's body. Even more so, when just a while ago, she looked very tired.

But given how the younger ones wanted her to come, Kali couldn't just flat out reject the trio.

"Okay, fine. I'll come," she smiled.

I don't know when I'll be able to spend time with them again anyway, she thought when she feels the remains of weariness lingering in her entire being.