Seasons

She's Coming

Samantha's POV:

We're doomed. We're doomed. We're doomed.

My heart is beating so fast right now. We're here in Xylo because we were invited by Celeste for her celebratory party. She hosted this party alongside Chris, Nick, and Solenn.

But just when we thought it was going to be one night of fun partying and intoxicating drinks, Max dropped a piece of news I wish wasn't true.

"I'm going to El Salvador!"

Right after hearing that, I felt uneasy, I was rubbing my hands on my lap and trying my best not to show my panic.

I can only look at Janina, who shares the same fear and worry with me.

This shouldn't happen. Anntonia put so much effort into healing from her traumatic past with Max, and Michelle wasn't ready to face Max just yet.

Despite it not being clear if they really have a thing or not, I believe Max won't like the idea of Michelle and Antonia being so inseparably close.

I fear it would affect the three of them.

"Excuse me, I'm just going to the comfort room," I said, walking away from our table.

I tried to find a place where no one could hear me. I had no choice but to do this.

I dialed my friend Matt, who is a pilot, and waited for him to pick up. He didn't answer on my first call, so I tried again. "Hello, Sam!"

"Matt! Oh my god. I need your help, please."

"Sure, what is it? Planning to go to Siargao?"

"No." I paused. "El Salvador."

"El Salva-- What?"

"Please! Can you book me a flight as soon as tomorrow? I really have to make it ahead of time."

"Sam, it would be unfair if I do tha--"

"Just this once, Matt. I really have no choice."

"Sam..." Matt paused. "Fine. Only for this time."

"Yes! I owe you a lot. Thank you very much! You don't have any idea how much I have to do this."

"I swear, Sam. Make sure you'll be here by 4 a.m. tomorrow, or else I can't help you with whatever you are planning to do." Matt reminded me. I feel concerned that he sounds like he's scared of what he's about to do, but I really have no choice.

"I'll take note of that. Thank you!"

"Yeah. Be careful, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

I ended the call and sighed. I feel so scared about what's ahead. I am torn, and I feel like I have to be present; otherwise, my friends will all suffer. I know that they carry so much burden already, and having Max in El Salvador will just make things worse.

This is too complicated. I don't even know if being present there would make this whole situation less tragic.

I inhaled the fresh air that can be acquired here on the balcony. I stayed there for a few more seconds before deciding to go back. When I was on my way to enter the ball hall, I saw that the comfort room is open, and Janina is there, looking for someone.

I entered the room and closed it right away too. She turned around to see who that is, and now she's looking at me.

"My god, Sam. Saan ka galing? I thought you're going here?" She said and went back to face the mirror and retouch her makeup.

"You should know that it was just an excuse." I responded, observing her in the mirror.

"You did something, didn't you?" She said and fixed her kit. She looked at me through the mirror, so I weakly nodded.

"You're literally putting yourself in a tough position, Sam." She shook her head and sighed heavily.

See, this is the thing about this whole situation. It's just me and Janina who can understand why this is so frustrating.

"There's no other choice. You know that Max and Ann didn't have proper closure, and Max and Deedee don't have plans on fixing their relationship just yet."

"How are you even sure that what you're planning to do will work?"

"I am not even thinking that this will work."

"See? You're going there without any specific plan. How are you going to help, then?" Janina asked, making me more anxious about how I am going to be fair to the three of them.

"I don't know, okay! I just have to arrive there before her!"

"But before everything, we should at least tell Ann and Deedee, don't you think?"

"They're busy rehear--"

"My god, Sam! You have no plans on telling them? Haven't you realized that if they saw Max without any warning, it will bring more chaos?"

"Janina, listen. I can't, okay. I can't tell them."

"If you can't, then I will."

"No."

"Shut up. We're not letting this whole complication be more complicated. They have to know."

Janina fixed her belongings and gave me one last glance before opening the door of the comfort room to leave.

I scratched my head out of frustration and scoffed loudly.

This is so hard to deal with. I can only imagine what possible things might happen, and just by that imagination alone, it breaks my heart knowing there will always be someone who will be emotionally shattered.

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