DISTRESS

CHAPTER 19

"I know you don't like telling me anything so you don't have to tell me everything now. Just please remember that I'm still here and that you can rely on me." she said with such gentleness while holding me in her arms.

That was the first thing she said the moment I stepped out of the bathroom. I was contemplating for a long time as to how to explain what happened during the hiking along with the bruises and wounds she saw when I was in the bathroom only to hear this from her. I thought she's going rant at me for the things that happened and what she witnessed but her she is just embracing me.

The feeling she's giving off is so warm and comforting that I eventually melted in her embrace. Burying my face in her chest and gripping the hem of her clothes tightly. I didn't give any response as I let myself melt in this moment and let this warm feeling take over.

"I know it's tough but I'm proud of you for getting this far," why do I feel like her words hit all the right places? It's like she knows what my real situation is or she just simply knows how to comfort someone. All I did is purse my lips and stay mum as I savor this moment with her.

We stayed in that position for almost half an hour or maybe less. I'm not so sure, all I know is that the atmosphere is so comfortable and warm that I lost track of time. "We should probably get some rest now." she said, pulling away from me.

"Yeah. I'll take the sofa."

"The bed is spacious we could share," she offered but I was already making myself comfortable on the sofa.

"Not a chance. Don't try to argue because I won't change my mind."

She stared at me for a while, probably thinking what to do until she let out a sigh of defeat before heading on the bed. The sofa is facing the bed and the principal intentionally lied down on the other side so we're somehow facing each other. I closed my eyes but immediately opened it back when I felt something soft on my body. "At least take these." she smiled handing me a pillow and a blanket.

"Thanks," she nodded her head and went back to bed.

I placed the pillow under my head and covered my waist down with the blanket then stared at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to take over my body. There was a brief silence and I knew she'd break that silence any minute now.

"Dawn?" she asked, knowing I'm still fully awake but I didn't made any attempt to respond. "Dawn," she called again and this time I turned to the side so that I'm facing her.

"What?" I asked, staring straight in her eyes.

Her radiant brown eyes twinkled like stars which I have no idea as to how that happened or if I was just simply seeing things. She scooted over to the side, figuratively narrowing the gap between us for a bit. What is this woman thinking right now?

"Could you tell me how you've come to like me?" her question caught me off guard. I didn't expect her to ask me that and the face she's making when she asked me that looked so eager and somehow excited.

"No," I replied firmly, turning my back as I pull the blanket up to my neck.

How can I tell her the reason when I don't even have any idea myself. Besides there isn't exactly a reason to like someone. You like them simply because you like them. Believe me that revelation surprised me more than it surprised her.

She tried calling me again and again but this time I didn't respond or even dare move in my position until eventually I fell asleep from the exhaustion that I felt all of the sudden.

The next day, we all went to the beach to swim before going home in the afternoon. Many questions are going on in my head as I watched my classmates enjoying the moment as they run around and splash water at each other. Turns out this activity is a surprise for all of us to serve as reward before the field trip ends. I can't say I'm impressed or even happy the least.