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Chapter 5: Looking Up

I woke up to the sound- noisy sound- of my classmates yelling to each other. We were only few kilometers to the island, I think. My seat was located at the back of the speedboat. And in my view, the island looked so green that I cannot see any space in it. No wonder this island is chosen to be the place for our science trip this quarter.

"Aren't you excited?!" She asked happily.

"Why should I?"

"Because! We're going on an island!"

"And so?"

"We're far from home and we can do anything we want and we can hang out there and have fun and flirt boys and...AND-"

I interrupted before she could continue.

"WE are here to do some boring stuff for grades. AND my only purpose of joining here is just because I need those grades to graduate. Not to mention you dragging me here. So I am not doing any of those stupid things you're saying. Plus, I don't flirt for god's sake!"

She paused for a while.

"But Skye! You have nothing to fear of. I am so certain that you can graduate and you're good at science. I'm sure Sir will give you a passing grade~" she said then winked

"I don't just aim for a passing grade you idiot!"

"Nah! Whatever! You should be satisfied. You're already one of the top students in class!" She demanded.

"You know what? I'm not listening anymore." Then I stormed out.

I ended up sitting beside Carlson Drew. The seat beside his was empty and the other seats were occupied so that left me no choice. I really don't care since it's not too long for us to arrive.

~~~

I stepped outside the boat and found a marvelous scene in front of me... white sand, crystal clear water and fresh sea breeze. Very refreshing. Never thought I'd smell the scent of fresh air like this.

"Exquisite" a voice from behind suddenly broke my thoughts.

"Oh. Hi Miss Fontaine. Never thought you'd feel the fresh air like this? Likewise here. I've been living in the city my whole life and I never visited a province before. Better savor the moment Miss Fontaine. See you around!"

I raised an eyebrow. Spilling stuffs to a complete stranger? Or was it a complete stranger? He called me by my surname. Who are you really? He must've known me or maybe just heard it. Tsk! Who cares?

"Skye! Oohhh!! I'm so sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I promise not to do that again! Just forgive me pleasee!" Chelsea begged which came out from nowhere.

"Forget it. It's not a big deal."

"Sure?"

"Duh."

"Oohhh!! Thank you! I love you so much Skye!"

After that we made our way to the rest house that we're going to stay. Our adviser gave some rules and regulations before we head straight to our rooms. The girls are in a separated from the guys of course but we are permitted to choose our roommates. I have Chelsea and Sarah with me. 3 people in each dorm.

"Urgh! I need to sleep!" Chelsea blurted.

"Get some. We are given 2 hours to rest and by 6, we should be downstairs" Sarah noted then gave her an encouraging smile. I wish I could smile that way easily.

"Where are you going Skye?" Chelsea asked.

"I want to explore the place. Just stay there and sleep" I replied

"Okay. Be sure to come back, okay?"

"God, Chelsea."

I walked past the other rooms. The other girls were shouting and singing so loudly. Seems like they're not tired, huh?

Our rest house is not that spacey but still comfortable. There are like 10 rooms here in the 2nd floor. We occupied all the rooms as well as the first 5 rooms downstairs and along them were the teachers' rooms.

As I was exploring in nearby places, I found myself at the beach. And guess what, I'm not alone.

I went near him with no hesitation.

"The beach is so calm today." He started. Right. Amazing.

"Yeah. It gives me the peace I need."

"They're just like us. At one point, a person can be calm and peaceful. Then sudden disturbances will eventually break the calm waves. A person's life is very comparable to the sea and complicated at the same time. You see, just like the sea we cannot avoid those disturbances."

...

"But unlike the sea, we cannot guess when they will come. But what is the purpose of life if there's no challenge?" he continued.

"Hhm? We keep avoiding them, but one cannot finish a challenge without facing it. Who knows?" I responded.

He smiled... Then sighed.

"Skye. You know, you have a wonderful name. One day, I'll name my child the same."

"Uhuh..What's with my name?"

"Skye. Like the sky. They're beautiful. But it's not just it. Beyond that lies a wonderful world. And I can't wait to go there."

"Okay~ Sir since it's nearly dark, I suggest that we should go back in."

"Right. But you go first. I want to savor this moment"

I waved him goodbye. I wonder why the other students are so shy to talk to him since he's just our teacher-- or adviser to be specific.

I looked back at the beach and saw no one.

~~~

I originally was heading to the rest house but I found a swing not too far to the beach. I find it interesting since I've never been into one before.

I closed my eyes hoping to relax myself for a while... but the thoughts of the past suddenly flashed.

'Mom!'

'Don't go near. It's too dangerous...'

'But mommy and daddy need me!'

'Never give her t-to them... even if it will cost us our l-lives...'

Please... stop. It hurts... mom... dad... why? How could you leave me? I'm so lonely since you both left. I'm always making everyone around me worry. I've become a burden to them. Please... come back.

"Skye?"

I can't see the people who care for me anymore. Is there someone? I couldn't tell that I feel like this, I felt it every day and I'm making the same mistakes again.

"Skye? Are you okay?"

I can't do anything. I don't know what to do.

"Skye!"

I went back to reality by a touch on my shoulder.

"You seem to have a very deep reminisce in your thoughts. Is everything fine? Are you all right" Chelsea asked.

"Y-yes. You're supposed to be sleeping, what are you doing here?"

"Can't sleep. I suddenly felt the urge to have a little stroll around here. I might find something worth for instagram here. Haha! Come with me it'll be funn!"

"Umm. Okay"