Another Way Around

Chapter Five

“Gab, come on the bus is waiting!” Gino yelled as I stared hard at façade of our school. The senior students are going to a far flung area to conduct recollection. Time passed so fast. Three weeks from now, we will leave high school. I jumped to bus and sat beside Gino. I don’t know what to expect but I want this trip to be memorable. We ate junk foods on our way, Gino bought so many snacks, I wonder if he ever had anything in his bag other than food. Jake and Matea are on our side, not noticing they were staring on us for a while.

“You are such a jerk!” I chased Gino.

“Don’t forget you are eating my food”. He chuckled.

“You look good together.” Matea said with a smile.

“Shut up this guy is totally, undeniably out of this world,” I said laughing.

“I thought you love space stuffs,” Gino said and we all laugh together. I never laugh with my best friends since the incident in the prom. Now, I can say, slowly we can bring back what we are before. I still love Jake but I already accepted the fact that he can’t love me back the way I wanted it.

I shared our food while on our way, we eat and talk about anything like nothing happened, like we are like this all of our lives.

After 3 hours of long trip, we finally arrived at exactly 9:00 AM.

 “Fall in line seniors,” Mrs. Roberto commanded.

“Hey Gab I want to be your partner if there’s any activity that needs one” Gino said while we are falling in line.

“Haha are you worried our classmates will not take you as their partner because of your weirdness?”

Serious reaction in his face, “No, I don’t want you to leave me just because you are now in good conditions with your best friends”.

I stopped and looked at him. I smiled. “I’ll never abandon you. I know how it feels.”

We walk together as we enter the Garden of Bloom. It’s undeniably wonderful place. Flowers are everywhere, the wind is cool, there are bungalows with fascinating architectural designs, the staffs are very hospitable, there are bird cages and butterfly garden too, there is a small church on the end side which is covered with marbles, and there is a huge pool and many spots to go for a picnic. I’m totally in love with this place.

“I want to get married in this place!” I said to Gino while squeezing his arm in astonishment.

“You’re such a dreamer Gab. But yea, no doubt this is a beautiful place,” He said while clicking his cam, closing one eye and capturing everything.

After the briefing of activities for the day, some words of wisdom from Professor Marcus, then lunch was served.

“Why are you putting everything on my plate?,” Jake asked Matea.

“You’ll need that we have many activities ahead”. Matea replied with a smile.

“You are too concern with your figure, I love the way you are,” Jake said with anger but in low tone voice.

“I know that but I’m cutting down some carbs,” smiling on one side.

I was stunned with Jake’s words, I love the way you are. That’s exactly how I wanted to be loved.

“Gab chew your food,” Gino said. Only to realized I have bunch of meat in my mouth.

After lunch, Mrs. Roberto instructed that we can have our free time but never to go alone so I go with Gino. Others go swimming but we go for a walk instead. We passed on a hanging bridge, he jumped, then I wiggled. We laugh hard and I had a good time with him. I made up my mind, I’m going to be happy today not thinking about Jake and Matea, my Mum and my sister’s stubbornness. We sat under the large old oak tree where in there is a beautiful bench under it made up of woods from Lebanon.