DAYS OF SUMMER ( Either Moving On Or Giving Up )

Nineteen

“Keep smiling
I know you’ve been through a lot,
And that’s only my wish.
Goodbye.”
-Oliver Ron

Gramps keeps insist that, at least, I get a room separately from another staffs. Even if it’s not a suite room, even just a standard room, it’s okay. So that’s why I’m alone in my own room.
It’s kinda lonely, but I think if I join another staffs’ room, they’ll just gossip about me like they always do. It’s hard to be friends with them when they all talk about you.
It’s a day off for every staffs. They can enjoy one free drink ticket in the bar. Let me tell you, they all love the sound of it!
Well, I’m alone in my room, trying to read Oliver’s journal. Or message, whatever it is.
THIS IS FOR SUMMER
Even when I just read that, I don’t know whether I should continue or not. I heard that Oliver is in critical condition whereas me only had few stiches. We were in the separated rooms. So I didn’t really know his condition. I only know that he had some kind of brain malfunction. They said he would forget anything one by one. And once he didn’t remember his own name. I don’t when he did write this, but these pages are not many, but his writings are still clear so he must have written them even before he was in hospital, before the accident. Or maybe this when we met at the first time?
So, I begin to read it carefully.
What should I begin? Well, you see, my name is Oliver Ron. I’m seventeen years old.
“Seventeen years old! It’s two years ago! So Oliver must have written it when we met at the first time!” I exclaim.
I’m a poetic guy, they said. And I also a music genius as my teachers kept praising me. I don’t know why I start writing this, but maybe I want to.
So, who’s Summer? She’s a girl I met yesterday in the music convention. She’s a year younger than me and she’s also a girl with talent in music.
And she’s also weird. The first thing she asked me is, “Do you like sunflower?”
At the first time we met, I thought, who’s this girl with long black hair and she has an interesting face maybe because she’s not entirely American. She’s not all around pretty girl, rather than plain and simple.
We talked and introduced ourselves. That’s when I found out that she’s also special because of her mom, Hara Johnson. Who doesn’t know her?
I also saw Summer's performance and I was amazed, completely and I don’t know how to describe it.
She’s amazing, and I know it. But you see, this girl has a serious problem. The teachers said that she’s depression. And that makes sense when she rarely smiles, but she’s so pretty when she smiles.
I don’t know why I write this. I don’t believe in first love, Summer. But it seems like I’m willing to try.
I remember our first meeting. It was awkward and I didn’t know how to introduce myself properly. It’s so tearful remembering it. Oliver, I’m sorry.
“Summer? Are you there?” It’s Ren.
I’m not crying, but I feel like I don’t want to meet everyone first. But if I’m like this, Ren will go worried and that’s not my intention. I want Ren to feel like he doesn’t have to be worried at me 24/7.
“Yeah, Ren! Sure, wait a minute!” I quickly put the journal in my bag. I don’t want Ren to see it.
“God, you’re freaking slow,” Ren says when I open the door. “What are you up to?”
“I guess I’m just going to watch TV since it’s my own thing,” I reply. “And I guess I want to explore the hotel. Rovaniemi seems like a beautiful place.”
“Why don’t you come with me to the bar?” he asks. “We rarely do things together, Yuka.”
“You know I don’t drink.”
“Who said I’m okay with you drinking? I’ll be there to make sure you only drink water or juice or soda.”
“Fine, I’ll go with you. Wait for me, I’ll change first,” I say, closing the door.
I don’t know what should I wear. There will be crews and staffs, at least, I should dress nicely, right? I finally decide to wear my orange-white stripes t shirt with a simple black jeans and denim jacket.
It’s not a girly or even stylish look, but I guess it’s fine and fresh. I look like a teenager, which is true.

The bar is packed with staffs and crews. Everyone enjoys the free drink ticket. Who doesn’t?
Ren stops to chit chat with the AD, Holton. He’s a big guy. Ren maybe has temper, but he cannot explode fast. I think Holton must be the one who will explode to anyone who make mistakes.
The other interns who get the same opportunity as mine are also there. Jeannine, Maya, Aston, Presley, and George. They are drinking and laughing together.
“Summer! Over here!”
It’s Monet and his other crews. So this is the job he’s talking about.
“Monet!” I exclaim. “You’re also here”
“What about you?” he asks. “Get a job as the personal photographer?”
“Yeah,” I say.
Everyone laughs. “Well, that’s a good one!” they exclaim with raising their cocktails.
“Who’s your actor? Or actress?” A crew named Siva asks.
“Jake Adams,” I reply.
“Whoa, you get the lead,” Another named Angel says with envy.
“Actually I almost got Dean Jeanne. But it’s rearranged.”
Angel now smiles sincerely. “Well, the luck is on you. She’s always bossy and noisy and of course, annoying as hell.”
“Well, I guess I’m just lucky,” I say.
Everyone is now gossiping. They don’t really include me at the talk, but they still let me hear everything they talk. It’s about Katherine Ann and I couldn’t help to listen. I really want to know about her.
“They said she had TBC,” Angel tells us. “Seriously, I’m curious to know whether it’s a lie or truth.”
“Maybe she used drugs in the past,” Tom, another crew says.
Monet makes a face. “Not everyone uses drugs, Tom. She isn’t like Vera Tay.”
Vera Tay is an old actress who used drugs. The result of it is she lost her fame.
“I bet it’s connected with sugar daddies,” Siva says. “There’s a rumour she used to be seen with another older man.”
That makes no sense.
“No, I bet it’s because of Jake Adams. They used to date, right?” another crew, Sheila says.
“Really?” Angel asks her.
“Yeah!”
“That’s why the Dean Jeanne hates her so much,” Sheila says.
My phone vibrates and it’s Jake.
Jake : So, aren’t you going to take a picture of me, relaxing and drinking wine?
Me : I’m pretty sure relaxing means don’t bother me
Jake : Not really. What are you up to?
Me : Talking with another crews. They are fun
Jake : Good.

The texting stops. I guess maybe I should work , but it’s a day off, right? Having new friends is probably better.
Ren’s eyes meet me and he smiles when he sees me with many people. Yeah, it’s much better than being alone in the hotel room.
Ren is sitting with Jake and he’s playing with his phone. Just that, my phone vibrates.
Jake : Want to go explore Rovaniemi tomorrow? I have a 2 hours rest before shooting and shooting.
Me : Sure!

“Hey, want to go to recreation room?” Angel asks. “Or we girls go to spa?
“That’s such a great idea!” Sheila says. “Best idea ever!”
“Come on, Summer. Join us,” Angel tells me.
I get an invitation!
“Sure,” I say.
At that moment, Dean Jeanne comes and hugs me again. “Gosh!” I shriek.
“I think she’s drunk,” Sheila says.
“Dean!” her manager calls her name. “Help me move her to her room.”
Sheila and Angel pale out. I know they freaking hate Dean. They quickly run away.
The manager looks at me with pleading eyes. I sigh. “I’ll help you.”
Both of us carry Dean around to her room. When we’re there, I sigh in relief. The manager asks me to accompany Dean as she’s been trying to look for me.
I sigh. The manager is out and I stare at Dean. Why was she trying to search for me?
Just that, Dean raises up and I scream.
She grabs her comb and tidies up her hair. Then she smiles. “I always hate acting like a drunk people.”
“What? Acting?”
“Sorry about that,” she says. “Anyway I have a proposition for you.”
“Not interested,” I say. “Are you crazy?”
“Well, I just think you’ll want this. Guess what, Katy just stole your brother! Your stupid brother.”
“He’s my brother. He’s still is. So he wasn’t stolen!”
“Katy always wins. That’s why she won over you with your dad.”
Dad. “What did you just say?”
“Your dad. Who’s his name, S something.”
“Sail,” I say.
“Yeah, that famous doctor. He was with your mother and you were born. But he fell in love with Katy's mom and boom! He left you!”
“You’re lying,” I say.
“No, I’m not. Your brother did. He lied to you about Katy's parents being dead, right?”
“No way,” I say.
“Just check by yourself. He’s here, staying as Katy's protector and personal doctor. Your brother didn’t tell you?”
“No,” I say. How could I not see him? I must have been so excited about the trip. How about gramps and nana? Gosh, nana would never know about this and gramps? It makes sense now why he didn’t want Katherine Ann as the lead female.
“I can actually take you to her room. It’s close,” Dean Jeanne says.
“What about your proposition?”
“Let’s beat that girl. I’ll get Jake and you’ll get your brother, even a bonus your dad.”
“My brother will always love me. That’s his job.”
“But he lied to you.”
“You’re crazy. I can’t help you with that.”
“God. You’re not like Katy. The innocent one. You’re more like your mom. That’s why your dad left you anyway.”
“God. Stop about saying that! Just take me to them.”
“I hope you won’t regret it,” she says. “Have you prepared yourself?”
No, not really and never will. A girl is going to meet her father whom she haven’t seen for years. She didn’t grow up with her dad, after all. God, these days are getting weird. It’s a clear sign that I will go worst.
I check my pills in my pocket and I know, at least, I have back up.