Challenging Directions - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 29 - Morning

The next day everyone was hung over, Arrio had a splitting headache and kept saying he will never drink again. The others laughed at him, all remembering their first hangovers and saying the same thing. Even though the events of the night before still loomed in the air, the mood was light and calm.

Lani decided to move past her 'feelings' and just be acquaintances with Arvin, who had taken to avoiding her and Fia.. Mostly Fia, every time he saw her she was staring at him with a knife in her hand. Everyone gathered on the beach for breakfast, everyone except George and Corin.. Even Rai showed up, though he ignored the former members of the Guard completely.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE ON HIS SIDE?" George yelled at Corin, he could be heard all the way down by the beach.

"Babe, calk down. The circumstances are very complicated." Corin said barely heard.

"COMPLICATED?!? THE MAN IS A LECHEROUS PIG!!! HE, WHILE ENGAGED, FLIRTED WITH OUR CAPTAIN!! SHE WAS IN TEARS MOST OF LAST NIGHT, AND NOW YOU ARE TELLING ME HIS BETROTHED IS THE NEXT IN LINE FOR OCUSIEN?!?" George's voice cracked a bit from his anger. "THIS IS VALUABLE INFORMATION!!"

"Something we were planning on telling the whole group at breakfast, which we are late for."

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?? ARE YOU SAYING IT IS MY FAULT???" George shrieked.

"No!! I am saying the others will wonder about us if we don't hurry." Corin was trying to get George to calm down... Not working.

"HURRY? WHY SHOULD WE HURRY?? HOW MANY TIMES HAVE BEEN LATE BEFORE, AND NO ONE WORRIED??" They were usually having the sex. "SO.. WHY ARE YOU IN SUCH A HURRY NOW?"

"I told you, once everyone arrived, Arvin was.."

"OH! SO HE IS ARVIN NOW? WHEN DID YOU GET ON FIRST NAME BASES?!"

"Last night, like everyone el-"

"OH! SO LAST NIGHT WHILE WE WERE THERE WITH LANI OUR CAPTAIN... YOU AND THE REST OF THE GUYS WERE OFF DRINKING AND HAVING FUN WITH YOUR NEW BUDDY... 'ARVIN'." He said the name like it was some kind of disease.

"No... Babe.. Come here.." Corin tried to approach George, but he turned and left.

He was the first to arrive at the breakfast table, the calm mood in the air now a silent, and awkward one. George didn't seem to notice how everyone was acting towards him, they seemed afraid, and worried. Kai gave up his seat between Kalila and Lani so he could sit there.

Corin sulked over a few minutes later, his face smiling like nothing happened, but his red, watery eyes betrayed him. Arvin looked extremely worried, but was afraid to make the situation worse, instead Rai got up the courage.

"Hey Corin!" He smiled. "Come sit with me." He patted the empty seat next to him, and far away from Arvin.

"Thanks.." He sat down next to him, happy that someone was acting normally.

"Ahem." Arvin stood up. "Now that everyone is here, and I am sure you all know by now... My circumstances.." He paused, giving a short glance in Lani's direction, who was hugging George. "My... Um... Fiancé, is also next in line for one of the Four Kingdoms." He tried to make it as though no one heard George and Corin's fight.. Although everyone did. "She is Serle Beleza, future Queen of Ocusien."

"Ocusien??" Lani tried to fake shock.

"Oh.. What a shock this is! I mean I never would have guessed! Ocusien... No sorry can't do it..." Enya said still half asleep and having none of that faking bullshit. "We heard, you guys were so loud, we heard it all... And I am not talking about your guy's drunken sex last night.... Which I did hear and don't want to again.. I am talking about your fight." She sighed and used her fork to fling food at Arrio. "Which I also never want to hear again, it was just weird and awkward..... More than last night." She shivered.