Stranded

Chapter 16: Setting Things Straight

Erin’s POV

Feeling chilly and still quite bothered about my huge slip-up, I stared at the sky above me. The sky was clear of any clouds and stars were scattered like silver beads on a dark blue-colored cloth. Since I couldn’t sleep in peace, I decided to walk towards the railings and try to lull myself to sleep by staring at the moon’s reflection on the water beneath.

I guessed that the boys are already asleep. There was a makeshift wall made of tarpaulins we got from the cruise ship’s lobby that divide’s the girl’s part of the deck from the boys. Since the girl’s part of the deck was the one facing the beach, I decided to barge into their side to look at the sea.

Quietly, I crossed the ‘barriers’ and tiptoed towards the railings. I tried not to bother anyone but sadly, I dropped the flashlight I was holding, making a slight thud. Someone’s attention was caught. Harry jumped to his feet and looked at where I stood.

“Sorry.” I said, picking up my flashlight. I was about to go back to the girl’s side of the deck but he spoke up.

“No. I wasn’t asleep. I couldn’t, actually.” He said. Honestly, it was awkward. Both of us didn’t seem to know how to act in front of each other. Since I couldn’t think of anything else to say, I decided to apologize for how I acted a while back.

I slowly walked towards him, although I don’t really intend to get closer to him. I just don’t want to disturb someone else’s slumber. “I-I’m sorry about, um, pushing you away. I-I didn’t know you were the one who helped me.”

“It’s okay.” He said, looking away, as he ran his hand through his curly hair. “It was my fault, actually. I left you alone. That was so stupid of me.”

Uh-oh. I already reached the place where he stood. I stood right in front of him, feeling awkward and not able to look right into his eyes.

“Where were you going?” He asked.

I pointed to the farthest part of the deck. “You want to come?” I asked. He nodded.

We stood there in silence for quite a long time. I smiled both because I feel much better and because of the moon’s pleasing reflection on the deep-blue waters.

“How do you feel now?” He asked me, sounding very concerned indeed. His emerald green eyes showed grieve apprehension.

“I feel better. My head still hurts, though, and I think I still won’t be able to remove your shirt from my forehead. It’s kinda stuck.” I said, feeling my injured forehead.

He seemed shocked and asked me why I know that he owns the shirt wrapped around my forehead. I told him that Rae told me everything that happened while I was knocked out. We both seemed to be out of topics to talk about that we didn’t really talk much. After he told me his point of view of what had happened that afternoon, there was nothing else to talk about, yet his story contained a lot more details that Rae’s. After all, he was really there the entire time before he decided to leave me under the shade of the coconut tree.

Feeling sleepy, I realized that I should segue myself out. I really feel tired and weak and I do think I need some sleep.

“I’m sleepy. I guess I should be going. You should try to get some sleep, too.” I said, walking backwards. I was about to turn around and head to the girl’s part of the deck but Harry interrupted.

“Hey, Erin!” He shout-whispered. I smiled for he looked stupid trying to make his voice loud enough for me to hear yet soft enough not to wake up the others. “I’m sorry I left you out there.”