Kernel must be devoured by his fantasies. Judging by how he looked in the reflection in the window of the bus- smiling like an idiot corn, he should be thankful how lucky he is. Good for us that we could insert this two day vacation in our schedule. We've been curious also to know whether the Ealdwine family's been cursed or not.
"We'll be there any minute by now." Julius said, broking the silent atmosphere we have since three hours ago.
What could I do? Kernel won't talk to me, I hate talking to Jasmine and I have nothing to say to Julius- well I could ask about Ashley, but he's not the type of guy who likes to tell stories about his crush.
"I hope your minute won't turn to an hour. I hate history repeating itself." I deepened the word history and saw Kernel looking at me in the reflection of the window, I just winked back at him and smirks.
The bus rumbled on the rocky road and soon stops. Finally, we're here. It's already quarter to three when we got out from the bus and started walking to Julius's grandmother house- with Julius on the lead. I imagined coming to Julius's grandmother house to be boring like when Kernel won't let me party in a club. Judging by how quiet the village is and how few the people are living here, I guess I imagined it right.
Some kids and oldies were staring at us as we pass through. Maybe this village is seldom visited by visitors. Even the guys here weren't hot and gorgeous like Kernel, weren't cute like Claus or even fetching like Julius.
"We're here." Julius announced when we arrived in a country cottage type of house.
It was quiet. There was no elder woman sitting in a rocking chair in the covered front porch. Julius started walking. But instead of going inside the house, he led us at the backyard where a garden of assorted flowers were planted.
"Grandma?" Julius called.
"Oh, you're here already." A voice replied.
There was a movement from the right and an elder woman stood up. So she's the elder Ealdwine. The woman smiled at us. I think I'm going to hate her if she smiles, Jasmine has the same smile like hers. Julius and Jasmine hugged their Granny.
"Grandma, this are our friends. Cornelius and Atasha." Julius introduced us.
"You can call me Kernel." Kernel said with a smile.
OMG, Kernel like his nickname! I want to burst into tears right now for how happy I am. I am so proud that I am the one who gave him that nickname. Now's my turn.
"You can call me Tasha." I said and smiled.
"I'm Juliet, the elder Ealdwine. I must say how beautiful you two are."
"I know right? Aren't we two perfect for each other?" I said with a wide smile pasted on my lips.
"Silly kid." Juliet said then gave a soft laugh and welcomed us to her house.
I don't know but all I could response to her comment was 'Wow, she's weird'.
*** *** ***
Julius said Juliet prefers to live alone. She may be on her eighty's but she still possess the strength of her forty year old self. She's not weird right?
"Do you harvest all by yourself?" I asked after Juliet told us she owns a small farm where assorted crops were planted in it.
We've been sitting in the living room, which is bigger than I've expected. There were even shelves packed with books and a TV on our right. Too bad internet connection is pretty weak in this place.
"Some neighbors help me. And I gave some of the harvest in return."
"Wow, you have a good heart." I muttered.
"And I'm guessing you're not."
"Believe me, I was once a very good angel."
"Once? So you're not that good enough." I groaned after Juliet said that.
She and Julius laughs while Jasmine just smirk. Don't ask what Kernel's expression is, you know it already.
"Oh my, it's already that late?" Juliet said while looking at the grandfather clock near the door. The clock shows quarter to five.
"Why? Do you have to go somewhere?" Julius ask.
"I need to get the harvest products so that I could bring it to the market tomorrow on time." Juliet said as she starts readying herself.
"Can we help?" Kernel asked.
"Really? I'd appreciate that." Juliet said and we came along to her farm.
*** *** ***
It was more like twenty minutes when we arrive- and FYI, we just walk. We automatically help Juliet when she started picking up the crops and putting it in big boxes. The farm was good enough to feed a big family. I wonder why Julius, Jasmine and Aria has to leave the village when in fact they could have a quiet life here. Maybe boredom drove them away.
"I guess this is all I could sell to the market. Julius, can you go to Mr. Clarke? He told me that we could burrow his car to deliver this crops." Juliet said.
"There's a car?" I asked, we should have used it instead of walking from the house to the farm.
"We only used it for delivery. Why are you sound surprise?" Juliet asked.
"Well, nothing really." I said and crack a fake laugh.
"So you can drive?" I asked Julius, trying to change the subject.
"Ah, yeah. Claus thought me." Julius replied.
"I'll go with you." Kernel insisted.
"That's great. Glad to have a company. We'll be going then." Julius said and the two started walking.
I just stared at their backs and felt a sudden sour feeling in my stomach. Why do I feel like something's not right?
"I don't see you and Kernel are close." I was brought back to my senses when Juliet speak.
"They have cat and dog relationship Gran." Jasmine replied.
"Wow. Thanks for that." I said ironically.
"A pleasure." Jasmine said and smirks.
*** *** ***
We've waited for an hour before Julius and Kernel arrived with a pick-up truck.
"I wonder why this two arrive late. It would just take half an hour to get the car." Juliet wondered.
Well I hope this two didn't buy some time to hit with the village girls. Because if they did- Well, let's just hope that it didn't happen.
"What took you so long?" Juliet ask Julius as they one by one put the loaded boxes at the back of the car.
"Caught in the middle of something." Julius replied.
"And what does it mean?" Now it's Jasmine's turn to ask.
"We, um, almost caught in an accident. We're just lucky the car didn't have a scratch." Julius said and crack a nervous laugh.
This idiot is quite obvious that he's scared. Now I know why I felt that weird feeling earlier. I stared at Kernel, to my surprise he stared at me with no coldness. It feels like he's worried. Maybe Kernel used his powers to protect themselves from the danger. Well, it was a good thing that Kernel come along with Julius.
"Yeah. You got lucky today. Let's just hope the Goddess of luck will still be with you next time." Jasmine said coldly.
"Let's just hope it won't happen again, okay? Now let's go, it's getting dark already." Juliet said as she stepped inside the car.
