The Return

Chapter 6: The Camping

Dexter's POV

Few days later, the day of the seminar comes. The school allowed the grade 12 students to prepare for the seminar. It's a one night seminar but it seems really interesting. This happens only for like once in a bluemoon. So I should grab this opportunity. Yeah, this day is preparation day but I am not yet prepared. Hahahaha. I'll just bring maybe 4 pairs of clothes. As long as I have foods. Haha. And as long as Kezia is there.

"Ummm... Ohh... What did I just say?" I asked myself as I feel confused.

She's not Kezia! She's Cheska! What are you thinking Dexter?! Ugh!! Because of her smile. She acts like Kezia these past few days. I think it's strange how Cheska acts these days but at the same time, I'm okay with it. I don't know. Or maybe... I just miss Kezia... A lot... Sigh.

If Kezia is still alive, she would probably join the seminar. She was the school president, so she was always obliged to join.

I went near to my study table and picked up my phone there and contacted Cheska.

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Kezia's POV (Kezia in Cheska's body)

Krrrrrriiiiiinnnggg......

I was surprised by the sound of the telephone. I thought it was not working. I picked up the call.

"Hello?" I heard a sweet voice coming from the heaven. His husky voice that I'd probably listen to and I wouldn't get tired of listening.

Talk more, please?

"Hello?" another angelic voice of him.

"Yes?" I answered trying to make my voice sweet as his voice.

"Uuhh, are you ready for the seminar, Cheska?" he mentioned Cheska's name.

I might forgot that I'm Cheska for now. Phew. "Uhh, yes, why?"

"Nothing. I just miss your smi-" he cut it off. I don't know what he means but I'm blushing now, for sure. My heart beats like I've never felt this again. Why is he doing this to my innocent feeling?

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Dexter's POV

What did I just say? It came out of my mouth unexpectedly. What are you doing Dexter? "Good bye, Cheska. See you." I ended the call as soon as possible.

Why does my heart beats like this? Tell me Dexter that it beats for no one else but for Kezia only, right? I held my chest feeling it. Forget about this Dexter. She's Cheska and not Kezia.

After how many hours, all the grade 12 students are already in the place where the seminar will be held. It's a camping. It's getting darker.

I can't stay in one place for I feel uneasy because Cheska is not yet around. I haven't yet seen her. I've been finding her everywhere. So, I decided to have a walk within that place.

This place is really a good spot to have this of outing. We won't use any power or electricity. That would be a tough challenge for us. For sure, everyone's waiting for the bonfire. The last time we did this way back Grade 10.

As I walk around, I saw Cheska and Raphael sitting beside the tents and talking. She talks to him sweetly. It's like that smile of her is sweeter than the smiles she's giving me. I've never seen Cheska that happy. Don't I make her happy enough? And here's my heart beat again. It always beats like this whenever I see her, but now, it beats differently. I wish I could just stop this.

After a short walk, I passed by Cheska and Raphael as if I didn't see them..

"Dexter!" Cheska called me but I didn't look back. I'm still walking away from them.

I was surprised when someone hugged me from behind. She confronted me and gives me smile that always drives me crazy. "Why don't you join us?" she asked.

"No, thanks. I gotta go." I responded. Well, she's enjoying Raphael's company. And I continued walking.

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Kezia's POV (Kezia in Cheska's body)

Why is he acting like that? Did I do something wrong? Or does he have feelings for Cheska? Now that I am gone. This is what Cheska likes, right? Now, I know the feeling of being rejected.

"Umm, Kezia, I-I have something to tell you." he awkwardly said.

This mind of mine seems losing and this heart of mine seems not to stop rushing. It's like there are butterflies in my stomach. I don't want to assume but...

"Kezia, I should've told you this before. I didn't have enough confidence to tell you this, but now, I don't want to make it longer. Kezia, I like you. So much. You mean the most to me. Everytime I see you, everytime you smile at me, everytime you crack jokes, everytime you laugh, everything about you drives me crazy. I already like you since then." He announced infront of many students. My mind went blank. My heart beats faster and faster and I couldn't even step my foot. I wanted to get out of this but my body won't let me.

As I look around, I see people screaming.

"Woohoo! Finally, he already said it!" Alyssa shouted from behind. My classmates' voices are all dominant in the crowd. The crowd surrounds us.

"I may look like a fool now but I really, really like you Kezia. I can't help my feelings for you." He added as he scratched his head.

"I li--" I didn't finish what I was about to say. Someone in the crowd got my attention. That person looks at us as if she wants to burst out in anger.

...She likes Dexter... I want to be happy but I want her to be happier. She's like a real sister to me. I don't want our relationship to be destroyed just because of a boy.

"I-I am sorry Dexter..." I immediately run away from the crowd. I heard the crowd mumbling to each other.

Now, I'm seeing Dexter walking away from me. And it hurts me, really. What can I do? I'm not Kezia now. And I'm already dead. He won't see me again. All he can see now is that, Cheska, in front of me. Not me. My tears began to fall unconsciously..

After the whole talk in the seminar, we all gathered for the bonfire. We are all given the chance to say what we want. To say all what we feel inside. To make ourselves feel better.

"Cheska Cumarat." it's my turn to talk. I breathe deeply.

"I don't have any regrets in my life that I've done. We all learn from mistakes. We all deserve second chances. But there are things that we did in the past that will always hit our conscience. Not all important and the best people in our lives will always be there for us. Yes, sometimes they are one of the reasons for our downfall... Sometimes they are the one who take everything from us." I paused. 

"Guys, I'm not telling you this to destroy your relationships with your friends or especially your best friends. I'm telling you this because I want you to be aware of who are the real ones and not. But if you think you've already found out that they are real, good for you. And please, don't give up everything you have for the people you love the most. It's not good to be selfish. Take something for yourselves too. It's not bad to be selfish sometimes. And since I am already here, I want to say sorry and thank you before it's too late." everyone was surprised for what I said. They were all confused.

"What's up with Cheska? She's not used to be like that." someone from the grade 12 students reacted.

"If it's her turn to talk, she won't speak such long message."

"Is she telling that my friends are not trustworthy?"

I can hear them reacting from what I said.

I'm sorry for that speech. But I just want to remind them that I don't want them to end up like me. Before I totally disappear from this world, at least I would've done something for others. I hope they won't take it as negative but a positive one.