Arranged

Chapter 7

The next morning, I was awake earlier than I wanted. I just got up either way, and decided to do some yoga away from all of them. I took my mat I carried around, wore some grey sweatpants, and a tank top. If I still had the old bedroom, the veranda would have been perfect but I had to settle with the back veranda which was also okay.

After that, I received texts which I hadn't replied to again. Stacy sent me a copy of her flight details so she was landing pretty soon. I replied that, and left the others unanswered, not yet bothered. I showered and applied my creams, and sweet scented oils which I hadn't done in a week, and changed into a little black sundress with an halter top. It was a nice weather, and I knew Stacy would force me into something shorter if she saw me in jeans.
I heard the doorbell, and smiled at Stacy, that I could see from the door.
"Aloha baby." She said dropping her bag to the floor as soon she got in, and hugged me. She had on shorts, and a yellow shirt with sandals.
"Hey, let me go drop your bag. Make yourself at home." I said picking it up, and going away. I opened the windows for some air, and put her bag on a chair by mine. I slowly walked back, and found Drake already awake, talking to her. From what I was seeing, they were both enjoying their little talk with a smile on both faces. She was clearly flirting with him, and him I guess too. Their connection was quite obvious.
"Hey Drake." I said interrupting what they were saying.
"Good morning Skylar. Nice dress." He said smiling, then taking his eyes back on Stacy.
I glanced at Stacy, and she was doing the same. "I see you guys met." Still no response.
"Okay Drake, meet my best friend Stacy. Stacy this is Drake a good friend of Liam." I said smiling at how cute they looked. But to my demise, Stacy's smile slowly faded away and frowned. That earned a confused look from both Drake and I. She then walked away towards the bedroom.
Drake turned to me he opened his mouth to talk, but no words came out. I patted his shoulder. "You and I both." I said "I'll be back." I added, and followed Stacy.
"What was that about?" I asked, closing the door.
"He's Liam's good friend." She said crossing her arms.
"So?"
"So, haven't you heard birds of the same feathers-"
"This is so not the case" I cut her off and added "Drake is like the sweetest person I've met, and that was just yesterday. He is like a child in a grown up's body. He is so not like Liam."
"Still." She persisted. I gave her a look, and she slowly dropped her arms. "Fine if you say so."
"Well that didn't take a lot of convincing." I smiled
"That's because I trust you." She said with a small smile.
"Sure, I could feel the sparks a mile away. He's probably your soulmate." I teased. She rolled her eyes, and stepped out again. I picked my phone and followed her, and stood back to watch. Drake was still standing there, and she went to stand by him.
She said something, and he smiled again. He took her hand, and led her outside. Damn I thought. If only everyone could click just this easily. I went in the kitchen, and had some orange drink for myself. I sighed, and my phone vibrated. It was Juan.
"Hi Carlito." I said smiling.
"If I make you smile, why not call me often?" he teased.
"Good point. You called yesterday, so I didn't want to annoy you again."
"Never, you can call anytime. That's what friends are for." He said and I could hear the smile in his voice. Liam walked in then, but I still sat down. "Hi." I said smiling and he nodded. That was a step closer to a hello. I thought.
"Yes hi, you already said that." Juan said.
"Not you silly." I replied smiling. Liam sat across me, and I pretended his presence had nothing on me, and played with my half full glass.
"Whatever Ximena. So how's the situation with you and your boyfriend?"
I glanced up to look at Liam, but he was on his phone and didn't look like he could hear the other end.
"Fine." I replied hoping he'll let go.
"Just fine? What is fine?"
"Shut up Carlito this is grown folks business." I said knowing it'll tick him off. And it did.
"Ximena!" he exclaimed and I laughed, taking a sip of my drink.
"I can not with you." He continued with a sassy voice almost like a woman, and I almost spat my drink out. Liam's attention then. I still laughed my eyes not leaving his. I got up, and left because he looked confused, and Juan just kept ranting on the phone. I dropped my cup in the sink, and looked out the window. The people were setting up a table outside with lots of fruits and appetizers. A little further was Drake and Stacy. He had this sheepish smile on his face, and scratched his head while saying something. Stacy's full attention was probably making him nervous. I shook my head smiling.
"Ximena!" I removed the phone from my ear startled.
"Yes, yes, yes?" I said sorry.
"Did you hear me?" he asked. I looked at Liam, and was a bit surprised that he was staring at me his phone away. I swallowed, his gaze getting too much. I looked away.
"No. Sorry I was looking at something."
"I'm tired." He sighed. "Do you even care for my feelings eh woman?"
I laughed at his tone. "Not when you're never serious." I paused and added "Of course I do. Get some rest if you are tired. Bye Bye."
"I'm going because you're getting rid of me." Before he added anything, I saw Victoria joining in in the kitchen, and that was my cue to leave.
"I'll call you next time. Love you mucho mucho." I said leaving the kitchen.
" Right. Bye woman." He said, and he was off. I smiled, and that's when Drake and Stacy walked in.
"Hey." I said smiling.
*******
She noticed how happy they were both and still couldn't believe her own eyes. They all moved outside for breakfast, and Stacy glared at Victoria for some time, before returning her attention to Drake. He looked smitten and they spoke the whole time. Skylar just stared at them too the whole time hiding a smile. Liam was also surprised, but only at how fast it happened. He knew how much of kid his friend could be, but in terms of romance, he was always either serious or just in for fun, he couldn't tell this time which was which, but he knew Drake just got out of a serious relationship and it wasn't a clear break. He looked at Skylar's friend, who seemed to have charmed him, and Skylar herself. She looked amazed like she was watching a movie. She looked at him, and caught him staring. He didn't hide that though. She looked by his side, where Victoria was sitting, and looked away. She had called a friend earlier, and he assumed  it was that Juan. He didn't like how often he called, but then again he couldn't voice his opinion, because he didn't want to talk so much to her yet.
A help stepped in then, and announced that they had a car for a sort of city tour. "Thank God." Skylar said getting up. She was tired of being in a remote place, and needed to walk. She was the first to leave the table, smiling and went in for a change of clothes. She knew now that Stacy was busy with Drake enough not to care about her choice of clothing. She was wrong.
*********
"What are you wearing?" Stacy asked as soon as she got in the room. I looked at myself. I had my skinny jeans, white converse and a white v neck shirt.
"You look like a boy. You're changing that."
"First of all, I don't care. Second, no one else does. Third, Drake huh?" I said changing the focus away from me while tying my hair in a ponytail. She had a smile playing on her lips.
"I don't know. He's something eh." She said letting her hair down.
"Indeed he is. I've never known you to be speechless about anyone before. Anyways you guys match you have my blessings." I said patting her shoulders.
"Look at you acting like a matchmaker while your future husband is messing up outside." She replied. It wasn't the way she said it, but what she said that suddenly touched me. Why was he so cold, I still couldn't figure out.
"Honey I didn't mean it like that." She said giving me a hug.
"No, no it's fine. I was just thinking th-"
"I'm so mean" she cut me off
"No of course not. Do you think when you get close enough to Drake you could ask him what is wrong with him?" I asked taking out my sandals instead.
She was quiet for some time while I opened my bag. I turned around, and she had this quizzical look with a little slyness to it. I looked at her confused.
"You like him don't you?" it was meant to be a question but it sounded more like a statement. I wore my shoes, and grabbed my bag.
"I don't know what you are talking about." I lied, but she knew me well enough, and I was pretty sure I  blushed when she said that because of the heat in my cheeks.
"Really? Skylar look at you. Jeez come here." She teased following me, but I came out of the room. I walked fast and bumped into Drake, Stacy still hot on my steps.
"Please take her away." I told him stepping aside.
"What's up?" he asked Stacy.
"She's a saint." She said smiling with a mischievous look in her eyes.
"Shut up Stacy." I warned her smile only got broader, and Drake just still looked lost. She looked behind me, and her smile faded. I knew he was there so I just carefully turned, and walked pass him.
The whole day was so boring, I could have been sleep walking, and had more fun. The 'tour guide' was loud, and boring and he spoke in what they called pidgin English 75 percent of the time. It was also really hot. It was afternoon, and our next stop was to see Dolphins, but I wasn't interested. Victoria kept whining, and Stacy was held back down  by Drake so she wouldn't slap her. Soon as we got in and settled to watch, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and saw a familiar guy with dark hair, and grey eyes.
"Sorry do I know you?" I asked knowing I had seen his face before. Wearing khaki shorts, and a light blue shirt.
"We met on the beach yesterday." He said and it  hit me then.
"So you did meet people." I heard Drake say sitting beside me.
"I'm sorry if I scared you, it's just not safe at that time. I'm Jake." He said sitting by me. He is very forward, I thought. I shook his hand smiling.  "Skylar."
"Are they with you too?"  he asked looking at the others who were half pretending to not see what was happening. I nodded. As the show began, I wasn't interested anymore. Jake spoke to me about where he lives, and works and the many places we could go to and have fun. I dreamed then because this was my last trip before returning all alone with Liam. It would have been okay if he was a bit civil, and I hadn't like him so easily.
"You could come to a house party tonight you know?" he said turning to the others who looked bored. He had their attention then. "It's not so far from where we met. Just two more houses down. It's on the beach, there will be a lot of games."
"What sort of games?" Victoria asked, and Stacy rolled her eyes.
"All kinds, just imagine and it's there." He said looking at me while answering. "Oh and I mean adult games, with some beach sports." I looked at Drake, and he had a questioning look. He shrugged and smiled. The others didn't look like they minded anyway.
"It starts at 8." He added.
"Why so early? Unless it's boring." Victoria poked again.
"People like to jet ski, and they usually stop around 10 because of the tide."
"Duh." Stacy snorted at Victoria who returned a glare.
"We will be there." I said smiling. He smiled back, and surprising me with another bold move, he gave me a hug, got up and left.
"You've got to tell that boy you have a man." Drake said whistling. I turned to him then. "What do you mean?" I asked confused.
"He was all over you." He said looking shocked I didn't notice.
"Drooling." Stacy added nodding affirmatively. Victoria rolled her eyes, and Liam just stared at his phone.
"You guys are just dramatists. Let's go." I said so bored, I couldn't stand it anymore even though the show wasn't over. They followed though, it was just one of those days to stay home, but I still wanted to step out.
Once we were back, I went in to take a nap, but Stacy decided to annoy me.
"So, do you want to talk about it? "
"No, leave me alone."
"It's normal to like your future husband, not when he's cold though, but you're sweet-"
"Can you go to Drake? Kiss him or something." I said closing my eyes.
"Hey I'm not so cheap." She defended pushing me.
"But you like him, and I'm pretty sure he does too. C'mon go be get a life partner, and let me sleep." I said turning on my side, sleep slowly coming on.
"Fine." She said pecking my cheek, and left.
*************
By eight, everyone was ready. Everyone looked casual but nice. Once again, I struggled to get something appropriate. The guys wore jeans, and Stacy had on a pink shirt, and jean skirt. Victoria had short shorts again, and I was the only one not only in a dress, but a bodycon. It was black, with thin straps and it was mid-thigh low. It was all I had and Stacy insisted I wear it because she wasn't letting me in jeans anymore. I just really hoped, I didn't get a cold. I had my hair  down, and kept running my hand through in the ride, feeling nauseous. It was a sort of cabin, well secluded by trees and a nearby forest just hundreds meters away.
We knocked at the door, and Jake opened the door. "Hey, you didn't ditch" he smiled excited, and pecked me on both cheeks. Drake gave me a side eye, and to my relief, he pecked Stacy, and Victoria as well. We went to the back, and there was a bonfire with people around it, and dispersed everyone. Some were jet skiing, and others played volleyball. There was a table with people plating games, spinning bottles, and the music was subtle enough to hear the waves, and people could hear one another. He introduced us around and to Kevin, the party guy as well. The tall buff guy gave me a bone crushing hug, and I understood everyone had their way of saying 'hello'.
"Let's get started." Jake said moving forward. It was actually fun, and his friends were amicable, and all over the place. Drake pulled me aside at some point and told me he wanted to kiss Stacy.
"What?" I asked and he scratched his head.
"She's playing around, and I like her. Besides she said I couldn't, so I did cry." He said sheepishly. I giggled.
"You're like a kid in love." I said tapping his arm. "What do you suggest." I asked, and to my surprise he suggested spinning the bottle. I had to tell her to join with me. I put her on one end, and sat by Drake. Only, Liam was already sitting there. Not to play, but they took him in anyway, and so was Victoria but I was doing this for Drake not minding them. Jake joined too sitting by me.
It started a off really funny. Everyone in circle kissed apart from Drake, Stacy and I. Once it landed on Stacy, it pointed at someone else. Drake looked at her then, and she didn't look like she wanted to either. The gut looked very unkept, and even the breeze didn't stop him from looking sweaty. She pretended to be sick, and run to the bathroom. I burst out laughing. The guy just shrugged, and spoke to a girl at his side.
"She'll come around. Give her a few hours." I reassured him still giggling.
"Let's see if that is still funny to you." He said squinting at me with a smirk. I was confused, and Jake tapped my shoulder and pointed at the bottle. It was pointing at me, the other end facing Liam.