Being Next to You

Chapter 42: birthday party

I've never liked Camille Smith ever since I've met her.

She made the first attack, and I always planned on finishing it. However, it never happens...

Maybe because.., my friends always stopped me in doing something physically violent.

Maybe because.., I don't want to worry my parents and my big brother that I'm being attacked.

Maybe because....

Yeah --- I think this is the right answer.

'Maybe because I'm afraid that I can actually hurt her good.'

.  .  .

"Rina, we're about to leave right now. Don't forget Camille's gifts."

"Just a minute, Terence."

I grabbed my bag and presents, then hopped on the front sit of Terence's car while Harrison stayed at the backseat.

We were wearing formal and characterized, and it was just a teenager's birthday party, however, very grand.

I hate to admit that Camille and I have the same taste in interest. Our vintage interest, the 19th century and Victorian period. Her family got more money, and her dream became an reality.

It was six years since I last saw her, still, she left an unpleasant taste to my brain that I'm afraid I can't simply forget.

Terence and Harrison knew Camille longer than I do. They're friends which I respect, it is Camille who doesn't respect me.

But that was six years ago, I mean-- she must have matured and that princess attitude of her must have lessen a bit, right?

Thinking about it makes me anxious going to her 18th birthday party.

"Pal, you okay?" Asked Harrison, he seems concerned.

"That's -- my line, Harrison..," looking at his right patched cheek, "it's been 3 days since you've got that injury."

"Blame the driver, he punched me," he pointed Terence, who's eyes are now focusing on the road.

"What ---? Okay, maybe I put too much force in it. But hey? I stopped you for ending up in jail. You're already 18," explained Terence.

"I'm still not happy that my best friend punched me on the face," sulked Harrison.

"Really? Harry?"

Both of them totally left me on the air.

"Hey --- tell me what happened...?" I asked.

"You don't need to know," they strongly answered at the same time. As Terence began playing some music to forget the conversation.

It's an hour drive, and we've arriver out of nowhere. Just long roads and a grand hotel.

There were no words to describe it-- expected to stupid rich people.

"I've texted Dewart, they're about to get us any minute about now," said Terence, fidgeting his phone. He goes to the same highschool as Carlos and Dewey.

Yet after 5 minutes, then 10 minutes have passed.., no one came to fetch us.

Terence dialed a phone call. His atmosphere was black, out of the mood-- he hates waiting.

The phone picked up.

"It's been 15 minutes already. Why aren't you here yet?" Said Terence monotonously, but you can sense that he was angry.

"It wasn't on purpose." Terence turned on the loud speakers so that we can hear the situation on the other side.

And they were so loud...

"This place is so.., grand...?"

"We're lost, genius!"

"Hey, I'm on the phone right now!!"

"Ah --- Please don't fight...! We're in public..."

Indeed. They were different voices with familiar personalities. I knew they're boy, their voices changed, it's difficult to pinpoint which one is which...

"So, what are we gonna do?" Terence continued their conversation.

"I don't really know, Terence."

"What the heck are you saying, Dewart?"