Endless Summer: What Happens Next?

Costa Rica: Part 2

Hey guys. So, before I start this chapter, I just want to let y'all know why I haven't updated this book in God knows how long. If you don't care or don't want to read all this, please scroll down to where it says "Back in the Hotel".
We got kicked out of our apartment about a month and a half ago because my mom was $500 short on rent and they didn't want to wait just a few more days for her to get paid. We went to a motel and she wasn't able to pay that for long either so we had to leave and go to a shelter. I put my cat in a foster home so I wouldn't have to give him up. They only gave us until the 30th of October to get him. The 30th came and we got extended to the 7th of November. I expected to be out by then but we're still here. No one wanted to help us because of our eviction. On the 7th, we managed to get another extension until the 17th of November, which is past. The stress was making my hair fall out (not joking). I was depressed. My cat is like my son. I couldn't even get out of bed. But my older sister got one of her friends to take him for as long as we need. If you read this far, thank you for understanding and thank you for your time. DO NOT move to Colorado. Shit's expensive and the people are money-hungry.

Back at the Hotel.
You're reading your texts from Jake when Diego knocks on your door. You set your phone to the side and open the door. "Come in" you say as you step out of the way. Diego walks in. "So, what did you want to explain?" he asks.
"Do you remember at the beginning of last year when you asked me what I did last summer?" you reply.
"Yeah," Diego adds, "you said something about your plane crash-landing on this island."
"You were on the island too, Diego" you reply.
"What do you mean?" Diego replies, perplexed.
"You should probably sit down," you reply. Diego sits on your bed. You sit next to him and explain.
"It was a trip" you reply, "kinda like this one. All expenses paid."
"I don't understand" Diego replies.
"I know," you add. "It's confusing but it happened and I can help you remember."
"I'm not sure I follow," Diego replies.
"When we first met, last year on the quad, you said you feel like we'd met," you reply.
"What happened on this island?" Diego asks.
"A lot" you reply.
You explain the events of the island to Diego and after you're done, you wait for him to process what he had just heard.
"....So, I'm married?" Diego replies a short while later. You nod.
"To a Vaanti" he replies. You nod again.
"And the world hasn't always been the way it is now? Rourke hasn't always been emperor?" Diego asks, clearly confused.
"'Fraid not" you reply. You can tell Diego is still having a hard time understanding.
"But... How?" Diego asks. You look away, slightly and take a deep breath.
"On the island, I made a deal with Rourke" you reply, slightly embarrassed.
"What kind of a deal?" Diego asks. You pause.
"Project Janus" you reply. Diego looks at you, not sure what you're talking about. You continue. "We all return to the beginning of freshman year at Hartfeld. La Huerta no longer exists. My past would be altered."
"...So, what? We all went back in time?" Diego replies, not entirely convinced.
"Not exactly," you reply, "we're just... younger." Diego stares at you.
"We'd all be seniors by now" you add. "Or at least you guys would. I'd still be on the island."
"I'm still so confused" Diego replies, "If Rourke is so evil, then... why did you make a deal with him?"
"Because I wanted a family" you reply. Diego squints his eyes at you slightly, indicating he's not sure what you mean. You continue, "you see, I didn't remember anything that happened before the island. I couldn't remember what my life was before I got on that plane. But..." you stop.
"What is it?" Diego replies.
"I was part of the island" you reply, hesitantly.
"What do you mean?" Diego asks.
"My only purpose in life was to protect you guys" you reply, "keep you alive."
Diego stares at you. You can't tell if he's confused or afraid.
"I served my purpose but instead of giving myself back to Vaanu, I made the deal with Rourke," you reply. You continue as tears. fill your eyes, "I just wanted to know what it was like to have a family." Diego hugs you tightly.
"This is all my fault" you continue in tears.
"No, it's not" Diego replies with empathy.
"You're just saying that to cheer me up" you reply, "how could I be so selfish?"
"Hey," Diego replies. You look up. "You're not selfish for wanting a family." He adds.
"I'm not?" You reply.
"Of course not." Diego replies. Just then, your phone rings. It's Jake.
"Hey" you say as you answer the phone.
"You okay, Princess? Sounds like you've been crying." Jake replies.
"I'm fine," you add.
"Well, I've got something to tell you but I'd rather tell you in person" Jake replies, "meet me at the bar."
"Sure" you reply. Moments later, you meet up with Jake at the hotel bar.
"What is it?" you ask as you approach Jake.
"I..." Jake stops.
"Jake?" you say, worried.
"I think I had another memory," Jake replies.
"Really?" you reply. "What was it?"
"We're married, Marie." he replies. You grab his hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he continues.
"Because it sounds crazy," you reply. Jake looks at you. You can see in his eyes, he's slightly mad and a little confused. "I didn't want to scare you away" you continue. Jake doesn't respond for a few seconds.
"I ain't goin' nowhere, Princess" Jake replies.
"I was a stranger to you, you would've thought I was a lunatic" you reply.
"It would've made sense though" Jake adds.
"Jake, you are the most skeptical person I've met" you reply. He stares at you as you continue. "One wrong move and I could lose you forever. I didn't want to risk that" you reply.
"You're right," Jake replies. "I understand."
"Good" you reply. You both finish your drinks and walk back to his cabin.

*Now reading as Sean*
You're in your hotel room, watching tv as you hear a knock on the door. You get up to open it and see Michelle standing on the other side.
"What do you want?" you ask, unpleasantly.
"Can I come in?" Michelle asks. You stand there, not responding. "Please?" Hesitant, you step aside to let Michelle in.
"Please just hear me out," Michelle says as she walks in.
"Whatever you have to say won't change what you did," you reply.
"Just please let me explain," Michelle adds, "you never asked my side of the story."
"Let me guess," you reply in rage, "nothing those girls said was true? You never meant to hurt me? You're sorry." Michelle stands there, not sure what to say next.
"They're your friends Michelle, why would they lie?" you add.
"They're not my friends," she replies.
"Because they told me you cheated?" you reply.
"If you'd listen to what I have to say for once, maybe you'd know what really happened," she replies, voice raised.
"Why should I believe you?" you reply.
"Because you know me," she replies.
"Apparently not," you reply.
"Sean..." Michelle replies, tears filling her eyes.
"Get out." you reply, softly.
"What?" Michelle replies softly and confused.
"GET OUT!" you yell. Michelle turns away in tears, then exits your room.

*Now reading as Michelle*
Moments later, you're sitting alone at a table in the hotel bar, still in tears. Craig sits across from you.
"You alright, Meech?" he asks.
"I'm fine," you reply in sorrow.
"You don't look fine," Craig replies. You look up at him, sadness in your eyes.
"Sean is never gonna forgive me, is he?" you reply.
"I don't know, Meech" Craig replies, "you hurt him pretty badly."
"But I--" you pause. "I know."
"You still love him," Craig replies.
"I never wanted to hurt him," you reply.
"Then don't give up on him" Craig replies. You smile softly.
"Thanks, Craig" you reply, "that's probably the smartest thing you've ever said."
"Thanks?" Craig replies, not sure whether to be offended or thankful.
About a half-hour later, you're walking out of the bar and bump right into Aleister.
"Blimey, Michelle, are you plastered?" Aleister asks, annoyed. You look at him, confused.
"Drunk," he replies. You nod, slightly. "Imbecile," he mutters under his breath as he walks away. Just then, Marie walks in, hair slightly messy.
"What are you doing out so late, Marie?" you ask, mischievously. Marie just notices you, then tries to cover up the fact that she was out with Jake.
"Wh-what are you talking about, I was just at the beach" she replies.
"Mhmm," you reply.
"I feel asleep," she replies innocently.
"You were with that hot pilot, weren't you?" You reply. Marie scoffs.
"What pilot? There's no pilot," she replies and starts to walk away.
"Can I talk to you?" You ask. Marie stops and sighs.
"Sure, what is it?" she replies. You both sit in the nearest chairs.
"I'm not gonna remember any of this tomorrow, so don't make a big deal out of it," you add.
"O...kay?" Marie replies, "talk to me."
"Do you think Sean hates me?" you reply. Marie chuckles nervously with a confused look.
"D-don't you think that's something you should ask him?" She replies, nervously.
"He wouldn't talk to me," you reply. Marie sighs.
"Look," you reply, "maybe he just needs time." You stare at her for a bit.
"Patience, Michelle." she adds and walks back to her hotel room.

This will be continued in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!