PHASES

Episode 6: Port Aries

With only two days left until the submission of their 12 page English assignment, the grade 11 class of Nu'Est High were in a scramble to finish their lengthy project before it's due date. Zoe and Brian had taken to meeting at a small local cafè daily and would often use the School Student Council offices when they needed absolute privacy. And their doubling down strategy had worked as they were closer to finishing than most. Mark and Calvin had started meeting at each other's houses after classes and basketball practice; the work would go in so late that sometimes Calvin would use the guest room.

Justin and Daniel had even started spending the second half of their lunch hour in the school's library. Everyday they would come down to lunch, totally emersed in their discussion, barely eat and almost ignore everyone else (not on purpose) and run off as if suddenly remembering something. This had happened all week.

The rest of the trio was used to having Daniel join them at lunch and the fact that he seemed to be permanently attached to Justin but Mark would find himself watching his best friend walk away and talking excitedly with Daniel. He had found himself slowly resenting Daniel and all mention of his name. Whenever Calvin asked if Mark was sure Daniel weren't dating, Mark would find himself angrily storming away.

Zoe on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed Daniel's presence. She found him to be very fascinating and worldly. As both were fans of non-fiction books, they would often have lengthy discussions. She would also enquire about all the places that he had lived throughout the years. But Mark's interactions with him never went beyond small talk, polite enquiry and him shooting Daniel with looks of suspicion; the guy was stealing his best friend after all.

A day before the assignment submission, the trio was having lunch and Daniel had gone to the toilet before his daily visit to the library Justin, Mark proposed that they take a trip over the long weekend to celebrate and regenerate after submitting the grueling assignment. Original trio only ofcourse, this he had greatly emphasised. According to him, he had talked to his father and had managed to secure them a suite at one of their five star hotels in Port Aries, which happened to be hosting it's annual Ovar Byaj Festival and Parade and was guaranteed to be fun.

"I can't"

Both Justin and Mark simultaneously turned their heads to look at Zoe, who was midway through chewing her food.

"I have a family gathering this Saturday. The whole Reyez tribe will be there" said Zoe answering their quizzical stares.

"Zo' don't do this to me. I've planned this out" implored Mark.

"I can't. My parents would skin me alive and then bury me as is. There's no wiggling myself out of this one"

"Ok how about you spend Friday with us and then leave Saturday morning"

"I don't know. You guys know how my parents are"

Mr and Mrs Williams, Zoe's parents were some of the most conservative people in Nu'Est and they had doubled downed their strictness when it came to Zoe and her younger sister Lily, owing to the fact that both Zoes's older sisters Hilda and Renata had both gotten pregnant during their teenage years. They would often restrict Zoe and Lily's activities and monitored them with a very close eye.

"Please..." begged Justin.

"What is going on" Daniel asked politely, sitting down next to Justin.

"Mark managed to get us a weekend stay in Port Aries this weekend" answered Justin.

"More of a best friends trip kinda thing" interjected Mark

"Sounds cool. I'm actually going to Ravenswood to visit my dad" addressing Justin.