Chipped Heart

Chapter 11:

Conversations echoed down the hallways as people laughed together. Sunlight beamed through the windows with ease, and animals were seen from the trees outside. Everything was a lot more tropical out here. The green was a different type of green. It was more vibrant. Feeling the sun was different becuase it was consuming us rather than tormenting us back home. This place was  like a tropical fairytale.

Declan swung the door wide open with a confident smile. "Goodmorning, sunshine!" His voice echoed through the hollow walls.

I leaned against the thick headboard while taking off my headscarf. A nearby brush ran through my hair as I brushed it out. "Hello." Declan followed me to the bathroom as I akwardly grabbed my toothbrush. He leaned against the doorframe while talking about how much he's missed being here. It was obvious that this was only a distraction for the real conversation we needed to have, but I allowed it to carry on.

FInally, Declan sighed while following me back inside of our room. "I can't ignore last night anymore. What was that Jenna? You kissed me, and than just fell asleep."

"I know. I was there." Innocene flowed through my voice as I spoke. The words came out in a blur making it hard to process. "Can we just not talk about it?"

A dry chuckle came from Declan's usually friend tone. "Sure. Let's just kiss each other, and than forget about it. What a brilliant idea!" I shot him an impatient glare while drying my face. Strands of hair fell in my eyes, and he walked over to placed them behind my ear. Declan stood over me with a patient stare. "You like me."

"Duh. I don't kiss people that get on my nerves."

Another bright smile spread from each of his cheeks. It always shocked me that he has never poped a vessel from smiling so much. There was never a moment where he wasn't bubbly, and trying to make someone else happy. "Want to be my girlfriend?" The last word made me snicker while walking away from him. Moving on was the best option for me, and it was about time too. Everything just felt weird. If we did date, anything could go wrong and it'll ruin our friendship. "So... what are you thinking?" Declan gentley asked me while carefully stepping closer to me. I turned to face him.

Even the wind out here was different. It wasn't as forceful or quick. Each breezed seemed to make sense, and it was peaceful. "Sure, but only if you agree not to turn into one of those super corny boyfriends." Declan laughed while wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'm serious." Just as we leaned in for a kiss, someone came knocking on the door. They came in too quick for us to pull apart before they could see. His grandma came in yelling at him while dragging us both to breakfast. I couldn't help but to laugh at the expression on his face while getting yelled at.

Today, a group of the teenagers were going on a trip around Cebu. After breakfast we had to leave. I put on a bright yellow tube top with denim shorts. Declan walked in the room while looking at my outfit. A laugh escaped his mouth, and I frowned at his reaction. "What's so funny?"

"We're going hiking." I shrugged. "Just good luck."

Nature was much more beautiful during the daytime. Every animal that ran past us had a different story to tell. Flowers blossomed everywhere we went, and I touched all of the safe ones to touch.

One of the girls, walked next to me. A bright energy radiating from her. Maybe being bubbly just ran in the family because they hasn't been one rude person. I was thankful for that. "So you're the girl Declan is obsessed with. I'm Dalisay." She reached over to hug me, and I wrapped my arms around her. Warmth was something else that was passed in their genes because she had a natural heat to her. No darkness or emptiness radiating from her bright, green eyes.

We talked while hiking again. The guys were ahead of us which made talking a whole lot easier. Several branches, pieces of grass, and thorns cut my leg as we walked. I grunted every few seconds out of pain.

A tall, muscular guy stopped at the edge of a hill. "Jackpot!" He called out in a thick accent. We all ran to see what he was looking at. Water splashed in the pond as a waterfall poured down. Soothing smells of fresh ocean water filled my nose, and I felt oddly relaxed.

Everyone began to take off their clothes to have on the proper swimming attire. The hill wasn't much taller than the water, so it would be easy to get our stuff. They all jumped into the water one by one. I chuckled from above while being hesitant about following. Declan appeared from behind me with a small smirk. "You better not." My voice shook while trying to sound stern. Our eyes had already communicated what was going to happen.

Cheers came from below us, and I got ready to make a run for it. Declan was much faster than me. Our bodies ran into one another right before Declan flung both of us off of the cliff. Water splashed through my body. All of it like several weights being placed on my shoulders, and swimming to the surface became harder. Memories of being with Brianna came, and I began to feel like maybe this was a nightmare. I was drowning.

Calm hands pulled me back up, and all my fears were gone. Declan smiled at me. Sunlight was pointed directly on us, and it made splashing him so much easier. We splashed each other like children as the others joined in. All five of us laughing together as if I've always been around. There was no awkwardness between any of us. Dalisay dried her long, curly hair as the rest of the others started to dry off.

I got ready to leave too, but someone pulled me back. An instant smile rose to my cheeks as Declan's face met mine. "Hi." We both whispered to one another while chuckling. Maybe happiness was in my future. Everything that's happened probably was lesson enough of how to survive in this world. No matter how tough times get, you have to keep going. The world never stops regardless of how much you may want it to.

After spending the day together, everyone sat on logs in the backyard of the home. Small sparks of fire danced on the flames. A guitar was being played for a soothing mood in the background. We all sat down while grabbing some snacks. I placed my head on Declan's shoulder while holding on to his arm. We fit together so perfectly. A puzzle finally coming together after endless wrong pieces. It felt comforting to know that there was someone who wouldn't leave. At least I'd hoped.