I'm No Cinderella

Chapter 15

I woke up the next day feeling spent and wasted – my night was filled with endless dreams of Ryan and me being together, but when I woke up this morning I was resigned to the fact that it was just a dream. A stupid effing dream. Nevertheless, I was excited as I’d be seeing him the whole day. Even the fact that I dreamt about him could not be compared to the feeling of beinglike a schoolgirl with a crush again. I showered and got dressed, ignoring Mrs. Hilda’s knowing looks – she probably knew I met up with Ryan last night. We headed to the beach together. Kayla seemed passive, as I stood beside her as Tom briefed us.

                    “Are you okay, Kayla?” I asked her as she smiled at me, although I swear the smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

                    “Never better,” she replied, “I bought a Mars bar last night and ate it, and it made me feel better.”

                    “Good to hear,” I said as Sammy came over. Olivia was in tow with him, and although she was holding on to his arm, I notice him glance slightly at Kayla. I looked at Kayla who was looking anywhere else but at them. Well, well, well – what do we have here? Is Sammy finally noticing Kayla? Well, it tends to happen – when he finally got the girl he’s always wanted, the fog that was blinding him must have lifted. It was like in the movies when the hero looks at the girl who is supposed to be his soul-mate while the wrong girl is at his arms – and I’m in the middle, watching it. Why isn’t my life like a movie?

                    “Hello people,” I turned to see Ryan join our group, slightly glancing at me and smiling. I smiled at him – memories of my dream last night comes flooding back to me, bringing color to my cheeks. Oh if only he was a psychic, he’d probably be able to read right through my mind right now. Well, maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea. Maybe if he knows how I feel, he’d realize that he probably feels the same – or not.

                    “Hi, Mr. Lucas,” Miranda said as he nodded his head at her. I looked at Tom who gave out instructions saying that we can now do any water activities that we wanted as they had booked the beach for us. I saw Ryan slowly inch forward until he was standing right beside me. He wasn’t looking at me, but his arm was brushing mine, making me blush. Did he have to do that now? I didn’t want Mrs. Hilda noticing it and give me her famous knowing look and I also didn’t like him playing with my feelings this way. He probably doesn’t realize the effect he has on me. I quickly turned and walked away from him, pulling Kayla along with me.

                    “Let’s get on the banana boat ride,” I told her as she pulled my hand back. I turned to see her face ashen white.

                    “I can’t,” she said, “I’m afraid of falling into the water.”

                    “Don’t worry Kayla,” Sammy said, suddenly appearing at her side without Olivia, “we won’t let you drown. Besides they have life jackets and stuffs.”

                    Kayla was just beginning to smile when Olivia appeared, taking hold of Sammy’s arm possessively and shooting a murderous glare at Kayla who shrunk from her. Ryan appeared, giving a weird stare at Olivia and back at Kayla. I glared at him as he looked at me in confusion.

                    “Err.. . Sam,” Kayla said as I looked at her; Sammy being pulled away by Olivia, “I don’t really feel that well. I think I’ll just get an aspirin and sit somewhere.”

                    Before I could say a word, she ran off. I looked at Ryan in exasperation.

                    “What?” he asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”