My heart leapt into my throat as Jungkook crept behind me carrying my bag. "Are you feeling better? Jennifer told us you were feeling sick." His lenient gaze calmed me down the radar a bit as I nodded, offering him a reassuring smile.
"I'm okay now." I said, despite the dreary feeling creeping aloft.
The others followed close behind Jungkook. I tried to shove every superfluous thought out of my mind as I settled on the scene disclosing in front of me. The splendid sight made me gasp out loud, the steep mountain was covered in green, accord of birds warbling along with the river water flowing fluently filled my ears as I took in the marvelous spate in front of me.
And instantly, I felt better.
"We should take a picture," I suggested and Amber's eyes lit up as she practically pushed Jungkook and Jimin closer for a group portrait, "You're so right. When was the last time we actually took a picture?" She asked and none of could come up with a retort to that. As close as we were, we barely hung out let alone capture the moment in photographs. "Jungkook, you take it." Jimin said and draped an arm around my shoulder pulling me in.
Amber excitedly squeezed between Jungkook and me as he took his phone out and angled it high enough for all of us to be seen, he snapped the picture at the exact same moment my eyes zoomed in on Jennifer who was awkwardly standing to the side; just watching everyone huddle into groups with their own friends.
"Hold up, Jennifer, come on in." I gestured her to rush over but she shook her head.
"I don't want to interrupt you guys. It's alright." She offered a kind smile to which I just frowned.
"You aren't.Come on, Join us." It was Jimin's turn to urge forward as Jennifer chuckled before joining Jungkook's side, his hand resting around her shoulder.
Everyone smiled for the picture. If only the chastity and virtue of that picture could be sustained in the moments of reality. Instead, it was only a keepsake―a frontage. Another instance where my compassion wrapped its talons around my own neck and smothered me to my demise.
❦
"Ouch, El." Amber grunted as I took her away from the crowd into a much isolated space. "What's going on with you?" I asked, giving her the utmost austere look I could come up with. It wasn't helping that a splitting headache had budded in my vision's wake. I could feel my body going weak with every minute along with weariness decolorizing my face.
"What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes clueless.
"You've been giving Jennifer dirty looks all afternoon. I'm not the only one who's noticed." I explained with a 'don't blushit me' look and she rolled her eyes before sighing out in defeat. Amber shifted on her feet but this wasn't the real reason I'd singled her out of the crowd―it was because I couldn't endure another moment amidst the loudness, there was a heaviness weighing me down and I couldn't decipher what it prospered from.
"I'm just not comfortable having a stranger around all the time. I was looking forward to this trip because of how things have been back home, I can't really be myself around Jennifer. I don't even know her." She added with an ashamed expression as if she really wanted to get along with her but I knew Amber better than anyone―she wasn't a gregarious or outgoing person, especially towards people she barely knew.
"I get it. I'll try to find time just for the two of us, okay? Thank you for being honest. Just cut down on the dirty looks." I nudged her side as she scoffed, nudging me back. "I'll try." I saw the brightness return in her eyes and grinned at her. "We're going to share a tent! Holy shit." She squealed in return.
"Let's head back?"
"I'm gonna hang back and call dad. He wanted updates." She said and I nodded, parting ways and returning to the havoc. The weightiness still resided in me but as soon as I took a seat, I felt a breaching chill awaken goosebumps down my spine.
I could swear I felt eyes on me. I looked around and my neck almost caught a sprain at the urgence in my movement. But I found no attention swerving my way. Jimin offered me soda before Jungkook came to sit on my other side. I should've felt safe with them on each side of me like a barricade but I couldn't help the feeling of shakiness and jeopardy.
I remained anxious for the rest of the night; as if there was something waiting to pounce on me any minute my attention veered.
❦
Amber stood to the side, replying to her father's texts intermittently while sipping on her soda when she felt a nudge on her shoulder, she looked up to find Jennifer smiling at her. "Got a minute?" Amber nodded stiffly, returning Jennifer's smile with her own.
"I couldn't help notice you've been distant with everyone. Is it because of me?" Amber was surprised by how upfront Jennifer was about it; but she decided to stick to her words and be honest, "It is, but it's nothing against you. I just find it hard to get along with new people." The latter girl nodded with a thoughtful expression.
"I understand. You . . . remind me of someone I used to know." Amber looked confused but just tightly regarded her statement with a glance. "I should get back." She commented―suddenly feeling willful as she stood alone with Jennifer while everyone enjoyed the party by the bonfire.
"Wait." Amber stopped. Finding Jennifer's voice to be . . . pacifying. She turned to find her smiling sweetly but why did that awaken a sick feeling in her gut, as if she was being transfixed.
"Wh . . . What?" Amber gasped out, feeling her stomach shrink in and a bile rise up her throat, a silent chaos ringing up in her head. She didn't know what was going on and . . . and why was Jennifer still smiling.
"Nothing. Enjoy your night, Amber." Her voice fell an octave and the baritone sent chills over Amber's body as she struggled to stand straight, holding her stomach and trying to see through the bleary vision. What was happening to her. She watched Jennifer walk past her―ignoring her ragged breaths and silent pleas of pain.
In a tethered mess, black spots covered Amber's vision as she felt unconsciousness creeping in―her lips parted in a gasp as before her eyelids fell shut, she could've sworn she saw her brother. She saw him, in flesh and bones.
It could've been true, if only her brother wouldn't have been dead for the past three years.
❦
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A/N: (edited) Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote & comment :)
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