Chapter 11

Bree's POV

As I listened intently, I realized that the way Vera's eyes gleamed when she talked about her sweet memories, she never had the same kind of happiness in her eyes around us, I mean- sure, she was content when she was with us, but what she'd felt wasn't happiness... We all seemed to be realizing that now :)

She was happy that time... She was truly happy. She is an awesome best friend. But she belonged with her best friends in Barbados. Well, ex-Best Friends...

She deserves happiness... But I won't judge completely until I hear the rest of it. But- OMG the time was 1:30 AM!! I looked around, suddenly stood up, and put my hands on my hips.

"Vera, so so so sorry for the terrible interruption!! But the time is 1:30 AM!! We must get a good rest. We have a big day tomorrow...!!!" 

Vera looked around frantically, stood up, and nodded "Right, you're right, okay, chop!! Get to bed!!" She quickly threw out all the plates and cups with my and Allison's help and got to bed while everyone else was smoothing out our pajamas, going to their rooms, and climbing into bed.

We were in the girls' bedroom, which included Me, Allison, Alair, Dree & Vera... The Boys' room was Nino, Alden & Tyler.

We slowly drifted off to sleep while I thought about what could've happened...

What was it that hurt Vera so much when she seemed to be so happy before??

Oh well... My eyes... can't stay open anymore. Without another thought in my head, I slowly slip off into a slumber.

***In the Morning****

I woke up to hear muffled sounds and our bedroom door opened while a head popped in. It was... Tyler??

I slowly pushed the blankets off of me and sat up on the bed, only to notice that Vera's & Dree's spots were empty. I looked at Ty and raised my eyebrow... 

"We all are ready. the suitcases are out the door and Alden & Nino have already paid for our stay. We're leaving c'monn !! " Tyler said. 

I hopped off the bed and shook Allison and Alair who was on either side of me. They slowly got up and started getting off. I got off and went into the washroom and quickly showered. I got ready and came out, being careful NOT to leave my make-up products in there. I grabbed my purse and stuffed my Products in it. Allison was already there, and Alair went in after me. I styled my hair and went out of the room. I smiled at Alden who came up to me and kissed me on the cheek... Vera rolled her eyes playfully. Her outfit was cute!!

Why was she... she did her make-up!! She never does make-up!! OMG!!

She saw that I noticed and winked at me and stalked out of the room. Allison came out after me and then we took off... We were relatively silent. I just stayed in the middle as usual. I leaned on Allison's shoulder. She leaned her head on mine. I smiled and closed my eyes. I was kind of drowsy and then, took a nap... 

I don't know what woke me up, but I could see a gigantic Mansion in front of me, and Rayan, Ace, Jordan, Andrea, Nino, Alden, they all were talking to them while Vera, - she had her shawl on... Just as I'd thought... 

Then as I got out, my stomach growled, which made me realize we hadn't eaten any breakfast yet!! Yikes...

Andrea looked at me and smiled, gosh, her smile was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile back, 

"Haha, obviously none of you had Breakfast yet, well, neither did we, so come on!! Let's eat together!!"

I got out completely and smoothed my outfit. I nodded at Andrea "Thank you very much!! We are hungry since everyone was in such a hurry, we barely ate anything at all!" I smiled at her as I emphasized 'Hurry' and glared at Alden and Nino while I said, Hurry... 

She giggled "Okay, come on!! We have a few guest rooms, once you're done keeping your items there, we can have breakfast". 

I nodded and caught up to Alden hooked my arms with his and looked back at Vera who seemed to be walking very slowly. I didn't know how she felt, but I did know she needed support right now... I left Alden's hand who looked at me with playful sorrow, I smiled at him and cocked my head towards Vera. 

He gave me an understanding look and I smiled as I walked back and held hands with Vera and squeezed it. She looked at me gratefully and she quickened her steps with me. We walked in as best friends, and I admired the place's interior. It was beautiful!! She squeezed her eyes shut and squeezed my hand. I looked at her and whispered, " Hey, girl, you're completely fine." She opened her eyes and Allison and Alair came back to us and walked with us... 

We were in awe at the beauty... Vera mumbled something that I barely heard but did hear slightly. "This place hasn't changed a bit" she mumbled... I smiled and looked ahead. 

We climbed the stairs and Andrea led us to a room We went inside it. 

" This place is so cool !!" Alair said. 

" I have got to agree!" Allison said 

"Mhm," I said looking around 

"It's really good," Vera said... I was surprised she even said anything! She looked at me... and shrugged slightly... Andrea gleamed at us and nodded. 

"I know, the interior was planned by my parents and their friends!!" she giggled and widened her eyes...

I think those 'friends' were Vera's parents. She shook her head.

" Where will the boys be staying ??" I asked. 

"Their room is right beside yours!" She smiled...

I nodded and started unpacking. 

"Call us if you need anything !!" she yelled as she descended the stairs. 

"Okay !!" Alair yelled back. We quickly set everything here and there, the room was fairly large... Once we were done with everything, we got out of the room and knocked on the boys' door. They came out in a few minutes. 

"Vera, shouldn't you remove that shawl now?? They'll know anyhow" Nino whispered. She shook her head. 

"I'll be careful while I can..." She said seriously. 

He shrugged and we slowly descended the stairs. Andrea and the rest were discussing something and immediately stopped when they saw us. Andrea stood up and smiled at us,

"Come on, let's get Breakfast!" She chirped happily. Ace nodded and Rayan and Jordan did the same, except they smiled too, which Ace did not.

We went to the dining room and settled down with Alden and Vera on either side of me. Just as I sat down, Vera gripped my hand tightly. She came near my ear and whispered with her jaw clenched... 

" I have to remove my scarf to eat," she said. I froze... Oh lord, what was going to be her next step ?? This is going to get awkward. 

Vera suddenly cleared her throat, "Actually, I'm not that hungry. I usually don't eat breakfast. So, I might feel uneasy the rest of the day..." she said while playing with her hands...

I eyed her up and down. She was the one who always ranted about how Breakfast was the most important meal of the day and how she never missed it...

I rolled my eyes... But I had to co-operate with her anyway... I nodded, 

"She doesn't usually eat breakfast... She never does" I shrugged... 

"Oh, well, that's fine, have some coffee, Rayan's mother makes awesome coffee !!" Andrea said. 

I couldn't do anything about that... 

Suddenly, 2 women who each had a resemblance with Ace & Rayan, Jordan, approached us with some food, and they immediately started serving... 

" Oh!! Hello kids!! You must be the new tourist friends Andrea was talking about! I'm Avianna, Ace's mother !!" 

We all smiled at her brightly and Vera tried her best not to make Eye contact. Sheesh... 

"Hello, Mrs. Mitchell !!" I said, remembering Ace's last name. I smiled at her...

"Oh please, call me Avianna," she said happily...

" Oh, and I'm Laura! Jordan & Rayan's mom!! Andrea's mother had work today she left early!! And please just call me Laura, Mrs. Reynolds makes me feel old.!" She said kindly...

" Of course, Mrs. R- I mean- Laura " Alair giggled... 

"I'm Alair, this is my brother, Alden, this is my BFF, Bree, Alden's Gf, and this is Allison & her Boyfriend Nino who are Mine & Alden's Best Friends, and this is Taylor, And Dree, Bree's siblings, Oh! And this is Valerie, also our BFF" Alair rambled, probably getting confused with her own words. I shook my head and smiled and waved and everyone did the same...

Avianna & Laura smiled, and Laura nodded at Vera, "Dear, why don't you remove your scarf, it's fine, since we're inside a house, anyway" Laura smiled and said kindly...

"It's fine, I usually don't remove my scarf, even at home, sorry," Vera said politely. 

"Oh, yes, but darling, you have to remove your scarf to eat, anyway!" Avianna chirped.

Well, wasn't she the total opposite of her son!!

"She doesn't eat breakfast, she usually skips, and she'll feel uneasy if she has it now since she doesn't eat usually, right?" Allison said...

"Oh nonsense!! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!! At least eat a boiled egg for minimum protein dear!" Laura plopped one onto Vera's plate. 

Okay, now there was no escaping... 

She nodded... and waited for a bit... we all instinctively just stopped eating and just stared at what was going to happen next.

Slowly, she unwrapped the top of the scarf, clearly slowing down purposefully, and then she unwrapped the part around her neck and slowly and steadily pulled down the scarf off her nose, then, mouth and chin. She gripped the scarf tightly as she lay her hand on her lap. By this time, everyone was staring open-mouthed, except our group of course, which was pretty much staring at their reactions, I glanced at Vera to see her staring down at the boiled egg...

I'm pretty sure it was the most fascinating thing to look at for her at the moment...

Everyone else was speechless, with their jaws dropping down. Maybe I kinda did expect this reaction.

Suddenly a loud ear-piercing scream filled the room, consisting of a variety of emotions and Voices, but all saying the same one word. Or maybe I should say one name.

"VERONICA!?"

How worse can things get? They won't get better.

This is getting a bit too bad; my ears are probably bleeding.