Chapter 12

Veronica POV 

I felt like someone sucked all the air out of the room, I could feel their gazes boring into me... I suddenly felt dizzy and hearing their voices saying my name, I- I didn't know what to feel... I just wanted to go back home to Paris and pretend none of this thing ever even happened. Only if that was possible ... Oh goodness, oh fricking lord, What a shitty situation... I just wanted to scream, but at this moment, I only just need to get in that room lock myself in it, and cry my heart out. But- if not now, when will I face them, but no, I'll pretend life is normal.

I am happy now with my current friends, aren't I?

I can go by, pretending nothing ever happened... I'll just do it Until it's the right time, and I'll be as happy-go-lucky as I can be...

With all these thoughts in my head, I slowly looked up.. and looked at him, his eyes, held confusion, hurt, and the slightest bit of anger you could see, when he saw I saw him, he went back to the dumb old stoic expression. 

I quickly directed my eyes towards her, Rea, her eyes, tears were rolling down her cheeks, from hurt, and sorrow, I couldn't hold the look, I loved her. I just looked away and at Bree and the rest of my group, they looked at me the pity, and I couldn't bear it.

I had to say something... "Hey," I said, softly and mentally kicked myself for the dumbass greeting... " V-vera, I- I d-don't... I don't know what to say..." she said as she choked on her own words.

"We don't owe her any fucking words, I told you this was a dumbass idea," Ace said, got up, and started walking away when Rayan tugged his t-shirt and gestured for him to stand there, and stay. Avianna glared at him to shut up while he didn't even look like he gave two damn.

What the fuck does he mean he doesn't owe me any words!? If anything, I'm the one who's supposed to be saying that! 

Ugh... Now what do I even say!?

The plan just went down the drain... "Um... I- It's not like I know what to say either you know..." 

She smiled and wiped her tears... "How are you?" she asked like nothing ever happened. Oh well, at least my 'plan' just continues this way...

" I'm good... and you?" I asked...

" We're all doing great!" 

Of course, they'd be happy after getting rid of me, right? 

"It's good seeing you after so long!! Well, now we'll get to hang out!! Where do u live now, btw??" she asked.

I smiled, "Sure, I guess? Yea, we'll hang out... And I live in Paris!!"

"Oh right! Your friends did mention," she said and slightly giggled.

Now, the tension in the room was put to rest... a bit...

"Oh, Dear!! It's been so long!!"

"How are you darling???"

Avianna & Laura said at once. I smiled and got up and slowly walked up to them and hugged them, hesitantly... then they hugged me, technically they squeezed me, then left immediately. 

"You've grown so much dear!! We've missed having you around! How are your parents?? How's Victor?? Oh, wait isn't he like- 15, now?? Or 14 ??" Avianna rambled on.

She doesn't know the real reason why we left... And I'm pretty sure Laura doesn't know either.

I think- Rea's mother is the only one who does know, and I'm so thankful to god that she isn't here, it would have been so damn awkward!

"No dear, Vera's 17- nearly 18, so... he must be..... 15? right now!!" Laura said.

I smiled and nodded. " He's 15..." 

"God, it's been so long... Oh, Vera..."

"I've missed you, Auntie, both of u... Mom misses you too..."

"Hmm, how did you end up here?" Arianna asked.

"We were here on a trip for our hols. I had no idea we were coming to Bridgetown, not until we were finally here. My friends all planned it themselves" I just had to say. 

I liked Laura & Avianna, and I couldn't hurt them, could I? They've only ever cared for us all.

"Aww, if u had our number, I'm sure you would call us for any necessities, Oh well... we haven't been in touch for so long..." Laura sighed. 

"Oh, sit down, and eat, all of u, better settle down, we've already eaten, we're off to work now, Buh-bye!" Avianna cheerily said.

"Bye, Mom," Rayan & Ace said at once as Avianna and Laura took off their aprons and grabbed their red and blue workbags, and left the house waving.

I smiled as I remembered the old times when our moms used to fight about who'd drive the car to work today since they all worked at the same office.

"So um, what are our plans for today? Where are we going to go exploring??" Bree asked.

"Oh, if all of you will get ready after breakfast, we can leave by 11:00 and we ca-" Andrea began only to be cut off by Alair.

"Hey um sorry for interrupting, but I have to leave for this important shoot tomorrow by 4 pm. It's in Grenville and to reach there by 7 pm I have to leave here by 3:30 pm and Tyler has to come too as we're working on the same project right now..."

Ah.... ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

" Oh, then we can visit the most enjoyable places and restaurants today and tomorrow and then we can drop you off at the airport, okay?" Andrea asked after thinking for a second.

"Okay! I'm done eating, shall we go?" Bree said.

I realized everyone was done eating and I hadn't even noticed when I ate my egg. Oh well...

I slowly got up and put the chair back, I collected my group's dishes and kept them near the wash basin as Andrea did the same, and in the nick of seconds, we made slight eye contact and for a minute I just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry my heart out in her lap like I used to do earlier, but I shook the thought away.

As I was retreating, I slowly realized...

Andrea had tears in her eyes... 

I shook my head slightly and went up the stairs and changed into something suitable for the weather here, Bree and the girls already finished changing and doing their make-up by the time I was changed. I slightly did my make-up and stepped out of the room... As I went down the stairs, I could have sworn Ace was staring at me, well, my body... 

But I just shook the thoughts away as usual.

Who'd like me? Boring ol' broken me...

I smiled at Andrea's way and waved; Rayan & Jordan were nowhere to be seen... They're probably out taking out the SUV...

We waited for a bit and then they honked... and there, I saw it. The SUV. The only vehicle I loved all my childhood... I gripped the door handle swiftly opened it and sat inside as Bree and Allison followed... I slowly shifted to the window seat and looked out... After everyone was settled, the engine came to life...

And I slowly drifted to Lala Land, imagining this trip's outcomes. There's just one more person who I haven't seen yet. And who I hope I won't cross paths with on the dreaded trip.

But unfortunately for me, luck's not always on my side...