Secret Rendezvous

SKYE

AT THE REDEMPTION booth . . .

“Miss, you must be thankful. You have the sweetest boyfriend.”

“Tsk! Is that so? Could have been, too bad he’s not my boyfriend. He’s not courting me either. Look at us? I look more masculine than him. I wouldn’t pass as his girlfriend.”

The attendant laughed at what I said. The arcade is my haven. Car racing game in the arcade has been my outlet to destress from college stressful and depressing moments.

“You’re gay? I mean boyish. Tomboy?” Storme asked mockingly.

I thought Storme left, but he followed us. He got the nerve to ask me if I’m gay.

“Yes, Storme. Do I look like I'm a guy? If I am, so, what if I’m gay? What is it to you if

I’m gay?” I provokingly questioned him back.

“So, you are gay!”

“What? You don’t get it. I didn’t say I am gay. Shut up! Stop asking questions. Do you

want us to mend our issues or not?”

“Sorry.” He paused. ”Pr—Sunshine, are you going to name the bear?” Storme asked. I am

sure he meant to say, ‘Princess Sunshine.’

“Uh-huh!” I nodded. “I guess, mm-hmm, Skye will be her name. Yeah, Skye matches this

bear.”

“Skye sounds great! Hi baby Skye, can I take you and mommy home?”

“No! You can’t take me home. I am not a pickup girl!” I said, frowning.

“Sorry, that’s not what I meant. Can I give you a ride home?” Storme pleaded.

“You can’t!”

“Why?”

“I said no. When I said no, I mean no. Okay? Thanks for the lift, but no thanks.”

“You can give us a ride home, Storme. We won’t say no to your offer,” said Stella.

“Maybe next time,” Storme replied to Stella.

I saw him flash a smile. Only now I noticed Storme’s dimples make him more attractive. Oh, heart please! Don’t fall for him. You must make him fall for you, not you fall for him. I excused myself to go to the restroom. Stella, Nadine, and Storme were waiting outside the restroom for me.

“Beshie, we have the same professor with Storme in our Financial Accounting, Entrepreneurship, and English Literature classes. Isn’t it exciting? We are classmates!” Nadine said, delighted.

“Jeez! Even his class schedule? Do you really have to know that? You girls are acting like stalkers!” I said, but they ignored me.

“I gotta go. See you, girls, at the acquaintance party?” Storme asked.

“I don’t want to see you!” I replied.

“Shut up, Summer! What are you talking about? You are part of the student council, of course, you gotta be there,” Nadine scowled.

“Nadz, certainly you guys will see each other. But for me? I’m invisible on Monday. I don’t exist. You won’t see me because I was blind on Monday.”

“Summer, stop talking nonsense. We are being serious here. Are we going or not?” asked Stella.

“VP? Why won’t the vice-president be there? Summer must show up on that event.” Nadine told Stella.

“See you around, girls. Summer doesn't want me to give her a lift home. I’ll go ahead,” Storme said to Stella and Nadine, not looking at me. He walked past me a few seconds after he turned around. Storme gripped my arms and pulled me closer to him. I felt his arms wrapped around my waist. His breath sends a ticklish sensation on my body. Stormes’ head was resting on my shoulder for a few seconds. I can smell his Davidoff Cool Water cologne. I wasn’t expecting it. Did he cry? I felt a drop of warm water on my skin. “Bye, Summer. I’m happy to see you again. I missed you. See you around my Princess Sunshine,” he whispered, planting a sweet soft kiss on my temple. I heard him sniffle a bit. “I’m back to claim what belongs to me. You’re mine,” Storme said before he walked away.

“Aye! We smell lovers in bloom!” Screamed Stella and Nadine in unison.

I didn’t know how to react. I stood still and recalled what just happened. No! I can’t fall for him. Vin must fall for me and then I will leave him just like what he did to me. He stole my first kiss! Don’t act like it’s your first time, Summer, because it’s so old school. Vin used to be that sweet, remember? Your sweet, caring, loving Prince Devin.

“Bestie! Storme said he misses you. Don’t you really have a past relationship with him? Tell us the truth. Why would Storme say ‘he misses you?’ Is he your ex-boyfriend? Don’t lie!” Stella said with a tone of skepticism.

“Like what I said earlier. No! No, we don’t have a past relationship. No, he’s not my ex-boyfriend and will never be. Okay?”

“Don’t say you will never be because next thing we know you might get married,” Stella said.

My heart started pounding, and I was antsy when she mentioned married. The thoughts of the wedding scare me. Suddenly, I remember moments of our past. No, he can’t be back because of that. Popsie Liam is sick, that's the only reason Storme is back, and it’s not because of me.

“I and Storme used to be friends. Childhood friends, but he pushed me in the pool on my birthday. I drowned. I was in comatose for two months. Luckily, it’s not my time to enter heaven. Saint Peter rejected me, so I went back to earth,” I jokingly replied.

“Beshie, can you be serious?”

“I am not kidding, Nadine. What he said earlier is true. We are family friends. Papa and Stormes’ father are not only business partners, they are also best friends. We met once when we were kids at one of the business gatherings and then after that, we became close. Storme used to stay on our hacienda. In fact, he stays with us in Playa del Sol or Casa Yzabella every summer break. I was home-schooled before I met Red, you, and Nadz. I remember our families have luncheons on Sundays too. Then, the accident happened. Storme has been a naughty bad boy since we were kids. So, please don’t fall for his sweetness schemes.”

“Do you think that’s the reason he stayed in a boarding school in California?” Stella asked.

“What do you mean boarding school?”

“You didn’t know, Bestie? Storme said he studied sixth grade and high school in a boarding school. His grandfather is sick, so he came home.”

“I don’t know about the boarding school. Meaning he was punished for what happened?”

“Exactly! We think it’s his punishment. How would you know, Summer? You don’t even show concern for him. You shut him off every time he tries to explain. All you do is scream and yell at him. You are making Storme feel he is the worst person in the world. Have a little empathy in you Summer. Not every one that wronged you will be bad forever. Maybe he suffered to while away from his family, just like how you suffered. When you look into his eyes, you can see how sorry he was. I can feel he shows remorse, but you don’t. Why don’t you give him a chance to change, Beshie? Maybe this time you guys can be friends or maybe lovers again?”

“I hear you, Nadz. I totally understand what you mean. Please, don’t judge me just yet. I have my own reasons. Valid reasons. You’re kidding me, lovers, again? I doubt it?”

“So, you mean you have. . . you and Storme… together-before?”

“No! It’s not like that. Jeez! Well yeah, sort of like that. Stop it already! End of conversation.”

“Oh, my gosh, Beshie! Storme is drop-dead handsome! You know what? You should be nice to him. The mean girls will be envious if they find out you and Storme are dating.”

“What do you mean dating, Nadz? We are not even friends. Dating?”

“I agree, Bestie. Show off your boyfie.”

“Shut up, Luningning! Because if it's Storme and me? Guarantee, it's bad news!”

“We should give you a makeover. We must find a way for Storme to fall for you, and that starts with your looks. You shouldn’t allow Celine to call you ugly duckling.”

“Why would I disagree with Celine? That is her opinion. Besides, I am ugly. What can I do?”

“You are not ugly, Bestie. You just don’t know how to dress up like a lady.”

“What do you mean dress up like a lady, Luningning?”

“Look at you? You are always on rugged jeans and tees. Why don’t you try a dress? Let’s go shopping and buy you a nice pair of dresses and shoes,” said Stella.

“But this is what I am comfortable wearing. What’s wrong with my outfit? This is cool. Besides, I am a drummer. What I wear is just fine.”

“No! Summer, listen. You are going to be a new Summer on Monday. Get it?” Nadine responded.

“We will transform you from an ugly duckling to Princess Sunshine,” Stella excitingly stated.

“Shut up! Don’t call me Sunshine, Luningning!”

“Stop calling me Luningning too!” Stella squealed.

“Luningning is your first name! Isn’t it Luningning Stellar Martinez, Stella?”

“Whatever, Summer! I never win!” Stella confirmed.

“Oh, as promised, I asked Papa to reserve a suite for the weekend. I mean for the entire week. You can ask the boys to come over to La Casa Buena tomorrow.”

“Holy smokes! You rich kids! You are like throwing money away,” Stella said, surprised.

“I’m not a rich kid. I don’t regard myself as one. Why would I get a gig? I don’t want to rely on my parent’s wealth. We can stay at La Casa ‘coz my father partly owns that hotel; it's part of the terms of the agreement. I can stay there whenever I like for free.”

“Are you serious, Summer? A week's stay at La Casa Buena for free?” Nadine couldn’t believe what I said.

“Hell, yeah! Why not? Don’t you girls miss me? Besides, I owe you guys. We didn’t see each other for two months. I miss Red too. Can you tell your brother to come over, Stella?”

“You bet! How about Dhrim and Kenz?”

“They can join us too. Let’s go home. See you tomorrow. We’ll meet at the La Casa Buena lobby. 5 PM?”

“Gotcha! 5 PM sharp,” Stella and Nadine agreed in unison.

“Toodles!” Nadine waved me goodbye.

“Ta, ta!” said Stella.

We said our goodbye hugs and kisses that took for another half an hour. We separated at around seven in the evening. Since it’s on the way home, I stopped by La Casa Buena to check on the reservation. I can’t take my friends to a sleepover at home because of Snow. I know for sure she wouldn’t like me bringing friends home.

Snow doesn't want everyone to know we are twins. No one would mistake us as sisters because we are fraternal twins. No similarities between us at all! My father gives me everything I want. Our mother spoils her to the bits, and that includes luxurious out-of-country vacations. While me, I am content that Papa makes the impossible possible for me. But I don’t get what I want in a flick of the finger. I do have rules to follow, and I need to abide by them, well, not all of them. Because sometimes I can be stubborn and very impulsive.

I’m about to go home but I noticed someone’s following me.

“Vin, I know it’s you. Come out! Did you hear everything? Don’t you dare pull a prank tomorrow because you will get double what you're planning? Your little naughty demon acts won’t make me back down a bit.”

I felt so stupid talking to myself. I stood there for another half hour, but no Prince Vin showed up. I thought he was going to give me a ride home. He didn’t even insist. Summer, you said no to him. Now, you expect Storme to drive you home? Feeling disappointed, I started walking towards my motorbike. Only now I realized how huge the pink stuff bear was. I don’t know how I would carry him home. I felt so stressed out with this bear instead of being happy I got a new stuffed toy to cuddle at night and it’s from Vin.

“Where would I put you, Skye?”