Chapter 5 WEIRD DREAMS

Russel sipped his champagne, his brow furrowed, as he sat comfortably on a chair near the glass table, his crossed legs resting on it. He doesn't mind the glare of the sun on his sunglasses. He doesn't get overheated because he resides in a large cottage. He figures that relaxing in his friend Vrok's resort after his birthday is a good idea. He appears to have recovered from his hangover as a result of it.

When he heard his companions making a small noise, he turned to his side. They all had smirks on their faces when they spotted him, and they barely waved to that made him just hem.

"What's up? You merely arrived at ten o'clock?" Bradly teased him.

They would have seen his death gaze if he hadn't been wearing his sunglasses. Who wouldn't be outraged if he woke in bed to find nothing but himself? He was left alone in his friend's bar, and he wasn't even aware that they were going to Vrok's resort early in the morning.

"I guess he had a terrific night last night, so he didn't wake up straight immediately," Trevor remarked as Russel threw the apple in front of him.

"Fuck you, bro," the young man murmured in response to Trevor's mocking laugh.

Although Trevor was the one who should have woken up Russell because he and Liam manage the bar, he chose not to. He believes that it is far better if he does not bother Russel and simply waits until he awakens.

"Where's Vrok?" he wondered when he discovered the guy wasn't among the three.

"He's just taking care of something; he'll be here soon," Bradly explained before taking a seat in the opposite chair.

Liam and Trevor did the same, and Russel grimaced when he recognized Liam. They're all topless, except for Liam, who is dressed in a blue basic t-shirt and board shorts; wearing glasses and holding a book in his right hand.

"Aren't you going to swim?" Russel inquired.

"No, the heat is too strong for my skin. Night swimming would do," he murmured, not moving his gaze away from the book that had been opened.

Russel hemmed because of what he said. He was baffled as to why this man had become his buddy, given how they have different likes and dislikes. But not only to him, but to Vrok and Bradly as well. Even Trevor, Liam's cousin, makes a lot of difference in this situation.

***

I took a little pause and read what Liam had stated. As a result, he prefers swimming at night other than swimming during daylight. After all, it's a scorching morning. By chance, he might become tan. I continued to read while shaking my head.

***

"You looked different from yesterday. Did something happen? I mean, I knew something happened to you last night, but what I'm trying to say is why does something appear unusual to you today? You looked... Occupied by something," Trevor remarked.

He sipped the contents of the glass he was holding and turned to face the enormous pool at the resort; they now dominated the space, thus there is no one else but them.

"I had a dream."

Bradly was about to pick an apple from the glass bowl when Russel spoke. Bradly and Trevor looked at each other slightly, as if this was something new to them.

They burst out laughing.

"What the fuck bro! Are you trying to be a kid now? All of a sudden, you're just dropping that kind of topic?" Trevor's laughing expression forced Russel to remove the sunglasses he was wearing; meeting his brows, he stared at them.

"I'm serious!"

Trevor swallowed the water from the glass he drank and turned to face him, chuckling. "Okay, okay. What's your dream, and you seem to be wanting to tell a story?"

Russel then sighed deeply and replaced his sunglasses before leaning back in his chair as he folded his arms.

"There's this strange girl that appeared in my dreams; I'm not sure whether she's a lady; her clothes are too strange."

"Why? How does he dress?" Bradly wondered as he listened to the young man's story.

"She's like a female version of Liam," the young man murmured, as Liam put down his book and turned to look at him. "But she's odd."

"How can it be so strange?" Trevor wondered, perplexed as to what the young man was truly striving at.

"She's strange. She dislikes me, and she even threw objects at me before reportedly kicking me out of her house."

"Oh, what's wrong with that?" Russel peered at Bradly, who couldn't see him because he was wearing spectacles.

"Didn't you see my point? She's the first woman who threw me out of her house! She even dislikes me instead of succumbing to my allure. Tsk."

***

As I read those lines, my lips parted slightly. He's really... arrogant! How can he say those words without even batting an eyelid? Didn't he consider that some ladies might be upset by what he says if they read it? Every female should be valued, not ridiculed because she doesn't look nice.

He's very harsh and haughty!

***

"It's just a dream; why do you seem so affected?" Liam cut into the topic that Russel had switched to here.

"Darn, you really are the same. Tsk."

"I agree."

Russel's face was filled with surprise when he heard that from his friend.

"Because if I were her, I would probably do the same; perhaps he felt you were a disturbing factor, so she kicked you out."

"Tsk. As if I'm interested. She's not what I'm looking for, and she doesn't even know how to fix herself."

***

I was abruptly snagged in the face. Why do I have the impression that those words have something to do with me?

***

"I think I already know what my dream for you is," Trevor said, piquing his interest.

"What?"

"For you to meet someone like her that would match your attitude!" Trevor stated with a giggle, and Bradly laughed and agreed.

"Nice bro," Bradly remarked with a laugh, explaining that he was so annoyed that instead of talking to them, he decided to get up and jump in the pool to cool down his annoyance-covered system.

***

My eyes keep reviewing the same line that I've just read to see whether my alteration was correct. I need to finish it tonight because I have to deliver it to Ms. Erin tomorrow Friday. I could finish it tomorrow, but since we have a quiz the next day and I need to review notes, I opted to finish it right away.

I yawned when I looked at the time. 2 AM. Even though I'm late for bed, I'm delighted I finished it.

I didn't have time to eat breakfast when dawn arrived because I also slept late. I needed to get to school early since I would be able to focus better if I did my homework there.

"Pene." I looked up when I heard a voice calling me.

Monica, who was walking near my seat, caught my attention.

I expected her to say something, but she sniffed slightly at the classroom window, forcing me to gaze there. Cario, now smiling and waving, opened his arms to me. By the way, he acted toward me, my bored and tired eyes do not even know how to approach him. What exactly is he doing here?

I mouthed "what" as he motioned with his palm that I should follow him. I grumbled and closed the notebook I was carrying before getting up and leaving the classroom. As I approached him in disbelief, my two eyebrows shot up.

"Is there anything you need?"

"You've gotten your eyebags. Did you sleep late? he asked, dismissing the initial question I posed.

"Just did some stuff, so I lacked sleep," I stated simply, waiting for him to explain why he had come, but my gaze was drawn to his hand, which was attempting to grab something from his bag.

"Have you had your breakfast yet?"

"Uh-"

"Mom wanted me to give you this, she just cooked that this morning. She cooked a lot so she decided to lend you some," he explained, much to my astonishment.

"Your mom?"

He paused for a second, scratching his neck until I noticed a jar he was holding that contained food.

"The truth is, I often mentioned you to her," he replied, and my mouth dropped open.

I had no idea he had that part of him that he was telling his mother about me.

"Here, take it."

When he handed me the jar, I didn't say anything.

I even spotted several girls glancing in our direction. I shifted my glance inside the classroom and noticed Monica looking at us, but she swiftly averted her gaze when she caught sight of my eye.

"Cario, you don't have to-"

"Please?" he asked, "I hope you take it even just that."

I could see the sincerity in his eyes and understood that refusing to accept it would be impolite.

Particularly because it was made by his mother.

"I'll return the jar tomorrow; thank you." Even though I merely accepted what he presented, I could see a glimmer of delight in his eyes.

That's a major thing for him, and I can't say I blame him. I acknowledge that I avoid him, therefore accepting something from him is essential.

"Is he still pursuing you?" Monica asked as I entered the room after Cario had departed.

I barely paused to think. I truly don't know since, to be honest, I don't recall ever allowing Cario to court me. He would frequently express his interest in me, but I had never heard him ask whether he may pursue me.

"No," I replied, seeing how her brow furrowed in response to my answer.

"Really? I don't think that's what I see," she replied as she walked past me and out of the classroom.

My thoughts strayed to Monica's actions as I glanced at the jar I was holding.

Does she have feelings for Cario?