I hope you’ll like this. Enjoy! ;)

Chapter 45 *Slumber Party

~Sophia

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I grit my teeth as the cold water touches my bare skin. They’re like ice that sends pinpricks to my body. My mom said that if I want my fever to be completely gone, I have to take a cold shower.

So here I am, enduring this nightmare. I’m feeling fine by the second though, and I can’t help but think it’s worth it. I’m already absent yesterday so I need to go to school today because I don’t want to be late with the discussions in class.

I’m grateful Driana came by last night and explained to me what they did. She even went to my classrooms and asked my classmates about what they tackled so she can inform me. Before she went home with Draky, I narrated what happened to my parents. She looked worried, and made me promise to call her when I need something- anything. The twins made my recovery fast. Now I can feel my body returning to normal.

When I’m refreshed, I walk out of my bathroom and into my bedroom to rummage my closet.

After a few seconds, I find what I’m looking for. A smile appears on my face when I look at the mirror- I’m wearing a floral blouse that emphasizes my blue eyes, a jeans that that’s not too tight or too loose, and my favorite sandals.

Before I forgot, I clasp the necklace and the charm bracelet Draky and Driana gave me for my birthday. Grabbing my bag, I head downstairs and when I smell something delicious, I decide to go to the kitchen.

“Morning,” I say to my mom who’s preparing a breakfast.

“Morning Sophia,” she replies.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask.

“Still sleeping,” she answers. “Here’s your food, I’ll drive you to school when you’re done eating.”

“No, I can ride a bus."

“I insist,” she states, a smile on her face.

“Okay.” And then I start eating bacon, eggs, and sausages. Being sick made me hungry.

When I finished eating, I brush my teeth again and meet my mom in her car.

 “I almost forgot to tell you," my mom says, starting the engine of her car, "your dad and I are going to the hospital out of town later.”

“What?” I ask. “I thought he’s fine? There’s no need to go to the hospital.”

“Yes.” She sighs. “Remember, he has to go twice a year, and tomorrow will be his first check up after the operation.”

“But he already went there last week,” I mumble.

“That doesn’t count.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t want you to stay in the house alone,” she tells me.

“Mom!”

“You can sleep at Driana’s place,” she suggests.

“I’m seventeen,” I complain.

“Precisely.”

“I can take care of myself,” I say, frowning.

“I know.” She smiles sadly. “It’s the people today I don’t trust.”

“How many days do I have to stay there?”

She shrugs. “Probably two? It depends on the findings of the doctor.”

“They won’t find anything,” I state stubbornly.

“I know,” she says, smiling.

I grumble my complaints under my breath.

“Besides, don’t you want a slumber party?”

Oh, I do. I’d love to have a slumber party in the house of Draky. I wonder what it would feel like, sleeping in the same roof as him. Not that I haven’t experienced that before; when we were in Andre’s house. But tonight will be different because it’s their house where I’m staying.

The time passed by in a rush. It’s just the same, like any other day. Before I know it, the first half of it is already done and I find myself making my way to our table in the cafeteria, a tray of food in hand. I don’t even remember ordering. Weird.

Driana is already sitting on her chair, waiting for me. “Hey,” she says when I take the chair across from her.

I can see that she’s in a good mood. “Hi,” I reply. And then I ask her if I can stay in their house tonight because my parents are going out of town.

“Of course,” Driana says excitedly, “it’s more than fine!”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “Thank you,” I say gratefully.

“I always wanted a slumber party,” she says, grinning cheekily.

“Hey, is that a slumber party I heard?” Andre asks, sitting beside Driana.

Draky follows after him and takes the chair beside me.

“Isn’t that your table over there?” Driana asks, pointing to the center table.

“Is it bad to sit with my twin?” Draky asks bemusedly.

Driana rolls her eyes and mutters something under her breath.

“So, a slumber party huh?” Andre asks, tilting his head to the side.

“Oh, um, I asked Driana if I can stay in their house tonight,” I say.

“Why?”

“My mom and dad will go out of town, and they don’t want me to be alone in the house,” I explain.

“Why not sleep in our house?” Andre suggests.

“Because she’ll stay in our house,” Driana states.

Andre nudges her on the side. “You can stay in our house too you know.”

In the corner of my eye, I glance at Draky. He’s unusually quiet today.

“No thanks,” Driana says wryly.

“Ow!” Andre pouts, and looks at her with puppy dog eyes.

Driana laughs and says, “That doesn’t work on me.”

Andre groans. “We’ll have a party!”

“I don’t like parties,” she replies, wrinkling her nose.

“Me too,” I chime in.

Andre looks at me disapprovingly and about to say something when Driana beats him to it. “She hasn’t slept in our house yet.”

He smiles sheepishly and says, “There’s still next time.”

“You can stay in the house too if you want,” Draky offers. “Besides, it’s just us; my mom will go out of town with my dad.”

There’s something about the way he said dad—

“Really?” Andre asks, his whole face lighting up.

“Yeah. I assume Sophia will stay in Driana’s room. . .”

Driana nods.

“You can sleep in the guest room then,” Draky finishes.

“Can I sleep in your room?” Andre asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No. it’s the guest room or not.”

“You’re no fun,” he complains, scowling at his best friend.

Draky smirks at him and resumes eating his food.

“So what do you propose we’ll do later?” Andre asks after a few minutes.

“I don’t know to you two, but Sophia and I will stay in my room,” Driana says, grinning at the two boys.

Before they can respond, the bell rings, signaling that lunch time is over. Time for Literature.

“Let’s go?” Draky says.

“See you later,” I tell Driana and Andre.

“See you,” they both say at the same time. And then they both look at each other, wide grin on their faces. “Jinx!”

I follow Draky to our room, a small smile on my face. Driana and Andre really have something—

“Want me to drive you later?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’ll go to our house first,” I say, “to get clothes and stuff.”

He shrugs. “That’s okay, I can wait for you.”

“If you say so,” I reply, entering the classroom.

The discussion of Mrs. Coelho revolves around A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I wonder when we will finished it and start to read a new book.

A tap on my shoulder makes me turn back. “What?” I ask Draky. I know it’s him. No one will bother me while the professor is discussing her lesson.

“I forgot to ask you yesterday,” he starts, “what happened between you and Cassidy?”

“It was nothing,” I answer evasively.

“Did she hurt you?”

Involuntarily, my gaze moves to my arm where she hold it tightly. Fortunately no bruises showed.

Draky follows my gaze until his eyes land on the red marks done by Cassidy’s nails.

“It’s nothing,” I mutter, turning back in front of the room. I can feel his eyes on my back, burning holes but I’m afraid to see his reaction. I know that if eyes can change color according to your mood, his will be as black as coal.

-~-~-~-

After school, Driana, Draky, Andre, and I went to my house to get clothes. When we were done, we drove to Driana and Draky’s house. We just finished eating our dinner – Chinese food. None of us was in the mood to cook so we settled with takeout food. We’re in the family room and we already watched two movies, nonstop. We even played Monopoly. No wonder my eyes are drooping; it’s almost eleven in the evening already.

“Let’s play would you rather,” Andre suggests.

“Sure,” Driana agrees. “I haven’t played that in a long time.”

Why do I have a feeling that it’s like the Truth or Dare we played a few days ago?

“Cool,” he says, grinning. “Me first. Would you rather die in sizzling lava or be cut and eaten by cannibals?”

“Creepy,” I mutter, remembering the movie Wrong Turn.

“So?” Andre asks, raising his eyebrow.

“I’d rather die in the lava,” Draky answers.

“Me too,” I say.

“Me three,” Driana chimes in. “At least I’d die whole.”

“You’ll melt in the hot lava,” Andre says obviously.

“Still.”

“Okay, my turn,” Draky says, “Would you rather choose the one you love or the one who loves you?”

“Does the one I love return my feelings?” Andre asks.

“Nope,” Draky says, “It’s one way. Same with the one who loves you. You don’t love her.”

“What kind of question is that?”

“A hypothetical one.”

“I know.” Andre groans. “I’d choose the one who loves me.”

“Even though you don’t love her?” Driana asks incredulously.

“Yes,” he answers, “because the one I love might love someone else and I know the one who loves me loves only me and no one else.”

We’re all silent for a minute, and then Draky turns to me.

“I’d choose the one I love,” I answer slowly.

“Why?” Draky asks.

“Because . . . Because even though there’s a chance that he doesn’t return my love for him, my heart belongs to him. And I won’t compromise it with someone I don’t have feelings with.”

“Ouch,” Andre says, putting a hand over his heart. “That makes me feel bad about my choice.”

I smile sheepishly and brush the loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“What about you little sister?” Draky asks.

“I. . . I’m sleepy,” Driana says, standing up.

“Answer the question first,” Andre complains.

She sticks out her tongue and says, “Good night.”

“You know, that’s a good idea,” I agree, standing up as well. “Good night.”

The boys sigh as Driana and I make our way to her room. We lay on the bed, both of us wears silly smile on our faces.

“Thank you,” she says.

“No problem,” I reply.

The minutes turn to hours as I wait for sleep to come. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I sleep? This makes me remember of the time when I was in Andre’s - I thought I forgot how to sleep.

Heaving a sigh, I get up slowly and decide to walk around the house.

“Can’t sleep?”

My heart leaps in my throat when I hear a voice behind me.

“Sorry,” Draky mutters, shutting his door behind him, “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

I wait for my heart to beat normally.

“Can’t sleep?” he repeats.

I nod.

“Homesick?” he asks amusedly.

“No,” I murmur. “I don’t know what’s wrong with my brain, it don’t want to shut up.”

He suddenly grins, like he thought of a really good idea. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” Don’t tell me it’s one of his havens again.

He grabs my hand without answering my question and leads me to their back porch.

As soon as he opens the door, the October wind rushes to my face. A shiver runs down my spine and I automatically rub my arm with my free hand. Draky’s still holding the other one and he’ll not let go any sooner.

When I see the veranda I thought we’re going there but we still continue. Their back lawn is spacious.

“Draky?”

“Yeah?”

“Where are we going?”

“Here,” he says, stopping beside a tree.

I stare at him, confused.

He points upward with his forefinger and my gaze follows it.

A surprise gasp escapes from my lips when I see what he’s pointing at. “You have a tree house!” I say excitedly. On the thick branches of the tree is a little wooden house, one side wide open, without a wall. I almost jump and down with glee. Thankfully, I control myself at the last second. I don’t want to appear immature to him.

“You like it?” he asks, suppressing a smile.

“Absolutely! I always wanted a tree house since I was young,” I say, grinning from ear to ear.

He laughs at my enthusiasm, and then probably remembers that we’re outside. He shrugs his jacket off and hands it to me.

I take it gratefully and wear it. It’s quite long but it’s okay, as long as it envelops me in its warmth. It smells like him. When boys smell nice, they automatically become attractive. Not that Draky is not already attractive as it is.

I shake my head furiously. I don’t like where my thoughts are headed.

I wonder why Driana didn’t mention that they have a tree house.

Yeah, think about the tree house.

“That’s good because we’re going to climb it,” Draky says, a huge grin on his face.

“Really?” I ask my eyes widening as I glance at the ladder attached to the trunk of the tree.

“Afraid?” he asks, his mouth twitching at the corners.

“Of course not,” I scoff.

“Let’s climb then.”

“You go first,” I say.

“You sure?” he asks, a concern expression crossing his face. “I can catch you if you—“

“I won’t fall,” I interject, letting go of his hand to cross my arms over my chest.

“Be careful,” he says, and then starts to ascend the ladders while I watch his back, printing in my mind the steps he takes so that I can copy them when it’s my turn.

A few seconds later, he’s sitting on the bench in the tree house. He smiles down at me and urges me to climb.

Taking a deep breath, I hold the ladder tightly and take my first step. I don’t have to worry because although the ladder was made of wood, it’s attached to the tree. I continue slowly but surely and before I know it, I’m on the last step.

Draky offers his hand and I gratefully take it. He pulls me to him and we walk steadily to the bench he was sitting a while ago.

“I made it,” I say when I find my voice.

“Yes you did,” he replies, his eyes twinkling in delight.

I look down and wish I hadn’t because I see the ground that is thirty feet below us.

Don’t be afraid! I chastise myself. You won’t fall down.

“Want to hold my hand?” Draky asks.

I nod and take it.

We’re both silent, and it’s not awkward because we’re contented in just looking at the stars in the sky. And there are a lot. Wherever I look, I see them.  It’s so enchanting.

To my surprise, Draky opens his mouth and beautiful words come tumbling after. “And I’d give up forever to touch you ‘cause I know that you feel me somehow,” he sings. “You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be and I don’t want you to go home right now. .”

I forgot how amazing his voice is. I notice that he altered a word from the real lyrics. Of course I recognize the song. It’s Iris by Goo Goo Dolls. I can’t believe he’s singing it for me. No one, ever, sang a song for me before. Not even him.

“And all I can taste is this moment,” he continues, “And all I can breathe is your life. 'Cause sooner or later it’s over. I just don’t want to miss you tonight.” He stops and looks at me. Really looks at me, like he’s seeing the first sunrise of his life. “Pie, I have to tell you something.”

Why does my instinct screams that he’ll confess about the bet now? Oh God, I don’t know what to react. He sang a song for me, and now he’s going to admit something that will change both of our lives.

My heart beats faster than usual, trying to burst out of my ribs. Even though it’s cold, my hands start to sweat. Can he read my face? I know its open book to him. But I hope and pray that he will not profess now. My thoughts are jumbled, and I’m tongue tied. I’m not yet ready. . .

“Not yet ready for your fantasy to end,” a soft voice whispers in my mind.

I cringe inwardly because it’s one of the darkest secrets I have. How did it leak out of its box?

“Pie, I. . .” Sighing, he pulls his hair, frustrated.

I don’t know why I am relieved. I should be the one urging him to confess everything. But why am I assuming that he will tell me about it? Maybe it’s another thing?

“Forget it,” he mutters, breaking away from my gaze.

Suddenly I feel brave, so I ask, “What is it?”

“I. . . I like you,” he stutters, a little bit of blush coloring his cheeks.

Surprised, I say, “Haven’t you told me that before?”

Something flickers in his eyes, but it’s gone as soon as it arrives. “It’s different,” he mutters.

“What are you two doing there?” a voice asks.

I turn my head to where the sound came from and am surprised when I see Driana and Andre walking towards us.

“Sophia and Drake, kissing on a tree,” Andre sings, “K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

“Stop it,” I say, glad for the darkness for it hides the blush creeping on my cheeks. But I’m not so sure that it hides my blush because I saw Draky blushing a while ago.

Draky fakes a cough, embarrassed. “What are you two doing here?”

“I woke up and did not see Sophia beside me,” Driana tells us, “I thought she just went to the bathroom or the kitchen but when she didn’t return after a few minutes, I became worried so I came after her.  When I didn’t find her, I figured to look for her in your room.”

“You entered my room without my permission?” Draky asks, feign horrified.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t barged in my room without my permission,” she retorts.

Drake scratches his head, smiling sheepishly.

Driana continues, “When I didn’t saw either of you in your room, I decided to—“

“Wake me,” Andre finishes for her. “And then we searched for you two and find you here, kissing on a tree.”

“We’re not kissing,” I snap.

“Almost,” he mutters.

“I heard that,” Draky scolds.

He grins, both Driana and him staring at Draky and me with meaningful look.

“Time to sleep,” I say to no one in particular, and start to make my way to the ladder, going down carefully until my feet lands on the ground. I can hear Draky scrambling after me.

 “Are you sure you want to sleep?” Andre asks, raising his eyebrows.

“I am sure,” I murmur.

“Let’s go inside now,” Draky says, “It’s unusually cold tonight.”

“I noticed.” Andre smirks, glancing at the jacket I’m wearing.

I flushed and take the jacket off, giving it back to Draky. “Thanks,” I mumble.

“You’re welcome,” he replies, starting to walk towards their house.

We follow after him. We’re all quiet until we stop on the second floor landing of their house.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I say, “Good night.”

“Night,” Draky replies.

“Sweet dreams,” Driana says, smiling cheekily.

“Sleep tight," Andre says amusedly. "Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

And so Driana and I enter her room and lie on her bed.

“Sorry about earlier,” I whisper.

“That’s okay,” she says, “I was just worried so I looked for you.”

“Thank you,” I say gratefully.

“What are friends are for?”

“Yeah. Let’s sleep?”

“Okay.”

Yet no matter how I force myself to sleep, I can’t. Adrenaline is still coursing through my veins, replaying the scene in my mind from earlier.

“Soph?”

Startled, I say, “Yeah?” I thought she’s already sleeping. I can’t see