※ C L O U D ※

"Raise me higher!"

Lauren said with a grunt.

"Do you know how heavy you are?!"

I tried to raise her even higher for her to reach the top part but everything seems pointless. I've been carrying her on mu shoulder since the last minute, she also tried to step on my back but she still can't reach the top. I put her down with a sigh as she rested her arms around my neck while she catch her breath.

"I was so close to the top Cloud--so close."

She said slowing down as soon as she realized that there was only a tiny gap between us. She slowly let go and take a step back moving away.

"So uh--can you think of another plan?"

I cleared my throat and look up as I think of the words I should say.

"Nope."

She let out a frustrated groan with my response as she started screaming.

"Help! Anyone?!"

I close my eyes as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Help us! Frost?! Mhyco?! Anyone?!"

I grab her by the arm and pulled her closer towards me.

"They can't hear you ok? All we can do right now is to wait for them to find us."

She let out a groan as she sat on the ground hugging her knees like a hopeless child. It's already dark and all we can hear are the sound of creatures here in the forest.

We got our phones with us but there's no signal in this place so it's still useless. I got my phone and turn the flash light on, it's getting colder and Lauren looks really upset right now and I don't have any fvcking idea how to handle situations like this!

"Hey --uuh, we still can watch the meteor shower even if we're stuck in here."

I said trying to cheer Lauren up but it seems that the heaven is not in the mood to help me as rain began to pour.

"Damn it."

I whispered as I tried to search for something to cover us but all I can see are dried leaves and twigs. Smoke began to form as I breathe which means that the temperature is dropping.

I hold Lauren's arm to call her attention. She look at me with a blank expression on her face and I don't have any clue what's going on in her mind right now.

"Move closer."

I said as raindrops dripped freely from my face.

"I'm fine."

She said as she close her eyes and looked up allowing the rain to wash her face. I let out a sigh as I move closer towards her.

"You're so stubborn you know that?"

Instead of taking my jacket off, I zip it open and pulled Lauren closer towards me before wrapping the jacket on her body allowing it to envelope the both of us but I still had trouble with my cast on and because of frustration I pulled the cloth and the plastic brace that's wrapped around.

"Much better."

I said with a sigh as as I stretched my arm. I can still feel a little pain but I think I can handle it.

"Hey are you allowed to do that."

A smirk form at the corner of my lips as I tried flexing my arm showing her my muscles. She crinkled her nose and looked away clearly trying to stop her self from smiling.

She was quiet for a moment and all I can hear is the sound of the rain. I cleared my throat trying to break the silence before speaking.

"Let me just remind you that my intention is pure, everything is for the very purpose of survival. Nothing less nothing more."

I wait for her response but she was still quiet until I heard little sobs from her. Holy shit! Is she crying?! I tried to take a peek of her face and yes I'm right, she's crying. Although the rain is concealing her tears her eyes were red as her lips quiver. Is it because I hugged her? I slowly let her go and sat in front of her to clarify things.

"What's wrong? Is it because I hugged you? Wait--is it because of the trap? Look, I'm so sorry ok. It's not my intention if---"

I stopped at the middle of my explanation when Lauren began laughing.

"What the fvck Lauren you're creepy! Wait, are you--really Lauren?"

I remember the film I watched years ago. A group of friends had a road trip and they were unaware that their friend is no longer the friend they knew. Lauren's expression began to changed, she looked me seriously as she began to crawl towards me.

"Lauren! I swear I'll punch you, stop joking!"

I moved backwards as Lauren approached me untill my back touched the cold wall. I swallowed hard as her face drew closer with her breath fogging up against my vision. I hold my breath as she twisted her head while staring at me directly in the eye. I was ready to scream when she began laughing. She's making fun of me, isn't she? I gathered some leaves on the ground and threw it at her trying to stop myself from cursing.

"Fffish sauce! You little---munchkin!"

I stopped for a moment when I realized the last word I said. What the fvck Cloud?

"Munchkin? Seriously? Hahaha!"

Lauren began laughing as she lay down on the wet ground while holding her tummy.

"Ha ha funny Lauren, very funny. So you want me to call you little shit instead?"

She shake her head as she take a deep breath before sitting beside me and leaning her back against the cold wall of soil.

"No, I prefer you calling me munchkin."

She was still laughing as she keep on repeating the word munchkin like it was the biggest joke she heard after 200 years. I don't even know why I said munchkin. I heard her sigh before moving closer towards me.

"I was just sad because I can't see the meteor shower and I'll probably never see it since it only happens every 202 years. The last time it occurred was in the year 2002, the year I died."

She let out a shaky breath as she hug her knees. I open my jacket once again and envelope her with it allowing her to lean on my chest.

"Watching it or not will not make a difference. You'll still be who you are."

I heard her chuckled as she snuggled closer.

"But it's still sad that we can't watch it. That's one thing money can't buy you know."

I let out a short laugh as I wrap my arms around her shoulders and lean my chin on her head.

"You know what? You keep on messing with my mind. You keep on hitting me with some deep reality shit."

She jokingly punch my knee as she heard the word shit reminding me to watch my language. I take a deep breath before speaking once more.

"You made me realize that money can't buy everything.
I can buy the most expensive bed but I can never buy sleep. I can buy a branded watch but I can't buy time. I can buy a beautiful house but I can't buy---a home."

We were both quiet for a second then I felt Lauren wrapping her arms around me as she cuddled closer.

"Hey what's the hug for?"

I said jokingly as I look at her. A smile form on her face as she lean her head on my chest.

"Nothing, I just thought you needed one. Sometimes a hug would let you feel you're not alone."

I inhaled deeply, my breath creating smoke.

"But eventually you'll leave me too. You'll be back in your time and I'll be back with my old routine."

A chuckle escape my lips trying to lighten up the mood. Lauren didn't give any answer, instead I felt her hug grew tighter. It's cold but our bodies are creating enough warmth for the night.

"Let's play the truth game."

Lauren said, breaking the silence.

"What is that game?"

It's honestly my first time hearing that game.

"It's simple, you just need to spill a fact about you."

I chuckled at the rule of the game. The truth, sometimes it's hard to find the truth in me because I spent my life lying to myself, deceiving my heart that I'm ok.

"I'll go first. I hate citrus scent."

Ha! I inhaled sharply and chuckled at her confession because I hate citrus scent too. She look at me as a signal that it's my turn. I scratch my nape as I tried to think of a fact about me.

"Uuhm, I don't eat raisins."

She raise her brows with amusement playing in her eyes.

"Really? I hate raisins too. Ok my turn, I never experienced getting inside a club or a bar."

It's my turn to look at her with disbelief. I gave her a "seriously?" Look she nod at me as an answer.

"Ha! Unbelievable we should try visiting one before you could go back to your time. Ok so uhm my turn."

What else do I know about myself?

"Ah, you were my first kiss."

I dunno why but those words just escaped my lips.

"Those moments were my first time I swear. The day I kissed you in front of the general and the night---"

I close my mouth with a surprise look on my face. Holy cheese did I just say those words?! She's so surprised right now as she look at me.

"What night? Do you remem---"

Her statement was interrupted when we heard a distant call.

"Lauren?! Cloud?!"

I quickly stand up and started screaming to divert Lauren's attention.

"We're here! Lauren help me."

She was hesitant for a second but then later on joined me in calling.

"Frost! We're here! "

A bright light flashed on our faces causing me to blink my eyes a few times.

"We've been looking for you everywhere! Are you ok?!"

I let out a grunt as a frown form on my faces.

"Quit the concern game Frost we need to get out of here, we're freezing."

Good thing Frost didn't fight back.

"Wait here."

Frost left for a moment then he went back with a lader with Mhyco. They place the ladder down and I let Lauren climb in first. As soon as we're out of the hole Mhyco handed us towels.

They kept on asking Lauren if she was ok until we reached the house on top.

"Here."

Mhyco said as he handed me a warm cup of coffee. I only have a bathrobe on since my clothes are on the drier.

"Thanks."

I mumbled as take a sip from it. The night was quiet, although Lauren is saying that she's fine I can still sense the disappointment in her eyes. I know how badly she wanted to witness the meteor shower.

We were all sitting on the couch after dinner while listening to the rain drops, since it started raining again.

"I got an I idea."

Mhyco said as he open a piano app in his phone and activate the sensor of it. A holographic image of a piano appeared in front of him. He started touching the keys creating a melody.

"What song do you want me to play sweetheart?"

Mhyco said as he look at Lauren. She's all eyes and ears at Mhyco right now.

"Any song."

Lauren answered with a smile, Mhyco nod his head as he played some keys.

"Happy birthday to you"

Ha! I close my eyes and lean my back on the couch as I heard Lauren's laughter filling every senses in my body.

"I know a song. Play these notes."

Lauren said as she showed Mhyco a holographic image of notes. She stand up then dimmed the lights, the melody of the song is familiar to me. I just can't remember when did I hear this song.

♩♪" There goes my heart beating
'Cause you are the reason
I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now" ♩♪

Lauren was closing her eyes as she sing every word of the song. Now I remember everything. This is the same song Lauren sang to me the night I can't sleep.

♪♩" If I could turn back the clock
I'd make sure the light defeated the dark
I'd spend every hour, of every day
Keeping you safe"♪♩

I close my eyes after feeling the same rhythm in my chest. I don't understand why am I experiencing this weird shit lately. Mhyco stopped playing as I stand up while staring directly at Lauren. She too looks so confused with my actions right now.

"I'm tired."

I said coldly as I made my way towards the room. I heard Lauren calling me and Frost stopping her.

I let out a sigh as I went inside the room and close the door behind me. I hold my chest once more trying to feel if my heart is back to normal.

"Could it be possible that---no, no."

Ha! I rub my hands on my face as I grip my hair tight with my eyes close. You're crazy Cloud. It's impossible OK?! It's impossible for you to

"Like her."

I whispered at myself finishing the sentence in my mind. I let out a short laugh like a crazy bastard as I lay down on the bed with only a bathrobe on since my clothes are still wet. I can still hear them singing and you know that no matter how tired I am, I just can't sleep.

"Damn this."

You can't allow yourself to end up broken Cloud, you just can't because no would would be there to piece you back up again. No one.