∞ L A U R E N ∞

"Good morning Lauren, your vital signs are now stable and your temperature is normal. "

I woke up with Drey standing beside me. He was smiling as he handed me a towel to wipe my face.

I gladly accepted the towel and started wiping my face with it when a memory of me drinking wine flashed before my eyes.

"Holy cheese balls. What happened next? Drey! After drinking wine what happened next?!"

I gripped my hair tight as I tried to recall what really happened. Drey looked at me with a smile before blinking his eyes.

"I'm afraid your question is not found in my system, could you please rephrase it or be more specific? "

I sighed in frustration as I started walking back and fort on top of my bed while biting my finger nails.

"You're so cute, I want to kiss you. "

"OH MY GOD!"

I screamed as I looked at Drey once more with a horrified expression.

"Please tell me I did not do that!"

I kissed him! Oh God! Drinking is a bad idea, it's always a bad idea!

"Lauren?! Is everything alright? "

I felt my blood rushed in my cheeks heating my temperature up as I heard his voice, I can't even look at him in the eye. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I responded.

"I-- I'm fine, it's just that... Ugh! Nevermind. "

He had the usual expression on his face like everything is normal, maybe I was just dreaming about the kiss?

He went near me and extended his right hand at me. For a second I just looked at him like a dumb ostrich but then allowed myself to hold his hand and accepted his help in stepping down from my bed.

"Thank---you. "

I said almost breathless in the end as soon as I realized his face was so close to mine. I froze when he touched my forehead trying to feel my temperature then a smile formed on his lips.

"You're fully recovered, lunch is ready downstairs. "

I was unconsciously staring at his lips while he spoke those words, it was like everything was in slow motion while he was talking. As I looked closely his lips are naturally tinted like a pink rose with his upper lip thiner than his lower lip, every part of his face is a mirror of Casper's face except for the small scar on his right brow.

"Lauren? "

I open my mouth and look him in the eyes because I clearly lose track of the moment. I had to blink and think of something to say but my mind was like a murky water. Cloud softly chuckled before moving his face even closer to mine.

"What? You wanna kiss me again? "

I managed to go back to my senses and gave him a slight push with an awkward laugh escaping my lips.

"What kiss are you saying, I can't even remember saying you're so cute and I want to kiss you."

Wait, did I just expose myself to him?
He started laughing while shaking his head like he just witnessed something dumb.

"Won't blame you. That kiss was insanely good, never thought you're an expert kisser. I'll be waiting for you downstairs"

He said with a smile and a wink before finally leaving my room. Goodness! I forcefully dropped my body on my bed before taking a deep breath. I should not drink again, ever!

"I can see you happy and comfortable with Cloud. "

"Holy cheese cake! Ugh! Drey, I forgot you're still here. You startled me."

He was just smiling at me and giving me the kind of look my friends gave me when I got the chance to talk with Casper before.

"Stop it Drey. My heart belongs to Casper alone. "

I was about to walk out of the room when Drey said something that made me stop.

"Are you sure?"

Yes I am! I looked at him and bit my lower lip before I gave him my answer.

"More than a hundred percent sure."

I walked out of my room and saw Cloud walking down the stairs. I slowly followed him behind until we both reached the kitchen. He pulled a chair for me and I hesitated for a moment but then I accepted his courtesy.

He made some crab soup and garlic butter toasted bread. Tears welled up at the corner of my eyes when I tasted the soup. It reminds me of my mom's dishes, I tried so hard to gulp down but I ended up crying instead. I put my spoon down and covered my face with my hands. I feel so embarassed right now with my emotions.

"Lauren, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong? "

I shook my head and wiped the tears from my eyes before taking a deep and shakey breath.

"It's just that, I miss my parents so much. "

Cloud smiled apologetically before giving me a pat on my head.

"You'll meet them again soon, you only have two months more to go before your time travel. "

Two months? Time flies so fast, Ive been here for five months.

"For now, you need to enjoy and make something beautiful for me to remember."

I felt a short pain in my chest when I looked at Cloud. When I leave this time, what will happen next?

"What are your plans when I'm no longer here? "

He tap his index finger on the table as he tried to organize his thoughts. Then he inhaled deeply and let out a sigh before leaning on his seat.

"Well, I'll do the agreement of the board and that is to marry Jennia."

I'm perfectly aware from the start that Cloud will end up marrying Jennia but why does it hurt me so bad inside?

"Then, I'm going to sell this house."

I was surprised at his decision.

"Why do you have to sell it? This a very good and cozy place to live in."

He chuckled at my statement as he looked around like an artist that is trying to be familiar with his art.

"I need to. Every corner of this house reminds me of you and it will be a torture on my part if I keep on remembering you once you're gone. You know how I feel towards you, Lauren. "

I was speechless, because in my mind I'm being selfish. I suddenly want to tell him not to sell the house.

"Can you not keep it and still treat it as your home just like how you consider it as your home now?"

Cloud smiled at me and run his fingers through his hair before speaking.

"You, here with me, made me realize home is not a structure with a roof on top, it's a person. And you are my home Lauren, without you this is just a house and never will be a home for me."

I open my mouth but close it again because I'm out of words to say.

"You have two months left, might as well use the remaining days to make your stay worthwhile. I know a place. "

Cloud said with a smile.

After the meal I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. I was wearing a white floral knee length dress and paired it with white sneakers. I don't know where Cloud is taking me but Cloud is right, I should make my remaining time worthwhile not for me but for him.

When I went out of my room Cloud was standing in front of my door with his hair not neatly brushed with some strands covering his eyes, it looked like it just dried up after taking a shower. I had the sudden urge to brush his hair with my fingers but chose not to. He was wearing a black shirt and a brown coat paired with white pants and shoes and he has brown scarf wrapped around his neck. I felt a funny feeling in my stomach that made wanna fart, I can also feel my heart beating as if I took ten cups of coffee this morning. What is wrong with you Lauren?!

"It'll be cold outside Lauren. "

He said as he looked at what I'm wearing.

"Oh right, just a moment. "

I went back inside my room and close the door.

"Why did I close the door? I was just going to get my coat and scarf. "

I whispered at myself feeling so dumb. I can feel my heart racing in my chest which made me uncomfortable.

"It's ok, you're ok Lauren. "

I whispered once more before wearing the gray coat sun flower printed scarf. I took a deep breath before I open the door but Cloud is no longer there. I immediately rushed out of the house and saw Cloud leaning on his car. I pressed my lips together as I approached him.

"So, where are we going? "

I said with my warm breath creating a smoke because of the cold weather.

"You'll see. "

He said with a smile before opening the car door for me. I went inside the car and put on the safety belt. We took the main road and we passed through the main bridge of the city and then he took a right curve. This road is quite familiar.

"Are we... "

"Yep, we're heading to class B society. "

He said finishing my sentence. I can feel both nervousness and excitement at the same time as my mind tried to guess what are we going to do today. Are we going on a mountain hike? Maybe not, we're not dressed for a hike. Maybe camping? No, we don't have extra clothes with us.

I was so busy thinking I was unaware that the car finally stopped. Cloud opened the door for me and as soon as I stepped out of the car my lips parted with delight when I saw the place. It's an amusement park!

My eyes danced in glee as looked at the huge ferris wheel, I never thought a place like this still exists in this time.

"You ready? "

Cloud said with a smile as he extended his hand to me. I gladly accepted it and allowed him to pull me inside the park.

There are a lot of people inside, I can sense some prying eyes on us but my attention is definetly glued on countless virtual games around me. We first visited a silver room with the words Slash Ninja written on Pink neon lights on top of it. He swiped a card on it and the door opened. Inside is a dark room with dimmed lights and large black screen infront of us.

"Wear this. "

He handed me some virtual glasses and a short metal stick. It looks like a flash light with a button at the middle of it. I pressed the button and I almost drop it when a blue neon stick grew out of it. I tried to hold it with my hand and my hand just passed through it. Oh so it's just a visual effect. It's so cool, it looks so real! I turni at Cloud's direction and in my vision he's wearing a ninja outfit with his eyes visible.

"How do I look? Do I look like a ninja too? "

I asked with excitement. He chuckled and nodded his head at me. I felt so much like a child with the level of joy I have inside me.

"Ready in 3..2...1"

I grip my virtual weapon tight and monsters started appearing in front of me. I literally started screaming and run behind Cloud. I heard Cloud's laughter while he was slashing his weapon against the enemy. I get it it's just a game but the fact that it looks so real makes it so terrifying!

I started playing along eventhough I'm a little bit scared but then eventually I learned to maneuver the weapon and killed the monsters with ease.

※ C L O U D ※

"That was so fun!"

Lauren squealed as we went out of the gaming both. I can't help but smile while looking at her, she looks so happy. I want to always make her happy, until we're both gray and old, but I know it will never happen. She stopped walking and I followed her gaze she was looking at the roller coaster.

"Ah, no Lauren, let's find another one. "

I heard her chuckle as she forcefully pulled me by the hand.

"Don't be a chicken! come on this would be fun!"

She pulled me towards the roller coaster ride, we swiped our cards and she chose the very front seat. The safety belt was secured around our shoulders and waist and I can already feel my stomach churning because of nervousness.

I was quiet, not until the ride started moving.

"Lauren this is a fvcking bad idea! ".

I can't believe I'm doing this!
She gave a good pinch on my cheek and death glare.

"No cussing! Relax Cloud, you've been taking the air route for years. Can't believe rides like this terrifies you. "

The air route is different! This thing shoots you in the air like a bullet and follows the trail downward and there will be an endless loop. The ride suddenly stop moving and I know it will start any minute. My breathing started to intensify and I can feel my hands and feet turning cold.

"Cloud."

I look at Lauren's hazel brown eyes as she laced her fingers on my right hand. I relaxed for a moment when she smiled but when the ride started I squeezed her hand tight as we both screamed at the top of our lungs.

"Holy mother of fish!"

I screamed in horror as the ride had some series of loop. I swear I'm not enjoying it! Lauren on the other hand was screaming with joy with her right hand raised on the air. She's unbelievable!

After the ride I felt so nauseous I had to stop at the corner. My stomach is churning so bad it makes wanna throw up. I started gagging then I felt a pair of hands rubbing my back. it's weird that Lauren is doing something this simple but it gave me physical relief. She handed me a large lollipop that made me laugh. I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief and stared at her with my brow raised.

"Seriously Lauren? A lollipop?"

She smiled as she nodded her head. She even opened the lollipop for me.

"Try it. It'll help with the gagging."

I hesitated for a moment but then accepted the offer. Hmm... strawberry and vanilla flavor. She was not lying when she said that it'll help with my gagging. My stomach felt ok and we continued strolling.  We tried riding the carousel, I was so embarrassed to get on this thing but Lauren insisted.  We were riding it with some bunch of kids and Lauren took a picture of me. I told her not to but then ended up laughing for her being so persistent to take a good shot of me.

It was a great day to sum all up. We both shared good laughter and moments together. It's already 8 in the evening and we just finished having dinner at Ramen stop just inside the amusement park then we decided to ride the Ferris Wheel.

"I'm so excited."

I heard Lauren whispered. She was rubbing her hands together because of the cold, I smiled as I looked at her looking so adorable with the tip of her nose turning red.

"Let's go."

I grabbed her right hand and placed it inside my coat pocket. I know she's looking at me right now and probably felt embarrassed with my actions but I just played cool like it's no big deal. Her hand was cold inside my coat as I intertwined my fingers with hers to warm it up.

Funny it made me feel like I've been holding her hand for years, as if it was really made for me. But I know it wasn't.  We both made ourselves comfortable inside the ride. It was slow and smooth, the cool air was blowing as we move higher.

I chuckled as soon as I realized that Lauren was just bowing her head and sitting so still beside me.

"Lauren, look."

I slowly lifted her chin and it was a great sight to see how her eyes glittered as soon as she saw the city lights. I felt her squeeze my hand while looking at the city lights.

"It's so beautiful, Cloud."

She whispered with a smile painted on her face. I wanted to tell her that she's more beautiful than the city lights tonight. I wanted to brush the strands off her face, I wanted to tell her how much I love her. I wanted to be selfish and tell her not leave me behind. but I can't, I know I can't.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the cold breeze. The moon has been a witness of another untold story, a story only I will remember until my hair turns grey and my soul grows old.

Lauren was quiet on our way back home. Her gaze was fixed out of the car window as if he was lost in her thoughts.

"So, how was it?"

I asked, trying to get her attention. She looked at me and smiled gently as she nodded her head.

"One of the best days of my life. Thank you, Cloud."

I can't help but smile and bite my lower lip as I look away. It makes all giddy knowing that I made her happy.

When we reached home she told me she wanted to rest. She smiled at me before she went up stairs but I felt something different with her smile. I don't know but there's something different.