"I wonder if they have Chinese food!" Mindy was saying to her book huggers.

"You're in Germany for the first time in your life." I said to her. "Don't you wanna try German dishes?"

She blinked twice as if this has never actually occurred to her. "Maybe yeah... you might be right." She said clearing her throat.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. This had been a long lonely day. Yes, I was accompanied by the book huggers but that doesn't count. They do act like a wolf pack, I wasn't kidding. So I was completely left out the whole day till now.

If only Conner was around, I kept thinking to myself the entire time.

This day we went to the Mall of Berlin. We did some shopping – or rather, they did some shopping. I only bought a cool Tokyo Ghoul themed notebook.

And now we were sitting in the food court to order lunch. I had already ordered a while ago while the book huggers were still deciding – I'm sorry, arguing on which restaurant to eat from.

I sighed and decided to get up and take a walk around until my food is done.

I plugged my earbuds in and stuffed my hands in my pockets. I couldn’t help but notice that people didn't look at me the way they looked at the book huggers. They didn't look at me as a foreigner. I actually blended in kinda smoothly among germans (appearance-wise only of course, the only german words I know are anything that comes after guten and that's it.)
This was probably because my grandma was german and I kind of resembled her a little.

Conner would have enjoyed being here, I thought.

I had noticed that my thoughts keep drifting back to Conner all the time ever since I got here. I couldn’t shake him off my mind. He had apologized to Mrs. Peters this morning saying that he can't come. He had caught a bug at the event or so he says, and needed to rest at the hotel.

Did I believe that? No, I didn't.

Conner himself had told me at the cemetery that he was shaken up like that because of that third story reading. I had been thinking about that ever since, but couldn't figure it out on my own. I needed him to talk to me. To just tell me what happened.

And it wasn't only because I was curious. No I was genuinely concerned for him. And I hated how he had to be alone like that while we were here supposed to be having "fun". But guess what. Fun was the last thing I could have with the book huggers.

~ ~~~~~~~~ ~

We returned to the hotel a few hours later, the sun had set already.

My mind automatically thought of Conner again at the thought of sunset. He told me how fond he was of sunsets while we were together on the plane.

Literally, everything was reminding me of Conner. And nope, I wasn't gonna deny that like how I used to in the past. You happy now?

We got back to our rooms, Mindy and Cindy collapsed on their beds and immediately fell asleep. Today was really tiring, I couldn't blame them. I was tempted to do the same but I was craving a nice cold pepsi can first.

I exited my room and headed for the vending machine. The receptionist had told me it was in the second floor so I just took the stairs down one story.

As my foot hit the last step I spotted him.

Standing there by the vending machine, was a very pale tired Conner Bailey.

I froze in my tracks. He was getting a snack from the vending machine too and looked so lost in thought, he didn’t even hear my steps.

Despite how exhausted he looked, it still warmed my heart that I finally saw him again today. I had to talk to him at least for a little bit. Hey, I was already getting something from the vending machine in the first place right?

"Conner?" I said walking up to him.

He looked at me but his face didn't light up like how it usually does when he talks to me. It kind of made me sad a tiny bit. His blue eyes also looked dim.

"Oh. Hey, Bree."

"How are you feeling today?" I asked, putting a strand of my hair behind my ear. When the heck did I start doing that now?

He just nodded. "Better I guess."

He definitely didn't look better at all. He actually looked worse. Has he been eating?

"Where did you eat your lunch?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "I didn't."

I raised my eyebrows. "Do you eat at all?!"

He bent down to get the packed croissant from the vending machine. "You know, just vending machine stuff. They're really cool though."

That broke my heart. Whatever happened to Conner made him really devastated that he didn't even get out of this hotel at all. He didn’t even eat well.

"Conner are you okay?" I asked him gently, taking a closer step to him. I didn't care that 'concern' was written all over my face. Coz I indeed was.

He tried for a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just tired a little bit."

"Is it your sodium allergy?" I found myself asking sarcastically, hoping he'd laugh.

And thank God, he did.

He looked away and let out a very crisp adorable laugh. Boy, have I missed that.

"You're not gonna let that one slide are you?" He asked with a smile.

I smirked. "I don't think so."

"So, did you wanna use the vending machine?" He asked taking a few steps away from it to make way for me.

I didn't care about the stupid vending machine anymore. I only cared about him.

"I'll use it later, after you talk to me." I said walking closer to him, I could feel him start fidgeting.

"Talk to you? About what?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

My expression softened. "Look, Conner. I know you won't trust anyone with what you have to say, but I'm assuring you that whatever you gotta say..." I paused, looking for anything in his expression. "You can... say it to me okay? I'll listen."

I was probably nervous but I didn’t know if it showed.

Conner studied me for a moment. His blue eyes were scanning my face carefully. I didn't know if it was because of the dim light, but I could see his pupils dilating a little. I wondered what he was thinking about.

What if it wasn't because of the dim light? A voice inside me peeped. Well, I'd read before that people's eyes dilate when they look at something they like.

The thought made my cheeks burn a little, but I shrugged it off.

Nah, it was probably just the dim light.

Conner let out a deep sigh and looked down at the croissant in his hands. "I... I'm really just... tired." He repeated.

My spirits went low. He still didn't wanna reveal what was wrong. Nevertheless, I decided not to push him any further.

"Oh okay," I said in low voice, kinda disappointed.

We stood there silently for an awkward moment, then he broke the silence.

"Sooo, I'm gonna head back to my room now okay?" He said pointing with his thumb to the elevator. Wow he was so eager to stay in that room no matter what.

Having nothing else to say, I replied with, "Sure."

And with that he turned his heel and left. He didn’t even say bye.

I remained there for a moment, still looking at the direction he went in. My mind was a horrendous mess of clashing thoughts about Conner.

Then a very weird idea popped up in my mind.

I wanted to know where Conner's room was.

Fine, fine call me a creep all you want. But when you find out the reason why, you're gonna thank me.

I ran up the stairs hoping to get to the fourth floor before Conner did (he took the elevator).

The moment I reached it, I could hear the elevator ding.

I hid behind the wall as I watched him get into room 105.

Nice nice. Mission accomplished. 

Well, at least part of it.

I was so excited and quietly headed back for my room again. After I'd crashed on my bed, I remembered that I'd forgotten to get that stupid pepsi can after all. I smiled into my pillow.

Conner was really messing up my mind without doing anything.

~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~

The next morning, we went to a museum.

I know I know, exciting right? Especially for someone like me who is a history geek.

But honestly, inspite of all that, I was impatiently waiting for lunch. Not because I was hungry but because.... or you know what? You'll find out later.

We were standing in front of the altar of Zues and Athena when suddenly Mindy blared, "Why do statues of Greek people always have to be naked?"

All the book huggers scrunched their noses agreeing with her.

"You'd think they had shortage of clothing or something," Lindy said.

"If it disgusts you so much, why are you taking pictures?" I told them with a mischievous smirk.

Their faces turned pink. "Well so what! They are still monuments after all! Naked or not!" Cindy snapped at me. I nodded in sarcastic agreement.

I had always took a liking in Greek Mythology. Well, I guess this is something all Percy Jackson readers would relate to.

We kept strolling around for another half an hour until lunch time finally came. Finally!

Again, don't get the idea that I was hungry – well, I kind of was, but that was not why I was excited.

I had ordered lunch for two people.

The book huggers gave me strange judging looks.

"Wow are you that hungry?" Mindy asked.

"Oops. Maybe I am." I lied with a grin. I still couldn't let them figure out my plan so I said, "I just get really hungry at night okay?" I said acting innocent and sweet.

They rolled their eyes in harmony. This indicated that they believed what I just said. Good.

We ate and headed back for our hotel. I waited impatiently for Mindy and Cindy to take their usual nap then I stealthily and quietly exited the room. Extra lunch in my hands.

I checked the corridors and walked and continued my way up to the fourth floor on the stairs.

I was standing silently in front of room 105. Hesitating to knock.

What exactly would a boy's reaction be when a girl knocks on his door in a hotel that has his teacher booked in?

Probably not the best, but I was gonna shoot my shot anyway.

And hey, it's not like I came here without a purpose.

I took a deep breath and knocked on his door three times.

My anticipation went for four seconds until Conner's voice  sounded in my ears. My adrenaline rushed. Phew he wasn't sleeping then.

"Sorry, Mrs. Peters I'm still kinda sick."

I gulped.

"Uh... this is Bree."

Silence.

More silence.

My heartbeat was starting to quicken. Was he mad about me knocking? Was that an invasion of privacy? Should I go back?

I could hear shuffling inside though and drawers being opened and closed. What was he doing?

Just as I was about to apologize and leave, Conner finally opened the door.

Oh.

Well, he definitely looked in a state I'd never seen him in – surely. His hair was really messy and his shirt looked really wrinkled and not adjusted as if he'd just....

....put it on.

The thought that Conner Bailey wasn't actually wearing a shirt when I had knocked made my mind lag and my words freeze.

It's alright, Bree calm down –

STUPID MIND, stop forming images of a shirtless Conner!!!!

I was in a fight with both my mind and my face, stopping it from turning bright pink.

"Hi?" Conner said with a shaky nervous laugh, his eyes looking around the corridor behind me. "What are you doing here?"

I snapped out of my daze and cleared my throat. I was not going to make this more awkward than it already was.

"Hey! Um... sorry for the intrusion." I said, showing him the plastic bag in my hand. He glanced at it with a raised eyebrow.

"It's just that yesterday you told me that you don't even go out to have lunch, so I thought why not bring you lunch myself while I was out."

His eyes widened and he looked at the plastic bag again. "Oh my god... Bree, you did not..."

"Here. Take it." I said handing it to him.

He kept blinking at me in disbelief. "Bree you bought lunch for... for me?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Are you taking it or not?" I teased.

He blushed and ran his hand through his messy hair. "It's just that... I– I don't know what to say... I, well... thank you?" His cheeks were getting so pink it was hard not to laugh.

"You're welcome." I replied with a smile. "I hope you like spicy though."

He smiled. "Bree I can't believe you did this for me. Honestly though, when I told you yesterday that I didn't go get lunch, I wasn't indirectly implying that you should buy me lunch – no no I was genuinely just saying it without  any –"

"Shut up, Conner!" I laughed. "Stop rambling."

He blushed and laughed too."Okay. Thanks again. That was really sweet of you."

I like when he laughs even for a little.

"You're welcome." I repeated.

"So, before I forget, how much was it–"

"Ah, didn't I tell you to shut up, Conner?" I cut him with a smirk.

His cheeks turned even redder.

"It's on me. So don't worry." I assured him.

He smiled a really cute smile.

Remember, he was shirtless a few minutes ago.

Shut UP, brain!

"You're a really cool person, Bree." He said sheepishly.

The comment was so adorable it made me smile. "Glad you think that."

We stood there in silence for a couple seconds looking at each other, both of us wearing stupid smiles on our faces.

Then I had to interrupt the moment unfortunately. "So... um I better get going before someone sees us you know," I told him with a wink.

He blushed so hard to the point his ears turned red too. "Oh yeah yeah sure you're right." He said clearing his throat.

"See you later!" I said before turning my heel and leaving for the stairs. I could feel his gaze still hanging upon me as I walked. I felt something inside my stomach. What cringey term did they use for it again? Oh yeah, butterflies. Well I guess it wasn't really that cringey after all.

~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~

The day of our departure has finally come.

The past few days were amazing I must say but it was still hard to fully enjoy any of them. And I don't think I need to tell you why.

Conner's state actually seemed to be getting a lot more worse each day. His face was always so grim.

We were sitting in the van that lead us to the airport. Mrs. Peters was talking on the phone and the book huggers were scrolling through all the pictures they took on their phones, fighting on who got the best photos.

I could see Cindy stealing glances at Conner every now and then. And he, of course was totally oblivious to it.

In fact, Conner looked oblivious to everything around him. It's like he wasn't even with us. He was just there with his body.

I took one earbud out. And nudged his arm lightly, hoping to get his attention.

(Yeah yeah fine I was sitting next to him again so what?)

I had to do it twice because he didn't notice the first time. Wow he really was lost in another world.

"Hmm?" He finally looked at me.

"Are you upset about leaving?" I asked.

He sighed and look back at the window. "Actually, yes. I am."

This caught my attention. Was he upset because he didn't join us the past few days? I didn't think so. There was something else behind it.

His expression indicated he didn’t want to talk any further so I kept my mouth shut.

But that didn't stop my eyes from lingering on him.

I could tell he was aware of my gaze but he did nothing about it. 

We arrived at the airport and were checking our bags. Conner was standing behind me, last in line. When his turn came he remained silent, his gaze frozen in the distance.

"Sir? Can I check your bag?" The man behind the counter said.

Conner waited for a moment before saying, "Thank you, sir no need. I– I'll keep it with me."

Okay. What?!

He wanted to board the plane with that bag? Why? Everyone indeed looked confused so it wasn't just me. Conner noticed our confusion, but instead of explaining or clarifing his action, he just cleared his throat and proceeded to walk.

I realized I was still raising my eyebrow. Well, don't blame me, this was weird. And besides, it's not like he did that on our flight here. No, he had checked his bag along with everyone back then.

Hmmm... so there must be something important in that bag.

Could it be the same reason why he was so eager to stay in his room this entire time? Because of what's in the bag?

But if so, what could it possibly be?

We flew to London first as our transit stop. Me and Conner didn't sit next to each other on the plane this time. And I'm going to be honest, I was upset about it.

We landed in London's Heathrow Airport, and found seats for our connecting flight home. I had hopes that this flight we might sit next to each other again.

Only to ask him what was wrong with him, of course. Nothing more, nothing less.

I couldn’t help but notice how the book huggers were giving Conner dirty looks, as if he'd publicly humiliated one of them. I rolled my eyes and took out a book to read.

Though my eyes kept wandering to Conner. He had been sitting in this same position since we got here. Clutching his suitcase to his chest (which I thought was extremely odd) and staring off into space.

"How are you feeling, Mr Bailey?" Mrs. Peters asked him, looking at him over her newspaper.

"Better," Conner replied shortly, not even looking at her.

Mrs. Peters looked at him with sympathy instead of getting mad. "I'm so sorry you missed out on all of the activities; you would have enjoyed them."

"Next time," was all Conenr said, still not looking up.

He did look like he was on autopilot. This wasn't Conner speaking. It was breaking my heart. What on Earth happened to him?

"Attention, all travellers leaving on international flight 527, we will be boarding the plane in ten minutes, starting with our first class passengers," the gate's intercom announced.

I noticed that Conner suddenly looked alarmed.

"Oh, wonderful," Mrs. Peters said, folding her newspaper. "We'll be in the air on our way home in no time."

I opened my handbag to put back the book I had been reading.

"I'm going to use the restroom before we get on the plane."

I looked up and saw Conner walking toward the restroom with his suitcase –

Wait, suitcase?

Why the heck did he need that in the restroom? Wouldn't it be a huge burden to take inside?

First, he didn’t wanna check it in.

And now second, he's taking it with him to the restroom.

There is something suspicious about that bag. There was definitely something inside it that he was clinging onto a little too much. And for him to keep it inside the bag, he must not want anyone to see it I think.

The wheels were spinning madly in my head, it was about to burst.

"That Conner is such a weirdo, I don't know why you like him honestly."

I immediately snapped out of my cyclone of thoughts, my blood almost drying in my veins.

Oh, they were talking to Cindy.

Phew.

"I said