❤️THE SPACE IN BETWEEN❤️
?Age is just a number?
✍️Written By Precious Pinky✍️
?Chapter Sixteen (16)?
#NOT EDITED.
Theme: Fun Time….?
?Malby’s Pov?
“You guys need to be careful out there. You are free to have as much fun as you want but make sure you don’t forget about the most important thing, which is…the project given to each group.” She paused to see if she has all of our attention and fortunately, we were all listening. “As we all know, we are in the woods, and there is nothing really interesting out here because most of the things here are common, like the trees, and so on but I want you all to find something interesting. Something fascinating. Something intriguing. Something unusual.”
“Like…?” Lucky, a student asked.
“Anything.” And that was her reply.
I know I su-ck when it comes to school work and all of that but right now I was more confuse.
How can we look for an interesting topic to talk about in the woods.
Like come on, aside from werewolves being in the woods or vampires, there was nothing interesting.
I look around and all i could see is, trees, ugly looking branches, and so on.
Actually, I’m so confused right now… why exactly did Miss Tasha bring us to a place like this?
I was never expecting to come to a place as boring as here.
I was expecting a place that looks like a five star hotel, a place that has fountain, ocean, games, and other interesting things.
A place where we could have a lot of interesting topics to write about without stressing it.
And not a place like this.
“I know it will be very difficult but trust me, there is a place that is very fascinating, intriguing, beautiful, amazing… I don’t even know what else to say and..”
”Wait, let me guess. And that place exist here?” Tiffany questioned.
We all watched Miss Tasha closely as we waited for a reply.
She smiled then nodded her head yes.
Okay, it’s official now. This woman is crazy.
Can someone remind me why I was happy to be in her group again?
Oh.
I think I remember.
Manuel was in this group and also Xander. My boyfriend.
Actually, Xander being my boyfriend was the only interesting thing that ever happened since we got here.
Nothing else seemed interesting.
…Nothing.
“And where do we find that place?” Tricky was the one to ask that.
Miss Tasha shrugged. “I don’t know. Well, that’s why it’s called an a-ssignment. You all just need to find that place.”
“So how did you know a place like that exist here?” Xander ask.
“Because I know?” She wasn’t even sure of her reply!
What the hell was going on here right now!
”Wait, how do we even know this place you are talking about? Like, can you at least explain to us how it looks like?” It was Xander who spoke again.
“Actually, I haven’t seen that place in person before but I’m sure when you come across it, you will know.”
What?
“So how do you know a place like that exist?” Mark questioned.
“I heard it does.”
Oh my God.
This is crazy.
Not only crazy but stupid as well.
Are we just going to keep walking down to nowhere all in search of, and i quote, “A place that looks intriguing, fascinating, beautiful and interesting?”
That’s crazy.
It was very obvious that group B will lose this a-ssessment.
Trust me.
Because I, myself… I’m giving up.
“So guys…good luck. And also, make sure to be back by five. Don’t be late.”
And we that said, she retreated into her tent leaving everyone in total shock.
I look around and I could see it that I wasn’t the only one who have given up but everyone has.
Xander got up to his feet and dusted the leaves at his bu-tt before stretching his palm out for me to take.
I smiled, placing my hand in his and he helped pulled me up to my feet.
I dusted my skirt as well and look down at Manuel.
He was glaring at us…No, he was glaring at Xander because as soon as his eyes met mine it became soft and a smile crept its way to his li-ps.
Why was he glaring at Xander?
I tried as much as possible not to think about it as i pushed the thought to the back of my head.
“Stand up so we go look for that interesting place.” I say to Manuel.
He sighed but stood up anyway.
“Yup.” He says, popping the ‘p.’
We began walking.
No one even knew where exactly we were going to.
We just kept walking.
Some students went another way. Like, Mark, Lucky, Tiffany, Gary, Jane, Kyle, Riley and Vanessa. While Xander, Manuel, Dory, Lucas(twin brother of Lucky.), Me and that bi-tch , Tricky went the same way.
Honestly I don’t get why that bi-tch have to go on the same path with us.
Why can’t she just go with Tiffany and the others?
Seeing her face alone…arrrrgh!
I shouldn’t think about her right now. Because thinking about her is doing nothing but making me upset and if I’m upset, I won’t be able to think straight!
I was holding hands with Xander as we kept walking.
“Where are we even going to?” Dory asked, voicing out my thought.
“I don’t know.” We all answered in unison.
“How do Miss Tasha expect us to find a place like that in the woods? Like come on, the only thing interesting here is the wind.” Tricky says.
I know I hate her but she was right.
The wind here was magnificent. It will make one sleep and forget about life being unfair.
It was spacious also.
The trees were so green and beautiful actually but some branches were so ugly and could make one die by only just staring at it.
Xander’s grip tightened over mine. I turned to look at him and he was staring right back at me with a smile on his face.
Well, aside from things in this woods, can we also write about someone interesting, someone intriguing, someone beautiful and amazing…? Because right now, I was staring at that someone.
I tightened my grip as well to a-ssure him that I was his and i would never let go of him because he was mine and I know for a fact that he will never let go of me.
_Never.
“Let’s go check out that place!” Lucas says as he points over at a direction and started running over to it.
Dory followed him while Xander and i were next.
I turned back to call out for Manuel but I saw him holding hands with Tricky as they ran after us.
Wait, what’s going on? Why are they holding hands?
No, that wasn’t the right question to ask… when did Tricky and Manuel became friends?
I was the only friend Manuel have on the contrary.
So what the hell was going on right now!?
My subconsciousness was right.
I shouldn’t get so worked up over them.
It’s not like I care or anything. Okay, maybe I do, and that’s for two reasons; I hate this Tricky of a girl and two, I don’t want any girl to hurt Manuel.
He has being throu-gha lot and don’t deserve to be hurt by anyone especially not a girl like Tricky.
He deserve to be happy like everyone else in this woods.
He deserve to have a happy life. He deserve to have a girlfriend.
He deserve to have that special girl in his heart.
He deserve to have a s-ex life.
He deserve everything normal and i won’t let any girl hurt him. Not even Tricky.
I will crush every girl that tries to hurt my friend, Manuel.
Trust me.
“Back to earth, babe.” Xander snapped his fingers in my face, calling me back to the land of the living.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m on earth.”
He laughs but said nothing afterwards.
I look around the place Lucas had pointed out and all we could see was…nothing.
Just trees.
Beautiful ones at that but there was no way this was the place Miss Tasha was talking about.
I mean, it’s just….trees i could see here and there was absolutely nothing so special about trees.
“I’m tired.” Dory says, sitting down on a branch while Lucas sat down beside her as well.
“Likewise.” He breath out.
“Who brou-ght water along?” Tricky ask, looking around.
“I did.” Dory says, taking out a water bottle from a bag. I didn’t even know she had a bag with her all this while. She handed it over to Tricky. “Here.”
Tricky eyed it from head to toe but collected it anyway.
Idiot.
Why does she have to hesitate before collecting the water? What a proud peaco-ck!
Tricky gulped from the bottle. “Now, I feel better.” She stretched the bottle over to Xander. “Here.”
“Uh… thanks.” Xander collected the bottle and gulped from it also then handed it over to me.
I smiled and collected it as well. “Thanks.” I gulped down the water and damn, I felt so relieved. “Manuel?” I waved the bottle in front of him.
He collected it then drank from the bottle as well before handing it back to Dory.
Dory drank as well then gave the remaining to Lucas.
Lucas thanked her before drinking the water.
We all let out a de-ep breath and sat down on the ground.
We were confuse of where to go or what to do.
If we continue walking then there was a possible chance of us getting lost and there is no way I want to get lost in the woods.
Never.
I leaned my head against Xander’s shoulder while he walked his arms around my body.
I felt warm.
And giddy.
Hey, don’t judge me.
It’s love ?.
“What are we going to do now?” Dory ask, hugging her knees to her body.
“i guess we just sit here and wait till it’s five.” Lucas suggested.
“I second the motion.” I say and we all laughed.
“Lazy girl.” Xander laughed.
I fake glared at him. “But you love me.” I winked.
“Wait, are you both dating?” Dory ask, staring at us. Actually, they were all staring at us.
“Um… what do you think?” It was me who spoke.
“I think you guys are dating.” Dory and Lucas said in sync as they fist bumped each other, smiling.
I smiled then shrugged.
“Wait. That’s a yes. Right?” Lucas questioned.
“Judging with the way they are both blus-hing then I think it’s a yes.” Dory was so right!
I think I’m beginning to love this girl.
“I think we should keep walking.” Manuel says, getting up to his feet.
He didn’t even glance at me as he walked past me while Tricky followed him from behind.
What just happened?
??????????
We were back to the tent with no progress.
We hope the others found this “special place” but they didn’t.
None of us did.
Miss Tasha didn’t scold us like we thought she would. She just encouraged us and told us that we will find that place soon.
And that she believes that we would.
But as for me…? I doubt.
Xander ki-ssed my forehead then went over to his tent while I chose to receive fresh air before going into my tent.
I sat down in the ground and was scribbling something on the ground.
Everyone were inside their various tents aside from me.
“Hey.”
And Manuel.
I smiled as he sat down beside me and stretched out his legs forward.
Wow. This guy is tall.
Who was taller between him and Xander?
Who is even more s-exy between the both of them?
Gosh, I can’t believe I’m comparing the both of them.
“Manuel, what are you doing here?”
“Am I suppose to be in Group D?” He replied sarcastically, making me realize that the question I had just asked him was stupid.
I chuckled. “Shut up.”
None of us said a word after that. We just kept quiet and watched the dark sky.
The dark sky is so beautiful and the few stars on it made it more beautiful.
I brou-ght out my phone and took few pictures of the sky.
“Why did you take beautiful of it?” Manuel ask.
“Just for remembrance. And also the sky is too beautiful for me to resist.”
He smiled.
I dropped my phone back into my pocket and started grinning.
I remember when Xander had mistook the star for the moon.
He called the stars beautiful moons.
Lol?.
It was so funny. I couldn’t stop laughing at him.
Xander might be all smart and all that but when he was a kid he was dumb but funny and cute.
I look over at Manuel and he was also staring right back at me.
I smiled.
“You didn’t tell about being friends with Tricky.”
“And you didn’t tell me about dating Xander.”
Oh.
“Fair enough.” I sighed. “I’m sorry for keeping it away from you but trust me, I never intend to keep it away. You are my friend and friends don’t keep secret from each other.”
“Honestly I’m so surprise. I didn’t know you like Xander that way.”
Me either.
My feelings for my best friend was still a shock to me.
“It has been for a very long time since I had a crush on him. At first I thought it was because he was always there for me, he fought for me, he taught me everything I know, he encourage me, he protects me. So I thought maybe it’s because I saw him as a big brother,” I smiled at those memories when Xander will beat those bad guys that sits at the back of the clas-sbecause they insulted me. Or when he killed a co-ckroach and started chasing me around with it. Or when I sang for the whole clas-sand he got me a present for it. Or when he surprised me and took me out for my birthday. Or when he gave me a spider as a reward. Or when he taught me how to swim. Or when he gave me my first ki-ss on my cheek.
Actually. I think I’ve liked Xander longer than I thought.
He never treated me like I was four years younger than him.
He treated me like I was the same age as him.
I guess that was why I forgot about our age difference and started crushing on him.
And now, I will try to be ignorant about our difference in age as I date him.
Speaking about those memories… I think I have some revenge to do?.
“So what changed that?” Manuel ask, bringing me out of my trance.
“We changed.” That was my reply. “I dated a lot of guys because I believed that Xander and i will never be together. Why? He was four years older than me. Well, that was the only reason why I looked away from him but even with the fact that I dated other guys I still couldn’t stop myself from thinking about Xander. And that was when I realized that Xander wasn’t just my best friend…. he was something more.”
Manuel nods his head in understanding, I guess.
“I guess your parents will be okay with you guys relationship then.”
I doubt.
Mom only sees Xander as a son and that was the problem!
If she sees Xander as a son then she expect me to see him as a brother.
I shrugged. “Can’t say.”
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
“Can I ask a question, Malby?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“In friendship and love which is more stronger and if you were asked to pick one which one will you choose?”
I was taken aback with his question.
I’ve never thought of a question like that before.
And why was he asking me that?
“Both are strong. Take for instance, you and I…what made you promise not to self harm yourself again..? it was the friendship of you and I,” I paused. “Even with the fact that Xander and i are dating, I still don’t want to lose him as a friend. So if I’m asked to pick…I will pick both.”
Manuel gave me a blank stare.
I might be good at reading people’s mind or eyes but right now, I can’t.
Because the look Manuel was giving me is so complicated and confusing.
“Alright. I will keep that in mind then.” He smiled.
Why does that sound creepy? And why do I feel goosebumps?
??????????
“Rise and shine, Everyone!”
Damn!
Miss Tasha’s voice was louder than a freaking alarm.
I gro-aned inwardly as I shot my eyes open and sat upright.
I really want to sleep but I can’t due to that woman yelling outside for everyone to wake up.
How does she even have the ability to wake up this early?
I switched on the screen of my phone and the time reads; 5:30am.
Holy fu-cking Molly.
Why was she waking us up by this time?
I sluggishly stood up to my feet and walked out of the tent alongside Tiffany, who was yawning.
We got outside and found everyone gathered.
They were also still feeling sleepy.
Dory was scratching her eyes as she yawned. Lucas was scratching his hair. Tricky was stretching her body. Mark was sleeping while standing!
Wow. That’s magical.
While Miss Tasha was staring at us one after the other.
“Good morning guys.”
“Good morning.” We mumbled in a husky voice.
“How was your night?”
“It was fine until now.” Damn, how did we say that in unison.
She chuckles. “Good. Anyway, I will like you all to go get prepared before six because we are all going for hunting.”
What the…?
“HUNTING!!” We all yelled in sync. Again.
Now, this is when they say, unity rule.
??????????
“I don’t get it. Why are we going for hunting?” Tiffany ask as we followed Miss Tasha to only God knows where.
“Because we are going for hunting.” Miss Tasha reply.
“To hunt for what?” I now ask.
“Meat.”
“Meat for what?” Dory questioned.
Everyone stopped walking and turned to stare at Dory who just asked that lame question.
“What?”
“That’s a very dumb question to ask, girl.” Lucas says and everyone started laughing.
She rolled her eyes but said nothing as we continue walking.
****
“Hold unto it!” Miss Tasha yelled.
“I’m trying!” I yelled back as i held unto the wings of the bird that still kept trying to fly away.
It was literally making my leg so unstable because I kept moving in different directions as it keeps flapping its wings so it could break free and fly away.
But this was our meat and I was the only hope right now.
Xander was the one to catapult the bird and it fell to the ground while I gathered all my strength and courage to hold the bird.
Bad choice.
I know.
“Don’t let go!” She says. “Someone should help her out.”
“This is so funny. Malby, you look so funny right now.” Tricky says, laughing.
“Ha-ha. Very funny.” I fired back.
Xander was also laughing as well. He took out his phone and started doing a video of me battling with this stupid bird.
Wait, isn’t someone suppose to help me now?
He kept laughing. I couldn’t even control myself before I find myself smiling as well.
I love the fact that I was making Xander laugh.
It made me happy.
After a whole year of struggling, Manuel finally decided to help.
Well, thanks man but you should have come earlier!
“Good job, Malby.” Miss Tasha complemented.
fu-ck that!
My strength are all gone all because of that stupid bird.
You better give me the bigger share.
****
“Have you ever gone hunting before?” I ask Manuel.
“No.”
“Good. Now, put that down on the list and cross it out.”
He took out the list and wrote it down.
#12. Going hunting with friends.
I smiled.
“How many things have we done from the list?”
“Three. And we’ve also done half of hashtag one.” He says.
“Don’t worry, sooner or later we will complete it.” And that was a promise.
??????????
?Manuel’s Pov?
I walked into the tent and i found Xander sitting on his own spot of the tent, watching a video from his phone.
We were tent mate and i hate it.
This guy was getting in my way of having Malby.
He was coming in between us.
In fact, he was already in between us and i hate it.
The fact that Malby likes him and not me was killing me.
It hurts more than a blade going throu-ghmy wrist.
I clenched my fist as I saw the video he was watching.
It was a video of him and Malby ki-ssing while bathing.
Why does she have to choose Xander over me?
Why can’t it be me?
“What are you doing, man?” Xander ask, getting up to his feet.
I know he doesn’t like me. He has said that himself countless number of times.
And i don’t blame him because I don’t like him either.
We were two different people with two different ideas about something but yet want something..or rather someone in common.
-Malby.
“Nothing.” I answered with a shrug. “You seem to like her very well.”
He knitted his brows at me. “Yeah? I do.”
I smiled. “Good. But I won’t say I wish you both well because trust me, I don’t.”
“You don’t need to say that out, because I know.”
I smirked. “I hope you treat her badly that she will have no other choice but to run to me.”
“You bastard!” He threw a punch at my face and I lost my balance and fell to the ground. “Say that one more time, you prick!”
I started laughing. “Why? Are you scared of that happening?”
“I said shut up.” He was going to punch me again but held himself back and walked out of the tent.
I will make Malby mine, just watch and see.
??????????
?Malby’s Pov?
I noticed the red mark on Manuel’s face. It seems like he was involved in a fight or something but Manuel wasn’t one to get involve in a fight.
He hardly causes trouble.
I had asked him what happened to his face but he claimed to have hit his face on the floor.
And yeah, that was a pure lie.
Because come on, it was quite obvious that it was a punch.
But I didn’t push it, maybe he doesn’t want me to know what really happened.
“Hey, let’s light a campfire!” Jane suggested.
“I second the motion.” I say, grinning.
“You always second the motion.” Xander whispered to my ear.
I shrugged. “I love anything fun.”
And so we looked for rocks and made ring with it. We also found some branches and firewoods, so we made a pyramid of it in the circle made with rocks.
Everyone sat down in circle around the fire.
I was sitting down close to Xander while Manuel was sitting down at the other side.
Today make it the last day of this camp out and we still haven’t find that interesting place.
“We are so going to fail this a-ssessment.” Tiffany says.
“Yeah.” Everyone says in sync.
“But, we still had fun anyway an that’s the most important thing.” Miss Tasha stated.
“What? But i thought you said finding that place was the most important thing in this trip.” I recalled.
“Did I?”
Everyone gave her the if-this-is-a-joke-just-stop-it-because-we-ain’t-kidding-right-now look.
“Okay, maybe I did. But that was to only make you guys have fun. Although we might fail in this project but we still had fun.”
We all smiled.
She was right.
We all had fun.
We fell into a comfortable silent as we watched the fire.
Miss Tasha started humming a song while Lucas started drumming and before we knew it, Dory started singing Wow by Zara Larson.
Tricky and Tiffany joined her as they stood up to their feet and started dancing.
The guys also stood up too and started dancing aside from Me, Manuel, Xander and Lucas.
Lucas didn’t stand up because he was drumming.
They all stared at us waiting for us to join in.
Manuel grinned as he stared at me and i shrugged.
“?Make your jaw drop-drop. saying, my, drop-drop-drop. Make you say, “oh my god”…?”
We joined them in singing as we danced and sang.
It was so much fun.
I took out my phone, smiling.
“Let’s take a picture!” I say.
Everyone came to stand behind me including Miss Tasha.
“Everyone say camp out!”
“Camp out!”
Clic-k!
Miss Tasha was right. The most important part of this trip was the fun.
Because we all had fun.
So much fun, to be precise.
Even Manuel couldn’t stop laughing.
This camp out was one I will never forget.
Xander didn’t just get to be my boyfriend, he always got to show me a very beautiful and amazing place.
Wait….a beautiful and amazing place.
That’s it.
That’s the place Miss Tasha was talking about. How could I have forgotten?
We won’t fail this a-ssessment after all.
*
*
*
#To Be Continued….