17 Sea, sand, and sun

Sebastian, The Little Mermaid

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CHAPTER 16

SEA, SAND, AND SUN

Something cold touched her forehead, when it was pressed down she cringed as a pang of pain shot her. Alice forced open her heavy lid and was welcomed by the worried faces of the swimming club members. Ariel is sitting beside her head, holding the ice pack that was pressed against Alice's forehead, then the other three are sitting at her other side. She tried to sit and was stopped when Sebastian pushed her back at the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Asked their club captain.

"What do you mean? What happened?" She gave them a confused look.

"A few hours ago a truck almost crushed our van, but the driver is quick to dodge it." Ariel explained, remembering the horrible experience. "And you hit your head at the window so expect a small bump on your forehead."

"A doctor will come later to examine you, in case it damaged your skull." Jetsam added.

'Now, I remember the incident...'

She nodded her head at them, though there is a constant banging in her head like something is trying to crash it open she did not dare say it. She just wanted to rest then sleep again without worrying them further more.

"By the way, where are we?" She asked.

From the large mattress she is lying she can picture the beautiful walls, flowers of pink and white are painted beautifully on it with spiral like stems that wraps around each other. A large landscape of the sea at sunset hung somewhere in the middle, where a wooden drawer is placed below it, then small figurines of mermaids and seashells are displayed atop the drawer. Beside them, a white curtain hung loosely--obscuring the beautiful yet dangerous view of the sea in darkness, the sound of waves reaching their ears as it hit the surface.

"We arrived at the resort." Anastasia answered her. It was Sebastian who carried her while she is unconcious, they were too scared that something worst have happen that they immediately rushed at the booked room, the hospital is too far away so the resort is their only choice. Relief only washed their fear when they saw that the incident did not affect Alice like what they are thinking of.

The doctor came that midnight and told them that it was just a small bump, nothing worst, and gave her a tylenol for the constant headache. Since everything is fine and exhaustion already kicked in they all slept at the same room, picking their own spaces at the large warm room.

"Come on! Run faster!" As soon as the sun has rose, Ariel awaken all of them for their morning practice. "Don't be a jelly! Jetsam, stop ogling over the bikini girls!"

Such a wonderful day to start!

"Hello there, beautiful ladies." Sebastian joined, making the two giggle at each other.

Ariel glared at them. One playboy is enough at the group and it such a pain when there are two!

"They are gays! Don't get fooled by their cunning charms! They just wanted to know if you two have boyfriends so they can steal it right away." Ariel snickered, the two gasp at her before leaving them, distaste evident on their faces.

"Now, run!"

Dilly-dallying over hot bikini girls! What a joke! Hmp.

Alice shook her head while jogging beside Anastasia. The sand cool on her bare feet. The three followed behind them and as soon as Sebastian managed to jog beside Alice, his boyish smile came back.

"Are you tired? I can carry you if you want." He offered.

Alice smiled sweetly at him, revealing a set of white teeth. "No, thank you. I can manage."

"No need to be hard to get. I know you want me, babe." She frowned at the nickname he just gave her. "Changing your mind now, babe?"

Babe?... Creep.

Her smiled widened as she stopped running, Sebastian did the same, little did he know he just managed to annoyed the pretty girl whose head is still throbbing from the midnight accident. Alice snaked her arms around him and as he was just about to touch her-- a swooosh sounded in the air-- he felt the world around him go upside down, then his back met the rough sand. He groaned inwardly, wondering how the pretty innocent girl managed to topple him in one swift movement.

It's a good thing their company is running ahead or they would have laugh over him for being thrown by a girl like a sack of rice.

He groaned again and tried to stand. "How did you do that? Are you superman or something?"

"Nope. I'm just me." She said leaving him behind.

"Wait for me! I know I just annoyed you and I apologize!" Sebastian shouted. "Wait for me! And how the hell did you do that?!"

The practice continued after their warm-up. Changing into a pair of swimming trunks they swam at the sea back and forth, fighting the little waves that keeps them from moving ahead. After an hour or so of paddling their feet their club captain finally announced a lunch time break.

They all gathered at a small cottage where their foods are already served, still hot and scrumptious. Without waiting for a sign to start, they dig unto their food-- pigging theirselves out.

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Two days have passed since the swimming club had gone for their holiday practice. Chloe has just finished her lunch when the three most popular and most avoided persons walked inside the canteen. The two scanned their eyes around the four corners then finally it rested on her direction. The leader, who is standing still at the middle, seems stonier than usual as he moved his limbs and walked towards her table. His cold aura radiating from him and making the whole canteen fell into a complete utter silence.

"What happened?" She finally asked when Rain took the seat across her. "What's with the mood?"

Rain crossed his arms, glancing at his side to peek at the dark expression on Eros.

"We were just wondering where is his fiancé? We haven't seen her around." And the guy is on a killing spree for not seeing her.

"Alice did not run away, didn't she?" Don whispered, but still loud enough for them to hear. Eros dark expression became darker causing his friend to sweat nervously. "So where is she?" Answer now! Before he kills me!

Chloe opened her mouth, understanding the icy mood of Eros Ziegler. "She left two days ago with the swimming club. They are having their holiday."

"Is that so? Why we didn't see them leave?" Asked Don, scratching the back of his neck.

"They left after lights-out."

"Where did they go?"

"I... Don't know. All I know is that they are heading to a beach resort. The exact location, I have no idea."

Eros, who has been silently sending a dangerous aura, finally moved and fished out his phone. Chloe watched him warily, her eyes darting from him to his companions. This is the Eros Ziegler everyone is most afraid about, the stoned face and dark icy pair of orbs, even his presence alone can send anyone shaking in fear. He dialled someone's number on his contact and due to the pregnant silence, those who are near him can hear the ringing on the other line. There is a shuffling noise then a man's voice came.

"M-mr Ziegler, how may I help you?"

Rain smiled when he heard the voice, no doubt that the owner of it is no other than the headmaster, Mr Falon. With the Zieglers' infinite wealth and influence even the headmaster can't help but cower over Eros.

"Send me the details where the swimming club went." Eros ordered like a king. "I want it right now." Then he hunged up the phone leaving no arguments or any unnecessary questions.

Minutes later his phone beeped and after reading the message he immediately left the canteen with a dignity of a king after his coronation day. The moment the door closed behind him a loud sigh filled the whole canteen, then it was back to the lively boisterous atmosphere. Don shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly before leaving with the Student Council President, Rain.

Meanwhile, Isabella snickered as she sat down beside Chloe. She is the star of the cheerleading group, so it is only natural for her to sit beside her member.

"Hi, Chloe." Smiled the queen bee. "I heard your friend is the fiancé of Eros. Are they--you know-- getting along well?" She asked casually, but deep inside she wanted to shred Alice into pieces.

"I don't really understand the two of them." Chloe replied back, "but I know that Eros likes her a lot."

There is a gritting of teeth.

"Ah, by the way, we don't have a routine tomorrow." Isabella informed her with a wide smile on her face. "We're having a party at my room, would you like to come?"

If she can't easily steal his guy from Alice, then she will destroy her bit by bit. Starting with her roommate slash friend.

"I don--"

"I'll take that as a yes. I'll be expecting you." She immediately said before leaving with the other cheerleaders. Their heels clicking at the marble floor.

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