My eyes felt groggy as I forced them open. At first, my vision was blurry with some dark figures around me but as I blinked some more, it got clearer.

"She's waking up" a familiar voice said as I tried sitting up but the pains in my head and thighs pulled me backwards.

A pair of slender arms held my shoulders down softly "you need to rest Ivy" Joan's voice coaxed me but I still tried to sit up anyway.

"What happened?" I asked when my eyes were open and hands clamped my head trying to kill the throbbing

"We found you unconscious by the stairs" Joan told me then I looked around. Jeremy and Scott stood watching me in concern "are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine" I Said  "I just have a slight headache but I'll be fine."

"Oh then just rest ok" she said and laid me on my back gently "would you like anything to drink?"

"Just water" she nodded and left the room. I was now alone with Jeremy and jamie who took places at the side of my bed.

"I was so worried about you kiddo"Jeremy's voice from my left while tapping my cheek " take care ok I gotta go grab something to eat" he kissed my forehead and walked away leaving me and jamie alone.

I sighed, not too visibly though. I had been trying to avoid him since but we still ended up alone.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault.  I shouldn't have let you drink so much", he said looking towards the way from me like a child who was guilty of a crime.

"It's my fault Jamie. I am old enough to be able to know what's good for me and what's not. You just happened to be there when the cat came out of the bag"

He laughed "you are really an entertaining drunk, next time I would record it all" he said with a glimpse of mockery mixed with amusement in his voice.

"Next time?" I asked causing him to turn and look straight into my eyes, his sea blue eyes almost drowning me as I swallowed an unnatural lump in my throat "you are willing to go out with me again?" I asked surprised that he would consider that after my performance the night before.

He gently put my right hand in his and brought the back of my Palm to his lips, then he rubbed them tenderly " ofcourse, and who knows I might even take you down the aisle" he whispered as his eyes drowned my heart.

My period lasted for four days, I couldn't go for all the tours in those days and luckily for me I didn't have any concussion. Jamie and I got a little bit too close, I couldn't help but be comfortable around him. My heart still beats for Trijan but then what could I do, he practically flaunted Denise in front of us whenever they were together. I really needed to get over him but then he seemed to be given me this signs that I should on, but it's absurd right?

Like one time, Jamie and I were at the balcony watching the waves of the ocean and he walked in on us when we were about to kiss. He didn't leave us like a normal person would instead he instigated a conversation with us. The other time, he helped me buckle my sandals since I was having trouble with the hooks. It's weird to count that but he literally knelt in front of me and buckled them. Yeah and then back in the kitchen, Mr. Bran is a witness, I tried reaching for the cereal bowls at the top drawer. Trijan moved behind me and pressed his body on mine, I literally gasped and went red as he stretched a little, collected the bowl and handed it over to me. I could barely voice out a thank you after having him so close to me. My head went willy-nilly.

I couldn't tell if he loved me back or was just being nice, or maybe my heart just wanted to believe that my love was reciprocated.

Sometimes if i stood by the small balcony in my room, I would see Denise and Trijan by the pool, they wouldn't necessary be doing anything but Sun bathing but it still ached.

"We are going canoeing!" Jeremy announced immediately he and Trijan barged into the kitchen with Trijan trailing behind.

"Wow!! That's great" I grinned as the others expressed their glee. I loved canoeing but I had only done it once in my life, which was when I went to Zambia.

"Well I'm not going " the queen said, I mouthed a thank God so nobody could hear me but when I saw Trijan chuckle, I knew he saw me and I felt somewhat guilty.

"Well I'm going" Trijan announced and soon everyone except Jamie and Denise proclaimed that they were going.

"Jamie you don't like canoeing?" I asked once everyone left to get ready.

"No.. not really but I would still go, you know, so I can watch you paddle" he grinned and I imitated him after giving him a genuine small laugh.

Although Denise said she wasn't coming, she was the first to jump into the bus after Trijan. It annoyed me a bit but then,he is hers right?.

We arrived at what looked like a park, kids running around everywhere in beach shirts and  aloha greetings from everyone who we passed. The sun was scalding hot and I was grateful for the beach hat, flip flops made of something like weaved dried straws and floral playsuit that felt like nylon so it clung to my skin when I started sweating.

We were directed after a long roasting walk, to a narrow path that had canopies of spiral trees creating coverage, then we emerged at the river bank that looked so still and green yet so beautiful .

The occupants by the river seemed to be officials since they were on some sort of uniform vest. But when we got closer and interacted, some were actually guest like us. They dressed like that because there was some sort of canoeing competition. I had this slit tingling in my tummy that was actually from fear, it happens when there was something strange going to happen.

"I don't have a really good feeling about this" I whispered to Joan

She rolled her eyes, then she shook her head "relax the river would not take your virginity. I glared at her shoving my middle finger to her face while mouthing the f-word behind clenched teeth.

The main host of the canoeing competition ensured us that the river was safe for the supposed friendly competition, he asked us to pair up. I initially wanted to take Joan but then odd vibes in my stomach pit seemed to become more intense.

I stepped back, attempting to go join Jamie and Denise by the beach bar across "where are you going?" Trijan asked

"I...uhh .. ummm I don't have a partner so I just want to go back and just watch" I lied feeling guilty too.

He smiled exposing his white teeth before extending a hand forward like he wanted to Dance "will you like to be my partner?".

My eyes slowly raised to his gaze, my smile almost as wide as the river. The joy in my heart overcame the bile in my guts as I took his hand and nodded, casting all caution away.