"Dina?" David asks softly, rousing me from sleep. I feel his hand gently touch my cheek and I lean into it. He caresses my nose and my lips, coaxing the drowsiness out of me."Hey. We're here." "Aaagh!" I scramble out of my bed, almost falling painfully to the floor. Damn it. Of all the things that I can dream about, it had to be about David. I wipe the dirt from my eyes and stretched my sore muscles, thinking of bumping my head into the wall, too. What the hell is wrong with me? Is this what it feels like to be in love? Because this is just stupid. Whatever. I need to prepare for school (and leave before David arrives), but before that, I need to do an early morning check of the mail, too, which will not be easy. I have to sneak past Arnold and Mom, who has a clear view of the door from the breakfast table. Thankfully, with my feet on the slightest of tiptoes, I manage to pass that hurdle and make it out of the door without Arnold noticing me. I had trouble opening the massive g
The Amusement Park. That's the name of the amusement park here on the island. I look up at the gigantic sign in front of me, a bit slighted. I've been doing my head in thinking which amusement park they meant. Whoever thought of this name, he's not funny at all. "Dina! Come on." Ari calls me, gesturing for me to come with her inside Richie's, a fancy-looking diner near the entrance of the park. David and the others are already inside. I hang back a little, thinking if I should come with them. It doesn't take me long to decide though. It's not like I know anyone else in this school. Plus, there's David. He's been doing a pretty good job trying to convince everyone that he's okay, but anyone can see that whatever condition his Grandma is in, it's taking a toll on him. I'm worried. "Incoming!" Brad yells just as soon as I enter the cafe, missing me by just a few inches as he rides his electric scooter around the place. I scoff at him, but then gawk at the scene before me. What in the c
"Dina, come on. Look at me." David tells me, pulling my arms away from my face. My elbow hurt. I must've hit it somewhere when I stumbled out of the haunted house, just right after kissing him and shoving him forcefully to the side to fight off my embarrassment. I grip my spinning head. I want to run away from him again, but my weak legs won't let me. So now I'm stuck in this position, trying to save the rest of my dignity. "You know it's only going to get awkward if you act awkward," David says, attempting to meet my eyes again. I look further down. I don't know what to tell him. Frankly, I don't even remember what I was thinking when I did that. Kiss him, I mean. But I do remember the feeling, and it's scaring the hell out of me. "L--let go of me," I tell him weakly. Heaving, I feel my stomach churn, and I immediately turn towards the side, ready to let it all out. But David pulls me back. "Oh no. You're going to run away from me again," David says, keeping a tight grip on my wr
"Please don't look at me like that," Ari tells me as she enters my room. She has my letter in her hand. As instructed, I wrote her a letter as soon as I got to the hotel room and snuck it under her hotel room door. "You're really mean," she observes as I continue to glare at her. "No, you're mean. You tricked me again." I answer, referring to her plan to bring me on this island without my knowing. "Oh, come on. I just thought you might need a break. David said you were really sad after visiting your Dad." Ari tells me. "David really needs this too. He's been feeling stressed since Grandma fell ill. But not even Grandpa could convince him. It was only when we promised we'd make sure you go that he agreed." I pause, suddenly self-conscious. I don't know what to think about David taking the initiative to cheer me up. "Where is he now, by the way? I haven't seen him since--" I start to ask Ari, but I catch myself. "He's at our favorite place here at the hotel, along with our other fri
"Oh no. Hell no!" I exclaim as I examine the vast golf course in front of me. I was peacefully sleeping when Ari came barging into my hotel room so early in the morning to tell me about a field day. Apparently, it's every year level against each other for HPH's Foundation Week, and I'm one of the Junior representatives for track and field. Without my consent. What the hell is wrong with these people? "Not my idea. David signed you up for this." Ari tells me. "He did what?" I scan around the people around me, trying to spot the traitor. "Come on. It's perfect for you." I hear his amused voice behind me. "You like to run, don't you?" My hands curl into fists, "David. I swear to God." I turn towards him and felt equal parts frustration and admiration. He looks good, as always. His skin is a bit tanned from standing on the ship's deck for hours yesterday. His eyes are alert, despite the glare of the early morning sun around us. Also, I don't know which games he's assigned to, but judg
"Um...what should I call you, sir?" I ask after an awkward silence with David's grandpa. I still can't believe I'm in the hospital cafeteria, having lunch with him. I toy with the food on my plate, wishing he'd stop being so kind. Ever since we started eating, he has been refilling my plate non-stop. He reminds me so much of David, always thinking of those around him. "Oh, just call me Gramps. All of Dave's friends do," he tells me, smiling warmly. He scarfs down his rice. One might think he's too hungry and cheerful for someone whose wife is in the hospital. But we all cope in different ways. "Those kids are wonderful." I beg to differ, but I nod in agreement. "The food here is good, huh?" he tells me, and I nod again. It is good. I've eaten quite a lot myself. "Though we probably should slow down a bit, or we'll be done before Dave gets here." "Should we call him?" I ask. "Nah, he'll be down in a minute." Gramps says, "Why don't you tell me about yourself? Dave has told me about
"I think I know where we can find David," I tell Arnold as soon as we're back inside the car. Arnold pauses from giving instructions to Jerry, frowning at me. "You do? Why didn't you tell us earlier?" he asks me. I sigh before saying, "I didn't want Ari and Brad to know." "Why?" Arnold asks me. "It's something to do with Dad," I tell him. "Dina--" Arnold starts to say, but I cut him off. "That's why the first thing we should do is visit him." "I don't think that's a good idea. Your Mom--" "We don't have to tell Mom. We'll be quick. I'm just going to ask Dad where Black Dawn is based these days. I have a feeling that David's there." I tell Arnold. I don't know how much digging David did on the case, so I'm thinking of the worst-case scenario here. "Why would David be---" Arnold scratches the back of his head, getting agitated again. "No, we'll look for another way. You can't see your Dad." "Why not?" I ask him. It's the fastest way to know where Black Dawn is. I've been trying
To say that David's surprised to see me at his door is an understatement. He takes a step back, attempts to close the door in my face, and reopens it, realizing how rude his initial reaction was. E "Dina," he says, looking uncomfortable. I'm uneasy myself. The last time we saw each other--well, it was a heated encounter in more ways than one. I feel my cheeks heat up, remembering the kiss we shared. It was our first, but it also felt like our last. And that fact hurt me more than I thought it would. "Hi, I just---um...I wanted to make sure you're okay." I manage to tell him. "I am," David replies. He looks at me pensively before saying, "I heard what you and Arnold did for me. Thank you." I look up at him, startled, "No, please don't say that." I tell him. "You wouldn't have gotten into trouble in the first place if Dad hadn't..." I trail off, and an uncomfortable silence ensues between us. I should've rehearsed what I needed to say to him. I feel like I'm making the lamest apolog