Chapter Nine: Friends Notice

They stayed by the beach until nightfall. The gang enjoyed the night with their antics and quarrels. It’s been a while since they made such bonds. Sweethearts have another member, so their vacation is memorable.

Now they surround the bonfire the heartthrobs had prepared earlier. They were sitting on the body of the gigantic tree on which they placed it. They were all drinking, except Gaby. Along with Gaby are Dylan and Sasha. On the other side are Ashlee, Belle, Riki, and Matt. Clark was sitting alone on the sand with only the lining of his shirt. Clark even played with fire with a stick he had picked up earlier.

“What happened to you, Clark? You got a splendid aura.“ said Sasha.

“Yes, your smile looks excellent. Not fake in fairness.“ Belle added.

Clark smiled with two hands over his head. “What do you suppose I’m not human?” he smiled.

“Let it go. It’s good, and you’re smiling. At least it won’t frighten us!“ Gaby said, laughing.

“What’s your point?” asked Clark.

“That you’re no longer a grumpy monster,” Gaby said.

“What is he now, Gab?” said Riki.

“He’s a human now,” said Gaby.

“Are you a tyrant too?” replied Clark.

Clark looked at the woman and had no choice but to smile. Clark had no clue that his friends were watching him.

“It’s like Gaby did a little magic on Clark,” Belle whispered.

“I feel that way too!” whispered Ashlee to Belle.

“Hey, what are you whispering about?” said Clark.

The two just laughed. “Are you alright? Aren’t you cold?“ Dylan spoke to Gaby.

Dylan got up, took his T-shirt from the hut, and handed it to Gaby. “Wear it so you won’t feel cold,” said Dylan.

Gaby took it. “Does it stink of sweat, Gaby? It might feed you up with Dylan’s scent.“ said Matt.

“Hey, that’s a new wash!“ said Dylan.

Gabi wore Dylan’s shirt. She could even smell his scent on the clothes, and she smiled. Dylan has a masculine scent. He never changed his perfume.

“Look at Clark. His eyebrows are sticking back together,” Belle whispered to Ashlee.

“Yes, I suppose he’s jealous of Dylan because he’s still with Gaby,” Ashlee murmured.

“He also has a thing for Gaby!” Belle and Ashlee scream at the same time but also whisper.

Everybody got distracted from Ashlee and Belle laughing. “What’s the matter with you? We haven’t had a drink yet, but you two look drunk.“ Riki said.

Instead of answering, the two laughed and even held hands while screaming at each other. They look up at Clark when they see Dylan and Gaby. They laughed at both of them.

“Seriously, you broke my eardrum,” Riki complained once about a finger sneaking into his ear.

“Geez, you suck!” Ashlee and Belle said at once.

“What are you guys up to? I’ll wipe it off with both of you!“ said Riki. “Then you’ll see!”

Belle and Ashlee quickly got up and walked away from Riki, who laughed at their response.

“You’re Riki, the psychopath,” said Belle.

“That’s enough! Take your seats, both of you. Let’s play!“ says Matt.

They spun the bottle out into the sand and struck Riki. Matt scratched his head, and the group laughed.

“Karma is real!” Sasha said with sheer laughter.

Riki picked up a little salt and rubbed Matt’s neck. They laughed about Matt’s appearance. After the shot, Riki immediately caught a slice of lemon and salt with the lip on Matt’s neck.

“Damn it, dude! You’ll be much more bitter than lemon!” said Riki.

Even at night, they can hear their sound and laughter while playing. Riki flipped the bottle, and that struck Belle. Belle frowned, but Riki’s smile was wide.

“Be decent, Riki….” Belle said, glaring at Riki.

Everyone laughed. It was Riki who put salt on his neck. Belle immediately swallowed the contents of the liquor cup and ate the lemon slice before bringing the lip to Riki’s neck.

“Aahhh!” Riki said, pretending to moan as Belle’s lips pressed against his neck.

The group mocks Riki’s buffoonery. On the other hand, Belle looked like she was eating chili because of the excessive redness on her face.

“You are a psycho, Riki.” she slapped Riki’s arm hard, but the young man ignored it. He just continued laughing.

Belle turned the bottle into Matt. The group laughed again, and Belle frowned.

“Seriously, is this some kind of curse?” said Belle.

Everybody laughed because Matt made Riki sit near Belle. Matt immediately put salt on his neck, then Belle drank another shot glass, ate a slice of lemon, and then brought the lip to Matt’s neck.

“Damn it, Belle! Don’t use your tongue!“ said Matt.

“You’re a pain in the ass, Matt!” said Belle as she slapped Matt’s arm. Belle’s face turned red again.

“It looks like Belle will get drunk first!” Sasha giggles.

Matt spilled it, and Gaby got hit. Matt’s smile widened, and it surprised Gaby.

Matt walked right up to Gaby with the sheet of paper and salt. Gaby would have taken the salt when Dylan got ahead of her. Dylan took Gaby’s hand and moved the salt to the back of her palm.

Matt scratched his head. “What is it, Dylan? Why is that?“

“I know you, Matt. Don’t complain anymore,” said Dylan.

Gaby laughed, and so did the group. Matt frowned. He drank the contents of the liquor glass and sipped the lemon, then brought the lip to Gaby’s hand.

“It’s not a loss either. Gaby’s skin is fragrant,” Matt said. “Smell of an apple!”

Clark immediately pulled out the slipper and threw it at Matt. It unavoidably startled Matt, and it hit him on the neck. The group laughed. Matt tossed the slipper to Clark.