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

"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

"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

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

"You're here! And you're late." Ari greets David and me as we enter the massive gates towards Kier's front yard. Brad, Sebastian, and her are by the parking lot, obviously waiting for us. "Bro, your lip is bleeding. What happened?" Brad asks David, but his friend ignores him, shooting him a glare. "You said the party was at Buzz," David tells Brad, quickly letting go of my hand. He then leans towards me, whispering, "Remember what we talked about." "What are you talking about? We changed the venue this morning, and I made sure to text you." Sebastian argues. I nod at David. They're all lying. David and I had spent thirty minutes in the diner when he got a text from Calvin asking when he was going to Kier's house for the party. That's when we realized that his friends were on another scheme again. Calvin told us it was to make David and I meet and make up this time. Obviously, we came up with a plan to get back at them. "I picked this straggler