Sentiments

Sentiments

"Will you accept it?" Ally placed a smile on her face as she holds out her hand for the agreement."

"I accept," Ian readily agreed and shook her hands.

"Hang out with her tomorrow," she said. "I've got my hands full with my work. So, I can't go out with her."

"Her?" I asked. Oof, I didn't even remember her name. "What's your name again?"

"Vie," she said. "Just call me that."

.....

As usual, I felt tired and uneasy this morning. I didn't really feel like going out in cloudy weather. At the very least, it was not too hot nor too cold either. A perfect day to go out. We all scrambled and made our weigh in at the last seats of the bus. Everyone was busy on their own.

"You don't have to feel so uncomfortable," Mark spoken up. He looked up to Vie who was beside him.

"Oh," she faltered, "Thank you."

She glanced over his shoulder and observed my expression.

Mark rubbed his forehead. "It's not because of you. Tyler is always like that."

I turned at their direction. "It's nothing." I said and smiled.

Ian was busy at his phone with his to-do-list. And after a awhile he finally announced. "Vie, the first thing we're going to do would be biking. We'll head there in just a few minutes."

"Okay," she replied.

….

The bus managed to stop at our destination. It was narrow downhill. Perfect for riding down a bike. It was a good thing that there was no people around. Unfortunately, the bike was not what it was supposed to be.

"Mark!" Ian exclaimed. "Didn't I tell you to buy a four bicycle sets? Why is it a two couple set?"

It turns out Mark ordered a wrong kind of bike.

"Noooo! I made a mistake!" he howled. "I was sleepy at that time. Sorry."

"It's okay. Let's do the up and down game to get a partner. And we'll see which team are we on," Ian said seriously, placing his hand down for the game to start. "You ready?"

"Let's do this," Vie said happily.

Everyone teamed up and I was paired with Mark while Ian was with Vie. We all climbed in.

"Let's make a bet," Ian joked, looking at me and Mark. "First win gets apple juice."

"Why not?" Mark was ready for the challenge.

We began to pedal downhill. My legs remain in motion as my thoughts try to stay in the moment. I was flying down at the speed of the cheetah. My mind wandered off again at thought of her. As we began to speed down to go up the hill, my feet began to falter as it also struggles its way up. Up ahead, Vie and Ian were way ahead on the lead.

"Go faster," Mark insisted. "They're way ahead of us already."

A flash of annoyance. "It's just a simple game. You don't have to get so worked up."

"What's wrong with you?" he asked. "You've been having the same expression ever since we got here."

There was no use talking to this guy. I let out a big sigh and stopped what I was doing. d

"Why did you stop," Mark barked on. "Why can't you just have fun for once in your life? People can't stop themselves just because you're sad and depressed about it. You're so selfish."

"Selfish?!" I raised my eyebrows at his remarks. "Says the guy who's a pushover. Just to get the prize."

From the distance, Ian and Vie has stopped and was coming towards us. They were wondering what the commotion was all about. When Ian came to know what was happening, he suddenly got annoyed.

"What's all this all about?" Ian asked.

"He started it," I pointed at Mark in reply. "I didn't even do anything."

"If you'd only concentrate on this," Mark said. "I wouldn't get mad at you like that."

"Stop pointing at each other," Ian scolded at the both of them. "We came here to relax and have fun."

"And Tyler," he continued. "We came here for you. To help you. Who was the one who suggested this place? It was Mark, right? AND who was the one who did all the planning and reserving the place? It was me. So, stop thinking too much of your problem because you're not the only one in here.

I kept quiet because he was right.

"And Mark," Ian commented. "Not everything has to be contest. Don't force people if they don't want to."

"Okay," Mark mumbled in reply.

"And guys," Ian said lastly. "You all need to apologize to Vie. She was looking forward to this trip and you guys ruined it for her. She was also excited for the prize.

"Ah," Vie said in surprise. "You don't have to do that. It's nothing."

"I'm sorry," we both said unison. I was too preoccupied with my thought that I have forgotten that Vie was also there.

"It's okay," she said, shrugging it off. "It's no big deal."

…..

Heavy silence settled in. Neither one of us wanted to talk after what happened. Its as if one spark just broke us apart. There was no helping it, it was all my fault.

Mark was wandering aimlessly looking around for some stone to kick while Ian was perpetually worried at the situation. I felt bad for him. He was always the mediator to all our fights. Even when we were in high school, Mark and I had our own differences to make. We were both stubborn at heart that it leads us to conflicts. And Ian would always step in. Now, there was nothing he could do.

We soon reached at the top of the mountain. I braced myself in one foot, attempting to go up once more to see the view. From the distance, rocks swept from the beating of the water. I couldn't help but gaze on how strong the wind is. Looking back, it reminded on how strong our friendship was before. And no matter what happens, we stick together. Just when I decided to take action, Vie took a step forward.

"That's enough," Vie announced. "We didn't come all the way to feel bad at ourselves. Besides, we're here to look at the view."

"That's right." Ian agreed. "Mark and Tyler come over here."

I slowly took a step forward wondering if Mark would do the same. And he did. I felt relieved that he wasn't ignoring what he said.

"I have an idea," Vie said. "You three should take a picture together. The sun is about go down."

"Alright," I mumbled in reply. "Coming."

I felt a small swirl of panic as I moved in closer. It was perplexing not to know what to do. Ian knowing my thoughts, grabbed my hand and wrapped my shoulders. He also did the same to Mark who was squirming from discomfort.

"Okay, I'll take the picture." she said.

She took out the small camera from pocket and adjusted the lens. A quick flash snapped in.

"Another one," Vie proposed and grinned. "For memories."

After a few shots, my shoulders began to relax. I didn't realize we were all smiling and laughing together. It feels so much better now.

"Alright," Ian said. "It's time to go."

...

"Do you think they're going to make up?" Vie asked in concern.

"It's okay," Ian chuckled. "They're both stubborn in many ways. But at the end of the day, they're going to make up. They can't stand being guilty to each other."

"That's great," Vie smiled.

"And I'm sorry," Ian apologized. "We ruined your trip."

"It's okay," Vie said. "I hope they feel better now."

I could feel Vie's presence staring at me. Mark and I were at the front of the seat. Wanting to apologize from what I've done, I mustered up my courage to say I'm sorry. At the same time, Mark said the same thing.

"I'm sorry," saying it again one more time. "I shouldn't have acted that way. It was selfish for me to do that."

"I'm sorry, too," Mark said. "Well I was being a pushover and where did it get me."

"No don't say that," I replied. "Besides, we wouldn't have fun without you."

"So, are we good?" Mark asked.

"Yep, we're good," I remarked.

I gave him small bump. And we all waited for the bus to get us home.

A radio played out again.

"I was cleaning my house yesterday when I noticed some things tucked away that I never needed anymore. It's funny we all have some things like that. Some outdated clothes that we don't wear, an old movie ticket that wasn't used or a sweater that used to kept you warm. I wanted to throw it away. But feelings are strange. Once I remembered the memories associated with those items, I couldn't bear to throw them away. In the end, I placed it back where it used to be. Knowing I won't look at it again nor will I use it."