16|Final year?Camp.

"I disagree with both of you!"

It was Christmas holiday, Claire and Carter suggest that the trio can go camping but Rhea adamantly disagree with them.

Actually, she was disagreeing with the two because the camp was organised for the final year students in West city University.

They would be graduating in a month time and the college was organising a final event for them. Rhea was avoiding being together with all the students. She was just not used to such gatherings.

"Why are you being so strong headed?" Claire asked. She was fuming in anger with her friend.

Claire and Carter have been trying so hard to convince Rhea about the camp. They were getting furious with her stubbornness.

"She is really annoying" Carter mumbled.

"You guys should understand me, I am not just used to—"

"All these social gathering" Claire and Carter said at the same time mimicking Rhea.

"You guys.." Rhea groaned and her friends snorted in response.

"Okay, I'll just go with you guys to the camp" she agreed.

"Do you mean it?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, a little bit of fun will not kill" She said with a smile.

"Very good. That's the best choice I have heard you make. Now it's time to plan. I guess we should go shopping for few stuffs" Claire suggested.

"Hm... that is not a bad idea either" Rhea agreed with a nod.

"You girls are the one who really need stuffs... if you girls don't mind, we could just go ahead with the shopping today" Carter chipped in.

"Right, the camp is in three days time after all" Claire said and Rhea nodded in affirmative.

"Since that is decided, we should just go ahead" Rhea uttered.

They were all present at the school cafeteria. At these time, final year students are only waiting to have their final examinations.

There were no lectures anymore like it used to be. Rhea and Claire only had one class in the morning while Carter who had none came with them to school.

The trio decided to have lunch at the school cafeteria before heading home. It was then that Claire brought up about the camping program.

Since Claire and Carter had successfully convinced Rhea after hours of arguing, they decided to go from there to shop.

Carter drove his car while Rhea hitched a ride with Claire. They drove to a shopping mall where they can easily get all they needed for the camp.

"Do you think this gown will be fine for the party on the last day?" Claire asked her friend as she came out of the changing room.

She wore a sleeveless dark red gown that accentuated her curves. The dress looks good on her and Rhea thought it was not a bad one.

"You can pick that, it looks good on you" Rhea responded.

"Great. What about you, I heard it might be a great party night. Ain't you picking a dress?" She questioned.

"Not really, I have enough dresses at home already" Rhea answered nonchalantly.

"What do you mean by enough dress? Come, let's find a dress that suit you"

"I am fine Claire" Rhea mumbled as her friend practically dragged her to the cloth hanger. She picked out couple of dresses and pushed Rhea into the changing room.

Rhea could only shake her head at her silly best friend. She looked through the dresses and picked the most decent one. It was a pale green dress that was off the shoulder.

It was a long dress that it length touched the ground. This way, Rhea could wear sneakers underneath it and no one would know.

"This looks so good on you" Claire who peeped into the dressing room commented.

Rhea nodded affirmative and they packed the dresses. The got the essentials they needed and paid before leaving the mall.

"Let us drop Rhea off at her house first before we go" Carter said as they stepped out of the mall.

"Yeah, that is a good idea" Claire supported.

"Thank you so much guys" Rhea appreciated sincerely before hoping into Claire's car.

They drove to Rhea's house and stopped in the lawn. Rhea, Claire and Carter came out of the car. Carter brought out Rhea's things with him as they entered.

"Welcome home" Madeline greeted as Rhea walked into the house.

"Thank you Aunt, where is mum?" Rhea asked as she motioned to Carter to drop what he helped her with.

"She is upstairs, I'll inform her you are here with your friends. Please sit" Madeline said to Claire and Carter.

"You—" don't have to. She wanted to say but Madeline had already left.

"I hope you guys don't mind" She said turning to Claire and Carter who had already made themselves comfortable on the couch. Seeing them like this, she smile.

"Sweetheart, you got home already" Her mother called as she walked down the stairs.

"You brought friends over too... Claire, how have you been?" Laura said as soon as she got to them.

"Aunt, it's been a while and I have been very well" Claire answered with a smile.

"That is good.... and this is..?" She directed her gaze to Carter.

"He is Carter, also my friend" Rhea introduced.

"It is very nice meeting you ma'am" Carter said giving a small bow.

"Such a fine boy..." Rhea's mother said making Carter blush.

"Which one are you planning to date between these two beautiful girls?"

"muum—"

"Aunt—"

Claire and Rhea gaped at Laura in disdain. Carter was embarrassed but Laura only smiled widely.

"That was a joke okay, come let's have lunch together since you all are here" Laura said.

"No, we already had lunch before coming here. Do not worry" Claire answered.

"Just take a seat, we will go for cookies then since you had lunch already" Laura persisted.

Since they had no more choice, they sat down and Madeline who had been watching quickly brought the cookies Laura had made earlier that day.

"Whoa, this tastes so good" Claire said after taking a bite from the cookie. Liking the taste of it, she practically shoved the whole piece in her mouth.

"Really, it does?" Laura asked eagerly.

"Yes. What bakery made this?" Claire picked another piece and shove it in her mouth.

"It is home made by me, silly" Laura answered.

"Oh my gee" Claire said. She was about going for another piece but Rhea smacked her hand.

"Stop being a glutton, only you have been munching the cookies. Just look at what is left" Rhea said with a frown. She pulled the cookies away from her friend and towards Carter.

Claire: "..."

"Okay, okay, do not argue, there is more that can go round for everyone. Madeline, please bring more cookies and pack some for Claire and Carter to take away"

"Aunt Laura, you are the best. Bless your soul!" Claire voiced.

"Only because she offered you food" Thea and Carter mumbled underneath their breath at the same time but Claire still heard them.

"You two! Do not even think I cannot hear you, I did and you just wait till I am done here" Claire said and shoved a piece of cookie in her mouth. Rhea snorted while Carter shook his head.

"It is okay children" Laura clapped her hands excitedly. She also reminisced the good old times she had close friends before their friendship was marred. Story for another time, she thought.

"Sweetheart, you shopped for stuffs, are you going anywhere?" She asked looking at the shopping bags that were still hanging around the corner.

"Ah yes Aunt, we are going camping in three days time. Well it's the final events for the final year students" Claire quickly explained not giving Rhea a chance.

"Really, that sounds fun" Laura voiced.

"Yes it is, you need to see it"

"Seriously, so bad I can't. I believe you will tell me all about it when you return".

"Sure, you can trust me Aunt".

"And make sure you hook your best friend with a good guy, she is growing old already" Laura whispered but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Mum!" Rhea glared. Madeline, Claire and Carter laughed.

"That was a mere joke okay. But to be honest you two girls, you are 23 already, do you not plan to marry at all?"

Although Laura knows that the first male in the lives of the two girls were not exactly admirable. She still could not leave them to remain unmarried for life. There are still good men out there she thought thinking about a particular someone.

Claire: coughs*

"Uh.. Aunt Laura, it's time to leave now. We will come visit some other time. Aunt Madeline, you should take care of yourself... Rhea we will pick you up for the camp. Send my regards to Daniel.... Good bye everyone—" She said as she practically dragged Carter with her out of the door.

Laura watched her in amusement, she knew what she was doing. Claire was obviously trying to avoid the question about dating. Even Rhea was no different, she had quickly snuck into her room. She was not ready yet. She still had a father to find and punish. Only if she knew the plans the world would throw at her.