Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Isabella's pov;

Butler helped me to take the travelbag from my room to the car for me. I got into the car and waited for Mr Martinez to come outside the house to bid farewell for me before leaving for the camp while Mateo was loading the travel bag into the car.

I didn't see him when I came downstairs, they said he's still in his room. I thought if I ate the breakfast slowly, I would see him but he didn't come down. After breakfast, I still waited at the table for him but he didn't show up again.

I know he's never been a late riser from what I heard from the maids and Butlers working in his house. Then, why is he still in his room till now? Wait, was it because of that kiss last night? Was he awkward to see or...Was he shy? My thoughts made me chuckle on my own.

"Shall we go, Ms Garcia?" Mateo asked me while I was looking at the main door of the house hoping for Mr Martinez to appear.

"Can you please wait for another minute?"

"Yes, Ms Garcia." And he got into the car.

Why aren't you coming out of the house? Why are you still inside? Did you come out of your room or are you still hiding inside because you are shy?

Mateo said, "Mr Martinez said to drop you correctly at 5.20 am in the school. Shall I start the car, Ms Garcia?"

"Did he really say that? When did he say that?"

"Yesterday, Ms Garcia."

"If he said it then, start the car, Mateo. Let's go."

"Yes, mam."

The car left the entrance of the house and I looked for him through the window but he didn't show up.

The car stopped in front of the candy shop. I got out and Mateo helped me to get the travel bag out of the bonnet for me and tried to drag it.

I took the bag from him while saying, "Thank you, Mateo. I'll take it from here."

"Yes, mam. Have a safe trip mam."

I nodded and said, "Thank you, Mateo." And waved at him.

He smiled and waved back at me a little and left, back to the house.

I dragged the travel bag to the school and when I was in front of the school already, I saw my friends and classmates standing beside a bus inside the school campus trying to board so I ran to them thinking that I was late.

Noah said, "Finally, you came."

"Why? Did everyone come before me? Am I the only one who came late?"

I took my phone and looked at the time and let out a sigh. It's 5.50 am.

"Give me your bag." Noah took my travel bag with him and started walking.

"Wait, Where are you taking my bag?"

"To keep with the others!" And left.

I walked to Evelyn and asked, "Did everyone come?"

"No, Some are on their way."

I let out a sigh and said, "Good god. I came before the time."

"Okay. Go stand with Sophia and others. I got to contact the ones who haven't come yet."

"Okay, class president."

When I turned to Sophia, she stuck earphones into her ears and showed me a sign of ignorance. Okay. I stood beside her quietly and looked at the entrance for the ones who are still yet to come.

After everyone gathered up beside the bus, Evelyn announced to students who's standing beside the bus, "Let's get on the bus since everyone is here."

I stood in the line waiting for my turn to board the bus. When my turn came, I climbed into the bus and saw half of the bus was filled. When I looked for my friends, Noah was sitting beside Evelyn, Liam was with Peter, the seat beside Sophia looked empty so I walked towards her hoping she would let me but she called another girl to sit along with her. Let's sit in the front. I took a seat in the front near the door.

Students were boarding the bus one by one, and in that line, Harry's friends got on the bus.

"Look who's here? It's Harry's little girl."

"Are you reserving this seat for Harry?" Another guy said.

I ignored them and looked outside the bus while they're teasing me. Say whatever you want to, I'm not listening. They walked into the bus and sat in their seats after being ignored by me.

After everyone got into the bus, we waited for Mr Brett.

Evelyn announced when everyone got seated, "Everyone listen, Mr Brett got some important work to do, so Ms Devlin will be joining us for the three days study camp."

When she finished with her announcement, Ms Devlin entered the bus and greeted everyone. Ms Devlin took the seat beside me which surprised me.

"Why are you sitting alone here? Why aren't you with your friends?"

"I-I wanted to sit near the door since I felt suffocating inside the bus and wanted some fresh air so I came here."

"Okay."

The bus started.

"Ms Devlin, do you know how much time it will take to reach Mount diablo?"

"Around four to five hours. Um... Did you take everything you need for the trip because I still remember what happened in middle school."

"Why are you teasing me, Ms Devlin?"

She laughed and said, "Then, Did you pack everything?"

"Um... Big brother helped me pack things so this time, I don't think I'll be begging around others for mosquito cream."

She laughed and asked, "You got a lovely brother."

I let out a nervous laugh and asked Ms Devlin, "Can I ask something, Ms Devlin?"

"Yeah. What do you wanna know?"

"How did you become close to yuyang? Because she doesn't look that social around others."

"I don't know about that either. But in my vivid memories, I remember like I helped her with something when I first met her. Since then she has stuck to me and gets happy whenever she sees me. Actually, I wanted to ask you this too, but I forgot whenever I wanted to ask you."

"What is it, Ms Devlin?"

"That guy who appeared along with your brother and niece. Who's that guy?"

I think she's talking about Mr Martinez.

"His name is Alexander Martinez, he's my brother's boss."

"Your brother's boss came to cheer you on in some highschool competition?"

"Um... We're good friends too, Ms Devlin."

"Okay."

After some hours of travelling, the bus stopped in front of some hotel. When I looked outside the bus through the window, the sun was already out.

Ms Devlin said to us, "We'll stay here for the night and go to Mount Diablo tomorrow so everyone should gather in the bus at 6 in the morning. In the reception, get your keys for the room. And for the room arrangements, pair up with your friends as two per room. Don't forget to be on time in the morning." And got off the bus.

I got off the bus after Ms Devlin, as I was near the door. I walked to the back of the bus to get my travel bag. The driver opened the back door and helped everyone with their bags. I took my bag and walked into the hotel.

I took the key from the reception and headed to the room. I opened the room with a key and walked inside. It's a double bedroom.

After keeping the bag in the corner of the room, I walked to the bathroom for a shower. After shower, I dried my hair with a towel. While I was drying my hair, someone knocked on the door. I remember what Ms Devlin said to us that we got to share the room.

When I opened the door, I saw Sophia standing in front of me with her bag. I moved away from the door to let her in. She walked past me and placed her bag beside the bed.

I closed the door and walked to the bed again. I remained silent since I know she's not going to speak even if I talk with her.

My phone rang. I took my phone out of my bag and saw Mr Martinez's name on the display of my phone. I got Mr Martinez's number from Big Brother after answering so many questions from him. I don't know why I got his number in the first place too.

I answered the phone.

"Did you reach Mount diablo?"

"Not yet, we took a pit stop in the hotel near Mount Diablo since we're having a big day tomorrow. What are you doing, Mr Martinez? Why are you still awake?"

"I..."

I looked at Sophia and came to know that she's been staring at me so I said to Mr Martinez, "Wait, I'll come outside." I stood from the bed and came out of the room and walked in the corridor and continued, "Yeah, Mr Martinez, what were you saying?"

"I just wanted to know."

"Well… Did you have dinner, Mr Martinez?"

"Yes."

"Are you working right now?"

"No. Why?"

"It's 9.40 pm. But you're still awake, that's why I asked you. You'll only be awake when you're working on a laptop."

"I waited to call you."

"Wait, what? Mr Martinez, if you talk like this with your girlfriend, she'll be head over heels for you by now."

"Did I say something wrong?"

I laughed and continued, "Mr Martinez, can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

When I was about to answer, I saw Harry in the corridor so I said to Mr Martinez, "I-I'll call you later, Mr Martinez. I got to go." And ended the call.

I turned and started walking towards my room.

"Isabella..."

Why is he calling me? What does he want now? I stopped from walking to my room.

He asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Why are we suddenly talking like we're close?"

"Aren't we? The whole class is saying that we're a couple, aren't they?"

"It looks weird seeing you talking like this." And walked away from him and just remembered about the tweet. I walked to him and asked, "Why haven't you posted a tweet yet? You said you'll tweet about the truth between us. Why aren't you doing it yet?"

"Why should I?"

"What!?"

"Why should I tweet a lie?"

"Lie? It's the truth! Goddammit!"

He kept his finger on his lips and said, "Shhhh. Everyone might be asleep by now. Don't wake them up."

I gave a stare and turned to walk away but he hugged me from behind without my concern and held me tightly inside his arms.

"Do you know what you're doing right now? Do you want me to report that you're harassing me?"

He came closer and kept his chin on my shoulder and whispered into my ears, "You won't do that."

"L-Let me go... Let me go..." I struggled in his grip while trying to remove his hands.

He rubbed his face against my cheeks, it felt disgusting.

I tried to escape from his grip but I couldn't so tears started rolling down my cheeks without my knowledge.

"Are you crying?" He let go of me and said, "I-I was just teasing you. Why did you cry about that?"

When he came to touch my cheeks, I snapped it away and ran to my room.

I rushed back into the room, closed it behind me and dropped on the floor and started crying badly. Why does he want me?

Sophia squatted in front of me and placed her hand on my shoulder and I flinched to her touch.

Sophia said, "It's me."

After seeing Sophia in front of me, I hugged her and cried while hugging her. She hugged me back. I said while crying in her embrace, "Please, don't ask me."

"Okay." And she patted me on my shoulder. After crying in her embrace, I went to sleep.

The next day which is the first day of the study camp,

Sophia tried to wake me up saying, "It's time. Get up."

I covered the sheets over me while saying, "I'm not coming. Tell Ms Devlin that I'm sick."

"I saw what happened last night."

I opened the covers and looked at her.

She continued, "I tried to help but you were already running towards the room so I returned to the room."

I gave a nod and listened to her.

"Are you going to report him?"

"Even if I did, no one would believe me since everyone thinks we're a couple. If I reported this, they'll say that I was lying because of some fight between us."

"What are you going to do with him?"

"I don't know."

She stood from the bed and said, "It's time. Let's go. Everyone will be waiting for us and let's think about what we should do with him."

"I don't want to come." got out of bed and said, "I'll get back to home." said while dragging my bag from the corner of the room.

"If you want me to talk with you, come with me to the camp."

Yeah! I totally forgot about that! How could I forget that! Sophia talked to me. I just realised it. More to that, Sophia hugged and consoled me last night where I totally forgot about that jerk and felt comfortable in her embrace. I'm feeling so happy.

I gave a nod and said, "Okay. Let's get to the bus." and smiled at her.

"That was fast!"

I smiled while saying, "Forget about that jerk. I got my friend back. I'm so happy that I got you back."

"Okay. Let's go."

We checked out the room and got into the bus together and sat together. Seeing me all smiles, Noah teased us, "Looks like the lovebirds got together again."

I said, "Yeah. We got back together. Happy?"

He gave a thumbs back and said, "I know you'll be together somehow because you two are always stuck together like the layers of the cake."

While Noah was teasing me, I saw Harry at the back along with his friends and I stood still. Sophia stuck her earpiece into my ears and said, "Listen to this, I've been listening to this song recently. It's really good."

I know she's distracting me but I feel comfort somehow all of a sudden.

I gave a nod and listened to the music.

"How's it?"

"It's good."

Ms Devlin started announcing something so I took the earpiece out of my ear and listened to her. She was saying, "From here, we'll be going to Mount Diablo through Southgate, where the road reaches the summit of the mountain and you will see the observation deck and natural history exhibits at the visitors centre. From there, we'll go hiking for 520 miles up the mountain which will be the first activity of our camp. I'll inform you of other activities on the mountain. And, Don't forget that everyone should return back to the camping sites before sunset if you went to hangout in the mountains."

"520 miles? Are they kidding me? More to that, I can't believe hiking is the first activity of the camp. I bet after returning from hiking, we won't be able to do any other things other than lying inside the tent like a wooden log. I'm already feeling tired hearing the word 'hiking'."

Sophia smiled and said, "You liked hiking when we went to middle school."

"Because it was the first time we went for a camp so I was excited but after knowing the result, I feel so exhausted already."

"I thought I could hike along with you since you liked it but it's all a waste now. Who should I pair up with?"

"You wanted to go with me??"

She gave a nod and gave an upset look.

I smiled and said, "I'm ready for hiking then."

We arrived at the summit of the mountain after some hours.

"Everyone grab whatever you need and get down one after another." Ms Devlin said and got out of the bus.

Following Ms Devlin, we got out of the bus one after another.

I held Sophia's hand and asked, "Do we have to do this?"

She gave a stare at me.

"Well, Are you ready?"

After she gave a nod, we started climbing the mountain. In pairs, everyone started climbing the mount diablo.

After some time, Sophia sat on the rock while saying, "I-I can't anymore. Let's take some rest here."

I gave her a water bottle to drink. She got the bottle from me and said, "Looking like you finally grew up."

"Huh?"

"Do you remember what happened when we went hiking in middle school? You forgot the water bottle and begged me for my water."

"Arghh! Why does everyone keep reminding me of those things?" I softly punched on her shoulders.

She laughed and drank the water.

The guys who were passing invited us for a competition.

"Girls, if we go hiking like this till the peak, it'll be boring and we'll get tired eventually so what about some competition?"

"Huh?"

"We're all in pairs already so we compete and let's see who reaches the peak. It'll be fun in that way. Are you up for it?"

"Is everyone joining?"

"Yeah, I messaged them. Can you see that big rock over there? Come if you're interested." And walked past us.

I turned to Sophia and when I tried to ask her, she shook her head and said, "No! We're not going."

"Why? It'll be fun hiking with others. And you're the one who wants to have fun."

"Yeah. But...We're already hiking with our friends, Bella."

"But it'll be more fun when it's a competition. Please, come with me. Let's go."

She stood from the place where she was resting and said, "Let's hike like normal people."

I pouted my lips and asked her again, "Please, please, let's go, come on, please..."

She let out a sigh and said, "Let's go."

"Where?"

"To the place where Peter mentioned."

I hugged her and broke the hug and said, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Listen to me, if I feel tired in between, you're the one who has to carry me. I won't work anymore. Is this okay for you?"

I nodded hurriedly and took her to the big rock which Peter said.

When i came to the place, wow! There are many people.

I asked, "Why can't I see our friends around?"

She flicked on my forehead and said, "Because they're not idiots."

I smiled at her.

Peter announced, "I hope everyone came here. Okay. You would have known why we all gather here, so let's proceed with that. Every pair competes against each other and one who reaches the peak first will be the winner and will get steaks for dinner."

I poked Sophia and said, "Do you know how to cook steak?"

"Why?"

"Because we're going to eat steaks for dinner. So try searching for the recipe for a delicious steak."

She gave me a smirk and said, "you're so full of yourself."

"I bet we're the ones who're going to win."

I shouted to Peter, "Peter, Buy the best steaks since I only eat the best quality steaks."

He said, "I'll buy the ones you asked for if you win for sure." And turned to everyone and said, "Let the game begin."

Everyone started running in their ways up the mountain as soon as Peter said.

I walked slowly along with Sophia and filled our water bottles from the station.

Sophia asked me, "You talked like you're going to win but what are you doing here? Everyone left already."

I filled the water bottles and said, "Come on, let's go."

We hiked slowly and steadily climbed up the mountain.

After sometime, "We won't reach it if we go on like this."

After some time, we saw a pair stopped in the middle of the competition. Are they taking rest? We walked to them to find out what happened to them. When Sophia asked them, one of them answered that they got hurt and quit the competition.

I gave first aid to them and said, "Where did you get hurt?"

When I saw the wound, it looked like it was a scratch.

I tapped on her shoulder and said, "They'll take care of it. Let's go."

She nodded and walked beside me.

I said, "There are five golden rules in hiking. First rule is, don't get hurt so take every step carefully. Second rule, carry extra first aid kit." And walked.

She asked me, "What about others?"

"I'll say it on the way."

After an hour, we saw Harry and his friend resting near a bush.

Sophia tapped on my shoulder and said, "Let's go."

I nodded and continued climbing the mountain.

Peter ran past us along with his partner while shouting, "The steak is mine tonight!"

I turned to Sophia and said, "Third rule, don't get provoked." And continued climbing.

After thirty minutes, I said to Sophia to take a rest. While we were on the ground, Sophia tried to pour the water on her body but I stopped her by saying, "Don't do it. If the water you're pouring gets evaporated from your body, it'll create more heat."

"Is that your fourth rule?"

"Nah! It's true!"

She drank the water and put it back into her backpack.

I took the compass and saw the direction while saying, "Fourth rule, don't get lost." And stood from the ground and said, "Let's go."

"That's it? I thought we were resting for some time. But it's not even five minutes."

"If you get longer periods of intervals, you'll eventually end up being tired. Come on, let's go."

While walking she asked, "Where did you learn this? I thought you hated hiking since what happened in middle school."

"I still don't like it. But... I learnt how to do it." And gave a smile at her.

After 40 minutes, Sophia said, "I couldn't walk anymore. Go without me." And sat on the rock beneath her.

I held her hand and said, "Get up. We have to go. Come on. We're running out of time."

"I don't want to. My legs hurt. I couldn't walk anymore so leave me here and go to the peak."

I took her hand and put it around my shoulder saying, "Put your weight on me. You'll feel light. And walk along with me. If we take the steps together, it'll be a lot easier to finish."

We started walking together up the mountain. After some time, we got to the top of the mountain first. There was no one around, I think no one came before us. It means... We're the first!!!

Soon everyone who participated in the competition gathered and applauded us.

Peter said, "You got the steaks."

After some time, Sophia asked me, "You didn't say the fifth rule?"

"Don't leave your partner behind. Come with me, battes, let's go find Ms Devlin."

We started walking down the mountain after reaching the peak.

"Why is walking down so much better than going up?"

"We are pulled by the gravity present in the ground."

We found Ms Devlin when returning back to the camp. "What are we doing next?"