4

“Eli! What the hell, you’re oozing hot!” Ana shouted; she was so excited while jumping that she reached for my arm and dragged me somewhere I didn’t know.

“Where are we going?” I asked, “I thought we were going to the beach to swim?” my forehead furrowed.

“Yes, but I wanted to introduce you to someone; come on! They’re my friends too!” she chirps; I nod and let her drag me; we stop on one of the cottages near the shore, and I hear a roar of laughter inside.

“Are you sure?” I don’t know why I asked her. That just naturally slipped out of my tongue. She just laughed and continued dragging me.

“Hey, dumbass!” She shouted; my eyes widened when I realized there were one, two, three, no, five, six! Six freaking guys! Ana comfortably sits in between four guys.

They fist bumped, and just like that, they laughed, “Uhm.” I didn’t know what to say.

“Hey, fuckers, she is my best friend, Elina, Eli. These were my friends when I was away on vacation. They beep me last minute that they are staying here.” She explained, so I just nodded. “Come, I’ll introduce you to them.” She said, then grabbed my hand again.

“I’m uh, I’m okay, Ana.” I hesitantly said.

“What? No! this is Trojan,” she said, then pointed to a blue-haired guy; he smiled at me, so I nodded, “that’s William,” she said and pointed out a gray-haired man, who was laughing, “That’s Lucas, beware of him, he is a total jerk, I’m telling you,” She said and pointed out a guy with a vibrant hair., “Benjamin, Benj for short; he’s a nerd.” I chuckled upon hearing her remarks, “That’s Owen; he’s like Lucas, jerk!” Ana said, then rolled her eyes like she remembered an event that would justify her words, “And that’s Dylan; I must say that he’s the most disciplined guy with this bunch of asshole guys.” She said and pointed out the man who had black hair and silently looked at his friends.

“What the heck, Ana?” if I’m not mistaken, he is Lucas, the jerk. Ops.

“What? You’ve got nothing to say, right? Just shut up.” Ana answered; Lucas scoffed and rolled his eyes funnily, “Wait, where’s Gray and Gin? I haven’t seen them around.”

“They’re just everywhere, come on, they both don’t stay in one place; they go around,” William said, then threw a banana peel to Trojan’s face, then laughed.

“Yeah, right,” Ana faced me, “Eli, you want to go swim already?” I nod; I’m not comfortable if I am with unfamiliar guys like them, not that they are creepy; it’s just that I’m feeling awkward right now. “Hey, got to bounce; we will be back and just swim.” She bid her goodbye before dragging me right straight to the beach.

When my feet touched the seawater, I felt excitement; it’s been a while since I got my feet here. And I missed this feeling. I love it! I wasted no time and started swimming; the water was refreshing, and I loved coming here. I’m taking back my words; I’ll surely enjoy this one, especially since I’m on my dream island!

---

“Hey,” I said to grab Ana’s attention; she was browsing through her phone, the wind was blowing her hair, she had her shades on her head, and she was sipping from her mango juice while comfortably on a lounger half of her face was hidden under her yellow summer hat, that matches with her yellow two-piece swimsuit.

“Hey, come, sit here! You want juice?” she put down the magazine she was reading and stood up; I sat on the lounger next to her, “So, how was the Island so far?”

My lips automatically curled up, “It was fun!” I said; I heard her chuckle.

“That’s good to hear.” She laughed and reached for my hair; it’s her mannerism; she’ll reach and twirl it. “I’m glad you are enjoying here; after all, you deserved it.”

I was about to answer when I saw the magazine cover she was reading; my lips formed thin lines upon realizing who was on the cover. Ana must have realized this when she saw my reaction. “Oh, uh, I didn’t know; I’m so-“

I chuckled, “Nah, it’s alright; he’s nothing to do with me anymore, don’t bother.” She looked concerned, then sighed, “Come on, it’s been years, Ana.”

“That asshole,” she waved her hand near her face, looking so stressed, like she remembered something that might give her total stress, “Whatever, c-“ she halted when her phone rang, indicating that someone was calling her; I nod and motion her to answer it, “Hey, asshole!” she greeted the caller, I can’t help but to chuckle—this silly girl. “What?” she meant it, but she didn’t hear it, “Oh, where?” she started roaming her eyes as if looking for someone; I assumed it was the person she was talking to. “I know; I can see you both.” She stood and looked at me, “I’ll introduce you to my closest friend, Eli. They are coming here.” I just nodded; I wanted to meet her other friends too.

“Are they good?” I asked; she just nodded and chuckled, still roaming her eyes; suddenly, she jumped and waved both hands.

“Here, fuckers!” she shouted, I saw two men walking in our direction, and since I’m nearsighted, and my glasses are not on mine, I couldn’t see who was coming. “I missed you both!” Ana jumped to their spot and just hugged them. I even heard one of the guys groan and the other one laugh.

“My god, Anastasia! Grow up! Why would you jump like that?” I heard a familiar silly voice.

“I’m sorry, okay?” Ana said before laughing, facing me, smiling so widely, “Eli, these are my best friends, Gin and Gray.” She introduced them to me.

But I don’t need that; I don’t know their names, but they are remarkably familiar. My forehead creased; the guy named Gin, his face suddenly turned a bit pale.

“What the fuck? She’s your friend?!” Gin shouted, “Damn it, of all people.” My forehead creased, and his eyes widened when he realized what he said, “I mean, uh, you’re uh, you’re cute!” He yells out.

“Oh, you know them, Eli?” Ana looks confused right now; I mean, I’m not into talking with guys I don’t know, “You haven’t meant-“

“No, I don’t know their names; it just so happens that this perverted guy,” I pointed out Gin, who’s now scratching his nape, embarrassment visible on his face, “Tried to hit on me a while ago,” I heard Ana gasped, “And that Guy,” I pointed out the guy named Gray, “Is a freak, that he just laughed while his friend is trying to harass me.”

“What the fuck?!”

“What?!”