" Hey, Tessa." Asher said walking up to a semi frightened Tessa, whose head is buried in a book.

"Hmmmm....." She said letting out a sigh of relief, looking up.

" Oh it's you."

" Were you praying ? You're shy." Asher roared with laughter leaving the other passengers stare at their direction.

" Quit mocking me. Everyone is watching." Tessa managed to find words to put off her embarrassment.

" Okay !" Asher exclaimed.

" First of we are going to do a brief introduction, for those of us who don't know each other yet."

"Sounds good." Tessa replied.

" Can I have your attention everyone ?" Asher said attempting to climb on a seat before bumping her head into a small metal plank causing everyone in the bus to burst out in laughter.

" Well good. And oucwh that was certainly painful." She said rubbing the temple of her head.

" You need an ice pack." A dark skinned girl with curly wavy hair said.

" Thanks but maybe later." Asher smiled. "Now, like I was saying earlier on. I'd like you all to meet a special someone in my life, my new big sis and bestfriend, Tessa."

She said pointing out to where Tessa was quietly sitted at a far corner of the bus.

" Hey Tessa. " Everyone chorused at almost the same time, while she just waved back still mute.

" So I want you all to go over and get to know this beauty. Once y'all are done socialising I've got a nice game we could play." Asher concluded.

With that everyone stood from their seats and moved over to Tessa. All around her was crowded with people introducing themselves.

" Hey. I am Scott." A fairly older guy dressed in a cowboy attire said giving her a gentle bow.

"Nice to meet you, Scott." Tessa smiled and managed to give a pretend courtesy while sitting.

After another while, Asher came over with a few friends.

Amongst them was the dark skinned girl from earlier, she introduced herself as Stacey. Another middle aged  girl probably in her 20's with a british accent introduced herself as Melanie.

" I am Jeremy by the way." Another guy said giving her a handshake. She returned it with a smile.

" Nice to meet you all."

" Now we all know each other, both friends and non foes..." Asher said before getting cut off.

" What's the difference ? They are literally the same." Melanie said.

Asher shrugged. " Well dunno. Now back to what I was saying. We all have an idea of what we are doing this summer vacation."

Everyone nodded in response and some chorused a 'yes'.

" Okay then, in the main time we'd play a game of truth or dare and those who aren't interested can get to know each other better." Asher asked.

" Who's in ?"

As the games began, Tessa, Scott, Stacey and another guy named Sam decided to pass. Asher had said they could interact and get to know each other better and they'd rather go for that.

They all settled in a private cabinet right out the back of the bus, taking drinks and a few refreshments along.

" So Tessa, tell us more about yourself so we can know you better ?" Scott asked directly facing her.

The cabin was square shaped so they had to sit across each other.

" Uhhmmmm....." Tessa stuttered a little before starting off with proper words. " Well, first off, I am a graduate of graphic illustration and editing from the University of Arizona. I love reading, culinary activities and singing." putting less emphasy on the word 'singing' making it almost impossible for the rest to have heard her.

" Hey, you love singing too?." Stacey asked has a spark of excitement arched in her eyes.

" Yeah but I'm not so good." Tessa replied shly almost embarrassed.

"No worries. I'm not so good as well but I do anyways .." She said, then started off singing a lyrical of Ava Max's sweet but psycho.

Everyone burst into laughter almost immediately before she stopped.

" You're good." Tessa smiled.

" Stop encouraging her. Stacey, it's horrible."  Sam laughed hard, before realizing Stacey took it seriously and had walked out.

" Hey wait ! I didn't mean it like that." He shouted running after her while the other two laughed.

" So what do you do ?" Sam asked.

" Huh ?" Tessa asked confused, at the question since she didn't listen earlier.

" What do you do?" He repeated himself this time staring into her hazel brown eyes.

" Oh. Well right now I'm unemployed but previously I worked as a children's book editor." Tessa smiled hoping he wouldn't ask her any more questions.

" Now you tell me about yourself !" She exclaimed grinning from ear to ear.

Scott told her more about himself. He got her intrigued little by little as she got engrossed in all the topics they discussed. It turns out he lived in Florida as an orphan whose parents had died when he was just five years old, leaving him all alone to live with is grandfather.

********

[ Hotel Carpe diem. The Hamptons.]

The bus ride from new York left everyone exhausted as some had fallen asleep deep into the game.

Highlighting at its stop. Everyone was set and ready to get a good night rest. They were going to be staying at one of the best summer getaway locations of all time, with all services paid for.

Pascal had made the arrangements sponsored by his cousin - one of the biggest shareholder in Megadiva hotel chains. With his help, making reservations and payment discount was easier gotten in such a short period of time.

After agreeing to meet up later the next morning, each one of them dispersed into their separate rooms ready to crash.

The two girls hugged each other and moved into their respective rooms. Tessa was too exhausted to unpack and almost immediately after a hot shower, she slipped into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, Asher was still full of energy. The night was still young and she also had alittle exploration to do. In a bid to start her discovery, it hits her that her brother had arrived earlier.

Asking the hotel manager for his room details she decided to surprise him by visiting his semi detached condo. The summer arrangements were made to ensure he got utmost privacy, especially when he didn't get along really well with his immediate family.

Unfortunately lady luck wasn't on her side at all. Elon's apartment was empty. She had entered using a spare key (exclusively for her), in a bid to surprise him only to be disappointed.

She dialed his number several times, but to no avail. Her last option, she texted and waited a while before going back to her hotel room dejected.

Crashing on the duffle bag on her queen-size bed, Asher was quite disappointed but she knew she need not worry about her brother since he was old enough to take care of himself.

"Maybe he had some work to attend to or maybe he went out partying. Well that's good anyways, he never really interacted with people enough and maybe this summer may just be a big turnaround." Her thoughts scunned about in her head as she engaged in a starring contest with the ceiling.

"I better go take a hot shower." She concluded unpacking her bags.

Stepping into the shower, her toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. Her mind was in shreds; she couldn't get the thought of her half brother in pain out of her head. She turned the dial, old and metallic, which in turn released thousands of lukewarm drops, darkening her hair as it trickled down her bare back.

The water poured down, it driped by her side, as her mind faded into dullness and everything became a foggy illusion. The sensation of the steamy water calmed her mind.

Afterawhile, the water in the tub had gotten warm, and she could feel a cold breeze spread through her skin. Now she was at ease again, she grabbed a robe to dry herself and went ahead to have a good night rest.

At the same time in the hotel's lounge area, Brian was having a time with his few acquaintances.

A few minutes after he arrived from his trip earlier, a head blasting ache had developed due to the fatigue for being on the plane for too long. While massaging his neck, he contemplated what to do next while he waited for his sister and her friends to arrive.

He planned on staying in his private condo, however his stress level was on a different lane. He needed a distraction to wink off his worries so when one of his friends invited him out for a drink, he decided to tag along.

Brian decided to go down to the lounge to listen to some music and despeciate the nightlife with several people out for a nice summer getaway.

He decided to call his sister to figure out her route but when she didn't pick up after his several trial he just went anyways.

A big sign read 'bar hub' with neon lights bright enough to leave a person blind.

He entered the lounge and made his way to the corner where his friends had gathered. After a little chit chatting, some decided to make their way out to the dance floor where a nice danceable song was being aired.

Resisting the urge to join in, he chose to sit at the bar and waited until he received news of his sister's whereabouts.

Once seated he signaled to the bartender, " Lime custer with a sharp mix of louisiana soda."

He wasn't a fan of drinking but when he did, he made sure he was all alone in the comforts of his own bedroom free of any interruptions.

The bartender quickly whisked his drink and placed it right in front of him. " Here sir."

In a gulp, the cup's content was slushed down his throat as soon as th drink was placed in front of him.

"Whoa!!" He let out a sigh of relief before settling down to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Looking out to see as his friends unleashed their inner demons on the dance floor, he couldn't help but laugh. A few ladies had also made their way into the club.

Brian was about to make another drink placement when one of the ladies came towards him. "Hey handsome."

She greeted pulling him by the collar while she moved her seat closer. He could tell she was already tipsy from her breathe.

"Can I help you ?" He muttered, pulling away.

" Yes darling!" She said seductively grabbing his hand then placing it on her waist. Brian pulled back almost immediately.

"Sorry but I'm not available."

The girl looked disappointed by his answer but since she wasn't in her right senses, she pulled in closing the distance between them as she tried to kiss him. Unable to take it anymore, Brian abruptly pushed her off and made his way out of the bar while cursing under his breath.

When he felt his heartbeat was steady again, he looked back to make sure she wasn't trailing him before deciding to head back to his room.

*Ding* Came another sound. Pulling his cellphone out of his pocket, he peeked and that was when he saw he had 15 missed calls and 6 text messages all from his little sister. " I better get back or else she could kill me."

Making his way back, the receptionist informed him, " Miss Well said to tell you she would see you first thing in the morning and also to hand you this." She said handing him a small note.

" You rascal !!!!! Good night though, biggie brother. Your lil' sis loves you. To the moon and back." The note read and he couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks." He said making his way  back to his private condo. Once he made sure everything was in order, he turned off phone, lay down on his bed and fell into a deep slumber.

*****

Snu-snu events coming up😗