Dedicated to: -aleacim-

***

"Mom, do you know someone named Aria Darling Hendrix?"

Amelia blinks her eyes multiple times, wasn't expecting that would be the question. "Wh-why are you asking that? How come you know her?" she stutters as she was feeling uncomfortable about the topic. Her mother was showing weird reactions to above the topic which confuse Athena.

"So you knew her?" she repeats the question. Her mother nods at her and bit her lip before looking away.

FLASHBACK...

"Here she comes-shh keeps quiet, idiot!" The door opens and Darling entered the room.

"Happy birthday Darling!" all of them greeted and blow their party blower, making the place filled with noise. Matthew lit up the candle and took the cake to the table to let Darling blow her candles.

"Wait, wait! Make a wish first, my darling," Lucas said with a smile, and his eyes were full of excitement.

"Lucas, you look like a pervert with that smile. Cut it out," Henry said and smack him on his head.

"Aww guys, thank you so much!" she looks at them one by one before closing her eyes to make a wish. "Hmm... I wish we'll all grow old together" she smiled and blew the candle, and the fire disappeared, showing the smoke flying away.

Amelia hugged her tightly, greeting her again. Suddenly the door opens and their professor appeared looking so furious. All of them panicked and took the cake. One by one they run away, racing who'll reach the gate first to escape, "All of you again?!" the professor shouted and chase them, taking enormous steps.

They all chuckled and continued to run into the hall where other students were there, too. While they were running, they were holding and protecting the cake at the same time. Their professor shouted and scolded them nonstop, but each of them ignored him and enjoyed their run.

The rest of them were on their knees panting so heavily, Henry and Lucas were on the floor lying, exhausted. "At least the cake is safe," Matthew said, which makes everyone laughs at him.

Time flies so fast, all of them graduated from college, "Alright! Alright! Say cheese everyone!" Henry said and pose at the camera. "Cheese!" All of them yelled and smiled at the camera, they were given different poses for every photo.

"Did everyone get their copies?" Matthew said while placing the photo in his wallet. "YES SIR!" all of them shouted and salute like a soldier.

Lucas, Henry, Matthew, Amelia, and Darling are very good friends. They are high school friends, but unfortunately, that friendship didn't last long. There was jealousy and hatred that kept them apart.

***

"Everyone! School just ended and summer is coming! Wanna go camping together? huh? Whatcha think?" Lucas said, his eyes full of excitement as he looks at them one by one.

"Yes! that would be great!" Amelia replied and looks at the others waiting for their approval.

"Oh no, I can't, I mean we can't," Matthew said and looks at Darling. Lucas's expression faded so as Amelia, "we have a family gathering together, and y'all know that Darling and I were cousins"

"I guess it's just the three of us," Henry said in a very low voice, looking so disappointed.

The day arrives at their camp and everyone was not excited or in the mood because they were incomplete. The three of them set their tents and unpacked their things. Amelia noticed that Lucas was so occupied with something. "Guys, I have to buy something. I'll be back," Lucas informed them, and left.

Matthew and Darling are in their formal attire, sitting at a long table together with their families. "Darling, you already graduate from college. So, Matthew, what are your plans now?" Their aunt asked them if that makes them stop eating. They lifted their heads and everyone was looking at them, waiting for their answer.

"For now, I'll just stay at home. I don't know what should I do yet," Matthew replied to them and shrugged his shoulder, "Don't take it too long Matthew, you're wasting your time on that." His mother said, and she took a spoonful of food into her mouth.

"Same goes for me, but maybe I'll take a part-time job for now," Darling answered.

"Are you sure about that, Darling?" her father said as he wiped his lip with the napkin, "yes father" she answered him with confidence and stood up, "excuse me" Darling left the table, leaving them all behind.

She stayed in her room for more than an hour, which makes Matthew worry about her; he knocks on her door to check on her. "Darling?"

"Leave me alone, Matt," she replied in an irritated tone of her voice. Matthew shut his mouth and nodded before he walks away, going to the lounge.

Lucas left the two in the camp and went alone to Darlings' house. He lied to them about buying something, but what he intends to do is tag along with Darling.

When he arrived, they were fancy people at the house chattering, so he went to the back of the house to get into Darling's room.

"Psst! Darling" He shouted out the window. She immediately noticed and saw Lucas in their backyard. Her lips curved, and she instantly went outside to go near him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you ok? Come on let's go" he held her hands and gave her puppy eyes. Darling chuckled at him and nodded her head.

"YES!" Lucas yelled, which makes Darling panic and cover his mouth. "be quiet," she said as she places her index finger into his lips. Both of them escaped from the place and went to the camping site without telling or inviting Matthew.

When they arrive, both Henry's and Amelia's eyes are wide open with surprise. "I thought you won't be coming?" Amelia said pointing at Darling. "shh I escaped her" Lucas answered her.

"Then what about Matthew?" Henry asked them and sat on the log. "I don't know where he is" He replied and held Darling's hands, Amelia's eyes trailed down on their hands intertwined then suddenly her mood changed, she felt something on her heart-piercing at that moment and Henry noticed how her reaction changed quickly

"Uh, I better go... Henry, will you help me prepare for dinner?"

"Yeah, sure"

Amelia turns her back and left. Henry glances at both Darling and Lucas, who is now on the other side chatting while their hands are still intertwined. He followed Amelia and helped her to prepare. "Hey, are you ok?"

"Hmm? yup why?"

"You're so obvious Amelia, tell me, are you jealous?" Henry asked her straight to the point. Amelia was stunned by her place. She looks at him with teary eyes, "I don't know, I shouldn't feel this way, but I guess... yes?" a tear fell in her eyes that trailed down her cheeks.

Henry wiped her tears away with his thumb and place his hands on the back of her head. They locked their eyes together. Henry's lips parted as he stared at her kissable lips. He wasn't able to control himself and he pressed his lips to her, giving Amelia an electrifying feeling throughout her body that left her frozen.

As he pulled the kiss away, he narrowed his eyes at hers. "Tell me, what will I do for you to be happy?"

Amelia was still stunned at her place and her mind wasn't sinking into what had just happened. She was out of words and didn't know how to reply to him. "What was that for?" she asked as she blinked her eyes multiple times, trying to sink in everything.

Henry shakes his head and held her. "tell me what will I do to make you happy?" he asked again. Amelia's jealousy raged at that moment. She locked her eyes to his, giving him an intense, dark look. "I want you to get rid of someone"

Her words took aback Henry, and he didn't know how to react. "Whom shall I get rid of?" he asked her in confusion

"Someone named Darling." Henry's brows raised as he was feeling nervous about Amelia's request.

"Okay, I-I'll do it for you," he was stuttering from nervousness. He held the back of her head and lean it against his chest. "If I'm able to do it, is there any reward for that?"

"I'll be yours," Amelia instantly replied and looks at him in the eye. Henry's cheeks burn and he turns red and looks away from her. He bites his lip, hiding his embarrassment away as he felt his heart beating so fast.

Darling and Lucas were sitting behind the bonfire chatting, Amelia came towards them, putting a smile on her face, a fake smile perhaps. "Darling, wanna come swim with us?" Amelia invited her and held her arms, pulling her away from Lucas.

"I-I don't know how to swim," she said in her low voice, "Oh come on! Don't be so cheesy, besides if you're drowning your prince charming, we'll help you instantly," Amelia said and looked at Lucas, giving him a smile. Darling chuckled at her and agreed to it.

"I'll just clean our mess, Amelia. Please look after Darling, please. Don't let her get too close to the deep area of the lake," Lucas said as he stood up.

"Of course! Nothing to worry about it Lucas, your girl will be safe in my hands," giving him an assuring smile before they run towards the lake.

Henry, Amelia, and Darling submerged themselves in the water. Darling was trying to stay on the edge of the lake, but Amelia forces her to swim. Amelia pulled her towards the deep part of the lake and Darling was feeling anxious about it.

"Uhm... Amelia, I think I should—" Darling wasn't able to feel anything on her feet that panicked her. She was struggling so hard to swim; she was gasping for air until a few seconds later; her body felt numbed that she can no longer move, and it sank her deep down the water.