Chapter 9

  After all the homework got done we went on a hike. It's fall so it's a little chilly, but the trees are so pretty. Aika and I are sharing a blanket, it was my idea but we got copied by 2 other couples, Blossom and Elly, and Eli and Ming, copycats.

  We sat out a picnic and sat down, watching people walk by on the trail, Eli said he had a surprise, no one but Elly knows what it is, mostly cause Elly has the same surprise, Blossom and Ming were talking to Aika and I when suddenly Elly and Eli started counting down from 3 and both getting on one knee and showing a ring to their girlfriends, Eli’s face was a dark red and he was the one asking, I laughed at that.

  “Duh you dork,” said Ming before kissing Eli roughly, I'd kinda expect that from her, I mean she looks like she belongs in Spencers for crying out loud.

  “Of course, Love,” said blossom before picking up and spinning Elly. Aika and I just clapped and looked at each other, a couple who is third wheeling, how fun. I mean we’re way too young to get married, these 4 are in their 20s and have been together since high school, well blossom is 30, the twins are 28, Ming is 27, but still, old enough for marriage, Aika and I are not, nor have we been together that long. 

  We sit down and eat, they’re being more loving than normal, it’s weird how much asking for marriage can change a couple. I lay on Aika's lap, I have a headache, I’m not sure what’s causing it though. Aika runs her fingers through my hair, it’s calming. After a while I fall asleep, I wake up to a small movement of my sleeve, I look up to Aika looking concerned and my bandages showing from my sleeve lifting up, I move it down and sit up.

  “Yua?” Aika says it makes the others look over, Eli walks over and holds out his hand making a motion toward my arm, I hold it to him knowing I won’t win this, he lifts my sleeve and sighs before pulling me into a hug, the others join, before I know it I’m there crying holding onto Eli. Aika still looks shocked, I don’t blame her, I never told her, the others only know because Kinkay talked about me a lot.

  Elly moves my hair out of my face and Aika tries to get by to hug me, I was in the middle of everyone, I chuckled a bit watching Aika try to get by Elly. Elly is thin, her chest just gets in the way.

  “Elly, your tits are in the way, Aika can’t get through,” Blossom says with a laugh, Elly apologizes and moves so Aika can hug me.

  “Well, we can’t really help it, our family has big chest boulders,” says Eli with a laugh.

  “See?” He lifts his shirt and we just chuckle, just any other guy's chest except his has scars from the surgery. He looks down.

  “Oh yeah, Ell come here sis,” he grabs Elly and pretends like he’s gonna lift her shirt but doesn’t. She laughs and so does everyone else.

  “Kidding, guess we’ll never know,” the twins say in unison before we all sit back down, Aika grabs my hand, I hold her hand tightly, I feel bad for not telling her. How would I have told her, I hate dragging others down.