BERTRIM ACADEMY - 13 CHAPTER 13

It was a Saturday morning and it was time for them to leave to visit her parents. Wanting to surprise them, Rei decided to visit with Ritz without informing her parents. They boarded the ship at exactly 10 in the morning for it was the only time the ship leaving for that day. Once they were 100 km away they were met the storm that would help them get out. They both stayed inside not wanting to get wet, but even then the ride was always a pain. By 1 in the afternoon the ship reached the shore near the city library.

“Rei, I don’t feel right, could we just ride a cab. I’ll pay for it.” Ritz suggested trying not to vomit infront of Rei.

“Sure, just make sure to hold on until we reach the bathroom. Please…”Rei reminded her, Ritz laugh at it and Rei joined her as they ride on the cab. They reached Rei’s home after 10 minutes.

“Good, they’re not home. We could rest first. The restroom’s at your left, I’ll bring our things in my room.” Rei said while climbing the stairs to her room.

“Rei….. do they even know your coming home?” Ritz asked after going in the restroom. She thought Rei was rich then remembered she got in the academy through a scholarship.

“No, I planned to surprise them.” Rei shouted from above and went down. She found Ritz in the living room looking at the albums under the table. She left her and decided to cook them a simple lunch of fried ham and bacon with rice.

After 20 minutes she went back to where Ritz is and gave her a plate. They did not bother eating in the dinning area and felt comfortable in their sits. Both then look for something to watch while eating and went to sleep without realising it. This is the seen they are in when the Crimean siblings came home: plates on the table, television is on and both asleep with their heads at each end of the sofa.

“Paul, did you left the television on this morning?” Shea asked entering the living room.

“I didn’t, I even closed the lights and the door. Hey, Shea, come over here and carry the others. What’s the ma____” Paul asked midway.

“She’s here.” Shea whispered and her brother look who came and realised it was Aye.

“Hey, Aye. Wake-up dear.” Shea said trying to wake her and Aye realised that she fell asleep, she quickly woke up and said: “SURPRISE!?”

Ritz too woke up after hearing her friend shout and introduced herself to Rei’s parents. They all went to the kitchen and again prepared food for dinner. Ritz tried to help while Aye explained more about her parents relationship, as siblings and why they become her parents. After preparing they all went in the living room again to eat while watching the news.

The news were about strange phenomenon, a large fire that burned almost half of the town and no one knows where it started or who started it. Another was a flooding in one of the valley far from the sea or any body of water. Evacuation was done in some areas close to them and support are starting to come in.

“Oh no! I think its time for us to pack goods.” Shea told his brother while the news continues to deliver more events.

“Your right! I’ll call the church and other people.” Paul said starting to organise and both siblings took their phone leaving the girls on their own.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Mom, Dad?” Rei asked looking at them.

“It’s alright dear and stay with your friend and Ritz try to feel at home.” Paul answered.

“I think we better watch a movie, both of them would be busy for a while.” Aye suggested. While looking for a movie Rei sent a small prayer for those people and her parents.

“Sounds OK, but how are your parents going to help? No offence, but you guys, you know?” Ritz asked trying not to offend Rei.

“True… we are not rich, but you don’t have to be rich to be able to help. There are different ways of helping not just in material things. We believe that we are all, somewhat, connected even if we have different race, culture, and language. We all have one Father and creator who is in heaven, and if all that we have comes from him then wouldn’t that be enough reason to help. To share the things we do not need that others need. Also, if you call yourself a Christian wouldn’t helping be a given character. If one can’t provide material or financial matters, we actually lead a prayer and fasting session. Lastly, some goes to this places to help rebuild, council, bring medical help, and educate future source of income. Of course, our group is not recognise worldwide because its a small group but that’s OK, more blessing comes to those who do things hidden anyway.” Rei explained.

“You still believe in God, after all you have seen in the Island?” Ritz asked.

“YES! definitely, I still strongly believe there is God because of all I have seen. There will always things we can never explain and we can only produce theories but it does not mean that because they are different they are not part of the creation. Anyway, they are not half human half animal, or beast like others tell about them they are people too, having special talents.” Rei answered.

“I’m not sure, but maybe. If its’s true though why not create all of us like them? wouldn’t that be cool?” Ritz said.

“Well… for me I’m thankful that God did not make as all the same. Aside from being unique and the only person in the whole world that is me. Secondly, people are greedy. We are capable of creating something beautiful but we are also capable of destruction. It is better this way, we just hope that the Island could stay unexploited. Also, where is the fun, when places like the Island don’t exist?” Rei said joking the last part. She then tried to change channel to look for a movie but suddenly Ritz stopped her and increase the volume. Rei looked at the television then at Ritz.

“Hey Ritz, do you know him?” She asked after a few seconds.

“Somewhat, let us just say that I have a huge crush on him the day I met him.” Ritz answered without looking at her.

“What! you have got to be kidding me?” Rei asked without looking shock.

“Why? uh… wait, tell me later.” Ritz asked but returned watching the news.

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(INTERVIEW)

“Mr. Roque, you are the nephew of Mr. Carl Roque, an international Tycoon businessman?”

“What do you actually want from me?” Akira asked looking annoyed to be interviewed during his lunch break.

“We would like to clarify some claims that, your uncle is looking for a particular girl. Do you have any idea who is she? his daughter or another relative maybe?” The reporter asked testing Akira’s patience even if he has no idea what they were asking.

“The only thing I could tell you is this, It is none of your business. Whatever my uncle does in his free time is his own business. As far as I know my uncle’s son died years ago. That ends your interview with me, find someone else to bother and not my family.” Akira stood up and left them. Planning to call home after class.

======================================+++=======================================

The news ended and Rei waited for Ritz to speak who was just looking at the monitor.

“Soo…. may I now have an answer to my question earlier, my dear friend.” Rei asked after a few minutes waiting.

“I can’t believe this!” Ritz said not answering Rei.

“What!? that he defended his uncle to the press?” Rei asked.

“No! why he entered that school?!” Ritz answered.

“WHAT!” Rei said laughing at her and Ritz joined after.

“Why do you even like him?” Rei asked curious.

“To tell you the truth, it’s because he save me countless times. One time, I and my father were invited to his uncle’s celebration. We came late that I was not able to meet other female guest so, I hang out with the males and he was there. We talked and laughed that I didn’t notice every female in the room were looking until I took notice a few minutes later. To cut the story short, he never left me on my own. I think he knew I’ll be in trouble if I was alone, He was a true gentleman.” Ritz said while looking like love-struck.

Rei didn’t say anything and just nod, she didn’t saw that the first time she met him.

“So… how about you, I have this feeling you have met him and you don’t believe me.” Ritz asked.

“We…ll, let’s just say that he did help me but! he gave me an advise, oh! no, it was more of a lecture.”

“Really, and what did you do after he ‘lecture-advise’ you?”

“I___ nothing much I just look at him, thank him sarcastically on his “advise”, then left him to talk to his uncle and apologise. I left after without looking.”

“Oh well, I heard he has temper issues, good thing I never saw it.” Ritz said and both just continued talking or laughed at everything they could think off. After an hour they decided to retire for the night.