1. GOING

PETAL’S POV

The city of Lisbon never changes when it comes to the rainy season, its beauty lies in the streams of golden light lines coming from the car lamps that decorate the fine street as cars honk by and trail on the wide street late at night when workers return from their various offices.

This evening was still the same, maybe a little shinier but something was in common, the beauty.

My right hand found its way out of my long grey coat as I flagged down a taxi

“Rua Cor de Rosa” I muttered, loud enough for the driver to hear.

A click of the lock signified that I was qualified to enter but the strange appearance of the driver made me hesitate a bit. His beards although well-trimmed was too much for someone who has lived long enough in Lisbon since majority of the men loves to keep it short.

A short glance at his face, down to his opened chest region, back to his face hinted him that I was indeed judging his appearance.

He was forced to ask “Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all”

“Then are you getting in?”

“Sure”

A tug at the orange door and the back seat was all mine in matter of seconds as he turned and headed to the said place. I kept my phone close to me and activated the emergency button in case anything funny happens but as we went on our way, I became more relaxed when he turned out to be a nice man after all.

“Going to have some fun?” he suddenly asked.

My beating chest hard didn’t make my brain register his question on time

I stuttered. “Well… just.. just a little.. yea a little bit”

He almost snorted, my gaze unsettled.

“You don’t have to be afraid, I will do nothing to you” he assured me.

A little prayer crept in my mind about him sticking to his words to the end.

Soft music took over the rest of the trip as I shook my head to the album playing out of the small radio at the middle of the car.

I dropped in front of the street and started searching for the said hotel where my friends who forced me out were staying. Upon searching for it on the map, it didn’t take long to find the place in the street that caught my attention purely.

“This is heavenly” I found myself mumbling as I raked my gaze upon the street with each step I took deeper.

“Hey cutie!” I heard a familiar voice call out from the right side of the street, in front of a huge pink house

It was Irene.

I hopped happily to join her, her smile widely waiting for me in front of the house. “Hey Barbie!” I called out back, waving heavily with every step.

“Monica?”

Her finger signaling to the back “She’s inside waiting for you”

“Monica” my tiny voice rang through the house as I stepped inside and we rushed to hug ourselves tight till we could no longer breathe.

“How long has it been? Four years? Five?” Irene questioned

Tilting her head, Monica responded “It’s been only two years”

“Really? It must have felt that long because I missed you too much” Irene pouted and we all giggled.

Series of sugary snacks were served to our table as we caught up with each other since we have been separated for a while. We talked about our happiness, disappointments and every other feelings therein and everything was going smoothly until Irene asked about Monica’s boyfriend

“How about Mark? When is he coming over?”

Her face went gloom in seconds, her teeth biting hard into the chocolate candy in her mouth

“That son of a bitch cheated on me so I dumped his ass” she answered

Irene suddenly slammed her hands on the table to our surprise, “You dumped him?”

“Did I do something wrong?” confused Monica was forced to ask

Irene blurt out “Of course you did something right girl! Those creatures sure doesn’t know the value of what they have”

After a deep breath, a clap followed from her

“Now, we drink till we drop our sorrows” Irene declared

I waved to object “I can’t go home drunk” politely declining

Irene scoffed “No one said you would be going back home”

“What do you mean?” my brows cocked up

Irene and Monica rushed to my side and chorused “You are sleeping here tonight” before helping me up and pushing me towards the room they already booked.

Never in my life have I ever drank that much. Those alcohol monsters were bent on making me drink till I drop. We played a game where you drink if you miss a question or cannot answer and I was the biggest victim.

My eyes struggling to keep themselves open “This will be my last shot” I declared and they collectively agreed

“Just answer the question and you won’t drink anymore” Irene persuaded me

I nodded.

“Will you pick blue or red?” She asked and I was confused about what she meant by that.

“What are you talking about?”

Monica cuts in “You just have to choose one according to the rules of the game”

Without thinking straight, I shouted “Blue” and a short silence followed

Suddenly, they jumped up and started jubilating to my surprise

“Was that supposed to make you this happy?” I questioned and they turned the card to check whatever was on it

“Going” was boldly written on the blue card as it was finally revealed

“Going?”

Irene smirked “Yes, going. Petals, you will be attending this year’s reunion with us” she declared

Everything in my head paused for some moment, I must have heard wrong was what I kept telling myself but another yell from them confirmed that I wasn’t hearing wrong.

“But..” I tried arguing

Irene crawled in front of me and placed her finger on my lips “Sweetie, there is no but” she whispered, her voice suddenly becoming sexy.

How was I supposed to attend the school reunion I have never for once stepped into? What if I run into that person I have been avoiding all my life?