For The Stars Have Sinned

I dreamed of Levi kissing me under the stars. I don’t know what his kiss tastes like because I woke up and couldn’t remember anything. The wind caressed my face. I looked outside the window. I’m in the car, and the sun is shining. What did I dream again?

I looked at the driver’s seat and was stunned for a few minutes. I frowned. “Lyndon?”

“You’re awake.”

I looked outside the window. “Where are you taking me?”

“Sit back. We’re driving home.”

“Home?” My forehead creased even more. “What home?”

The car stopped when the traffic light turned red in the distance. The Lyndon turned to me. “Stop playing tricks, Larica. What happened to you? Earlier, you seemed stressed and haven’t slept.”

“Huh?” I turned to him and stared at his face.

The car started running again. I shook my head and closed my eyes tightly. “Hey, what am I doing in your car?”

He clicked his tongue and laughed a little. “I’ll take you from the airport to the terminal, from Lapu-Lapu pier to pier 3, and from there to the fishing port…” He shook his head. “You ungrateful brat.”

“Ungrateful your ass. Papa asked you to drive me home?”

He smirked. “No.” He turned the car. “I volunteered. I called Mr. Larica, and your father asked me to drop you at the fishing port. But he also took it back and said I’ll take you to Boljoon.”

“Wait, why am I here in the car?”

He frowned. “You don’t remember?”

I leaned against the backrest. Did I forget something? Wait, what did I do? The only thing I remembered was… “Hayst. My head aches so much. It must be a hangover,” I whispered.

“You’ve attended Vine’s concert in Panglao.” He sighed. “You seemed having lack of sleep instead of being drunk. Are you being naughty again?”

I was quiet for a moment, remembering what happened. Ah, yes. The Vine’s concert. I smiled. “Great, that concert was fun!”

I saw him turn to me out of the corner of my eye. “Your backpack is in the back. Next time, come with me. Just like that, you’re going to pass out. If I hadn’t seen you at the airport, you might still be in the city by now.”

“Well, Tiden should be with me. But…” My eyes narrowed. “He still has a meeting with sponsors. I went first because I don’t want to rebook a ticket.”

He glanced at me with a dark aura. “You haven’t answered my question. What happened to you and why is your face like that? Did you even sleep the night before?”

“Didn’t sleep?” I frowned. Maybe I slept? Even though I stay up reading, I don’t neglect sleep.

He stopped the car at a fast food. “Let’s have breakfast first.”

“Where are we?”

“El Pardo.”

I went down and looked at the fast food. I followed Lyndon inside. There were only a handful of customers and crew. He first led me to a chair and he himself queue in the counter.

How many days will I be there in Panglao? Why do I seem to be changing around? It’s like I’ve been gone for years…

“Larica.”

I sat straight and looked up. “Huh?” It’s Lyndon.

He was already sitting across from me and his ordered meal was already served on the table.

“What’s happening? You seem lost,” he asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I feel like my head’s a bit heavy. I think I’m going to get sick.”

“Drink a lot of water. You might be dehydrated.”

I forced a smile. “Yes. Maybe so.”

I watched him get his phone and called someone. Then he looked at me, “I’ll get you to hospital first before we’ll continue to Boljoon.”

My gaze cast down and I didn’t utter another word.

I feel like I want to do something that I can’t do. I feel like I had forgotten something, but I don’t know what. I sighed and focused on the food. I chewed for a few minutes when I felt that sensation again.

Someone was staring at me. I swallowed the rice and looked around but no one was looking at me. I may have read too much of CareLikeGoldFish’s work. Because the stories are mystery-thrillers and I always read about scenes where someone is spying. And I am just paranoid.

“Is there a problem, Rishel?” Lyndon asked.

I shook my head and smiled wrlyly. I looked down at the food and continued to eat. And that sensation where someone’s staring at me was bothering me too much. I dropped the spoon.

“Now you have. Tell me what’s bothering you,” said Lyndon. He also stopped eating and put down the spoon. He folded his hands and stared hard at me.

“Someone’s been staring. It’s been a while,” I whispered.

“Do you have any idea who?”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

I shook my head. “When I got out of the car, I felt someone staring at me. But I just ignored it. Now… It’s more intense. My hair is standing on end.” I took a deep breath and reached for the glass of water. I gulped it down.

“I can’t sense someone following us. Are you sure about that?” he asked again.

I nodded. “I don’t know what he needs. But, I’ve felt it before.” I clenched my trembling hand. “H-He’s back.”

“Him? Who is he?”

“H-He… That person who stared at me at the concert.”

His jaw clenched. “Vine’s concert.”

“Yes.” I drew a breth. “Two months ago. At the concert, I felt this sensation. I just ignored it because I thought it was just random fan.” I bit my lip. “I don’t know why this sensation is coming back.”

“Do you have any suspicions about who?”

I shook my head. “Maybe someone hates me. Or maybe I have a stalker.” I breathed deeply. “I’m scared.”

I was surprised when he suddenly grabbed my trembling hand. He squeezed it. “I will protect you.”

My lips parted. It’s not because he’s staring hard at my face, but something is trying to enter my mind, right there at the end. I groped. But suddenly it disappeared when I almost reached it. I will protect you… Who said that?

“Rishel,” he called.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

He frowned. “Something’s wrong with you.”

“Please… Let’s not talk about it.” I tried to ignore that sensation and focused on the food.

After eating, he asked me out. I drifted off. But my gaze turned to a sign on the side of the salon across from the fast food.

Club Fort Med

Something suddenly jumped in my chest. I got nervous. I do not know why.

“Rishel?”

“Have you been to Club Fort Med?”

“Sometimes. Why?”

“Is it nice?”

He nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“Ah, my high school batchmates and I went there. Last month? Someone even invited me.” I smiled.

“Who?”

“My friend from high school. The one who has a crush on me.” I laughed. “She has a beautiful voice. I didn’t know he could sing.”

Lyndon nodded and asked me to walk to the parking area. I followed but then stopped. I looked at the signage again. I frowned as my chest tightened while staring at it. Why?

“Rishel, let’s go. I have contacted my friend in the hospital. He’ll take a look on you.”

“Okay…”

I took another step while thinking of the blue sea, that cottage on the bank, the scorching sun, the cold and salty air, under the waves… My feet halted.

I blinked and touched my wet cheek. I’m crying?