The program continued with joy and a smile on Lara's lips but I noticed that Vanessa promptly left the hall, maybe she couldn't bear to see the scene that Lara and I did. When we returned to our room, it was already late when most of our classmates were sleeping, the program ended at about eleven o'clock at night and there were people who were drunk and really hung out dancing but we needed to rest because the next day we were going to pack of our equipment.
The next day, our quarters were filled with gossip because my classmates still couldn't move on from my proposal to Lara while Vanessa and her friends remained silent and avoided us. At first, I felt sudden guilt but I realized that it's about time for me to choose my true feelings and Lara is more important than Vanessa, I need to convey my true feelings to her, even if I hurt someone else rather than letting them down I have them for nothing. There was a little short closing program where our professors thanked us for our participation as well as a little message from each one about the team building that happened. We all happily waited for our service school bus and we boarded immediately but before the car started we secretly talked with Endrix, Raim, Charles and Jake, we planned to take Lara and Andrea wherever they lived before us come home to our home so that we can know the whole truth about their character. We were united and then we sat in our respective seats.
At that time, I was next to Lara while Andrea was next to Charles, Endrix, Raim and Cecile were next to each other while Jake was next to Elvis and Mary Kate. I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of Vanessa who was next to Danita Joy and Monique who was also constantly turning in my direction, she was obviously still jealous of Lara, especially when she leaned on my neck while sleeping.
Our trip was very long, we stopped over at Mcdonald's and had lunch there first, then we went straight to the trip. We arrived in Quezon City at around two o'clock in the afternoon, our driver dropped us off at the Campus where we were greeted by our classmates, it was obvious that most of us were tired and really dizzy so we hurriedly commuted, it's a good thing and my friends and I were strong during the long trip, Andrea and Lara was starting to say goodbye but we stopped them.
"We will come with you, we will persevere even though you live so far away, we don't want to believe the make-up stories about your relatives in this world and I also want to go to the kingdom of Evadarcia to meet the dear king and queen," I said firmly and assertively to Lara.
"But…..
"Lara, the man who truly loves does not back down from any trials and problems for the sake of his beloved." I answered her.
Lara and Andrea were still a bit hesitant but, in the end, they didn't do anything other than take us as friends to the place where they live.
At first, we thought it was easy to go to their place of residence but we made a mistake, we commuted, at first, we rode a tricycle that took about half a minute then we took a taxi that took half an hour and the last one was a Jeepney which took five minutes into the trip, we got off at a barangay where we could see many houses, Endrix was a little scared because the place was a little weird and covered in mystery.
"What is this place we went to? Slaughter area or forest where terrorists are hiding?" he asked.
Charles frowned.
"Dude, don't be loud and complain, if you want to go home I won't stop you."
Endrix answered.
"I won't back down for the sake of our friendship, all for one, one for all, right?"
Charles agreed just to keep Endrix quiet.
We walked through the woods and it was getting a little dark by then, I looked at my watch and it was a quarter past four in the afternoon but there were so many trees in the woods covering the roads. We hear the rustling of animals around until Andrea and Lara stop in front of a tall tree.
They looked at us.
"We're here," Lara began.
We faced a lush, old tree. I looked up and there were so many vines hanging from the branches, I thought it was a Balete tree or a mysterious old tree but it was weird because each vines had small white flowers and I think the flowers grow from the vines. I examined the body and bark of the tree, I noticed that it was old and wrinkled all over.
A strange shudder rose through my entire system, I looked at my companions and noticed that their eyes were wide as they looked up at the tree.
When Andrea and Lara turned their backs, they suddenly changed form, the whole environment lit up, as well as their bodies, shining like a beautiful crystal, silver wings grew on their backs and their clothes changed, they are currently wearing a green silk dress and we were all facing them, we started to get awestruck when we saw their ethereal beauties, they were complete fairies.
Lara spoke.
"I am Princess Aurora of the kingdom of Evadarcia and Andrea is my personal assistant, her real name is Avena who is a gatekeeper and protector of our kingdom," Lara's voice was authoritative and cold, far from her sweetness and tenderness.
"Whoa! It's incredible." Jake said with his eyes still wide at what he was seeing.
Avena started to go to that tree, she approached the trunk of the tree, she caressed its bark and after a while, the middle of the tree suddenly split towards the upward part. I was shocked by what I saw and I almost backed away with great nervousness as well as my friends who looked amazed at what happened, the tree split in two but I was even more terrified by what I saw when the inside of the body of the tree opened, it's very bright inside startled in front of us and to my shock I saw in the interior large sofas, tables, and various utensils within a typical home.
"Come, don't be afraid and we will introduce you to our friends." Lara held out her hands and I bravely responded; my friends followed me who were still looking around.
When we got inside, we were even more amazed at the huge space inside, it was like we were inside a mall, and the temperature was a bit cold and the light was so bright that it seemed like the sunlight was inside the whole house.
"Good afternoon Boobay, Winry and Sahara. We're home and we have something to introduce to your new friends, come out where you are hiding," there was authority in Avena's voice but it was soothing and it looked like I could sleep because of the extreme coldness of her voice
After a while three creatures came out from the kitchen, they were carrying a plate with only cookies. Endrix, Jake, Raim, and Charles and I looked at each other and I felt as if there was a bit of horror enveloping our bodies, we observed their forms, , I looked closely at their faces, the first was a man in his 30s with long ears and long black hair while with a silver design shining on the lids of his eyes, the second woman who also looks 30 years old, also has long ears but her hair is gray and like the man she also has silver glued to her face , the third creature is a girl who is 10 years old, not far away from the appearance of the second woman.