It was lunch time already, three more hours, dad insisted to be the one to take me to the airport later using our chopper.
The cool breeze was so refreshing especially that we're on the roof deck of the rest house, one by one of my cousins also asked me to take a selfie with them and I did.
"It's already time for you to go back huh" Jake said.
"Yeah" I nodded sadly.
"We're going back to the military anyways" Jiro said.
"You're right" Yuhan muttered.
We ended our lunch and the 16 of us are left by the table, I'm taking this opportunity to memorize their newly improved faces, especially younger ones who are just a few years older than me, puberty hits them so hard.
I smiled at the scene of them laughing and teasing each other, this is how we use to do when we were still so young, everyone of us grew and gained a lot of improvements and I'm happy to see them like these.
Dad suddenly hang his arm over my shoulders while mom and my older sister appeared on my other side.
"Come on, let's take a stroll, just the four of us" he said and I happily nodded.
A perfect stroll, just the four of us, it's all silent but I felt complete, after a long time, I can say I'm happily complete once again but this happiness is ending anytime soon.
"You know, those people who hurt you before?" Dad started, I raised my eyebrow.
"What about them dad?" I asked casually, I can't talk about my trauma further more.
"You're mom eliminated all of them" he smirked.
"Mom..." I whinced.
"What? No one is allowed to hurt my baby, remember what mommy said before you where sent to Emprium Academy?" She asked and I nodded.
"No matter how far away you are as long as you're hurt, mommy will track them down" she hugged me.
"We always put our family first before anything else" Cris put a hand over my shoulder.
"See, now overcome that trauma already, live a beautiful life Ai, you're now safe" dad assured me.
"I will dad" I smiled as we look over the majestic one of a life time horizon in front of us.
"Have a safe trip Tinay" the twins hugged me lastly, well I guess I'll have to see them soon after I graduate.
"I will, I'll see you guys soon!" I waved and walked over the chopper.
Jeremy assisted me while dad is flying the chopper, my things are also settled beside me. I wore my headphones to sillent the noise from outside and watch how we flew away from the mansions rooftop where everyone is still waving at me.
The ride to the airport lasted for about 40 minutes, that quick, the chopper landed on the open field and not far from it was the private plane I used last friday.
Jeremy guided me as I got down the chopper, the other staffs from the airport also took my things and then I turn to my dad to ask who will be my pilot today.
"Oh, it's your grandpa" he smiled, I look at the plane and saw him waving at me while walking down the ladder.
I jogged towards him, with my dad following me.
"Grandpa!" I cheered and hugged him.
"My youngest grand daughter, I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend the party son" he pat my head before turning to dad.
"It's okay dad, I know you are busy, same goes to mom I guess" he chuckled.
"You're mom is dying to see you but she don't want to attend the party without me so I suggested to visit after I take this grand daughter of mine back to her school" he said.
"You're gonna be my pilot Grandpa?" My eyes glittered then he chuckled.
"Of course Ai, now go up now, Jeremy, after dropping you two off, please make sure she safely made it to her dormitory, if she gets hurt again I won't hesitate to release the powerful weapon on the military to make those people pay for what they did" he seriously said and my dad patted my head lightly before kissing it.
"Go now princess" he whispered and I nodded and climb up the plane with Jeremy following me.
"What powerful weapon are they talking about Jeremy?" I asked him once we settled down.
"I don't know, I haven't been visiting the military base since summer cause I'm helping your mom over some things" he shrugged.
"So that means you haven't get to see your wife?" I asked him, he sadly nodded and smiled afterwards.
"I know she's fine there and Perry said that he'll look after her" he replied and I smiled.
Once settled down, grandpa boarded the plane and immediately started our journey back to the academy.
I was just staring outside the window because I'm still not sleepy, a few things are running on my head especially the conversation between me, Honey and Jake had earlier after our volleyball match.
~flashback~
"Hey, how do you guys consider a person as your crush?" I asked them making them choke on their drinks.
I'm quite confuse tho, I've been feeling sick whenever I see that guy or even just hear his voice, I know it's not normal anymore and I need to know what should I do to avoid getting more affection.
"The heck?" Honey- for the first time in history, finally cursed.
"Are you dumb or what? Where did your parents hid you?" Jake's eyebrow arch before laughing his ass off.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance, I shouldn't ask them instead tsk, they're just gonna play around, I grab my water bottle and was about to leave when Honey held my arm and made me sit on the bench.
"Okay, now why are you asking us that? Do you perhaps like someone already?" He asked.
"Is he handsome?" Jake added.
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking you two" I intrigued.
"Let's see, when us boys have a crush on someone, we can stare at them forever, sometimes we'll make a few things to make them notice us, tease them or bully them until they can't live a day without seeing you, like that" Honey answered, so much for a cutie pie like him.
"I don't know if it's true but they say if a girl likes someone, they feel butterflies in their stomach, can't look at them straight on the eyes, stuttering every now and then and stuff" Jake shrugged.
Stuttering? Weird butterfly thingy? Can't look staright on the eyes? I felt my whole face heating and I unconciously cupped my cheeks, no way! No, this can't be happening!
"Are you okay Tinay?" Jake asked and hold my arm.
"Y-yeah, thanks for answering my nonsense questions hehe, I'll go ahead bye!" I hurriedly made my excuse and ran off to find my sister to avoid their showering questions.
~End of flashback~
That guy is seriously flirting me without him knowing, I don't really know but I think he's seriously bad for my heath at any circumstances.
I frowned and decided to get some sleep, I wore my headset and played some music before fixing my travel pillow and pulled my eye mask down.
I woke up when Jeremy shook me, I remove my eye mask and headset before sitting properly.
"We're landing in 10 minutes, fix yourself" he smiled and I nod my head in response.
I tied my hair into a messy bun and applied some lipbalm, I also wore my eyeglasses after applying some concealer to hide my dark circles and stretched my arms and legs in the process.
When the plane landed, I saw the Academy's bus waiting, I sighed when I saw my friends going out there with Sofia, Joseph and the 4th Cards, now what's with the welcome party? Not to mention that they are already wearing their uniform and it's just 4:50 in the morning.
When the plane stopped all of the guards stood up and walked down the plane leaving me and Jeremy alone, I handed him my bag while I take my phone with me.
"You should show off from your friends young madamé" Jeremy smirked.
"Hell no I'm doing that" I blurted out then I reached the opening door.
I sighed and ended up breathing the fresh air before removing my eyeglasses and walked down the stairs like a total royal, so I did end up showing off afterall huh?
"Young madamé" one of the guards called as I frowned to see my wrinkled coat, I toss my eyeglasses not giving a care who ever caught it and checked my coat before wearing it.
"Tine!" My friends cheered making me smile as they ran to me.
"Waking up this early to see me?" I grinned and they laughed.
"Gosh we missed you" Liz got teary eyed and I giggled.
"Ai" I immediately stood up properly and look over the entrance of the plane.
"Grandpa" I mumbled, he look at my friends then back to me before walking down until he reached Jeremy's place.
"Thank you for watching over my grand daughter" he gave them a genuine smile, really grandpa?? After traumatizing my friend from your coldness?
"It's not a problem sir, we're all best friends afterall" Sam smiled back and he nodded.
"I'll go ahead princess, be careful here" he said and I hugged him.
"Be careful grandpa" I giggled then he patted my head before leaving.
I think he's just gonna have a little rest before flying back to the country, I turn to them as Jeremy instructed something to the guards.
"Well, I'm back" I sighed tiredly.
"Welcome back!" The four of them cheered making me smile.
"Young madamé, we should go" Jeremy suddenly said.
"Sure, let's go" I said and we walked towards the bus.
I was isolated away from my friends because I sat on the back with Jeremy beside me and a bulky body guard on my other side then the rest of the guards sat infront of us making the others sit on the front, away from me.
Too much for my comeback huh, even dad contacted the academy for my arrival, pretty sure they want the security too be more stronger than the last time.
This wasn't as strong last friday when I got home, maybe because Mark and Jeremy was there so they consider to have less security?
I was too pre occupied with my thoughts when we finally entered the Academy's gate, the bus dropped us on our building and Jeremy was standing near me while I spoke to Sofia and the others.
"Sorry for diturbing your rest" I apologized then she chuckled.
"No problem, besides, I get to experience what it's like to be a girl from the military family" she bashfully said while waving her hands.
"Your things are already settled on the lobby, do you need anything else?" Jeremy butted in, seriously? I shook my head and smiled.
"Nothing, you may go" I told him, he bowed before leaving with the rest of the body guards.
I really have no idea where will they be staying for tonight, I just hope that they'll have a nice rest before flying back home. Aside from being my bodyguards, some on them are also serving from the military and some are our personal butlers.
My cousins doesn't allow any butlers near me unless they went through their training, aside from Jeremy I'm also close to Jiro and Shen's personal butlers, Francheska and Patty, they are the one's who taught me some basic self deffenses that I can use at emergency purposes.
"Well I guess you should head back and have a little rest before attending classes" Joseph said and I nod my head before thanking them once again.
"I just notice that your butler is so handsome when he's serious" Loraine suddenly nudges me when we entered the elevator.
"Oh come on Loraine, he's already married and his wife is on the military" I popped her off her dreamland, she pouted.
"Aww, that's bad" she frowned but grinned later on.
"I saw the pictures you sent Sam, who's the guy that is holding your waist?" She asked, the other three groaned in annoyance but laughed afterwards when they saw how persistent Loraine is when it comes to boys.
"What picture?" I asked, then Sam poked my side and showed me the picture I sent her.
"Oh? That's Shen, and on my other side is Cyvore" I pointed out.
"Shen? What's his real name? Is he also on the military?" Loraine asked nonstop.
"Shen Klaivein Moon and no, he's not in the military, he's actually a chef on his own restaurant and he's just 1 year older than me so that means he's still studying" I told her the other details about him and I saw how her eyes formed a heart and I can almost see her floating.
"Wooh way to go Loraine, he fit your ideal man" Annie chuckled.
"This one is handsome too" Liz suddenly pointed something on Sam's phone then the elevator opened.
We made our way towards my room while looking at Sam's phone and Liz was pointing at Jake.
"Jacob Elivour Choi, Jake for short, also a year older than me, he's pursuing medicine-actually he's having a few internship already on his parents' hospital which is one of the most famous hospital in the country" I told her.
"Ooh I didn't know you're into doctors Liz" Sam held her chest acting hurt.
"What?? I just find him handsome that's all" Liz blushed in the process.
I rolled my eyes and entered my room to take a warm bath and change into my uniform. I also fixed my things on my school bag before dragging my suitcase on the side of my closet, I'll fix it later.
We then walked down the cafeteria for our breakfast and the girls still keeps fangirling over my cousins.
"This one looks cute, he has a baby face" Annie pointed at Honey.
"That's Honey Vincent Castillo, also a year ahead of me, persuing Architecture, he hates being called cute unless it's me or my sister, he's also smart and my walking diary" I told her before biting on my pancake.
"Will he be mad if I call him cute?" She joked.
"We'll never know" I shrugged.
"This one kinda hits different" Sam unconciously zoom through Josh, the eldest among us 'youngest line'.
"Joshua Pheoxin Schmidt, we prefer to call him Josh, he's working on the military as well and he's as the same age as Honey, Jake and Shen, he quited school and joined the military instead because he find school boring" I shrugged.
"He's one of a badass guy, I think I like him" she giggled.
"You girls..." I mumbled looking at them helplessly, I shouldn't have let them see my cousins.
After having our breakfast we walked towards the main building to attend our classes, we dropped the two on their classroom first before proceeding to our classroom.
When we turn to the hallway and I immediately met his gaze, I instantly look away and swallowed down my saliva and turn to Sam who was busy looking at Josh's picture.
"Stop it, you're being creepy" I hissed then she chuckle and hid her phone.
I entered the classroom and was greeted by James, he handed me the notes he promised me.
"Aww you did save me one, thanks James" I grinned then he smirked.
"Can you people stop chatting here? This is a doorway not hallway" Ace scolded us in annoyamce before pushing James out of his way.
"Oh Icer, here's the rest of the research" I handed him a folder not minding the glare that Ace is giving us.
"Nice, I'll work on it later" he said and walked pass me.
I also entered the classroom and sat on my seat, great, I'm back one again on this classroom, I smiled unconciously and readied myself for the class to start.
Class started immediately when the bell rang, and before I knew it the day passed just like that.
Right now I'm talking to Sofia's group after our practice on volleyball, so far my scoring skills has been improving and it made them cheer for me.
"Hey we still need to finish the research" Icer called, oh now he's here too.
His friends are trailing behind him, I slapped my face mentally, he could just message me, now that they're here, it will be a chaos.
"Yow shortie, you're a wing spiker? Impressive" Troy laughed hard.
"Sadly no, I'm a middle blocker moron" Liz insulted.
"With that short height of yours? Who elected you to that position?" He smirked, then Ashlyn who was silent beside Sam, glared at him.
"Peirce, where is she?" I reffered to his fiancé.
"She's with Sam's roomate, I didn't do anything to them don't worry" he assured me.
"You're messing up the game guys" Kyle complained.
"Oh no, we're watching, it's the last set right?" Icer asked me with a grin.
"Yeah, let's go ladies" I clapped catching their attention.
The coach and our club coordinator is not around but Ashlyn gathered us to practice, we can't say no to her since we already assigned her as our team captain, but I was voted as vice-captain with the setter position.
"Sam, serve please" Ashlyn instructed which she immediately followed.
"Watch the head" I giggled and she glared at me but it ended when the referee whistled and she served the ball.
"Thea!" Liz yelled when she received the ball.
"Got it!" she responded and passed the ball towards my direction.
"Oh not her again" I smirked when I heard a complain from the other team.
"Tine..." Ashlyn gave me a signal and I nodded.
I tossed the ball towards her and she scored it, a lot of complaints rang my ear when that happened.
"See?! Then she kept saying that she doesn't know how to set the ball properly? Come on captain, how can the awesome players always be by that side?" Kiana groaned in annoyance.
"Because you guys need improvement" Ashlyn answered seriously.
"You, serve" she pointed to our other team mate and she nodded.
The game went on once again and the other team manage to steal the 2nd set, Ashlyn was proud that they won at least a single set today, after wiping our sweat off, Ashlyn told me to gather everyone around.
"Guys! Captain wants to say something" I yelled and my voice echoed through the whole gym.
"So far everyone gain improvements today and that's really a good job, everyone take an early rest and see you next practice, further announcements will be emailed to you directly, that's all, everyone dismissed" She smiled as we take our things before heading towards the shower room.
After taking a shower, I pinned my hair loosely using a chopstick because it was still wet then I grab my things and head out to the court.
"I'll go ahead, you guys eat first" I waved at Liz and Sam, they nod before leaving the gym.
I walked over to Icer and he told them to go back to their building without him. I look at Ace who wasn't really paying a single interest at what Icer was saying.
This guy really is complicated to read sometimes, there are some times that he's too hyper and tease me a lot but since I came back from my home-country, he's really treating me differently, he's cold now- is he somewhat avoiding me?
"Let's go" Icer called, I gave him a nod then we both left the gym and walked over the science lab to start doing our research.