Chapter 14
Walking back to the hotel felt less like a simple stroll and more like a quiet journey through the night. The waves lapped gently at the shore, mirroring the soft glow of the moon. The cold breeze whispered against their skin, carrying the salty scent of the ocean, as if nature itself was humming a lullaby just for them. The hush of the night seemed to slow time, stretching each second into something almost tangible—something neither of them wanted to slip away too soon.
Freen and Becky walked side by side. Close, but not close enough.
Their hands weren’t intertwined this time, though both of them wished—so badly—that they were.
"It’s beautiful. The view." Becky’s voice finally broke the silence, her excitement bubbling over in a grin so wide it made her eyes crinkle at the corners. "Thank you so much, P’Freen, for bringing me here with you."
The moon hung high in the sky, but all the stars seemed to have found their place in Becky’s eyes that night.
Freen hummed in response, calm, relaxed—at peace in a way she rarely was. "Hmm... it is beautiful."
Becky sighed happily, turning her gaze back toward the waves. "Wanna sit somewhere quiet? Just for a while. Let’s soak it all in—be one with the ocean, the night, the breeze, the moon."
Her voice was wistful, almost pleading, as if she wanted to freeze this moment and keep it in her palms forever. It was still hard for her to believe all of this was real. So, she stuck to her personal mantra:
"If this is a dream at least in my dream I’ll do my best to have it my way."
Freen teasingly rolled her eyes, glancing at her sideways. "Our room’s balcony is spacious, and it’s practically on the beach. You can spend the whole night there and ‘be one with the view’ as much as you want."
Freen was lowkey concern for becky’s health as she was literally shivering from the cold breeze.
Becky pouted, her voice dipping into something softer, more sulky. "But what’s the guarantee that you’ll enjoy it with me?"
Freen halted mid-step, turning to look at her—really look at her. "So much for keeping the rules, huh?"
Becky met her gaze, feeling a strange thrill crawl up her spine at the intensity in Freen’s dark eyes. "It’s not our dorm room, babe."
Wait.
"Babe?"
B-a-b-e.
Becky’s own tongue betrayed her. Her breath hitched, her eyes widening in horror as she turned to Freen, frozen in place like a deer caught in headlights.
Freen was already frowning, arms crossed, looking at Becky as if she had just handed over undeniable proof of something.
Oh boy.
Becky could hear her own thoughts screaming. Run, Bec. Run.
Without another word, she backpedaled a few steps before spinning on her heel and breaking into a light sprint. "I’LL WAIT FOR YOU IN THE ROOM, P’FREEN! WHO EVEN WALKS THIS SLOW? HURRY UP!"
She disappeared into the hotel entrance before Freen could react.
The ocean sighed. The breeze danced between the palm trees.
And Freen?
She stood there, replaying the moment in her head, before letting out a long exhale.
"Babe?"
A slow smirk crept onto her lips.
Oh, I think it’s the perfect time to hold your horses, my ‘little sister.’
She chuckled, enjoying her own private joke.
Even though the thought alone should have made her stomach churn, should have triggered something deep, something terrifying. But strangely, it didn’t.
There was something about this night and these moments that kept freen’s heart at ease. She was getting effortlessly happy, content, and all because of…. Oh let’s not think that much.
Shrugging her thoughts aside, she walked back to the hotel, a quiet smile tugging at her lips, feeling the brewing storm in her heart—one that could either ruin everything… or turn it into something even more beautiful.
"Hey, hey—before you settle in, I need my personal space here for maybe... ten minutes," Freen informed, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and rummaging through one of her bags for a lighter.
Becky, already on the balcony, was busy arranging the only bean bag they had in the room, draping a comfy blanket over it. When she turned around, her gaze landed on Freen, who was clearly preparing to light her cigarette. Disapproval flashed in Becky's eyes.
Not on my watch, babe.
A mischievous thought sparked in Becky's mind, and before she knew it, a plan was forming. As Freen stepped onto the balcony, Becky stood firm.
"Move," she commanded.
Freen barely lifted a brow at the sudden order, about to brush it off when Becky added, "I wanna try it too."
Determined posture. Pleading eyes. A performance worthy of an award.
Freen froze. "What did you just say?" she spat, her sharp gaze drilling into Becky's with pure warning.
"I get tired too, you know," Becky said, unwavering. "I get frustrated with things I can't say. And if this little thing helps so many people—including you—then I wanna try it too. Give me one."
Her eyes locked onto Freen's, confidence radiating from her stance.
Freen was losing it. "If you say that one more time, Bec, I swear—I'm leaving you out here alone!" While freen didn’t hear what she just said because she was fuming, but Becky? Becky heard it ALL TOO WELL.
Bec.
Bec, Bec, Bec.
Freen had just called her Bec—for the first time.
Oh god.
On the outside, Becky turned away, pretending to sulk as she gazed out at the ocean. But inside? Inside, her soul was dancing.
From Freen’s perspective, though, it seemed like Becky was genuinely upset. Had she scolded her too harshly?
Letting out a sigh, Freen shut the cigarette pack, tossing it onto the nearby table. Then, she stepped forward, softening her tone.
"Becky, you're just a kid, okay?" Concern laced her voice.
Becky scoffed in sarcasm. "Oh? Oh, I don't think so, Grandma."
Freen rolled her eyes but got the message. With a swift motion, she placed her hands on Becky's arms, turning her to face herself. Close—but not close enough.
"Bec, smoking is dangerous. And whatever it is that's weighing on you, just tell me. We’ll find a solution. But don’t even think about picking up this habit," Freen said, her voice calm, almost tender. "I know I do too—but that thing is the only one that stays with me through all my highs and lows. It’s my sole companion."
As soon as the words left her lips, she turned away, staring at the view. Silence crept in.
She never talked this much. Not about herself. Not about her habits. Not about her highs and lows.
The realization hit, and Freen quickly retreated into her thoughts, repeating the mantra she had convinced herself of: I care about you cause you are my sister bec, That’s all. Freen thoughts were loud but not as loud to be audible to becky.
"I don’t know about before, but now, you can count on me," Becky said softly, sincerity in her eyes. "I might not understand everything, but I can listen. And yeah, I don’t like you smoking either. Because it really is dangerous, na kha."
Becky respond with the same concern to freen.
Freen exhaled and maintained her cold aura. "You don’t have to care about me."
Becky’s brows furrowed. Arms crossed. Eyes locked.
A silent challenge.
The message was clear—"Same to you."
Freen sighed in defeat. "Alright, I'm not smoking tonight. Can we skip all this? You enjoy your view."
She turned to leave, but Becky caught her wrist.
"Not just me. Us. You promised."
Freen scoffed. "Oh, I don’t do promises, little princess. And I’m coming back—I can’t even go to the washroom in peace?"
With that, she disappeared inside.
Becky was victorious.
She giggled, danced, her face turning red from the excitement. Her plan had worked like a charm.
Then, her eyes landed on Freen’s cigarette pack on the table.
With a swift move, she grabbed it and tossed it into the bin.
"Not under my watch."
A relieved sigh escaped her lips, confidence soaring. Her parents always told her: if you set your mind to something, you’ll get it. And now?
She had someone to win over.
Then, a mischievous thought crossed her mind.
"At this rate… with the way I’m gaining the upper hand in making such a huge impact… if we ever—you know ;)—our couple hashtag would DEFINITELY be BackFreen."
With a triumphant smirk, she settled into her bean bag, waiting for Freen to return.
While Becky was lost in the view and her thoughts, Freen made her way over, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. She settled onto a small stool beside Becky, who was comfortably curled up on the bean bag.
"I ordered a milk tea for you," Freen said, sipping her coffee as her eyes stretched toward the horizon where the sea met the sky.
"Thank you, P’Fieen," Becky replied in the sweetest tone.
Silence wrapped around them like a warm embrace, as if they were slowly merging with the view— the sea, the sky, and you ;)
A while later, the doorbell rang. Becky started to get up, but Freen stopped her with a light push. "Let me."
Becky watched as Freen walked off and thought to herself, You unknowingly spoil me so much, babe.
Freen returned with Becky’s milk tea in hand. "Umm, 50% sugar. Don’t whine," she warned.
"It’s okay. Everything else is extra sweet today," Becky teased, taking the cup from Freen.
Freen rolled her eyes and sat back down. Becky observed her, waiting for the right moment to start a conversation, carefully measuring the proximity between them.
"Can I ask you something?" Becky said hesitantly.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I said no," Freen repeated, locking eyes with her.
Becky huffed. "Oh, so talking to me is such a big deal, but you can have effortless conversations with your presidential troops of four?" She sulked, her tone laced with sarcasm—a carefully crafted strategy to get Freen to give in.
"They’re my childhood friends. They’ve been with me for years," Freen shot back crisply.
"I can spend years with you too. I can be your friend too." Becky’s voice was determined, though she avoided eye contact. It was a bold move, a quiet confession, and she wasn’t ready to face Freen’s reaction just yet.
Freen, momentarily stunned by Becky’s boldness, quickly recovered as she is used to Becky blurting out whatever was on her mind, a trait Freen secretly loved—how Becky was fearless, determined, and completely unfiltered.
"You’re not my friend," Freen stated clearly.
Becky frowned. "Then why do you care so much?"
"Because you’re cute as a puppy, clumsy as a kid. If you’re anything to me, you’re this little thing called ‘a little sister.’ Freen spoke carefully, crafting her words.
Becky choked on her tea. "Excuse me?"
Freen chuckled. "Hey, sip easy. See? Careless and clumsy, little princess. Someone always has to look out for you."
Becky stiffened, pulling away before Freen could reach out to comfort her. "I’m not anyone’s little princess except my parents’. And I don’t need anybody’s help."
The ache on Becky’s face was palpable. Freen felt the sting of her own words, realizing that she had just unraveled something fragile between them. She knew the rain in her heart was about to ruin whatever they had built so far. So be it, she thought to herself.
Silence settled between them again. Becky set aside her milk tea, no longer in the mood for it. She turned fully toward the view, hiding the forming tears in her eyes.
Is that what she thinks of me? A little clumsy thing that needs help? Is that why you look after me? Becky’s thoughts spiraled, and inside, she was breaking. Just minutes ago, she had been dancing in her soul. Now, she was sobbing inside, stung to the core.
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s all my teenage hormones making me imagine things, hoping for romantic stuff in a hopeless place. Maybe I took it too far. She chuckled bitterly to herself, her sarcasm masking the deep hurt within.
Freen watched Becky, her heart heavy. She never meant to hurt her. Becky was someone Freen instinctively wanted to protect but the way she had delivered her words, though, had clearly done more damage than the word "sister" itself.
Freen had spent her whole life learning to endure pain that fate has written in her fortune, but watching Becky hurt? She couldn’t take even a second of it. Not at all.
"Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was a compliment, not a complaint," Freen hesitated, trying to touch Becky’s shoulder, but she couldn’t gather the courage. Becky remained silent.
Freen sighed deeply. The burden of hurting Becky was too much to bear. She stood up, walked in front of Becky, and knelt. Looking into Becky’s heavy, tear-filled eyes, she cupped her cheeks gently between palms of her both hands.
"What do I do if you’re too cute? Too innocent in a world full of cruel people for my liking? Too fierce and fearless like a stubborn child? Too bold and beautiful like a princess should be? Is it wrong for me to want to look after you?" Freen’s words spilled out in one breath as if they had always been at the edge of her lips, waiting to escape.
Becky’s heart melted at Freen’s confession—the confession of an her ice queen, cold, guarded, and distant queen, finally opening up with pure honesty in her eyes. A tear slipped from Becky’s eye, but this time, it wasn’t from pain. It was because of how sweet and pure Freen’s confession were.
"No, no, no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry," Freen panicked, her thumbs wiping Becky’s tears away. "I swear, I’ll stop teasing you. I’ll go back to being quiet. Just don’t cry please."
At that moment, as if a cloud burst into thunder somewhere but it was actually the cloud of emotions in Becky's heart and so without thinking, Becky threw herself into Freen’s arms, wrapping her arms tightly around Freen’s neck. Her head rested at the crook of Freen’s shoulder, her grip suffocating them both, their chests pressed together—absolutely no space left between them. They hugged, their very first hug where there was no space for anything else but their drumming heart beats.
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Wait a second, everyone, let me grab some tissues. Even as the writer, I’m bleeding tears here. It’s too much—too sweet, too heavy. Let me cry first.