Chapter one hundred fourteen: "Lively"
They first brought me to the campus which was bigger than my old school
Great, even if I wake up early I would still be late since the distance of the campus to the school entrance is so big it will take me 15 minutes to get to the classroom
The distance was one thing but there was a lot of grass to sit on to make up for it, while we were walking I was so distracted by the view of the sea that was beside the school that I didn't notice I bumped into someone
I look up to see Max who has a surprised face "Penelope?" He seems so happy that he met me again
"Max! What are you doing here?" Mira walked up to us and she looks a bit similar to Max
"Can't I walk to school on a Saturday sis?"
Mira shook her head "No"
My eyes were met with Max's "By the way I think someone is looking for you, it's all over the news" he pointed his index finger at me
Way to go Cloud, you got the tv station involved.
Isn't he going a bit overboard? I thought by now he would stop searching and just go on with his life
Mira slapped her brother's shoulder and gave him a small glare "Can't you take a hint? She doesn't want to be found. Use that brain of yours other than playing video games!"
He doesn't seem to understand the situation but he won't give up trying to know why I'm here "Good luck in hiding though because there is a viral video going on the internet talking about you" Max dug his hand deep in his shoulder bag and pulled out his phone
We waited for him to find the video and I feel anxious about what does the viral video contained because it was my first time hearing it, his eyes finally lit up as he turned the phone to face us
In the video, there was a title that says: To Penelope Aka Angel
Cloud was in the video who was sitting on his couch in his penthouse, beside him were Nick and Nikki
At first, I thought it was gonna be a touching video but when Cloud opened his mouth he said "You can run but you can't hide from me Angel, you do know I won't give up easily" he grinned at the camera
His eyes didn't give off the same warmth that he would always give me because this time they showed desperation and wanting
He was grinning but his eyes were slightly red like he came back from crying
Crying?
Pfft, as if the great Cloud Marshall would cry just because I disappeared, he must have got something into his eyes before the video starts
Nikki then spoke right after Cloud "Penelope just come home"
That was sweet
"Then we'll tie you up so you won't leave again" Nick added happily with a wide grin which resulted in him getting slapped at the back of his head and a slap on his shoulder by Nikki
I guess not
Cloud pulled out a picture of me "If any of you has seen a girl that looks like this our numbers will appear after the video so you can call us, don't make her move even a single finger until we get there"
The video ended there but it was raking in billions of views
Max pointed to the three in the video "These three won't stop until they find you and you think you could be well hidden in a seaside town?" His one brow raised at me because he made a point
I understand that the seaside would be a weird place to hide but it is better because I was a little familiar with the place before
"DAISY COME LOOK AT THIS!" Mira yelled for Daisy to come over because she was busy talking to a guy who was in a Jersey and was holding a bat
I didn't know there was a baseball team in this school
Daisy ran to my side quickly and a blush appeared on her cheeks once she saw Max, Mira was trying to hide her smile and I think I get the scenario
She knows her best friend is in love with her brother, playing cupid I see
Mira pointed to the trio "I saw my idol and his sister but who's the guy in the middle?" She pointed to Cloud
Daisy played and watched the video after it finished she laughed "This seems more like a threat than a desperate plea to come home, some friends you have Penelope. Even your boyfriend made it clear he is not gonna stop until he finds you"
Mira and Max looked at each other before looking at us again with a puzzled expression, Daisy tilted her chin up like a proud expression. She pointed to Cloud "This guy right here is Penelope's fake boyfriend, it's sort of a long story and it ended with Penelope running away"
"Sound like a juicy story that I would listen to over a hot cup of tea" Max puts his phone back in his bag
"You like tea?" I asked him with an amused expression on my face
This is the first time I'm hearing that a guy likes tea
"Who doesn't like to drink tea that includes the latest gossip? I'm all in for it"
Daisy puts an arm around me "How about we show Mia around the place"
"Mia?" Max tilted his head like a dog
He wasn't the guy I was expecting him to be, he loves gossip, tea, and is a bit slow in reading a situation
"My new name, please use it when we're around other people"
He nodded to me like a bobblehead that is sometimes on the dashboard of a car
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We drank tea that was made by Max in his home, the sea was their view because their house was next to it so right after we drank the oolong tea he gave us I rolled up my pants and removed my shoes to dip my feet in the water
I have always dreamed of wanting to dip my feet in the same place as I have done it in my childhood memories, it came true and I was happy about it
My sisters would've loved this place because they love the beach as much as I do, every family vacation we would always go to the beach and play. It would last 1 week then we go home right after
All of us would be tanned from playing under the sun for too long
Good times
I stood still and gazed at the sea's horizon
I feel lonely, I'm free but I'm lonely even though Mira and Daisy were here with me playing in the water
I'm ashamed to go home because I'm also afraid my family wouldn't welcome me with open arms, I don't even want to know what Cloud is going to do if he sees me after he puts up a small threat in a viral video
I'm sure he would love to see the sea with the breathtaking view in front of me
Fishes swam between my feet and the small waves would splash at my knees since I'm in the water, I felt the sand and rocks between my toes as I move forward
I felt someone touch my shoulder so I twisted my head and faced Max "You ok? We've been trying to call you but you wouldn't respond"
My eyes landed on Mira and Daisy with worry in their eyes, I gave them a fake smile "I'm ok, I'm fine"
Daisy sensed that I was faking my smile quickly "You could tell us if you feel sad, I'll tell you what, I have great news for you"
Mira snapped her fingers and did jazz hands on both of her hands "We're going to celebrate the founding of this town with a huge festival, I heard there is gonna be free food"
It's the free food that has piqued my interest immediately
"The festival is gonna last for three days" Max was the most excited out of all of us
"It's because our cousin Wyett is also going to come here because his agent told him to get as many pictures as possible for the magazine" Mira boasted to us
Daisy leaned into my ear and whispered "The magazine he works for is named " Lively" it's not that famous though so don't worry" she tried to assure me
I don't even know if my family or friends even look at a photo magazine Because most of our magazines are all fashion and art-related so I doubt they'll even know the small-time magazine named "Lively"
So if I get in one of Wyett's pictures it'll be fine
"So when is the festival?"
Max gave me a small card and it was the small free food invite "It will start in three days"