Chapter Nine
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlhew9IFFF
I opened the shower and welcomed the cold water. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. The memory of almost kissing Zoi kept replaying on my mind. And every time I closed my eyes, I would see him with that smirk of his that was enough to stop my heart. I would see the electrifying glint in his eyes every time he looked at me. It was all enough to drive me insane.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtNDeYYnNO
I turned the shower off. And took the towel from my right to dry myself. Then, I wore an acid-wash jeans that was ripped in the knees, a gray shirt, and completed with my favorite black ankle-high boots. With my hair still wet and uncombed, I exited the bathroom with the towel in my hand.
I turned the shower off. And took the towel from my right to dry myself. Then, I wore an acid-wash jeans that was ripped in the knees, a gray shirt, and completed with my favorite black ankle-high boots. With my hair still wet and uncombed, I exited the bathroom with the towel in my hand.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvv9LmXo3c
“Hey, morning,” Steven greeted me by the dining room, which needs to be crossed to get to the bathroom. He was drinking a cup of coffee.
“Hey, morning,” Steven greeted me by the dining room, which needs to be crossed to get to the bathroom. He was drinking a cup of coffee.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qECVQEJCA
“Morning, Steve,” I greeted back as I sat next to him. “Up early aren’t you?”
“Morning, Steve,” I greeted back as I sat next to him. “Up early aren’t you?”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5czZb5S7Zv
“Look who’s speaking,” he answered with a smirk.
“Look who’s speaking,” he answered with a smirk.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy3hTvDAGo
I laughed at him and poured myself a cup of coffee. The strong aroma of pure coffee beans entered my nostril and I was lost in heaven. I was a self-proclaim coffee addict, and without coffee I would be useless for the whole day. Thankfully, Lily and Rose could create coffee beans and theirs was the best.
I laughed at him and poured myself a cup of coffee. The strong aroma of pure coffee beans entered my nostril and I was lost in heaven. I was a self-proclaim coffee addict, and without coffee I would be useless for the whole day. Thankfully, Lily and Rose could create coffee beans and theirs was the best.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPieuzNE2h
I sniffed at my coffee cup before taking a sip and I moan in delight. Steven laughed at me and I stuck a tongue out at him, earning another laugh. The door opened and we both turned to see who it was. Tash entered the cabin with a bright smile that vanished when her eyes landed on me.
I sniffed at my coffee cup before taking a sip and I moan in delight. Steven laughed at me and I stuck a tongue out at him, earning another laugh. The door opened and we both turned to see who it was. Tash entered the cabin with a bright smile that vanished when her eyes landed on me.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsSHJ2kHji
Faster than I could blink, Tash was standing in front of me with a look of disappointment in her eyes. I raised an innocent brow at her and she sighed before excusing herself and ran out again. Steven and I exchanged a look of confusion but he shrugged as he mumbled under his breathe something along the line, ‘women’.
Faster than I could blink, Tash was standing in front of me with a look of disappointment in her eyes. I raised an innocent brow at her and she sighed before excusing herself and ran out again. Steven and I exchanged a look of confusion but he shrugged as he mumbled under his breathe something along the line, ‘women’.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2TxFrQZcq
I started to enjoy my coffee when once again, Tash graced us with her presence. She quickly ran towards me again and demanded me to sit straight up. Without nothing better to do, I did as she asked. Then, she reached for the towel beside me before towel-drying my hair. I furrowed my brow in confusion but let her do it, anyway. Saved me the trouble. As Tash busied herself with drying my hair, Steven and I made small talks like what we planned on doing for the day.
I started to enjoy my coffee when once again, Tash graced us with her presence. She quickly ran towards me again and demanded me to sit straight up. Without nothing better to do, I did as she asked. Then, she reached for the towel beside me before towel-drying my hair. I furrowed my brow in confusion but let her do it, anyway. Saved me the trouble. As Tash busied herself with drying my hair, Steven and I made small talks like what we planned on doing for the day.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpRfKZPo9A
When my hair was dry, Tash put the wet towel down on one of the chair and I felt her running a comb through my hair. Thankfully, her hands were light; taking care of not hurting me. Sadly, my hair was tangled up in all places making it harder for her to run a comb through it.
When my hair was dry, Tash put the wet towel down on one of the chair and I felt her running a comb through my hair. Thankfully, her hands were light; taking care of not hurting me. Sadly, my hair was tangled up in all places making it harder for her to run a comb through it.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2aDYIdF9D
I grunted when she managed to pull at one of the tangled bunch and hurt my scalp. I rubbed the sore spot and faced her, “What’s with you today? You know I comb my hair when I get back to the cabin after my morning coffee,”
I grunted when she managed to pull at one of the tangled bunch and hurt my scalp. I rubbed the sore spot and faced her, “What’s with you today? You know I comb my hair when I get back to the cabin after my morning coffee,”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYCp9QOffW
Tash gasped, “That was before, Katra! You don’t want Zoi to see you with a bird’s nest for a hair, do you?”
Tash gasped, “That was before, Katra! You don’t want Zoi to see you with a bird’s nest for a hair, do you?”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpgnq8i0zx
I choked on my coffee. I coughed a few times and Steven patted my back gently until I stopped. “How the hell Zoi got into the picture?” Then, I took my cup again and started to finish the coffee.
I choked on my coffee. I coughed a few times and Steven patted my back gently until I stopped. “How the hell Zoi got into the picture?” Then, I took my cup again and started to finish the coffee.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlatsSbQxua
“As your love interest!” Tash answered dreamily.
“As your love interest!” Tash answered dreamily.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5ru6omfTQ
This time, I did more than choked. I spat the drink that was inside my mouth, making coffee rain in front of me. I coughed harder and my throat hurt. I hit my chest a few times and Steven gave me a glass of water which I gladly took and drank to relieve the pain.
This time, I did more than choked. I spat the drink that was inside my mouth, making coffee rain in front of me. I coughed harder and my throat hurt. I hit my chest a few times and Steven gave me a glass of water which I gladly took and drank to relieve the pain.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UHVxrBnQ9
“Next time, don’t speak when I’m drinking, Tash.”
“Next time, don’t speak when I’m drinking, Tash.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJH1o5dLzu
She laughed at me, “but there’s no use in denying, Katra.”
She laughed at me, “but there’s no use in denying, Katra.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9XD8ZLPf
I shook my head at her as I stood up. Then, I took my towel and cleaned the mess I made before taking my cup and the glass to the sink. I heard Tash groaned as she dropped beside Steven. I shook my head at her again and excused myself to Steven; he nodded at me and turned to Tash. He said something to her but I didn’t heard it.
I shook my head at her as I stood up. Then, I took my towel and cleaned the mess I made before taking my cup and the glass to the sink. I heard Tash groaned as she dropped beside Steven. I shook my head at her again and excused myself to Steven; he nodded at me and turned to Tash. He said something to her but I didn’t heard it.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dOFiB3wWz
I threw the dirty towel to the laundry basket and left the main cabin. Cold, fresh air greeted me as I stepped under the sun. Carlos and Annie came running to me with their hands behind their backs.
I threw the dirty towel to the laundry basket and left the main cabin. Cold, fresh air greeted me as I stepped under the sun. Carlos and Annie came running to me with their hands behind their backs.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSApxv00Yg
“Good morning, Katra!” They greeted together.
“Good morning, Katra!” They greeted together.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx8Qmt6ZaV
“Good morning, Carlos, Annie,” I greeted back with a smile.
“Good morning, Carlos, Annie,” I greeted back with a smile.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi9XUG7G3F
Then, they revealed their hands and I saw that they were holding a rose each and gave it to me with a toothy grin. I took it with a thank you and the two giggled at me before running away. My heart swelled with happiness as I watched them run. I would trade everything I have just to keep the peace in our little camp.
Then, they revealed their hands and I saw that they were holding a rose each and gave it to me with a toothy grin. I took it with a thank you and the two giggled at me before running away. My heart swelled with happiness as I watched them run. I would trade everything I have just to keep the peace in our little camp.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRtdnEwpqR
I raised the roses to my nose and sniffed the distinct scent of the flower. I felt myself got lost in the moment. So, when I felt a presence behind me, I jumped in shock and turned around. I saw Zoi looking at me with his lopsided grin and his brow rose as his eyes dropped to the roses I was holding. Then, his grin dropped as he revealed his right hand. His right hand that was also holding a rose.
I raised the roses to my nose and sniffed the distinct scent of the flower. I felt myself got lost in the moment. So, when I felt a presence behind me, I jumped in shock and turned around. I saw Zoi looking at me with his lopsided grin and his brow rose as his eyes dropped to the roses I was holding. Then, his grin dropped as he revealed his right hand. His right hand that was also holding a rose.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2RghfuRiw
“I guess I’m late, huh?”
“I guess I’m late, huh?”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUgsLBsj2Q
I laughed softly and gave him a one-sided smile, “I guess you are,”
I laughed softly and gave him a one-sided smile, “I guess you are,”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZAIRXQfPi
“Who gave it?” he asked grumpily and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Who gave it?” he asked grumpily and I couldn’t help but laugh.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8LXl8j6Es
“Carlos and Annie,” I answered, “Aren’t they sweet?”
“Carlos and Annie,” I answered, “Aren’t they sweet?”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PnRFpI8Cm
His grin was back and he gave me the rose which I took with a questioning stare. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcFxNLv45V
“Ookay? What changed?”
His grin was back and he gave me the rose which I took with a questioning stare. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcFxNLv45V
“Ookay? What changed?”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjJVUYTSAX
He shrugged, “Children gave it to you. Doesn’t count.”
He shrugged, “Children gave it to you. Doesn’t count.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVEVq1sbWf
“Thank you- for the rose.”
“Thank you- for the rose.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUuAnQxGgu
ԘίŊ
ԘίŊ
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERzdfr6axB
“We’re running out of some supplies,” Drew said.
“We’re running out of some supplies,” Drew said.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtb5EyAbOW
We were inside the main cabin, the dining hall to be exact. We were having our monthly meeting. The two kids were already asleep by the corner in one of the extra tables. We held meetings like this to plan for the season change, changing of jobs, supply breakdown, and if there was any emergency.
We were inside the main cabin, the dining hall to be exact. We were having our monthly meeting. The two kids were already asleep by the corner in one of the extra tables. We held meetings like this to plan for the season change, changing of jobs, supply breakdown, and if there was any emergency.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9p0CbmMpe
“Winter is coming and we have to be prepared,” Coleen added. “The cabins, as they are now, would likely fall at one of the nasty snow storms this place get during the season.”
“Winter is coming and we have to be prepared,” Coleen added. “The cabins, as they are now, would likely fall at one of the nasty snow storms this place get during the season.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XVS7uxxR0
“We can make them sturdier,” Steven interjected. “But the logs would barely be able to keep the cold away.”
“We can make them sturdier,” Steven interjected. “But the logs would barely be able to keep the cold away.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD7wh16hWU
“It all comes down to one solution, huh?” I announced and everyone turned quiet as they stared at me.
“It all comes down to one solution, huh?” I announced and everyone turned quiet as they stared at me.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFma4CGdnVc
Then, Steven stood up, “We can change shifts every run. You don’t have to do it, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVLL2Pbxx0
Katra. Now we have Zoi and Griffin, it’ll be enough for two pairs at every run.”
Then, Steven stood up, “We can change shifts every run. You don’t have to do it, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVLL2Pbxx0
Katra. Now we have Zoi and Griffin, it’ll be enough for two pairs at every run.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIKQHXNc7v
The others nodded in agreement but I shook my head, “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry. We can divide the supplies we need to get at the town. Then, we’ll have three runs. That should be enough to get the supplies we need.”
The others nodded in agreement but I shook my head, “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry. We can divide the supplies we need to get at the town. Then, we’ll have three runs. That should be enough to get the supplies we need.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWFiLOwd2x
“I’m guessing you want to run alone?” Drew asked and I nodded. They all sighed at me.
“I’m guessing you want to run alone?” Drew asked and I nodded. They all sighed at me.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12eXLXFOvJ
“Fine, the two first pairs of runners would take care for of the bigger supplies like winter clothes and winter gears. While it’ll be easier and faster if you grab the smaller supplies like nails and boards.”
“Fine, the two first pairs of runners would take care for of the bigger supplies like winter clothes and winter gears. While it’ll be easier and faster if you grab the smaller supplies like nails and boards.”
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMHnCZRoyc
We all nodded at the plan. Since winter was a harsh season, Lily and Rose needed extra hands at the farm to make sure their fruits and vegetable were harvested before they die from the wind or gets destroyed by passing animals. So, Coleen, Natasha, and Carly had offered their help. The triplets were to build a bigger fence for the chickens and a sturdier pen for the pigs.
We all nodded at the plan. Since winter was a harsh season, Lily and Rose needed extra hands at the farm to make sure their fruits and vegetable were harvested before they die from the wind or gets destroyed by passing animals. So, Coleen, Natasha, and Carly had offered their help. The triplets were to build a bigger fence for the chickens and a sturdier pen for the pigs.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTJk9OrCUp
Everything was planned out, come winter and we’ll know if all our efforts would work.
Everything was planned out, come winter and we’ll know if all our efforts would work.
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguvFJF8HcR
ns216.73.216.250da2 
