Chapter 19 The Tradition

Tradition? What is it this time?

“We overlooked it. We are already one week late,” said Prince Eaux.

“Yeah. We haven't planned a single detail,” said Prince Zoltar.

“Maybe now is the time since all of us are already here,” said Prince Eaux. Okay so what is this?

“Psst Eaux,” Prince Feesy whispered while pointing at me so he looked at me.

“Oh right. Yani I'm sorry. Uhm do you have any idea about the tradition? Did Dad mention to you anything about it?” he asked me.

“Uhm no. I mean none,” I replied.

“Oh, well you see it's been a tradition of Eullenuum Nation that every year on March 26, we celebrate a certain event and that is to have a tournament of the cabins. Each cabin is going to present a certain game and we, the princes, will take care of it.”

“Uhm a competition?” I clarified.

“Oui. (“Yes” in French) And whatever cabin wins, will get a price that lasts until April 1.”

“So it's a one week price?”

“Yes. We will also discuss that uhm right now.”

“Okay,” I said while nodding.

There was just silence after I said that and they just looked at each other. Oh why haven't they started talking yet? Everyone looked at me. Oh okay. Looks like I've got it.

“And uhm I'm not a part of it?” I realized in question.

“Yes…” Prince Eaux replied. “I mean no.” What? What exactly do you want to say Prince Eaux?

“Well yes and no. Yes because you're not part of this meeting about the tradition but no because you're still part of the Tradition. Of course since this is your first time then you have to participate with us,” clarified Prince Eaux.

I didn’t talk back and just looked at him.

“But we're going to have a problem since you're part of the Main Cabin and we cannot think of which cabin or should we say team we will put you into so maybe we'll also talk about it right now and one of us will inform you later,” he added.

Ah okay. I just nodded… but I also wanted to say something but I couldn't say it so I looked away from them. Prince Eaux noticed this.

“Uhm is there anything wrong Yani? Are you confused about what I said?” he asked.

I smiled weakly. “No. I understood it but… “

“But what?”

“Uhm…” I started playing with my fingers. “I was thinking about something that maybe you can also talk about.”

“Oh sure. What is that?”

I first looked at each prince who was just looking at us and also turned my gaze to the table.

“Uhm I don't know if you guys should really talk about it and since you mentioned that Tradition, I've got this idea that maybe… uhm you know… uuhh… uhm…” I stammered. It's really hard to say.

I took a deep breath. “Go ahead Yani say it. Don't worry we will— “

“I think I should leave this nation after that Tradition you are all talking about,” I said directly.

Prince Eaux stopped and everyone was surprised by what I said.

“What?” Prince Turuki asked like he couldn’t believe it.

I didn’t say a word and just avoided looking at them.

“What are you talking about Yani?” Prince Fuego asked. I just bowed my head and remained silent. They heard it, didn't they?

“Wait, so you're telling us that you will leave Eullenuum Nation after the Tradition?” clarification by Prince Eaux.

I just nodded in response. “Why?”

I took another deep breath before I could answer again. “Because… I don't belong here,” I replied.

“No Yani,” Prince Feesy replied immediately. “That's not right. You belong here.”

“Look Yani, if it's about blaming you for Dad's death we are truly sorry,” Prince Eaux apologized. “We just got swallowed by our emotions and—”

“It's not just that,” I cut him off. “I think you all know why.”

All of them fell silent and looked at each other.

“What do you mean?” Prince Edmondo asked. “I didn't get—”

He stopped when Prince Eaux just gave him a look and at the same time Prince Eaux glimpsed at the sitting ice prince so Prince Edmondo also looked at him and understood what he meant even if he just looked at it. There was silence in the room but the ice broke when Prince Zoltar talked.

“Okay so yeah maybe we'll talk about that too—”

“Is it because of me?” Jethro interrupted.

Everyone stopped and looked at him at the same time he raised his head and looked seriously at me with my head still bowed.

“Oh come on Jethro,” said Prince Zoltar. “It's—”

“No,” I said and lifted my head and looked back at him seriously. “It was not you and will never be about you.”

He was surprised at what I did.

“After all that happened and thinking about everything, I just came to this decision. Even if I explain myself to everyone, none of you will ever understand,” I said that made them silent again.

No one spoke after that. Great. Why am I doing this? They should start the meeting.

I tried to smile at them. “I'm sorry for what I said. Just forget about it. Even if you, your highnesses, talk about it, nothing will change my decision. So maybe I'll just say thank you for everything and letting me be part of this.”

After I said that, I walked straight to the tube and when I got up, I went straight to my room. When I arrived, I first leaned against the door and sat on the floor.

I already said it. That's right. I am leaving after the Tradition. I have another week to prepare to leave here.

I suddenly felt tears falling. Great, why am I crying? Why would I be hurt? I am the reason why they are hurting. I am the reason why the life of someone I love is in danger. It was also because of me that the king died even though you already know what happened but I still can't help but feel guilty.

Things have happened in a row and I don't know if anything will happen next but it is better for me to leave so that nothing will happen. Prince Zoltar is right that Jethro should hate me so that I can avoid him easily but, it is better that I leave. At least I won't have a hard time but…

…it hurts because I have so many memories here that I can never forget.

An hour passed while I was thinking as I sat on my bed.

Knock, knock. I was surprised by the knock. Oh right. They will tell me what I will do with the Tradition. I wiped away my tears before I went to the door to open. Did they talk about what I said? When I opened it, I was surprised.

Seriously? Of all of them eight, he was really the one they chose?

“Jethro—” I was even more shocked when he went straight into my room. Wow hah. I have not said anything yet. I just closed the door. Anyways, just calm down Yani. Don’t show that—

“Where can I hide?” he suddenly said.

I was surprised. “Huh?”

He went to my closet and opened it. “Hey! What are you doing?!” I complained.

He just went in there and closed the door. “Tell me I'm not here,” was his lifeless words.

“Huh? To whom? “

Knock, knock. I jumped in shock when there was another knock.

Knock, knock! I just left him there and went to the door again. Upon opening it, Prince Eaux was in front of it.

“Yani.”

“Uhm Prince Eaux.”

“Did Jethro pass by here?” he asked.

“Uhm... uhh…” I looked at my closet at the same time. How did he know that Jethro would pass by here? Should I tell him or not?

“Did he?”

“Oh uhm well... y-yes he did,” I stammered.

“Really? Where is he?” he looked inside my room at the same time.

“No I mean, h-he passed by and knocked on my door and uhm... asked me… something and went away... immediately,” I explained.

“Oh right…” he sighed. “... good.”

“Why? What's wrong? “

He took a deep breath before speaking because he was out of breath. “Well we are deciding who will be the one to tell you about the tradition and suddenly, he volunteered. We tried to stop him but he ran away. I tried to chase him but I got lost. I thought he would stay here.”

Ahh. That's why. “Good thing. So uhm about the tradition,” he began. “…we decided that since you don’t belong to any cabin, you will make your own team because it will be unfair if you are a part of just a cabin because of your ability to control all elements.”

I just nodded at what he said. “You can have any members from any cabin but as long as there are just seven of them. It should be eight but you are included so you can play in the games.”

“Okay. Uhm can I choose any gender?” I asked.

“Yes, any gender. Purely male, purely female or males and females it's up to you. But please be reminded only seven.”

“Yes. I got that.”

“And since that's the case, the eight of us gave you permission to go in and out of each cabin as long as you like but you have to follow their rules like for example, in the ice cabin you need to wear a white wig only for you to go in.”

“Okay.”

“Good so I think that's all I have to say,” he concluded.

“Okay. Thank you Prince Eaux,” I was about to close the door,

“Wait.” I stopped and opened the door to look at him.

“About what you said in the meeting, we also talked about it and we decided that you are not leaving this nation so we will stop you from leaving here.”

I was surprised by what he said so I was speechless. They really did talk about it… even though he was there? Does this mean that he really knows about it?

“I don't know what you mean by thinking about everything but if you are talking that incident in the—”

“Oh that,” I interrupted before he would even continue what he would say because I know what he wants to convey. The guy in the closet might even hear it, whether he knows something or not.

“Well you see it's not really about that and not to be rude, your highness but I think I really need to rest so yeah. Bye bye,” I said directly and closed the door immediately.

I didn’t wait for him to speak back but I opened the door again.

“Also, nothing has changed in my decision,” I said. “I know at the end of the day, you will all understand.”

He was about to speak again but I immediately closed the door again. I just heard him sigh on the other side and walked away. Yes. I know I'm rude and I look bad but it's better that way. I don’t want to have second thoughts about my decision.

“Why are you leaving?” he asked.

I turned to him who was already standing in front of my closet. There was intermittent silence between us and we just looked at each other before I answered.

“It’s none of your business,” and went to the bed and lay down. “If possible, please get out of my room because I still need to rest,” and I put my arm over my eyes.

I don't know if I'm hiding it because my eyes are still swollen or what.

“Is it because of me?” he asked.

I stopped for a moment. There he is again. I don’t know if he’s just pretending or what but whatever. I don't know what he or Prince Zoltar was up to on why they didn't know anything… as long as I would not say anything.

“What is your problem?” I answered with irritation. “Why do you always say that? Don’t be delusional.”

He seemed to be silenced by what I said. Yes I am numb. It looks like I was infected by him.

“... Yani,” he called. Just great. Will he start insisting about it again?

I removed my arm. “What is it—”

I did not finish what I was going to say.

SH*T. He’s already in front of me and his face is about an inch away from me. We even stared at each other so I felt the warmth on my face and out of shock I immediately got up from lying down and…

Boogsh! Our foreheads collided.

“Ouch!” I cried out in pain as I held my forehead.

“Are you okay?”

I looked at him and he’s wearing his poker face while looking at me as if nothing had happened. Good for him having a “hard head”.

“Okay?” my sarcastic question. “Hello, our heads collided at each other and then you’re asking me if I’m okay?”

He didn’t say a word and went in front of me again, bent his knees to look at my forehead. He even parted the hair that was blocking on my forehead causing all of my blood to rush to my face.

“Just a scratch,” he said. “You can wash it—”

Pak! I didn't slap him, I just hit his hand and avoided looking at him.

“I'm fine. I don’t need your help,” and I stood up at the same time.

“I asked you earlier if you are okay and then now you’re telling me you’re okay?”

I stopped. Of course. What kind of person are you Yani?

“I can do this,” I stubbornly still answered. “You already said it, it's just a scratch so can you leave now?” and went straight to the CR and slammed the door shut.

I stopped for a moment in front of the door before I took a towel, wetted it and wiped it on my forehead.

“Ouch,” I said painfully. I hope it doesn't swell.

I washed my hands and then I was dumbfounded in the mirror.

Really annoying. Why is he so persistent and trying to get close to me? He should be staying away from me. Whether he knows it or not, isn't it obvious that I am acting rudely towards him just so he can hate me? Why doesn't he just do what he used to be, his numb treatment of me? I hope he’s at least aware.

I opened the door of the CR and was surprised to see that he is still here, sitting on my bed. He’s hard headed, LITERALLY!

“What are you doing here?! I told you to leave,” I said full of irritation.

He didn’t speak. Okay, I know I'm used to it not talking back but I'm losing patience now.

“Please, if you have nothing more to say—”

“Tell me,” he suddenly said.

I stopped and was surprised. “Ha-Hah? Tell you which one?”

“You want to say something, don't you? So tell me now.”

Oh shacks! Is that why he’s being persistent and stubborn? Oh my. My acting is no longer working.

Waahh! I was speechless. What now? What will I say? That he should avoid me?

“Just tell me if you have any questions about the Tradition. I will answer it,” he added.

Ah okay. I felt relieved. Oh my gosh Yani. What were you thinking?

“Uhm well... the program. You know, what is done in the event,” I just said.

He looked at me. “It's an occasion where different cabins will fight—”

“Uhm wait,” I cut him there. “I'm sorry for cutting you off but I get that. I mean what are your activities.”

“Every cabin is different,” was his simple answer.

“Ah okay.”

“... and you need to know what the first games are.”

“Huh? Uhm I don't get it,” I said confused.

“Each cabin has two challenges and each cabin must know the first one so that they can prepare. The second challenge is a surprise on the same day,” he replied.

“Ah okay. All right. What are the challenges then? “

“In the water challenge—”

“Wait, wait,” I cut him off again and took a pencil and paper. “Okay, go.”

As he said the games, I wrote it down.

…

“…that is the last challenge,” he concluded.

“Okay,” while I was just looking at the paper.

“You have no more questions?” he asked.

“Huh?” I looked at him. “Ah no more.”

I would have smiled but fortunately I was able to stop it. I just turned my gaze to the paper again. He got up and went to the door.

Eish. Why is it like this? My mouth is itching. I want to say thank you... but I can't. When he was at the door and was about to go out,

“Thank you Jethro.”

I'm surprised. Oh shacks! I said that out loud?! Isn’t it that I am forbidden to say that?! I covered my mouth. Oh no!

“You're welcome.”

Eh? I was startled and turned to the door while still covering my mouth. There he looked at me seriously. Shacks! I lowered my hand in shock and after I did that… he suddenly smiled.

Shacks. So handsome. Eish. There I am again. Then he went out and closed the door.

Wait a minute… waaaahhh!! I should have just whispered that. Eish. The ice will melt again.

“Ugghh!” at the same time I sank my face on my desk. Why is life so hard?

I just sighed. Sorry again Jethro... sorry.

I immediately sat up straight and shook my head. Yani, get yourself together. You still have a Tradition to go to. Stop thinking about him. I still need members. Hay hassle. I only have a week to prepare and I still need to find members for my team in each cabin. Great. I hope I know someone in each cabin. It would also be nice if they were Filipinos then—

I stopped there. TING! Light Bulb! Haha. Genius Yani. Filipinos you say? There are indeed. Let’s do this tomorrow.

The next day, I got dressed immediately and went into the first cabin. Looks like you have an idea who I will recruit.

At the Water Cabin... Femme, the cheerful girl who volunteered to take me back here. In the Air Cabin... Jessy, the badminton girl. In the Earth Cabin... Donna, the maid who became my tour guide because Prince Edmondo was busy. In the Electric Cabin... Elesa, Prince Zoltar's assistant. In the Metal Cabin... Hera, the nice girl. In the Nature Cabin, Kyrie, the girl that hates cameras and, in the Ice Cabin… Callie, Jethro's assistant.

If you are wondering why there is no one in the Fire Cabin, well what can I do? They said that I can only recruit seven and that was exactly seven. Even though she is a Filipina, she will probably just ignore me and I have not even gotten her name. I think she still hates me so I don’t want to risk it.

Okay let's do this.

~~~

I am now walking down the hallway while looking at my notepad and checklist. That was tiring. It took me a whole day just to convince everyone. The hard parts are Elesa and Callie. Because they are both princes’ assistants so they hesitated at first and then we still need to find those princes to convince them.

For Callie's case, Callie herself talked to him because she knows I was not allowed to talk to him. Jethro agreed immediately but the hard part was that of Elesa’s.

It’s because we couldn’t find which lab Prince Zoltar might be in. Elesa knows his schedule but when we get there at that very time, he is not there then we will wait and if the time is over and he is still not there, we will try the next one and then the same thing happens. It’s so tiring.

It's good that in the end, he was there. I asked him immediately and he immediately agreed. Thank goodness but it seems painful for Elesa. He hopes that Prince Zoltar will reject it for them to be together. You already know that. She’s really fallen head over heels for that prince.

Whooh. The recruiting is done. Now, let’s plan who for each challenge.

Oh right. I still don't know them very well yet. I need to know their strengths and weaknesses so I know where they fit. It's good that I said there will be a meeting tomorrow. Thank goodness I can rest now.

~~~

The next day, I immediately went to the fountain in front of the Main Cabin. I think it was too early.

“Hi Yani! Good morning!”

I was surprised by the greeting. “Ah Femme! Wow. I feel like I will have a heart attack for what you did.”

“Hehe. Sorry,” at the same time, she gave me a peace sign.

“Looks like you're up early.”

“Yes. I am so excited.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Uhm Yani right?”

We turned to the speaker. “Hey you're here… uhm…”

“Donna,” she replied.

“Right Donna. Good thing you can come by.”

“Yeah. The master maid even asked me on where I was going but it was good that Prince Edmondo came.”

“Huh? How did Prince Edmondo find out?”

“Uhm I told him everything and then he explained to the master maid.”

“Ah okay,” I replied

“Hey. Earth girl?” Femme asked Donna.

“Yes. Wow you look like a person from the Water Cabin,” Donna replied.

“Yes I am. I’m a water girl,” replied Femme.

“Is that so? Wow. Your blue hair and eyes are beautiful.”

“Thank you. You too, you are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” and she flipped her hair.

“Wow classic,” said Kyrie who was just behind them.

“Ay palaka (Filipino expression: Oh a frog!)” Donna turned.

“Excuse me, I’m not a frog,” Kyrie replied.

“Sorry. Just shocked. Uhm nature girl?”

“Yes,” Kyrie replied.

“Hi,” Jessy jumped behind Kyrie.

“Ay hayop, (Oh an animal)” Kyrie said in shock and turned around.

“Wow hah, animal? Can’t you at least say ‘Oh a human’,” Jessy said.

“I don’t know. What if it turned out to be an animal that talks?” Kyrie replied.

“Is that so.”

“Hey Air girl,” said Femme.

“Oh em Gee! People from other cabins!” Jessy said cheerfully. “Oh my gash girls it’s my first time to see uhm people like you. And what’s more you’re all speaking Filipino. I’m getting ignorant. Let’s take a picture,” and immediately got out her phone.

“No thanks,” Kyrie said.

“Oh come on nature girl. It’s only for today,” Jessy insisted.

“I don't want to. FC? (Feeling close?) Besides, my name is Kyrie not nature girl,” Kyrie replied sassily.

“You’re so arrogant. I thought nature people are friendly,” said Jessy.

“It's just them,” Kyrie replied. Oh girls. That’s because they still don’t know our nature girl yet. Suddenly someone touched me from behind so I turned around.

“Oh Hera. Good morning!”

“Uhm good morning too,” she greeted back with a bow.

“Hey. Why are you bowing?” I asked.

She also stood upright. “Uhm sorry. I'm used to it.”

“Ahh okay.”

“Oh, metal girl?” Femme asked Hera.

“Uhm yes,” Hera replied.

“Oohh nice to meet you,” Femme offered her hand at the same time.

“Uhm, are you a water girl?” Hera asked.

“Yes. I am Femme.”

“Uhm nice to meet you too,” but Hera did not shake her hand.

“Why? Is my hand dirty?” Femme asked while looking at her hand.

“Doesn't the law say that water people are not allowed to touch metal people because they are made of metal so they will react to water and they will be destroyed?” said Elesa who was behind Hera so we all looked at her.

“Hey Elesa,” I said.

“Hi Yani, good morning. I'm with Callie,” as she pointed at Callie.

“Hi Callie. Good morning,” I said.

She just nodded. Just like the girl version of Jethro.

“What is she, shy girl?” Jessy whispered to Kyrie.

“I don’t know with her,” Kyrie arrogantly.

“Wow girl. We just met today and you’re so mean to me already.”

“Well sorry because I'm not used to being with other people.”

“Okay,” Jessy just rolled her eyes.

“Hey an Electric girl and an Ice girl,” said Femme.

“Wow it looks like you know right away where they came from in just a glance,” said Jessy.

“It’s because someone told me that the color of your hair and eyes will determine what element you can control,” Femme replied.

“So that's how it is. Now I know,” said Jessy.

“Looks like we are complete,” I said. “Okay. So first— “

“Yani,” Femme suddenly called me and raised her hand.

“Yes Femme?”

“Why is there no Fire girl?” she asked.

“Oh that. Uhm well...”

“Are there no Filipinos there?” she added.

“I met someone but...” I replied. “…they said that only eight members are needed for the event and I’m included so we can't do anything. I only need seven to choose from.”

“Ah okay.”

“Okay. Do you have any more questions?”

No one spoke. “No more. Okay. As I was saying, first let's introduce ourselves to each other. Of course the name first but in order for it not to be like the 'old school', let’s say our names and then your strength and weakness only.”

They wondered. “Strength and weakness?” Donna asked. “What do you mean by that?”

“Strength, where you are good and weakness where you are weak.”

“Ahh okay.”

“So, who wants to be first?”

“You first Yani,” Jessy said. “Example.”

“Okay all right.” I stood facing them all. “I am Yani and my strength is well, I think I am good at writing because I love to write my journal and then my weakness uhm stage fright. You get that, don't you?”

“Ah okay. Actually I also have stage fright,” said Jessy.

“Are we asking?” said Kyrie.

“I'm just saying,” Jessy replied.

“Okay okay. Who wants to be first?” I entered.

“Me,” Femme raised her hand at the same time.

“Okay Femme,” I said. She stood up in her seat and I immediately took the pencil and notebook I was carrying.

“Hi guys, I am Femme. Uhm my strength, uhm I think being cheerful, then friendly…”

“It's not obvious girl,” Jessy said sarcastically.

“Hehe,” she chuckled. “Then I'm also good at cheering up so when it comes to the event I always cheer you guys—”

“Uhm I'm sorry if I’m being rude,” Hera interrupted so we looked at her. “I just want to ask if you’re a cheerleader.”

“Me? No. I am not a cheerleader. I will just shout at the games to cheer, like that,” Femme replied.

“Ah okay po.”

“But my weakness is uhm I think I am weak in Science. Because my grades are low there. That's all,” she sat down at the same time.

The amount she said made me confused as to what I was going to write.

“Okay next,” I just said.

“It's my turn,” Jessy said and stood up. “Okay guys, my name is Jessy and uhm strength, I'm good in any sport, mostly and weakness uuhh... ah! Have me do anything as long as you don't make me sew or anything else about fashion. In other words, I have no sense of fashion but not like having poor taste. I just don't like complicated clothes. That's all,” and she sat down.

“Okay next.”

“Okay. I can do this,” Donna whispered to herself and stood up.

“I am Donna. Strength, uhm what could be? I'm not sure what uhm let's just say I'm hard working. Is that okay Yani?”

“Of course. Go ahead,” I replied while writing.

“Okay uhm weakness… uhm clumsy? And if Femme is weak in Science I am weak in Math. That's all,” sitting at the same time.

“Okay next.”

No one spoke. “Uhm maybe it’s your turn Elesa since you're next to Donna,” I said.

“Ah okay,” as she stood up. “Uhm my name is Elesa. My strength is well, I also don't know but it's okay you can have me do anything. Weakness, I also don’t know. Maybe when it comes to love.”

Everyone fell silent and looked at each other.

“What did she say?” Kyrie asked.

“Ah no nothing. Don't mind what I just said,” Elesa blushed and sat down. Okay? I was surprised about that but wait, what is her strength and weakness again?

“Uhm…” Ops. Hera stood up. I'll ask her later.

“Uhm well I am Hera and uhm my strength, uhm... gymnastics—”

“Really?!” Jessy suddenly said as she could not believe it.

“Uhm… uhh…”

“You’re saying the word 'really' too exaggerated,” Kyrie replied. “What now if she is good at gymnastics?”

“Like hello, Hera is a metal girl and that only means that her body is made of metal so how can she perform gymnastics?!”

“A—” Kyrie was about to answer but she also stopped. “Oh you’re right,” as she also looked at Hera at the same time.

“Uhm well, I know it's unbelievable but my body is quite flexible even though it is still made of metal. Ever since I was young, I was interested in gymnastics so I'm used to it but my weakness, uhm I'm shy and I'm not good at dancing. Ironic because mostly gymnastics are good at dancing but I’m having a hard time. That's all,” and she sat down.

“Ah okay,” Jessy commented.

“Okay next.”

The others just stared at the person next to Hera.

“Oh is it my turn?” Kyrie said as she stood up. “So like I said, I am Kyrie. Strength, isn’t it obvious that I am friendly—”

“Friendly?” Jessy entered. “Really? Because you are a nature girl?”

“Just a moment,” Kyrie replied calmly. “Let me finish first. I'm just friendly with animals okay?”

“Aahh… okay,” Jessy rolled her eyes.

“Whatever animal it is, even the most ferocious one, I can tame it but my weakness, oh, maybe I should say it already. I will just want to warn those people who are VAIN, or those that takes SELFIE or GROUPIE thingy, people who LOVE THOSE are the ones I hate the most, okay guys? “

She really emphasizes those words for Jessy because she’s staring at her.

“Okay?” Jessy said in wonder. “But what’s the connection? What is your weakness? You don't like people?”

“God you’re slow. My weakness is the camera. I don't want to take pictures, I hate cameras and believe it or not, I immediately destroy them when I see one.”

“Ah okay. That's why she doesn’t want to take a picture earlier but wow, destroying it immediately? Maybe you mean you don’t really care?”

“You don’t believe me? Just ask Yani. She saw it,” as she finished and sat down.

Jessy immediately looked at me.

“Uhm, let's just say it's a long story. I think soon you will see everything on what she meant,” I replied.

Jessy just nodded.

“Okay. Last but not the least.”

Callie stood up. “Callie. Strength, archery. Weakness, cooking,” and sat down.

We were all surprised. Woah, that was the best answer.

“Uhm can you please elaborate?” Jessy pleaded.

Callie sighed and stood up again. “Common sense. Strength archery means I am good at archery. Weakness to cook and that means I don’t know how to cook even the basics because the result is always burnt or ugly. Gets?” Callie's cold reply and sat again.

“Yes po. Sorry,” said Jessy.

“Okay,” I said. “So actually that's all for now because I will still plan which challenge I will put you in so you can go back and rest and just come back here tomorrow so I can say which challenge you will play and then tomorrow we will practice. Is that okay?”

No one spoke after that and they just looked at each other. No one also moved from their seats like they are not planning to leave.

“Oh why? You don't want to go back?” I asked.

“Uhm…”

“Are you sure?” Jessy asked.

“Yes. Why?” I answered.

“Uhm can I stay?” Donna asked.

“Huh why? Don’t you have anything to do in your cabins?” I wondered.

“Ah,” Elesa stood up at the same time. “I still have work to do so uhm I'll leave first and—”

“Oh yes, by the way,” I interrupted her. “Just a moment Elesa. I really need to know your strength and weakness so I know what challenge to put you in. I didn't understand you a while ago.”

It took a while before Elesa confronted me and answered.

“Ah about that uhm I think you don't need to know because… uhm honestly, I can't join your group.”