The Code of Aries ?

(51) Escape

"Aries, we talked about this and—"

"Please, Dom. I really want to at least celebrate Christmas Eve with you. It's important to me," Aries insists.

I take a deep breath and massage my temple as Diane and Ash awkwardly look at each other, unsure if they should just keep quiet and ignore us or just leave completely. 

To be fair, Aries suggested canceling his flight before, but this new suggestion is a lot better. He's still gonna go to the US with his family. And besides, he's already an adult. I can't tell him not to do things that he desperately wants to do.

"You know what, fine. Do whatever you want," I say, and a bright smile instantly appears on Aries's face, making me sigh in defeat. 

There's just no way I'm gonna win against him.

"Now that it's settled. Can you guys do us a favor?" Aries then asks while looking at Diane and Ashley this time.

As soon as Diane hears what Aries said, she slams her book shut, an excited smile now present on her face. "Oh, a favor from the ever-so-charming President Aries? I'm dying to hear about it. Please, how may I assist you," Diane sarcastically says, but thankfully Aries ignores the attitude and proceeds to ask for the supposed favor.

"Well, like what Dom mentioned, we already planned to go somewhere, only the two of us. That's why I decided not to go home with you guys, just so Dom and I can stay here for a few more days," Aries explains, surprising the two.

Looks like he really wants to go on this trip.

"Let me guess. You want us to do something so it wouldn't be suspicious that the two of you decided to stay behind together," Diane asks back, and Aries nods his head in reply.

Diane and Ash look at each other, probably thinking of what they can do for this favor.

"I mean, we can pretend to stay behind too and just head back a few hours after," Ash then explains, and surprisingly enough, Diane nods her head in agreement.

"Wait, you guys would do that for us?" I ask since commuting back home is much more of a hassle than simply going home with everyone else on the bus.

"I mean, the others are way too noisy in the bus, and I bet Mae is planning to do another activity that will tire me out, so I might as well head home with Ashley. We'll just tell the others that the four of us planned a separate trip together. That way, it wouldn't be as suspicious," Diane explains, and Ash nods her head in reply.

"Thanks, guys. We really appreciate it," I tell them, and Diane rolls her eyes like she's annoyed, but she eventually smiles and reaches out to touch the necklace around my neck before leaning close to whisper, "You have to treat me lunch next time."

"No problem," I answer, and Aries suddenly pushes Diane off of her float, making her fall off the water.

"Aries! You fucking bastard!" Diane shouts as Ash, and I look at each other and laugh.

Aries pretends like he didn't do anything and continues reading his book, but then Diane snatches it away from him and throws it to the side before pulling Aries by his arm so he can join her in the pool. The two start playing in the water, and Ash joins in on the fun as well. Eventually, the others arrived and jumped in, forcing me to get wet myself.

We ended the day playing in the pool and having a few more drinks before finally getting ready to head back. And afterward, the news about us staying behind was announced to everyone else. Some of the seniors actually wanted to join in and stay with us, but thankfully, Diane came to the rescue and told them that this was an important double date.