The Diary of Existing

TWENTY NINE

I looked at Morgan who was watching an in-flight movie of Revolutionary Road. She just had her eyes glued to the screen. She didn't even notice I had my eyes open, and so vicariously I was watching the film with her, but without sound. I simply interpreted everything through the body languages between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

For the very first time I found myself just watching a romantic film, no questions asked. And I have to say, I actually enjoyed it.

Later on, I discovered that Morgan had fallen asleep, and by now I had finished watching three films. From Revolutionary Road, to Definitely, Maybe and finally The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which intrigued me the most. So much, that I found myself watching it on my side, with headphones on and in full intent.

When we had arrived, the boys helped us out in taking our luggage and even waited with us for our ride. We were taking separate cars, and theirs had already arrived but ours was running a bit late. Angel and Henry were deep in an argument over wafer and cookie products, Morgan was just sleeping with her head rested on Angel.

"I saw you watching a bunch of romance films. Decided to give it a chance?" Wesley said and I rolled my eyes.

"Would you really consider that Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett movie a romantic film though?" I said and Wesley laughed.

"No, but the two before that I definitely would. I saw how you were hiding and acting as if you weren't looking over at the screen in front of Morgan's seat. Admit it, you like it." Wesley said and I rolled my eyes and he just laughed. It was good, but I still wouldn't categorize the Curious Case of Benjamin Button as romantic.

Our car had arrived and we bid the boys goodbye. Wesley was still determined to get me to love romantic films. It wasn't like I had anything against it. It was just something that seemed like a far fetched reality that I just couldn't relate to and didn't really feel like I needed to. Romance was just not applicable in my life.

My life was too preoccupied with the issues that go through me. If I was told that I wasn't ready to reconnect with old friends then who is to say I was ready for romance? And that might exactly just be the most truthful thing I've said about myself.

When we got back, Morgan was just feeling really sick and wanted to lay down. Angel had said she would take Morgan to her room and that we'd all just see each other tomorrow. There was still a couple of days left before classes have officially begun once again, so everyone still had time to adjust to the same old schedule.

"You're back!" I heard someone scream and as I turned I found it to be Hannah. She ran and hugged me tight and told me how she had missed me and the rest of the girls. She grabbed my luggage and walked with me back to my room. We chatted the whole way about her family in Busan. She told me about her weird cousins who her father just kept comparing her to, but she made it clear that he was actually joking about it. When we got to my room, I opened it to find Jacqueline who was sitting on her bed, crocheting.

"Wow, you're solidifying becoming an old woman, huh?" Hannah teased and Jacqueline ignored it and just want up to me with a hug.

"I missed you." she said simply and even if it was that simple, no loud sounds or enthusiasm that was over the roof, I felt how sincere it was and it felt good to hear that. She grabbed me by my wrist and led me to her bed, where a small box was.

"I got this for you, I gave Hannah and Bailey's theirs." Jacqueline said and from the sound of it, this was probably some piece of jewelry that signifies friendship.

I cringed.

I smiled and opened the box. It was a necklace, and there was a shining silver ring on it. I looked at Jacqueline, a tad bit confused but also amused. It was actually pretty. It wasn't too extravagant. I was expecting an explosion of colors and cliches, but what I got was simplicity which was even better for me. Especially since simplicity is foreign to my life.