Circle Quartet: 13

Chapter 13

My family did a surprise visit this evening. I was so shocked, plus, dumbfounded when they shouted ‘surprise.’ I didn’t say anything but lunged at them and hugged them tight. I finally burst into tears, so as Ace and Sable – Sable cried the most. Jeff arranged another party for tonight and everyone couldn’t wait for that. Oh, Jeff also planned the surprise visit too. I received some presents and cards from my cousins. Grandma Zelda will give her ‘special’ present later. I hope I get something cool like sword or daggers. I can use them during the mission.

Abbie and I told them our result and they were all cheered. We have 3 more days to spend with our families before going to the Academy. And yes, we have to stay in a dorm. It’s like a boarding school, I guess. I didn’t have chance to roam around the Academy yet. Maybe after the registration day, I guess.

The party starts at 8 sharp at the Gathering Park. The park sounds like buzzing bees as there are more people joining the party. Half an hour later, the smell of roasted chickens and grilled beef perfumed the park. Ace is showing his grilling ability to Mack and Malcolm while Sable acting as a food critique. Jeff joins me and Abbie as he tells us a bit about the Academy. He has been in the Academy for years before he’s been transferred to the Assassin Unit. Jeff’s stories makes Abbie carried away and she asks a lot of questions on the missions. Abbie loves adventures just like I do. I think we will be a good partner.

The party ends earlier than the previous one because Mom and Dad have to go back home tonight. They have to go to work tomorrow while Ace and Sable are in the middle of special training with Grandma Zelda; they only have one day break. Jeff and I send our family to the nearest airport where Mom’s private jet is waiting. I hug Mom and Dad, again and they tell me to enjoy my new life in Academy. I promise them to send e-mail once a week.

I wave to them until they board the jet and stop waving until the jet is out of my sight. Jeff wraps his arm on my shoulders and tells me that they are going to visit me again.

“Wanna stay at my house tonight?” asks Jeff as he rides me to Uncle Santos’ house.

“I would love too,” I smile widely. I never been to his house before so I think I’m going to have a brother-and-sister day like we used to have. “But I need to get my stuffs first.”

Jeff nods and drives to Street 69. We stop at Uncle Santos house and I tell him that I’ll be staying at Jeff’s house for one day. Then I go to Abbie’s room and get my stuff; only the important ones. I stuff them in my bag pack.

It was nearly midnight when we reached there. I can hear the sound of ocean; the waves hit the sand. So Jeff is living near the beach, I guess. Jeff takes me to my room which he already reserved it for me in case I’ll be staying here. And yes, I like the room very much with red and black theme. Jeff knows my favourite colours.

I wake up earlier than usual because I had a good sleep last night. I roam into the kitchen. The kitchen is quite small but very tidy. I open the fridge and there are lots of canned foods inside. I giggle as I take one can of tuna. Since when Jeff eats tuna? I think I’m going to make sandwiches. There is a loaf of bread on the dining table. Jeff will be happy if he knew that I made sandwiches for him.

I hum merrily while spreading the tuna on the bread. Then I heard a door been opened and someone is walking down to the kitchen. It must be Jeff. I can’t wait to see his face if he sees what I’m doing now. As I want to shout ‘good morning’ to him – I can see his shadow from here, my jaws drastically drop. The guy who enters the kitchen is not Jeff. It’s Stefan! And he’s only wearing a short!

I scream on top of my lungs while cover my eyes with both of my hands. The butter-knife drops on the floor. What is he doing in Jeff’s house? And why Jeff didn’t tell me that Stefan is here? He’s ruining my good-morning surprise!

“Alice! Alice! Calm down, okay?” Jeff rushes to the kitchen and gently shakes my shoulders. “It’s just Stefan.”

“Just?” I yell on top of my lungs. Jeff winces. “What is he doing here? Tell him to leave!” I point to half-naked Stefan who is staring at me bluntly.

“Hey, I didn’t do anything,” he raises his hands in offence.

“Put on your shirt, you idiot dog!” I shout at him. Stefan hurries to his room.

“Alice, calm down,” Jeff rubs behind my back, trying to cool me down. “Stefan is staying here with me before going to the Academy.”

“What? Stefan is staying with you and you didn’t tell me?” I shout in hysteric.

“Look, I’m sorry. I totally forgot to tell you. Honest. I didn’t mean to fright you like this,” Jeff hugs me. “I’m sorry, okay?” he mutters.

It takes 10 minutes for me to calm down. Stefan slowly walks into the kitchen after he puts on his shirt. He apologizes for scarring me like that he promise he won’t do that again.

My brother-and-sister day plan is totally ruin because of this stupid werewolf. Now I have to make extra sandwiches for him! Three of us are having breakfast near the cliff. I can see the line of horizon from here. And I also realize that Jeff is the only residence here. There are some shady trees standing on the left and right of the yard. Jeff’s house or should I say cottage is kind of suit him because he rarely lives here. As an assassin, he has to work 24/7.

Jeff tells his plan for today and he wants to take me to a small town nearby. Stefan is invited too, of course because Jeff can’t just leave him behind because of me. I am not agreeing into his plan but I don’t say anything about it. I have to stick to the plan. Somehow.

We decide to go to town after both Jeff and Stefan taking shower. As I walk back to my room, I realize that Stefan’s room is next to mine. Thank God I’ll be leaving this evening. Tomorrow, my life will begin. Living in a dorm is one on my wish-lists ten years ago.

The town is very peaceful, unlike Sewra where people busily bustling here and there. All they focus are work, work and work! But this little town is different. There are rows of small shops. I can see people talking with each other and some of them greet us as we are walking nearby. I can smell fresh breads from the bakery. And there are musicians too! I love this town! We stop at the bakery to buy some bread – actually I am the one who want the bread. I buy 5 garlic bread sticks and they are bigger than I ate at home.

Then we sit at the bench where the musicians play their violins and cellos. I tell Jeff that I really like this town so much and thank him for bringing me here. Then Stefan stands up and approaches those musicians who have just finish playing a song. Stefan talks to them and they nod and smile. Stefan takes the violin form the shortest man among the musicians and starts to play music.

 Wait a minute! Stefan can play violin? I really can’t believe this. The melody from the violin is very nice to hear. Stefan’s eyes are closed as he plays the violin. I don’t know much about classical music but I love this one! I stand up and walk up to him. He opens his eyes again and smiles as I our gazes locked.

“What’s the name of the song?” I ask him.

“It’s Canon by Johann Pachelbel. It’s about friendship,” he answers.

Jeff approaches us afterwards. Then he puts his hand on my shoulder. “It’s been a while since I hear you sing long time ago. Why don’t you sing a song?”

I’m taken aback of what he said just now.

“Sing a song for us, young lady. I’m sure you have lovely voice,” says one of the musicians.

This is embarrassing. I never sing in this kind of situation before. Yes, I joined choir when I was in elementary school and I loved to sing with my cousins in the bathroom before going to bed, but I can’t sing here.

“Only one song, Alice. I know one song that you like to sing when we’re kid,” says Stefan and plays the music.

I know this one! Country Road! It was my favourite song when I was small.

Take Me Home, Country Roads
Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue Ridge Mountain, Shanandoa River,
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

All my memories, gather round her
Modest lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain Mamma, take me home
Country roads

I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain Mamma, take me home
Country roads

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain Mamma, take me home
Country roads

Take me home, that country road
Take me home, that country road

 I can here clapping and cheering as I finish singing. Then Stefan and I bow slightly and say thank you to everyone. Jeff join us too even though he didn’t sing. The musicians praise for my lovely voice. I think my cheeks are getting reddening.

That song reminds me when I was in pre-school. Our teachers chose this song for the choir competition and after that, that song always coming out from my mouth all the time. I still remember when Stefan made his first visit to my mansion, I asked him to sing the song with me while playing the grand. And we even share the seat as the piano’s seat was bigger to us that time.

We’re being best friend until that tragedy happened. The tragedy that I won’t forget for the past 10 years.