Ezra's pov

"Don't go near water and don't do anything stupid"

"Yes Mom"

"And your sunscreen? Where is it?"

"I have kept it mom!"

"And listen! Stay away from trouble. Wait, is Declan going with you?"

"I asked him and he has to visit his aunt. But he said ,he will try."

Mom just nods. As I pick up my bag and kiss her cheek. I pull back to see tears lining her eyes.

And I drop the bag.

"Mom? Why are you crying? I am just going for a week?"

She moves her head in a no. Holding my face in her palms, kissing my forehead.

"You are the best daughter in the world my beautiful Ezra. And I will always love you."

"Remember it"

I smile back, hugging her.

"I know mumma. Now don't cry please or I will join you. And not go for this vacation."

"Go. Have fun"

She says, kissing my hands and I kiss back, picking up my bag and leaving. Looking at her over my shoulder, one last time.

"Call me everyday ,okay?"

"I will mumma. I never forget. Do I?"

"You never. Now go. Everyone is waiting."

I walk out of her room. With a heaviness in my chest. Everytime I leave her, my home. This feeling is there.

Walking out, I am welcomed with everyone waiting for me.

Aaron was there sitting on the second seat busy on his phone with the seat beside him empty.

While Ben and Neil were on the first seats of the SUV.

Stel , in the end.

"Ezra! Come! Girl !"

She says excited and I just nod shyly. To only look around and see Mrs Reed. Standing there.

"Children take care of yourselves and Ezra my child, tell me if they trouble you okay?"

"Oh come on mom! We are not bullies, except for-"

Ben says looking at Aaron  to only shut up when Aaron gives him a deadly glare, over his phone.

"Bye Rose."

I smile. To only have her pull me for a hug. Kissing my cheek.

"By Ezra. Take care."

I open the car seat. Lost in a Delimma. Should I sit with him?

"Hurry up Ezra! We will be late!"

Neil complaints and I close the door to have the car jerk in motion ,and I fall back to settle down on the second seat only.

Aaron didn't seemed to care. Still typing something on his phone.

"Ezra! You know it's been so long since I have been to Miami! The beaches are just-"

"Just stop Stel, we all know you are very excited! Now be quite , it's time for some music!"

Starting the stereo, Neil puts on some rock music. To only have Stel scream from behind.

"Lower the damn voice Neil! Plus I hate this song!"

"Oh come on sister in law, it's Rock music! How can a person hate it?"

"You both-"

The three of them continue to bicker over it, fighting like kids. And I lean back on the seat. Smiling to myself.

Maybe the trip won't be that bad ,as I thought.

The car stops suddenly. And I look around at the unfamiliar posh locality.

No one says anything. Waiting.

I wanted to ask, but I refrain. Maybe it's something important.

I get my answer few minutes later, on it's own.

As I see a girl walking towards us, with sunglasses on her head, short beautiful brown hair, long slender toned legs and a expensive bag elegantly placed on her forearm.

Her royal blue short dress, giving justice to her hourglass figure.

And I  blink as I see a army of men following behind. Carring her suitcases.

Ben remarks breaking the silence ,making Neil to chuckle.

"Are you sure she is not going there for permanent settlement?"

"Girls and their clothes bro. Don't get me started"

Neil replies lowly, but Stel heard him.

"Neil Reed!  What did you just say?"

"Nothing darling. Just that my Stel is not like them. She just has 3 for this trip."

Neil says ironically and winks at Ben, as they both suppress a laugh. While Stel just smiles, thinking it to be a compliment.

Aaron was ignorant. Too lost in his work to take notice of anything. Truly a workaholic in every sense.

"Hi guys!"

"Andri! I have missed you."

"Oh my god Stel!"

They both meet like two lost best friends. While everyone else, just said hi.

And me? well she completely ignored my hi as expected.

Not that my voice was loud enough for her to hear.

My fault totally.

"Aaron ! My suitcases are not fitting in your car! Can we take a seperate one?"

Aaron stops typing, to look back at the hood of the car and back at her.

"Just get settled Andri. We are getting late."

She stumps her foot. Not arguing with him.
Turning around, to tell those men to take back half of them.

Once done. She looks at Aaron and then back, at me. Sitting beside him.

"Um hi! I am Andriana."

She says , stretching out her hand. And I shake it nervously.

"Hi I umm Ezra."

"Ezra?"

"Aunt May's daughter Andriana. Now sit. We are late!"

Stel says from behind. But Andriana, wasn't going to settle yet.

"So she is your cousin. But wait Aunt? But you guys don't have an Aunt."

"Aggh the lady that takes care of our house. Mom's sister like?  That aunt May?"

A smirk comes on Andriana's lips as she scoffs lowly.

"So she is the maid's daughter. Say it like that. Why are you guys beating around the bush?"

I look up at her. Her words piercing right through my heart. When it shouldn't? She is saying the truth only. Why do I feel like this.

"No Andri. She is my best frie-"
Stel said ,along with Neil and Ben.

"She is like our sister!"

"Refrain from saying it again."

Andriana looks taken back, to only cover it up . Looking at me she smiles while flipping her hair.

"Whatever. Ezra? Can you please sit at the back? I wish to sit with my boyfriend."

I nod. Feeling warmness rush inside me. Stupid! Why did I even sit here. I should have joined Stel at the back.

"Ya sure."

I was going to get up and sit in the back. When instead a arm stopped me. Blocking my way. I look up shocked to see Aaron looking at me.

"Stay put."

Next I know, he himself sits at the back. Just behind my seat.

I don't know...but again my heart starts thumping.

Why?

"Can you go sit in front Stel?"

He asks Stel and she happily sits in front ,along with me. While Andriana settles , beside Aaron behind me.

"This is better anyways."

I hear her say and by mistake I turn around to see her holding Aaron's arm and placing her cheek on his shoulder .

"Aaron! Forget your work for once! You didn't even greet me!"

"Andri it's urgent. Give back my phone."

"Nope unless you say sorry"

I see him looking at her irritated. Trying to get his phone back. His frame hovering over her as she leans back on the seat. His hands placed on her waist, as she had his phone pressed behind her.

Flutters her eyes at him ,she bites her lip seductively.

"Or maybe a..."

She places a finger on her lip. And my eyes widen.

Sh**! Turn around Ezra! Don't see!

I turn around, to place my clenched fists in my lap. Breathing heavily.

I don't hear any voice after that.

Maybe he kissed her?

But no matter what,I just couldn't turn around and look.

"Ezra? Why are you so quiet?"

Stel says, bringing me out of my thoughts and I smile at her. Shaking my head.

"Nothing Stel. Just...just a little lazy early morning."

Placing her arm around my neck, she pulls me to her.

"Come on! Drop that face and smile! Let's take a Selfie!"

Taking out her camera, she turns it to us. And when I look up at it. I see him ,there in the camera behind.

Looking at the back of my head.

"Come on girl! Give me that killer smile of yours!"

I smile. My eyes fixed on him in the camera, and that's when he looks up as well. Matching my stare.

*Click*

The photo gets clicked, catching the moment exactly.

Damn!

Why do you have to make it obvious Ezra? There is his girlfriend in his arms.

The car comes to a screeching hault and I hear Neil scream over his shoulder.

"Hurry guys! Just 10 minutes to boarding! I think we may have jumbled with the timing"

"It's 7:20 not 8:20?"

"What! Neil ! Are you crazy!"

Everyone screams in disbelief.

"I am sorry. I seriously don't know why we didn't choose our private plane?"

"This public transport is tiresome!"

"Stop complaining Neil! We are already in the business class!"

Stel says to only have Charlotte, exclaim this time.

"What did you say? I can't travel in business class! The media will be all there! "

Before she could complain more, Aaron pulls her out along. Removing his jacket and dropping it on her head.

"Aaron! My hair!"

"Stop complaining. No one will recognise you. Come let's go guys!"

Everyone exclaims in excitement. Rushing in with their suitcases.
It was too crowded there, with them pushing aside people to move further.

And I felt lost, following them. My suitcase old and it's wheels were getting stuck again and again.

"Ezra hurry!"

Stel says and I exclaim over the crowd.

"I am coming ! You go Stel!"

I was pushed by someone and my bag falls. I sit down to pick it up, and when I look back around getting up. There was no one.

I just stand and stare.

Where are they?

"Stel? Ben?"

I feel anxious. People were pushing me, while few were staring at me.

Where is the gate? Yes there!

I see Aaron and Andriana walking hand in hand.With everyone ahead of them.

"Stel!"

I say rushing towards them, to be only stopped by someone.

"Join the line."

"Sorry!"

I say standing behind the people. Anxiousness building inside me.

I see them all cross the check in to enter . And the announcement of our flights doors getting closing was made.

Agghhhh

Hurry! Why isn't this line moving!

They all turn around the corner and I couldn't see them anymore. My heart's thudding worsening.

I finally reach the front for checking. The lady check me, to only open her palms.

"Ma'am your ticket?"

"Oh yah , one second."

Moving my hand on my side. I search for my sling bag. To only go still.

Where is it?

I look around me to find it no where. And that's when , anxiety hits me like anything.

Stel.

I gave it to her! Sh**!

"Your ticket ma'am?"

"I...I am sorry , it's in my bag and I gave it to my friend. She just checked in!"

She gives me an irritated look. And I search for my phone. No!  It was also in my sling bag only.

"Please move aside ma'am. You can stand here and call"

"But I am getting late you don't understand. "

"They are announcing it! The doors are closing!"

"Please co-operate. Next!"

The lady doesn't bother with me and I move aside. Running my hand through my hair.

"Excuse me! Can I call with your phone! My friends...they..."

I ask a lady standing at the side. And she nods.

"Calm down my child. Here"

"Thank you!"

I only remember Stel's number. Calling her, I wait to find no one picking it up.

I try, calling my own phone this time. To again ,have no one pick it up.

"Child I need to go in now."

The lady says after 10 failed attempts. And I give her back her phone.

"Sorry and thank you! Here!"

I give her back her phone. To only sit down on the chair.

Fuc*! How can you be so stupid?

Mom told you not to do anything like this.

Everyone was going inside.

While I was lost in my world.

Maybe it's good only.
I don't belong with everyone. I should go back. I will be a burden on them.

Plus...the costs. It will be too much. I can't make them pay for me.

They all live and prefer luxury. How will I manage it?

But....it will be fun Ezra. You get to see Miami. And there are Ben ,Neil and Stel. They love you.

You shouldn't be like this.

They urged you to come on this trip, they want you there. With them.

You can't give up like this.

Nodding to myself, I  try again. To only have the security men stop me. Asking me for my passport and ticket.

"It's with my friend. She is inside. Can you please check atleast?"

"Your name and flight?"

"Ezra. It was at 7:10."

He presses some buttons on the computer screen. To look up at me.

"The one to Florida?"

"Yaa"

The person sighs. Looking at me.

"Sorry. You can't enter now ma'am"

"But why! Please! There has to be something! My friend has my bag! She has everything...my tickets...my Id"

"It's no use. The door are closed Ma'am. I am sorry but nothing can be done now."

And that's when my heart stops. As I feel tears sting my eyes.

Why me!