Previously on the last chapter, Sheena invited me to go and have fun in the ‘Enchanted City’, a famous amusement park in the area. While in there, I once again meet Marie, the little girl that I tried to help without me knowing that Meryl was watching back then.

“Marie, right?” I asked with a smile.

“Yup. What are you doing here?” Marie asked, very happy to see me.

“Just having fun with the rides.”

“Marie? You...you are the one who found Marie when she got lost, right? What is your name again?" the mother asked to me.

“Orel,” I answered with a smile.

“Sorry, I forgot,” she followed with a chuckle. “I’m not really good at remembering names, you see.”

“It’s okay. It’s not a big deal.”

“This kid saw the commercial about this place so she insisted on going here as soon as possible. That’s why we are here,” Marie’s mother explained.

“Well, that is a habit for kids after all. They always want to get what they want especially if it looks amazing to them,” I followed, remembering the days when Sylph, my little sister was still like that.

“I agree,” Marie’s mother concurred.

“Well then. It’s time for me to go,” I said.

“Then, bye,” Marie’s mother replied with a smile.

“You’re leaving already?” Marie asked with a sudden sad face.

“The next time we meet, I will give you a treat that will surely amaze you so look forward to it,” I said to Marie with a smile.

“Really?” she asked with an excited look.

“Promise,” I followed with a smile.

“Then, we will also take our leave, Orel,” Marie’s mother said.

“Orel, don’t forget your promise. See you later,” Marie said while waving her hand from far away.

“What an energetic kid. She reminds me of....Meryl…” I whispered and made a sad face at the end.

Darn. What am I doing at a time like this? I have to…

“Hey, if it isn’t Orel. Hey, man!” a familiar guy said after suddenly appearing. It’s the tall guy together with the curly guy, Meryl’s friends and the two that was with me in the Karaoke Land the last time.

“What a coincidence,” the curly guy followed with a forced chuckle.

I then gave them a neutral look and immediately started walking away from them. Then, they immediately grabbed my arms and said in unison, “At least greet us back, man!”

“Huh?” I reacted with furrowed eyebrows.

“Do you want to join us? Let’s go and venture this place, man,” the curly guy invited.

“I’ll pass. Go, have fun yourselves and don’t mind me. Goodbye,” I replied with an irritated look as I try to force my way out.

“I mean, the truth is we’re with Meryl and we kinda lost her along the way,” the tall guy said.

“Meryl?” I reacted with a sudden surprised expression.

“That’s why could you help us look for her?” the curly guy asked with a wink.

How irritating. So Meryl is here, huh. Talk about a lucky break. So I really picked the right choice earlier. I must find her as soon as possible.

Suddenly, my cross emitted a red light and formed these words:

[Find Meryl alone]

[Find Meryl with them]

Are you serious, cross of salvation? Why would I try to find Meryl with these guys?

“I’m sure that we can find Meryl if there’s the three of us compared to if there’s only the two of us,” the tall guy followed with a smile.

I hate these guys without a doubt but…tall guy here is right. Searching for Meryl alone isn’t really a wise move. Darn it. I choose the second choice!

“Then, let’s go,” I said with a serious face.

The two then looked at each other with a surprised face. Then, they smiled and looked at me.

“Let’s go and find Meryl!” both of them followed.

We then looked around for Meryl in different parts of the amusement park but no luck. There are so many people around that finding someone became so difficult.

“Did you call Meryl’s cell phone?” I asked to the two.

“Well, she’s not answering,” the curly guy, Ron replied as he tries to call Meryl’s cell phone.

“Hey look!” the tall guy, Fred pointed with a smile. He is pointing at the Sky Drop, a very tall ride that takes you to the very top and suddenly drops you in an amazing speed.

“How about we ride that thing so we can get a view of this place? Maybe we’ll see Meryl while we’re at it,” Ron suggested with a smile.

“Huh? Of course you can’t. That thing will take you so high that the people below won’t even be recognizable,” I retorted with a serious face.

“Now, now, we won’t know until we try so let’s go,” Fred said and pushed me into riding the Sky Drop.

“Can you see?” I asked to the two as the ride slowly ascends upwards.

“This is exciting!” Fred muttered with a smile.

“Hey, hey, hey! This is unexpectedly scary! Can I still turn back?” Ron reacted nervously.

Did these guys just forget searching for Meryl?

Suddenly, the ride dropped us without a notice, making me scream out of unpreparedness for the drop.

“Hahahahahaha. I didn’t expect that OT will scream like that!” Ron commented while laughing really hard after we finished the ride.

Fred then nodded while laughing too and replied, “But that was indeed fun. Right, OT?”

“Yeah, right. Now guys, do you still have any plan to search for Meryl?” I asked with a serious face.

“Maybe she’s there at the haunted house? Let’s enter there!” Ron suggested.

“Good idea, let’s go!” Fred agreed and both of them hurried towards the entrance.

“Jeez, is it really the right choice to follow these guys?” I whispered to myself.

We then entered the haunted house and afterwards, tried different rides with the two giving some explanation on why we should ride that attraction. Even the freaking bump cars became a reasonable way to find Meryl.

“Man, that was fun,” Ron said as we walk after just finishing riding the Ferris wheel.

“You got that right,” Fred concurred with a smile.

“Jeez, what a waste of time indeed,” I said to myself after unconsciously smiling.

“Hey, Fred! Orel is smiling!” Ron suddenly said with a surprised face.

“Really?” Fred asked with a smile and looked at me.

“Huh? I didn’t smile,” I retorted with furrowed eyebrows.

“I guess…I’m glad that we really planned this,” Ron whispered with a smile.

“Planned?” I repeated, clueless about what he said.

“On behalf of the other two girls, Marian and Eliza, who’s not here with us, we apologize if we offended you last time,” both of them suddenly said with a serious face and bowed their head.

“Huh?” I reacted with widened eyes, not knowing how to react.

Then, they lifted their heads and gave me a smile.

“All I can say is we really had fun hanging out with you,” Ron said and tapped my shoulder.

“Let’s hang out again next time!” Fred followed and both of then suddenly ran away while waving.

“What’s up with those two?” I asked to myself curiously.

“Orel?” someone suddenly called.

“Huh?” I reacted and look at the girl who called my name. There, I saw a girl with a pony-tail hairstyle, wearing a fit orange polo-shirt and skinny jeans.

“M-Meryl?” I reacted with a surprised expression.

“Orel? What are you doing here?” she asked with a similar expression as mine.

“So...that’s what all it was,” I whispered, figuring out what happened. So they planned this in order for Meryl and I to reconcile.

“How about you?” I asked with a serious face.

“Well, Marian and Eliza is with me earlier but the two of them received a sudden call, saying that it’s an emergency so they left me behind here in a hurry,” Meryl explained.

So the two girls in the Karaoke incident is on to that plan too, huh.

“I’m just here to relax so now that you don’t have any company, would you like to go stroll around here with me?” I asked.

She then nodded shyly and both of us started walking around.

We then rode different rides and slowly, we returned back to our usual interaction, where we can laugh honestly in front of each other while having fun on what we’re doing. After riding the ‘TrainVille’ attraction, I remembered someone that I forgot.

“Sheena…” I whispered with a devastated look on my face.

I looked around and found an empty bench.

“Sit there and wait for me. I’m going to buy a drink,” I said and jogged away.

“Orel? Wait...jeez,” Meryl reacted with slight furrowed eyebrows.

I shouldn’t look back. I’m gone for more than an hour already. I have to hurry back to Sheena. If only I can go to her in a blink of an eye. Anyway...I have to pee first.

“!”

Suddenly, the pearl that is embedded on my cross emitted a yellow light.

“Yellow?”

Before I know it, I am now inside the male comfort room of the food court. What just happened? Don’t tell me that...

“Teleportation,” I muttered, surprised.

I just teleported! So this is one of the powers of an exorcist. How cool! Anyway, why am I so tired?

“Or, what happened? You’re sweating a lot,” Sheena asked with a worried face after I reached her table.

“Well, my stomach is kinda upset…hahaha,” I replied and forced a laugh.

“Are you okay? Do you want to rest here for a bit?” Sheena asked with a worried face.

“I’m fine. Anyway, where do you want to go next?”

“I will leave everything to you, right?”

“Kid’s Land, how about that?” I suggested.

“Kid’s Land?” she said with sparkling eyes.

“You are really a kid.”

“I...I am just joking. Who would want to go to a place full of kiddy rides?” she said with a sudden upset mood.

“It is true that there are lots of kiddy rides there but you can also found bump cars, tea cup ride, mini-roller coasters, arcades and other rides which are for all ages. They called it like that because the rides there are not too extreme compared to adult rides.”

“Well, if you really insist...” she replied with a smile.

This kid…you’re too obvious.

“By the way, where did you get the tickets we used here?” I asked to her.

“That? A friend of mine named Marian gave me those. She said that I should invite you here. Seems like she knows that we’re relatives,” Sheena explained.

I see. They really planned it alright.

We then went to the Kid’s Land and tried different rides. After we tried the paint ball game, we sat at the bench to rest.

“Are you tired?” I asked to Sheena.

“Not yet. Then, where should we go next?”

“Let’s take a break here. Want a drink?”

“Well, I am kinda thirsty so...”

“I’m going to find a vending machine so wait for me there.”

After I hid behind a tree, I held my cross and closed my eyes. After a few seconds, it emitted a very bright yellow light.

I did it. Now...

“Teleport!” I shouted and instantly disappeared on that location.

I then got teleported to a comfort room near Meryl’s location.

“Exactly the place that I want to go.”

Anyway, I am quite tired again. So that’s what it was. ‘Teleportation’ drains my stamina, huh.

When I got to the bench, I saw Meryl sitting quietly while roaming her eyes around.

“Sorry, it took quite a while,” I said while panting.

“It’s okay. By the way...where are the drinks?” she asked with a smile.

Darn, I forgot!

“Well...the thing is...I got lost. Luckily, I somehow found my way back here,” I replied with a force smirk.

“The vending machines can be found here you know,” she said with a chuckle.

I then looked at our front and saw two good vending machines.

“Then, want a drink?” I asked with a silly grin on my face.

Meryl chuckled and said, “Sure.”

“Wait here a bit.”

After that, I proposed that we should go to the Kid’s Land next.

“How about the ‘Aerial Trip’? I’m not really interested in kiddy rides,” she suggested with a smile.

But Sheena is there! Run-and-teleport is very tiring you know!

“Then, let’s go,” I replied and made a deep sigh.

Before I know it, I rode the roller coaster, air drop ride, disk ride, pendulum ship, flying swing and other extreme rides that my legs got numb from the endless weightlessness.

Out of tiredness, I immediately sat down at the nearest bench.

“Orel, are you alright?” Meryl asked with a worried expression.

“You are indeed strange. You are the only one I know who always laughs when riding thrill rides.”

“Really?” Meryl asked with a smile.

That is not a compliment.

I stared at the sky and remembered that Sheena is waiting on the bench at Kid’s Land. Darn, I forgot!

“Meryl, I’m going to the comfort room so wait here for a bit,” I said and ran away.

“I’ll wait for you here.”

“Got it!”

After I reached the restroom, I held my cross once again and said, “Teleport!” It then emitted a very bright yellow light and teleported me at the comfort room near Sheena’s location.

When I got to the bench, Sheena is nowhere to be found. Did she go home already?

When I looked around, I saw her eating at a burger kiosk near the bench.

“Sorry, Sheena. It took quite a while,” I said after showing up.

“Jeez. This is my 10th burger you know,” she said while holding a half-eaten burger.

It looks like she forgot about the drinks already.

“As an apology, you can decide whether where we should go next.”

Sheena ate the remaining burger and said, “Roller coaster.”

Just like that, I repeated all of the rides I rode earlier in the Aerial Trip. Fortunately, we somehow avoided Meryl’s location. Out of tiredness, I sat on the nearest bench.

“Or, are you okay?” Sheena asked with a worried face.

Jeez. I’ve got two girls worried about me. Since when did I become popular?

“Some...how...” I replied in an exhausted manner.

Jokes aside, I have to go back to Meryl.

“Want a drink?” Sheena asked.

“Yeah. I’m…kinda thirsty.”

“Got it. I’ll be back in a minute,” she said and jogged away from me.

“I can’t afford to rest!” I said and stood up.

Because the location is quite near, I immediately arrived to Meryl’s location after running.

“Orel, you are sweating a lot. What happened?” Meryl asked with a worried face.

“My stomach is kinda upset so...”

“Want to rest here for a bit?” Meryl suggested.

“Then...I will take your offer.”

I then sat down and stared at the dimming sky. I am here with Meryl even though I still can’t apologize for what I did. What should I do? I’m running out of time.

“Let’s go,” I said and stood up.

“Where should we go next?”

“Let’s see…” I said and looked around us. In my surprise, I found Sheena searching for me. Darn, if she found me here, I can no longer explain myself!

I immediately grabbed Meryl’s hand and ran away from Sheena.

“Orel? Whe...where are we going?” Meryl asked while we are running.

I looked around and saw different buildings where we can hide. Where should we go?

Suddenly, my cross flashed a shining red light and formed these choices:

[Horror House.]

[Chapel.]

[Jungle Room.]

What is with that chapel-like building? Is it a praying area? I’m sure that Sheena will never go there for she knows I’m not the type to go in a chapel. I opened the door of the chapel and hid inside.

“Welcome,” two nuns said after we entered.

“This way to the boy’s changing room.”

“This way to the girl’s changing room.”

“Huh?” Meryl reacted out of surprise. Why is she blushing?

“Or…this place is..” she whispered shyly.

“Isn’t this just an ordinary cha—”

Don’t tell me…a fake wedding ceremony?!!

A girl suddenly pushed my back and said, “Don’t be shy. You two are already here after all.”

A girl also pushed Meryl’s back and before we know it, we are now in different changing rooms.

“Darn, what the heck did I do?”

I wonder if Sheena is still looking for me. Maybe I should…wait. This is Meryl’s dream, right? That means that…Sheena is just a fake made to represent the real her in this world. I am really an idiot! I’ve wasted my time and energy for nothing. Well...I’ve unlocked one color thanks to her so it is not really a waste of time. Five colors to go, huh. Thanks, Sheena.

I immediately removed my clothes and wore one of the formal suits that can be found in the room. I opened the door and found the girl that pushed me earlier.

“It suits you, Sir,” the fake nun said with a smile.

“Is it your job to push people around?”

“Sort of. Then, please proceed to the wedding ceremony area.”

I’ve been guided to a room that really looks like a church. It has an altar, a big cross at the wall, red carpet, and the usual pews designed with ribbons and flowers. You can also found the colorful religious-designed windows. I stood up near the altar and after a while, a fake middle-aged priest showed up. This thing is so darn realistic.

After a good 15 minutes, a girl wearing a white wedding dress showed up. It was no other than Meryl. Because there is no veil, I saw her brand new image; her new slightly curled hair is now swaying as she walks and her more beautiful face thanks to the light make-up on it. Unconsciously, my face suddenly got red.

“You’re girlfriend is quite hot,” the fake priest whispered to me.

“No sane priest will say that to a groom,” I retorted with a serious face.

He laughed and said, “Kids these days really have sharp tongues.”

Before I know it, Meryl is now before me. Out of words to say, the priest suddenly asked, “Orel, do you promise to love, cherish and devote yourself to your bride in sickness and in health…”

“Wait a minute father,” I interrupted with a serious expression.

“Hmm? Why?” the fake priest asked with a puzzled face.

“Meryl, do you remember the first time you’ve talked to me?” I asked.

“...”

“...”

“Yes…” she replied with a serious face.

“You’ve suddenly asked me if you can become my friend. To be honest, I was really surprised. There were lots of people who tried to befriend me but not that way. That is why I can somehow avoid them. But you are different. Even if I use my eight commandments, it was still not enough. You still converse with me every day. Those everyday events...are so memorable to me. Those memories are very precious because those contain every bit of you, the girl which I really love and treasure. Since then, lots of events happened to us like running on the hallways, hide-and-seek during lunch breaks and end of classes and many more that if you caught me, I can never do a thing but let you follow me around. Those days...are my treasures, a treasure that I don’t want to disappear. I learned how important your existence is to me when I’ve lost you. I didn’t know how sad my life is if I can’t see your bright smile and hear your cheerful voice. Meryl, I love you.”

“...”

I knelt down with one knee and said, “Meryl, can I become your boyfriend again?”

“Orel…” she said with a surprised expression.

I brought out the souvenir ring and offered it to Meryl. I did my best. I have no regrets!

In my surprise, Meryl took the ring and placed it on her left hand’s ring finger.

“Yes,” she replied with a smile.

I then ran around the whole amusement park ten times and climbed at the top of the tallest tower.

“I did it!” I shouted at the top, enough to be heard by all of the visitors.

Darn, I might actually do that. Control yourself!

When I noticed it, tears are welling up in Meryl’s eyes so I immediately stood up.

“Wh...why the heck are you crying?”

“I...I’m not crying,” she replied and wiped her tears using her hands.

“Here,” I said and gave Meryl a handkerchief. She then used it to wipe her tears.

“I don’t know why tears are just dropping so suddenly. I’m very happy right now yet…tears are falling from my eyes. Anyway, I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have done that. Even though I know that you’re not into socializing with others.”

“Next time…let’s hang out with them again,” I said with a smile.

“Is that okay to you?” she asked with a slight surprised face.

“I should apologize to them first though…to Ron, Fred. Marian and Eliza.”

“So you finally remembered their names,” Meryl muttered with a smile.

“Took me a while though considering they are my classmates.”

“Don’t worry. They are good people so I’m sure all of us will get along,” she said with a smile.

“Meryl…” I whispered with a serious face.

“Orel…” she muttered with blushing cheeks.

She then closed her eyes and puckered her lips. I then drew closer and finally, I kissed Meryl but…are lips really this hard?

When I opened my eyes, I saw that what I am kissing is not Meryl’s lips but rather a book. A bible?

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked to the fake priest in an angry tone.

“I just have a question for the two of you. How old are you?” the priest asked.

“Sixteen,” we both replied.

“This attraction is for a couple 18 years of age above so what you’re going to do is not allowed yet!” the priest said with a somewhat pissed tone.

“Huh?” both of us reacted with a surprised expression.

“You two are still young. So my intuition is correct right from the start!”

“S...say it earlier!” I retorted and just like that, the wedding event in the amusement park ended.

Right now, Meryl and I are walking home while holding hands.

“Why did they let us enter if that attraction has an age limit,” I said to Meryl. “Well, they are not looking for an I.D. and the nuns didn’t say anything about that too.”

“At least they gave us these rings so it is still a happy ending, right?” Meryl said while staring at the ring on her left ring finger.

“Well, we paid after all,” I said and gave a glimpse at the ring on my left ring finger.

“We’re here,” Meryl said after arriving at the front of the apartment complex’s gate.

“…”

“Want to enter again?” she asked with a smile.

“Well, it is quite late so...”

“Well, that makes sense. We still got classes tomorrow after all.”

“Then, see you tomorrow,” I said with a smile and let go of her right hand.

“Orel, why are you...kinda sad?”

“Huh? I’m smiling perfectly, right?

“But...your smile is sort of sad,” Meryl followed in a serious look.

Well, that is because…I’m running out of time. I still got less than two days. It will work out somehow!

“Bye,” I said and started to walk but in my surprise, I suddenly felt someone’s hand grabbing mine.

“Meryl?” I called, curious on why she did it.

“The kiss earlier...it got postponed,” she whispered with a blushed face.

“Huh?” I reacted with widened eyes.

Suddenly, Meryl placed her hands on my cheeks and kissed me on the lips. After awhile, she drew back and gave me a smile.

“That is my first kiss so I don’t know if that is the right way to do it,” she said very shyly.

Because of it, I gave her a smile and replied, “Meryl, I love you.”

She then gave me a charming smile and replied, “I love you too, Orel.”

I held her hand tightly and tried to feel its warmth.

As I stare at her, my vision started to get blurry. Mission complete, huh.

“Orel?” she asked with a sudden worried face.

“Farewell…Meryl,” I whispered and my vision blacked out.

Two down….and two to go.