Friday – 6:52 a.m. – School parking lot
I was already regretting my life choices.
I stood next to my suitcase, sleep-deprived, hoodie-wrapped, watching 40 teenagers pretend to be chill while secretly plotting which seat to take on the bus.
"Shotgun next to Lira," Mina declared, flopping beside me dramatically.
"I didn't realize this was The Hunger Games," I mumbled.
Mina smirked. "Oh, babe. It's worse. It's teen hormones in the woods."
I laughed.
And then—
HE appeared.
Damian.
Backpack slung over one shoulder. Wind gently tousling his annoyingly perfect hair. Wearing a gray hoodie and chaos.
"Morning, Art Girl."
One wink.
I instantly forgot what breathing was.
On the Bus:
Of course fate seated me directly in front of Aeron.
And across from Damian.
It was like a reality show called "Who Will She Accidentally Fall Asleep On?"
Mina was passed out two seats behind me. Jayce was making conspiracy theories about raccoons. And I? I was trying so hard to act like I didn't feel both boys staring at me.
I turned to my window like I was in a sad music video.
Until Aeron leaned forward slightly and whispered,
"You didn't reply to my last text."
EXCUSE ME?
I turned slowly. "You ended the conversation with a period. That's a digital goodbye."
He smirked. "Not when it's me."
Damian: chuckles lowly from across the aisle.
"Wow. That's rich coming from Mr. One-Emoji."
Aeron: deadpan
"At least I don't flirt like a golden retriever."
Oh.
It was on.
We Arrive: The Cabins™
"Girls in Cabin B, boys in Cabin D!" the teacher yelled.
"Actually," Mina said brightly, "Lira got moved to Cabin D!"
I whipped my head around.
"What?"
"I may or may not have traded with Jayce for a glitter pen and a secret about Jade."
I blinked. "You WHAT?!"
Mina winked. "Have fun with your roommates."
I nearly died.
Inside Cabin D:
Bunk beds.
No privacy.
Smells like socks and teen anxiety.
I stared at the one open bottom bunk.
Top: Damian.
Other bunk: Aeron.
Me: internally screaming into the void
"You okay?" Aeron asked, standing close. Too close.
I nodded too fast. "YEP. FINE. LOVE BUNK BEDS. SO MUCH… ARCHITECTURE."
Damian poked his head down. "Don't worry, I don't snore. But I do talk in my sleep."
"Oh god," I muttered.
That Night: The Bonfire
We all gathered around a fire, marshmallows popping, secrets crackling.
Jayce told a horror story involving broccoli.
Mina was trying to summon moths.
I was too aware of two boys on either side of me, both leaning just a little too close.
And then…
Aeron handed me a roasted marshmallow.
Without saying a word.
Our eyes met in the firelight.
He looked away first.
But not before I saw it.
Softness. Regret. Want.
And then—
Damian brushed a leaf out of my hair.
"Looks better now," he whispered.
I think my soul actually ascended.
Later That Night: The Walk-In Scene
I was changing in the bathroom. I swear I locked the door.
I SWEAR.
Then—
CLICK.
Door opens.
"Whoa—!!"
DAMIAN.
I screamed.
He turned around IMMEDIATELY, hands over his eyes.
"Sorry! I thought it was empty! I was— I didn't—"
I threw a towel at his back.
"GET OUT. GET OUT."
He ran out like a sinner from a church.
Final Scene: Midnight Vibes
I lay in bed, eyes wide open.
Above me: Damian's slow breathing.
Across from me: Aeron's bunk, silent. But I knew he was awake.
Then—
A whisper.
"Lira?"
It was Aeron.
"Yeah?" I whispered back.
A pause.
"I'm glad you're here."
My heart went still.
So was I.
End of Chapter 20