After thinking hard and long, for her own sanity, Amelia had decided to keep a safe distance from Denver Brooks. In the days that came, she tried not to make any eye contact with him or be in the same space as him. Denver, too, didn’t approach her, which was a huge plus, but there was some lingering disappointment within her.
Time passed by in a flash, and soon it was the day of the hiking trip.
"After such gruelling midterms, we are finally going to do some fun activities. Hiking in the mountains. Our school isn’t that heartless after all," Perry said while wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye.
Amelia only nodded in response, as she gazed out of the moving vehicle. Vlad was driving them both to their destination.
"Lia~ .... aren’t you excited?" Perry asked when she got no response.
"I am," Amelia tried to sound cheerful.
Perry rolled her eyes, not believing her, "No, you are not. Is it~ ... is it because of that, Denver?" She whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, so that it was only audible to Amelia.
"NOOO~ ..." Amelia’s voice came out loud, "I am excited. YEAAHHHH~~~~~" she said, and Perry burst into a fit of laughter, seeing her flustered.
"What are you girls talking about? Care to let me in on your talk?" Vlad asked, while his focus remained on the road.
"Just some school stuff, Uncle Clinton. By the way, why didn’t sis Vienna come with us? Didn’t you say her college trip happens to be on the same day, Amelia?" Perry tried to shift the topic.
Amelia answered, "Sister Ena said she was going with her friends and will meet us there." Perry nodded in understanding.
Their car came to a sudden halt as they reached the base camp. Other students from their school have already gathered. Actually, the school buses arrived fifteen minutes ago. Vlad and Ashley were adamant that Amelia would go in a car instead of a crowded bus, which is why they came separately.
The girls got out, said their goodbyes to Vlad and joined their classmates. Without any school uniform or extra pressure, the atmosphere was much more relaxed and chirpier. Everyone has been looking forward to this day.
"Ohk~ ... everyone," Janet started, "I know you all are excited for today’s hike, but there are some things I want you all to bear in mind, so listen carefully." As she was busy giving instructions, Amelia looked around for Vienna, who was nowhere to be found. There were a few college students, but none resembled her sister’s friends, oddly enough.
"Alright~ ... now it’s time. All of you, go and stand beside your team member," Janet Doull said. Amelia was still searching for her sister when someone cooed next to her ear, "Hey~ .... What’s up?"
Not expecting that, Amelia got startled. She became jumpy and, as a result, lost her footing. Shutting her eyes tightly, she braced for the impact which never really came. Instead, she felt firm hands holding her. One was on her wrist, and the other was on the small of her back. She couldn’t even process what had happened when she heard that familiar, raspy chuckle. Her eyes flew open instantly as they landed on Denver’s clean face.



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