It was finally the third day of the camping week, which meant that I had two days to tolerate the torture of the wild. As usual, I followed the same prescribed routine that had stuck in my mind for the past two days. I walked through the hot, afternoon sun that burnt my skin — when I arrived at the centre of the camp, I noticed the excited crowd. Further ahead were instructors who grouped everyone into five.

I quickly moved past the place to find a similar face to be grouped with. When I was at the other end, my eyes met Noel's figure, who happened to have stood at the front. He had his attention on the paper in his hand whilst his back rested against the bark of a tree. His expression was relaxed as he spoke to the two individuals beside him, who keenly paid attention.

My attention was fully centered on him that the random warm fingers that touched my shoulders caused me to flinch upon contact. A sudden giggle echoed in my ear — it was a sound from the girl beside me. Immediately, I turned, then stared at the ginger haired girl with freckles that were highlighted by the sun.

"Eva—ngeline?" I was very convinced that my expression of confusion and shock was clearly displayed on my sweaty face. It really was the hottest day that I had ever experienced. I wiped the trace of sweat with the handkerchief before a soft smile crossed my face.

"Hey, how have you been?" Evangeline always had the smile of an angel, which was an unfair addition to her innocent demeanour. She poked her cheek, then slowly taped her lips as she tilted her head. "Hm? You have been looking at me for a while."

"Oh?" I blinked before I nodded, "I'm okay. You?"

It was weird because it was the first time that she and I had a direct conversation. I sighed, my thoughts drained by her presence. She was indeed the type of girl that most people would find attractive, maybe Noel— No, last night might have meant something to him. My thumbs rubbed against each other as I took a long breath.

"I couldn't feel any better." She smiled, "You look different."

"Different?" My eyes widened at her sudden comment. It was a reaction that I was used to, hence her surprise felt normal. Moreover, Noel commented the same when he first met me after school. Potentially, it was finally time that I changed my school appearance.

"Yes, prettier." Prettier than what? I stared at the tree where Noel had been, which was empty. I bit my lower lip, then focused my gaze on her. "Not in a bad way, it's just that you look different at school. I- forget it."

I watched her panicked gestures as she calmly hit her forehead, then continued. "I had been looking for you."

"Me?"

"Yes, I saw your name on the red marked volunteers." She paused, "we have an issue; one of the volunteers in my team went home last night because of an urgent call."

I slowly moved forward, the crowd had become fewer due to individuals dispersing into groups. I had a few more individuals that were ahead of me, and that was the time that I required to listen to Evangeline. "That's sad, I guess."

"Um, would you mind working with us for the next two days? We can double the pay because it would be a call of convenience." I clearly noticed the doubt in her tone, which she tried to mask with confidence.

Fortunately for her, she had mentioned the key word of what I needed. A double pay would be helpful when class commenced. "Okay, I'll start tomorrow."

"Really?" Evangeline excitedly clapped her hands, then held mine. "Thank you so much. You should pass by the youth executive team at six in the morning." Thereafter, she left as I stood dumbfounded by her last words.

"Why do I feel like I've been scammed by a cute puppy into giving it snacks?" I muttered, "six a.m? Does she expect me to wake up that early on a holiday?"

I gasped after thoughts of the sudden loss of sleep that I would experience. Thereafter, I closed my eyes before the scent of cherries left a trail around me. Surprisingly, it had been three months since twelve grade began, yet it was the first time that I've inhaled such a pheromone. It was a remainder that she had never walked down the path that I did, nor were our common spaces closer. That was how high she was in high society.

"Ouch."

The steepness of the mountains made my chest hurt, it had been seven minutes since the team's instructor grouped us. We were later given guidelines about the path that we would explore, which unlike last time, it was the slippery slope around the mountains.

The aim of the afternoon event was to spot uncommon creatures. Luckily, the instructor chose birds for our team. Moreover, I had familiar faces that were added to the group. Linyu and Fiona confidently walked ahead of me, which made me wish to have more stamina. Though I rode a bike to school, afterward, I usually experienced chest burns.

"There will be a ball dance around the camp fires tonight." I heard the girl who struggled beside me as she huffed.

"Really? A ball dance on dusty grounds?" I coughed, then stared at her.

"Isn't it romantic?! Slowly dancing under the stars whilst surrounded by music and flames." Fiona turned as she spoke, her eyes lit up with the imagination of the perfect night.

"That doesn't sound bad." The person at my left commented as he picked the flower that fell on his buzz-cut styled, afro hair. "The dress code must be casual."

A ball dance? I smiled at the sudden thought of Noel. My fingers ran through my hair before I closed my eyes. The sudden emotions that I had — suddenly busted out, and I felt the desire to have been in his group. But, he needed the space, which I hoped would make it easier for him to analyze his emotions.

Three hours passed after the afternoon event had started, and we were finally settled in the dining hall for the evening meal. Although the teams finished their activities before the afternoon siren, I still felt the ache in my legs. I twirled the chopsticks as my eyes stayed glued to the bowl of noodles — my mind still wondered how I managed to survive the week.

I had called the hospital at dawn, last night, and the nurse told me that dad would be discharged soon. Which meant that I had to visit the hospital on Saturday, maybe explain to the doctor about my sudden disappearance. I clenched the centre of the disposable chopsticks, then picked a piece of the meat.

"Life is stressful." I inaudibly whispered when Linyu laughed beside me. Immediately, I rubbed my cheek with the back of my palm before my cold gaze fixed on him. He seemed unimpressed and unbothered by my visual threat to keep quiet.

"You have a lot on your plate." He moved forward, then dropped another medium-sized meat into my bowl.

"More like less on my plate, literally." I gestured at the half empty bowl of noodles, which made him laugh. His wide smile caused my eyes to widen at the view, although we had a distant friendship, Linyu was the best companion to discuss with.

"Did you pass by the lawns?" A cocky smirk appeared on his face, which made me flinch. I had forgotten about the reason of my visit after Noel and I met. To avoid further questions, I took a big ball of noodles and stuffed it into my mouth.  "I'll take that as a yes."

As I swallowed hard, Linyu seemed to quietly study my actions, and that made my cheeks to heat up. He often had an attentive expression that made me drop my guard around him. "I didn't see you; hence I left." I lied.

The truth would be better kept a secret. Moreover, his absence was the truth; hence, he wouldn't know what transpired last night. "I see... I see." He questionably stared at me, then drank from the glass of juice that was placed on the wooden table.

"Yeah." I cleared my throat whilst my eyelashes waved through my eyes.

"Noel keeps looking at you." The chopsticks firmly held between my fingers cracked, and I turned – my eyes wandered around the room, which was crowded. Various discussions echoed around the dinning hall, all eyes focused on their companions. To me, Noel always stood out in the crowd. I could spot him in the far distance, yet I couldn't see him. "You seem disappointed."

"I'm not—"

"That night kiss must've been great."

"It was great!" I warmly smiled, then paused. "Uh, What did you say? The weather was great, sad that you missed it." I softly scratched the side of my neck as my eyes stared at the empty bowl.

"I thought you trusted me." Linyu pouted cutely, a sudden urge to laugh filled me at his random gestures. Would it be okay to trust him? I thought through until I smiled. "You like him." He poked the wet chopstick on my arm.

"I think I do, it's been going well." I covered my face, then chuckled softly. But, when I stared at him, his sudden expressions changed. It was unlike the happy Linyu that I often spoke to, he seemed stuck in thoughts. "Are you okay?"

"That reminds me, your father has gotten better." He smiled, "I also proposed a job offer to my dad."

"Really?" I gasped as the excitement filled me. My hands were holding a warm hand before I noticed, then let loose. "Sorry, I was so happy."

"I understand, but..." His words trailed, and were relaxed by a sudden silence which made me anxious. "What will I get in return?"

Linyu couldn't be the type of person to ask for unreasonable things. Moreover, there could be less that I could offer him due to my status and in capabilities. I sighed, "What do you need?"

"Hm? It's a simple deal." He moved forward, then whispered. "I'll help your father with my connections if you could aid me with necessary information."

I clenched the summer dress that I wore, then nodded. For my father's health and success, I would do anything. Moreover, he would do the same if I were in his condition — the illness got worse than it was before I reached senior year. If it continued without medical funds and an empty bank, that would affect him so much. "What information do you need?"

"It's simpler since you are already close to the person." He paused, "Bring Noel's secrets to me and I would appreciate any family weaknesses."

"What?! Are you crazy?" I yelled before his palm covered my mouth. It seemed that everyone's attention quickly diverged toward us, which made me inwardly yell. To avoid commotion, Linyu gently rubbed my shoulders then whispered about my silence. Immediately, he removed his hand and coldly gazed at me. "I- I can't do it."

My eyes slowly filled with tears as I tried to keep my voice low. I loved my father and Noel, there was none that I would hurt for my gain. My head unconsciously shook when Linyu cleared the hair that covered my face. "I know it's a difficult decision, you can tell me on Monday, after class."

The siren echoed in the hall as people excitedly rushed out to prepare for the dance event. Linyu smiled, then kissed my head. "Your father is such a lucky man." That was all he said before I heard him stand and leave.

My body felt suffocated and weak. It was a sudden discussion that I would never have imagined that he and I could ever initiate. A side of me felt empty because I trusted him so much that I expressed my raw emotions. If I had known that he had a hidden agenda, then I would have avoided him.

"Oh my gosh, I stuck." I covered my face as my cries echoed in the empty dining hall. "What can I do?"

Would I be required to repay him for the aid if I rejected the deal? Moreover, how would my father recover again?

The sound of slow, classic songs echoed through the dark night. On such a night filled with dazzling stars, and cheerful screams, I would've been happy. But, the memories of Linyu's words haunted my mind in a way that the darkness was a reminder of my nightmares. It might've been because I became closer to Victoria and Katana, who were in high society.

When I was young, my mother told me about how horrible her father was. How she was often seen as a tool to strengthen the political name of her family. In fact, she had to marry into a really worthy family before she fell in love with father. Their love might have been like the clichés, where the two protagonists met during a snowy afternoon at the library in university. Mom said that he looked like an angel, she might have felt the same as I did when I met Noel.

I met him on the screen, when he played the piano at the freshman opening day. He looked beautiful, as his fingers softly hit every key and his eyes stared at the sky. I saw an angel, a beautiful one that made my heart skip for the first time. Thereafter, I believed that I could be able to call him, mine. Mother might have felt that way too, but she chose her happiness over ours. We were her family, why would she leave me?

I closed my eyes as the silent tears rolled down my cheeks. My burning eyes stared at the stars, then a thought occurred to me. "If I don't choose father too, then who would ever take his side?"

Last night, the lawns felt full of life when Noel sat beside me. But, it was a different story when alone. Moreover, I was happy that I finally gained his trust. I cleared the tears and my wet nose before I forcefully inhaled the cold air. "All alone again." I heard the familiar voice that always made me smile, yet I frowned.

"Hm? Are you that sad to see me?" Noel sat beside me. Several minutes passed as he stared at the stars, then finally at me. "Here."

My gaze slowly diverged toward the tiny pack of colourful, chocolate balls. Subsequently, I felt a slight stretch of my lips before I closed my eyes. "Why do you always have sweets?"

"You noticed?" He gasped, then faked a shocked face. Unfortunately, I couldn't hide the giggle that escaped my system. "I have a sweet tooth."

"... and a spicy tooth?" I questioningly tilted my head, then frowned. He seemed to ponder the question — though his playful tone disappeared, I noticed a smile crossed on his face.

"Someone told me that I had to give something before asking for a dance." He paused when my eyes widened at that moment. Suddenly, he stood up and stretched his hand for me. "Will you have this dance with me?"

My eyes wandered through the dark lawns, where the music was hardly audible. Bright stars twinkled in the lonely night sky that was vividly reflected on the gentle stream. My eyes closed, then my fingers roughly held on my dark-blue dress. Immediately, the previous thoughts crowded my mind. Would I hurt you, Noel?

I reached out for his cold hand, that pulled me closer until we stood a few inches apart. His arm slowly moved to my waist as my shivering arms crossed his neck. At that moment, I felt the worst twist in my chest at an occasion that could have been memorable. Noel smiled, then whispered. "I'll follow your lead."

"What?" I gasped when his hand pulled me forward. "I don't dance—um, I've never danced with someone before."

His fingers gently caressed my cheek, before he kissed my forehead. "I'll make the first step, then you make the second." He paused, then smoothly twirled me. "It's like an endless loop, Aurora." I followed his steps, at the same time, his words captured my attention. "As gentle as the water and calm as the wind." His gaze was fixed on mine and I felt the warmth that built within.

"I'm doing it!" I giggled, then looked up at him. Immediately, a strong wind passed that aimlessly led the leafs and flowers toward us. My eyes closed, and my body unconsciously moved closer, which made me blush. Noel chuckled softly, then pulled me toward his firm chest.

"Noel?" My hands clenched his shirt that had a strong scent to it. Uncontrollably, I gently rubbed my head against him, then inhaled the scent. I suddenly felt the rushed flow of blood in my body that caused a sharp ache in my neck. "What are we?"

"Huh?" I closed my eyes, then held on to him.

"People don't kiss strangers." I whispered.

Suddenly, his hands gently pushed me backwards until we made eye contact. Although his warm eyes gazed at me, I could spot a hint of doubt by the frown. "Isn't it too early for titles?"

"I'm not asking for titles, I want to know how you feel about me. About us?" I stared at the dusty grounds. The silence consumed me to the point that the music became louder. My thumbs playfully rubbed as sudden thoughts began to mentally consume me.

What would he say? I had been so fixed by my emotions that I hadn't tried to evaluate his. Moreover, I thought Noel was the type that knew what he wanted. Would he reject me? Nevertheless, that would be for the best because Linyu could forget the deal. But, my father— what could I do?

"We could get to know each other more." He paused, then rubbed his forehead. "Would it be okay if we kept it private for now?"

"Private?" I tilted my head, confused by his statement. He might have noticed because he suddenly held my hand.

"It's complicated to explain, but I need more time to understand what I really feel. I don't know, I'll be risking many things; I have my family's expectations."

"Expectations?" I spoke through clenched teeth. It wouldn't be that I ever thought that I would meet high society's expectations. It hurt that I couldn't, and the fact that he tried to explain meant he was aware of our situation. I took a deep breath, then smiled. "I understand."

It had been a day for him, and three years for me. If he required plenty of space, then I would give him enough to decide. "Two weeks... We can keep it private for two weeks. Thereafter, we can decide whether to end it or not."

I turned, then stared at the stars. Was I selfish? But, two weeks was enough to find my solution to the situation. Moreover, It mattered that I confirmed his awareness of our emotions. "I guess, excuse me." Noel immediately walked away, which made me frown.

"Why did he seem upset?" I rubbed my hair.

When I went back to the camps, the event had already reached its climax. Without hesitation, I went to rest. The following two days were stressful, and I lucked any chances to meet Noel and Linyu. Although Noel had been busy with the reports, he still responded to my random phone calls. Afterward, the regional youth camp was closed on an eventful Friday night.

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Thanks for reading this chapter, support the story by commenting or upvoting.

Author's note; I wanted to add on that it's okay to trust the wrong people sometimes. Desperation and depression can cause a person to find relief in things/people that provide attention yet destroy us behind the scenes.

Next chapter is at home :)